Exploring volumetrically indexed cups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Dustin L.

2011-03-01

This article was inspired by a set of 12 cylindrical cups, which are volumetrically indexed; that is to say, the volume of cup n is equal to n times the volume of cup 1. Various sets of volumetrically indexed cylindrical cups are explored. I demonstrate how this children's toy is ripe for mathematical investigation, with connections to geometry, algebra and differential calculus. Students with an understanding of these topics should be able to complete the analysis and related exercises contained herein.

Landscapes: A State-of-the-Art Assessment of Reading Comprehension Research 1974-1984. Final Report, Volume 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crismore, Avon, Ed.

The 594 studies referenced in this volume, the first of a two-volume set, synthesize reading comprehension research conducted from 1974 to 1984. The 12 chapters cover the following topics: (1) the necessity for both quantitative and qualitative meta-analysis for a complete state-of-the-art understanding of any domain, (2) the background of the…

National Crime Information Center Mandatory Minimum Standards Curriculum for Full Access Terminal Operators. Volume Two--NCIC "Hot" Files.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, DC. National Crime Information Center.

This document is the second volume of a two-volume set of lesson plans that together make up a complete training package for full-service terminal operators. The lesson plans are designed to ensure that a state's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) training program meets Advisory Policy Board standards. (NCIC is a nationwide computerized…

Vibrational spectra and ab initio analysis of tert-butyl, trimethylsilyl, and trimethylgermyl derivatives of 3,3-dimethyl cyclopropene V. 3,3-Dimethyl-1-(trimethylgermyl)cyclopropene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Maré, G. R.; Panchenko, Yu. N.; Abramenkov, A. V.; Baird, M. S.; Tverezovsky, V. V.; Nizovtsev, A. V.; Bolesov, I. G.

2004-02-01

3,3-Dimethyl-1-(trimethylgermyl)cyclopropene ( I) was synthesised using a standard procedure. The IR and Raman spectra of I in the liquid phase were measured. The molecular geometry of I was optimised completely at the HF/6-31G* level. The HF/6-31G*//HF/6-31G* force field was calculated and scaled using the set of scale factors transferred from those determined previously for scaling the theoretical force fields of 3,3-dimethylbutene-1 and 1-methyl-, 1,2-dimethyl-, and 3,3-dimethylcyclopropene. The assignments of the observed vibrational bands were performed using the theoretical frequencies calculated from the scaled HF/6-31G*//HF/6-31G* force field and the ab initio values of the IR intensities, Raman cross-sections and depolarisation ratios. The theoretical spectra are given. The completely optimised structural parameters of I and its vibrational frequencies are compared with corresponding data of related molecules.

Young adults' use and output level settings of personal music systems.

PubMed

Torre, Peter

2008-10-01

There are growing concerns over noise exposure via personal music system use by young adults. One purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of personal music system use and the listening patterns associated with these systems in a large sample of young adults. A second purpose of this study was to measure the dB SPL in the ear canal of young adults while they blindly set the volume of a personal music system to four settings. In the first study, the personal music system use survey was completed by 1016 students at various locations on the San Diego State University campus. Questions included sex, age, ethnicity, race, and whether or not they used a personal music system. Students who answered Yes to using a personal music system were instructed to complete the remaining 11 closed-set questions. These questions dealt with type of earphones used with the system, most common listening environment, length of time per day the system was used, and the volume setting. The differences between women and men and across ethnicity and race were evaluated for the questions. In the second study, a probe microphone placed in the ear canal of 32 participants was used to determine the dB SPL of four loudness categories at which the participants blindly set the level of a personal music system: low, medium or comfortable, loud, and very loud. In study 1, over 90% of the participants who completed the survey reported using a personal music system. Over 50% of those who use a personal music system reported listening between 1 and 3 hrs and almost 90% reported listening at either a medium or loud volume. Men were significantly more likely to report listening to their system for a longer duration compared with women and more likely to report listening at a very loud volume. There was a trend for Hispanic or Latino students to report listening for longer durations compared with Not Hispanic or Latino students, but this difference was not statistically significant. Black or African American students were significantly more likely to report listening to their personal music system between 3 and 5 hrs and more than 5 hrs and to report listening at a very loud volume compared with other racial groups. In study 2, the mean dB SPL values for low, medium or comfortable, loud, and very loud were 62.0, 71.6, 87.7, and 97.8 dB SPL, respectively. Men set the level of very loud significantly higher than women. It is clear that a vast majority of young adults who completed the personal music system use survey listen to a system using earphones. Most of the respondents listen between 1 and 3 hrs a day at a medium or loud volume. Based on the probe microphone measurement results, the volume settings for reported durations may not be hazardous for hearing. Long-term use of personal music systems, however, in combination with other noise exposures (i.e., recreational, occupational), and their effect on hearing remains a question for additional research.

The use of biomarkers to describe plasma-, red cell-, and blood volume from a simple blood test.

PubMed

Lobigs, Louisa Margit; Sottas, Pierre-Edouard; Bourdon, Pitre Collier; Nikolovski, Zoran; El-Gingo, Mohamed; Varamenti, Evdokia; Peeling, Peter; Dawson, Brian; Schumacher, Yorck Olaf

2017-01-01

Plasma volume and red cell mass are key health markers used to monitor numerous disease states, such as heart failure, kidney disease, or sepsis. Nevertheless, there is currently no practically applicable method to easily measure absolute plasma or red cell volumes in a clinical setting. Here, a novel marker for plasma volume and red cell mass was developed through analysis of the observed variability caused by plasma volume shifts in common biochemical measures, selected based on their propensity to present with low variations over time. Once a month for 6 months, serum and whole blood samples were collected from 33 active males. Concurrently, the CO-rebreathing method was applied to determine target levels of hemoglobin mass (HbM) and blood volumes. The variability of 18 common chemistry markers and 27 Full Blood Count variables was investigated and matched to the observed plasma volume variation. After the removal of between-subject variations using a Bayesian model, multivariate analysis identified two sets of 8 and 15 biomarkers explaining 68% and 69% of plasma volume variance, respectively. The final multiparametric model contains a weighting function to allow for isolated abnormalities in single biomarkers. This proof-of-concept investigation describes a novel approach to estimate absolute vascular volumes, with a simple blood test. Despite the physiological instability of critically ill patients, it is hypothesized the model, with its multiparametric approach and weighting function, maintains the capacity to describe vascular volumes. This model has potential to transform volume management in clinical settings. Am. J. Hematol. 92:62-67, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Functional capacities of lungs and thorax in beagles after prolonged residence at 3,100 m.

PubMed

Johnson, R L; Cassidy, S S; Grover, R F; Schutte, J E; Epstein, R H

1985-12-01

Functional capacities of the lungs and thorax in beagles taken to high altitude as adults for 33 mo or in beagles raised from puppies at high altitude were compared with functional capacities in corresponding sets of beagles kept simultaneously at sea level. Comparisons were made after reacclimatization to sea level. Lung volumes, airway pressures, esophageal pressures, CO diffusing capacities (DLCO), pulmonary blood flow, and lung tissue volume (Vt) were measured by a rebreathing technique at inspired volumes ranging from 15 to 90 ml/kg. In beagles raised from puppies we measured anatomical distribution of intrathoracic air and tissue using X-ray computed tomography at transpulmonary pressures of 20 cm H2O. Lung and thoracic distensibility, DLCO, and Vt were not different between beagles that had been kept at high altitude for 33 mo as adults and control subjects kept simultaneously at sea level. Lung distensibility, DLCO, and Vt were significantly greater in beagles raised at high altitude than control subjects raised simultaneously at sea level. Thoracic distensibility was not increased in beagles raised at high altitude; the larger lung volume was accommodated by a lower diaphragm, not a larger rib cage.

RL10A-3-3B high mixture ratio qualification program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogel, T.; Varella, D.; Smith, C.

1987-01-01

The results of the high mixture ratio qualification testing of the RL10 engine for the Shuttle/Centaur program are presented. The objective of the engine qualification test was to demonstrate the suitability of the RL10A-3-3B engine for space vehicle flight by subjecting it to the testing specified in RL10A-3-3B Model Specification Number 2295 dated February 1986. The applicable section of the specification is presented. Due to payload volume advantages which can be achieved by increasing the operating mixture ratio of the RL10, a decision was made to qualify the engine to run at a higher mixture ratio. A program was created to qualify the RL10 engine for operation at 15,000 pounds thrust and a nominal 6.0 to 1 mixture ratio. This model of the engine was designated the RL10A-3-3B. The qualification program included three test series as follows: (1) hardware durability and limits test in which the engine completed 23 firings and 4605.7 seconds with 1588.7 seconds at less than 6.6 mixture ratio; (2) preliminary qualification test in which the engine completed 26 firings and 5750 seconds; and (3) qualification test in which the engine completed 26 hot firings and 5693.4 seconds with 905.9 seconds at 6.7 mixture ratio. Several changes in engine hardware were required for operation of the RL10A-3-3B engine in the Space Shuttle which include a duel pressure switch ignition, an oxidizer flow control, and helium plumbing changes.

SU-E-T-572: Normal Lung Tissue Sparing in Radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hong, C; Ju, S; Ahn, Y

2015-06-15

Purpose: To compare normal lung-sparing capabilities of three advanced radiation therapy techniques for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). Methods: Four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) was performed in 10 patients with stage IIIb LA-NSCLC. The internal target volume (ITV); planning target volume (PTV); and organs at risks (OARs) such as spinal cord, total normal lung, heart, and esophagus were delineated for each CT data set. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), Tomohelical-IMRT (TH-IMRT), and TomoDirect-IMRT (TD-IMRT) plans were generated (total prescribed dose, 66 Gy in 33 fractions to the PTV) for each patient. To reduce the normal lung dose, complete and directionalmore » block function was applied outside the normal lung far from the target for both TH-IMRT and TD-IMRT, while pseudo- OAR was set in the same region for IMRT. Dosimetric characteristics of the three plans were compared in terms of target coverage, the sparing capability for the OAR, and the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). Beam delivery efficiency was also compared. Results: TH-IMRT and TD-IMRT provided better target coverage than IMRT plans. Lung volume receiving ≥–30 Gy, mean dose, and NTCP were significant with TH-IMRT than with IMRT (p=0.006), and volume receiving ≥20–30 Gy was lower in TD-IMRT than in IMRT (p<0.05). Compared with IMRT, TH-IMRT had better sparing effect on the spinal cord (Dmax, NTCP) and heart (V45) (p<0.05). NTCP for the spinal cord, V45 and V60 for the heart, and Dmax for the esophagus were significantly lower in TD-IMRT than in IMRT. The monitor units per fraction were clearly smaller for IMRT than for TH-IMRT and TD-IMRT (p=0.006). Conclusion: In LA-NSCLC, TH-IMRT gave superior PTV coverage and OAR sparing compared to IMRT. TH-IMRT provided better control of the lung volume receiving ≥5–30 Gy. The delivery time and monitor units were lower in TD-IMRT than in TH-IMRT.« less

Correlation between retinal sensitivity and cystoid space characteristics in diabetic macular edema.

PubMed

Velaga, Swetha B; Nittala, Muneeswar G; Parinitha, B; Sadda, S R; Chhablani, Jay Kumar

2016-06-01

To evaluate the correlation between retinal sensitivity and cystoid space characteristics in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME). Prospective cross-sectional study of 22 subjects with DME (32 treatment-naïve eyes). All study subjects underwent complete ophthalmic examination, including slit-lamp biomicroscopy and dilated fundus examination. All subjects underwent spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and microperimetry (MP). Intraretinal cystoid space (ICS) volume was generated after manual delineation of cystoid space boundaries using the three-dimensional-OCT software. Various SD-OCT parameters, including retinal thickness, retinal volume, cystoid space volume, cystoid space intensity, and outer retinal structure integrity, were correlated with MP parameters and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Subject's mean age was 57 ± 9 years. The mean logarithm of minimum angle of resolution BCVA was 0.4 ± 0.2. The intraclass correlation coefficient for inter- and intra-grader assessment of cystoid space volume by manual delineation was 0.99 and 0.99, respectively. Mean total ICS volume was 0.4 ± 0.4 mm 3 and for the foveal center, subfield was 0.1 ± 0.1 mm 3 . Mean retinal sensitivity was 12.89 ± 10 dB; however, foveal retinal sensitivity was 12.3 ± 11.1 dB. We found no significant correlation between BCVA and total cystoid space volume (r = 0.33, P = 0.06). Correlation between total retinal sensitivity and total ICS was negative and nonsignificant (r = -0.17, P = 0.36). Correlation between foveal retinal sensitivity and foveal cystoid space intensity was moderate and marginally significant (r = -0.43, P = 0.05). Total cystoid space volume was not significantly correlated with BCVA or total retinal sensitivity in subjects with DME. Foveal cystoid space optical intensity was negatively correlated with foveal retinal sensitivity. These findings suggest further investigation of cystoid space characteristics in the setting of DME may be of value.

Setting occupational health standards: toxicokinetic differences among and between men and women.

PubMed

Silvaggio, T; Mattison, D R

1994-08-01

Differences between and among men, nonpregnant women, and pregnant women can influence exposure and response to workplace toxicants. These differences should be delineated, compared, and used when setting regulatory standards to protect workers from potentially hazardous workplace environments. Anatomical and physiological parameters include: body composition; surface area; blood, organ, and tissue volume; metabolism; and cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and renal structure and function. Although men differ among themselves, on average, they also differ from women by weighing more, being taller, and having a larger surface area. Total body water is 40% greater in men than nonpregnant women; however, during pregnancy, body water increases from 29 to 33 liters. Extracellular and intracellular water volumes are smallest in nonpregnant women, increase with pregnancy, but remain smaller than those in men. Pulmonary function differs; pregnant women have the largest minute volume and greatest volume of air exchanged in an 8-hour period. This article compares anatomical, physiological, and toxicokinetic characteristics of men and nonpregnant and pregnant women to explore how differences in these factors contribute to variations in exposures, target tissue doses, and responses to workplace or environmental chemicals.

Spontaneous breathing during lung-protective ventilation in an experimental acute lung injury model: high transpulmonary pressure associated with strong spontaneous breathing effort may worsen lung injury.

PubMed

Yoshida, Takeshi; Uchiyama, Akinori; Matsuura, Nariaki; Mashimo, Takashi; Fujino, Yuji

2012-05-01

We investigated whether potentially injurious transpulmonary pressure could be generated by strong spontaneous breathing and exacerbate lung injury even when plateau pressure is limited to <30 cm H2O. Prospective, randomized, animal study. University animal research laboratory. Thirty-two New Zealand White rabbits. Lavage-injured rabbits were randomly allocated to four groups to receive low or moderate tidal volume ventilation, each combined with weak or strong spontaneous breathing effort. Inspiratory pressure for low tidal volume ventilation was set at 10 cm H2O and tidal volume at 6 mL/kg. For moderate tidal volume ventilation, the values were 20 cm H2O and 7-9 mL/kg. The groups were: low tidal volume ventilation+spontaneous breathingweak, low tidal volume ventilation+spontaneous breathingstrong, moderate tidal volume ventilation+spontaneous breathingweak, and moderate tidal volume ventilation+spontaneous breathingstrong. Each group had the same settings for positive end-expiratory pressure of 8 cm H2O. Respiratory variables were measured every 60 mins. Distribution of lung aeration and alveolar collapse were histologically evaluated. Low tidal volume ventilation+spontaneous breathingstrong showed the most favorable oxygenation and compliance of respiratory system, and the best lung aeration. By contrast, in moderate tidal volume ventilation+spontaneous breathingstrong, the greatest atelectasis with numerous neutrophils was observed. While we applied settings to maintain plateau pressure at <30 cm H2O in all groups, in moderate tidal volume ventilation+spontaneous breathingstrong, transpulmonary pressure rose >33 cm H2O. Both minute ventilation and respiratory rate were higher in the strong spontaneous breathing groups. Even when plateau pressure is limited to <30 cm H2O, combined with increased respiratory rate and tidal volume, high transpulmonary pressure generated by strong spontaneous breathing effort can worsen lung injury. When spontaneous breathing is preserved during mechanical ventilation, transpulmonary pressure and tidal volume should be strictly controlled to prevent further lung injury.

International Meeting To Discuss Audio Technology as Applied to Library Services for Blind Individuals (3rd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, April 20-22, 1995). Volumes 1-3.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Library of Congress, Washington, DC. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

This three-day conference on the subject of audio technology for the production of materials for the blind, takes the court reporter approach to recording the speeches and discussions of the meeting. The result is a three volume set of complete transcripts, one volume for each day of the meeting, but continuous in form. The highlights of each…

CD-ROM publication of the Mars digital cartographic data base

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Batson, R. M.; Eliason, E. M.; Soderblom, L. A.; Edwards, Kathleen; Wu, Sherman S. C.

1991-01-01

The recently completed Mars mosaicked digital image model (MDIM) and the soon-to-be-completed Mars digital terrain model (DTM) are being transcribed to optical disks to simplify distribution to planetary investigators. These models, completed in FY 1991, provide a cartographic base to which all existing Mars data can be registered. The digital image map of Mars is a cartographic extension of a set of compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) volumes containing individual Viking Orbiter images now being released. The data in these volumes are pristine in the sense that they were processed only to the extent required to view them as images. They contain the artifacts and the radiometric, geometric, and photometric characteristics of the raw data transmitted by the spacecraft. This new set of volumes, on the other hand, contains cartographic compilations made by processing the raw images to reduce radiometric and geometric distortions and to form geodetically controlled MDIM's. It also contains digitized versions of an airbrushed map of Mars as well as a listing of all feature names approved by the International Astronomical Union. In addition, special geodetic and photogrammetric processing has been performed to derive rasters of topographic data, or DTM's. The latter have a format similar to that of MDIM, except that elevation values are used in the array instead of image brightness values. The set consists of seven volumes: (1) Vastitas Borealis Region of Mars; (2) Xanthe Terra of Mars; (3) Amazonis Planitia Region of Mars; (4) Elysium Planitia Region of Mars; (5) Arabia Terra of Mars; (6) Planum Australe Region of Mars; and (7) a digital topographic map of Mars.

Isaac Asimov's library of the universe. Index.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asimov, Isaac

A comprehensive index to the complete set of Isaac Asimov's thirty-two volume Library of the Universe, a series of space science books that introduce young readers to the facts and mysteries of the cosmos.

Inspired oxygen concentrations with or without an oxygen economizer during ether draw-over anaesthesia.

PubMed

Khaing, T T; Yu, S; Brock-Utne, J G

1997-08-01

An oxygen economizer tube is attached to draw-over vaporizers and acts as a reservoir of supplemental oxygen. The clinical importance of the presence or absence of the economizer tube (volume 130 ml) has not been adequately studied in manually ventilated patients using ether from an Ohmeda Cyprane Portable Anesthesia Complete (PAC) draw-over vaporizer. A total of sixteen patients ASA 1-2, undergoing elective surgery for peripheral orthopaedic procedures were studied with and without an economizer tube. Each patient acted as his or her own control. Standard procedures were used for anaesthetic induction with muscle relaxant, endotracheal intubation and anaesthetic maintenance. Supplemental oxygen was supplied by an oxygen concentrator. Using the draw-over vaporizer without an oxygen economizer tube, there was a slight increase in FiO2 of 20%, 23%, 27%, 30%, 33% and 33%, with increasing oxygen supplementation of 0 to 5 l/min, respectively. With an economizer tube, the FiO2 values increased to 20%, 26%, 35%, 46%, 54% and 66% at 0 to 5 l/min of oxygen respectively. The FiO2 values were significantly different at 3, 4, and 5 l/min (P < 0.05), showing the potential advantages of an oxygen economizer tube attached to a draw-over vaporizer in this setting. No significant differences were seen in the oxygen saturations of these healthy patients with or without an oxygen economizer.

Space-Time Coordinate Metadata for the Virtual Observatory Version 1.33

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rots, A. H.; Rots, A. H.

2007-10-01

This document provides a complete design description of the Space-Time Coordinate (STC) metadata for the Virtual Observatory. It explains the various components, highlights some implementation considerations, presents a complete set of UML diagrams, and discusses the relation between STC and certain other parts of the Data Model. Two serializations are discussed: XML Schema (STC-X) and String (STC-S); the former is an integral part of this Recommendation.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ananthakrishnan, Ganapathy, E-mail: ganapathy.ananthakrishnan@nhs.net; Murray, Lilian, E-mail: Lilian.murray@glasgow.ac.uk; Ritchie, Moira, E-mail: moira.ritchie@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Purpose. To report 5-year contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging findings of the REST trial recruits who underwent either uterine artery embolization (UAE) or myomectomy. Methods. A total of 157 patients were randomized to UAE or surgery (hysterectomy or myomectomy). Ninety-nine patients who had UAE and eight patients who had myomectomy were analyzed. MRI scans at baseline, 6 months, and 5 years were independently interpreted by two radiologists. Dominant fibroid diameter, uterine volume, total fibroid infarction (complete 100 %, almost complete 90-99 %, partial <90 %), and new fibroid formation were the main parameters assessed and related to the need for reintervention.more » Results. In the UAE group, mean {+-} standard deviation uterine volume was 670 {+-} 503, 422 {+-} 353, and 292 {+-} 287 mL at baseline, 6 months, and 5 years, respectively. Mean dominant fibroid diameter was 7.6 {+-} 3.0, 5.8 {+-} 2.9, and 5 {+-} 2.9 cm at baseline, 6 months, and 5 years. Fibroid infarction at 6 months was complete in 35 % of women, almost complete in 29 %, and partial in 36 %. Need for reintervention was 19, 10, and 33 % in these groups, respectively (p = 0.123). No myomectomy cases had further intervention. At 5 years, the prevalence of new fibroid was 60 % in the myomectomy group and 7 % in the UAE group (p = 0.008). Conclusion. There is a further significant reduction in both uterine volume and dominant fibroid diameter between 6 months and 5 years after UAE. Complete fibroid infarction does not translate into total freedom from a subsequent reintervention. New fibroid formation is significantly higher after myomectomy.« less

Subnormalized states and trace-nonincreasing maps

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cappellini, Valerio; Sommers, Hans-Juergen; Zyczkowski, Karol

2007-05-15

We investigate the set of completely positive, trace-nonincreasing linear maps acting on the set M{sub N} of mixed quantum states of size N. Extremal point of this set of maps are characterized and its volume with respect to the Hilbert-Schmidt (HS) (Euclidean) measure is computed explicitly for an arbitrary N. The spectra of partially reduced rescaled dynamical matrices associated with trace-nonincreasing completely positive maps belong to the N cube inscribed in the set of subnormalized states of size N. As a by-product we derive the measure in M{sub N} induced by partial trace of mixed quantum states distributed uniformly withmore » respect to the HS measure in M{sub N{sup 2}}.« less

[Electrocautery versus Stapler for Intersegmental Plane Dissection in Complete 
Thoracoscopic Segmentectomy].

PubMed

Liu, Haibo; Lin, Gang; Zhang, Shijie; Huang, Weiming; Shang, Xueqian; Li, Jian

2017-01-20

Complete thoracoscopic segmentectomy gained great attention with the high detection rate of early lung cancer. Electrocautery and stapler are most commonly used in dividing the intersegmental plane in pulmonary segmentectomy. However, few reports comparing the two methods exist; all of which contrapose an open approach because complete thoracoscopic approach is not mentioned. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the safety and efficacy of the two methods in intersegmental plane dissection during complete thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy. A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was obtained for 58 consecutive patients who were treated by segmentectomy between September 2013 and March 2016 at a single center. The patients were divided into two groups according to the methods in intersegmental plane dissection. Thirty patients underwent intersegmental plane dissection with electrocautery (electrocautery group), and 28 patients underwent the same process using staplers (stapler group). Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables for patients were compared between two groups. The operative time of electrocautery group was longer than that of the stapler group [(248.70±54.46) min vs (209.39±67.25) min, P=0.017]. Furthermore, no statistical difference was found between two groups in intraoperative blood loss (60.00 mL vs 65.00 mL), total drainage volume (445.00 mL vs 590.00 mL), drainage volume in first 3 days after surgery [(455.33±318.333) mL vs (422.32±194.95) mL], duration of chest tube drainage [(4.20±2.07) d vs (4.11±1.61) d], postoperative hospital stay [(6.33±2.98) d vs (5.89±1.55) d], and incidence of minor postoperative complication [16.7% (5/30) vs 7.1% (2/28)]. Although operative time was longer in electrocautery group than in stapler group, using electrocautery for intersegmental plane dissection in complete thoracoscopic segmentectomy appeared to be a very safe and feasible procedure compared with stapler.

Ray Casting of Large Multi-Resolution Volume Datasets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lux, C.; Fröhlich, B.

2009-04-01

High quality volume visualization through ray casting on graphics processing units (GPU) has become an important approach for many application domains. We present a GPU-based, multi-resolution ray casting technique for the interactive visualization of massive volume data sets commonly found in the oil and gas industry. Large volume data sets are represented as a multi-resolution hierarchy based on an octree data structure. The original volume data is decomposed into small bricks of a fixed size acting as the leaf nodes of the octree. These nodes are the highest resolution of the volume. Coarser resolutions are represented through inner nodes of the hierarchy which are generated by down sampling eight neighboring nodes on a finer level. Due to limited memory resources of current desktop workstations and graphics hardware only a limited working set of bricks can be locally maintained for a frame to be displayed. This working set is chosen to represent the whole volume at different local resolution levels depending on the current viewer position, transfer function and distinct areas of interest. During runtime the working set of bricks is maintained in CPU- and GPU memory and is adaptively updated by asynchronously fetching data from external sources like hard drives or a network. The CPU memory hereby acts as a secondary level cache for these sources from which the GPU representation is updated. Our volume ray casting algorithm is based on a 3D texture-atlas in GPU memory. This texture-atlas contains the complete working set of bricks of the current multi-resolution representation of the volume. This enables the volume ray casting algorithm to access the whole working set of bricks through only a single 3D texture. For traversing rays through the volume, information about the locations and resolution levels of visited bricks are required for correct compositing computations. We encode this information into a small 3D index texture which represents the current octree subdivision on its finest level and spatially organizes the bricked data. This approach allows us to render a bricked multi-resolution volume data set utilizing only a single rendering pass with no loss of compositing precision. In contrast most state-of-the art volume rendering systems handle the bricked data as individual 3D textures, which are rendered one at a time while the results are composited into a lower precision frame buffer. Furthermore, our method enables us to integrate advanced volume rendering techniques like empty-space skipping, adaptive sampling and preintegrated transfer functions in a very straightforward manner with virtually no extra costs. Our interactive volume ray tracing implementation allows high quality visualizations of massive volume data sets of tens of Gigabytes in size on standard desktop workstations.

Four-dimensional multislice computed tomography for determination of respiratory lung tumor motion in conformal radiotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Leter, Edward M.; Cademartiri, Filippo; Levendag, Peter C.

2005-07-01

Purpose: We used four-dimensional multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) to determine respiratory lung-tumor motion and compared this strategy to common clinical practice in conformal radiotherapy treatment-planning imaging. Methods and Materials: The entire lung volume of 10 consecutive patients with 14 lung metastases were scanned by a 16-slice MSCT. During the scans, patients were instructed to breathe through a spirometer that was connected to a laptop computer. For each patient, 10 stacks of 1.5-mm slices, equally distributed throughout the respiratory cycle, were reconstructed from the acquired MSCT data. The lung tumors were manually contoured in each data set. For each patient,more » the tumor-volume contours of all data sets were copied to 1 data set, which allowed determination of the volume that encompassed all 10 lung-tumor positions (i.e., the tumor-traversed volume [TTV]) during the respiratory cycle. The TTV was compared with the 10 tumor volumes contoured for each patient, to which an empiric respiratory-motion margin was added. The latter target volumes were designated internal-motion included tumor volume (IMITV). Results: The TTV measurements were significantly smaller than the reference IMITV measurements (5.2 {+-} 10.2 cm{sup 3} and 10.1 {+-} 13.7 cm{sup 3}, respectively). All 10 IMITVs for 2 of the 4 tumors in 1 subject completely encompassed the TTV. All 10 IMITVs for 3 tumors in 2 patients did not show overlap with up to 35% of the corresponding TTV. The 10 IMITVs for the remaining tumors either completely encompassed the corresponding TTV or did not show overlap with up to 26% of the corresponding TTV. Conclusions: We found that individualized determination of respiratory lung-tumor motion by four-dimensional respiratory-gated MSCT represents a better and simple strategy to incorporate periodic physiologic motion compared with a generalized approach. The former strategy can, therefore, improve common and state-of-the-art clinical practice in conformal radiotherapy.« less

Complete Development and Implement AFIT/ENG Database Management System. Volume 1.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-12-01

graphic depiction of the sys - ten specification that identifies inputs, desired outputs, and data transformations. This usually leads to the definition and...DATA-SET-NAME-TLME DRIVE=01,5000,DUI DATA-SET-NAME=BLRM DRIVE=02,5000, DUI DATA-SET- NAbE =CPTY DRIVE=03,5000 ,DUI L-1 DATA-SET-NAME=DAYS DRIVE=-04...DEC), the Form Manageent Sys - tern (FMS). It is designed for ease of formulation and form simulation in order to collect and transmit data in an

A Suggested Set of Job and Task Sheets for Machine Shop Training.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Texas A and M Univ., College Station. Vocational Instructional Services.

This set of job and task sheets consists of three multi-part jobs that are adaptable for use in regular vocational industrial education programs for training machinists and machine shop operators. After completing the sheets included in this volume, students should be able to construct a planer jack, a radius cutter, and a surface gage. Each job…

The Effectiveness of Silodosin for Nocturnal Polyuria in Elderly Men With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Multicenter Study.

PubMed

Kim, Young Won; Park, Jinsung; Chung, Hong; Kim, Hong-Wook; Kim, Hyung Joon; Jung, Jae Hung; Kim, Won Tae

2015-09-01

To investigate improvement in nocturia and nocturnal polyuria in nocturnal polyuria patients after silodosin administration by using a 3-day frequency volume chart. This was a prospective multicenter study. We enrolled nocturnal polyuria patients (nocturnal polyuria index [NPi]>0.33), aged ≥60 years, diagnosed with the 3-day frequency volume charts of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia taking α-blockers. Of the 54 patients, 30 (55.6%) completed the study according to the study protocol (per-protocol group), and 24 dropped out (dropout group). Of the 24 patients in the dropout group, 5 withdrew consent due to side effects or lack of efficacy, 7 were lost to follow-up at 4 weeks, 8 were lost to follow-up at 12 weeks, and 4 dropped out due to failure to complete 3-day frequency volume charts at 12 weeks. In the per-protocol group, there was significant improvement in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), especially question numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and the quality of life question (P=0.001, P=0.007, P<0.001, P=0.003, P=0.049, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). The Leeds sleep evaluation questionnaire (LSEQ) score for the sleep question improved from 64.36 to 70.43 (P=0.039). The NPi reduced from 0.4005 to 0.3573 (P=0.027); however, in many cases, there was no improvement in nocturnal polyuria itself. In intention-to-treat analysis, there were significant improvements in IPSS and LSEQ in 45 patients. In elderly nocturnal polyuria patients, silodosin monotherapy exhibits good efficacy in improving nocturia and nocturnal polyuria; however, the mean NPi was still >0.33. Considering the high dropout rate of our study due to no implementation of 3-day frequency volume charts, prospective and large-scale studies are needed to confirm our results.

The Effectiveness of Silodosin for Nocturnal Polyuria in Elderly Men With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Multicenter Study

PubMed Central

Kim, Young Won; Park, Jinsung; Chung, Hong; Kim, Hong-Wook; Kim, Hyung Joon; Jung, Jae Hung; Kim, Won Tae

2015-01-01

Purpose: To investigate improvement in nocturia and nocturnal polyuria in nocturnal polyuria patients after silodosin administration by using a 3-day frequency volume chart. Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study. We enrolled nocturnal polyuria patients (nocturnal polyuria index [NPi]>0.33), aged ≥60 years, diagnosed with the 3-day frequency volume charts of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia taking α-blockers. Of the 54 patients, 30 (55.6%) completed the study according to the study protocol (per-protocol group), and 24 dropped out (dropout group). Results: Of the 24 patients in the dropout group, 5 withdrew consent due to side effects or lack of efficacy, 7 were lost to follow-up at 4 weeks, 8 were lost to follow-up at 12 weeks, and 4 dropped out due to failure to complete 3-day frequency volume charts at 12 weeks. In the per-protocol group, there was significant improvement in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), especially question numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and the quality of life question (P=0.001, P=0.007, P<0.001, P=0.003, P=0.049, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). The Leeds sleep evaluation questionnaire (LSEQ) score for the sleep question improved from 64.36 to 70.43 (P=0.039). The NPi reduced from 0.4005 to 0.3573 (P=0.027); however, in many cases, there was no improvement in nocturnal polyuria itself. In intention-to-treat analysis, there were significant improvements in IPSS and LSEQ in 45 patients. Conclusions: In elderly nocturnal polyuria patients, silodosin monotherapy exhibits good efficacy in improving nocturia and nocturnal polyuria; however, the mean NPi was still >0.33. Considering the high dropout rate of our study due to no implementation of 3-day frequency volume charts, prospective and large-scale studies are needed to confirm our results. PMID:26620902

Left ventricular endocardial surface detection based on real-time 3D echocardiographic data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Corsi, C.; Borsari, M.; Consegnati, F.; Sarti, A.; Lamberti, C.; Travaglini, A.; Shiota, T.; Thomas, J. D.

2001-01-01

OBJECTIVE: A new computerized semi-automatic method for left ventricular (LV) chamber segmentation is presented. METHODS: The LV is imaged by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE). The surface detection model, based on level set techniques, is applied to RT3DE data for image analysis. The modified level set partial differential equation we use is solved by applying numerical methods for conservation laws. The initial conditions are manually established on some slices of the entire volume. The solution obtained for each slice is a contour line corresponding with the boundary between LV cavity and LV endocardium. RESULTS: The mathematical model has been applied to sequences of frames of human hearts (volume range: 34-109 ml) imaged by 2D and reconstructed off-line and RT3DE data. Volume estimation obtained by this new semi-automatic method shows an excellent correlation with those obtained by manual tracing (r = 0.992). Dynamic change of LV volume during the cardiac cycle is also obtained. CONCLUSION: The volume estimation method is accurate; edge based segmentation, image completion and volume reconstruction can be accomplished. The visualization technique also allows to navigate into the reconstructed volume and to display any section of the volume.

Taliglucerase alfa: safety and efficacy across 6 clinical studies in adults and children with Gaucher disease.

PubMed

Zimran, Ari; Wajnrajch, Michael; Hernandez, Betina; Pastores, Gregory M

2018-02-23

Taliglucerase alfa is an enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) approved for treatment of adult and paediatric patients with Type 1 Gaucher disease (GD) in several countries and the first plant cell-expressed recombinant therapeutic protein approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for humans. Here, we review the findings across six key taliglucerase alfa clinical studies. A total of 33 treatment-naïve adult patients were randomized to taliglucerase alfa 30 U/kg or 60 U/kg in a 9-month, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, dose-comparison pivotal study, after which eligible patients continued into two consecutive extension studies; 17 treatment-naïve adult patients completed 5 total years of treatment with taliglucerase alfa. In the only ERT study focused on exclusively paediatric patients with GD, 11 treatment-naïve children were randomized to taliglucerase alfa 30 U/kg or 60 U/kg in a 12-month, multicentre, double-blind study; nine completed 3 total years of treatment in a dedicated paediatric extension study. The effect of switching patients from imiglucerase to taliglucerase alfa was also investigated in a separate 9-month study that included 26 adults and five children; 10 adults completed a total of 3 years and two children completed a total of 2.75 years of taliglucerase alfa treatment in the extension studies. All studies evaluated safety and spleen volume, liver volume, platelet count, haemoglobin concentration, and biomarkers as measures of efficacy. Detailed results from baseline through the end of these studies are presented. Taliglucerase alfa was well tolerated, and adverse events were generally mild/moderate in severity and transient. Treatment with taliglucerase alfa resulted in improvements (treatment-naïve patients) or stability (patients switched from imiglucerase) in visceral, haematologic, and biomarker parameters. Together, this comprehensive data set supports the treatment of adult and paediatric patients with GD who are naïve to ERT or who have previously been treated with imiglucerase.

Analysis of regional rainfall-runoff parameters for the Lake Michigan Diversion hydrological modeling

USGS Publications Warehouse

Soong, David T.; Over, Thomas M.

2015-01-01

Recalibration of the HSPF parameters to the updated inputs and land covers was completed on two representative watershed models selected from the nine by using a manual method (HSPEXP) and an automatic method (PEST). The objective of the recalibration was to develop a regional parameter set that improves the accuracy in runoff volume prediction for the nine study watersheds. Knowledge about flow and watershed characteristics plays a vital role for validating the calibration in both manual and automatic methods. The best performing parameter set was determined by the automatic calibration method on a two-watershed model. Applying this newly determined parameter set to the nine watersheds for runoff volume simulation resulted in “very good” ratings in five watersheds, an improvement as compared to “very good” ratings achieved for three watersheds by the North Branch parameter set.

Relationship between volume and in-hospital mortality in digestive oncological surgery.

PubMed

Pérez-López, Paloma; Baré, Marisa; Touma-Fernández, Ángel; Sarría-Santamera, Antonio

2016-03-01

The results previously obtained in Spain in the study of the relationship between surgical caseload and in-hospital mortality are inconclusive. The aim of this study is to evaluate the volume-outcome association in Spain in the setting of digestive oncological surgery. An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with data from patients who underwent surgical procedures with curative intent of esophageal, gastric, colorectal and pancreatic neoplasms between 2006-2009 with data from the Spanish MBDS. In-hospital mortality was used as outcome variable. Control variables were patient, health care and hospital characteristics. Exposure variable was the number of interventions for each disease, dividing the hospitals in 3 categories: high volume (HV), mid volume (MV) and low volume (LV) according to the number of procedures. An inverse, statistically significant relationship between procedure volume and in-hospital mortality was observed for both volume categories in both gastric (LV: OR=1,50 [IC 95%: 1,28-1,76]; MV: OR=1,49 (IC 95%: 1,28-1,74)) and colorectal (LV: OR=1,44 [IC 95%: 1,33-1,55]; MV: OR=1,24 [IC 95%: 1,15-1,33]) cancer surgery. In pancreatic procedures, this difference was only statistically significant between LV and HV categories (LV: OR=1,89 [IC 95%: 1,29-2,75]; MV: OR=1,21 [IC 95%: 0,82-1,79]). Esophageal surgery also showed an inverse relationship, which was not statistically significant (LV: OR=1,89 [IC 95%: 0,98-3,64]; MV: OR=1,05 [IC 95%: 0,50-2,21]). The results of this study suggest the existence in Spain of an inverse relationship between caseload and in-hospital mortality in digestive oncological surgery for the procedures analyzed. Copyright © 2015 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

The Pre-Retirement Years: Five Years in the Work Lives of Middle-Aged Men. Volume 4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parnes, Herbert S.; And Others

This volume examines a number of facets of the labor market experience and behavior of middle-aged men. It is based on a unique set of longitudinal data collected by personal interviews among the same sample of men in 1966, 1967, 1969, and 1971. The data contain a complete record of the labor market activity of the men over a five-year period,…

An Approach to Data Center-Based KDD of Remote Sensing Datasets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lynnes, Christopher; Mack, Robert; Wharton, Stephen W. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The data explosion in remote sensing is straining the ability of data centers to deliver the data to the user community, yet many large-volume users actually seek a relatively small information component within the data, which they extract at their sites using Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD) techniques. To improve the efficiency of this process, the Goddard Earth Sciences Distributed Active Archive Center (GES DAAC) has implemented a KDD subsystem that supports execution of the user's KDD algorithm at the data center, dramatically reducing the volume that is sent to the user. The data are extracted from the archive in a planned, organized "campaign"; the algorithms are executed, and the output products sent to the users over the network. The first campaign, now complete, has resulted in overall reductions in shipped volume from 3.3 TB to 0.4 TB.

Effect of rest-pause vs. traditional bench press training on muscle strength, electromyography, and lifting volume in randomized trial protocols.

PubMed

Korak, J Adam; Paquette, Max R; Brooks, Justin; Fuller, Dana K; Coons, John M

2017-09-01

Rest-pause (4-s unloaded rest between repetitions) training effects on one repetition maximum (1 RM), lifting volume, and neural activation via electromyography (EMG) are currently vague in the literature and can benefit strength and conditioning professionals for resistance training programme design. Therefore, this study compared 1 RM, neural activation via (EMG), and volume differences between rest-pause vs. traditional resistance training. Trained males (N = 20) were randomly assigned to either a rest-pause or a traditional training group. Pre- and post-1 RM testing was recorded. Training sessions were completed twice a week for 4 weeks and consisted of four sets of bench press to volitional fatigue at 80% of pre-test 1 RM with a 2-min rest between sets. Total volume completed was recorded on each training day. Neural activation of the pectoralis major was measured on the first and last training days. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA indicated both groups significantly increased their 1 RMs following the 4-week training protocol (p < .05). However, no significant differences were found in 1 RM and neural activation between the two groups (p > .05). An independent samples t test indicated that total volume lifted was significantly higher for the rest-pause group (56,778 vs. 38,315 lbs; p < .05) throughout the protocol and independently during weeks 2, 3, and 4. While strength and neural activation changes did not differ between groups, both increased 1 RMs and the rest-pause group achieved greater increases in volume than the traditional group. If volume is the focus of training, the rest-pause method should be utilized.

EDITSPEC: System Manual. Volume IV. Data Handler.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-11-01

PRINTS AND ABORTS OR RETURNS WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING DKFBF FILL BUFFER ROUTINE: BT ENTRY AT IBTAD IS IN D GET BLOCK NBL OF DATA SET NSW IN AND WAIT FOR...READ COMPLETION DKFND ROUTINE TO LOCATE BLOCK NBL SEGMENT NSG OF DATA SET NSW. N SEARCHES BT’S FIRST’THEN READS INTO CORE RETURNS IBTAD=THE BT ENTRY...WHICH IS RETURNED IN NBL . DKMIC ROUTINE TO SEARCH IN CORE BUFFER TABLES FOR ONE WITH DATA SET NOS FILENAME FILNM AND RETURN THE ONE WITH THE MOST

Obesity Prevention: A Systematic Review of Setting-Based Interventions from Nordic Countries and the Netherlands

PubMed Central

Tanggaard Andersen, Pernille; Aro, Arja R.

2018-01-01

Aim Effective evidence-based interventions have an important role in obesity prevention. Our aim was to present a qualitative synthesis of setting-based health promotion interventions on obesity, from Nordic countries and the Netherlands. Methods A systematic review of the literature was completed for studies in the community, schools, and worksite, with BMI as an outcome. A descriptive analysis was completed for all full-text articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Results Thirty-three articles were identified: 7 whole of community, 3 worksite, and 23 school-based interventions. The studies were largely quasiexperimental in design (21/33), with follow-up from 4 months to 8 years. The explicit use of theory was not featured in many of the studies (20/33). No consistent direction for BMI change could be identified in the whole of community interventions (2/7 positive, 2/7 negative, and 3/7 no effect) and no effect for worksite (3/3 no effect) or many of the school-based interventions (1/23 negative, 4/23 positive, 15/23 no effect, 1/23 BMI significant increase only for control group and 3/23 no data available). Conclusions There is a need to prioritise interventions with study designs of high quality, theory, and a participatory approach, for optimal implementation and evaluation of obesity prevention interventions. PMID:29808116

The Decremental Protocol as an Alternative Protocol to Measure Maximal Oxygen Consumption in Athletes.

PubMed

Taylor, Katrina; Seegmiller, Jeffrey; Vella, Chantal A

2016-11-01

To determine whether a decremental protocol could elicit a higher maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2 max) than an incremental protocol in trained participants. A secondary aim was to examine whether cardiac-output (Q) and stroke-volume (SV) responses differed between decremental and incremental protocols in this sample. Nineteen runners/triathletes were randomized to either the decremental or incremental group. All participants completed an initial incremental VO 2 max test on a treadmill, followed by a verification phase. The incremental group completed 2 further incremental tests. The decremental group completed a second VO 2 max test using the decremental protocol, based on their verification phase. The decremental group then completed a final incremental test. During each test, VO 2 , ventilation, and heart rate were measured, and cardiac variables were estimated with thoracic bioimpedance. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted with an alpha level set at .05. There were no significant main effects for group (P = .37) or interaction (P = .10) over time (P = .45). VO 2 max was similar between the incremental (57.29 ± 8.94 mL · kg -1 · min -1 ) and decremental (60.82 ± 8.49 mL · kg -1 · min -1 ) groups over time. Furthermore, Q and SV were similar between the incremental (Q 22.72 ± 5.85 L/min, SV 119.64 ± 33.02 mL/beat) and decremental groups (Q 20.36 ± 4.59 L/min, SV 109.03 ± 24.27 mL/beat) across all 3 trials. The findings suggest that the decremental protocol does not elicit higher VO 2 max than an incremental protocol but may be used as an alternative protocol to measure VO 2 max in runners and triathletes.

A Designers’ Guide to Reliable Distributed Systems: Design and Analysis Methods. An Example Design. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-08-01

exchanged between the cells, thus requiring existence of fast , high capacity, high availability communication channels. The same arguments indicate...mininet - loss of a cell - intermittent communications failure in the maxinet - partitioning of the maxinet or the mininet o Query decomposition. 3.3...take place. A new sequencer is selected by the timeout mechanism described above. This process Pj must set its priority to 0 in order to ensure fast

Stratospheric N2O5, CH4, and N2O Profiles from IR Solar Occultation Spectra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peyeret, C. Camy; Flaud, J.-M.; Perrin, A.; Rinsland, C. P.; Goldman, A.; Murcray, F. J.

1993-01-01

Stratospheric volume mixing ratio profiles of N2O5, CH4, and N2O have been retrieved from a set of 0.052/ cm resolution (FWHM) solar occultation spectra recorded at sunrise during a balloon flight from Aire sur I'Adour, France (44 deg N latitude) on 12 October 1990. The N2O5 results have been derived from measurements of the integrated absorption by the 1246/ cm band. Assuming a total intensity of 4.32 x 10(exp 17)cm(exp -1) molecule sq cm(exp -2) independent of temperature, the retrieved N2O5 volume mixing ratios in ppbv (parts per billion by volume, 10(exp -9)), interpolated to 2 km height spacings, are 1.64 +/- 0.49 at 37.5 km, 1.92 +/- 0.56 at 35.5 km, 2.06 +/- 0.47 at 33.5 km, 1.95 +/- 0.42 at 31.5 km, 1.60 +/- 0.33 at 29.5 km, 1.26 +/- 0.28 at 27.5 km, and 0.85 +/- 0.20 at 25.5 km. Error bars indicate the estimated I-sigma uncertainty including the error in the total band intensity (+/- 20% has been assumed). The retrieved profiles are compared with previous measurements and photochemical model results.

Water balance monitoring for two bioretention gardens in Omaha, Nebraska, 2011–14

USGS Publications Warehouse

Strauch, Kellan R.; Rus, David L.; Holm, Kent E.

2016-01-29

Bioretention gardens are used to help mitigate stormwater runoff in urban settings in an attempt to restore the hydrologic response of the developed land to a natural predevelopment response in which more water is infiltrated rather than routed directly to urban drainage networks. To better understand the performance of bioretention gardens in facilitating infiltration of stormwater in eastern Nebraska, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Douglas County Environmental Services and the Nebraska Environmental Trust, assessed the water balance of two bioretention gardens located in Omaha, Nebraska by monitoring the amount of stormwater entering and leaving the gardens. One garden is on the Douglas County Health Center campus, and the other garden is on the property of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging.For the Douglas County Health Center, bioretention garden performance was evaluated on the basis of volume reduction by comparing total inflow volume to total outflow volume. The bioretention garden reduced inflow volumes from a minimum of 33 percent to 100 percent (a complete reduction in inflow volume) depending on the size of the event. Although variable, the percent reduction of the inflow volume tended to decrease with increasing total event rainfall. To assess how well the garden reduces stormwater peak inflow rates, peak inflows were plotted against peak outflows measured at the bioretention garden. Only 39 of the 255 events had any overflow, indicating 100 percent peak reduction in the other events. Of those 39 events having overflow, the mean peak reduction was 63 percent.No overflow events were recorded at the bioretention garden at the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging; therefore, data were not available for an event-based overflow analysis.Monitoring period summary of the water balance at both bio-retention gardens indicates that most of the stormwater in the bioretention gardens is stored in the subsurface.Evapotranspiration was attributed to a small percentage of the outputs on an annual basis (3 percent at Douglas County Health Center site and 5 percent at Eastern Nebraska Office onAging site), which indicates that vegetative water uptake is not a primary factor in the water budget.

Lactate response to different volume patterns of power clean.

PubMed

Date, Anand S; Simonson, Shawn R; Ransdell, Lynda B; Gao, Yong

2013-03-01

The ability to metabolize or tolerate lactate and produce power simultaneously can be an important determinant of performance. Current training practices for improving lactate use include high-intensity aerobic activities or a combination of aerobic and resistance training. Excessive aerobic training may have undesired physiological adaptations (e.g., muscle loss, change in fiber types). The role of explosive power training in lactate production and use needs further clarification. We hypothesized that high-volume explosive power movements such as Olympic lifts can increase lactate production and overload lactate clearance. Hence, the purpose of this study was to assess lactate accumulation after the completion of 3 different volume patterns of power cleans. Ten male recreational athletes (age 24.22 ± 1.39 years) volunteered. Volume patterns consisted of 3 sets × 3 repetition maximum (3RM) (low volume [LV]), 3 sets × 6 reps at 80-85% of 3RM (midvolume [MV]), and 3 sets × 9 reps at 70-75% of 3RM (high volume [HV]). Rest period was identical at 2 minutes. Blood samples were collected immediately before and after each volume pattern. The HV resulted in the greatest lactate accumulation (7.43 ± 2.94 mmol·L) vs. (5.27 ± 2.48 and 4.03 ± 1.78 mmol·L in MV and LV, respectively). Mean relative increase in lactate was the highest in HV (356.34%). The findings indicate that lactate production in power cleans is largely associated with volume, determined by number of repetitions, load, and rest interval. High-volume explosive training may impose greater metabolic demands than low-volume explosive training and may improve ability to produce power in the presence of lactate. The role of explosive power training in overloading the lactate clearance mechanism should be examined further, especially for athletes of intermittent sport.

The reliability of a simplified water displacement instrument: a method for measuring arm volume.

PubMed

Sagen, Ase; Kåresen, Rolf; Risberg, May Arna

2005-01-01

To present a new water displacement measurement, the Simplified Water Displacement Instrument (SWDI), and to evaluate its intra- and intertester reliability. Reliability design. Hospital setting. Fifty-six healthy people were studied. Intratester reliability was evaluated once a week for 4 weeks in 20 women and 10 men. Intertester reliability was assessed by 2 physical therapists in 26 people. Not applicable. Coefficients of variation (CVs) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). The intratester reliability showed a CV range of 2.2% to 2.6% and an ICC range of .98 to .99. The intertester reliability showed a CV of 1.3% and an ICC of .99. There was a significant increase in arm volume in men compared with women. There were no significant differences in changes in volume over the 4 weeks. There was a significant greater right arm volume (3.3%) among the right-handed subjects (P<.001). Both intra- and intertester reliability were satisfactory for the SWDI.

Survey of New York City Resident Physicians on Cause-of-Death Reporting, 2010

PubMed Central

Wexelman, Barbara A.; Eden, Edward

2013-01-01

Introduction Death certificates contain critical information for epidemiology, public health research, disease surveillance, and community health programs. In most teaching hospitals, resident physicians complete death certificates. The objective of this study was to examine the experiences and opinions of physician residents in New York City on the accuracy of the cause-of-death reporting system. Methods In May and June 2010, we conducted an anonymous, Internet-based, 32-question survey of all internal medicine, emergency medicine, and general surgery residency programs (n = 70) in New York City. We analyzed data by type of residency and by resident experience in reporting deaths. We defined high-volume respondents as those who completed 11 or more death certificates in the last 3 years. Results A total of 521 residents from 38 residency programs participated (program response rate, 54%). We identified 178 (34%) high-volume respondents. Only 33.3% of all respondents and 22.7% of high-volume residents believed that cause-of-death reporting is accurate. Of all respondents, 48.6% had knowingly reported an inaccurate cause of death; 58.4% of high-volume residents had done so. Of respondents who indicated they reported an inaccurate cause, 76.8% said the system would not accept the correct cause, 40.5% said admitting office personnel instructed them to “put something else,” and 30.7% said the medical examiner instructed them to do so; 64.6% cited cardiovascular disease as the most frequent diagnosis inaccurately reported. Conclusion Most resident physicians believed the current cause-of-death reporting system is inaccurate, often knowingly documenting incorrect causes. The system should be improved to allow reporting of more causes, and residents should receive better training on completing death certificates. PMID:23660118

Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR). Volume 15, Number 1, January 2008

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

108.8 138.3 1.26 22.34 Idaho 60 99.8 51.9 1.16 13.40 Montana 69 119.5 49.9 1.38 33.13 New Mexico 72 78.6 79.1 0.91 -7.78 Nevada 96 142.3...May 2004. Note: Completeness and timeliness of reporting vary by facility. Shigella Hepatitis B Varicella Reporting locations Number of reports all... Varicella Reporting locations Number of reports all events† Food-borne Vaccine preventable Campylo- bacter Giardia Salmonella 24 VOL. 15 / NO. 1

Economic benefits of improved insulin stability in insulin pumps.

PubMed

Weiss, Richard C; van Amerongen, Derek; Bazalo, Gary; Aagren, Mark; Bouchard, Jonathan R

2011-05-01

Insulin pump users discard unused medication and infusion sets according to labeling and manufacturer's instructions. The stability labeling for insulin aspart (rDNA origin] (Novolog) was increased from two days to six. The associated savings was modeled from the perspective of a hypothetical one-million member health plan and the total United States population. The discarded insulin volume and the number of infusion sets used under a two-day stability scenario versus six were modeled. A mix of insulin pumps of various reservoir capacities with a range of daily insulin dosages was used. Average daily insulin dose was 65 units ranging from 10 to 150 units. Costs of discarded insulin aspart [rDNA origin] were calculated using WAC (Average Wholesale Price minus 16.67%). The cost of pump supplies was computed for the two-day scenario assuming a complete infusion set change, including reservoirs, every two days. Under the six-day scenario complete infusion sets were discarded every six days while cannulas at the insertion site were changed midway between complete changes. AWP of least expensive supplies was used to compute their costs. For the hypothetical health plan (1,182 pump users) the annual reduction in discarded insulin volume between scenarios was 19.8 million units. The corresponding cost reduction for the plan due to drug and supply savings was $3.4 million. From the U.S. population perspective, savings of over $1 billion were estimated. Using insulin that is stable for six days in pump reservoirs can yield substantial savings to health plans and other payers, including patients.

Sclerotherapy of renal cysts using acetic acid: a comparison with ethanol sclerotherapy.

PubMed

Cho, D S; Ahn, H S; Kim, S I; Kim, Y S; Kim, S J; Jeon, G S; Won, J H

2008-12-01

This study compared percutaneous sclerotherapy using 50% acetic acid with that using 99% ethanol for patients with simple renal cysts. The study included 72 simple renal cysts in 64 patients (male/female ratio = 31/33; age range, 31-75 years). Under fluoroscopic guidance, the cyst fluid was aspirated completely. Sclerotherapy was then performed using 50% acetic acid for 32 cysts and 99% ethanol for 40 cysts. The volumes of each renal cyst before and after sclerotherapy were compared using ultrasonography or CT. Medical records were reviewed to analyse any complications. The mean follow-up period was 21.5 months (range, 3-75 months). The mean remnant volume of the cyst after sclerotherapy was 2.6% of the initial volume in the acetic acid group and 14.0% in the ethanol group. The rates of complete remission, partial remission and treatment failure were 90.6%, 9.4% and 0%, respectively, in the acetic acid group, and 60.0%, 30.0% and 10.0%, respectively, in the ethanol group. There were no complications related to sclerotherapy in either group. In conclusion, acetic acid is a safe and effective sclerosing agent, with clinical results superior to those of ethanol, and is an alternative to ethanol for sclerotherapy of renal cysts.

Genetic influences on schizophrenia and subcortical brain volumes: large-scale proof-of-concept and roadmap for future studies

PubMed Central

Anttila, Verneri; Hibar, Derrek P; van Hulzen, Kimm J E; Arias-Vasquez, Alejandro; Smoller, Jordan W; Nichols, Thomas E; Neale, Michael C; McIntosh, Andrew M; Lee, Phil; McMahon, Francis J; Meyer-Lindenberg, Andreas; Mattheisen, Manuel; Andreassen, Ole A; Gruber, Oliver; Sachdev, Perminder S; Roiz-Santiañez, Roberto; Saykin, Andrew J; Ehrlich, Stefan; Mather, Karen A; Turner, Jessica A; Schwarz, Emanuel; Thalamuthu, Anbupalam; Shugart, Yin Yao; Ho, Yvonne YW; Martin, Nicholas G; Wright, Margaret J

2016-01-01

Schizophrenia is a devastating psychiatric illness with high heritability. Brain structure and function differ, on average, between schizophrenia cases and healthy individuals. As common genetic associations are emerging for both schizophrenia and brain imaging phenotypes, we can now use genome-wide data to investigate genetic overlap. Here we integrated results from common variant studies of schizophrenia (33,636 cases, 43,008 controls) and volumes of several (mainly subcortical) brain structures (11,840 subjects). We did not find evidence of genetic overlap between schizophrenia risk and subcortical volume measures either at the level of common variant genetic architecture or for single genetic markers. The current study provides proof-of-concept (albeit based on a limited set of structural brain measures), and defines a roadmap for future studies investigating the genetic covariance between structural/functional brain phenotypes and risk for psychiatric disorders. PMID:26854805

Genetic influences on schizophrenia and subcortical brain volumes: large-scale proof of concept.

PubMed

Franke, Barbara; Stein, Jason L; Ripke, Stephan; Anttila, Verneri; Hibar, Derrek P; van Hulzen, Kimm J E; Arias-Vasquez, Alejandro; Smoller, Jordan W; Nichols, Thomas E; Neale, Michael C; McIntosh, Andrew M; Lee, Phil; McMahon, Francis J; Meyer-Lindenberg, Andreas; Mattheisen, Manuel; Andreassen, Ole A; Gruber, Oliver; Sachdev, Perminder S; Roiz-Santiañez, Roberto; Saykin, Andrew J; Ehrlich, Stefan; Mather, Karen A; Turner, Jessica A; Schwarz, Emanuel; Thalamuthu, Anbupalam; Shugart, Yin Yao; Ho, Yvonne Yw; Martin, Nicholas G; Wright, Margaret J; O'Donovan, Michael C; Thompson, Paul M; Neale, Benjamin M; Medland, Sarah E; Sullivan, Patrick F

2016-03-01

Schizophrenia is a devastating psychiatric illness with high heritability. Brain structure and function differ, on average, between people with schizophrenia and healthy individuals. As common genetic associations are emerging for both schizophrenia and brain imaging phenotypes, we can now use genome-wide data to investigate genetic overlap. Here we integrated results from common variant studies of schizophrenia (33,636 cases, 43,008 controls) and volumes of several (mainly subcortical) brain structures (11,840 subjects). We did not find evidence of genetic overlap between schizophrenia risk and subcortical volume measures either at the level of common variant genetic architecture or for single genetic markers. These results provide a proof of concept (albeit based on a limited set of structural brain measures) and define a roadmap for future studies investigating the genetic covariance between structural or functional brain phenotypes and risk for psychiatric disorders.

The Acoustic Model Evaluation Committee (AMEC) Reports. Volume 1A. Summary of Range Independent Environment Acoustic Propagation Data Sets

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-09-01

experiment were: isothermal layer depth 36 ft depressed channel axis 66 ft surface water temperature 59.4 F sea state 2 Discussion The propagation loss...experiments were: isothermal layer depths 56 ft surface water temperature 59.7 0F - sea state 1 Discussion The propagation loss measurements are summarized...number of observations 1854 isothermal layer depth 33 ft surface water temperature 59.9°F sea state 2 Discussion The propagation loss measurements

Interannual and Diurnal Variability in Water Ice Clouds Observed from MSL Over Two Martian Years

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kloos, J. L.; Moores, J. E.; Whiteway, J. A.; Aggarwal, M.

2018-01-01

We update the results of cloud imaging sequences from the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover Curiosity to complete two Mars years of observations (LS=160° of Mars year (MY) 31 to LS=160° of MY 33). Relatively good seasonal coverage is achieved within the study period, with just over 500 observations obtained, averaging one observation every 2-3 sols. Cloud opacity measurements are made using differential photometry and a simplified radiative transfer method. These opacity measurements are used to assess the interannual variability of the aphelion cloud belt (ACB) for MY 32 and 33. Upon accounting for a statistical bias in the data set, the variation is found to be <30% within uncertainty. Diurnal variation of the ACB is also able to be examined in MY 33 owing to an increased number of early morning observations in this year. Although a gap in data around local noon prevents a complete assessment, we find that cloud opacity is moderately increased in the morning hours (07:00-09:00) compared to the late afternoon (15:00-17:00).

Lower-volume muscle-damaging exercise protects against high-volume muscle-damaging exercise and the detrimental effects on endurance performance.

PubMed

Burt, Dean; Lamb, Kevin; Nicholas, Ceri; Twist, Craig

2015-07-01

This study examined whether lower-volume exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) performed 2 weeks before high-volume muscle-damaging exercise protects against its detrimental effect on running performance. Sixteen male participants were randomly assigned to a lower-volume (five sets of ten squats, n = 8) or high-volume (ten sets of ten squats, n = 8) EIMD group and completed baseline measurements for muscle soreness, knee extensor torque, creatine kinase (CK), a 5-min fixed-intensity running bout and a 3-km running time-trial. Measurements were repeated 24 and 48 h after EIMD, and the running time-trial after 48 h. Two weeks later, both groups repeated the baseline measurements, ten sets of ten squats and the same follow-up testing (Bout 2). Data analysis revealed increases in muscle soreness and CK and decreases in knee extensor torque 24-48 h after the initial bouts of EIMD. Increases in oxygen uptake [Formula: see text], minute ventilation [Formula: see text] and rating of perceived exertion were observed during fixed-intensity running 24-48 h after EIMD Bout 1. Likewise, time increased and speed and [Formula: see text] decreased during a 3-km running time-trial 48 h after EIMD. Symptoms of EIMD, responses during fixed-intensity and running time-trial were attenuated in the days after the repeated bout of high-volume EIMD performed 2 weeks after the initial bout. This study demonstrates that the protective effect of lower-volume EIMD on subsequent high-volume EIMD is transferable to endurance running. Furthermore, time-trial performance was found to be preserved after a repeated bout of EIMD.

MRI volumetry for prediction of tumour response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer

PubMed Central

Seierstad, T; Hole, K H; Grøholt, K K; Dueland, S; Ree, A H; Flatmark, K

2015-01-01

Objective: To investigate if MRI-assessed tumour volumetry correlates with histological tumour response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and subsequent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Methods: Data from 69 prospectively enrolled patients with LARC receiving NACT followed by CRT and radical surgery were analysed. Whole-tumour volumes were contoured in T2 weighted MR images obtained pre-treatment (VPRE), after NACT (VNACT) and after the full course of NACT followed by CRT (VCRT). VPRE, VNACT and tumour volume changes relative to VPRE, ΔVNACT and ΔVCRT were calculated and correlated to histological tumour regression grade (TRG). Results: 61% of good histological responders (TRG 1–2) to NACT followed by CRT were correctly predicted by combining VPRE < 10.5 cm3, ΔVNACT > −78.2% and VNACT < 3.3 cm3. The highest accuracy was found for VNACT, with 55.1% sensitivity given 100% specificity. The volume regression after completed NACT and CRT (VCRT) was not significantly different between good and poor responders (TRG 1–2 vs TRG 3–5). Conclusion: MRI-assessed small tumour volumes after NACT correlated with good histological tumour response (TRG 1–2) to the completed course of NACT and CRT. Furthermore, by combining tumour volume measurements before, during and after NACT, more good responders were identified. Advances in knowledge: MRI volumetry may be a tool for early identification of good and poor responders to NACT followed by CRT and surgery in LARC in order to aid more individualized, multimodal treatment. PMID:25899892

Assessment for Intervention: A Problem-Solving Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown-Chidsey, Rachel, Ed.

2005-01-01

This cutting-edge volume offers a complete primer on conducting problem-solving based assessments in school or clinical settings. Presented are an effective framework and up-to-date tools for identifying and remediating the many environmental factors that may contribute to a student's academic, emotional, or behavioral difficulties, and for…

Aerodynamic characteristics of forebody and nose strakes based on F-16 wind tunnel test experience. Volume 2: Data base

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, C. W.; Bhateley, I. C.

1978-01-01

The YF-16 and F-16 developmental wind tunnel test program was reviewed and all force data pertinent to the design of forebody and nose strakes extracted. A complete set of these data is presented without analysis.

Lao Basic Course, Volume 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yates, Warren G.; Sayasithsena, Souksomboun

This book comprises a "set of guidelines for conversational interplay between students and their native-speaking Lao instructor." A student who successfully completes the course should be able to order a simple meal, ask for a room in a hotel, ask and give street directions, tell time, handle travel requirements, and use expressions of…

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) GIG Convergence Master Plan 2012 (GCMP 2012). Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-08-02

mapping, the complete DISA technical baseline, and the GIG Technical Guidance ( GTG ). The Department of Defense (DoD), as part of its IT Effectiveness...Guidance ( GTG ) to guide their development of service offerings, which are added to the technical baseline when approved by the CEP. 1.2. Background...corresponding hyperlinks; the complete set of GTPs is called the GIG Technical Guidance ( GTG ). These appendices also contain linkages between the GCMP

Tip aerodynamics and acoustics test: A report and data survey

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cross, Jeffrey L.; Watts, Michael E.

1988-01-01

In a continuing effort to understand helicopter rotor tip aerodynamics and acoustics, a flight test was conducted by NASA Ames Research Center. The test was performed using the NASA White Cobra and a set of highly instrumented blades. All aspects of the flight test instrumentation and test procedures are explained. Additionally, complete data sets for selected test points are presented and analyzed. Because of the high volume of data acquired, only selected data points are presented. However, access to the entire data set is available to the researcher on request.

14 CFR 33.93 - Teardown inspection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... completing the endurance testing of § 33.87 (b), (c), (d), (e), or (g) of this part, each engine must be...) After completing the endurance testing of § 33.87(f), each engine must be completely disassembled, and... endurance testing of §§ 33.87 (b), (c), (d), or (e) of this part, and followed by the testing of § 33.87(f...

14 CFR 33.93 - Teardown inspection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... completing the endurance testing of § 33.87 (b), (c), (d), (e), or (g) of this part, each engine must be...) After completing the endurance testing of § 33.87(f), each engine must be completely disassembled, and... endurance testing of §§ 33.87 (b), (c), (d), or (e) of this part, and followed by the testing of § 33.87(f...

The Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey: Galaxy Formation In The Near-Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McConnachie, Alan W.

2009-01-01

The Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS) is a Large Program on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. Over the next three years, it will map the entire haloes of M31 and M33 out to projected radii of 150kpc and 50kpc respectively, over an area of more than 320 square degrees, probing a volume of more than 15 million cubic kiloparsecs around M31 and M33, reaching to surface brightness limits of order 32 mags/sq.arcsec. PAndAS will provide the deepest and most complete panorama of galaxy haloes available, and will be used to compare to and constrain cosmological models of galaxy formation over an order of magnitude in halo mass. In this talk I will review the project, discuss its main science goals, and present first results.

Epidermal Expression and Regulation of Interleukin-33 during Homeostasis and Inflammation: Strong Species Differences.

PubMed

Sundnes, Olav; Pietka, Wojciech; Loos, Tamara; Sponheim, Jon; Rankin, Andrew L; Pflanz, Stefan; Bertelsen, Vibeke; Sitek, Jan C; Hol, Johanna; Haraldsen, Guttorm; Khnykin, Denis

2015-07-01

IL-33 is a novel IL-1 family member with a putative role in inflammatory skin disorders and a complex biology. Therefore, recent conflicting data regarding its function in experimental models justify a close assessment of its tissue expression and regulation. Indeed, we report here that there are strong species differences in the expression and regulation of epidermal IL-33. In murine epidermis, IL-33 behaved similar to an alarmin, being constitutively expressed in keratinocyte nuclei and rapidly lost during acute inflammation. By contrast, human and porcine IL-33 were weakly expressed or absent in keratinocytes of noninflamed skin but induced during acute inflammation. To this end, we observed that expression of IL-33 in human keratinocytes but not murine keratinocytes was strongly induced by IFN-γ, and this upregulation completely depended on the presence of EGFR ligands. Accordingly, IFN-γ increased the expression of IL-33 in the basal layers of the epidermis in human ex vivo skin cultures only, despite good evidence of IFN-γ activity in cultures from both species. Together these findings demonstrate that a full understanding of IL-33 function in clinical settings must take species-specific differences into account.

Impact of gastric filling on radiation dose delivered to gastroesophageal junction tumors.

PubMed

Bouchard, Myriam; McAleer, Mary Frances; Starkschall, George

2010-05-01

This study examined the impact of gastric filling variation on target coverage of gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) tumors in three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), or IMRT with simultaneous integrated boost (IMRT-SIB) plans. Eight patients previously receiving radiation therapy for esophageal cancer had computed tomography (CT) datasets acquired with full stomach (FS) and empty stomach (ES). We generated treatment plans for 3DCRT, IMRT, or IMRT-SIB for each patient on the ES-CT and on the FS-CT datasets. The 3DCRT and IMRT plans were planned to 50.4 Gy to the clinical target volume (CTV), and the same for IMRT-SIB plus 63.0 Gy to the gross tumor volume (GTV). Target coverage was evaluated using dose-volume histogram data for patient treatments simulated with ES-CT sets, assuming treatment on an FS for the entire course, and vice versa. FS volumes were a mean of 3.3 (range, 1.7-7.5) times greater than ES volumes. The volume of the GTV receiving >or=50.4 Gy (V(50.4Gy)) was 100% in all situations. The planning GTV V(63Gy) became suboptimal when gastric filling varied, regardless of whether simulation was done on the ES-CT or the FS-CT set. Stomach filling has a negligible impact on prescribed dose delivered to the GEJ GTV, using either 3DCRT or IMRT planning. Thus, local relapses are not likely to be related to variations in gastric filling. Dose escalation for GEJ tumors with IMRT-SIB may require gastric filling monitoring.

A new proposal to evaluate the healing of open skin wounds: volumetry.

PubMed

Paulo, Danilo Nagib Salomão; Fiorot, Antonio Wilson

2011-12-01

To present a new proposal to evaluate the healing of an open subcutaneous and skin wound, which we termed "volumetry". A total of 32 circular wounds were performed in the subcutaneous tissues and skin of four feet of pigs (8 each). Each wound had about 1 cm in diameter and was 0.2 cm deep. Volume was calculated from the wound filled with saline and mass Xantopren. With the aid of a magnifying glass and local lighting, the liquid was dripped with a micropipette inside the wound until complete fullness. Volume repletion was calculated in microliters, corresponding to the volume of the wound. The mass of Xantopren was placed inside the wound to obtain a mold of the lesion. Mold volume was calculated using the formula of the volume of a cylinder closest resembling a geometric figure with mold. The calculation of wound volume was possible with both Xantopren and mold techniques. Volume as calculated by micropipette was 119.37 ± 30.87 microliters while the volume calculated by mold was 122.41 ± 33.90 mm3 (p=0.79). Volumetry in pig feet is simple and reproducible. Volumetry perfomed with saline did not differ from the volumetry with mass Xantopren. This method may be a useful tool to help evaluate the healing of open skin wounds in experimental and clinical research.

Histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient for monitoring early response in patients with advanced cervical cancers undergoing concurrent chemo-radiotherapy.

PubMed

Meng, Jie; Zhu, Lijing; Zhu, Li; Ge, Yun; He, Jian; Zhou, Zhengyang; Yang, Xiaofeng

2017-11-01

Background Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis has been widely used in determining tumor prognosis. Purpose To investigate the dynamic changes of ADC histogram parameters during concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with advanced cervical cancers. Material and Methods This prospective study enrolled 32 patients with advanced cervical cancers undergoing CCRT who received diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before CCRT, at the end of the second and fourth week during CCRT and one month after CCRT completion. The ADC histogram for the entire tumor volume was generated, and a series of histogram parameters was obtained. Dynamic changes of those parameters in cervical cancers were investigated as early biomarkers for treatment response. Results All histogram parameters except AUC low showed significant changes during CCRT (all P < 0.05). There were three variable trends involving different parameters. The mode, 5th, 10th, and 25th percentiles showed similar early increase rates (33.33%, 33.99%, 34.12%, and 30.49%, respectively) at the end of the second week of CCRT. The pre-CCRT 5th and 25th percentiles of the complete response (CR) group were significantly lower than those of the partial response (PR) group. Conclusion A series of ADC histogram parameters of cervical cancers changed significantly at the early stage of CCRT, indicating their potential in monitoring early tumor response to therapy.

High-volume resistance training session acutely diminishes respiratory muscle strength.

PubMed

Hackett, Daniel A; Johnson, Nathan A; Chow, Chin-Moi

2012-01-01

This study investigated the effect of a high-volume compared to a low-volume resistance training session on maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). Twenty male subjects with resistance training experience (6.2 ± 3.2 y), in a crossover trial, completed two resistance training protocols (high-volume: 5 sets per exercise; low-volume: 2 sets per exercise) and a control session (no exercise) on 3 separate occasions. MIP and MEP decreased by 13.6% (p < 0.01) and 14.7% (p < 0.01) respectively from pre-session MIP and MEP, following the high-volume session. MIP and MEP were unaffected following the low-volume or the control sessions. MIP returned to pre-session values after 40 minutes, whereas MEP remained significantly reduced after 60 minutes post-session by 9.2% compared to pre-session (p < 0.01). The findings suggest that the high-volume session significantly decreased MIP and MEP post-session, implicating a substantially increased demand on the respiratory muscles and that adequate recovery is mandatory following this mode of training. Key pointsRespiratory muscular strength performance is acutely diminished following a high-volume whole-body resistance training session.Greater ventilatory requirements and generation of IAP during the high-volume resistance training session may have contributed to the increased demand placed on the respiratory muscles.Protracted return of respiratory muscular strength performance to baseline levels may have implications for individuals prior to engaging in subsequent exercise bouts.

Multiphasic Health Testing in the Clinic Setting

PubMed Central

LaDou, Joseph

1971-01-01

The economy of automated multiphasic health testing (amht) activities patterned after the high-volume Kaiser program can be realized in low-volume settings. amht units have been operated at daily volumes of 20 patients in three separate clinical environments. These programs have displayed economics entirely compatible with cost figures published by the established high-volume centers. This experience, plus the expanding capability of small, general purpose, digital computers (minicomputers) indicates that a group of six or more physicians generating 20 laboratory appraisals per day can economically justify a completely automated multiphasic health testing facility. This system would reside in the clinic or hospital where it is used and can be configured to do analyses such as electrocardiography and generate laboratory reports, and communicate with large computer systems in university medical centers. Experience indicates that the most effective means of implementing these benefits of automation is to make them directly available to the medical community with the physician playing the central role. Economic justification of a dedicated computer through low-volume health testing then allows, as a side benefit, automation of administrative as well as other diagnostic activities—for example, patient billing, computer-aided diagnosis, and computer-aided therapeutics. PMID:4935771

The Coast Artillery Journal. Volume 65, Number 3, September 1926

DTIC Science & Technology

1926-09-01

until July 2, 1927 (Under previously existing legislation , July 2, 1926, had been set as the terminal date); second, the extension of time for completion...Queen’s Westminister and Civil Service Rifles, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Jellico acted as chief umpire. The teams were also received by the King, and were

Killing Forms on the Five-Dimensional Einstein-Sasaki Y(p, q) Spaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Visinescu, Mihai

2012-12-01

We present the complete set of Killing-Yano tensors on the five-dimensional Einstein-Sasaki Y(p, q) spaces. Two new Killing-Yano tensors are identified, associated with the complex volume form of the Calabi-Yau metric cone. The corresponding hidden symmetries are not anomalous and the geodesic equations are superintegrable.

Transplant center volume and outcomes in lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis.

PubMed

Hayes, Don; Sweet, Stuart C; Benden, Christian; Kopp, Benjamin T; Goldfarb, Samuel B; Visner, Gary A; Mallory, George B; Tobias, Joseph D; Tumin, Dmitry

2017-04-01

Transplant volume represents lung transplant (LTx) expertise and predicts outcomes, so we sought to determine outcomes related to center volumes in cystic fibrosis (CF). United Network for Organ Sharing data were queried for patients with CF in the United States (US) receiving bilateral LTx from 2005 to 2015. Multivariable Cox regression was used to model survival to 1 year and long-term (>1 year) survival, conditional on surviving at least 1 year. A total of 2025 patients and 67 centers were included in the analysis. The median annual LTx volumes were three in CF [interquartile range (IQR): 2, 6] and 17 in non-CF (IQR: 8, 33). Multivariable Cox regression in cases with complete data and surviving at least 1 year (n = 1510) demonstrated that greater annual CF LTx volume (HR per 10 LTx = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.49, 0.89; P = 0.006) but not greater non-CF LTx volume (HR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.05; P = 0.844) was associated with improved long-term survival in LTx recipients with CF. A Wald interaction test confirmed that CF LTx volume was more strongly associated with long-term outcomes than non-CF LTx volume (P = 0.012). In a US cohort, center volume was not associated with 1-year survival. CF-specific expertise predicted improved long-term outcomes of LTx for CF, whereas general LTx expertise was unassociated with CF patients' survival. © 2016 Steunstichting ESOT.

Quality assurance of the SCOPE 1 trial in oesophageal radiotherapy.

PubMed

Wills, Lucy; Maggs, Rhydian; Lewis, Geraint; Jones, Gareth; Nixon, Lisette; Staffurth, John; Crosby, Tom

2017-11-15

SCOPE 1 was the first UK based multi-centre trial involving radiotherapy of the oesophagus. A comprehensive radiotherapy trials quality assurance programme was launched with two main aims: 1. To assist centres, where needed, to adapt their radiotherapy techniques in order to achieve protocol compliance and thereby enable their participation in the trial. 2. To support the trial's clinical outcomes by ensuring the consistent planning and delivery of radiotherapy across all participating centres. A detailed information package was provided and centres were required to complete a benchmark case in which the delineated target volumes and organs at risk, dose distribution and completion of a plan assessment form were assessed prior to recruiting patients into the trial. Upon recruiting, the quality assurance (QA) programme continued to monitor the outlining and planning of radiotherapy treatments. Completion of a questionnaire was requested in order to gather information about each centre's equipment and techniques relating to their trial participation and to assess the impact of the trial nationally on standard practice for radiotherapy of the oesophagus. During the trial, advice was available for individual planning issues, and was circulated amongst the SCOPE 1 community in response to common areas of concern using bulletins. 36 centres were supported through QA processes to enable their participation in SCOPE1. We discuss the issues which have arisen throughout this process and present details of the benchmark case solutions, centre questionnaires and on-trial protocol compliance. The range of submitted benchmark case GTV volumes was 29.8-67.8cm 3 ; and PTV volumes 221.9-513.3 cm 3 . For the dose distributions associated with these volumes, the percentage volume of the lungs receiving 20Gy (V20Gy) ranged from 20.4 to 33.5%. Similarly, heart V40Gy ranged from 16.1 to 33.0%. Incidence of incorrect outlining of OAR volumes increased from 50% of centres at benchmark case, to 64% on trial. Sixty-five percent of centres, who returned the trial questionnaire, stated that their standard practice had changed as a result of their participation in the SCOPE1 trial. The SCOPE 1 QA programme outcomes lend support to the trial's clinical conclusions. The range of patient planning outcomes for the benchmark case indicated, at the outset of the trial, the significant degree of variation present in UK oesophageal radiotherapy planning outcomes, despite the presence of a protocol. This supports the case for increasingly detailed definition of practice by means of consensus protocols, training and peer review. The incidence of minor inconsistencies of technique highlights the potential for improved QA systems and the need for sufficient resource for this to be addressed within future trials. As indicated in questionnaire responses, the QA exercise as a whole has contributed to greater consistency of oesophageal radiotherapy in the UK via the adoption into standard practice of elements of the protocol. The SCOPE1 trial is an International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial, ISRCTN47718479 .

Analysis of Practice Settings for Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship Graduates in North America.

PubMed

Silvestre, Jason; Runyan, Christopher; Taylor, Jesse A

In North America, the number of craniofacial surgery fellowship graduates is increasing, yet an analysis of practice settings upon graduation is lacking. We characterize the practice types of recent graduates of craniofacial fellowship programs in the United States and Canada. A 6-year cohort of craniofacial fellows in the United States and Canada (2010-2016) were obtained from craniofacial programs recognized by the American Society of Craniofacial Surgery. Practice setting was determined at 1 and 3 years of postgraduation, and predictors of practice setting were determined. A total of 175 craniofacial surgeons were trained at 35 fellowship programs. At 1 year of postgraduation, 33.6% had an academic craniofacial position and 27.1% were in private practice (p = 0.361). A minority of graduates pursued additional fellowships (16.4%), nonacademic craniofacial positions (10.0%), academic noncraniofacial positions (5.7%), and international practices (7.1%). At 3 years of postgraduation, the percentage of graduates in academic craniofacial positions was unchanged (34.5% vs 33.6%, p = 0.790). The strongest predictors of future academic craniofacial practice were completing plastic surgery residency at a program with a craniofacial fellowship program (odds ratio = 6.78, p < 0.001) and completing an academic craniofacial fellowship program (odds ratio = 4.48, p = 0.020). A minority of craniofacial fellowship graduates practice academic craniofacial surgery. A strong academic craniofacial surgery background during residency and fellowship is associated with a future career in academic craniofacial surgery. These data may assist trainees choose training programs that align with career goals and educators select future academic surgeons. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Bubble memory module

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bohning, O. D.; Becker, F. J.

1980-01-01

Design, fabrication and test of partially populated prototype recorder using 100 kilobit serial chips is described. Electrical interface, operating modes, and mechanical design of several module configurations are discussed. Fabrication and test of the module demonstrated the practicality of multiplexing resulting in lower power, weight, and volume. This effort resulted in the completion of a module consisting of a fully engineered printed circuit storage board populated with 5 of 8 possible cells and a wire wrapped electronics board. Interface of the module is 16 bits parallel at a maximum of 1.33 megabits per second data rate on either of two interface buses.

Work volume and strength training responses to resistive exercise improve with periodic heat extraction from the palm.

PubMed

Grahn, Dennis A; Cao, Vinh H; Nguyen, Christopher M; Liu, Mengyuan T; Heller, H Craig

2012-09-01

Body core cooling via the palm of a hand increases work volume during resistive exercise. We asked: (a) "Is there a correlation between elevated core temperatures and fatigue onset during resistive exercise?" and (b) "Does palm cooling between sets of resistive exercise affect strength and work volume training responses?" Core temperature was manipulated by 30-45 minutes of fixed load and duration treadmill exercise in the heat with or without palm cooling. Work volume was then assessed by 4 sets of fixed load bench press exercises. Core temperatures were reduced and work volumes increased after palm cooling (Control: Tes = 39.0 ± 0.1° C, 36 ± 7 reps vs. Cooling: Tes = 38.4 ± 0.2° C, 42 ± 7 reps, mean ± SD, n = 8, p < 0.001). In separate experiments, the impact of palm cooling on work volume and strength training responses were assessed. The participants completed biweekly bench press or pull-up exercises for multiple successive weeks. Palm cooling was applied for 3 minutes between sets of exercise. Over 3 weeks of bench press training, palm cooling increased work volume by 40% (vs. 13% with no treatment; n = 8, p < 0.05). Over 6 weeks of pull-up training, palm cooling increased work volume by 144% in pull-up experienced subjects (vs. 5% over 2 weeks with no treatment; n = 7, p < 0.001) and by 80% in pull-up naïve subjects (vs. 20% with no treatment; n = 11, p < 0.01). Strength (1 repetition maximum) increased 22% over 10 weeks of pyramid bench press training (4 weeks with no treatment followed by 6 weeks with palm cooling; n = 10, p < 0.001). These results verify previous observations about the effects of palm cooling on work volume, demonstrate a link between core temperature and fatigue onset during resistive exercise, and suggest a novel means for improving strength and work volume training responses.

Effects of porosity distribution and porosity volume fraction on the electromechanical properties of 3-3 piezoelectric foams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, B. V.; Challagulla, K. S.; Venkatesh, T. A.; Hadjiloizi, D. A.; Georgiades, A. V.

2016-12-01

Unit-cell based finite element models are developed to completely characterize the role of porosity distribution and porosity volume fraction in determining the elastic, dielectric and piezoelectric properties as well as relevant figures of merit of 3-3 type piezoelectric foam structures. Eight classes of foam structures which represent structures with different types and degrees of uniformity of porosity distribution are identified; a Base structure (Class I), two H-type foam structures (Classes II, and III), a Cross-type foam structure (Class IV) and four Line-type foam structures (Classes V, VI, VII, and VIII). Three geometric factors that influence the electromechanical properties are identified: (i) the number of pores per face, pore size and the distance between the pores; (ii) pore orientation with respect to poling direction; (iii) the overall symmetry of the pore distribution with respect to the center of the face of the unit cell. To assess the suitability of these structures for such applications as hydrophones, bone implants, medical imaging and diagnostic devices, five figures of merit are determined via the developed finite element model; the piezoelectric coupling constant (K t ), the acoustic impedance (Z), the piezoelectric charge coefficient (d h ), the hydrostatic voltage coefficient (g h ), and the hydrostatic figure of merit (d h g h ). At high material volume fractions, foams with non-uniform Line-type porosity (Classes V and VII) where the pores are preferentially distributed perpendicular to poling direction, are found to exhibit the best combination of desirable piezoelectric figures of merit. For example, at about 50% volume fraction, the d h , g h , and d h g h figures of merit are 55%, 1600% and 2500% higher, respectively, for Classes V and VII of Line-like foam structures compared with the Base structure.

No effect of elevated operating lung volumes on airway function during variable workrate exercise in asthmatic humans.

PubMed

Klansky, Andrew; Irvin, Charlie; Morrison-Taylor, Adriane; Ahlstrand, Sarah; Labrie, Danielle; Haverkamp, Hans Christian

2016-07-01

In asthmatic adults, airway caliber fluctuates during variable intensity exercise such that bronchodilation (BD) occurs with increased workrate whereas bronchoconstriction (BC) occurs with decreased workrate. We hypothesized that increased lung mechanical stretch would prevent BC during such variable workrate exercise. Ten asthmatic and ten nonasthmatic subjects completed two exercise trials on a cycle ergometer. Both trials included a 28-min exercise bout consisting of alternating four min periods at workloads equal to 40 % (Low) and 70% (High) peak power output. During one trial, subjects breathed spontaneously throughout exercise (SVT), such that tidal volume (VT) and end-inspiratory lung volume (EILV) were increased by 0.5 and 0.6 liters during the high compared with the low workload in nonasthmatic and asthmatic subjects, respectively. During the second trial (MVT), VT and EILV were maintained constant when transitioning from the high to the low workload. Forced exhalations from total lung capacity were performed during each exercise workload. In asthmatic subjects, forced expiratory volume 1.0 s (FEV1.0) increased and decreased with the increases and decreases in workrate during both SVT (Low, 3.3 ± 0.3 liters; High, 3.6 ± 0.2 liters; P < 0.05) and MVT (Low, 3.3 ± 0.3 liters; High, 3.5 ± 0.2 liters; P < 0.05). Thus increased lung stretch during MVT did not prevent decreases in airway caliber when workload was reduced. We conclude that neural factors controlling airway smooth muscle (ASM) contractile activity during whole body exercise are more robust determinants of airway caliber than the ability of lung stretch to alter ASM actin-myosin binding and contraction. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Stratospheric N2O5, CH4, and N2O profiles from IR solar occultation spectra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Camy-Peyret, C.; Flaud, J.-M.; Perrin, A.; Rinsland, C. P.; Goldman, A.; Murcray, F. J.

1993-01-01

Stratospheric volume mixing ratio profiles of N2O5, CH4, and N2O have been retrieved from a set of 0.052/cm resolution (FWHM) solar occultation spectra recorded at sunrise during a balloon flight from Aire sur l'Adour, France (44 N latitude) on 12 October 1990. The N2O5 results have been derived from measurements of the integrated absorption by the 1246/cm band. Assuming a total intensity of 4.32 x 10 exp -17 cm/molecule/sq cm independent of temperature, the retrieved N2O5 volume mixing ratios in ppbv, interpolated to 2 km height spacings, are 1.64 +/- 0.49 at 37.5 km, 1.92 +/- 0.56 at 35.5 km, 2.06 +/- 0.47 at 33.5 km, 1.95 +/- 0.42 at 31.5 km, 1.60 +/- 0.33 at 29.5 km, 1.26 +/- 0.28 at 27.5 km, and 0.85 +/- 0.20 at 25.5 km. Error bars indicate the estimated 1-sigma uncertainty including the error in the total band intensity. The retrieved profiles are compared with previous measurements and photochemical model results.

Annual Proceedings of Selected Papers on the Practice of Educational Communications and Technology Presented at the Annual Convention of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (33rd, Anaheim, California, 2010). Volume 2

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simonson, Michael, Ed.

2010-01-01

For the thirty-third year, the Research and Theory Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is sponsoring the publication of these Proceedings. This is Volume #2 of the 33rd "Annual Proceedings of Selected Papers on the Practice of Educational Communications and Technology." This volume includes…

Hidden symmetries on Kerr-NUT-(A)dS metrics of Einstein-Sasaki type

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Visinescu, Mihai

2013-01-01

The hidden symmetries of higher dimensional Euclideanised Kerr-NUT-(A)dS metrics are investigated. In certain scaling limits these metrics are related to the Einstein-Sasaki ones. The complete set of Killing-Yano tensors of the Einstein-Sasaki spaces are presented. For this purpose the Killing forms of the Calabi-Yau cone over the Einstein-Sasaki manifold are constructed. Two new Killing forms on Einstein-Sasaki manifolds are identified associated with the complex volume form of the cone manifolds. As a concrete example we present the complete set of Killing-Yano tensors on the five-dimensional Einstein-Sasaki Y(p, q) spaces. The corresponding hidden symmetries are not anomalous and the geodesic equations are superintegrable.

Volume-of-Change Cone-Beam CT for Image-Guided Surgery

PubMed Central

Lee, Junghoon; Stayman, J. Webster; Otake, Yoshito; Schafer, Sebastian; Zbijewski, Wojciech; Khanna, A. Jay; Prince, Jerry L.; Siewerdsen, Jeffrey H.

2012-01-01

C-arm cone-beam CT (CBCT) can provide intraoperative 3D imaging capability for surgical guidance, but workflow and radiation dose are the significant barriers to broad utilization. One main reason is that each 3D image acquisition requires a complete scan with a full radiation dose to present a completely new 3D image every time. In this paper, we propose to utilize patient-specific CT or CBCT as prior knowledge to accurately reconstruct the aspects of the region that have changed by the surgical procedure from only a sparse set of x-rays. The proposed methods consist of a 3D-2D registration between the prior volume and a sparse set of intraoperative x-rays, creating digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRR) from the registered prior volume, computing difference images by subtracting DRRs from the intraoperative x-rays, a penalized likelihood reconstruction of the volume of change (VOC) from the difference images, and finally a fusion of VOC reconstruction with the prior volume to visualize the entire surgical field. When the surgical changes are local and relatively small, the VOC reconstruction involves only a small volume size and a small number of projections, allowing less computation and lower radiation dose than is needed to reconstruct the entire surgical field. We applied this approach to sacroplasty phantom data obtained from a CBCT test bench and vertebroplasty data with a fresh cadaver acquired from a C-arm CBCT system with a flat-panel detector (FPD). The VOCs were reconstructed from varying number of images (10–66 images) and compared to the CBCT ground truth using four different metrics (mean squared error, correlation coefficient, structural similarity index, and perceptual difference model). The results show promising reconstruction quality with structural similarity to the ground truth close to 1 even when only 15–20 images were used, allowing dose reduction by the factor of 10–20. PMID:22801026

Volume-of-change cone-beam CT for image-guided surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Junghoon; Webster Stayman, J.; Otake, Yoshito; Schafer, Sebastian; Zbijewski, Wojciech; Khanna, A. Jay; Prince, Jerry L.; Siewerdsen, Jeffrey H.

2012-08-01

C-arm cone-beam CT (CBCT) can provide intraoperative 3D imaging capability for surgical guidance, but workflow and radiation dose are the significant barriers to broad utilization. One main reason is that each 3D image acquisition requires a complete scan with a full radiation dose to present a completely new 3D image every time. In this paper, we propose to utilize patient-specific CT or CBCT as prior knowledge to accurately reconstruct the aspects of the region that have changed by the surgical procedure from only a sparse set of x-rays. The proposed methods consist of a 3D-2D registration between the prior volume and a sparse set of intraoperative x-rays, creating digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) from the registered prior volume, computing difference images by subtracting DRRs from the intraoperative x-rays, a penalized likelihood reconstruction of the volume of change (VOC) from the difference images, and finally a fusion of VOC reconstruction with the prior volume to visualize the entire surgical field. When the surgical changes are local and relatively small, the VOC reconstruction involves only a small volume size and a small number of projections, allowing less computation and lower radiation dose than is needed to reconstruct the entire surgical field. We applied this approach to sacroplasty phantom data obtained from a CBCT test bench and vertebroplasty data with a fresh cadaver acquired from a C-arm CBCT system with a flat-panel detector. The VOCs were reconstructed from a varying number of images (10-66 images) and compared to the CBCT ground truth using four different metrics (mean squared error, correlation coefficient, structural similarity index and perceptual difference model). The results show promising reconstruction quality with structural similarity to the ground truth close to 1 even when only 15-20 images were used, allowing dose reduction by the factor of 10-20.

Respiration monitoring by Electrical Bioimpedance (EBI) Technique in a group of healthy males. Calibration equations.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balleza, M.; Vargas, M.; Kashina, S.; Huerta, M. R.; Delgadillo, I.; Moreno, G.

2017-01-01

Several research groups have proposed the electrical impedance tomography (EIT) in order to analyse lung ventilation. With the use of 16 electrodes, the EIT is capable to obtain a set of transversal section images of thorax. In previous works, we have obtained an alternating signal in terms of impedance corresponding to respiration from EIT images. Then, in order to transform those impedance changes into a measurable volume signal a set of calibration equations has been obtained. However, EIT technique is still expensive to attend outpatients in basics hospitals. For that reason, we propose the use of electrical bioimpedance (EBI) technique to monitor respiration behaviour. The aim of this study was to obtain a set of calibration equations to transform EBI impedance changes determined at 4 different frequencies into a measurable volume signal. In this study a group of 8 healthy males was assessed. From obtained results, a high mathematical adjustment in the group calibrations equations was evidenced. Then, the volume determinations obtained by EBI were compared with those obtained by our gold standard. Therefore, despite EBI does not provide a complete information about impedance vectors of lung compared with EIT, it is possible to monitor the respiration.

Sensitivity analysis of some critical factors affecting simulated intrusion volumes during a low pressure transient event in a full-scale water distribution system.

PubMed

Ebacher, G; Besner, M C; Clément, B; Prévost, M

2012-09-01

Intrusion events caused by transient low pressures may result in the contamination of a water distribution system (DS). This work aims at estimating the range of potential intrusion volumes that could result from a real downsurge event caused by a momentary pump shutdown. A model calibrated with transient low pressure recordings was used to simulate total intrusion volumes through leakage orifices and submerged air vacuum valves (AVVs). Four critical factors influencing intrusion volumes were varied: the external head of (untreated) water on leakage orifices, the external head of (untreated) water on submerged air vacuum valves, the leakage rate, and the diameter of AVVs' outlet orifice (represented by a multiplicative factor). Leakage orifices' head and AVVs' orifice head levels were assessed through fieldwork. Two sets of runs were generated as part of two statistically designed experiments. A first set of 81 runs was based on a complete factorial design in which each factor was varied over 3 levels. A second set of 40 runs was based on a latin hypercube design, better suited for experimental runs on a computer model. The simulations were conducted using commercially available transient analysis software. Responses, measured by total intrusion volumes, ranged from 10 to 366 L. A second degree polynomial was used to analyze the total intrusion volumes. Sensitivity analyses of both designs revealed that the relationship between the total intrusion volume and the four contributing factors is not monotonic, with the AVVs' orifice head being the most influential factor. When intrusion through both pathways occurs concurrently, interactions between the intrusion flows through leakage orifices and submerged AVVs influence intrusion volumes. When only intrusion through leakage orifices is considered, the total intrusion volume is more largely influenced by the leakage rate than by the leakage orifices' head. The latter mainly impacts the extent of the area affected by intrusion. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Empirical models to predict the volumes of debris flows generated by recently burned basins in the western U.S.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gartner, J.E.; Cannon, S.H.; Santi, P.M.; deWolfe, V.G.

2008-01-01

Recently burned basins frequently produce debris flows in response to moderate-to-severe rainfall. Post-fire hazard assessments of debris flows are most useful when they predict the volume of material that may flow out of a burned basin. This study develops a set of empirically-based models that predict potential volumes of wildfire-related debris flows in different regions and geologic settings. The models were developed using data from 53 recently burned basins in Colorado, Utah and California. The volumes of debris flows in these basins were determined by either measuring the volume of material eroded from the channels, or by estimating the amount of material removed from debris retention basins. For each basin, independent variables thought to affect the volume of the debris flow were determined. These variables include measures of basin morphology, basin areas burned at different severities, soil material properties, rock type, and rainfall amounts and intensities for storms triggering debris flows. Using these data, multiple regression analyses were used to create separate predictive models for volumes of debris flows generated by burned basins in six separate regions or settings, including the western U.S., southern California, the Rocky Mountain region, and basins underlain by sedimentary, metamorphic and granitic rocks. An evaluation of these models indicated that the best model (the Western U.S. model) explains 83% of the variability in the volumes of the debris flows, and includes variables that describe the basin area with slopes greater than or equal to 30%, the basin area burned at moderate and high severity, and total storm rainfall. This model was independently validated by comparing volumes of debris flows reported in the literature, to volumes estimated using the model. Eighty-seven percent of the reported volumes were within two residual standard errors of the volumes predicted using the model. This model is an improvement over previous models in that it includes a measure of burn severity and an estimate of modeling errors. The application of this model, in conjunction with models for the probability of debris flows, will enable more complete and rapid assessments of debris flow hazards following wildfire.

Road traffic injury on rural roads in Tanzania: measuring the effectiveness of a road safety program.

PubMed

Zimmerman, Karen; Jinadasa, Deepani; Maegga, Bertha; Guerrero, Alejandro

2015-01-01

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a major public health burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries. There is limited data on RTIs in low-volume, rural African settings. This study attempted to survey all individuals living in households within 200 m of two low-volume rural roads in Tanzania and to collect data on RTIs. Local communities and users of the Bago to Talawanda road (intervention site) and Kikaro to Mihuga road (control site) were targeted and received an intensive program of road safety measures tailored using the crash characteristics of the baseline sample. Demographic data on all household members were collected, and those individuals who suffered an RTI in the previous 3 months had comprehensive information collected about the crash characteristics and the socioeconomic impact. The follow-up data collection occurred nine months after the baseline data were collected. The majority of crashes that caused an RTI involved a motorcycle (71%) and the majority of victims were male (82%) with an average age of 27. Injuries to the legs (55%) were most common and the average length of time away from normal activity was 27 (±33) days. RTI incidence at the intervention site increased during the course of the study (incidence before vs. incidence after) and was unchanged in the community control (incidence before vs. incidence after). The incidence of RTIs in the low-volume rural setting is unacceptably high and most commonly associated with motorcycles. The change in incidence is unreliable due to logistic restraints of the project and more research is needed to quantify the impact of various RTI prevention strategies in this setting. This study provides insight into road traffic injuries on low-volume rural roads, areas where very little research has been captured. Additionally, it provides a replicable study design for those interested in collecting similar data on low-volume rural roads.

The Effect of Hospital Volume on Mortality in Patients Admitted with Severe Sepsis

PubMed Central

Shahul, Sajid; Hacker, Michele R.; Novack, Victor; Mueller, Ariel; Shaefi, Shahzad; Mahmood, Bilal; Ali, Syed Haider; Talmor, Daniel

2014-01-01

Importance The association between hospital volume and inpatient mortality for severe sepsis is unclear. Objective To assess the effect of severe sepsis case volume and inpatient mortality. Design Setting and Participants Retrospective cohort study from 646,988 patient discharges with severe sepsis from 3,487 hospitals in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2002 to 2011. Exposures The exposure of interest was the mean yearly sepsis case volume per hospital divided into tertiles. Main Outcomes and Measures Inpatient mortality. Results Compared with the highest tertile of severe sepsis volume (>60 cases per year), the odds ratio for inpatient mortality among persons admitted to hospitals in the lowest tertile (≤10 severe sepsis cases per year) was 1.188 (95% CI: 1.074–1.315), while the odds ratio was 1.090 (95% CI: 1.031–1.152) for patients admitted to hospitals in the middle tertile. Similarly, improved survival was seen across the tertiles with an adjusted inpatient mortality incidence of 35.81 (95% CI: 33.64–38.03) for hospitals with the lowest volume of severe sepsis cases and a drop to 32.07 (95% CI: 31.51–32.64) for hospitals with the highest volume. Conclusions and Relevance We demonstrate an association between a higher severe sepsis case volume and decreased mortality. The need for a systems-based approach for improved outcomes may require a high volume of severely septic patients. PMID:25264788

Humidification during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation for adults: a bench study.

PubMed

Chikata, Yusuke; Imanaka, Hideaki; Ueta, Masahiko; Nishimura, Masaji

2010-12-01

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) has recently been applied to acute respiratory distress syndrome patients. However, the issue of humidification during HFOV has not been investigated. In a bench study, we evaluated humidification during HFOV for adults to test if adequate humidification was achieved in 2 different HFOV systems. We tested 2 brands of adult HFOV ventilators, the R100 (Metran, Japan) and the 3100B (SensorMedics, CA), under identical bias flow. A heated humidifier consisting of porous hollow fiber (Hummax II, Metran) was set for the R100, and a passover-type heated humidifier (MR850, Fisher & Paykel) was set for the 3100B, while inspiratory heating wire was applied to both systems. Each ventilator was connected to a lung model in an incubator. Absolute humidity, relative humidity and temperature at the airway opening were measured using a hygrometer under a variety of ventilatory settings: 3 stroke volumes/amplitudes, 3 frequencies, and 2 mean airway pressures. The R100 ventilator showed higher absolute humidity, higher relative humidity, and lower temperature than the 3100B. In the R100, as stroke volume and frequency increased, absolute humidity and temperature increased. In the 3100B, amplitude, frequency, and mean airway pressure minimally affected absolute humidity and temperature. Relative humidity was almost 100% in the R100, while it was 80.5±2.3% in the 3100B. Humidification during HFOV for adults was affected by stroke volume and frequency in the R100, but was not in the 3100B. Absolute humidity was above 33 mgH_2 O/L in these 2 systems under a range of settings.

Top-Down-Assisted Bottom-Up Method for Homologous Protein Sequencing: Hemoglobin from 33 Bird Species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Yang; Laskay, Ünige A.; Vilcins, Inger-Marie E.; Barbour, Alan G.; Wysocki, Vicki H.

2015-11-01

Ticks are vectors for disease transmission because they are indiscriminant in their feeding on multiple vertebrate hosts, transmitting pathogens between their hosts. Identifying the hosts on which ticks have fed is important for disease prevention and intervention. We have previously shown that hemoglobin (Hb) remnants from a host on which a tick fed can be used to reveal the host's identity. For the present research, blood was collected from 33 bird species that are common in the U.S. as hosts for ticks but that have unknown Hb sequences. A top-down-assisted bottom-up mass spectrometry approach with a customized searching database, based on variability in known bird hemoglobin sequences, has been devised to facilitate fast and complete sequencing of hemoglobin from birds with unknown sequences. These hemoglobin sequences will be added to a hemoglobin database and used for tick host identification. The general approach has the potential to sequence any set of homologous proteins completely in a rapid manner.

[Method of traditional Chinese medicine formula design based on 3D-database pharmacophore search and patent retrieval].

PubMed

He, Yu-su; Sun, Zhi-yi; Zhang, Yan-ling

2014-11-01

By using the pharmacophore model of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists as a starting point, the experiment stud- ies the method of traditional Chinese medicine formula design for anti-hypertensive. Pharmacophore models were generated by 3D-QSAR pharmacophore (Hypogen) program of the DS3.5, based on the training set composed of 33 mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. The best pharmacophore model consisted of two Hydrogen-bond acceptors, three Hydrophobic and four excluded volumes. Its correlation coefficient of training set and test set, N, and CAI value were 0.9534, 0.6748, 2.878, and 1.119. According to the database screening, 1700 active compounds from 86 source plant were obtained. Because of lacking of available anti-hypertensive medi cation strategy in traditional theory, this article takes advantage of patent retrieval in world traditional medicine patent database, in order to design drug formula. Finally, two formulae was obtained for antihypertensive.

Subretinal fluid in eyes with active ocular toxoplasmosis observed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Ouyang, Yanling; Li, Fuqiang; Shao, Qing; Heussen, Florian M; Keane, Pearse A; Stübiger, Nicole; Sadda, Srinivas R; Pleyer, Uwe

2015-01-01

To describe the clinical finding of subretinal fluid (SRF) in the posterior pole by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in eyes with active ocular toxoplasmosis (OT). Retrospective case series. Thirty-nine eyes from 38 patients with active OT [corrected].. Eyes with active OT which underwent SD-OCT were reviewed. SRFs in the posterior pole were further analyzed. Presence of SRF; its accompanying features, e.g. retinal necrosis, cystoid macular edema (CME), choroidal neovascularization (CNV); and longitudinal changes of SRF, including maximum height and total volume before and after treatment. SRF presented in 45.5% (or 15/33) of eyes with typical active OT and in 51.3% (or 20/39) of eyes with active OT. The mean maximum height and total volume of SRF were 161.0 (range: 23-478) µm and 0.47 (range: 0.005-4.12) mm3, respectively. For 12 eyes with SRF related to active retinal necrosis, SRF was observed with complete absorption after conventional anti-toxoplasmosis treatment. The mean duration for observation of SRF clearance was 33.8 (range: 7-84) days. The mean rate of SRF clearance was 0.0128 (range: 0.0002-0.0665) mm3/day. SRF (i.e., serous retinal detachment) is a common feature in patients with active OT when SD-OCT is performed. The majority of SRF was associated with retinal necrosis and reacted well to conventional therapy, regardless of total fluid volume. However, SRF accompanying with CME or CNV responded less favorably or remained refractory to conventional or combined intravitreal treatment, even when the SRF was small in size.

Hippocampal atrophy and altered brain responses to pleasant tastes among obese compared with healthy weight children.

PubMed

Mestre, Z L; Bischoff-Grethe, A; Eichen, D M; Wierenga, C E; Strong, D; Boutelle, K N

2017-10-01

The hippocampus is a key structure implicated in food motivation and intake. Research has shown that the hippocampus is vulnerable to the consumption of a western diet (i.e., high saturated fat and simple carbohydrates). Studies of patients with obesity (OB), compared with healthy weight (HW), show changes in hippocampal volume and response to food cues. Moreover, evidence suggests that OB children, relative to HW, have greater hippocampal response to taste. However, no study has examined the association of hippocampal volume with taste functioning in children. We hypothesized that OB children, relative to HW, would show a significant reduction in hippocampal volume and that decreased volume would be significantly associated with greater activation to taste. Finally, we explored whether hippocampal activation would be associated with measures on eating and eating habits. Twenty-five 8-12-year-old children (i.e., 13 HW, 12 OB) completed a magnetic resonance imaging scan while participating in a taste paradigm (i.e., 1 ml of 10% sucrose or ionic water delivered pseudorandomly every 20 s). Children with OB, relative to HW, showed reduced left hippocampal volume (t=1.994, P=0.03, 95% confidence interval (CI)=-40.23,  755.42), and greater response to taste in three clusters within the left hippocampus (z=3.3, P=0.001, 95% CI=-0.241, -0.041; z=3.3, P=0.001, 95% CI=-0.2711, -0.0469; z=2.7, P=0.007, 95% CI=-0.6032, -0.0268). Activation within the hippocampus was associated with eating in the absence of hunger (EAH%; t=2.408, P=0.025, 95% CI= 1.751708, 23.94109) and two subscales on a measure of eating behaviors (Food responsiveness, t=2.572, P=0.017, 95% CI= 0.9565195, 9.043440; Food enjoyment, t=2.298, P=0.032, 95% CI=0.2256749, 4.531298). As hypothesized, OB children, relative to HW, had significantly reduced hippocampal volume, and greater hippocampal activation to taste. Moreover, hippocampal activation was associated with measures of eating. These results contribute to research on the relationship between OB, overeating and cognitive impairment.

Predictors of poor adherence of U.S. gastroenterologists with colonoscopy screening and surveillance guidelines

PubMed Central

Iskandar, Heba; Yan, Yan; Elwing, Jill; Early, Dayna; Colditz, Graham A.; Wang, Jean S.

2014-01-01

Background The U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer published guidelines for colonoscopy screening and surveillance in 2008 and affirmed them in 2012. Characteristics associated with guideline adherence among U.S. gastroenterologists have not been assessed. Aims Assess awareness and adherence of U.S. gastroenterologists with national guidelines for colonoscopy screening and surveillance and predictors of adherence to guidelines. Methods A web-based survey was administered to gastroenterologists in various practice settings across the United States. Results A total of 306 gastroenterologists completed the survey; 86% reported awareness of the guidelines. Low-volume colonoscopists (<20 /month) were less likely to be aware of the guidelines (OR 0.26, p=0.03) compared to high-volume colonoscopists (>100/month). Those completing training before 1990 were less likely to report following guidelines (OR 0.37, p=0.01). Adherence with guidelines was then assessed via clinical scenarios. Compared to physicians finishing training in 1991-2010, less adherence was seen in those finishing before 1990 (OR 0.75, p<0.001) or currently in training (OR 0.72, p=0.004). Compared to the Western U.S., less adherence was seen in the Midwest (OR 0.69, p=0.001), Northeast (OR 0.63, p<0.001), and South (OR 0.59, p<0.001). Lower adherence was seen among non-academic physicians (OR 0.72, p=0.001) and low-volume colonoscopists (OR 0.52, p<0.001). Conclusions There is poor adherence with colonoscopy screening and surveillance guidelines among U.S. gastroenterologists. Poor adherence was associated with being in training or finishing training before 1990, practicing in the South, non-academic settings, and low colonoscopy volume. These findings can target interventions for quality improvement in colorectal cancer screening and surveillance. PMID:25366146

Predictors of Poor Adherence of US Gastroenterologists with Colonoscopy Screening and Surveillance Guidelines.

PubMed

Iskandar, Heba; Yan, Yan; Elwing, Jill; Early, Dayna; Colditz, Graham A; Wang, Jean S

2015-04-01

The US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer published guidelines for colonoscopy screening and surveillance in 2008 and affirmed them in 2012. Characteristics associated with guideline adherence among US gastroenterologists have not been assessed. Assess awareness and adherence of US gastroenterologists with national guidelines for colonoscopy screening and surveillance and predictors of adherence to guidelines. A Web-based survey was administered to gastroenterologists in various practice settings across the USA. A total of 306 gastroenterologists completed the survey; 86 % reported awareness of the guidelines. Low-volume colonoscopists (<20/month) were less likely to be aware of the guidelines (OR 0.26, p = 0.03) compared to high-volume colonoscopists (>100/month). Those completing training before 1990 were less likely to report following guidelines (OR 0.37, p = 0.01). Adherence with guidelines was then assessed via clinical scenarios. Compared to physicians finishing training in 1991-2010, less adherence was seen in those finishing before 1990 (OR 0.75, p < 0.001) or currently in training (OR 0.72, p = 0.004). Compared to the Western USA, less adherence was seen in the Midwest (OR 0.69, p = 0.001), Northeast (OR 0.63, p < 0.001), and South (OR 0.59, p < 0.001). Lower adherence was seen among non-academic physicians (OR 0.72, p = 0.001) and low-volume colonoscopists (OR 0.52, p < 0.001). There is poor adherence with colonoscopy screening and surveillance guidelines among US gastroenterologists. Poor adherence was associated with being in training or finishing training before 1990, practicing in the South, non-academic settings, and low colonoscopy volume. These findings can target interventions for quality improvement in colorectal cancer screening and surveillance.

High Intensity High Volume Interval Training Improves Endurance Performance and Induces a Nearly Complete Slow-to-Fast Fiber Transformation on the mRNA Level.

PubMed

Eigendorf, Julian; May, Marcus; Friedrich, Jan; Engeli, Stefan; Maassen, Norbert; Gros, Gerolf; Meissner, Joachim D

2018-01-01

We present here a longitudinal study determining the effects of two 3 week-periods of high intensity high volume interval training (HIHVT) (90 intervals of 6 s cycling at 250% maximum power, P max /24 s) on a cycle ergometer. HIHVT was evaluated by comparing performance tests before and after the entire training (baseline, BSL, and endpoint, END) and between the two training sets (intermediate, INT). The mRNA expression levels of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms and markers of energy metabolism were analyzed in M. vastus lateralis biopsies by quantitative real-time PCR. In incremental tests peak power (P peak ) was increased, whereas V ˙ O 2peak was unaltered. Prolonged time-to-exhaustion was found in endurance tests with 65 and 80% P max at INT and END. No changes in blood levels of lipid metabolites were detected. Training-induced decreases of hematocrit indicate hypervolemia. A shift from slow MHCI/β to fast MHCIIa mRNA expression occurred after the first and second training set. The mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), a master regulator of oxidative energy metabolism, decreased after the second training set. In agreement, a significant decrease was also found for citrate synthase mRNA after the second training set, indicating reduced oxidative capacity. However, mRNA expression levels of glycolytic marker enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase did not change after the first and second training set. HIHVT induced a nearly complete slow-to-fast fiber type transformation on the mRNA level, which, however, cannot account for the improvements of performance parameters. The latter might be explained by the well-known effects of hypervolemia on exercise performance.

Direct lymphangiography as treatment option of lymphatic leakage: indications, outcomes and role in patient's management.

PubMed

Gruber-Rouh, Tatjana; Naguib, Nagy N N; Lehnert, Thomas; Harth, Marc; Thalhammer, Axel; Beeres, Martin; Tsaur, Igor; Hammersting, Renate; Wichmann, Julian L; Vogl, Thomas J; Jacobi, Volkmar

2014-12-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of lymphography as a minimally invasive treatment option of lymphatic leakage in terms of local control and to investigate which parameters influence the success rate. This retrospective study protocol was approved by the ethic committee. Patient history, imaging data, therapeutic options and follow-up were recorded and retrospectively analyzed. Between June 1998 and February 2013, 71 patients (m:w = 42:29, mean age, 52.4; range 42–75 years) with lymphatic leakage in form of lymphatic fistulas (n = 37), lymphocele (n = 11), chylothorax (n = 13) and chylous ascites (n = 10)underwent lymphography. Sixty-four patients (90.1%) underwent successful lymphography while lymphography failed in 7 cases. Therapeutic success was evaluated and correlated to the volume of lymphatic leakage and to the volume of the applied iodized oil. Signs of leakage or contrast extravasation were directly detected in 64 patients. Of 64 patients, 45 patients (70.3%) were treated and cured after lymphography. Based on the lymphography findings, 19 patients (29.7%) underwent surgical intervention with a completely occlusion of lymphatic leakage. The lymphatic leak could be completely occluded in 96.8% of patients when the lymphatic drainage volume was less than 200 mL/day (n = 33). Even when lymphatic drainage was higher than 200 mL/day (n = 31),therapeutic lymphography was still successful in 58.1% of the patients. Lymphography is an effective, minimally invasive method in the detection and treatment of lymphatic leakage. The volume of lymphatic drainage per day is a significant predictor of the therapeutic success rate. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Plans for future on-line access to the historical astronomical literature through the Astrophysics Data System.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eichhorn, G.; Kurtz, M. J.; Coletti, D.

1997-09-01

The NASA Astrophysics Data System provides access to about 1 million abstracts and 50,000 journal articles. This service is funded by NASA and is accessible world-wide through the World Wide Web free without restrictions at: http://adswww.harvard.edu We currently have on-line journals starting with 1975. We plan to extend the coverage for the journals and also include scans from observatory publications in our database. Eventually we plan to provide access to scans of the complete journal literature and as much observatory literature as possible. In order to accomplish this, we have started discussions with the preservation group at the Harvard University Library. Harvard University Library, together with the Library at the Center for Astrophysics is in the process of microfilming their collection of observatory publications. We are working together with this project to prepare for scanning the microfilms and make these scans available through the ADS. We are also collecting older journals and preparing them for scanning. We already have the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society in hand from Volume 1, and have been promised a large part of the Astronomische Nachrichten prior to 1945. We will start scanning these volumes soon. All volumes that can be fed automatically through the scanning machine should be scanned and put on-line within the next 6 - 12 months. In order to scan volumes that are too brittle, we need additional funding. We hope to obtain additional funding to cover such scanning for 1998. In order to cover more of the astronomical literature, we need donations of astronomical literature. We have a web page that lists the volumes that we need so we can scan them. If you have any of these journals (or other astronomical literature), please contact us. the web page is at: http://adshome.harvard.edu/pubs/missing_journals.html We would appreciate any contributions, even smaller sets, since it will be more and more difficult to find complete sets.

Changes in plasma volume and baroreflex function following resistance exercise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ploutz, L. L.; Tatro, D. L.; Dudley, G. A.; Convertino, V. A.

1993-01-01

The dynamics of change in plasma volume (PV) and baroreflex responses have been reported over 24 h immediately following maximal cycle exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine if PV and baroreflex showed similar changes for 24 h after resistance exercise. Eight men were studied on 2 test days, 1 week apart. On 1 day, per cent change (% delta) in PV was estimated at 0,3, and 6 h after resistance exercise using haematocrit and haemoglobin. Baseline PV was measured 24 h after exercise using Evans blue dye. The carotid baroreceptor-cardiac reflex response was measured before, and 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h post-exercise. Each subject performed six sets of the bench press and leg press with 10 repetitions per set with a load that induced failure within each set. On a control day, the protocol was used without exercise. Plasma volume did not change during the control day. There was a 20% decrease in PV immediately post-exercise; the recovery of the PV was rapid and complete within 3 h. PV was 20% greater 24 h post-exercise than on the control day. There were no differences in any of the baroreflex measurements. Therefore, it is suggested that PV shifts may occur without altering baroreflex sensitivity.

College Counseling in High Schools: Advising State Policy. The Progress of Education Reform. Volume 15, Number 6

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zinth, Jennifer Dounay

2014-01-01

In recent years, many states have set ambitious postsecondary completion or attainment goals, driven in part by concerns that other OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) nations are outpacing the United States in the number of adults holding a postsecondary credential. While the U.S. has made modest gains since 2000 in the…

Compendium of Abstracts. Volume 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-08-01

Framework with Memristors for use in Biomimetic Locomotion Control Systems Albert, Stephen In the future of reconnaissance and combat, small unmanned...standards according to ASTM D1002-2006 and formulation of silane blends to control bonding strength. Once a statistical set of coupons is completed...architectures, Adaptive Control of Thought-Rational – Queueing Networks (ACTR-QN) and Soar. I then identified the aspects of each that can be used to

Long-range interacting systems in the unconstrained ensemble.

PubMed

Latella, Ivan; Pérez-Madrid, Agustín; Campa, Alessandro; Casetti, Lapo; Ruffo, Stefano

2017-01-01

Completely open systems can exchange heat, work, and matter with the environment. While energy, volume, and number of particles fluctuate under completely open conditions, the equilibrium states of the system, if they exist, can be specified using the temperature, pressure, and chemical potential as control parameters. The unconstrained ensemble is the statistical ensemble describing completely open systems and the replica energy is the appropriate free energy for these control parameters from which the thermodynamics must be derived. It turns out that macroscopic systems with short-range interactions cannot attain equilibrium configurations in the unconstrained ensemble, since temperature, pressure, and chemical potential cannot be taken as a set of independent variables in this case. In contrast, we show that systems with long-range interactions can reach states of thermodynamic equilibrium in the unconstrained ensemble. To illustrate this fact, we consider a modification of the Thirring model and compare the unconstrained ensemble with the canonical and grand-canonical ones: The more the ensemble is constrained by fixing the volume or number of particles, the larger the space of parameters defining the equilibrium configurations.

Independent Research and Independent Exploratory Development FY 1985

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-01-01

whs’tkxwK 3nk ’ --’ ." -•ftFiu... imcnft fli m le- Apanl these individua complete * hic tm rmthstst h frttw tpsi hesltin ndte the correct answer (33%) were...describe itself, graphically indicating a Maintenance System ( TMS ), which design relationship, or examining a maintains a set of assumptions within an...critique comment by visually marking environment. At this point, how to utilize the elements involved, a TMS within Designer has not been clearly , defined

The impact of 18 F-FET PET-CT on target definition in image-guided stereotactic radiotherapy in patients with skull base lesions.

PubMed

Badakhshi, Harun; Graf, Reinhold; Prasad, Vikas; Budach, Volker

2014-06-25

18 F-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine PET is gaining more indications in the field of oncology. We investigated the potentials of usage of FET-PET/CT in addition to MRI for definition of gross tumor volume (GTV) in stereotactic radiotherapy of lesions of skull base. We included in a prospective setting 21 cases. An MRI was performed, completed by FET PET/CT. Different GTV's were defined based on respective imaging tools: 1. GTVMRI, 2. GTV MRI /CT, 3. GTV composit (1 + 2), and GTVPET = GTV Boost. Lesions could be visualised by MRI and FET-PET/CT in all patients. FET tracer enhancement was found in all cases. Skull base infiltration by these lesions was observed by MRI, CT (PET/CT) and FET-PET (PET/CT) in all patients. Totally, brain tissue infiltration was seen in 10 patients. While, in 7 (out 10) cases, MRI and CT (from PET/CT) were indicating brain infiltration, FET-PET could add additional information regarding infiltrative behaviour: in 3 (out 10) patients, infiltration of the brain was displayed merely in FET-PET. An enlargement of GTVMRI/CT due to the FET-PET driven information, which revealed GTVcomposite , was necessary in 7 cases,. This enlargement was significant by definition (> 10% of GTVMRI/CT). The mean PET-effect on GTV counted for 1 ± 4 cm3. The restricted boost fields were based mainly on the GTVPET volume. In mean, about 8.5 cm3 of GTVMRI/CT, which showed no FET uptake, were excluded from target volume. GTV boost driven by only-PET-activity, was in mean by 33% smaller than the initial large treatment field, GTV composite, for those cases received boost treatment. FET-PET lead to significant (>10%) changes in the initial treatment fields in 11/21 patients and showed additional tumour volume relevant for radiation planning in 6/21 cases, and led to a subsequent decrease of more than 10% of the initial volumes for the boost fields. The implementation of FET PET into the planning procedures showed a benefit in terms of accurate definition of skull base lesions as targets for Image-guided stereotactic Radiotherapy. This has to be investigated prospectively in larger cohorts.

Development and Validation of a Photonumeric Scale for Evaluation of Volume Deficit of the Hand

PubMed Central

Donofrio, Lisa; Hardas, Bhushan; Murphy, Diane K.; Carruthers, Jean; Carruthers, Alastair; Sykes, Jonathan M.; Creutz, Lela; Marx, Ann; Dill, Sara

2016-01-01

BACKGROUND A validated scale is needed for objective and reproducible comparisons of hand appearance before and after treatment in practice and clinical studies. OBJECTIVE To describe the development and validation of the 5-point photonumeric Allergan Hand Volume Deficit Scale. METHODS The scale was developed to include an assessment guide, verbal descriptors, morphed images, and real-subject images for each grade. The clinical significance of a 1-point score difference was evaluated in a review of image pairs representing varying differences in severity. Interrater and intrarater reliability was evaluated in a live-subject validation study (N = 296) completed during 2 sessions occurring 3 weeks apart. RESULTS A score difference of ≥1 point was shown to reflect a clinically significant difference (mean [95% confidence interval] absolute score difference, 1.12 [0.99–1.26] for clinically different image pairs and 0.45 [0.33–0.57] for not clinically different pairs). Intrarater agreement between the 2 validation sessions was almost perfect (mean weighted kappa = 0.83). Interrater agreement was almost perfect during the second session (0.82, primary end point). CONCLUSION The Allergan Hand Volume Deficit Scale is a validated and reliable scale for physician rating of hand volume deficit. PMID:27661741

A comparison between block and smooth modeling in finite element simulations of tDCS*

PubMed Central

Indahlastari, Aprinda; Sadleir, Rosalind J.

2018-01-01

Current density distributions in five selected structures, namely, anterior superior temporal gyrus (ASTG), hippocampus (HIP), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), occipital lobe (OCC) and pre-central gyrus (PRC) were investigated as part of a comparison between electrostatic finite element models constructed directly from MRI-resolution data (block models), and smoothed tetrahedral finite element models (smooth models). Three electrode configurations were applied, mimicking different tDCS therapies. Smooth model simulations were found to require three times longer to complete. The percentage differences between mean and median current densities of each model type in arbitrarily chosen brain structures ranged from −33.33–48.08%. No clear relationship was found between structure volumes and current density differences between the two model types. Tissue regions nearby the electrodes demonstrated the least percentage differences between block and smooth models. Therefore, block models may be adequate to predict current density values in cortical regions presumed targeted by tDCS. PMID:26737023

Evaposublimation from the snow in the Mediterranean mountains of Sierra Nevada (Spain)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herrero, Javier; José Polo, María

2016-12-01

In this study we quantify the evaposublimation and the energy balance of the seasonal snowpack in the Mediterranean semiarid region of Sierra Nevada, Spain (37° N). In these kinds of regions, the incidence of this return of water to the atmosphere is particularly important to the hydrology and water availability. The analysis of the evaposublimation from snow allows us to deduct the losses of water expected in the short and medium term and is critical for the efficient planning of this basic and scarce resource. To achieve this, we performed 10 field campaigns from 2009 to 2015, during which detailed measurements of mass fluxes of a controlled volume of snow were recorded using a modified version of an evaporation pan with lysimeter. Meteorological data at the site of the snow control volume were extensively monitored during the tests. With these data, a point energy balance snowmelt model was validated for the area. This model, fed with the complete meteorological data set available at the Refugio Poqueira Station (2500 m a.s.l.), let us estimate that evaposublimation losses for this site can range from 24 to 33 % of total annual ablation. This ratio is very variable throughout the year and between years, depending on the particular occurrence of snowfall and mild weather events, which is generally quite erratic in this semiarid region. Evaposublimation proceeds at maximum rates of up to 0.49 mm h-1, an order of magnitude less than maximum melt rates. However, evaposublimation occurs during 60 % of the time that snow lies, while snowmelt only takes up 10 % of this time. Hence, both processes remain close in magnitude on the annual scale.

Insufficient Humidification of Respiratory Gases in Patients Who Are Undergoing Therapeutic Hypothermia at a Paediatric and Adult Intensive Care Unit.

PubMed

Tanaka, Yukari; Iwata, Sachiko; Kinoshita, Masahiro; Tsuda, Kennosuke; Tanaka, Shoichiro; Hara, Naoko; Shindou, Ryota; Harada, Eimei; Kijima, Ryouji; Yamaga, Osamu; Ohkuma, Hitoe; Ushijima, Kazuo; Sakamoto, Teruo; Yamashita, Yushiro; Iwata, Osuke

2017-01-01

For cooled newborn infants, humidifier settings for normothermic condition provide excessive gas humidity because absolute humidity at saturation is temperature-dependent. To assess humidification of respiratory gases in patients who underwent moderate therapeutic hypothermia at a paediatric/adult intensive care unit, 6 patients were studied over 9 times. Three humidifier settings, 37-default (chamber-outlet, 37°C; Y-piece, 40°C), 33.5-theoretical (chamber-outlet, 33.5°C; Y-piece, 36.5°C), and 33.5-adjusted (optimised setting to achieve saturated vapour at 33.5°C using feedback from a thermohygrometer), were tested. Y-piece gas temperature/humidity and the incidence of high (>40.6 mg/L) and low (<32.9 mg/L) humidity relative to the target level (36.6 mg/L) were assessed. Y-piece gas humidity was 32.0 (26.8-37.3), 22.7 (16.9-28.6), and 36.9 (35.5-38.3) mg/L {mean (95% confidence interval)} for 37-default setting, 33.5-theoretical setting, and 33.5-adjusted setting, respectively. High humidity was observed in 1 patient with 37-default setting, whereas low humidity was seen in 5 patients with 37-default setting and 8 patients with 33.5-theoretical setting. With 33.5-adjusted setting, inadequate Y-piece humidity was not observed. Potential risks of the default humidifier setting for insufficient respiratory gas humidification were highlighted in patients cooled at a paediatric/adult intensive care unit. Y-piece gas conditions can be controlled to the theoretically optimal level by adjusting the setting guided by Y-piece gas temperature/humidity.

Insufficient Humidification of Respiratory Gases in Patients Who Are Undergoing Therapeutic Hypothermia at a Paediatric and Adult Intensive Care Unit

PubMed Central

Tanaka, Yukari; Iwata, Sachiko; Kinoshita, Masahiro; Tsuda, Kennosuke; Tanaka, Shoichiro; Hara, Naoko; Shindou, Ryota; Harada, Eimei; Kijima, Ryouji; Yamaga, Osamu; Ohkuma, Hitoe; Ushijima, Kazuo; Sakamoto, Teruo; Yamashita, Yushiro

2017-01-01

For cooled newborn infants, humidifier settings for normothermic condition provide excessive gas humidity because absolute humidity at saturation is temperature-dependent. To assess humidification of respiratory gases in patients who underwent moderate therapeutic hypothermia at a paediatric/adult intensive care unit, 6 patients were studied over 9 times. Three humidifier settings, 37-default (chamber-outlet, 37°C; Y-piece, 40°C), 33.5-theoretical (chamber-outlet, 33.5°C; Y-piece, 36.5°C), and 33.5-adjusted (optimised setting to achieve saturated vapour at 33.5°C using feedback from a thermohygrometer), were tested. Y-piece gas temperature/humidity and the incidence of high (>40.6 mg/L) and low (<32.9 mg/L) humidity relative to the target level (36.6 mg/L) were assessed. Y-piece gas humidity was 32.0 (26.8–37.3), 22.7 (16.9–28.6), and 36.9 (35.5–38.3) mg/L {mean (95% confidence interval)} for 37-default setting, 33.5-theoretical setting, and 33.5-adjusted setting, respectively. High humidity was observed in 1 patient with 37-default setting, whereas low humidity was seen in 5 patients with 37-default setting and 8 patients with 33.5-theoretical setting. With 33.5-adjusted setting, inadequate Y-piece humidity was not observed. Potential risks of the default humidifier setting for insufficient respiratory gas humidification were highlighted in patients cooled at a paediatric/adult intensive care unit. Y-piece gas conditions can be controlled to the theoretically optimal level by adjusting the setting guided by Y-piece gas temperature/humidity. PMID:28512388

Effects of Electronic Cigarette Liquid Nicotine Concentration on Plasma Nicotine and Puff Topography in Tobacco Cigarette Smokers: A Preliminary Report.

PubMed

Lopez, Alexa A; Hiler, Marzena M; Soule, Eric K; Ramôa, Carolina P; Karaoghlanian, Nareg V; Lipato, Thokozeni; Breland, Alison B; Shihadeh, Alan L; Eissenberg, Thomas

2016-05-01

Electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) aerosolize a liquid that usually contains propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin, flavorants, and the dependence-producing drug nicotine in various concentrations. This study examined the extent to which ECIG liquid nicotine concentration is related to user plasma nicotine concentration in ECIG-naïve tobacco cigarette smokers. Sixteen ECIG-naïve cigarette smokers completed four laboratory sessions that differed by the nicotine concentration of the liquid (0, 8, 18, or 36 mg/ml) that was placed into a 1.5 Ohm, dual coil "cartomizer" powered by a 3.3V battery. In each session, participants completed two, 10-puff ECIG use bouts with a 30-second inter-puff interval; bouts were separated by 60 minutes. Venous blood was sampled before and after bouts for later analysis of plasma nicotine concentration; puff duration, volume, and average flow rate were measured during each bout. In bout 1, relative to the 0mg/ml nicotine condition (mean = 3.8 ng/ml, SD = 3.3), plasma nicotine concentration increased significantly immediately after the bout for the 8 (mean = 8.8 ng/ml, SD = 6.3), 18 (mean = 13.2 ng/ml, SD = 13.2), and 36 mg/ml (mean = 17.0 ng/ml, SD = 17.9) liquid concentration. A similar pattern was observed after bout 2. Average puff duration in the 36 mg/ml condition was significantly shorter compared to the 0mg/ml nicotine condition. Puff volume increased during the second bout for 8 and 18 mg/ml conditions. For a given ECIG device, nicotine delivery may be directly related to liquid concentration. ECIG-naïve cigarette smokers can, from their first use bout, attain cigarette-like nicotine delivery profiles with some currently available ECIG products. Liquid nicotine concentration can influence plasma nicotine concentration in ECIG-naïve cigarette smokers, and, at some concentrations, the nicotine delivery profile of a 3.3V ECIG with a dual coil, 1.5-Ohm cartomizer approaches that of a combustible tobacco cigarette in this population. Finding a product that delivers nicotine as effectively as a tobacco cigarette, as we report here, may be essential for smokers who want to replace completely their combustible tobacco cigarettes with ECIGs. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Regional brain volume reduction and cognitive outcomes in preterm children at low risk at 9 years of age.

PubMed

Arhan, Ebru; Gücüyener, Kıvılcım; Soysal, Şebnem; Şalvarlı, Şafak; Gürses, M Ali; Serdaroğlu, Ayşe; Demir, Ercan; Ergenekon, Ebru; Türkyılmaz, Canan; Önal, Esra; Koç, Esin; Atalay, Yıldız

2017-08-01

More information is needed on "low-risk" preterm infants' neurological outcome so that they can be included in follow-up programs. A prospective study was performed to examine the regional brain volume changes compared to term children and to assess the relationship between the regional brain volumes to cognitive outcome of the low-risk preterm children at 9 years of age. Subjects comprised 22 preterm children who were determined to be at low risk for neurodevelopmental deficits with a gestational age between 28 and 33 weeks without a major neonatal morbidity in the neonatal period and 24 age-matched term control children term and matched for age, sex, and parental educational and occupational status. Regional volumetric analysis was performed for cerebellum, hippocampus, and corpus callosum area. Cognitive outcomes of both preterm and control subjects were assessed by Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children Revised (Turkish version), and attention and executive functions were assessed by Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and Stroop Test TBAG version. Low-risk preterm children showed regional brain volume reduction in cerebellum, hippocampus, and corpus callosum area and achieved statistical significance when compared with term control. When the groups were compared for all WISC-R subscale scores, preterm children at low risk had significantly lower scores on information, vocabulary, similarities, arithmetics, picture completion, block design, object assembly, and coding compared to children born at term. Preterm and term groups were compared on the Stroop Test for mistakes and corrections made on each card, the time spent for completing each card, and total mistakes and corrections. In the preterm group, we found a positive correlation between regional volumes with IQ, attention, and executive function scores. Additionally, a significant correlation was found between cerebellar volume and attention and executive function scores in the preterm group. Low-risk preterm children achieve lower scores in neurophysiological tests than children born at term. Preterm birth itself has a significant impact on regional brain volumes and cognitive outcome of children at 9 years of age. It is a risk factor for regional brain volume reductions in preterm children with low risk for neurodevelopmental deficits. The significant interaction between cerebellar volume reduction and executive function and attention may suggest that even in preterm children at low risk can have different trajectories in the growth and development of overall brain structure.

Abnormal Hippocampal Morphology in Dissociative Identity Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Correlates with Childhood Trauma and Dissociative Symptoms

PubMed Central

Chalavi, Sima; Vissia, Eline M.; Giesen, Mechteld E.; Nijenhuis, Ellert R.S.; Draijer, Nel; Cole, James H.; Dazzan, Paola; Pariante, Carmine M.; Madsen, Sarah K.; Rajagopalan, Priya; Thompson, Paul M.; Toga, Arthur W.; Veltman, Dick J.; Reinders, Antje A.T.S.

2015-01-01

Smaller hippocampal volume has been reported in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociative identity disorder (DID), but the regional specificity of hippocampal volume reductions and the association with severity of dissociative symptoms and/or childhood traumatization are still unclear. Brain structural MRI scans were analyzed for 33 outpatients (17 with DID and 16 with PTSD only) and 28 healthy controls (HC), all matched for age, sex, and education. DID patients met criteria for PTSD (PTSD-DID). Hippocampal global and subfield volumes and shape measurements were extracted. We found that global hippocampal volume was significantly smaller in all 33 patients (left: 6.75%; right: 8.33%) compared to HC. PTSD-DID (left: 10.19%; right: 11.37%) and PTSD-only with a history of childhood traumatization (left: 7.11%; right: 7.31%) had significantly smaller global hippocampal volume relative to HC. PTSD-DID had abnormal shape and significantly smaller volume in the CA2-3, CA4-DG and (pre)subiculum compared to HC. In the patient groups, smaller global and subfield hippocampal volumes significantly correlated with higher severity of childhood traumatization and dissociative symptoms. These findings support a childhood trauma-related etiology for abnormal hippocampal morphology in both PTSD and DID and can further the understanding of neurobiological mechanisms involved in these disorders. PMID:25545784

Abnormal hippocampal morphology in dissociative identity disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder correlates with childhood trauma and dissociative symptoms.

PubMed

Chalavi, Sima; Vissia, Eline M; Giesen, Mechteld E; Nijenhuis, Ellert R S; Draijer, Nel; Cole, James H; Dazzan, Paola; Pariante, Carmine M; Madsen, Sarah K; Rajagopalan, Priya; Thompson, Paul M; Toga, Arthur W; Veltman, Dick J; Reinders, Antje A T S

2015-05-01

Smaller hippocampal volume has been reported in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociative identity disorder (DID), but the regional specificity of hippocampal volume reductions and the association with severity of dissociative symptoms and/or childhood traumatization are still unclear. Brain structural magnetic resonance imaging scans were analyzed for 33 outpatients (17 with DID and 16 with PTSD only) and 28 healthy controls (HC), all matched for age, sex, and education. DID patients met criteria for PTSD (PTSD-DID). Hippocampal global and subfield volumes and shape measurements were extracted. We found that global hippocampal volume was significantly smaller in all 33 patients (left: 6.75%; right: 8.33%) compared with HC. PTSD-DID (left: 10.19%; right: 11.37%) and PTSD-only with a history of childhood traumatization (left: 7.11%; right: 7.31%) had significantly smaller global hippocampal volume relative to HC. PTSD-DID had abnormal shape and significantly smaller volume in the CA2-3, CA4-DG and (pre)subiculum compared with HC. In the patient groups, smaller global and subfield hippocampal volumes significantly correlated with higher severity of childhood traumatization and dissociative symptoms. These findings support a childhood trauma-related etiology for abnormal hippocampal morphology in both PTSD and DID and can further the understanding of neurobiological mechanisms involved in these disorders. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

MITAS - 2009 Expedition US Beaufort Shelf Slope of Alaska - Lithostratigraphy

DOE Data Explorer

Kelly Rose; Joel Johnson; Stephen Phillips; Joe Smith; Alan Reed; Corinne Disenhof; Jennifer Presley

2012-01-01

The volume of methane released through the Arctic Ocean to the atmosphere and its potential role in the global climate cycle has increasingly become the focus of studies seeking to understand the source and origin of this methane. In 2009, an international, multi-disciplinary science party aboard the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Sea successfully completed a trans-U.S. Beaufort shelf expedition aimed at understanding the sources and volumes of methane across this region. Following more than a year of preliminary cruise planning and a thorough site evaluation, the Methane in the Arctic Shelf/Slope (MITAS) expedition departed from the waters off the coast of Barrow, Alaska in September 2009. The expedition, led by researchers with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), and the U.S. Department of Energys National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), was organized with an international shipboard science team consisting of 33 scientists with the breadth of expertise necessary to meet the expedition goals. NETL researchers led the expeditions initial core processing and lithostratigraphic evaluations, which are the focus of this report. A full expedition summary is available at in First Trans-Shelf-Slope Climate Study in the U.S. Beaufort Sea Completed by Coffin et al.,( 2010).

Order of accuracy of QUICK and related convection-diffusion schemes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leonard, B. P.

1993-01-01

This report attempts to correct some misunderstandings that have appeared in the literature concerning the order of accuracy of the QUICK scheme for steady-state convective modeling. Other related convection-diffusion schemes are also considered. The original one-dimensional QUICK scheme written in terms of nodal-point values of the convected variable (with a 1/8-factor multiplying the 'curvature' term) is indeed a third-order representation of the finite volume formulation of the convection operator average across the control volume, written naturally in flux-difference form. An alternative single-point upwind difference scheme (SPUDS) using node values (with a 1/6-factor) is a third-order representation of the finite difference single-point formulation; this can be written in a pseudo-flux difference form. These are both third-order convection schemes; however, the QUICK finite volume convection operator is 33 percent more accurate than the single-point implementation of SPUDS. Another finite volume scheme, writing convective fluxes in terms of cell-average values, requires a 1/6-factor for third-order accuracy. For completeness, one can also write a single-point formulation of the convective derivative in terms of cell averages, and then express this in pseudo-flux difference form; for third-order accuracy, this requires a curvature factor of 5/24. Diffusion operators are also considered in both single-point and finite volume formulations. Finite volume formulations are found to be significantly more accurate. For example, classical second-order central differencing for the second derivative is exactly twice as accurate in a finite volume formulation as it is in single-point.

30 CFR 33.31 - Test space.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Test space. 33.31 Section 33.31 Mineral... § 33.31 Test space. (a) Drilling tests shall be conducted in a test space formed by two curtains suspended across a mine opening in such a manner that the volume of the test space shall be approximately 2...

30 CFR 33.31 - Test space.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Test space. 33.31 Section 33.31 Mineral... § 33.31 Test space. (a) Drilling tests shall be conducted in a test space formed by two curtains suspended across a mine opening in such a manner that the volume of the test space shall be approximately 2...

Hydrogeology and water quality of the Floridan aquifer system and effects of Lower Floridan aquifer pumping on the Upper Floridan aquifer at Fort Stewart, Georgia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Clarke, John S.; Cherry, Gregory C.; Gonthier, Gerard

2011-01-01

Test drilling, field investigations, and digital modeling were completed at Fort Stewart, GA, during 2009?2010, to assess the geologic, hydraulic, and water-quality characteristics of the Floridan aquifer system and evaluate the effect of Lower Floridan aquifer (LFA) pumping on the Upper Floridan aquifer (UFA). This work was performed pursuant to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division interim permitting strategy for new wells completed in the LFA that requires simulation to (1) quantify pumping-induced aquifer leakage from the UFA to LFA, and (2) identify the equivalent rate of UFA pumping that would produce the same maximum drawdown in the UFA that anticipated pumping from LFA well would induce. Field investigation activities included (1) constructing a 1,300-foot (ft) test boring and well completed in the LFA (well 33P028), (2) constructing an observation well in the UFA (well 33P029), (3) collecting drill cuttings and borehole geophysical logs, (4) collecting core samples for analysis of vertical hydraulic conductivity and porosity, (5) conducting flowmeter and packer tests in the open borehole within the UFA and LFA, (6) collecting depth-integrated water samples to assess basic ionic chemistry of various water-bearing zones, and (7) conducting aquifer tests in new LFA and UFA wells to determine hydraulic properties and assess interaquifer leakage. Using data collected at the site and in nearby areas, model simulation was used to assess the effects of LFA pumping on the UFA. Borehole-geophysical and flowmeter data indicate the LFA at Fort Stewart consists of limestone and dolomitic limestone between depths of 912 and 1,250 ft. Flowmeter data indicate the presence of three permeable zones at depth intervals of 912-947, 1,090-1,139, and 1,211?1,250 ft. LFA well 33P028 received 50 percent of the pumped volume from the uppermost permeable zone, and about 18 and 32 percent of the pumped volume from the middle and lowest permeable zones, respectively. Chemical constituent concentrations increased with depth, and water from all permeable zones contained sulfate at concentrations that exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency secondary maximum contaminant level of 250 milligrams per liter. A 72-hour aquifer test pumped LFA well 33P028 at 740 gallons per minute (gal/min), producing about 39 ft of drawdown in the pumped well and about 0.4 foot in nearby UFA well 33P029. Simulation using the U.S. Geological Survey finite-difference code MODFLOW was used to determine long-term, steady-state flow in the Floridan aquifer system, assuming the LFA well was pumped continuously at a rate of 740 gal/min. Simulated steady-state drawdown in the LFA was identical to that observed in pumped LFA well 33P028 at the end of the 72-hour test, with values larger than 1 ft extending 4.4 square miles symmetrically around the pumped well. Simulated steady-state drawdown in the UFA resulting from pumping in LFA well 33P028 exceeded 1 ft within a 1.4-square-mile circular area, and maximum drawdown in the UFA was 1.1 ft. Leakage from the UFA through the Lower Floridan confining unit contributed about 98 percent of the water to the well; lateral flow from specified-head model boundaries contributed about 2 percent. About 80 percent of the water supplied to LFA well 33P028 originated from within 1 mile of the well, and 49 percent was derived from within 0.5 mile of the well. Vertical hydraulic gradients and vertical leakage are progressively higher near the LFA pumped well which results in a correspondingly higher contribution of water from the UFA to the pumped well at distances closer to the pumped well. Simulated pumping-induced interaquifer leakage from the UFA to the LFA totaled 725 gal/min (1.04 million gallons per day), whereas simulated pumping at 205 gal/min (0.3 million gallons per day) from UFA well 33P029 produced the equivalent maximum drawdown as pumping LFA well 33P028 at 740 gal/min during the aquifer test. This equivalent pumpin

Clustering of local group distances: Publication bias or correlated measurements? II. M31 and beyond

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

De Grijs, Richard; Bono, Giuseppe

2014-07-01

The accuracy of extragalactic distance measurements ultimately depends on robust, high-precision determinations of the distances to the galaxies in the local volume. Following our detailed study addressing possible publication bias in the published distance determinations to the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), here we extend our distance range of interest to include published distance moduli to M31 and M33, as well as to a number of their well-known dwarf galaxy companions. We aim at reaching consensus on the best, most homogeneous, and internally most consistent set of Local Group distance moduli to adopt for future, more general use based on themore » largest set of distance determinations to individual Local Group galaxies available to date. Based on a careful, statistically weighted combination of the main stellar population tracers (Cepheids, RR Lyrae variables, and the magnitude of the tip of the red-giant branch), we derive a recommended distance modulus to M31 of (m−M){sub 0}{sup M31}=24.46±0.10 mag—adopting as our calibration an LMC distance modulus of (m−M){sub 0}{sup LMC}=18.50 mag—and a fully internally consistent set of benchmark distances to key galaxies in the local volume, enabling us to establish a robust and unbiased, near-field extragalactic distance ladder.« less

Application of a 2-step process for the biological treatment of sulfidic spent caustics.

PubMed

de Graaff, Marco; Klok, Johannes B M; Bijmans, Martijn F M; Muyzer, Gerard; Janssen, Albert J H

2012-03-01

This research demonstrates the feasibility and advantages of a 2-step process for the biological treatment of sulfidic spent caustics under halo-alkaline conditions (i.e. pH 9.5; Na(+) = 0.8 M). Experiments with synthetically prepared solutions were performed in a continuously fed system consisting of two gas-lift reactors in series operated at aerobic conditions at 35 °C. The detoxification of sulfide to thiosulfate in the first step allowed the successful biological treatment of total-S loading rates up to 33 mmol L(-1) day(-1). In the second, biological step, the remaining sulfide and thiosulfate was completely converted to sulfate by haloalkaliphilic sulfide oxidizing bacteria. Mathematical modeling of the 2-step process shows that under the prevailing conditions an optimal reactor configuration consists of 40% 'abiotic' and 60% 'biological' volume, whilst the total reactor volume is 22% smaller than for the 1-step process. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sensitive periods of amygdala development: the role of maltreatment in preadolescence.

PubMed

Pechtel, Pia; Lyons-Ruth, Karlen; Anderson, Carl M; Teicher, Martin H

2014-08-15

The amygdala is vulnerable to stress-dependent disruptions in neural development. Animal models have shown that stress increases dendritic arborization leading to larger amygdala volumes. Human studies of early stress and amygdala volume, however, remain inconclusive. This study compared amygdala volume in adults with childhood maltreatment to that in healthy controls. Eighteen participants from a longitudinal cohort and 33 cross-sectional controls (17 M/34 F, 25.5±3.1 years) completed a structural magnetic resonance imagining scan and the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure scale. Random forest regression with conditional trees was used to assess relative importance of exposure to adversity at each age on amygdala, thalamic or caudate volume. Severity of exposure to adversity across age accounted for 27% of the variance in right amygdala volume. Peak sensitivity occurred at 10-11 years of age, and importance of exposure at this time was highly significant based on permutation tests (p=0.003). The regression model showed that exposure during this sensitive period resulted in steep dose-response function with maximal response to even modest levels of exposure. Subjects in the highest exposure quartile (MACE-11, range=11-54) had a 9.1% greater right amygdala volume than subjects in the lowest exposure quartile (MACE-11, ≤3.5). No associations emerged between age of exposure and volume of the left amygdala or bilateral caudate or thalamus. Severity of adversity experienced at age 10-11 contributed to larger right but not left amygdala volume in adulthood. Results provide preliminary evidence that the amygdala may have a developmental sensitive period in preadolescence. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficacy of Desmopressin to Treat Nocturnal Polyuria in Elderly Men: Effects on Sleep Quality.

PubMed

Kim, Sun-Ouck; Yu, Ho Song; Kwon, Dongdeuk

2016-01-01

We investigated the efficacy of desmopressin in elderly patients with nocturnal polyuria (NP) to evaluate its effects on sleep quality. Patients with NP (defined as the nighttime urine production >33% of total 24-hour urine volume determined from a frequency-volume chart) were recruited. Desmopressin (0.2 mg) was treated orally at bedtime for 12 weeks. The participants completed the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sleep Scale. The mean patient age was 62.7 ± 13.0 (range 42-78 years). The mean symptom duration was 42.2 ± 39.7 months. The number of nocturia episodes (from 3.49 ± 1.83 to 2.03 ± 1.35, p = 0.01), nocturnal urine volume (p = 0.01), NP index (p = 0.01), and nocturia index (p = 0.01) decreased significantly after treatment with desmopressin. Among the MOS Sleep Scale categories, hours slept/night (p = 0.042), shortness of breath (p = 0.019), and adequacy of sleep (p = 0.001) changed significantly with a decrease in the number of nocturia episodes. Adverse events were mild. Desmopressin is an effective treatment for NP and improved sleep quality in elderly men. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

WEB downloadable software for training in cardiovascular hemodynamics in the (3-D) stress echo lab

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

When a physiological (exercise) stress echo is scheduled, interest focuses on wall motion segmental contraction abnormalities to diagnose ischemic response to stress, and on left ventricular ejection fraction to assess contractile reserve. Echocardiographic evaluation of volumes (plus standard assessment of heart rate and blood pressure) is ideally suited for the quantitative and accurate calculation of a set of parameters allowing a complete characterization of cardiovascular hemodynamics (including cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance), left ventricular elastance (mirroring left ventricular contractility, theoretically independent of preload and afterload changes heavily affecting the ejection fraction), arterial elastance, ventricular arterial coupling (a central determinant of net cardiovascular performance in normal and pathological conditions), and diastolic function (through the diastolic mean filling rate). All these parameters were previously inaccessible, inaccurate or labor-intensive and now become, at least in principle, available in the stress echocardiography laboratory since all of them need an accurate estimation of left ventricular volumes and stroke volume, easily derived from 3 D echo. Aims of this paper are: 1) to propose a simple method to assess a set of parameters allowing a complete characterization of cardiovascular hemodynamics in the stress echo lab, from basic measurements to calculations 2) to propose a simple, web-based software program, to learn and training calculations as a phantom of the everyday activity in the busy stress echo lab 3) to show examples of software testing in a way that proves its value. The informatics infrastructure is available on the web, linking to http://cctrainer.ifc.cnr.it PMID:21073738

Remedial Investigation Concept Plan for Picatinny Arsenal. Volume 1. Environmental Setting, Applicable Regulations, Summaries of Site Sampling Plans, Sampling Priorities, and Supporting Appendixes

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-22

Ortho additive -- (80%) 40 gal June 1988 inventory 8aygon Propoxur (2%) 13.5 lb Sevin Carbaryl (80%) 38 lb Pyrethrins Pyrethrins (1%) 33 lb Killmaster...4 20 cans + 2.5 gal P.M.A.S. 9.5 gal Manzate 200F 7 cans + I gal Insecticides Carbaryl 4L 7 cans Proxol 80SP 1 can Oiazinon 2 gal Dursban 11 gal...1.92%) 25 cans Treflan Trifluralin (--) 70 lb Abate 4E Temephos (43%) I gal Baygon Propoxur (14.6%) 8 gal Combat ant baits Hydramethylnon (0.9%) 852

Airborne Measurement of Aerosol Size Distributions over Northern Europe. Volume 1. Spring and Fall 1976, Summer 1977

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-05-29

vichaels, S.C. and D’Acierno, J. P. (1976) Evaluation of Aerosol Generation and Counting Techniques, ORNL /MIT-228 94 March 1976. 30 ,i O i I3 R 170 ii...see) (cm 3 ) (%) r > 0.4 pm 1108 890 240 4.10 55-60 -3.15 1138 2110 1,33 0.25 20-25 -4.36 1202 5180 240 0.22 30-35 -3.72 Second Data Set 1241 410 240...winds were southwesterly at 4 to 6 knpts. Aerosol Data Comments ~In comparison to previous days’ measurements, the 410-m data at 1241 GMT apparently

Digital Communications Terminal High Order Programming Language Study (DCT HOL Study). Volume I.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-11-26

3-3 PASCAL/M Digital Marketing ......... 3-3 PASCAL/MT MT MicroSystems .................... 3-3 PASCAL/Z Ithaca IntersysteMs...II Avocet Systems, Inc. 3.6 PASCAL - ISO PASCAL Whitesmith, Ltd. - PASCAL 64000 lbwlett-Packard - PASCAL/H Digital Marketing - PASCAL/MT MT

Effects of different duration isometric contractions on tendon elasticity in human quadriceps muscles

PubMed Central

Kubo, Keitaro; Kanehisa, Hiroaki; Fukunaga, Tetsuo

2001-01-01

The present study aimed to investigate the influence of isometric training protocols with long- and short-duration contractions on the elasticity of human tendon structures in vivo. The elasticity was assessed through in vivo determination of the elongation (L) of the tendons and aponeuroses using ultrasonography, while the subjects performed ramp isometric exercise up to maximum voluntary contraction (MVC).Eight young males completed 12 weeks (4 days per week) of a unilateral isometric training programme on knee extensors, which consisted of two different combinations of contraction and relaxation times at 70 % MVC: one leg was trained using a short-duration protocol (3 sets of 50 repetitions of contraction for 1 s and relaxation for 2 s), and the other leg was trained using a long-duration protocol (4 sets of a combination of contraction for 20 s and relaxation for 1 min). The training volume per session, expressed as the integrated torque, was the same for the two protocols.Both protocols resulted in a significant increase in MVC: 31.8 ± 17.2 % for the short-duration protocol and 33.9 ± 14.4 % for the long-duration protocol. Moreover, the training produced significant increases in the muscle volume of the constituents of the quadriceps femoris, with similar relative gains for the two protocols: 7.4 ± 3.9 % for the short-duration protocol and 7.6 ± 4.3 % for the long-duration protocol.The short-duration protocol produced no significant change in L values at any of the force production levels. For the long-duration protocol, however, the L values above 550 N were significantly shorter after training. Analysis revealed that the group × test time interaction effect on tendon stiffness was significant. Stiffness increased significantly for the long-duration protocol, but not for the short-duration protocol.The present study demonstrates a greater increase in stiffness of human tendon structures following isometric training using longer duration contractions compared to shorter contractions. This suggests that the changes in the elasticity of the tendon structures after resistance training may be affected by the duration of muscle contraction. PMID:11600697

40 CFR 799.2155 - Commercial hexane.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... least 40 liquid volume percent n-hexane (CAS No. 110-54-3) and at least 5 liquid volume percent... contains at least 40 liquid volume percent but no more than 55 liquid volume percent n-hexane and no less... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Commercial hexane. 799.2155 Section...

42 CFR 130.33 - How will the Secretary determine whether a petition is complete?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false How will the Secretary determine whether a petition is complete? 130.33 Section 130.33 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMPASSIONATE PAYMENTS RICKY RAY HEMOPHILIA RELIEF FUND PROGRAM Procedures for Filing and...

Space shuttle: Static aerodynamic characteristics and control effectiveness of the GAC H-33 orbiter at Mach numbers from 0.6 to 4.96

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krepski, R.; Quan, M.; Francario, A.; Blackwell, K. L.

1972-01-01

A .003366 scale model of the Grumman H-33 orbiter was tested in the MSFC 14 inch Trisonic Wind Tunnel. Six-component aerodynamic force and moment data was recorded over a Mach number range of 0.6 to 4.96. Both pitch runs and yaw runs at various constant angles of attack were completed. The basic model configuration was investigated. The effects of a component build-up and of various control deflections were obtained. The elevons were deflected symmetrically and asymmetrically to determine elevator and aileron effectiveness. The rudder was tested both flared and unflared and the effects of deflections were determined in the flared case. The model was tested in pitch in two intervals. The first interval was from 0 to 20 deg. Then an adaptor was set to give the sting an offset angle and 20 to 40 deg angle of attack was obtained. Characteristics in sideslip were determined by varying sideslip angle from -4 deg to 10 deg with angle of attack set at 0 deg, 10 deg, 15 deg, and 30 deg.

CT liver volumetry using geodesic active contour segmentation with a level-set algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Kenji; Epstein, Mark L.; Kohlbrenner, Ryan; Obajuluwa, Ademola; Xu, Jianwu; Hori, Masatoshi; Baron, Richard

2010-03-01

Automatic liver segmentation on CT images is challenging because the liver often abuts other organs of a similar density. Our purpose was to develop an accurate automated liver segmentation scheme for measuring liver volumes. We developed an automated volumetry scheme for the liver in CT based on a 5 step schema. First, an anisotropic smoothing filter was applied to portal-venous phase CT images to remove noise while preserving the liver structure, followed by an edge enhancer to enhance the liver boundary. By using the boundary-enhanced image as a speed function, a fastmarching algorithm generated an initial surface that roughly estimated the liver shape. A geodesic-active-contour segmentation algorithm coupled with level-set contour-evolution refined the initial surface so as to more precisely fit the liver boundary. The liver volume was calculated based on the refined liver surface. Hepatic CT scans of eighteen prospective liver donors were obtained under a liver transplant protocol with a multi-detector CT system. Automated liver volumes obtained were compared with those manually traced by a radiologist, used as "gold standard." The mean liver volume obtained with our scheme was 1,520 cc, whereas the mean manual volume was 1,486 cc, with the mean absolute difference of 104 cc (7.0%). CT liver volumetrics based on an automated scheme agreed excellently with "goldstandard" manual volumetrics (intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.95) with no statistically significant difference (p(F<=f)=0.32), and required substantially less completion time. Our automated scheme provides an efficient and accurate way of measuring liver volumes.

Volume I: Select Papers

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-08-01

Pressurization Simulations ....................................................................................18  3.2  NVT Uniaxial Strain... Simulations .................................................................................26  3.3  Stacking Mismatch Simulations ...13  Figure 2. Pressure versus normalized volume. Circles are simulation results

A Tool for the Automated Collection of Space Utilization Data: Three Dimensional Space Utilization Monitor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vos, Gordon A.; Fink, Patrick; Ngo, Phong H.; Morency, Richard; Simon, Cory; Williams, Robert E.; Perez, Lance C.

2017-01-01

Space Human Factors and Habitability (SHFH) Element within the Human Research Program (HRP) and the Behavioral Health and Performance (BHP) Element are conducting research regarding Net Habitable Volume (NHV), the internal volume within a spacecraft or habitat that is available to crew for required activities, as well as layout and accommodations within the volume. NASA needs methods to unobtrusively collect NHV data without impacting crew time. Data required includes metrics such as location and orientation of crew, volume used to complete tasks, internal translation paths, flow of work, and task completion times. In less constrained environments methods exist yet many are obtrusive and require significant post-processing. ?Examplesused in terrestrial settings include infrared (IR) retro-reflective marker based motion capture, GPS sensor tracking, inertial tracking, and multi-camera methods ?Due to constraints of space operations many such methods are infeasible. Inertial tracking systems typically rely upon a gravity vector to normalize sensor readings,and traditional IR systems are large and require extensive calibration. ?However, multiple technologies have not been applied to space operations for these purposes. Two of these include: 3D Radio Frequency Identification Real-Time Localization Systems (3D RFID-RTLS) ?Depth imaging systems which allow for 3D motion capture and volumetric scanning (such as those using IR-depth cameras like the Microsoft Kinect or Light Detection and Ranging / Light-Radar systems, referred to as LIDAR)

The Clinical Urine Culture: Enhanced Techniques Improve Detection of Clinically Relevant Microorganisms

PubMed Central

Price, Travis K.; Dune, Tanaka; Hilt, Evann E.; Thomas-White, Krystal J.; Kliethermes, Stephanie; Brincat, Cynthia; Brubaker, Linda; Wolfe, Alan J.

2016-01-01

Enhanced quantitative urine culture (EQUC) detects live microorganisms in the vast majority of urine specimens reported as “no growth” by the standard urine culture protocol. Here, we evaluated an expanded set of EQUC conditions (expanded-spectrum EQUC) to identify an optimal version that provides a more complete description of uropathogens in women experiencing urinary tract infection (UTI)-like symptoms. One hundred fifty adult urogynecology patient-participants were characterized using a self-completed validated UTI symptom assessment (UTISA) questionnaire and asked “Do you feel you have a UTI?” Women responding negatively were recruited into the no-UTI cohort, while women responding affirmatively were recruited into the UTI cohort; the latter cohort was reassessed with the UTISA questionnaire 3 to 7 days later. Baseline catheterized urine samples were plated using both standard urine culture and expanded-spectrum EQUC protocols: standard urine culture inoculated at 1 μl onto 2 agars incubated aerobically; expanded-spectrum EQUC inoculated at three different volumes of urine onto 7 combinations of agars and environments. Compared to expanded-spectrum EQUC, standard urine culture missed 67% of uropathogens overall and 50% in participants with severe urinary symptoms. Thirty-six percent of participants with missed uropathogens reported no symptom resolution after treatment by standard urine culture results. Optimal detection of uropathogens could be achieved using the following: 100 μl of urine plated onto blood (blood agar plate [BAP]), colistin-nalidixic acid (CNA), and MacConkey agars in 5% CO2 for 48 h. This streamlined EQUC protocol achieved 84% uropathogen detection relative to 33% detection by standard urine culture. The streamlined EQUC protocol improves detection of uropathogens that are likely relevant for symptomatic women, giving clinicians the opportunity to receive additional information not currently reported using standard urine culture techniques. PMID:26962083

NASA TLA workload analysis support. Volume 2: Metering and spacing studies validation data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sundstrom, J. L.

1980-01-01

Four sets of graphic reports--one for each of the metering and spacing scenarios--are presented. The complete data file from which the reports were generated is also given. The data was used to validate the detail task of both the pilot and copilot for four metering and spacing scenarios. The output presents two measures of demand workload and a report showing task length and task interaction.

Defense Acquisition Research Journal. Volume 18, Number 4, Issue 60, October 2011

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-10-01

addition to the Defense Acquisition Profes- sional’s Reading List is Neil Sheehan’s comprehensive look at the cold war development of the...accomplishment has been completed (DoD, 2005a). 5. Defense Contract Management Agency 14 Point Schedule Assessment—A set of standardized schedule heath and...Ultimate Weapon author(s): Neil Sheehan Publisher: New York, Random House Copyright Date: 2009 iSBN: 0679422846 Hard/Softcover: Hardcover: 560

Integrated support structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bruneau, Stephen D.; Campbell, John T.; Struven, Christopher A.

1990-01-01

This Major Qualifying Project is part of the Advanced Space Design Program at WPI. The goal is to design a support structure for a NASA GetAway Special experimental canister. The payload integration, weight, volume, and structural integrity of the canister as specified by NASA guidelines were studied. The end result is a complete set of design drawings with interface drawings and data to specify the design and leave a base on which the next group can concentrate.

33 CFR 72.05-1 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., its territories and possessions: (1) Volume I, Atlantic Coast, from St. Croix River, Maine, to Shrewsbury River, New Jersey. (2) Volume II, Atlantic Coast, from Shrewsbury River, New Jersey, to Little River, South Carolina. (3) Volume III, Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, from Little River, South Carolina, to...

Nuclear medicine. Bibliography from Nuclear Science Abstracts, Volumes 31--33

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1976-12-01

References to 4362 publications related to nuclear medicine announced in Nuclear Science Abstracts (NSA) volumes 31(Jan.--June 1975), 32(July--Dec. 1975), and 33(Jan.--June 1976) are contained in this bibliography. References are arranged in order by the original NSA abstract number which approximately places them in chronological order. Sequence numbers appear beside each reference, and the indexes refer to these sequence numbers. Indexes included are: Corporate, Personal Author, Subject, and Report Number.

Acceptance of a structured diagnostic interview in children, parents, and interviewers.

PubMed

Neuschwander, Murielle; In-Albon, Tina; Meyer, Andrea H; Schneider, Silvia

2017-09-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the satisfaction and acceptance of a structured diagnostic interview in clinical practice and in a research setting. Using the Structured Diagnostic Interview for Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents (Kinder-DIPS), 28 certified interviewers conducted 202 interviews (115 with parents, 87 with children). After each interview, children, parents, and interviewers completed a questionnaire assessing the overall satisfaction (0 = not at all satisfied to 100 = totally satisfied) and acceptance (0 = completely disagree to 3 = completely agree) with the interview. Satisfaction ratings were highly positive, all means >82. The mean of the overall acceptance for children was 2.43 (standard deviation [SD] = 0.41), 2.54 (SD = 0.33) of the parents, 2.30 (SD = 0.43) of the children's interviewers, and 2.46 (SD = 0.32) of the parents' interviewers. Using separate univariate regression models, significant predictors for higher satisfaction and acceptance with the interview are higher children's Global Assessment of Functioning, fewer number of children's diagnoses, shorter duration of the interview, a research setting, female sex of the interviewer, and older age of the interviewer. Results indicate that structured diagnostic interviews are highly accepted by children, parents, and interviewers. Importantly, this is true for different treatment settings. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Engaging Immigrant and Refugee Women in Breast Health Education.

PubMed

Gondek, Matthew; Shogan, May; Saad-Harfouche, Frances G; Rodriguez, Elisa M; Erwin, Deborah O; Griswold, Kim; Mahoney, Martin C

2015-09-01

This project assessed the impact of a community-based educational program on breast cancer knowledge and screening among Buffalo (NY) immigrant and refugee females. Program participants completed language-matched pre- and post-test assessments during a single session educational program; breast cancer screening information was obtained from the mobile mammography unit to which participants were referred. Pre- and post-test knowledge scores were compared to assess changes in responses to each of the six individual knowledge items, as well as overall. Mammogram records were reviewed to identify Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) scores. The proportion of correct responses to each of the six knowledge items increased significantly on the post-program assessments; 33 % of women >40 years old completed mammograms. The findings suggest that a health education program for immigrant and refugee women, delivered in community-based settings and involving interpreters, can enhance breast cancer knowledge and lead to improvements in mammography completion.

Embolization with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery of Giant Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations.

PubMed

Chun, Dong Hyun; Kim, Moo Seong; Kim, Sung Tae; Paeng, Sung Hwa; Jeong, Hae Woong; Lee, Won Hee

2016-01-01

Giant arteriovenous malformations (i.e., those greater than 6 cm maximum diameter or volume > 33 cc) are difficult to treat and often carry higher treatment morbidity and mortality rates. In our study, we reviewed the angiographic results and clinical outcomes for 11 patients with giant arteriovenous malformations who were treated between 1994 and 2012. The patients selected included 9 males (82%) and 2 females (18%). Their presenting symptoms were hemorrhage (n=2; 18%), seizure (n=7; 64%), and headache (n=2; 12%). Nine patients were Spetzler-Martin Grade III, 2 were Spetzler-Martin Grade IV. The mean arteriovenous malformation volume was 41 cc (33-52 cc). The mean age of the patients was 45.1 years (24-57 years) and the mean radiation dose delivered to the margin of the nidus was 14.2 Gy. Ten patients received pre-Gamma Knife radiosurgery embolization and Gamma Knife radiosurgery, 1 patient received pre-Gamma Knife radiosurgery embolization and Gamma Knife radiosurgery twice and the interval between Gamma Knife radiosurgeries was 3 months. The complete obliteration rate following Gamma Knife radiosurgery was 36%, subtotal obliteration ( > 70% decreased size of nidus) was 36%, and partial obliteration was 28%. One patient experienced a small hemorrhage after embolization. Combined embolization and Gamma Knife radiosurgery showed successful obliteration of the arteriovenous malformation nidus. The use of embolization to initially reduce nidus size followed by Gamma Knife radiosurgery improves the treatment results. Repeated Gamma Knife radiosurgery should be a treatment option when there is a small nidus remnant.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Stellar nuclei and bulges of nearby S0 galaxies (Sil'chenko, 2016)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sil'Chenko, O. K.

2016-09-01

The integral-field spectrograph Spectrographic Areal Unit for Research on Optical Nebulae (SAURON) was operating at the 4.2m William Herschel Telescope belonging to the ING of telescopes on La Palma. It worked in "TIGER mode", giving about 1500 spectra simultaneously, each for a 0.94''*0.94'' square element ("spaxel") from a (central) part of a galaxy. A total set of spectra covers an area of 41''*33''. The spectral range of the unit is rather narrow, 4800-5350Å, and its spectral resolution has been fixed since 2007 at about 4.3Å. There were two surveys of nearby early-type galaxies with SAURON. The first one, which started in 1999 and finished in 2004, involved 72 galaxies, among those 48 early-type ones and 24 spirals (de Zeeuw et al. 2002MNRAS.329..513D). The second one undertaken in 2007-2008 added more early-type galaxies, including dwarfs, to complete the volume-limited (D<42Mpc) sample (Cappellari et al. 2011, Cat. J/MNRAS/413/813). The total sample of early-type galaxies investigated in these two surveys includes 260 objects, and 200 of them are lenticular galaxies. For my analysis I have selected a subsample of 143 S0 galaxies that were observed in 2007-2008. (2 data files).

The state of cell block variation and satisfaction in the era of molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine

PubMed Central

Crapanzano, John P.; Heymann, Jonas J.; Monaco, Sara; Nassar, Aziza; Saqi, Anjali

2014-01-01

Background: In the recent past, algorithms and recommendations to standardize the morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular classification of lung cancers on cytology specimens have been proposed, and several organizations have recommended cell blocks (CBs) as the preferred modality for molecular testing. Based on the literature, there are several different techniques available for CB preparation-suggesting that there is no standard. The aim of this study was to conduct a survey of CB preparation techniques utilized in various practice settings and analyze current issues, if any. Materials and Methods: A single E-mail with a link to an electronic survey was distributed to members of the American Society of Cytopathology and other pathologists. Questions pertaining to the participants’ practice setting and CBs-volume, method, quality and satisfaction-were included. Results: Of 95 respondents, 90/95 (94%) completed the survey and comprise the study group. Most participants practice in a community hospital/private practice (44%) or academic center (41%). On average, 14 CBs (range 0-50; median 10) are prepared by a laboratory daily. Over 10 methods are utilized: Plasma thrombin (33%), HistoGel (27%), Cellient automated cell block system (8%) and others (31%) respectively. Forty of 90 (44%) respondents are either unsatisfied or sometimes satisfied with their CB quality, with low-cellular yield being the leading cause of dissatisfaction. There was no statistical significance between the three most common CB preparation methods and satisfaction with quality. Discussion: Many are dissatisfied with their current method of CB preparation, and there is no consistent method to prepare CBs. In today's era of personalized medicine with an increasing array of molecular tests being applied to cytological specimens, there is a need for a standardized protocol for CB optimization to enhance cellularity. PMID:24799951

The state of cell block variation and satisfaction in the era of molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine.

PubMed

Crapanzano, John P; Heymann, Jonas J; Monaco, Sara; Nassar, Aziza; Saqi, Anjali

2014-01-01

In the recent past, algorithms and recommendations to standardize the morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular classification of lung cancers on cytology specimens have been proposed, and several organizations have recommended cell blocks (CBs) as the preferred modality for molecular testing. Based on the literature, there are several different techniques available for CB preparation-suggesting that there is no standard. The aim of this study was to conduct a survey of CB preparation techniques utilized in various practice settings and analyze current issues, if any. A single E-mail with a link to an electronic survey was distributed to members of the American Society of Cytopathology and other pathologists. Questions pertaining to the participants' practice setting and CBs-volume, method, quality and satisfaction-were included. Of 95 respondents, 90/95 (94%) completed the survey and comprise the study group. Most participants practice in a community hospital/private practice (44%) or academic center (41%). On average, 14 CBs (range 0-50; median 10) are prepared by a laboratory daily. Over 10 methods are utilized: Plasma thrombin (33%), HistoGel (27%), Cellient automated cell block system (8%) and others (31%) respectively. Forty of 90 (44%) respondents are either unsatisfied or sometimes satisfied with their CB quality, with low-cellular yield being the leading cause of dissatisfaction. There was no statistical significance between the three most common CB preparation methods and satisfaction with quality. Many are dissatisfied with their current method of CB preparation, and there is no consistent method to prepare CBs. In today's era of personalized medicine with an increasing array of molecular tests being applied to cytological specimens, there is a need for a standardized protocol for CB optimization to enhance cellularity.

Consequences of increasing convection onto patient care and protein removal in hemodialysis

PubMed Central

Duranton, Flore; Guzman, Caroline; Szwarc, Ilan; Vetromile, Fernando; Cazevieille, Chantal; Brunet, Philippe; Servel, Marie-Françoise; Le Quintrec, Moglie

2017-01-01

Introduction Recent randomised controlled trials suggest that on-line hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) improves survival, provided that it reaches high convective volumes. However, there is scant information on the feasibility and the consequences of modifying convection volumes in clinics. Methods Twelve stable dialysis patients were treated with high-flux 1.8 m2 polysulphone dialyzers and 4 levels of convection flows (QUF) based on GKD-UF monitoring of the system, for 1 week each. The consequences on dialysis delivery (transmembrane pressure (TMP), number of alarms, % of achieved prescribed convection) and efficacy (mass removal of low and high molecular weight compounds) were analysed. Results TMP increased exponentially with QUF (p<0.001 for N >56,000 monitoring values). Beyond 21 L/session, this resulted into frequent TMP alarms requiring nursing staff interventions (mean ± SEM: 10.3 ± 2.2 alarms per session, p<0.001 compared to lower convection volumes). Optimal convection volumes as assessed by GKD-UF-max were 20.6 ± 0.4 L/session, whilst 4 supplementary litres were obtained in the maximum situation (24.5 ± 0.6 L/session) but the proportion of sessions achieving the prescribed convection volume decreased from 94% to only 33% (p<0.001). Convection increased high molecular weight compound removal and shifted the membrane cut-off towards the higher molecular weight range. Conclusions Reaching high convection volumes as recommended by the recent RCTs (> 20L) is feasible by setting an HDF system at its optimal conditions based upon the GKD-UF monitoring. Prescribing higher convection volumes resulted in instability of the system, provoked alarms, was bothersome for the nursing staff and the patients, rarely achieved the prescribed convection volumes and increased removal of high molecular weight compounds, notably albumin. PMID:28166268

Consequences of increasing convection onto patient care and protein removal in hemodialysis.

PubMed

Gayrard, Nathalie; Ficheux, Alain; Duranton, Flore; Guzman, Caroline; Szwarc, Ilan; Vetromile, Fernando; Cazevieille, Chantal; Brunet, Philippe; Servel, Marie-Françoise; Argilés, Àngel; Le Quintrec, Moglie

2017-01-01

Recent randomised controlled trials suggest that on-line hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) improves survival, provided that it reaches high convective volumes. However, there is scant information on the feasibility and the consequences of modifying convection volumes in clinics. Twelve stable dialysis patients were treated with high-flux 1.8 m2 polysulphone dialyzers and 4 levels of convection flows (QUF) based on GKD-UF monitoring of the system, for 1 week each. The consequences on dialysis delivery (transmembrane pressure (TMP), number of alarms, % of achieved prescribed convection) and efficacy (mass removal of low and high molecular weight compounds) were analysed. TMP increased exponentially with QUF (p<0.001 for N >56,000 monitoring values). Beyond 21 L/session, this resulted into frequent TMP alarms requiring nursing staff interventions (mean ± SEM: 10.3 ± 2.2 alarms per session, p<0.001 compared to lower convection volumes). Optimal convection volumes as assessed by GKD-UF-max were 20.6 ± 0.4 L/session, whilst 4 supplementary litres were obtained in the maximum situation (24.5 ± 0.6 L/session) but the proportion of sessions achieving the prescribed convection volume decreased from 94% to only 33% (p<0.001). Convection increased high molecular weight compound removal and shifted the membrane cut-off towards the higher molecular weight range. Reaching high convection volumes as recommended by the recent RCTs (> 20L) is feasible by setting an HDF system at its optimal conditions based upon the GKD-UF monitoring. Prescribing higher convection volumes resulted in instability of the system, provoked alarms, was bothersome for the nursing staff and the patients, rarely achieved the prescribed convection volumes and increased removal of high molecular weight compounds, notably albumin.

Hand volume estimates based on a geometric algorithm in comparison to water displacement.

PubMed

Mayrovitz, H N; Sims, N; Hill, C J; Hernandez, T; Greenshner, A; Diep, H

2006-06-01

Assessing changes in upper extremity limb volume during lymphedema therapy is important for determining treatment efficacy and documenting outcomes. Although arm volumes may be determined by tape measure, the suitability of circumference measurements to estimate hand volumes is questionable because of the deviation in circularity of hand shape. Our aim was to develop an alternative measurement procedure and algorithm for routine use to estimate hand volumes. A caliper was used to measure hand width and depth in 33 subjects (66 hands) and volumes (VE) were calculated using an elliptical frustum model. Using regression analysis and limits of agreement (LOA), VE was compared to volumes determined by water displacement (VW), to volumes calculated from tape-measure determined circumferences (VC), and to a trapezoidal model (VT). VW and VE (mean +/- SD) were similar (363 +/- 98 vs. 362 +/-100 ml) and highly correlated; VE = 1.01VW -3.1 ml, r=0.986, p<0.001, with LOA of +/- 33.5 ml and +/- 9.9 %. In contrast, VC (480 +/- 138 ml) and VT (432 +/- 122 ml) significantly overestimated volume (p<0.0001). These results indicate that the elliptical algorithm can be a useful alternative to water displacement when hand volumes are needed and the water displacement method is contra-indicated, impractical to implement, too time consuming or not available.

Instantaneous stroke volume by PDE during and after constant LBNP (-50 torr)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

Six male subjects were exposed to -50 torr lower body negative pressure (LBNP) for 10 min while stroke volume was recorded beat by beat at regular intervals before, during and after release of LBNP. Stroke volume was calculated from the systolic velocity integral in the ascending aorta by pulsed Doppler echocardiography (PDE) and the cross sectional area of the vessel by M mode echocardiography. Changes in leg volume were recorded continuously and blood pressure was taken every minute. Stroke volume dropped by 51% of the control in the first 33 sec of LBNP and continued to decline slowly to -62% toward the end. Heart rate increased by 15% in the first 10 sec and was 22% above control at the end of exposure. The resulting cardiac output closely followed the course of stroke volume (-47% at 33 sec, -53% at 8 min) showing that the modest increase in heart rate did little to offset the drop in stroke volume. Leg volume increased markedly within the first 10 sec with a more gradual rise reaching +3.5% at the end. Upon sudden release of LBNP, leg volume dropped significantly during the first 3 sec simultaneously with an increase in stroke volume followed by a substantial decline in heart rate below the baseline.

Lung Function before and Two Days after Open-Heart Surgery.

PubMed

Urell, Charlotte; Westerdahl, Elisabeth; Hedenström, Hans; Janson, Christer; Emtner, Margareta

2012-01-01

Reduced lung volumes and atelectasis are common after open-heart surgery, and pronounced restrictive lung volume impairment has been found. The aim of this study was to investigate factors influencing lung volumes on the second postoperative day. Open-heart surgery patients (n = 107, 68 yrs, 80% male) performed spirometry both before surgery and on the second postoperative day. The factors influencing postoperative lung volumes and decrease in lung volumes were investigated with univariate and multivariate analyses. Associations between pain (measured by numeric rating scale) and decrease in postoperative lung volumes were calculated with Spearman rank correlation test. Lung volumes decreased by 50% and were less than 40% of the predictive values postoperatively. Patients with BMI >25 had lower postoperative inspiratory capacity (IC) (33 ± 14% pred.) than normal-weight patients (39 ± 15% pred.), (P = 0.04). More pain during mobilisation was associated with higher decreases in postoperative lung volumes (VC: r = 0.33, P = 0.001; FEV(1): r = 0.35, P ≤ 0.0001; IC: r = 0.25, P = 0.01). Patients with high BMI are a risk group for decreased postoperative lung volumes and should therefore receive extra attention during postoperative care. As pain is related to a larger decrease in postoperative lung volumes, optimal pain relief for the patients should be identified.

Lung Function before and Two Days after Open-Heart Surgery

PubMed Central

Urell, Charlotte; Westerdahl, Elisabeth; Hedenström, Hans; Janson, Christer; Emtner, Margareta

2012-01-01

Reduced lung volumes and atelectasis are common after open-heart surgery, and pronounced restrictive lung volume impairment has been found. The aim of this study was to investigate factors influencing lung volumes on the second postoperative day. Open-heart surgery patients (n = 107, 68 yrs, 80% male) performed spirometry both before surgery and on the second postoperative day. The factors influencing postoperative lung volumes and decrease in lung volumes were investigated with univariate and multivariate analyses. Associations between pain (measured by numeric rating scale) and decrease in postoperative lung volumes were calculated with Spearman rank correlation test. Lung volumes decreased by 50% and were less than 40% of the predictive values postoperatively. Patients with BMI >25 had lower postoperative inspiratory capacity (IC) (33 ± 14% pred.) than normal-weight patients (39 ± 15% pred.), (P = 0.04). More pain during mobilisation was associated with higher decreases in postoperative lung volumes (VC: r = 0.33, P = 0.001; FEV1: r = 0.35, P ≤ 0.0001; IC: r = 0.25, P = 0.01). Patients with high BMI are a risk group for decreased postoperative lung volumes and should therefore receive extra attention during postoperative care. As pain is related to a larger decrease in postoperative lung volumes, optimal pain relief for the patients should be identified. PMID:22924127

33 CFR 402.6 - Volume Rebate Incentive program

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... defined under the Manager's commodity classification, for which a Volume Rebate is sought, the origin or... already move the commodity, as defined under the Manager's commodity classification, through the Seaway at...

33 CFR 402.6 - Volume Rebate Incentive program

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... defined under the Manager's commodity classification, for which a Volume Rebate is sought, the origin or... already move the commodity, as defined under the Manager's commodity classification, through the Seaway at...

33 CFR 72.05-1 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., with the exception of Volume V, which is published biennially, covering the waters of the United States... River, South Carolina. (3) Volume III, Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, from Little River, South Carolina, to Econfina River, Florida, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (4) Volume IV, Gulf of Mexico...

33 CFR 72.05-1 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., with the exception of Volume V, which is published biennially, covering the waters of the United States... River, South Carolina. (3) Volume III, Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, from Little River, South Carolina, to Econfina River, Florida, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (4) Volume IV, Gulf of Mexico...

33 CFR 72.05-1 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., with the exception of Volume V, which is published biennially, covering the waters of the United States... River, South Carolina. (3) Volume III, Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, from Little River, South Carolina, to Econfina River, Florida, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (4) Volume IV, Gulf of Mexico...

33 CFR 151.2070 - Recordkeeping requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., AND BALLAST WATER Ballast Water Management for Control of Nonindigenous Species in Waters of the... origin of ballast water. This includes date(s), location(s), volume(s) and temperature(s). If a tank has...

A comparative view of the new journal: Assessment.

PubMed

Blashfield, R K; Archer, G

2001-09-01

The reference sections from all articles in the 1997 volumes of Assessment, Journal of Personality Assessment, and Psychological Assessment were entered into a database and analyzed. An article published in Assessment averaged almost 31 references. An article published in Journal of Personality Assessment contained an average of 33 references. Psychological Assessment averaged 38 references per article. The median age of the references in the three journals was 8 years with an interquartile range of 4 to 14 years. The Journal of Personality Assessment had the largest number of citations in this database of 5,316 references. Each of these received a relatively large number of their citations from articles published in the same journal (self-citations). Randomly selected articles from the 1997 volume of Assessment received fewer citations in the Social Science Citation Index than a similar set of articles from the other two journals. However, the data on Assessment, when compared with data available on other new scientific publications, suggests that Assessment is doing as well as other fledgling journals.

Bladder Cancer Segmentation in CT for Treatment Response Assessment: Application of Deep-Learning Convolution Neural Network-A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Cha, Kenny H; Hadjiiski, Lubomir M; Samala, Ravi K; Chan, Heang-Ping; Cohan, Richard H; Caoili, Elaine M; Paramagul, Chintana; Alva, Ajjai; Weizer, Alon Z

2016-12-01

Assessing the response of bladder cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy is crucial for reducing morbidity and increasing quality of life of patients. Changes in tumor volume during treatment is generally used to predict treatment outcome. We are developing a method for bladder cancer segmentation in CT using a pilot data set of 62 cases. 65 000 regions of interests were extracted from pre-treatment CT images to train a deep-learning convolution neural network (DL-CNN) for tumor boundary detection using leave-one-case-out cross-validation. The results were compared to our previous AI-CALS method. For all lesions in the data set, the longest diameter and its perpendicular were measured by two radiologists, and 3D manual segmentation was obtained from one radiologist. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) were calculated, and the prediction accuracy of complete response to chemotherapy was estimated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The AUCs were 0.73 ± 0.06, 0.70 ± 0.07, and 0.70 ± 0.06, respectively, for the volume change calculated using DL-CNN segmentation, the AI-CALS and the manual contours. The differences did not achieve statistical significance. The AUCs using the WHO criteria were 0.63 ± 0.07 and 0.61 ± 0.06, while the AUCs using RECIST were 0.65 ± 007 and 0.63 ± 0.06 for the two radiologists, respectively. Our results indicate that DL-CNN can produce accurate bladder cancer segmentation for calculation of tumor size change in response to treatment. The volume change performed better than the estimations from the WHO criteria and RECIST for the prediction of complete response.

Bladder Cancer Segmentation in CT for Treatment Response Assessment: Application of Deep-Learning Convolution Neural Network—A Pilot Study

PubMed Central

Cha, Kenny H.; Hadjiiski, Lubomir M.; Samala, Ravi K.; Chan, Heang-Ping; Cohan, Richard H.; Caoili, Elaine M.; Paramagul, Chintana; Alva, Ajjai; Weizer, Alon Z.

2017-01-01

Assessing the response of bladder cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy is crucial for reducing morbidity and increasing quality of life of patients. Changes in tumor volume during treatment is generally used to predict treatment outcome. We are developing a method for bladder cancer segmentation in CT using a pilot data set of 62 cases. 65 000 regions of interests were extracted from pre-treatment CT images to train a deep-learning convolution neural network (DL-CNN) for tumor boundary detection using leave-one-case-out cross-validation. The results were compared to our previous AI-CALS method. For all lesions in the data set, the longest diameter and its perpendicular were measured by two radiologists, and 3D manual segmentation was obtained from one radiologist. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) were calculated, and the prediction accuracy of complete response to chemotherapy was estimated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The AUCs were 0.73 ± 0.06, 0.70 ± 0.07, and 0.70 ± 0.06, respectively, for the volume change calculated using DL-CNN segmentation, the AI-CALS and the manual contours. The differences did not achieve statistical significance. The AUCs using the WHO criteria were 0.63 ± 0.07 and 0.61 ± 0.06, while the AUCs using RECIST were 0.65 ± 007 and 0.63 ± 0.06 for the two radiologists, respectively. Our results indicate that DL-CNN can produce accurate bladder cancer segmentation for calculation of tumor size change in response to treatment. The volume change performed better than the estimations from the WHO criteria and RECIST for the prediction of complete response. PMID:28105470

Atomic Mass and Nuclear Binding Energy for I-131 (Iodine)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukhoruchkin, S. I.; Soroko, Z. N.

This document is part of the Supplement containing the complete sets of data of Subvolume A `Nuclei with Z = 1 - 54' of Volume 22 `Nuclear Binding Energies and Atomic Masses' of Landolt-Börnstein - Group I `Elementary Particles, Nuclei and Atoms'. It provides atomic mass, mass excess, nuclear binding energy, nucleon separation energies, Q-values, and nucleon residual interaction parameters for atomic nuclei of the isotope I-131 (Iodine, atomic number Z = 53, mass number A = 131).

Results from a convective heat transfer rate distribution test on a 0.0175 scale model (22-0) of the Rockwell International vehicle 4 space shuttle configuration in the AEDC-VKF tunnel B (OH49B), volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herrera, B. J.

1976-01-01

The tests were conducted in a hypersonic wind tunnel at Mach number 8 to investigate reentry mode convective heat--transfer rates to the vehicle 4 shuttle orbiter. The thin skin thermocouple technique was used to obtain the heat transfer rate measurements. A complete set of tabulated data is presented.

Atomic Mass and Nuclear Binding Energy for F-22 (Fluorine)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukhoruchkin, S. I.; Soroko, Z. N.

This document is part of the Supplement containing the complete sets of data of Subvolume A `Nuclei with Z = 1 - 54' of Volume 22 `Nuclear Binding Energies and Atomic Masses' of Landolt-Börnstein - Group I `Elementary Particles, Nuclei and Atoms'. It provides atomic mass, mass excess, nuclear binding energy, nucleon separation energies, Q-values, and nucleon residual interaction parameters for atomic nuclei of the isotope F-22 (Fluorine, atomic number Z = 9, mass number A = 22).

Tight-Binding Approach to Computational Materials Science, Symposium Held December 1-3, 1997, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Volume 491

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-01-01

to their large unit size and to experimental difficulties in determining geometries of carbon-based complex materials because of the weak X - ray ...qualitative relationship between the calculated local density of states and the experimental X - ray pho- toelectron spectra (XPS) and the Bremsstrahlung...from interaction schemes and allows complete data sets from different sources (neutron or X - ray diffraction, chemical constraints) to be fitted. In

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the treatment of neurological patients with urinary symptoms.

PubMed

Skeil, D; Thorpe, A C

2001-12-01

To determine whether transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) benefits patients with urinary symptoms caused by neurological diseases. Patients with urinary symptoms from any kind of neurological disease were prospectively recruited between October 1996 and July 1998. Before attending the first assessment patients were asked to complete a week's diary recording the frequency of micturition, incontinence episodes, and frequency of pad and clothes changing. At the first assessment the patients completed the Frimodt-Moller urinary symptom questionnaire, and quality-of-life scales including the Nottingham Health Profile and Short-Form 36. Demographic and disability data (Barthel Index and Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test) were recorded, and patients underwent a neurological examination and urodynamic studies. The placing of electrode pads on the sacral dermatomes 2.5 cm either side of and 2.5 cm above the natal cleft was demonstrated, and the patient instructed to use TENS for 90 min twice a day. The current strength applied was set to that which the patient could tolerate, at a square-wave of 20 Hz and 200-micros duration. Six weeks later the patients were further assessed, where the diary exercise, questionnaires and urodynamics were repeated. In all, 44 patients (13 men and 33 women, mean age 50.8 years) were recruited. The commonest disease was multiple sclerosis and the commonest impairments para/tetraplegia or hemiplegia. There was no change in the neurological status of the 34 patients completing the study. Irritative voiding symptoms were significantly decreased (0.68-0.61, P = 0.003) and diaries also showed significant improvements in the 24 h frequency of micturition (P = 0.01), incontinence episodes (P = 0.04) and clothes changes (P = 0.02). Urodynamics showed detrusor hyper-reflexia in most patients. The only significant changes after TENS were an increased postvoid residual volume (from a mean of 134 mL to 160 mL, P = 0.03) and an increase in the volume leaked during the urodynamic study with TENS on (from a mean of 4.7 mL to 12 mL, P = 0.003). There were no significant changes in the quality-of-life scores. Of the 34 patients completing the study, half still reported a benefit from TENS at 1 year, although some patients found it took 3-4 weeks to work. TENS applied to the sacral dermatomes of neurological patients with urinary symptoms had a minimal effect on urodynamic data but significantly improved irritative urinary symptoms, 24-h urinary frequency, incontinence and clothes changing. The lack of effect on quality-of-life measures probably reflects the lack of sensitivity in the tools used in this group of patients. We therefore recommend using TENS in this often problematical group of patients.

Professional Training for TRADOC Environmental and Natural Resource Professionals. Volume 2. Source Listings

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-05-01

Plant Biology); Carol Augspurger 376 INSTITUTION; COOPERATOR University of Illinois, Urbana ( Ecology , Ethology & Evolution ...43 Ph.D. 33 33 33 1 STRENGTHS AND SPECIALTIES Subject Matter Strengths: Biogeography, community ecology , vertebrate ecology , plant /insect interactions ... ecology , population ecology of small mammals, avian ecology , plant /animal interactions . Formal Teaching/Research Arrangements With Other

Aerospace Structures Technology Damping Design Guide. Volume 1. Technology Review

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-12-01

AFWAL-TR-84-3089 Volume I AEROSPACE STRUCTURES TECHNOLOGY I DAMPING DESIGN GUIDE VOLUME I - TECHNOLOGY REVIEW J. SOOVERE LOCKHEED CALIFORNIA COMPANY...3089 Volume I AEROSPACE STRUCTURES TECHNOLOGY DAMPING DESIGN GUIDE VOLUME I - TECHNOLOGY REVIEW J. SOOVERE LOCKMD CALIFORNIA COMPANY P.O. BOX 551 BURBANK...PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO 454t33I I ft NOTICE When Government drawings, specifications, or other data are used for any purpose other than in

43 CFR 404.33 - How much Federal funding can Reclamation provide for the completion of a feasibility study?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... provide for the completion of a feasibility study? 404.33 Section 404.33 Public Lands: Interior... of a feasibility study? In general, Reclamation will be responsible for 50 percent of the cost of a feasibility study conducted under § 404.11(a) or (b). You will be responsible to pay for the remaining 50...

First passage times in homogeneous nucleation: Dependence on the total number of particles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yvinec, Romain; Bernard, Samuel; Pujo-Menjouet, Laurent

2016-01-21

Motivated by nucleation and molecular aggregation in physical, chemical, and biological settings, we present an extension to a thorough analysis of the stochastic self-assembly of a fixed number of identical particles in a finite volume. We study the statistics of times required for maximal clusters to be completed, starting from a pure-monomeric particle configuration. For finite volumes, we extend previous analytical approaches to the case of arbitrary size-dependent aggregation and fragmentation kinetic rates. For larger volumes, we develop a scaling framework to study the first assembly time behavior as a function of the total quantity of particles. We find thatmore » the mean time to first completion of a maximum-sized cluster may have a surprisingly weak dependence on the total number of particles. We highlight how higher statistics (variance, distribution) of the first passage time may nevertheless help to infer key parameters, such as the size of the maximum cluster. Finally, we present a framework to quantify formation of macroscopic sized clusters, which are (asymptotically) very unlikely and occur as a large deviation phenomenon from the mean-field limit. We argue that this framework is suitable to describe phase transition phenomena, as inherent infrequent stochastic processes, in contrast to classical nucleation theory.« less

First passage times in homogeneous nucleation: Dependence on the total number of particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yvinec, Romain; Bernard, Samuel; Hingant, Erwan; Pujo-Menjouet, Laurent

2016-01-01

Motivated by nucleation and molecular aggregation in physical, chemical, and biological settings, we present an extension to a thorough analysis of the stochastic self-assembly of a fixed number of identical particles in a finite volume. We study the statistics of times required for maximal clusters to be completed, starting from a pure-monomeric particle configuration. For finite volumes, we extend previous analytical approaches to the case of arbitrary size-dependent aggregation and fragmentation kinetic rates. For larger volumes, we develop a scaling framework to study the first assembly time behavior as a function of the total quantity of particles. We find that the mean time to first completion of a maximum-sized cluster may have a surprisingly weak dependence on the total number of particles. We highlight how higher statistics (variance, distribution) of the first passage time may nevertheless help to infer key parameters, such as the size of the maximum cluster. Finally, we present a framework to quantify formation of macroscopic sized clusters, which are (asymptotically) very unlikely and occur as a large deviation phenomenon from the mean-field limit. We argue that this framework is suitable to describe phase transition phenomena, as inherent infrequent stochastic processes, in contrast to classical nucleation theory.

Accuracy of MRI volume measurements of breast lesions: comparison between automated, semiautomated and manual assessment.

PubMed

Rominger, Marga B; Fournell, Daphne; Nadar, Beenarose Thanka; Behrens, Sarah N M; Figiel, Jens H; Keil, Boris; Heverhagen, Johannes T

2009-05-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a dedicated software tool for automated and semiautomated volume measurement in contrast-enhanced (CE) magnetic resonance mammography (MRM). Ninety-six breast lesions with histopathological workup (27 benign, 69 malignant) were re-evaluated by different volume measurement techniques. Volumes of all lesions were extracted automatically (AVM) and semiautomatically (SAVM) from CE 3D MRM and compared with manual 3D contour segmentation (manual volume measurement, MVM, reference measurement technique) and volume estimates based on maximum diameter measurement (MDM). Compared with MVM as reference method MDM, AVM and SAVM underestimated lesion volumes by 63.8%, 30.9% and 21.5%, respectively, with significantly different accuracy for benign (102.4%, 18.4% and 11.4%) and malignant (54.9%, 33.0% and 23.1%) lesions (p < 0.05). Inter- and intraobserver reproducibility was best for AVM (mean difference +/- 2SD, 1.0 +/- 9.7% and 1.8 +/- 12.1%) followed by SAVM (4.3 +/- 25.7% and 4.3 +/- 7.9%), MVM (2.3 +/- 38.2% and 8.6 +/- 31.8%) and MDM (33.9 +/- 128.4% and 9.3 +/- 55.9%). SAVM is more accurate for volume assessment of breast lesions than MDM and AVM. Volume measurement is less accurate for malignant than benign lesions.

Transferring Patients From Methadone to Buprenorphine: The Feasibility and Evaluation of Practice Guidelines.

PubMed

Lintzeris, Nicholas; Monds, Lauren A; Rivas, Consuelo; Leung, Stefanie; Dunlop, Adrian; Newcombe, David; Walters, Carina; Galea, Susanna; White, Nancy; Montebello, Mark; Demirkol, Apo; Swanson, Nicola; Ali, Robert

Transfer from methadone to buprenorphine is problematic for many opioid-dependent patients, with limited documented evidence or practical clinical guidance, particularly for the range of methadone doses routinely prescribed for most patients (>50 mg). This study aimed to implement and evaluate recent national Australian guidelines for transferring patients from methadone to buprenorphine. A multisite prospective cohort study. Participants were patients who transferred from methadone to buprenorphine-naloxone at 1 of 4 specialist addiction centers in Australia and New Zealand. Clinicians were trained in the guidelines, and medical records were reviewed to examine process (eg, transfer setting, doses, and guideline adherence) and safety (precipitated withdrawal) measures. Participants completed research interviews before and after transfer-assessing changes in substance use, health outcomes, and side effects. In all, 33 participants underwent transfer, 9 from low methadone doses (<30 mg), 9 from medium doses (30-50 mg), and 15 from high doses (>50 mg). The majority of high-dose transfers occurred in inpatient settings. There was reasonable guideline adherence, and no complications identified in the low and medium-dose transfers. Three high-dose transfers (20%) experienced precipitated withdrawal, and 7/33 participants (21%) returned to methadone within 1 week of attempted transfer. Transfer is feasible in outpatient settings for those transferring from methadone doses below 50 mg; however, inpatient settings and specialist supervision is recommended for higher-dose transfers. The Australian clinical guidelines appear safe and feasible, although further research is required to optimize high-dose transfer procedures.

Perioperative patient safety indicators and hospital surgical volumes.

PubMed

Kitazawa, Takefumi; Matsumoto, Kunichika; Fujita, Shigeru; Yoshida, Ai; Iida, Shuhei; Nishizawa, Hirotoshi; Hasegawa, Tomonori

2014-02-28

Since the late 1990s, patient safety has been an important policy issue in developed countries. To evaluate the effectiveness of the activities of patient safety, it is necessary to quantitatively assess the incidence of adverse events by types of failure mode using tangible data. The purpose of this study is to calculate patient safety indicators (PSIs) using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination/per-diem payment system (DPC/PDPS) reimbursement data and to elucidate the relationship between perioperative PSIs and hospital surgical volume. DPC/PDPS data of the Medi-Target project managed by the All Japan Hospital Association were used. An observational study was conducted where PSIs were calculated using an algorithm proposed by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. We analyzed data of 1,383,872 patients from 188 hospitals who were discharged from January 2008 to December 2010. Among 20 provider level PSIs, four PSIs (three perioperative PSIs and decubitus ulcer) and mortality rates of postoperative patients were related to surgical volume. Low-volume hospitals (less than 33rd percentiles surgical volume per month) had higher mortality rates (5.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.9% to 7.4%) than mid- (2.9%, 95% CI, 2.6% to 3.3%) or high-volume hospitals (2.7%, 95% CI, 2.5% to 2.9%). Low-volume hospitals had more deaths among surgical inpatients with serious treatable complications (38.5%, 95% CI, 33.7% to 43.2%) than high-volume hospitals (21.4%, 95% CI, 19.0% to 23.9%). Also Low-volume hospitals had lower proportion of difficult surgeries (54.9%, 95% CI, 50.1% to 59.8%) compared with high-volume hospitals (63.4%, 95% CI, 62.3% to 64.6%). In low-volume hospitals, limited experience may have led to insufficient care for postoperative complications. We demonstrated that PSIs can be calculated using DPC/PDPS data and perioperative PSIs were related to hospital surgical volume. Further investigations focusing on identifying risk factors for poor PSIs and effective support to these hospitals are needed.

Pilot study of intravenous glyburide in patients with a large ischemic stroke.

PubMed

Sheth, Kevin N; Kimberly, W Taylor; Elm, Jordan J; Kent, Thomas A; Mandava, Pitchaiah; Yoo, Albert J; Thomalla, Götz; Campbell, Bruce; Donnan, Geoffrey A; Davis, Stephen M; Albers, Gregory W; Jacobson, Sven; Simard, J Marc; Stern, Barney J

2014-01-01

Preclinical and retrospective clinical data indicate that glyburide, a selective inhibitor of sulfonylurea receptor 1-transient receptor potential melastatin 4, is effective in preventing edema and improving outcome after focal ischemia. We assessed the feasibility of recruiting and treating patients with severe stroke while obtaining preliminary information on the safety and tolerability of RP-1127 (glyburide for injection). We studied 10 patients with acute ischemic stroke, with baseline diffusion-weighted imaging lesion volumes of 82 to 210 cm3, whether treated with intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, age 18 to 80 years, and time to RP-1127≤10 hours. Recruitment was completed within 10 months. The mean age was 50.5 years, and baseline diffusion-weighted image lesion volume was 102±23 cm3. There were no serious adverse events related to drug and no symptomatic hypoglycemia. The increase in ipsilateral hemisphere volume was 50±33 cm3. The proportion of 90-day modified Rankin Scale≤4 was 90% (40% modified Rankin Scale, ≤3). RP-1127 at a dose of 3 mg/d was well tolerated and did not require any dose reductions. A clinical trial of RP-1127 is feasible. URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01268683.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cherpak, Amanda

Purpose: The Octavius 1000{sup SRS} detector was commissioned in December 2014 and is used routinely for verification of all SRS and SBRT plans. Results of verifications were analyzed to assess trends and limitations of the device and planning methods. Methods: Plans were delivered using a True Beam STx and results were evaluated using gamma analysis (95%, 3%/3mm) and absolute dose difference (5%). Verification results were analyzed based on several plan parameters including tumour volume, degree of modulation and prescribed dose. Results: During a 12 month period, a total of 124 patient plans were verified using the Octavius detector. Thirteen plansmore » failed the gamma criteria, while 7 plans failed based on the absolute dose difference. When binned according to degree of modulation, a significant correlation was found between MU/cGy and both mean dose difference (r=0.78, p<0.05) and gamma (r=−0.60, p<0.05). When data was binned according to tumour volume, the standard deviation of average gamma dropped from 2.2% – 3.7% for the volumes less than 30 cm{sup 3} to below 1% for volumes greater than 30 cm{sup 3}. Conclusions: The majority of plans and verification failures involved tumour volumes smaller than 30 cm{sup 3}. This was expected due to the nature of disease treated with SBRT and SRS techniques and did not increase rate of failure. Correlations found with MU/cGy indicate that as modulation increased, results deteriorated but not beyond the previously set thresholds.« less

Case–Control Genome-Wide Association Study of Persistent Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Identifies FBXO33 as a Novel Susceptibility Gene for the Disorder

PubMed Central

Sánchez-Mora, Cristina; Ramos-Quiroga, Josep A; Bosch, Rosa; Corrales, Montse; Garcia-Martínez, Iris; Nogueira, Mariana; Pagerols, Mireia; Palomar, Gloria; Richarte, Vanesa; Vidal, Raquel; Arias-Vasquez, Alejandro; Bustamante, Mariona; Forns, Joan; Gross-Lesch, Silke; Guxens, Monica; Hinney, Anke; Hoogman, Martine; Jacob, Christian; Jacobsen, Kaya K; Kan, Cornelis C; Kiemeney, Lambertus; Kittel-Schneider, Sarah; Klein, Marieke; Onnink, Marten; Rivero, Olga; Zayats, Tetyana; Buitelaar, Jan; Faraone, Stephen V; Franke, Barbara; Haavik, Jan; Johansson, Stefan; Lesch, Klaus-Peter; Reif, Andreas; Sunyer, Jordi; Bayés, Mònica; Casas, Miguel; Cormand, Bru; Ribasés, Marta

2015-01-01

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with high heritability. At least 30% of patients diagnosed in childhood continue to suffer from ADHD during adulthood and genetic risk factors may play an essential role in the persistence of the disorder throughout lifespan. To date, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of ADHD have been completed in seven independent datasets, six of which were pediatric samples and one on persistent ADHD using a DNA-pooling strategy, but none of them reported genome-wide significant associations. In an attempt to unravel novel genes for the persistence of ADHD into adulthood, we conducted the first two-stage GWAS in adults with ADHD. The discovery sample included 607 ADHD cases and 584 controls. Top signals were subsequently tested for replication in three independent follow-up samples of 2104 ADHD patients and 1901 controls. None of the findings exceeded the genome-wide threshold for significance (PGC<5e−08), but we found evidence for the involvement of the FBXO33 (F-box only protein 33) gene in combined ADHD in the discovery sample (P=9.02e−07) and in the joint analysis of both stages (P=9.7e−03). Additional evidence for a FBXO33 role in ADHD was found through gene-wise and pathway enrichment analyses in our genomic study. Risk alleles were associated with lower FBXO33 expression in lymphoblastoid cell lines and with reduced frontal gray matter volume in a sample of 1300 adult subjects. Our findings point for the first time at the ubiquitination machinery as a new disease mechanism for adult ADHD and establish a rationale for searching for additional risk variants in ubiquitination-related genes. PMID:25284319

A Tool for the Automated Collection of Space Utilization Data: Three Dimensional Space Utilization Monitor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vos, Gordon A.; Fink, Patrick; Ngo, Phong H.; Morency, Richard; Simon, Cory; Williams, Robert E.; Perez, Lance C.

2015-01-01

Space Human Factors and Habitability (SHFH) Element within the Human Research Program (HRP), in collaboration with the Behavioral Health and Performance (BHP) Element, is conducting research regarding Net Habitable Volume (NHV), the internal volume within a spacecraft or habitat that is available to crew for required activities, as well as layout and accommodations within that volume. NASA is looking for innovative methods to unobtrusively collect NHV data without impacting crew time. Data required includes metrics such as location and orientation of crew, volume used to complete tasks, internal translation paths, flow of work, and task completion times. In less constrained environments methods for collecting such data exist yet many are obtrusive and require significant post-processing. Example technologies used in terrestrial settings include infrared (IR) retro-reflective marker based motion capture, GPS sensor tracking, inertial tracking, and multiple camera filmography. However due to constraints of space operations many such methods are infeasible, such as inertial tracking systems which typically rely upon a gravity vector to normalize sensor readings, and traditional IR systems which are large and require extensive calibration. However multiple technologies have not yet been applied to space operations for these explicit purposes. Two of these include 3-Dimensional Radio Frequency Identification Real-Time Localization Systems (3D RFID-RTLS) and depth imaging systems which allow for 3D motion capture and volumetric scanning (such as those using IR-depth cameras like the Microsoft Kinect or Light Detection and Ranging / Light-Radar systems, referred to as LIDAR).

Postoperative Mortality after Liver Resection for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Development of a Risk Score and Importance of Biliary Drainage of the Future Liver Remnant

PubMed Central

Wiggers, Jimme K; Koerkamp, Bas Groot; Cieslak, Kasia P; Doussot, Alexandre; van Klaveren, David; Allen, Peter J; Besselink, Marc G; Busch, Olivier R; D’Angelica, Michael I; DeMatteo, Ronald P; Gouma, Dirk J; Kingham, T Peter; van Gulik, Thomas M; Jarnagin, William R

2016-01-01

Background Liver surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) is associated with postoperative mortality ranging from 5% to 18%. The aim of this study was to develop a preoperative risk score for postoperative mortality after liver resection for PHC, and to assess the effect of biliary drainage of the future liver remnant (FLR). Study design A consecutive series of 287 patients submitted to major liver resection for presumed PHC between 1997 and 2014 at two Western centers was analyzed; 228 patients (79%) underwent preoperative drainage for jaundice. FLR volumes were calculated with CT volumetry, and completeness of FLR drainage was assessed on imaging. Logistic regression was used to develop a mortality risk score. Results Postoperative mortality at 90-days was 14%, and was independently predicted by age (Odds ratio [OR] per 10 years 2.1), preoperative cholangitis (OR 4.1), FLR volume below 30% (OR 2.9), portal vein reconstruction (OR 2.3), and incomplete FLR drainage in patients with FLR volume below 50% (OR 2.8). The risk score showed good discrimination (AUC 0.75 after bootstrap validation), and ranking patients in tertiles identified three (low-intermediate-high) risk subgroups with predicted mortalities of 2%, 11%, and 37%. No postoperative mortality was observed in 33 undrained patients with FLR volumes above 50%, including 10 jaundiced patients (median bilirubin level 11 mg/dL). Conclusions The mortality risk score for patients with resectable PHC can be used for patient counseling and identification of modifiable risk factors, which include FLR volume, FLR drainage status, and preoperative cholangitis. We found no evidence to support preoperative biliary drainage in patients with an FLR volume above 50%. PMID:27063572

Image Guided Focal Therapy for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Visible Prostate Cancer: Defining a 3-Dimensional Treatment Margin Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Histology Co-Registration Analysis.

PubMed

Le Nobin, Julien; Rosenkrantz, Andrew B; Villers, Arnauld; Orczyk, Clément; Deng, Fang-Ming; Melamed, Jonathan; Mikheev, Artem; Rusinek, Henry; Taneja, Samir S

2015-08-01

We compared prostate tumor boundaries on magnetic resonance imaging and radical prostatectomy histological assessment using detailed software assisted co-registration to define an optimal treatment margin for achieving complete tumor destruction during image guided focal ablation. Included in study were 33 patients who underwent 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging before radical prostatectomy. A radiologist traced lesion borders on magnetic resonance imaging and assigned a suspicion score of 2 to 5. Three-dimensional reconstructions were created from high resolution digitalized slides of radical prostatectomy specimens and co-registered to imaging using advanced software. Tumors were compared between histology and imaging by the Hausdorff distance and stratified by the magnetic resonance imaging suspicion score, Gleason score and lesion diameter. Cylindrical volume estimates of treatment effects were used to define the optimal treatment margin. Three-dimensional software based registration with magnetic resonance imaging was done in 46 histologically confirmed cancers. Imaging underestimated tumor size with a maximal discrepancy between imaging and histological boundaries for a given tumor of an average ± SD of 1.99 ± 3.1 mm, representing 18.5% of the diameter on imaging. Boundary underestimation was larger for lesions with an imaging suspicion score 4 or greater (mean 3.49 ± 2.1 mm, p <0.001) and a Gleason score of 7 or greater (mean 2.48 ± 2.8 mm, p = 0.035). A simulated cylindrical treatment volume based on the imaging boundary missed an average 14.8% of tumor volume compared to that based on the histological boundary. A simulated treatment volume based on a 9 mm treatment margin achieved complete histological tumor destruction in 100% of patients. Magnetic resonance imaging underestimates histologically determined tumor boundaries, especially for lesions with a high imaging suspicion score and a high Gleason score. A 9 mm treatment margin around a lesion visible on magnetic resonance imaging would consistently ensure treatment of the entire histological tumor volume during focal ablative therapy. Copyright © 2015 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Influence of Transplant Center Procedural Volume on Survival Outcomes of Heart Transplantation for Children Bridged with Mechanical Circulatory Support.

PubMed

Hsieh, Alex; Tumin, Dmitry; McConnell, Patrick I; Galantowicz, Mark; Tobias, Joseph D; Hayes, Don

2017-02-01

Transplant center expertise improves survival after heart transplant (HTx) but it is unknown whether center expertise ameliorates risk associated with mechanical circulatory support (MCS) bridge to transplantation. This study investigated whether center HTx volume reduced survival disparities among pediatric HTx patients bridged with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), left ventricular assist device (LVAD), or no MCS. Patients ≤18 years of age receiving first-time HTx between 2005 and 2015 were identified in the United Network of Organ Sharing registry. Center volume was the total number of HTx during the study period, classified into tertiles. The primary outcome was 1 year post-transplant survival, and MCS type was interacted with center volume in Cox proportional hazards regression. The study cohort included 4131 patients, of whom 719 were supported with LVAD and 230 with ECMO. In small centers (≤133 HTx over study period), patients bridged with ECMO had increased post-transplant mortality hazard compared to patients bridged with LVAD (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.12, 0.71; p = 0.006) and patients with no MCS (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.19, 0.57; p < 0.001). Interactions of MCS type with medium or large center volume were not statistically significant, and the same differences in survival by MCS type were observed in medium- or large-volume centers (136-208 or ≥214 HTx over the study period). Post-HTx survival disadvantage of pediatric patients bridged with ECMO persisted regardless of transplant program volume. The role of institutional ECMO expertise outside the transplant setting for improving outcomes of ECMO bridge to HTx should be explored.

Lung volumes and lung volume recruitment in ARDS: a comparison between supine and prone position.

PubMed

Aguirre-Bermeo, Hernan; Turella, Marta; Bitondo, Maddalena; Grandjean, Juan; Italiano, Stefano; Festa, Olimpia; Morán, Indalecio; Mancebo, Jordi

2018-02-14

The use of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and prone position (PP) is common in the management of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome patients (ARDS). We conducted this study to analyze the variation in lung volumes and PEEP-induced lung volume recruitment with the change from supine position (SP) to PP in ARDS patients. The investigation was conducted in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit. Patients who met the clinical criteria of the Berlin definition for ARDS were included. The responsible physician set basal PEEP. To avoid hypoxemia, FiO 2 was increased to 0.8 1 h before starting the protocol. End-expiratory lung volume (EELV) and functional residual capacity (FRC) were measured using the nitrogen washout/washin technique. After the procedures in SP, the patients were turned to PP and 1 h later the same procedures were made in PP. Twenty-three patients were included in the study, and twenty were analyzed. The change from SP to PP significantly increased FRC (from 965 ± 397 to 1140 ± 490 ml, p = 0.008) and EELV (from 1566 ± 476 to 1832 ± 719 ml, p = 0.008), but PEEP-induced lung volume recruitment did not significantly change (269 ± 186 ml in SP to 324 ± 188 ml in PP, p = 0.263). Dynamic strain at PEEP decreased with the change from SP to PP (0.38 ± 0.14 to 0.33 ± 0.13, p = 0.040). As compared to supine, prone position increases resting lung volumes and decreases dynamic lung strain.

Eleven fetal echocardiographic planes using 4-dimensional ultrasound with spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC): a logical approach to fetal heart volume analysis.

PubMed

Jantarasaengaram, Surasak; Vairojanavong, Kittipong

2010-09-15

Theoretically, a cross-sectional image of any cardiac planes can be obtained from a STIC fetal heart volume dataset. We described a method to display 11 fetal echocardiographic planes from STIC volumes. Fetal heart volume datasets were acquired by transverse acquisition from 200 normal fetuses at 15 to 40 weeks of gestation. Analysis of the volume datasets using the described technique to display 11 echocardiographic planes in the multiplanar display mode were performed offline. Volume datasets from 18 fetuses were excluded due to poor image resolution. The mean visualization rates for all echocardiographic planes at 15-17, 18-22, 23-27, 28-32 and 33-40 weeks of gestation fetuses were 85.6% (range 45.2-96.8%, N = 31), 92.9% (range 64.0-100%, N = 64), 93.4% (range 51.4-100%, N = 37), 88.7%(range 54.5-100%, N = 33) and 81.8% (range 23.5-100%, N = 17) respectively. Overall, the applied technique can favorably display the pertinent echocardiographic planes. Description of the presented method provides a logical approach to explore the fetal heart volumes.

Variations in the sonographic measurement techniques of BI-RADS 3 breast masses.

PubMed

Francisco, Juliana; Jales, Rodrigo Menezes; de Oliveira, André Desuó Bueno; Arguello, Carlos Henrique Francisco; Derchain, Sophie

2017-06-01

To evaluate the differences in sonographic (US) distance and volume measurements from different sonologists and identify the optimal parameters to avoid clinically relevant variations in the measurement of BI-RADS 3 breast masses. For this cross-sectional study with prospectively collected data, four physicians with various levels of experience in US, herein called sonologists, performed distance and volume US measurements of 80 masses classified as BI-RADS 3. The Cochran Q test was used to compare the matched sets of rates of clinically relevant variability between all pairs of sonologists' measurements. There were clinically relevant differences between sonologists in the measurements of the longest diameter (range, 17.5-43.7%, p = 0.003), the longest diameter perpendicular to the previous one (anteroposterior diameter) (17.5-33.7%, p = 0.06), the third diameter orthogonal to the plane defined by the previous two (transverse diameter) (28.7-55%, p = 0.001), and at least two of those three diameters (18.7-38.7%, p = 0.015). The smallest clinically relevant differences were observed with volume measurements (range of differences, 6.2-13.7%, p = 0.51). Volume measurement technique was associated with the least variations, whereas distance measurements, which are used routinely, were associated with unacceptable rates of clinically relevant variations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:252-260, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Temperate Performance Benefits after Heat, but Not Combined Heat and Hypoxic Training.

PubMed

McCleave, Erin L; Slattery, Katie M; Duffield, Rob; Saunders, Philo U; Sharma, Avish P; Crowcroft, Stephen J; Coutts, Aaron J

2017-03-01

Independent heat and hypoxic exposure can enhance temperate endurance performance in trained athletes, although their combined effects remain unknown. This study examined whether the addition of heat interval training during "live high, train low" (LHTL) hypoxic exposure would result in enhanced performance and physiological adaptations as compared with heat or temperate training. Twenty-six well-trained runners completed 3 wk of interval training assigned to one of three conditions: 1) LHTL hypoxic exposure plus heat training (H + H; 3000 m for 13 h·d, train at 33°C, 60% relative humidity [RH]), 2) heat training with no hypoxic exposure (HOT, live at <600 m and train at 33°C, 60% RH), or 3) temperate training with no hypoxic exposure (CONT; live at <600 m and train at 14°C, 55% RH). Performance 3-km time-trials (3-km TT), running economy, hemoglobin mass, and plasma volume were assessed using magnitude-based inferences statistical approach before (Baseline), after (Post), and 3 wk (3wkP) after exposure. Compared with Baseline, 3-km TT performance was likely increased in HOT at 3wkP (-3.3% ± 1.3%; mean ± 90% confidence interval), with no performance improvement in either H + H or CONT. Hemoglobin mass increased by 3.8% ± 1.8% at Post in H + H only. Plasma volume in HOT was possibly elevated above H + H and CONT at Post but not at 3wkP. Correlations between changes in 3-km TT performance and physiological adaptations were unclear. Incorporating heat-based training into a 3-wk training block can improve temperate performance at 3 wk after exposure, with athlete psychology, physiology, and environmental dose all important considerations. Despite hematological adaptations, the addition of LHTL to heat interval training has no greater 3-km TT performance benefit than temperate training alone.

Technical report series on global modeling and data assimilation. Volume 1: Documentation of the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) General Circulation Model, version 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Suarez, Max J. (Editor); Takacs, Lawrence L.; Molod, Andrea; Wang, Tina

1994-01-01

This technical report documents Version 1 of the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) General Circulation Model (GCM). The GEOS-1 GCM is being used by NASA's Data Assimilation Office (DAO) to produce multiyear data sets for climate research. This report provides a documentation of the model components used in the GEOS-1 GCM, a complete description of model diagnostics available, and a User's Guide to facilitate GEOS-1 GCM experiments.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Search for extraterrestrial intelligence (Isaacson+, 2017)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isaacson, H.; Siemion, A. P. V.; Marcy, G. W.; Lebofsky, M.; Price, D. C.; MacMahon, D.; Croft, S.; Deboer, D.; Hickish, J.; Werthimer, D.; Sheikh, S.; Hellbourg, G.; Enriquez, J. E.

2017-08-01

The stellar sample is defined by two selection criteria. The first is a volume-limited sample of stars within 5pc of the Sun. The second is a spectral class complete sample consisting of stars across the main sequence and some giant branch stars, all within 50pc. We combined the two sub-samples (5pc and 5-50pc) to produce the final set of 1709 target stars that are listed in Table 1. (1 data file).

PRISM3/GISS Topographic Reconstruction

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sohl, Linda E.; Chandler, Mark A.; Schmunk, Robert B.; Mankoff, Ken; Jonas, Jeffrey A.; Foley, Kevin M.; Dowsett, Harry J.

2009-01-01

The PRISM3/GISS topographic reconstruction is one of the global data sets incorporated into a new reconstruction for the mid-Piacenzian warm interval of the Pliocene, at about 3.3 to 3.0 Ma. The PRISM3/GISS topography-gridded data set is a digitization of a graphical reconstruction, provided at 2 deg x 2 deg resolution and based on updated paleoaltimetry data and a refined land/ocean mask. Mid-Piacenzian topography as shown in this data set is generally quite similar to modern topography, with three notable differences: (1) the coastline as shown is 25 meters higher than modern sea level, reflecting the hypothesized reduction in ice sheet volume; (2) Hudson Bay is filled in to low elevation, in the absence of evidence for submergence at that time; and (3) the West Antarctic ice sheet is absent, permitting open seaways to exist in Ellsworth and Marie Byrd Lands. Two alternate ice sheet configurations with corresponding vegetation schemes are available; one is a minor modification of the PRISM2 ice reconstruction, and one is derived from the British Antarctic Survey Ice Sheet Model (BAS ISM).

43 CFR 404.33 - How much Federal funding can Reclamation provide for the completion of a feasibility study?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Regulations Relating to Public Lands BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR RECLAMATION RURAL WATER SUPPLY PROGRAM Cost-Sharing § 404.33 How much Federal funding can Reclamation provide for the completion...

From pole to pole: 33 years of physical oceanography onboard R/V Polarstern

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Driemel, Amelie; Fahrbach, Eberhard; Rohardt, Gerd; Beszczynska-Möller, Agnieszka; Boetius, Antje; Budéus, Gereon; Cisewski, Boris; Engbrodt, Ralph; Gauger, Steffen; Geibert, Walter; Geprägs, Patrizia; Gerdes, Dieter; Gersonde, Rainer; Gordon, Arnold L.; Grobe, Hannes; Hellmer, Hartmut H.; Isla, Enrique; Jacobs, Stanley S.; Janout, Markus; Jokat, Wilfried; Klages, Michael; Kuhn, Gerhard; Meincke, Jens; Ober, Sven; Østerhus, Svein; Peterson, Ray G.; Rabe, Benjamin; Rudels, Bert; Schauer, Ursula; Schröder, Michael; Schumacher, Stefanie; Sieger, Rainer; Sildam, Jüri; Soltwedel, Thomas; Stangeew, Elena; Stein, Manfred; Strass, Volker H.; Thiede, Jörn; Tippenhauer, Sandra; Veth, Cornelis; von Appen, Wilken-Jon; Weirig, Marie-France; Wisotzki, Andreas; Wolf-Gladrow, Dieter A.; Kanzow, Torsten

2017-03-01

Measuring temperature and salinity profiles in the world's oceans is crucial to understanding ocean dynamics and its influence on the heat budget, the water cycle, the marine environment and on our climate. Since 1983 the German research vessel and icebreaker Polarstern has been the platform of numerous CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth instrument) deployments in the Arctic and the Antarctic. We report on a unique data collection spanning 33 years of polar CTD data. In total 131 data sets (1 data set per cruise leg) containing data from 10 063 CTD casts are now freely available at doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.860066. During this long period five CTD types with different characteristics and accuracies have been used. Therefore the instruments and processing procedures (sensor calibration, data validation, etc.) are described in detail. This compilation is special not only with regard to the quantity but also the quality of the data - the latter indicated for each data set using defined quality codes. The complete data collection includes a number of repeated sections for which the quality code can be used to investigate and evaluate long-term changes. Beginning with 2010, the salinity measurements presented here are of the highest quality possible in this field owing to the introduction of the OPTIMARE Precision Salinometer.

Intramuscular Tranexamic Acid in Tactical and Combat Settings.

PubMed

Vu, Erik N; Wan, Wilson C Y; Yeung, Titus C; Callaway, David W

Uncontrolled hemorrhage remains a leading cause of preventable death in tactical and combat settings. Alternate routes of delivery of tranexamic acid (TXA), an adjunct in the management of hemorrhagic shock, are being studied. A working group for the Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care reviewed the available evidence on the potential role for intramuscular (IM) administration of TXA in nonhospital settings as soon as possible from the point of injury. EMBASE and MEDLINE/PubMed databases were sequentially searched by medical librarians for evidence of TXA use in the following contexts and/or using the following keywords: prehospital, trauma, hemorrhagic shock, optimal timing, optimal dose, safe volume, incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), IM bioavailability. A total of 183 studies were reviewed. The strength of the available data was variable, generally weak in quality, and included laboratory research, case reports, retrospective observational reviews, and few prospective studies. Current volume and concentrations of available formulations of TXA make it, in theory, amenable to IM injection. Current bestpractice guidelines for large-volume injection (i.e., 5mL) support IM administration in four locations in the adult human body. One case series suggests complete bioavailability of IM TXA in healthy patients. Data are lacking on the efficacy and safety of IM TXA in hemorrhagic shock. There is currently insufficient evidence to support a strong recommendation for or against IM administration of TXA in the combat setting; however, there is an abundance of literature demonstrating efficacy and safety of TXA use in a broad range of patient populations. Balancing the available data and risk- benefit ratio, IM TXA should be considered a viable treatment option for tactical and combat applications. Additional studies should focus on the optimal dose and bioavailability of IM dosing of patients in hemorrhagic shock, with assessment of potential downstream sequelae. 2018.

Image registration and analysis for quantitative myocardial perfusion: application to dynamic circular cardiac CT.

PubMed

Isola, A A; Schmitt, H; van Stevendaal, U; Begemann, P G; Coulon, P; Boussel, L; Grass, M

2011-09-21

Large area detector computed tomography systems with fast rotating gantries enable volumetric dynamic cardiac perfusion studies. Prospectively, ECG-triggered acquisitions limit the data acquisition to a predefined cardiac phase and thereby reduce x-ray dose and limit motion artefacts. Even in the case of highly accurate prospective triggering and stable heart rate, spatial misalignment of the cardiac volumes acquired and reconstructed per cardiac cycle may occur due to small motion pattern variations from cycle to cycle. These misalignments reduce the accuracy of the quantitative analysis of myocardial perfusion parameters on a per voxel basis. An image-based solution to this problem is elastic 3D image registration of dynamic volume sequences with variable contrast, as it is introduced in this contribution. After circular cone-beam CT reconstruction of cardiac volumes covering large areas of the myocardial tissue, the complete series is aligned with respect to a chosen reference volume. The results of the registration process and the perfusion analysis with and without registration are evaluated quantitatively in this paper. The spatial alignment leads to improved quantification of myocardial perfusion for three different pig data sets.

Adolescents and MP3 players: too many risks, too few precautions.

PubMed

Vogel, Ineke; Verschuure, Hans; van der Ploeg, Catharina P B; Brug, Johannes; Raat, Hein

2009-06-01

The goal was to assess risky and protective listening behaviors of adolescent users of MP3 players and the association of these behaviors with demographic characteristics and frequency of use. In 2007, 1687 adolescents (12-19 years of age) in 68 classes in 15 Dutch secondary schools were invited to complete questionnaires about their music-listening behaviors. . Ninety percent of participants reported listening to music through earphones on MP3 players; 32.8% were frequent users, 48.0% used high volume settings, and only 6.8% always or nearly always used a noise-limiter. Frequent users were >4 times more likely to listen to high-volume music than were infrequent users, and adolescents in practical prevocational schools were more than twice as likely to listen to high-volume music as were those attending preuniversity education. When using MP3 players, adolescents are very likely to engage in risky listening behaviors and are unlikely to seek protection. Frequent MP3 player use is an indicator of other risky listening behaviors, such as listening at high volumes and failing to use noise-limiters.

Analysis of decrease in lung perfusion blood volume with occlusive and non-occlusive pulmonary embolisms.

PubMed

Ikeda, Yohei; Yoshimura, Norihiko; Hori, Yoshiro; Horii, Yosuke; Ishikawa, Hiroyuki; Yamazaki, Motohiko; Noto, Yoshiyuki; Aoyama, Hidefumi

2014-12-01

The aim of this study was to determine if lung perfusion blood volume (lung PBV) with non-occlusive pulmonary embolism (PE) differs quantitatively and visually from that with occlusive PE and to investigate if lung PBV with non-occlusive PE remains the same as that without PE. Totally, 108 patients suspected of having acute PE underwent pulmonary dual-energy computed tomography angiography (DECTA) between April 2011 and January 2012. Presence of PE on DECTA was evaluated by one radiologist. Two radiologists visually evaluated the PE distribution (segmental or subsegmental) and its nature (occlusive or non-occlusive) on DECTA and classified perfusion in lung PBV as "decreased," "slightly decreased," and "preserved". Two radiologists used a lung PBV application to set a region of interest (ROI) in the center of the lesion and measured HU values of an iodine map. In the same slice as the ROI of the lesion and close to the lesion, another ROI was set in the normal perfusion area without PE, and HUs were measured. The proportion of lesions was compared between the occlusive and non-occlusive groups. HUs were compared among the occlusive, non-occlusive, and corresponding normal groups. Twenty-five patients had 80 segmental or subsegmental lesions. There were 37 and 43 lesions in the occlusive and non-occlusive groups, respectively. The proportion of decreased lesions was 73.0% (27/37) in the occlusive group, while that of preserved lesions in the non-occlusive group was 76.7% (33/43). There was a significant difference in the proportion of lesions (P<0.001) between the two groups. HUs of the iodine map were significantly higher in the non-occlusive group than in the occlusive group (33.8 ± 8.2 HU vs. 11.9 ± 6.1 HU, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in HUs for the entire lesion between the non-occlusive (33.8 ± 8.2 HU) and corresponding normal group (34.5 ± 6.8 HU; P=0.294). Iodine perfusion tended to be visually and quantitatively preserved in lungs with nonocclusive PE. Lung PBV is required to evaluate pulmonary blood flow. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electrical and magnetic properties of La0.67Ba0.33Mn1- x (Me) x O3 perovskite manganites: case of manganese substituted by trivalent (Me = Cr) and tetravalent (Me = Ti) elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oumezzine, Marwène; Peña, Octavio; Kallel, Sami; Kallel, Nabil; Guizouarn, Thierry; Gouttefangeas, Francis; Oumezzine, Mohamed

2014-03-01

The effects of non-magnetic Ti4+ substitution on the structural, electrical and magnetic properties of La0.67Ba0.33Mn1- x Ti x O3 (0≤ x≤0.1) are investigated and compared to those existing in La0.67Ba0.33Mn1- x Cr x O3 (magnetic Cr3+). The structural refinement by the Rietveld method revealed that Ti-doped samples crystallize in the cubic lattice with space group , while samples with Cr crystallize in the hexagonal setting of the rhombohedral space group for identical contents of dopant. The most relevant structural features are an increase of the lattice parameters, of the cell volume and of the inter-ionic distances with increasing Ti doping level. Both series of samples show a decrease of the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition temperature when the amount of chromium or titanium increases. Transport measurements show that when increasing the metal doping, the resistivity increases whereas the metallic behavior of the parent compound La0.67Ba0.33MnO3 is destroyed. For a substitution higher than 5 at.% of Ti and 10 at.% of Cr, the samples exhibit a semiconducting behavior in the whole range of temperature, for which the electronic transport can be explained by variable range hopping and/or small polaron hopping models.

33 CFR 154.1035 - Specific requirements for facilities that could reasonably be expected to cause significant and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... spill mitigation procedures. (i) This subsection must describe the volume(s) and oil groups that would... applicable, the worst case discharge from the non-transportation-related facility. This must be the same volume provided in the response plan for the non-transportation-related facility. (ii) This subsection...

Anterior Insula Volume and Guilt

PubMed Central

Belden, Andy C.; Barch, Deanna M.; Oakberg, Timothy J.; April, Laura M.; Harms, Michael P.; Botteron, Kelly N.; Luby, Joan L.

2016-01-01

IMPORTANCE This is the first study to date to examine volumetric alterations in the anterior insula (AI) as a potential biomarker for the course of childhood major depressive disorder (MDD). OBJECTIVES To examine whether children with a history of preschool-onset (PO) MDD show reduced AI volume, whether a specific symptom of PO MDD (pathological guilt) is related to AI volume reduction (given the known relationship between AI and guilt processing), and whether AI volumes predict subsequent likelihood of having an episode of MDD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In a prospective longitudinal study, 306 children (age range, 3.00–5.11 years) and caregivers completed DSM diagnostic assessments at 6 annual time points during 10 years as part of the Preschool Depression Study. Magnetic resonance imaging was completed on a subset of 145 school-age children (age range, 6.11–12.11 years). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Whole-brain–adjusted AI volume measured using magnetic resonance imaging at school age and children’s diagnosis of MDD any time after their imaging. RESULTS Compared with children without a history of PO MDD, school-age children previously diagnosed as having PO MDD had smaller left and right AI volumes (Wilks Λ = 0.94, F2,124 = 3.37, P = .04, Cohen d = 0.23). However, the effect of PO MDD on reduced AI volumes was better explained by children’s experience of pathological guilt during preschool (Λ = 0.91, F2,120 = 6.17, P = .003, d = .30). When covarying for children’s lifetime history of MDD episodes, their experience of pathological guilt during preschool, as well as their sex and age at the time of imaging, schoolchildren’s right-side AI volume was a significant predictor of being diagnosed as having an MDD episode after imaging (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.01–0.75; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These results provide evidence that structural abnormalities in AI volume are related to the neurobiology of depressive disorders starting in early childhood. The present findings are consistent with mounting research in adult MDD suggesting that insula function and structure may be a target biomarker for major depression. PMID:25390502

A review on optical actuators for microfluidic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Tie; Chen, Yue; Minzioni, Paolo

2017-12-01

During the last few decades microfluidic systems have become more and more popular and their relevance in different fields is continually growing. In fact, the use of microchannels allows a significant reduction of the required sample-volume and opens the way to a completely new set of possible investigations, including the study of the properties of cells, the development of new cells’ separation techniques and the analysis of single-cell proteins. One of the main differences between microscopic and macroscopic systems is obviously dictated by the need for suitable actuation mechanisms, which should allow precise control of microscopic fluid volumes and of micro-samples inside the fluid. Even if both syringe-pump and pneumatic-pump technologies significantly evolved and they currently enable sub-μL samples control, completely new approaches were recently developed for the manipulation of samples inside the microchannel. This review is dedicated to describing different kinds of optical actuators that can be applied in microfluidic systems for sample manipulation as well as for pumping. The basic principles underlying the optical actuation mechanisms will be described first, and then several experimental demonstrations will be reviewed and compared.

75 FR 49923 - Combined Notice of Filings #1

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-16

... filing per 35.12: KCP&L-GMO Baseline Filing (Market-Based Volume 28) to be effective 8/2/2010. Filed Date...: KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company submits tariff filing per 35.12: GMO Volume 33 (Cost-Based...

An Inexpensive Family Index of Risk for Mood Issues Improves Identification of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

PubMed Central

Algorta, Guillermo Perez; Youngstrom, Eric A.; Phelps, James; Jenkins, Melissa M.; Kogos, Jennifer L.; Findling, Robert L.

2013-01-01

Family history of mental illness provides important information when evaluating pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD). However, such information is often challenging to gather within clinical settings. This study investigates the feasibility and utility of gathering family history information using an inexpensive method practical for outpatient settings. Families (N=273) completed family history, rating scales, MINI and KSADS interviews about youths 5–18 (median=11) years presenting to an outpatient clinic. Primary caregivers completed a half page Family Index of Risk for Mood issues (FIRM). All families completed the FIRM quickly and easily. Most (78%) reported 1+ relatives having history of mood or substance issues, M=3.7 (SD=3.3). A simple sum of familial mood issues discriminated cases with PBD from all other cases, AUROC=.63, p=.006. FIRM scores were specific to youth mood disorder and not ADHD or disruptive behavior disorder. FIRM scores significantly improved the detection of PBD even controlling for rating scales. No subset of family risk items performed better than the total. Family history information showed clinically meaningful discrimination of PBD. Two different approaches to clinical interpretation showed validity in these clinically realistic data. Inexpensive and clinically practical methods of gathering family history can help to improve the detection of PBD. PMID:22800090

Determination of ultratrace elements in natural waters by solid-phase extraction and atomic spectrometry methods.

PubMed

Grotti, Marco; Abelmoschi, Maria Luisa; Soggia, Francesco; Frache, Roberto

2003-01-01

A study was carried out on the preconcentration of ultratrace amounts of cadmium, lead, manganese, copper and iron from high-salinity aqueous samples and determination by atomic spectrometry methods. Sample volume, amount of resin, loading flow rate, and elution volume were optimized in order to obtain the simultaneous preconcentration of all the analytes. Quantitative recoveries were obtained by using 200 mg of iminodiacetic resin with a loading flow rate of 2 mL min(-1), elution volume of 3 mL and sample volume of 50-450 mL. Only copper in seawater samples was not completely retained by the resin (60-70% recovery), due to unfavorable competition of iminodiacetic-active groups with organically bound metal.To quantify the metals in the eluates, two atomic spectrometry techniques were compared: electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) with simultaneous CCD detection system. Both techniques are suitable for sample analysis with detection limits of 1.0, 4.7, 3.3, 6.8, and 53 ng L(-1) using ETAAS and 12, 122, 3.4, 17, and 21 ng L(-1) using ICP-OES for Cd, Pb, Mn, Cu, and Fe, respectively. Relative standard deviations of the procedures ranged from 1.7 to 14% at the sub-microg L(-1) concentration level. The accuracy of both methods was verified by analyzing various certified reference materials (river water, estuarine water, coastal and off-shore seawater).

Gray matter alterations and correlation of nutritional intake with the gray matter volume in prediabetes

PubMed Central

Hou, Yi-Cheng; Lai, Chien-Han; Wu, Yu-Te; Yang, Shwu-Huey

2016-01-01

Abstract The neurophysiology of prediabetes plays an important role in preventive medicine. The dysregulation of glucose metabolism is likely linked to changes in neuron-related gray matter. Therefore, we designed this study to investigate gray matter alterations in medication-naive prediabetic patients. We expected to find alterations in the gray matter of prediabetic patients. A total of 64 prediabetic patients and 54 controls were enrolled. All subjects received T1 scans using a 3-T magnetic resonance imaging machine. Subjects also completed nutritional intake records at the 24-hour and 3-day time points to determine their carbohydrate, protein, fat, and total calorie intake. We utilized optimized voxel-based morphometry to estimate the gray matter differences between the patients and controls. In addition, the preprandial serum glucose level and the carbohydrate, protein, fat, and total calorie intake levels were tested to determine whether these parameters were correlated with the gray matter volume. Prediabetic patients had lower gray matter volumes than controls in the right anterior cingulate gyrus, right posterior cingulate gyrus, left insula, left super temporal gyrus, and left middle temporal gyrus (corrected P < 0.05; voxel threshold: 33). Gray matter volume in the right anterior cingulate was also negatively correlated with the preprandial serum glucose level gyrus in a voxel-dependent manner (r = –0.501; 2-tailed P = 0.001). The cingulo-temporal and insula gray matter alterations may be associated with the glucose dysregulation in prediabetic patients. PMID:27336893

Design and Evaluation of an Intelligent Remote Tidal Volume Variability Monitoring System in E-Health Applications.

PubMed

Fekr, Atena Roshan; Radecka, Katarzyna; Zilic, Zeljko

2015-09-01

A reliable long-term monitoring and diagnosis of breath disorders at an early stage provides an improvement of medical act, life expectancy, and quality of life while decreasing the costs of treatment and medical services. Therefore, a real-time unobtrusive monitoring of respiration patterns, as well as breath parameters, is a critical need in medical applications. In this paper, we propose an intelligent system for patient home care, capable of measuring respiration rate and tidal volume variability via a wearable sensing technology. The proposed system is designed particularly for the goal of diagnosis and treatment in patients with pathological breathing, e.g., respiratory complications after surgery or sleep disorders. The complete system was comprised of wearable calibrated accelerometer sensor, Bluetooth low energy, and cloud database. The experiments are conducted with eight subjects and the overall error in respiration rate calculation is obtained 0.29%±0.33% considering SPR-BTA spirometer as the reference. We also introduce a method for tidal volume variability estimation while validated using Pearson correlation. Furthermore, since it is essential to detect the critical events resulted from sudden rise or fall in per breath tidal volume of the patients, we provide a technique to automatically find the accurate threshold values based on each individual breath characteristics. Therefore, the system is able to detect the major changes, precisely by more than 98%, and provide immediate feedback such as sound alarm for round-the-clock respiration monitoring.

Neuropsychological Investigation of Motor Impairments in Autism

PubMed Central

Duffield, Tyler; Trontel, Haley; Bigler, Erin D.; Froehlich, Alyson; Prigge, Molly B.; Travers, Brittany; Green, Ryan R.; Cariello, Annahir N.; Cooperrider, Jason; Nielsen, Jared; Alexander, Andrew; Anderson, Jeffrey; Fletcher, P. Thomas; Lange, Nicholas; Zielinski, Brandon; Lainhart, Janet

2013-01-01

It is unclear how standardized neuropsychological measures of motor function relate to brain volumes of motor regions in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An all male sample composed of 59 ASD and 30 controls (ages 5–33 years) completed three measures of motor function: strength of grip (SOG), finger tapping test (FTT), and grooved peg-board test (GPT). Likewise, all participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging with region of interest (ROI) volumes obtained to include the following regions: motor cortex (pre-central gyrus), somatosensory cortex (post-central gyrus), thalamus, basal ganglia, cerebellum and caudal middle frontal gyrus. These traditional neuropsychological measures of motor function are assumed to differ in motor complexity with GPT requiring the most followed by FTT and SOG. Performance by ASD participants on the GPT and FTT differed significantly from controls, with the largest effect size differences observed on the more complex GPT task. Differences on the SOG task between the two groups were non-significant. Since more complex motor tasks tap more complex networks, poorer GPT performance by those with ASD may reflect less efficient motor networks. There was no gross pathology observed in classic motor areas of the brain in ASD, as region of interest (ROI) volumes did not differ, but FTT was negatively related to motor cortex volume in ASD. The results suggest a hierarchical motor disruption in ASD, with difficulties evident only in more complex tasks as well as a potential anomalous size-function relation in motor cortex in ASD. PMID:23985036

An experimental result of estimating an application volume by machine learning techniques.

PubMed

Hasegawa, Tatsuhito; Koshino, Makoto; Kimura, Haruhiko

2015-01-01

In this study, we improved the usability of smartphones by automating a user's operations. We developed an intelligent system using machine learning techniques that periodically detects a user's context on a smartphone. We selected the Android operating system because it has the largest market share and highest flexibility of its development environment. In this paper, we describe an application that automatically adjusts application volume. Adjusting the volume can be easily forgotten because users need to push the volume buttons to alter the volume depending on the given situation. Therefore, we developed an application that automatically adjusts the volume based on learned user settings. Application volume can be set differently from ringtone volume on Android devices, and these volume settings are associated with each specific application including games. Our application records a user's location, the volume setting, the foreground application name and other such attributes as learning data, thereby estimating whether the volume should be adjusted using machine learning techniques via Weka.

TU-F-CAMPUS-J-02: Evaluation of Textural Feature Extraction for Radiotherapy Response Assessment of Early Stage Breast Cancer Patients Using Diffusion Weighted MRI and Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xie, Y; Wang, C; Horton, J

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of using classic textural feature extraction in radiotherapy response assessment, we studied a unique cohort of early stage breast cancer patients with paired pre - and post-radiation Diffusion Weighted MRI (DWI-MRI) and Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). Methods: 15 female patients from our prospective phase I trial evaluating preoperative radiotherapy were included in this retrospective study. Each patient received a single-fraction radiation treatment, and DWI and DCE scans were conducted before and after the radiotherapy. DWI scans were acquired using a spin-echo EPI sequence with diffusion weighting factors of b = 0 and b =more » 500 mm{sup 2} /s, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were calculated. DCE-MRI scans were acquired using a T{sub 1}-weighted 3D SPGR sequence with a temporal resolution of about 1 minute. The contrast agent (CA) was intravenously injected with a 0.1 mmol/kg bodyweight dose at 2 ml/s. Two parameters, volume transfer constant (K{sup trans} ) and k{sub ep} were analyzed using the two-compartment Tofts kinetic model. For DCE parametric maps and ADC maps, 33 textural features were generated from the clinical target volume (CTV) in a 3D fashion using the classic gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCOM) and gray level run length matrix (GLRLM). Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine the significance of each texture feature’s change after the radiotherapy. The significance was set to 0.05 with Bonferroni correction. Results: For ADC maps calculated from DWI-MRI, 24 out of 33 CTV features changed significantly after the radiotherapy. For DCE-MRI pharmacokinetic parameters, all 33 CTV features of K{sup trans} and 33 features of k{sub ep} changed significantly. Conclusion: Initial results indicate that those significantly changed classic texture features are sensitive to radiation-induced changes and can be used for assessment of radiotherapy response in breast cancer.« less

Patient or consumer? The colonization of the psychiatric clinic.

PubMed

Evans, Alicia M

2005-12-01

Information is given a privileged place in the psychiatric clinic, as illustrated by the prevalence and volume of data to be collected and forms to be completed by psychiatric nurses. Information though is different to knowledge. The present paper argues that information is part of a managerial discourse that implies commodification whereas knowledge is part of a clinical discourse that allows room for the suffering of the patient. Information belongs to the discourse of managerialism, one that positions the patient as customer/consumer and in doing so renders them unsuffering. The patient's suffering is silenced by their construction as a consumer. The discourse of managerialism seeks a complete data set of information. By way of contrast, another discourse, that of psychoanalysis offers the institution the idea that there are always holes, gaps, and uncertainty. The idea of uncertainty, gaps, things remaining unknown and a limit sits uncomfortably with the dominant discourse of managerialism; one that demands no limits, complete data sets, and many satisfied customers. This market model of managerialism denies the potential of the therapeutic relationship; that something curative might be produced via the transference. In addition, the managerialist discourse potentially positions the patient as both illegitimate and unsuffering.

Training practices and ergogenic aids used by male bodybuilders.

PubMed

Hackett, Daniel A; Johnson, Nathan A; Chow, Chin-Moi

2013-06-01

Bodybuilding involves performing a series of poses on stage where the competitor is judged on aesthetic muscular appearance. The purpose of this study was to describe training practices and ergogenic aids used by competitive bodybuilders and to determine whether training practices comply with current recommendations for muscular hypertrophy. A web-based survey was completed by 127 competitive male bodybuilders. The results showed that during the off-season phase of training (OFF), the majority of respondents performed 3-6 sets per exercise (95.3%), 7-12 repetition maximum (RM) per set (77.0%), and 61- to 120-seconds recovery between sets and exercises (68.6%). However, training practices changed 6 weeks before competition (PRE), where there was an increased number of respondents who reported undertaking 3-4 sets per exercise at the expense of 5-6 sets per exercise (p < 0.001), an increase in the number reporting 10-15RM per set from 7-9RM per set (p < 0.001), and an increase in the number reporting 30-60 seconds vs. 61-180 seconds recovery between sets and exercises (p < 0.001). Anabolic steroid use was high among respondents competing in amateur competitions (56 of 73 respondents), whereas dietary supplementation was used by all respondents. The findings of this study demonstrate that competitive bodybuilders comply with current resistance exercise recommendations for muscular hypertrophy; however, these changed before competition during which there is a reduction resistance training volume and intensity. This alteration, in addition to an increase in aerobic exercise volume, is purportedly used to increase muscle definition. However, these practices may increase the risk of muscle mass loss in natural compared with amateur bodybuilders who reportedly use drugs known to preserve muscle mass.

Pathophysiology of nocturnal lower urinary tract symptoms in older patients with urinary incontinence.

PubMed

Denys, Marie-Astrid; Decalf, Veerle; Kumps, Candy; Petrovic, Mirko; Goessaert, An-Sofie; Everaert, Karel

2017-11-01

To explore the mismatch between functional bladder capacity and nocturnal urine production, and to study the pathophysiology of an increased nocturnal urine production in older patients with urinary incontinence. The present prospective observational study included adults aged ≥65 years with urinary incontinence. Participants completed questionnaires, frequency volume charts and renal function profiles. The nocturnal lower urinary tract symptom index was defined as nocturnal urine output/maximum voided volume; the nocturnal polyuria index as nocturnal/24 h urine output. The median age (n = 95) was 74 years (69-79), 87% were women and 73% had nocturnal lower urinary tract symptoms (nocturnal urinary incontinence or nocturia ≥2). Participants with nocturnal lower urinary tract symptoms had a significantly higher nocturnal urine output (809 mL vs 650 mL; P = 0.001) and no significant difference in maximum voided volume (350 mL vs 437 mL; P = 0.079) compared with participants without nocturnal lower urinary tract symptoms. Participants (nocturnal polyuria index >33% [n = 56], nocturnal polyuria index >40% [n = 42], nocturnal lower urinary tract symptom index >1.87 [n = 51]) showed higher night-time diuresis rates, free water and sodium clearance compared with during the daytime. Controls (nocturnal polyuria index ≤33% [n = 26], nocturnal polyuria index ≤40% [n = 40], nocturnal lower urinary tract symptom index ≤1.87 [n = 44]) had no circadian rhythm in their diuresis rate or sodium clearance, but more nocturnal free water clearance compared with during the daytime. The majority of older adults with urinary incontinence present nocturnal lower urinary tract symptoms. An increased nocturnal sodium diuresis seems to be the only mechanism differentiating patients with nocturnal lower urinary tract symptoms from controls. © 2017 The Japanese Urological Association.

Clinical impact of leak compensation during non-invasive ventilation.

PubMed

Storre, Jan Hendrik; Bohm, Philipp; Dreher, Michael; Windisch, Wolfram

2009-10-01

This study aimed to assess the impact of leak compensation capabilities during pressure- and volume-limited non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) in COPD patients. Fourteen patients with stable hypercapnic COPD who were receiving long-term NPPV were included in the study. For both modes of NPPV, a full face mask and an artificial leak in the ventilatory circuit were used at three different settings, and applied during daytime NPPV, either without leakage (setting I), with leakage during inspiration only (setting II), and with leakage during inspiration and expiration (setting III). Ventilation pattern was pneumotachy-graphically recorded. NPPV was feasible with negligible leak volumes, indicating optimal mask fitting during the daytime (setting I). In the presence of leakage (settings II and III), the attempt to compensate for leak was only evident during pressure-limited NPPV, since inspiratory volumes delivered by the ventilator increased from 726+/-129 (setting I) to 1104+/-164 (setting II), and to 1257+/-166 (setting III) ml during pressure-limited NPPV, respectively (all p<0.001); however, they remained stable during volume-limited NPPV. Leak compensation resulted in a decrease in leakage-induced dyspnea. However, 83%/87% (setting II/III) of the additionally-delivered inspiratory volume during pressure-limited NPPV was also lost via leakage. Expiratory volume was higher in setting II compared to setting III (both p<0.001), indicating the presence of significant expiratory leakage. The attempt at leak compensation largely feeds the leakage itself and only results in a marginal increase of tidal volume. However, pressure-limited--but not volume-limited--NPPV results in a clinically-important leak compensation in vivo. www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/zks/live/uklregister/Oeffentlich.html Identifier: UKF001272.

"Pulmonary valve replacement diminishes the presence of restrictive physiology and reduces atrial volumes": a prospective study in Tetralogy of Fallot patients.

PubMed

Pijuan-Domenech, Antonia; Pineda, Victor; Castro, Miguel Angel; Sureda-Barbosa, Carlos; Ribera, Aida; Cruz, Luz M; Ferreira-Gonzalez, Ignacio; Dos-Subirà, Laura; Subirana-Domènech, Teresa; Garcia-Dorado, David; Casaldàliga-Ferrer, Jaume

2014-11-15

Pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) reduces right ventricular (RV) volumes in the setting of long-term pulmonary regurgitation after Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) repair; however, little is known of its effect on RV diastolic function. Right atrial volumes may reflect the burden of RV diastolic dysfunction. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the clinical, echocardiographic, biochemical and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) variables, focusing particularly on right atrial response and right ventricular diastolic function prior to and after elective PVR in adult patients with ToF. This prospective study was conducted from January 2009 to April 2013 in consecutive patients > 18 years of age who had undergone ToF repair in childhood and were accepted for elective PVR. Twenty patients (mean age: 35 years; 70% men) agreed to enter the study. PVR was performed with a bioporcine prosthesis. Concomitant RV reduction was performed in all cases when technically possible. Pulmonary end-diastolic forward flow (EDFF) decreased significantly from 5.4 ml/m(2) to 0.3 ml/m(2) (p < 0.00001), and right atrial four-chamber echocardiographic measurements and volumes by 25% (p = 0.0024): mean indexed diastolic/systolic atrial volumes prior to surgery were 43 ml/m(2) (SD+/-4.6)/63 ml/m(2) (SD+/-5.5), and dropped to 33 ml/m(2) (SD+/-3)/46 ml/m(2) (SD+/-2.55) post-surgery. All patients presented right ventricular diastolic and systolic volume reductions, with a mean volume reduction of 35% (p < 0.00001). Right ventricular diastolic dysfunction was common in a population of severely dilated RV patients long term after ToF repair. Right ventricular diastolic parameters improved as did right atrial volumes in keeping with the known reduction in RV volumes, after PVR. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of gestational age on brain volume and cognitive functions in generally healthy very preterm born children during school-age: A voxel-based morphometry study.

PubMed

Lemola, Sakari; Oser, Nadine; Urfer-Maurer, Natalie; Brand, Serge; Holsboer-Trachsler, Edith; Bechtel, Nina; Grob, Alexander; Weber, Peter; Datta, Alexandre N

2017-01-01

To determine whether the relationship of gestational age (GA) with brain volumes and cognitive functions is linear or whether it follows a threshold model in preterm and term born children during school-age. We studied 106 children (M = 10 years 1 month, SD = 16 months; 40 females) enrolled in primary school: 57 were healthy very preterm children (10 children born 24-27 completed weeks' gestation (extremely preterm), 14 children born 28-29 completed weeks' gestation, 19 children born 30-31 completed weeks' gestation (very preterm), and 14 born 32 completed weeks' gestation (moderately preterm)) all born appropriate for GA (AGA) and 49 term-born children. Neuroimaging involved voxel-based morphometry with the statistical parametric mapping software. Cognitive functions were assessed with the WISC-IV. General Linear Models and multiple regressions were conducted controlling age, sex, and maternal education. Compared to groups of children born 30 completed weeks' gestation and later, children born <28 completed weeks' gestation had less gray matter volume (GMV) and white matter volume (WMV) and poorer cognitive functions including decreased full scale IQ, and processing speed. Differences in GMV partially mediated the relationship between GA and full scale IQ in preterm born children. In preterm children who are born AGA and without major complications GA is associated with brain volume and cognitive functions. In particular, decreased brain volume becomes evident in the extremely preterm group (born <28 completed weeks' gestation). In preterm children born 30 completed weeks' gestation and later the relationship of GA with brain volume and cognitive functions may be less strong as previously thought.

The NATA code; theory and analysis. Volume 3: Programmer's manual. [for calculating flow in arc-heated wind tunnels and conditions on models tested in reentry simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bade, W. L.; Yos, J. M.

1975-01-01

The present, third volume of the final report is a programmer's manual for the code. It provides a listing of the FORTRAN 4 source program; a complete glossary of FORTRAN symbols; a discussion of the purpose and method of operation of each subroutine (including mathematical analyses of special algorithms); and a discussion of the operation of the code on IBM/360 and UNIVAC 1108 systems, including required control cards and the overlay structure used to accommodate the code to the limited core size of the 1108. In addition, similar information is provided to document the programming of the NOZFIT code, which is employed to set up nozzle profile curvefits for use in NATA.

Effect of Maturation of the Magnitude of Mechanosensitive and Chemosensitive Reflexes in the Premature Human Esophagus

PubMed Central

Jadcherla, Sudarshan Rao; Hoffmann, Raymond G.; Shaker, Reza

2014-01-01

Objectives To investigate the effect of esophageal mechanosensitive and chemosensitive stimulation on the magnitude and recruitment of peristaltic reflexes and upper esophageal sphincter (UES)-contractile reflex in premature infants. Study design Esophageal manometry and provocation testing were performed in the same 18 neonates at 33 and 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Mechanoreceptor and chemoreceptor stimulation were performed using graded volumes of air, water, and apple juice (pH 3.7), respectively. The frequency and magnitude of the resulting esophago-deglutition response (EDR) or secondary peristalsis (SP), and esophago-UES-contractile reflex (EUCR) were quantified. Results Threshold volumes to evoke EDR, SP, or EUCR were similar. The recruitment and magnitude of SP and EUCR increased with volume increments of air and water in either study (P < .05). However, apple juice infusions resulted in increased recruitment of EDR in the 33 weeks group (P < .05), and SP in the 36 weeks group (P < .05). The magnitude of EUCR was also volume responsive (all media, P < .05), and significant differences between media were noted (P < .05). At maximal stimulation (1 mL, all media), sensory-motor characteristics of peristaltic and EUCR reflexes were different (P < .05) between media and groups. Conclusions Mechano- and chemosensitive stimuli evoke volume-dependent specific peristaltic and UES reflexes at 33 and 36 weeks PMA. The recruitment and magnitude of these reflexes are dependent on the physicochemical properties of the stimuli in healthy premature infants. PMID:16860132

Determinants of completion of advance directives: a cross-sectional comparison of 649 outpatients from private practices versus 2158 outpatients from a university clinic

PubMed Central

Pfirstinger, Jochen; Bleyer, Bernhard; Blum, Christian; Rechenmacher, Michael; Wiese, Christoph H; Gruber, Hans

2017-01-01

Objectives To compare outpatients from private practices and outpatients from a university clinic regarding the determinants of completion of advance directives (AD) in order to generalise results of studies from one setting to the other. Five determinants of completion of AD were studied: familiarity with AD, source of information about AD, prior experiences with own life-threatening diseases or family members in need of care and motives in favour and against completion of AD. Design Observational cross-sectional study. Setting Private practices and a university clinic in Germany in 2012. Participants 649 outpatients from private practices and 2158 outpatients from 10 departments of a university clinic. Outcome measures Completion of AD, familiarity with AD, sources of information about AD (consultation), prior experiences (with own life-threatening disease and family members in need of care), motives in favour of or against completion of AD, sociodemographic data. Results Determinants of completion of AD did not differ between outpatients from private practices versus university clinic outpatients. Prior experience with severe disease led to a significantly higher rate of completion of AD (33%/36% with vs 24%/24% without prior experience). Participants with completion of AD had more often received legal than medical consultation before completion, but participants without completion of AD are rather aiming for medical consultation. The motives in favour of or against completion of AD indicated inconsistent patterns. Conclusions Determinants of completion of AD are comparable in outpatients from private practices and outpatients from a university clinic. Generalisations from university clinic samples towards a broader context thus seem to be legitimate. Only one-third of patients with prior experience with own life-threatening diseases or family members in need of care had completed an AD as expression of their autonomous volition. The participants’ motives for or against completion of AD indicate that ADs are considered a kind of ‘negative autonomy’ as instruments to prevent particular forms of therapy. Interactive, repeated and situation-based AD discussions might reach a higher percentage of patients and concurrently enable personal volitions and thereby strengthen individual ‘positive autonomy’. PMID:29273648

Prevalence of clinical trial status discrepancies: A cross-sectional study of 10,492 trials registered on both ClinicalTrials.gov and the European Union Clinical Trials Register.

PubMed

Fleminger, Jessica; Goldacre, Ben

2018-01-01

Trial registries are a key source of information for clinicians and researchers. While building OpenTrials, an open database of public trial information, we identified errors and omissions in registries, including discrepancies between descriptions of the same trial in different registries. We set out to ascertain the prevalence of discrepancies in trial completion status using a cohort of trials registered on both the European Union Clinical Trials Register (EUCTR) and ClinicalTrials.gov. We used matching titles and registry IDs provided by both registries to build a cohort of dual-registered trials. Completion statuses were compared; we calculated descriptive statistics on the prevalence of discrepancies. 11,988 dual-registered trials were identified. 1,496 did not provide a comparable completion status, leaving 10,492 trials. 16.2% were discrepant on completion status. The majority of discrepancies (90.5%) were a 'completed' trial on ClinicalTrials.gov inaccurately marked as 'ongoing' on EUCTR. Overall, 33.9% of dual-registered trials described as 'ongoing' on EUCTR were listed as 'completed' on ClinicalTrials.gov. Completion status on registries is commonly inaccurate. Previous work on publication bias may underestimate non-reporting. We describe simple steps registry owners and trialists could take to improve accuracy.

Inorganic pyrophosphatase crystals from Thermococcus thioreducens for X-ray and neutron diffraction.

PubMed

Hughes, Ronny C; Coates, Leighton; Blakeley, Matthew P; Tomanicek, Steve J; Langan, Paul; Kovalevsky, Andrey Y; García-Ruiz, Juan M; Ng, Joseph D

2012-12-01

Inorganic pyrophosphatase (IPPase) from the archaeon Thermococcus thioreducens was cloned, overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized in restricted geometry, resulting in large crystal volumes exceeding 5 mm3. IPPase is thermally stable and is able to resist denaturation at temperatures above 348 K. Owing to the high temperature tolerance of the enzyme, the protein was amenable to room-temperature manipulation at the level of protein preparation, crystallization and X-ray and neutron diffraction analyses. A complete synchrotron X-ray diffraction data set to 1.85 Å resolution was collected at room temperature from a single crystal of IPPase (monoclinic space group C2, unit-cell parameters a=106.11, b=95.46, c=113.68 Å, α=γ=90.0, β=98.12°). As large-volume crystals of IPPase can be obtained, preliminary neutron diffraction tests were undertaken. Consequently, Laue diffraction images were obtained, with reflections observed to 2.1 Å resolution with I/σ(I) greater than 2.5. The preliminary crystallographic results reported here set in place future structure-function and mechanism studies of IPPase.

Timber Volume in Eastern South Dakota, 1980

Treesearch

Ronald L. Hackett

1982-01-01

Eastern South Dakota's 113,600 acres of commercial forest land supported 51.9 million cubic feet of growing stock in 1981. This is a decrease in timber volume of 24 percent since the last inventory in 1965. the decrease was entirely in hardwood species. Cottonwood is the most abundant tree species -- it accounts for 33 percent of the growing-stock volume and...

33 CFR 203.86 - Transfer of completed work to local interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 3 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Transfer of completed work to local interests. 203.86 Section 203.86 Navigation and Navigable Waters CORPS OF ENGINEERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT OF ARMY AND OTHER RESOURCES, NATURAL DISASTER...

33 CFR 203.86 - Transfer of completed work to local interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 3 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Transfer of completed work to local interests. 203.86 Section 203.86 Navigation and Navigable Waters CORPS OF ENGINEERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT OF ARMY AND OTHER RESOURCES, NATURAL DISASTER...

33 CFR 203.86 - Transfer of completed work to local interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 3 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Transfer of completed work to local interests. 203.86 Section 203.86 Navigation and Navigable Waters CORPS OF ENGINEERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT OF ARMY AND OTHER RESOURCES, NATURAL DISASTER...

33 CFR 203.86 - Transfer of completed work to local interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Transfer of completed work to local interests. 203.86 Section 203.86 Navigation and Navigable Waters CORPS OF ENGINEERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT OF ARMY AND OTHER RESOURCES, NATURAL DISASTER...

33 CFR 203.86 - Transfer of completed work to local interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 3 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Transfer of completed work to local interests. 203.86 Section 203.86 Navigation and Navigable Waters CORPS OF ENGINEERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT OF ARMY AND OTHER RESOURCES, NATURAL DISASTER...

Nocturnal Polyuria in Older Women with Urge Urinary Incontinence: Role of Sleep Quality, Time in Bed, and Medications Used

PubMed Central

Tyagi, Shachi; Perera, Subashan; Clarkson, Becky D.; Tadic, Stasa D; Resnick, Neil M

2016-01-01

Purpose Nocturia is common and bothersome in older adults especially those who are also incontinent. Since nocturnal polyuria (NP) is a major contributor, we examined factors associated with NP in this population to identify those possibly amenable to intervention. Method We analyzed baseline data from two previously-completed studies of urge urinary incontinence (UUI). The studies involved 284 women (mean 72.9 ±7.9 years) who also completed 3-day voiding diaries. Participants with nocturnal polyuria index (NPi) of > 33% were categorized as having NP (NPi= nocturnal urinary volume/24-hour urine volume). Associations between NP and various demographic, clinical, and sleep-related parameters were determined. Results Fifty-five percent of the participants had NP. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that age, body mass index (BMI), use of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), time spent in bed, and duration of first uninterrupted sleep (DUS) were independent correlates of NP. Participants with larger nocturnal excretion reported shorter DUS and worse sleep quality despite spending similar time in bed. Conclusion BMI, use of ACE-I/ARB, time in bed and DUS are independently associated with NP in older women with UUI, and are potentially modifiable. These findings also confirm the association between sleep and NP. Further studies should explore whether interventions to reduce NP and/or increase DUS help to improve sleep quality in this population and thereby reduce or eliminate the need for sedative hypnotics. PMID:27678299

Assessment of chronic post-surgical pain after knee replacement: development of a core outcome set.

PubMed

Wylde, V; MacKichan, F; Bruce, J; Gooberman-Hill, R

2015-05-01

Approximately 20% of patients experience chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) after total knee replacement (TKR). There is scope to improve assessment of CPSP after TKR, and this study aimed to develop a core outcome set. Eighty patients and 43 clinicians were recruited into a three-round modified Delphi study. In Round 1, participants were presented with 56 pain features identified from a systematic review, structured interviews with patients and focus groups with clinicians. Participants assigned importance ratings, using a 1-9 scale, to individual pain features; those features rated as most important were retained in subsequent rounds. Consensus that a pain feature should be included in the core outcome set was defined as the feature having a rating of 7-9 by ≥70% of both panels (patients and clinicians) and 1-3 by ≤15% of both panels or rated as 7-9 by ≥90% of one panel. Round 1 was completed by 71 patients and 39 clinicians, and Round 3 by 62 patients and 33 clinicians. The final consensus was that 33 pain features were important. These were grouped into an 8-item core outcome set comprising: pain intensity, pain interference with daily living, pain and physical functioning, temporal aspects of pain, pain description, emotional aspects of pain, use of pain medication, and improvement and satisfaction with pain relief. This core outcome set serves to guide assessment of CPSP after TKR. Consistency in assessment can promote standardized reporting and facilitate comparability between studies that address a common but understudied type of CPSP. © 2014 The Authors. European Journal of Pain published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Pain Federation - EFIC®.

The complex aerodynamic footprint of desert locusts revealed by large-volume tomographic particle image velocimetry

PubMed Central

Henningsson, Per; Michaelis, Dirk; Nakata, Toshiyuki; Schanz, Daniel; Geisler, Reinhard; Schröder, Andreas; Bomphrey, Richard J.

2015-01-01

Particle image velocimetry has been the preferred experimental technique with which to study the aerodynamics of animal flight for over a decade. In that time, hardware has become more accessible and the software has progressed from the acquisition of planes through the flow field to the reconstruction of small volumetric measurements. Until now, it has not been possible to capture large volumes that incorporate the full wavelength of the aerodynamic track left behind during a complete wingbeat cycle. Here, we use a unique apparatus to acquire the first instantaneous wake volume of a flying animal's entire wingbeat. We confirm the presence of wake deformation behind desert locusts and quantify the effect of that deformation on estimates of aerodynamic force and the efficiency of lift generation. We present previously undescribed vortex wake phenomena, including entrainment around the wing-tip vortices of a set of secondary vortices borne of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability in the shear layer behind the flapping wings. PMID:26040598

Active and Inactive Leg Hemodynamics during Sequential Single-Leg Interval Cycling.

PubMed

Gordon, Nicole; Abbiss, Chris R; Ihsan, Mohammed; Maiorana, Andrew J; Peiffer, Jeremiah J

2018-06-01

Leg order during sequential single-leg cycling (i.e., exercising both legs independently within a single session) may affect local muscular responses potentially influencing adaptations. This study examined the cardiovascular and skeletal muscle hemodynamic responses during double-leg and sequential single-leg cycling. Ten young healthy adults (28 ± 6 yr) completed six 1-min double-leg intervals interspersed with 1 min of passive recovery and, on a separate occasion, 12 (six with one leg followed by six with the other leg) 1-min single-leg intervals interspersed with 1 min of passive recovery. Oxygen consumption, heart rate, blood pressure, muscle oxygenation, muscle blood volume, and power output were measured throughout each session. Oxygen consumption, heart rate, and power output were not different between sets of single-leg intervals, but the average of both sets was lower than the double-leg intervals. Mean arterial pressure was higher during double-leg compared with sequential single-leg intervals (115 ± 9 vs 104 ± 9 mm Hg, P < 0.05) and higher during the initial compared with second set of single-leg intervals (108 ± 10 vs 101 ± 10 mm Hg, P < 0.05). The increase in muscle blood volume from baseline was similar between the active single leg and the double leg (267 ± 150 vs 214 ± 169 μM·cm, P = 0.26). The pattern of change in muscle blood volume from the initial to second set of intervals was significantly different (P < 0.05) when the leg was active in the initial (-52.3% ± 111.6%) compared with second set (65.1% ± 152.9%). These data indicate that the order in which each leg performs sequential single-leg cycling influences the local hemodynamic responses, with the inactive muscle influencing the stimulus experienced by the contralateral leg.

The Effect of Treating Institution on Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer

PubMed Central

Lassig, Amy Anne D.; Joseph, Anne M.; Lindgren, Bruce R.; Fernandes, Patricia; Cooper, Sarah; Schotzko, Chelsea; Khariwala, Samir; Reynolds, Margaret; Yueh, Bevan

2017-01-01

Objective Factors leading patients with head and neck cancer (HNCA) to seek radiation or chemoradiation in an academic center versus the community are incompletely understood, as are the effects of site of treatment on treatment completion and survival. Study Design Historical cohort study. Setting Tertiary academic center, community practices. Methods A historical cohort study was completed of patients with mucosal HNCA identified by International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes receiving consultation at the authors’ institution from 2003 to 2008. Patients who received primary and adjuvant radiation at an academic center or in the community were included. The authors compared treatment completion rates and performed univariate and multivariate analyses of treatment outcomes. Results Of 388 patients, 210 completed treatment at an academic center and 145 at a community center (33 excluded, location unknown). Patients with HNCA undergoing radiation at an academic site had more advanced disease (P = .024) and were more likely to receive concurrent chemotherapy. Academic hospitals had a higher percentage of noncurrent smokers, higher median income, and higher percentage of oropharyngeal tumors. There was no significant difference in the rate of planned treatment completion between community and academic centers (93.7% vs 94.7%, P > .81) or rate of treatment breaks (22.4% vs 28.4%, P > .28). On Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 5-year survival rate was 53.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 45.3%–61.1%) for academic centers and 32.8% (95% CI, 22.0%–43.6%) for community hospitals (P <.001). Conclusion In this cohort, although treatment completion and treatment breaks were similar between academic and community centers, survival rates were higher in patients treated in an academic setting. PMID:22875780

A Phase II Trial of Neoadjuvant Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy With S-1 Plus Irinotecan and Radiation in Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Clinical Feasibility and Response Rate

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sato, Takeo; Ozawa, Heita; Hatate, Kazuhiko

Purpose: We aimed to validate our hypothesis that a preoperative chemoradiotherapy regimen with S-1 plus irinotecan is feasible, safe, and active for the management of locally advanced rectal cancer in a single-arm Phase II setting. Methods and Materials: Eligible patients had previously untreated, locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma. Radiotherapy was administered in fractions of 1.8Gy/d for 25 days. S-1 was administered orally in a fixed daily dose of 80mg/m{sup 2} on Days 1 to 5, 8 to 12, 22 to 26, and 29 to 33. Irinotecan (80mg/m{sup 2}) was infused on Days 1, 8, 22, and 29. Four or more weeksmore » after the completion of the treatment, total mesorectal excision with lateral lymph node dissection was performed. The primary endpoint was the rate of completing treatment in terms of feasibility. The secondary endpoints were the response rate and safety. Results: We enrolled 43 men and 24 women in the study. The number of patients who completed treatment was 58 (86.6%). Overall, 46 patients (68.7%) responded to treatment and 24 (34.7%) had a complete histopathologic response. Three patients had Grade 3 leukopenia, and another three patients had Grade 3 neutropenia. Diarrhea was the most common type of nonhematologic toxicity: 3 patients had Grade 3 diarrhea. Conclusions: A preoperative regimen of S-1, irinotecan, and radiotherapy to the rectum was feasible, and it appeared safe and effective in this nonrandomized Phase II setting. It exhibited a low incidence of adverse events, a high rate of completion of treatment, and an extremely high rate of pathologic complete response.« less

The 25 parsec local white dwarf population

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holberg, J. B.; Oswalt, T. D.; Sion, E. M.; McCook, G. P.

2016-11-01

We have extended our detailed survey of the local white dwarf population from 20 to 25 pc, effectively doubling the sample volume, which now includes 232 stars. In the process, new stars within 20 pc have been added, a more uniform set of distance estimates as well as improved spectral and binary classifications are available. The present 25 pc sample is estimated to be about 68 per cent complete (the corresponding 20 pc sample is now 86 per cent complete). The space density of white dwarfs is unchanged at 4.8 ± 0.5 × 10-3 pc-3. This new study includes a white dwarf mass distribution and luminosity function based on the 232 stars in the 25 pc sample. We find a significant excess of single stars over systems containing one or more companions (74 per cent versus 26 per cent). This suggests mechanisms that result in the loss of companions during binary system evolution. In addition, this updated sample exhibits a pronounced deficiency of nearby `Sirius-like' systems. 11 such systems were found within the 20 pc volume versus only one additional system found in the volume between 20 and 25 pc. An estimate of white dwarf birth rates during the last ˜8 Gyr is derived from individual remnant cooling ages. A discussion of likely ways new members of the local sample may be found is provided.

First Results from the LUX Dark Matter Experiment at the Sanford Underground Research Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akerib, D. S.; Araújo, H. M.; Bai, X.; Bailey, A. J.; Balajthy, J.; Bedikian, S.; Bernard, E.; Bernstein, A.; Bolozdynya, A.; Bradley, A.; Byram, D.; Cahn, S. B.; Carmona-Benitez, M. C.; Chan, C.; Chapman, J. J.; Chiller, A. A.; Chiller, C.; Clark, K.; Coffey, T.; Currie, A.; Curioni, A.; Dazeley, S.; de Viveiros, L.; Dobi, A.; Dobson, J.; Dragowsky, E. M.; Druszkiewicz, E.; Edwards, B.; Faham, C. H.; Fiorucci, S.; Flores, C.; Gaitskell, R. J.; Gehman, V. M.; Ghag, C.; Gibson, K. R.; Gilchriese, M. G. D.; Hall, C.; Hanhardt, M.; Hertel, S. A.; Horn, M.; Huang, D. Q.; Ihm, M.; Jacobsen, R. G.; Kastens, L.; Kazkaz, K.; Knoche, R.; Kyre, S.; Lander, R.; Larsen, N. A.; Lee, C.; Leonard, D. S.; Lesko, K. T.; Lindote, A.; Lopes, M. I.; Lyashenko, A.; Malling, D. C.; Mannino, R.; McKinsey, D. N.; Mei, D.-M.; Mock, J.; Moongweluwan, M.; Morad, J.; Morii, M.; Murphy, A. St. J.; Nehrkorn, C.; Nelson, H.; Neves, F.; Nikkel, J. A.; Ott, R. A.; Pangilinan, M.; Parker, P. D.; Pease, E. K.; Pech, K.; Phelps, P.; Reichhart, L.; Shutt, T.; Silva, C.; Skulski, W.; Sofka, C. J.; Solovov, V. N.; Sorensen, P.; Stiegler, T.; O'Sullivan, K.; Sumner, T. J.; Svoboda, R.; Sweany, M.; Szydagis, M.; Taylor, D.; Tennyson, B.; Tiedt, D. R.; Tripathi, M.; Uvarov, S.; Verbus, J. R.; Walsh, N.; Webb, R.; White, J. T.; White, D.; Witherell, M. S.; Wlasenko, M.; Wolfs, F. L. H.; Woods, M.; Zhang, C.; LUX Collaboration

2014-03-01

The Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment is a dual-phase xenon time-projection chamber operating at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (Lead, South Dakota). The LUX cryostat was filled for the first time in the underground laboratory in February 2013. We report results of the first WIMP search data set, taken during the period from April to August 2013, presenting the analysis of 85.3 live days of data with a fiducial volume of 118 kg. A profile-likelihood analysis technique shows our data to be consistent with the background-only hypothesis, allowing 90% confidence limits to be set on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon elastic scattering with a minimum upper limit on the cross section of 7.6×10-46 cm2 at a WIMP mass of 33 GeV/c2. We find that the LUX data are in disagreement with low-mass WIMP signal interpretations of the results from several recent direct detection experiments.

First results from the LUX dark matter experiment at the Sanford underground research facility.

PubMed

Akerib, D S; Araújo, H M; Bai, X; Bailey, A J; Balajthy, J; Bedikian, S; Bernard, E; Bernstein, A; Bolozdynya, A; Bradley, A; Byram, D; Cahn, S B; Carmona-Benitez, M C; Chan, C; Chapman, J J; Chiller, A A; Chiller, C; Clark, K; Coffey, T; Currie, A; Curioni, A; Dazeley, S; de Viveiros, L; Dobi, A; Dobson, J; Dragowsky, E M; Druszkiewicz, E; Edwards, B; Faham, C H; Fiorucci, S; Flores, C; Gaitskell, R J; Gehman, V M; Ghag, C; Gibson, K R; Gilchriese, M G D; Hall, C; Hanhardt, M; Hertel, S A; Horn, M; Huang, D Q; Ihm, M; Jacobsen, R G; Kastens, L; Kazkaz, K; Knoche, R; Kyre, S; Lander, R; Larsen, N A; Lee, C; Leonard, D S; Lesko, K T; Lindote, A; Lopes, M I; Lyashenko, A; Malling, D C; Mannino, R; McKinsey, D N; Mei, D-M; Mock, J; Moongweluwan, M; Morad, J; Morii, M; Murphy, A St J; Nehrkorn, C; Nelson, H; Neves, F; Nikkel, J A; Ott, R A; Pangilinan, M; Parker, P D; Pease, E K; Pech, K; Phelps, P; Reichhart, L; Shutt, T; Silva, C; Skulski, W; Sofka, C J; Solovov, V N; Sorensen, P; Stiegler, T; O'Sullivan, K; Sumner, T J; Svoboda, R; Sweany, M; Szydagis, M; Taylor, D; Tennyson, B; Tiedt, D R; Tripathi, M; Uvarov, S; Verbus, J R; Walsh, N; Webb, R; White, J T; White, D; Witherell, M S; Wlasenko, M; Wolfs, F L H; Woods, M; Zhang, C

2014-03-07

The Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment is a dual-phase xenon time-projection chamber operating at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (Lead, South Dakota). The LUX cryostat was filled for the first time in the underground laboratory in February 2013. We report results of the first WIMP search data set, taken during the period from April to August 2013, presenting the analysis of 85.3 live days of data with a fiducial volume of 118 kg. A profile-likelihood analysis technique shows our data to be consistent with the background-only hypothesis, allowing 90% confidence limits to be set on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon elastic scattering with a minimum upper limit on the cross section of 7.6 × 10(-46) cm(2) at a WIMP mass of 33 GeV/c(2). We find that the LUX data are in disagreement with low-mass WIMP signal interpretations of the results from several recent direct detection experiments.

On the radiobiological impact of metal artifacts in head-and-neck IMRT in terms of tumor control probability (TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP).

PubMed

Kim, Yusung; Tomé, Wolfgang A

2007-11-01

To investigate the effects of distorted head-and-neck (H&N) intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dose distributions (hot and cold spots) on normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) and tumor control probability (TCP) due to dental-metal artifacts. Five patients' IMRT treatment plans have been analyzed, employing five different planning image data-sets: (a) uncorrected (UC); (b) homogeneous uncorrected (HUC); (c) sinogram completion corrected (SCC); (d) minimum-value-corrected (MVC); and (e) streak-artifact-reduction including minimum-value-correction (SAR-MVC), which has been taken as the reference data-set. The effects on NTCP and TCP were evaluated using the Lyman-NTCP model and the Logistic-TCP model, respectively. When compared to the predicted NTCP obtained using the reference data-set, the treatment plan based on the original CT data-set (UC) yielded an increase in NTCP of 3.2 and 2.0% for the spared parotid gland and the spinal cord, respectively. While for the treatment plans based on the MVC CT data-set the NTCP increased by a 1.1% and a 0.1% for the spared parotid glands and the spinal cord, respectively. In addition, the MVC correction method showed a reduction in TCP for target volumes (MVC: delta TCP = -0.6% vs. UC: delta TCP = -1.9%) with respect to that of the reference CT data-set. Our results indicate that the presence of dental-metal-artifacts in H&N planning CT data-sets has an impact on the estimates of TCP and NTCP. In particular dental-metal-artifacts lead to an increase in NTCP for the spared parotid glands and a slight decrease in TCP for target volumes.

Dead space and tidal volume of the giraffe compared with some other mammals.

PubMed

Hugh-Jones, P; Barter, C E; Hime, J M; Rusbridge, M M

1978-10-01

The ventilation, tidal volume and anatomical dead-space were measured in a living giraffe and compared with similar measurements in a camel, red deer, llama and man. The giraffe had a resting tidal volume of about 3.3 litres with a dead-space/tidal-volume ratio of 0.34. The giraffe breathes slowly, apparently because of the unusually small diameter of its trachea relative to its length, compared with known measurement in other mammals.

Immunological biomarkers associated with brain structure and executive function in late-life depression: exploratory pilot study.

PubMed

Smagula, Stephen F; Lotrich, Francis E; Aizenstein, Howard J; Diniz, Breno S; Krystek, Jeffrey; Wu, Gregory F; Mulsant, Benoit H; Butters, Meryl A; Reynolds, Charles F; Lenze, Eric J

2017-06-01

Several immunological biomarkers are altered in late-life major depressive disorder (LLD). Immunological alterations could contribute to LLD's consequences, but little is known about the relations between specific immunological biomarkers and brain health in LLD. We performed an exploratory pilot study to identify, from several candidates, the specific immunological biomarkers related to important aspects of brain health that are altered in LLD (brain structure and executive function). Adults (n = 31) were at least 60 years old and had major depressive disorder. A multiplex immunoassay assessed 13 immunological biomarkers, and we examined their associations with structural MRI (grey matter volume and white matter hyperintensity volume (WMH)) and executive function (Color-Word Interference and Trail-Making tests) measures. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the chemokine eotaxin had significant negative associations with grey matter volume (VEGF: n = 31, r = -0.65; eotaxin: n = 29, r = -0.44). Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) had a significant positive relationship with WMHs (n = 30, r = 0.52); interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) were also significantly associated with WMHs (IFN-γ: n = 31, r = 0.48; MIP-1α: n = 29, r = 0.45). Only eotaxin was associated with executive function (set-shifting performance as measured with the Trail-making test: n = 33, r = -0.43). Immunological markers are associated with brain structure in LLD. We found the immunological correlates of grey and white matter differ. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate whether these immunological correlates of brain health increase the risk of LLD's consequences. Eotaxin, which correlated with both grey matter volume and set-shifting performance, may be particularly relevant to neurodegeneration and cognition in LLD. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Design, simulation, and optimization of an RGB polarization independent transmission volume hologram

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahamat, Adoum Hassan

Volume phase holographic (VPH) gratings have been designed for use in many areas of science and technology such as optical communication, medical imaging, spectroscopy and astronomy. The goal of this dissertation is to design a volume phase holographic grating that provides diffraction efficiencies of at least 70% for the entire visible wavelengths and higher than 90% for red, green, and blue light when the incident light is unpolarized. First, the complete design, simulation and optimization of the volume hologram are presented. The optimization is done using a Monte Carlo analysis to solve for the index modulation needed to provide higher diffraction efficiencies. The solutions are determined by solving the diffraction efficiency equations determined by Kogelnik's two wave coupled-wave theory. The hologram is further optimized using the rigorous coupled-wave analysis to correct for effects of absorption omitted by Kogelnik's method. Second, the fabrication or recording process of the volume hologram is described in detail. The active region of the volume hologram is created by interference of two coherent beams within the thin film. Third, the experimental set up and measurement of some properties including the diffraction efficiencies of the volume hologram, and the thickness of the active region are conducted. Fourth, the polarimetric response of the volume hologram is investigated. The polarization study is developed to provide insight into the effect of the refractive index modulation onto the polarization state and diffraction efficiency of incident light.

Predicting Nonauditory Adverse Radiation Effects Following Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannoma: A Volume and Dosimetric Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hayhurst, Caroline; Monsalves, Eric; Bernstein, Mark

2012-04-01

Purpose: To define clinical and dosimetric predictors of nonauditory adverse radiation effects after radiosurgery for vestibular schwannoma treated with a 12 Gy prescription dose. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our experience of vestibular schwannoma patients treated between September 2005 and December 2009. Two hundred patients were treated at a 12 Gy prescription dose; 80 had complete clinical and radiological follow-up for at least 24 months (median, 28.5 months). All treatment plans were reviewed for target volume and dosimetry characteristics; gradient index; homogeneity index, defined as the maximum dose in the treatment volume divided by the prescription dose; conformity index; brainstem; andmore » trigeminal nerve dose. All adverse radiation effects (ARE) were recorded. Because the intent of our study was to focus on the nonauditory adverse effects, hearing outcome was not evaluated in this study. Results: Twenty-seven (33.8%) patients developed ARE, 5 (6%) developed hydrocephalus, 10 (12.5%) reported new ataxia, 17 (21%) developed trigeminal dysfunction, 3 (3.75%) had facial weakness, and 1 patient developed hemifacial spasm. The development of edema within the pons was significantly associated with ARE (p = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, only target volume is a significant predictor of ARE (p = 0.001). There is a target volume threshold of 5 cm3, above which ARE are more likely. The treatment plan dosimetric characteristics are not associated with ARE, although the maximum dose to the 5th nerve is a significant predictor of trigeminal dysfunction, with a threshold of 9 Gy. The overall 2-year tumor control rate was 96%. Conclusions: Target volume is the most important predictor of adverse radiation effects, and we identified the significant treatment volume threshold to be 5 cm3. We also established through our series that the maximum tolerable dose to the 5th nerve is 9 Gy.« less

Small intracerebral hemorrhages have a low spot sign prevalence and are less likely to expand.

PubMed

Dowlatshahi, Dar; Yogendrakumar, Vignan; Aviv, Richard I; Rodriguez-Luna, David; Molina, Carlos A; Silva, Yolanda; Dzialowski, Imanuel; Czlonkowska, Anna; Boulanger, Jean-Martin; Lum, Cheemun; Gubitz, Gord; Padma, Vasantha; Roy, Jayanta; Kase, Carlos S; Bhatia, Rohit; Hill, Michael D; Demchuk, Andrew M

2016-02-01

Hematoma expansion is a major predictor of morbidity and mortality after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Both baseline hematoma volume and the CT-angiogram (CTA) spot sign predict hematoma expansion. Because the CTA spot sign may represent foci of active hemorrhage, we hypothesized that patients with smaller baseline hematoma volumes are less likely to be spot sign positive, and therefore less likely to expand. We sought to validate our prior finding that small hematomas are unlikely to expand, and to determine the relationship between baseline hematoma volume, spot sign status, and risk of hematoma expansion. Data were from the prospective PREDICT ICH study. Patients presenting within 6 h of symptom onset with completed baseline CT, CTA, and follow-up CT were included. Baseline hematoma volume was categorized a priori (<3 mL, 3-10 mL, 10-20 mL, >20 mL). The primary outcome was significant hematoma expansion (≥6 mL, ≥12.5 mL or ≥33%) and secondary outcomes were early neurological worsening, good clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-3), and mortality at 90 days. Among 315 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, baseline hematoma volume category predicted absolute hematoma expansion (p < 0.001), spot sign prevalence (p < 0.001), early neurologic worsening (p = 0.002), clinical outcome (p < 0.001), and mortality (p < 0.001). Very small hematomas (<3 mL) were unlikely to be spot positive (7.7%), unlikely to expand (2.6%), and were associated with a 73% chance of good clinical outcome. Spot sign appeared to be most predictive of expansion in the 3-10 mL baseline hematoma volume category. Very small hematomas are unlikely to expand and have a low spot sign prevalence. Hemostatic therapy trials may be best targeted at hemorrhages >3 mL in volume. © 2016 World Stroke Organization.

Bench performance of ventilators during simulated paediatric ventilation.

PubMed

Park, M A J; Freebairn, R C; Gomersall, C D

2013-05-01

This study compares the accuracy and capabilities of various ventilators using a paediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome lung model. Various compliance settings and respiratory rate settings were used. The study was done in three parts: tidal volume and FiO2 accuracy; pressure control accuracy and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) accuracy. The parameters set on the ventilator were compared with either or both of the measured parameters by the test lung and the ventilator. The results revealed that none of the ventilators could consistently deliver tidal volumes within 1 ml/kg of the set tidal volume, and the discrepancy between the delivered volume and the volume measured by the ventilator varied greatly. The target tidal volume was 8 ml/kg, but delivered tidal volumes ranged from 3.6-11.4 ml/kg and the volumes measured by the ventilator ranged from 4.1-20.6 ml/kg. All the ventilators maintained pressure within 20% of the set pressure, except one ventilator which delivered pressures of up to 27% higher than the set pressure. Two ventilators maintained PEEP within 10% of the prescribed PEEP. The majority of the readings were also within 10%. However, three ventilators delivered, at times, PEEPs over 20% higher. In conclusion, as lung compliance decreases, especially in paediatric patients, some ventilators perform better than others. This study highlights situations where ventilators may not be able to deliver, nor adequately measure, set tidal volumes, pressure, PEEP or FiO2.

Methods to enhance seismic faults and construct fault surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Xinming; Zhu, Zhihui

2017-10-01

Faults are often apparent as reflector discontinuities in a seismic volume. Numerous types of fault attributes have been proposed to highlight fault positions from a seismic volume by measuring reflection discontinuities. These attribute volumes, however, can be sensitive to noise and stratigraphic features that are also apparent as discontinuities in a seismic volume. We propose a matched filtering method to enhance a precomputed fault attribute volume, and simultaneously estimate fault strikes and dips. In this method, a set of efficient 2D exponential filters, oriented by all possible combinations of strike and dip angles, are applied to the input attribute volume to find the maximum filtering responses at all samples in the volume. These maximum filtering responses are recorded to obtain the enhanced fault attribute volume while the corresponding strike and dip angles, that yield the maximum filtering responses, are recoded to obtain volumes of fault strikes and dips. By doing this, we assume that a fault surface is locally planar, and a 2D smoothing filter will yield a maximum response if the smoothing plane coincides with a local fault plane. With the enhanced fault attribute volume and the estimated fault strike and dip volumes, we then compute oriented fault samples on the ridges of the enhanced fault attribute volume, and each sample is oriented by the estimated fault strike and dip. Fault surfaces can be constructed by directly linking the oriented fault samples with consistent fault strikes and dips. For complicated cases with missing fault samples and noisy samples, we further propose to use a perceptual grouping method to infer fault surfaces that reasonably fit the positions and orientations of the fault samples. We apply these methods to 3D synthetic and real examples and successfully extract multiple intersecting fault surfaces and complete fault surfaces without holes.

Tumor volume changes on serial imaging with megavoltage CT for non-small-cell lung cancer during intensity-modulated radiotherapy: how reliable, consistent, and meaningful is the effect?

PubMed

Siker, Malika L; Tomé, Wolfgang A; Mehta, Minesh P

2006-09-01

Adaptive radiotherapy allows treatment plan modification based on data obtained during treatment. Assessing volume changes during treatment is now possible with intratreatment imaging capabilities on radiotherapy devices. This study assesses non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) volume changes during treatment with conformal intensity-modulated radiotherapy by evaluating serial megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) scans, with a specific emphasis on the frequency, reliability, and meaningfulness of these changes. Megavoltage CTs were retrospectively reviewed for 25 patients treated with the TomoTherapy Hi-Art system at the University of Wisconsin. Twenty-one patients received definitive radiotherapy, 4 with extracranial stereotactic radioablation (60 Gy in five fractions) and 17 on a dose-per-fraction escalation protocol (57-80.5 Gy in 25 fractions). Four patients were treated palliatively (22-30 Gy in 8 to 10 fractions). Gross tumor volumes were contoured on serial MVCTs at weekly intervals. Each patient had 4 to 25 scans, including at least one at the beginning, midway, and one at the end of treatment. At completion of treatment, no patient demonstrated a complete response. Partial response occurred in 3 (12%) and marginal response was noted in 5 (20%). The remaining 17 patients (68%) showed stable disease. The minimum "scorable threshold" for volume discrepancy between scans to account for interscan assessment variability was set at >25% volume change; 10 patients (40%) had >25% tumor regression. None of the patients treated ablatively or palliatively showed tumor regression during treatment. Although gross tumor regression during treatment may be objectively measured using MVCTs, substantial volumetric decrease occurs only in a minority. The clinical significance of this regression is questionable, because there is no way to document histologic tumor clearance, and therefore field reductions during radiotherapy cannot be recommended.

Cisplatin, Gemcitabine, and Lapatinib as Neoadjuvant Therapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.

PubMed

Narayan, Vivek; Mamtani, Ronac; Keefe, Stephen; Guzzo, Thomas; Malkowicz, S Bruce; Vaughn, David J

2016-07-01

We sought to investigate the safety and efficacy of gemcitabine, cisplatin, and lapatinib (GCL) as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) planned for radical cystectomy. Four cycles of GCL were administered as neoadjuvant therapy for patients with MIBC. Although initially designed as a phase II efficacy study with a primary endpoint of pathologic complete response at the time of radical cystectomy, the dose selected for investigation proved excessively toxic. A total of six patients were enrolled. The initial four patients received gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) intravenously on days 1 and 8 and cisplatin 70 mg/m(2) intravenously on day 1 of each 21-day treatment cycle. Lapatinib was administered as 1,000 mg orally daily starting one week prior to the initiation of cycle 1 of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) and continuing until the completion of cycle 4 of GC. These initial doses were poorly tolerated, and the final two enrolled patients received a reduced lapatinib dose of 750 mg orally daily. However, reduction of the lapatinib dose did not result in improved tolerance or drug-delivery, and the trial was terminated early due to excessive toxicity. Grade 3/4 toxicities included diarrhea (33%), nausea/vomiting (33%), and thrombocytopenia (33%). The addition of lapatinib to GC as neoadjuvant therapy for MIBC was limited by excessive treatment-related toxicity. These findings highlight the importance of thorough dose-escalation investigation of combination therapies prior to evaluation in the neoadjuvant setting, as well as the limitations of determination of maximum tolerated dose for novel targeted combination regimens.

An intervention approach for children with teacher- and parent-identified attentional difficulties.

PubMed

Semrud-Clikeman, M; Nielsen, K H; Clinton, A; Sylvester, L; Parle, N; Connor, R T

1999-01-01

Using a multimodal and multi-informant method for diagnosis, we selected 33 children by teacher and parent nomination for attention and work completion problems that met DSM-IV criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Of the 33 children in this group, 21 participated in the initial intervention, and 12 were placed in an ADHD control group and received the intervention after pre- and posttesting. A similarly selected group of 21 children without difficulties in attention and work completion served as a control group. Each child was assessed on pre- and posttest measures of visual and auditory attention. After an 18-week intervention period that included attention and problem-solving training, all children in the intervention and control groups were retested on visual and auditory tasks. Children in both ADHD groups showed significantly poorer initial performance on the visual attention task. Whereas the ADHD intervention group showed commensurate performance to the nondisabled control group after training, the ADHD control group did not show significant improvement over the same period. Auditory attention was poorer compared to the control group for both ADHD groups initially and improved only for the ADHD intervention group. These findings are discussed as a possible intervention for children with difficulties in strategy selection in a classroom setting.

SOLVENT-BASED TO WATERBASED ADHESIVE-COATED SUBSTRATE RETROFIT - VOLUME I: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

EPA Science Inventory

This volume represents the analysis of case study facilities' experience with waterbased adhesive use and retrofit requirements. (NOTE: The coated and laminated substrate manufacturing industry was selected as part of NRMRL'S support of the 33/50 Program because of its significan...

Dehydration reduces left ventricular filling at rest and during exercise independent of twist mechanics.

PubMed

Stöhr, Eric J; González-Alonso, José; Pearson, James; Low, David A; Ali, Leena; Barker, Horace; Shave, Rob

2011-09-01

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the reduction in stroke volume (SV), previously shown to occur with dehydration and increases in internal body temperatures during prolonged exercise, is caused by a reduction in left ventricular (LV) function, as indicated by LV volumes, strain, and twist ("LV mechanics"). Eight healthy men [age: 20 ± 2, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max): 58 ± 7 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹] completed two, 1-h bouts of cycling in the heat (35°C, 50% peak power) without fluid replacement, resulting in 2% and 3.5% dehydration, respectively. Conventional and two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography was used to determine LV volumes, strain, and twist at rest and during one-legged knee-extensor exercise at baseline, both levels of dehydration, and following rehydration. Progressive dehydration caused a significant reduction in end-diastolic volume (EDV) and SV at rest and during one-legged knee-extensor exercise (rest: Δ-33 ± 14 and Δ-21 ± 14 ml, respectively; exercise: Δ-30 ± 10 and Δ-22 ± 9 ml, respectively, during 3.5% dehydration). In contrast to the marked decline in EDV and SV, systolic and diastolic LV mechanics were either maintained or even enhanced with dehydration at rest and during knee-extensor exercise. We conclude that dehydration-induced reductions in SV at rest and during exercise are the result of reduced LV filling, as reflected by the decline in EDV. The concomitant maintenance of LV mechanics suggests that the decrease in LV filling, and consequently ejection, is likely caused by the reduction in blood volume and/or diminished filling time rather than impaired LV function.

Measuring hospital performance in congenital heart surgery: administrative versus clinical registry data.

PubMed

Pasquali, Sara K; He, Xia; Jacobs, Jeffrey P; Jacobs, Marshall L; Gaies, Michael G; Shah, Samir S; Hall, Matthew; Gaynor, J William; Peterson, Eric D; Mayer, John E; Hirsch-Romano, Jennifer C

2015-03-01

In congenital heart surgery, hospital performance has historically been assessed using widely available administrative data sets. Recent studies have demonstrated inaccuracies in case ascertainment (coding and inclusion of eligible cases) in administrative versus clinical registry data; however, it is unclear whether this impacts assessment of performance on a hospital level. Merged data from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) database (clinical registry) and the Pediatric Health Information Systems (PHIS) database (administrative data set) for 46,056 children undergoing cardiac operations (2006-2010) were used to evaluate in-hospital mortality for 33 hospitals based on their administrative versus registry data. Standard methods to identify/classify cases were used: Risk Adjustment in Congenital Heart Surgery, version 1 (RACHS-1) in the administrative data and STS-European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (STAT) methodology in the registry. Median hospital surgical volume based on the registry data was 269 cases per year; mortality was 2.9%. Hospital volumes and mortality rates based on the administrative data were on average 10.7% and 4.7% lower, respectively, although this varied widely across hospitals. Hospital rankings for mortality based on the administrative versus registry data differed by 5 or more rank positions for 24% of hospitals, with a change in mortality tertile classification (high, middle, or low mortality) for 18% and a change in statistical outlier classification for 12%. Higher volume/complexity hospitals were most impacted. Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ) methods in the administrative data yielded similar results. Inaccuracies in case ascertainment in administrative versus clinical registry data can lead to important differences in assessment of hospital mortality rates for congenital heart surgery. Copyright © 2015 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Lidar quantification of bank erosion in Blue Earth County, Minnesota.

PubMed

Kessler, A C; Gupta, S C; Dolliver, H A S; Thoma, D P

2012-01-01

Sediment and phosphorus (P) transport from the Minnesota River Basin to Lake Pepin on the upper Mississippi River has garnered much attention in recent years. However, there is lack of data on the extent of sediment and P contributions from riverbanks vis-à-vis uplands and ravines. Using two light detection and ranging (lidar) data sets taken in 2005 and 2009, a study was undertaken to quantify sediment and associated P losses from riverbanks in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. Volume change in river valleys as a result of bank erosion amounted to 1.71 million m over 4 yr. Volume change closely followed the trend: the Blue Earth River > the Minnesota River at the county's northern edge > the Le Sueur River > the Maple River > the Watonwan River > the Big Cobb River > Perch Creek > Little Cobb River. Using fine sediment content (silt + clay) and bulk density of 37 bank samples representing three parent materials, we estimate bank erosion contributions of 48 to 79% of the measured total suspended solids at the mouth of the Blue Earth and the Le Sueur rivers. Corresponding soluble P and total P contributions ranged from 0.13 to 0.20% and 40 to 49%, respectively. Although tall banks (>3 m high) accounted for 33% of the total length and 63% of the total area, they accounted for 75% of the volume change in river valleys. We conclude that multitemporal lidar data sets are useful in estimating bank erosion and associated P contributions over large scales, and for riverbanks that are not readily accessible for conventional surveying equipment. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

Automatic detection of cardiovascular risk in CT attenuation correction maps in Rb-82 PET/CTs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Išgum, Ivana; de Vos, Bob D.; Wolterink, Jelmer M.; Dey, Damini; Berman, Daniel S.; Rubeaux, Mathieu; Leiner, Tim; Slomka, Piotr J.

2016-03-01

CT attenuation correction (CTAC) images acquired with PET/CT visualize coronary artery calcium (CAC) and enable CAC quantification. CAC scores acquired with CTAC have been suggested as a marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this work, an algorithm previously developed for automatic CAC scoring in dedicated cardiac CT was applied to automatic CAC detection in CTAC. The study included 134 consecutive patients undergoing 82-Rb PET/CT. Low-dose rest CTAC scans were acquired (100 kV, 11 mAs, 1.4mm×1.4mm×3mm voxel size). An experienced observer defined the reference standard with the clinically used intensity level threshold for calcium identification (130 HU). Five scans were removed from analysis due to artifacts. The algorithm extracted potential CAC by intensity-based thresholding and 3D connected component labeling. Each candidate was described by location, size, shape and intensity features. An ensemble of extremely randomized decision trees was used to identify CAC. The data set was randomly divided into training and test sets. Automatically identified CAC was quantified using volume and Agatston scores. In 33 test scans, the system detected on average 469mm3/730mm3 (64%) of CAC with 36mm3 false positive volume per scan. The intraclass correlation coefficient for volume scores was 0.84. Each patient was assigned to one of four CVD risk categories based on the Agatston score (0-10, 11-100, 101-400, <400). The correct CVD category was assigned to 85% of patients (Cohen's linearly weighted κ0.82). Automatic detection of CVD risk based on CAC scoring in rest CTAC images is feasible. This may enable large scale studies evaluating clinical value of CAC scoring in CTAC data.

7 CFR 3016.33 - Supplies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... aggregate fair market value upon termination or completion of the award, and if the supplies are not needed... 7 Agriculture 15 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Supplies. 3016.33 Section 3016.33 Agriculture... GOVERNMENTS Post-Award Requirements Changes, Property, and Subawards § 3016.33 Supplies. (a) Title. Title to...

44 CFR 13.33 - Supplies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... aggregate fair market value upon termination or completion of the award, and if the supplies are not needed... 44 Emergency Management and Assistance 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Supplies. 13.33 Section 13.33... GOVERNMENTS Post-Award Requirements Changes, Property, and Subawards § 13.33 Supplies. (a) Title. Title to...

41 CFR 102-33.420 - How must we declassify an aircraft?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... registration form from the aircraft, complete the reverse side of the registration form, and send both... an aircraft? 102-33.420 Section 102-33.420 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property... GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT Reporting Information on Government Aircraft Federal Inventory Data § 102-33.420 How must...

41 CFR 102-33.420 - How must we declassify an aircraft?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... registration form from the aircraft, complete the reverse side of the registration form, and send both... an aircraft? 102-33.420 Section 102-33.420 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property... GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT Reporting Information on Government Aircraft Federal Inventory Data § 102-33.420 How must...

41 CFR 102-33.420 - How must we declassify an aircraft?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... registration form from the aircraft, complete the reverse side of the registration form, and send both... an aircraft? 102-33.420 Section 102-33.420 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property... GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT Reporting Information on Government Aircraft Federal Inventory Data § 102-33.420 How must...

41 CFR 102-33.420 - How must we declassify an aircraft?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... registration form from the aircraft, complete the reverse side of the registration form, and send both... an aircraft? 102-33.420 Section 102-33.420 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property... GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT Reporting Information on Government Aircraft Federal Inventory Data § 102-33.420 How must...

Computer navigation for total knee arthroplasty achieves better postoperative alignment compared to conventional and patient-specific instrumentation in a low-volume setting.

PubMed

Suero, Eduardo M; Lueke, Ulrich; Stuebig, Timo; Hawi, Nael; Krettek, Christian; Liodakis, Emmanouil

2018-04-25

Procedure volume is an important determinant of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) outcomes. We aimed to determine whether computer navigation or patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) would improve postoperative alignment in a low-volume setting. PSI for TKA achieves better limb and implant alignment compared to conventional TKA and to computer navigated TKA. This is a retrospective cohort study of 385 primary TKAs (Women=59%. Mean age=67years. Mean BMI=30.1kg/m 2 ), which were performed using conventional instrumentation (n=117; 30%), computer navigation (n=209; 54%), or patient-specific instrumentation (n=59; 15%) in a low-volume center (<50 TKAs/year). The risk of postoperative leg and implant mechanical alignment outliers in the coronal plane (>3° from neutral), average alignment and operation time were assessed. The risk of postoperative mechanical alignment outliers (>3°) was reduced by 89% in the navigated group (4% outliers) compared to the conventional group (35%) (RR=0.11; p<0.0001). No significant improvement was observed in the PSI group (27%) (RR=0.91; p=0.772). The risk of postoperative femoral component coronal alignment outliers was reduced by 63% in the navigated group (11%) compared to the conventional group (31%) (RR=0.37; p=0.018). No significant reduction in outliers was observed in the PSI group (32%) (RR=1.08; p=0.816). There was a reduction in the risk of tibial component coronal malalignment of 66% in the navigated group (5%) compared to the conventional group (13%) (RR=0.33; p=0.070). There was a two-fold increase in the risk of tibial component alignment outliers in the PSI group (29%) (RR=1.94; p=0.110). Computer navigation improved postoperative alignment in TKA. No evidence of improved alignment was seen with patient-specific instrumentation. The routine use of patient-specific instrumentation in low-volume centers is not supported by the currently available data. Retrospective cohort study. Level IV. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Altimetric system: Earth observing system. Volume 2h: Panel report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bindschadler, Robert A.; Born, George; Chase, Robert R. P.; Fu, Lee-Lueng; Mouginis-Mark, Peter; Parsons, Chester; Tapley, Byron

1987-01-01

A rationale and recommendations for planning, implementing, and operating an altimetric system aboard the Earth observing system (Eos) spacecraft is provided. In keeping with the recommendations of the Eos Science and Mission Requirements Working Group, a complete altimetric system is defined that is capable of perpetuating the data set to be derived from TOPEX/Poseidon, enabling key scientific questions to be addressed. Since the scientific utility and technical maturity of spaceborne radar altimeters is well documented, the discussion is limited to highlighting those Eos-specific considerations that materially impact upon radar altimetric measurements.

Atomic Mass and Nuclear Binding Energy for U-287 (Uranium)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukhoruchkin, S. I.; Soroko, Z. N.

This document is part of the Supplement containing the complete sets of data of Subvolume B `Nuclei with Z = 55 - 100' of Volume 22 `Nuclear Binding Energies and Atomic Masses' of Landolt-Börnstein - Group I `Elementary Particles, Nuclei and Atoms', and additionally including data for nuclei with Z = 101 - 130. It provides atomic mass, mass excess, nuclear binding energy, nucleon separation energies, Q-values, and nucleon residual interaction parameters for atomic nuclei of the isotope U-287 (Uranium, atomic number Z = 92, mass number A = 287).

Atomic Mass and Nuclear Binding Energy for Ac-212 (Actinium)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukhoruchkin, S. I.; Soroko, Z. N.

This document is part of the Supplement containing the complete sets of data of Subvolume B `Nuclei with Z = 55 - 100' of Volume 22 `Nuclear Binding Energies and Atomic Masses' of Landolt-Börnstein - Group I `Elementary Particles, Nuclei and Atoms', and additionally including data for nuclei with Z = 101 - 130. It provides atomic mass, mass excess, nuclear binding energy, nucleon separation energies, Q-values, and nucleon residual interaction parameters for atomic nuclei of the isotope Ac-212 (Actinium, atomic number Z = 89, mass number A = 212).

Closed-loop systems for drug delivery.

PubMed

Fields, Aaron M; Fields, Kevin M; Cannon, Jeremy W

2008-08-01

To discuss closed-loop systems, the engineering behind them, and the application of these systems. The literature demonstrates that closed-loop systems can be used for controlling the depth of anesthesia, muscle relaxation, blood pressure, intravascular volume, and blood glucose levels. The future anesthesiologist may devote less time to easily delegated tasks when in the operating room. The ability of computers to maintain variables in a set range allows some tasks to be automated. Although monitoring of these systems will never be completely eliminated, the necessity for minute-to-minute intervention may.

Image Matrix Processor for Volumetric Computations Final Report CRADA No. TSB-1148-95

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Roberson, G. Patrick; Browne, Jolyon

The development of an Image Matrix Processor (IMP) was proposed that would provide an economical means to perform rapid ray-tracing processes on volume "Giga Voxel" data sets. This was a multi-phased project. The objective of the first phase of the IMP project was to evaluate the practicality of implementing a workstation-based Image Matrix Processor for use in volumetric reconstruction and rendering using hardware simulation techniques. Additionally, ARACOR and LLNL worked together to identify and pursue further funding sources to complete a second phase of this project.

Shuttle user analysis (study 2.2). Volume 3: Business risk and value of operations in space (BRAVO). Part 2: User's manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

The purpose of the BRAVO User's Manual is to describe the BRAVO methodology in terms of step-by-step procedures. The BRAVO methodology then becomes a tool which a team of analysts can utilize to perform cost effectiveness analyses on potential future space applications with a relatively general set of input information and a relatively small expenditure of resources. An overview of the BRAVO procedure is given by describing the complete procedure in a general form.

Development of a linear compressor for compact 2 K Gifford- McMahon cryocoolers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hiratsuka, Y.

2015-12-01

Recently, a new, compact Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryocooler for cooling superconducting single photon detectors (SSPD) has been developed at Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (SHI) [1, 2]. The objective is to reduce the total height of the expander by 33% relative to the existing RDK-101 GM expander and to reduce the total volume of the compressor unit by 50% relative to the existing CNA-11 compressor. In addition, considering the targeted cooling application, we set the design temperature targets of the first and the second stages to 1 W and 20 mW of heat load at 60 K and 2.3 K, respectively. Although optimization of the internal components is one way to miniaturize the volume of the compressor unit, major design changes are required because the volume of the adsorber and the oil separator is almost the same as the volume of the compressor capsule. Thus, one approach is to develop a non-lubricated compressor, such as a valved linear compressor. An experimental unit of a valved linear compressor was designed and built, and preliminary experiments were conducted. Under no-load condition, a low temperature of 2.19 K has been achieved. With 1 W and 14 mW heat load, the temperature is 48 K at the first stage and 2.3 K at the second stage, with an input power of about 1.2 KW. The detailed experimental results will be discussed in this paper.

Factors influencing the ablative efficiency of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for adenomyosis: A retrospective study.

PubMed

Gong, Chunmei; Yang, Bin; Shi, Yarong; Liu, Zhongqiong; Wan, Lili; Zhang, Hong; Jiang, Denghua; Zhang, Lian

2016-08-01

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting ablative efficiency of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for adenomyosis. Materials and methods In all, 245 patients with adenomyosis who underwent ultrasound guided HIFU (USgHIFU) were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after HIFU treatment. The non-perfused volume (NPV) ratio, energy efficiency factor (EEF) and greyscale change were set as dependent variables, while the factors possibly affecting ablation efficiency were set as independent variables. These variables were used to build multiple regression models. Results A total of 245 patients with adenomyosis successfully completed HIFU treatment. Enhancement type on T1 weighted image (WI), abdominal wall thickness, volume of adenomyotic lesion, the number of hyperintense points, location of the uterus, and location of adenomyosis all had a linear relationship with the NPV ratio. Distance from skin to the adenomyotic lesion's ventral side, enhancement type on T1WI, volume of adenomyotic lesion, abdominal wall thickness, and signal intensity on T2WI all had a linear relationship with EEF. Location of the uterus and abdominal wall thickness also both had a linear relationship with greyscale change. Conclusion The enhancement type on T1WI, signal intensity on T2WI, volume of adenomyosis, location of the uterus and adenomyosis, number of hyperintense points, abdominal wall thickness, and distance from the skin to the adenomyotic lesion's ventral side can all be used as predictors of HIFU for adenomyosis.

Physiological mechanisms of dyspnea during exercise with external thoracic restriction: Role of increased neural respiratory drive

PubMed Central

Mendonca, Cassandra T.; Schaeffer, Michele R.; Riley, Patrick

2013-01-01

We tested the hypothesis that neuromechanical uncoupling of the respiratory system forms the mechanistic basis of dyspnea during exercise in the setting of “abnormal” restrictive constraints on ventilation (VE). To this end, we examined the effect of chest wall strapping (CWS) sufficient to mimic a “mild” restrictive lung deficit on the interrelationships between VE, breathing pattern, dynamic operating lung volumes, esophageal electrode-balloon catheter-derived measures of the diaphragm electromyogram (EMGdi) and the transdiaphragmatic pressure time product (PTPdi), and sensory intensity and unpleasantness ratings of dyspnea during exercise. Twenty healthy men aged 25.7 ± 1.1 years (means ± SE) completed symptom-limited incremental cycle exercise tests under two randomized conditions: unrestricted control and CWS to reduce vital capacity (VC) by 21.6 ± 0.5%. Compared with control, exercise with CWS was associated with 1) an exaggerated EMGdi and PTPdi response; 2) no change in the relationship between EMGdi and each of tidal volume (expressed as a percentage of VC), inspiratory reserve volume, and PTPdi, thus indicating relative preservation of neuromechanical coupling; 3) increased sensory intensity and unpleasantness ratings of dyspnea; and 4) no change in the relationship between increasing EMGdi and each of the intensity and unpleasantness of dyspnea. In conclusion, the increased intensity and unpleasantness of dyspnea during exercise with CWS could not be readily explained by increased neuromechanical uncoupling but likely reflected the awareness of increased neural respiratory drive (EMGdi) needed to achieve any given VE during exercise in the setting of “abnormal” restrictive constraints on tidal volume expansion. PMID:24356524

Investing in organisational culture: nursing students' experience of organisational learning culture in aged care settings following a program of cultural development.

PubMed

Grealish, Laurie; Henderson, Amanda

2016-10-01

Concerns around organisational learning culture limit nursing student placements in aged care settings to first year experiences. Determine the impact of an extended staff capacity building program on students' experiences of the organisational learning culture in the aged care setting. Pre and post-test design. A convenience sample of first, second and third year Bachelor of Nursing students attending placements at three residential aged care facilities completed the Clinical Learning Organisational Culture Survey. Responses between the group that attended placement before the program (n = 17/44; RR 38%) and the group that attended following the program (n = 33/72; RR 45%) were compared. Improvements were noted in the areas of recognition, accomplishment, and influence, with decreases in dissatisfaction. Organisational investment in building staff capacity can produce a positive learning culture. The aged care sector offers a rich learning experience for students when staff capacity to support learning is developed.

Partnering with libraries to promote walking among community-dwelling adults: a Kingston gets active pilot pedometer-lending project.

PubMed

Ryder, Holly H; Faloon, Kathryn J; Lévesque, Lucie; McDonald, Deanna

2009-10-01

Most adults do not walk enough to obtain health benefits. Pedometers have been successfully utilized to motivate and increase walking. Given that libraries are a place where community members seek health resources, they are a logical setting for increasing community accessibility to pedometers. The purpose was to examine the feasibility of lending pedometers to library patrons to increase walking. In five Canadian public libraries, 90 pedometers were made available for 6 months. A total of 41 library patrons (33 women, 8 men, age range 18 to 65 or older) completed a survey about their walking patterns and pedometer use. More than 330 loans were made. Chisquare analysis found significant associations between walking and motivation to walk more (p < .05), walking and goal setting (p < .05), and motivation to walk more and setting a walking goal (p < .001). Results provide preliminary evidence that lending pedometers through local libraries is an effective, low-cost approach to enhance walking in community members.

In Flight Evaluation of Active Inceptor Force-Feel Characteristics and Handling Qualities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lusardi, Jeff A.; Blanken, Chris L.; Ott, Carl Raymond; Malpica, Carlos A.; von Gruenhagen, Wolfgang

2012-01-01

The effect of inceptor feel-system characteristics on piloted handling qualities has been a research topic of interest for many years. Most of the research efforts have focused on advanced fly-by-wire fixed-wing aircraft with only a few studies investigating the effects on rotorcraft. Consequently, only limited guidance is available on how cyclic force-feel characteristics should be set to obtain optimal handling qualities for rotorcraft. To study this effect, the U.S. Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate working with the DLR Institute of Flight Systems in Germany under Task X of the U.S. German Memorandum of Understanding have been conducting flight test evaluations. In the U.S., five experimental test pilots have completed evaluations of two Mission Task Elements (MTEs) from ADS-33E-PRF and two command/response types for a matrix of center-stick cyclic force-feel characteristics at Moffett Field. In Germany, three experimental test Pilots have conducted initial evaluations of the two MTEs with two command/response types for a parallel matrix of side-stick cyclic force-feel characteristics at WTD-61 in Manching. The resulting data set is used to correlate the effect of changes in natural frequency and damping ratio of the cyclic inceptor on the piloted handling qualities. Existing criteria in ADS-33E and a proposed Handling Qualities Sensitivity Function that includes the effects of the cyclic force-feel characteristics are also evaluated against the data set and discussed.

Phase III study of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer satisfaction with cancer care core questionnaire (EORTC PATSAT-C33) and specific complementary outpatient module (EORTC OUT-PATSAT7).

PubMed

Brédart, A; Anota, A; Young, T; Tomaszewski, K A; Arraras, J I; Moura De Albuquerque Melo, H; Schmidt, H; Friend, E; Bergenmar, M; Costantini, A; Vassiliou, V; Hureaux, J; Marchal, F; Tomaszewska, I M; Chie, W-C; Ramage, J; Beaudeau, A; Conroy, T; Bleiker, E; Kulis, D; Bonnetain, F; Aaronson, N K

2018-01-01

Advances in cancer care delivery require revision and further development of questionnaires assessing patients' perceived quality of care. This study pre-tested the revised EORTC satisfaction with cancer care core questionnaire applicable in both the cancer inpatient and outpatient settings, and its new, outpatient-specific complementary module. The process of revision, development of the extended application, and pre-testing of these questionnaires was based on phases I to III of the "EORTC Quality of Life Group Module Development Guidelines." In phase III, patients in 11 countries in four European regions, South America and Asia completed provisional versions of the questionnaires. Fifty-seven relevant issues selected from literature reviews and input from experts were operationalized into provisional items, and subsequently translated into ten languages. Assessment of understanding, acceptability, redundancy and relevance by patients (n = 151) from oncology inpatient wards, and outpatient chemotherapy, radiotherapy and consultation settings, led to retention of, deletion of and merging of 40, 14 and 6 items respectively. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for hypothesized questionnaire scales were above 0.80. Our results provide preliminary support for the 33-item EORTC Satisfaction with cancer care core questionnaire and the 7-item complementary module specific for the outpatient care setting. A large scale phase IV cross-cultural psychometric study is now underway. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Dementia Care Comes Home: Patient and Caregiver Assessment via Telemedicine.

PubMed

Lindauer, Allison; Seelye, Adriana; Lyons, Bayard; Dodge, Hiroko H; Mattek, Nora; Mincks, Katherine; Kaye, Jeffrey; Erten-Lyons, Deniz

2017-10-01

We evaluated the feasibility and reliability of commonly used clinical dementia assessments when administered via direct-to-home telemedicine videoconferencing. To date, few studies assessed the suitability of these measures when used in this setting. Sixty-six participants (33 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their 33 caregivers) consented to assessment with a battery of tests in both the clinic setting and via telemedicine. We administered cognitive, behavior, and mood assessments to persons with mild, moderate, and severe AD both in the clinic setting and via direct-to-home telemedicine videoconferencing; test-retest reliability was assessed. We also explored how three caregiver measures performed when administered via telemedicine. Assessments were administered 2 weeks apart. Participant feedback about their experience was solicited. Twenty-eight dyads completed the assessments. Reliability was found to be good to excellent in all measures when used with direct-to-home telemedicine. For the most part, participants and clinicians found telemedicine to be a feasible option for assessing cognitive function and caregiver coping. Findings indicate that these measures can be used to assess persons with AD, as well as their caregivers, across the telemedicine platform, directly to their homes. Use of this technology can expand access to care to the millions across the United States with AD and their caregivers. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Influence of Exercise Modality on Cerebral-Ocular Hemodynamics and Pressures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scott, J.; Martin, D.; Crowell, B.; Goetchius, E.; Seponski, C.; Gonzales, R.; Matz, T.; Ploutz-Snyder, R.; Stenger, M.; Ploutz-Snyder, L.

2016-01-01

Background: Moderate and high intensity aerobic or resistance exercise has clearly identified benefits for cardiac, muscle, and bone health. However, the impact of such exercise - either as a mitigating or an exacerbating factor - on the development of the visual impairment and intracranial pressure syndrome (VIIP) is unknown. Accordingly, our aim was to characterize the effect of an acute bout of resistance (RE), moderate-intensity continuous (CE), and high-intensity interval exercise (IE) during a cephalad fluid shift on cerebral-ocular hemodynamics and pressures. Methods: 10 male subjects (36 plus or minus 9 years) completed 4 testing days in a 15 degree head-down tilt (HDT): (1) assessment of maximum volume of O (sub 2), (2) RE session (4 sets of 12 repetition maximum leg press exercise), (3) CE session (30 minutes of cycling at 60 percent maximum volume of O (sub 2)), and (4) IE session (4 by 4-minute intervals of exercise at 85 percent maximum volume of O (sub 2) with 3-minute active rest periods). During each session, blood flow (Vivid-e, GE Healthcare) in extracranial arteries (common carotid artery, CCA; internal carotid artery, ICA; external carotid artery, ECA and vertebral artery, VA), and mean blood flow velocity in middle cerebral artery (MCA), internal jugular pressure (IJP; VeinPress), and intraocular pressure (IOP; Icare PRO) were measured at rest, at the end of each resistance or interval set, and every 5 minutes during continuous exercise. Translaminar pressure gradient (TLPG) was estimated by subtracting IJP from IOP. Results: There were no differences across days in pre-exercise resting blood flows or pressures. IOP decreased slightly from HDT rest (20.2 plus or minus 2.3 millimeters of mercury) to exercise (RE: 19.2 plus or minus 2.8 millimeters of mercury; CE: 18.9 plus or minus 3.2 millimeters of mercury; IE: 20.1 plus or minus 2.8 millimeters of mercury), while IJP decreased during CE (31.6 plus or minus 9.5 millimeters of mercury) and RE (32.0 plus or minus 8.1 millimeters of mercury), and increased during IE (35.1 plus or minus 9.5 millimeters of mercury) from HDT rest (33.3 plus or minus 6.5 millimeters of mercury). Estimated TLPG was increased during IE only. Compared to RE and CE, IE resulted in the greatest increase in MCA blood flow velocity and extracranial artery blood flow. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that high-intensity IE acutely increases cerebral blood flow, IJP, and TLPG. Alterations in TLPG is one mechanism that may contribute to optic nerve sheath edema in astronauts. Accordingly, acutely raising IOP and/or orbital pressure during exercise could optimize cerebral-ocular pressures during spaceflight.

Elastic geobarometry and the role of brittle failure on pressure release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazzucchelli, Mattia Luca; Angel, Ross John; Rustioni, Greta; Milani, Sula; Nimis, Paolo; Chiara Domeneghetti, Maria; Marone, Federica; Harris, Jeff W.; Nestola, Fabrizio; Alvaro, Matteo

2016-04-01

Mineral inclusions trapped in their hosts can provide fundamental information about geological processes. Recent developments in elastic geobarometry, for example, allow the retrieval of encapsulation pressures for host-inclusion pairs. In principle this method can be applied to any mineral-mineral pair so long as both the residual pressure on an inclusion (Pinc), and the equations of state for both host and inclusion are either known or determined (Angel et al., 2015). However, Angel et al. (2014) outlined some boundary conditions, one of which was that deformation in the host-inclusion pair has to be purely elastic. Thus this caveat would exclude from analysis all the inclusions that are surrounded by cracks, indicative of brittle deformation, which may result in partial or complete release of the Pinc. If however the effects of cracks surrounding trapped mineral inclusions could be quantitatively modelled, then the applicability of "elastic" geobarometry might be extended to a much larger number of inclusion-host pairs. We report the results of a pilot experiment in which the stress states (i.e. the residual pressure) have been determined for 10 olivine inclusions still entrapped in 5 diamonds. Inclusion pressures were determined from the unit-cell volumes of the olivines measured in-situ in the diamonds by X-ray diffraction. The olivine equations of state were determined from the olivine compositions by in-situ X-ray structure refinement. Values of Pinc range from 0.19 to 0.53 GPa. In order to quantify the degree of brittle failure surrounding the inclusions, the same set of samples were also investigated by synchrotron X-ray micro-tomography (SRXTM at TOMCAT, Swiss LightSource). Preliminary results showed that at the spatial resolution of our experiments (pixel size of 0.34μm), 90% of the inclusions trapped in our set of diamonds were surrounded by cracks. The volume of the cracks has been determined from 3D reconstruction with an accuracy of about 4%. Our results show that crack intensity increases with increase in inclusion size. In addition, the residual pressure decreases with increasing inclusion volume (i.e. with increasing brittle deformation). However, the actual release in pressure can only be estimated knowing the composition and thus the exact equation of state of the infillings of the cracks. This work is supported by ERC starting grant 307322 to Fabrizio Nestola and by the MIUR-SIR grant "MILE DEEp" (RBSI140351) to M. Alvaro. References Angel, R.J., Mazzucchelli, M.L., Alvaro, M., Nimis, P., and Nestola, F. (2014) Am Mineral, 99, 2146-2149 Angel R.J., Nimis P., Mazzucchelli M. L., Alvaro M., Nestola F., (2015) J. Metamorph. Geol. 33, 801-813.

Biodrying process: A sustainable technology for treatment of municipal solid waste with high moisture content.

PubMed

Tom, Asha P; Pawels, Renu; Haridas, Ajit

2016-03-01

Municipal solid waste with high moisture content is the major hindrance in the field of waste to energy conversion technologies and here comes the importance of biodrying process. Biodrying is a convective evaporation process, which utilizes the biological heat developed from the aerobic reactions of organic components. The numerous end use possibilities of the output are making the biodrying process versatile, which is possible by achieving the required moisture reduction, volume reduction and bulk density enhancement through the effective utilization of biological heat. In the present case study the detailed research and development of an innovative biodrying reactor has been carried out for the treatment of mixed municipal solid waste with high moisture content. A pilot scale biodrying reactor of capacity 565 cm(3) was designed and set up in the laboratory. The reactor dimensions consisted of an acrylic chamber of 60 cm diameter and 200 cm height, and it was enveloped by an insulation chamber. The insulation chamber was provided to minimise the heat losses through the side walls of the reactor. It simulates the actual condition in scaling up of the reactor, since in bigger scale reactors the heat losses through side walls will be negligible while comparing the volume to surface area ratio. The mixed municipal solid waste with initial moisture content of 61.25% was synthetically prepared in the laboratory and the reactor was fed with 109 kg of this substrate. Aerobic conditions were ensured inside the reactor chamber by providing the air at a constant rate of 40 litre per minute, and the direction of air flow was from the specially designed bottom air chamber to the reactor matrix top. The self heating inside reactor matrix was assumed in the range of 50-60°C during the design stage. Innovative biodrying reactor was found to be efficiently working with the temperature inside the reactor matrix rising to a peak value of 59°C by the fourth day of experiment (the peak observed at a height of 60 cm from the air supply). The process analyses results were promising with a reduction of 56.5% of volume, and an increase of 52% of bulk density of the substrate at the end of 33 days of biodrying. Also the weight of mixed MSW substrate has been reduced by 33.94% in 20 days of reaction and the average moisture reduction of the matrix was 20.81% (reduced from the initial value of 61.25% to final value of 48.5%). The moisture reduction would have been higher, if the condensation of evaporated water at the reactor matrix has been avoided. The non-homogeneous moisture reduction along the height of the reactor is evident and this needs further innovation. The leachate production has been completely eliminated in the innovative biodrying reactor and that is a major achievement in the field of municipal solid waste management technology. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quality of inguinal hernia operative reports: room for improvement

PubMed Central

Ma, Grace W.; Pooni, Amandeep; Forbes, Shawn S.; Eskicioglu, Cagla; Pearsall, Emily; Brenneman, Fred D.; McLeod, Robin S.

2013-01-01

Background Operative reports (ORs) serve as the official documentation of surgical procedures. They are essential for optimal patient care, physician accountability and billing, and direction for clinical research and auditing. Nonstandardized narrative reports are often of poor quality and lacking in detail. We sought to audit the completeness of narrative inguinal hernia ORs. Methods A standardized checklist for inguinal hernia repair (IHR) comprising 33 variables was developed by consensus of 4 surgeons. Five high-volume IHR surgeons categorized items as essential, preferable or nonessential. We audited ORs for open IHR at 6 academic hospitals. Results We audited 213 ORs, and we excluded 7 femoral hernia ORs. Tension-free repairs were the most common (82.5%), and the plug-and-patch technique was the most frequent (52.9%). Residents dictated 59% of ORs. Of 33 variables, 15 were considered essential and, on average, 10.8 ± 1.3 were included. Poorly reported elements included first occurrence versus recurrent repair (8.3%), small bowel viability in incarcerated hernias (10.7%) and occurrence of intraoperative complications (32.5%). Of 18 nonessential elements, deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, preoperative antibiotics and urgency were reported in 1.9%, 11.7% and 24.3% of ORs, respectively. Repair-specific details were reported in 0 to 97.1% of ORs, including patch sutured to tubercle (55.1%) and location of plug (67.0%). Conclusion Completeness of IHR ORs varied with regards to essential and nonessential items but were generally incomplete, suggesting there is opportunity for improvement, including implementation of a standardized synoptic OR. PMID:24284146

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mara, Michal; Kubinova, Kristyna, E-mail: kristyna.kubinova@gmail.com; Maskova, Jana

Purpose: To compare outcomes of two different types of occlusive therapy of uterine fibroids. Methods: Women with fibroid(s) unsuitable for laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) were treated with uterine artery embolization (UAE) or laparoscopic uterine artery occlusion (LUAO). Results: Before the procedure, patients treated with UAE (n = 100) had a dominant fibroid greater in size (68 vs. 48 mm) and a mean age lower (33.1 vs. 34.9 years) than surgically treated patients (n = 100). After 6 months, mean shrinkage of fibroid volume was 53 % after UAE and 39 % after LUAO (p = 0.063); 82 % of women aftermore » UAE, but only 23 % after LUAO, had complete myoma infarction (p = 0.001). Women treated with UAE had more complications (31 vs. 11 cases, p = 0.006) and greater incidence of hysteroscopically verified intrauterine necrosis (31 vs. 3 %, p = 0.001). Both groups were comparable in markers of ovarian functions and number of nonelective reinterventions. The groups did not differ in pregnancy (69 % after UAE vs. 67 % after LUAO), delivery (50 vs. 46 %), or abortion (34 vs. 33 %) rates. The mean birth weight of neonates was greater (3270 vs. 2768 g, p = 0.013) and the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction lower (13 vs. 38 %, p = 0.046) in post-UAE patients. Conclusion: Both methods are effective in the treatment of women with future reproductive plans and fibroids not suitable for LM. UAE is more effective in causing complete ischemia of fibroids, but it is associated with greater risk of intrauterine necrosis. Both methods have low rate of serious complications (except for a high abortion rate).« less

Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the carbohydrate-binding region of the Streptococcus gordonii adhesin GspB

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pyburn, Tasia M.; Yankovskaya, Victoria; Bensing, Barbara A.

2012-07-11

The carbohydrate-binding region of the bacterial adhesin GspB from Streptococcus gordonii strain M99 (GspB{sub BR}) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified using affinity and size-exclusion chromatography. Separate sparse-matrix screening of GspB{sub BR} buffered in either 20 mM Tris pH 7.4 or 20 mM HEPES pH 7.5 resulted in different crystallographic behavior such that different precipitants, salts and additives supported crystallization of GspB{sub BR} in each buffer. While both sets of conditions supported crystal growth in space group P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1}, the crystals had distinct unit-cell parameters of a = 33.3, b = 86.7, c = 117.9 {angstrom} formore » crystal form 1 and a = 34.6, b = 98.3, c = 99.0 {angstrom} for crystal form 2. Additive screening improved the crystals grown in both conditions such that diffraction extended to beyond 2 {angstrom} resolution. A complete data set has been collected to 1.3 {angstrom} resolution with an overall R{sub merge} value of 0.04 and an R{sub merge} value of 0.33 in the highest resolution shell.« less

Air Force Officials did not Consistently Comply with Requirements for Assessing Contractor Performance

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-29

31 Appendix B. Improvement in PAR Completion Statistics _________________________________ 33 vi...agencies must perform frequent evaluation of compliance with reporting requirements so they can readily identify delinquent past performance efforts...Reporting Program,” August 13, 2011 Appendixes DODIG-2016-043 │ 33 Appendix B Improvement in PAR Completion Statistics The Senate Armed Services Committee

29 CFR 97.33 - Supplies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... aggregate fair market value upon termination or completion of the award, and if the supplies are not needed... 29 Labor 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Supplies. 97.33 Section 97.33 Labor Office of the Secretary... GOVERNMENTS Post-Award Requirements Changes, Property, and Subawards § 97.33 Supplies. (a) Title. Title to...

27 CFR 6.33 - Proprietary interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Proprietary interest. 6.33 Section 6.33 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY LIQUORS âTIED-HOUSEâ Unlawful Inducements Interest in Retail Property § 6.33 Proprietary interest. (a) Complete ownership....

27 CFR 6.33 - Proprietary interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Proprietary interest. 6.33 Section 6.33 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY LIQUORS âTIED-HOUSEâ Unlawful Inducements Interest in Retail Property § 6.33 Proprietary interest. (a) Complete ownership....

Big-Brained People are Smarter: A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between In Vivo Brain Volume and Intelligence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McDaniel, Michael A.

2005-01-01

The relationship between brain volume and intelligence has been a topic of a scientific debate since at least the 1830s. To address the debate, a meta-analysis of the relationship between in vivo brain volume and intelligence was conducted. Based on 37 samples across 1530 people, the population correlation was estimated at 0.33. The correlation is…

Women, Education, and Development in Asia: Cross-National Perspectives. Reference Books in International Education, Volume 33. Garland Reference Library of Social Science, Volume 825.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mak, Grace C. L., Ed.

This book contains original essays that examine the interplay between women's education and development and how they affect women's status in selected nations in Asia. The volume focuses on how women in Asia use opportunities and challenge limits in education, the role of education in their economic participation, and the enhancement and tension…

Sawtimber by Prescription - The Sudden Sawlog Story Through Age 33

Treesearch

J.D. Burton

1982-01-01

Presents total and net yield, standing volume, volume harvested, and natural mortality, in cubic feet i.b. to a 3-inch top d.i.b., and in board feet Int. ¼ to an 8-inch and to a 6-inch top, together with dbh distribution at various ages.

40 CFR 1045.635 - What special provisions apply for small-volume engine manufacturers?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false What special provisions apply for small-volume engine manufacturers? 1045.635 Section 1045.635 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM SPARK-IGNITION PROPULSION...

Annual Review of Psychology, Volume 33, 1982.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosenzweig, Mark R., Ed.; Porter, Lyman W., Ed.

This volume contains 20 essays on current research in representative areas of psychology. The authors are professors and researchers at universities in the United States, England, Colombia, Poland, Australia, the Netherlands, France, and Canada. A wide range of topics is discussed. Included among these are social psychology of intergroup…

40 CFR 1045.635 - What special provisions apply for small-volume engine manufacturers?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false What special provisions apply for small-volume engine manufacturers? 1045.635 Section 1045.635 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM SPARK-IGNITION PROPULSION...

Current Status of NCEP Model Production

Science.gov Websites

the page. 00 UTC CYCLE 00 UTC NAM EVENT Average Start Time Average End Time STATUS COMMENTS DATA DUMP AND PREP 01:15:05 01:21:00 COMPLETE-01:21:06 ON-TIME ANALYSIS 01:21:09 01:33:21 COMPLETE-01:33:41 ON -TIME FORECAST F00-F84 01:34:39 02:43:55 COMPLETE-02:44:25 ON-TIME 12hr PRODUCTS 01:40:14 01:52:55

A global quality assurance system for personalized radiation therapy treatment planning for the prostate (or other sites)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nwankwo, Obioma; Sihono, Dwi Seno K.; Schneider, Frank; Wenz, Frederik

2014-09-01

Introduction: the quality of radiotherapy treatment plans varies across institutions and depends on the experience of the planner. For the purpose of intra- and inter-institutional homogenization of treatment plan quality, we present an algorithm that learns the organs-at-risk (OARs) sparing patterns from a database of high quality plans. Thereafter, the algorithm predicts the dose that similar organs will receive in future radiotherapy plans prior to treatment planning on the basis of the anatomies of the organs. The predicted dose provides the basis for the individualized specification of planning objectives, and for the objective assessment of the quality of radiotherapy plans. Materials and method: one hundred and twenty eight (128) Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) plans were selected from a database of prostate cancer plans. The plans were divided into two groups, namely a training set that is made up of 95 plans and a validation set that consists of 33 plans. A multivariate analysis technique was used to determine the relationships between the positions of voxels and their dose. This information was used to predict the likely sparing of the OARs of the plans of the validation set. The predicted doses were visually and quantitatively compared to the reference data using dose volume histograms, the 3D dose distribution, and a novel evaluation metric that is based on the dose different test. Results: a voxel of the bladder on the average receives a higher dose than a voxel of the rectum in optimized radiotherapy plans for the treatment of prostate cancer in our institution if both voxels are at the same distance to the PTV. Based on our evaluation metric, the predicted and reference dose to the bladder agree to within 5% of the prescribed dose to the PTV in 18 out of 33 cases, while the predicted and reference doses to the rectum agree to within 5% in 28 out of the 33 plans of the validation set. Conclusion: We have described a method to predict the likely dose that OARs will receive before treatment planning. This prospective knowledge could be used to implement a global quality assurance system for personalized radiation therapy treatment planning.

Effect of Intravenous Infusion Solutions on Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy.

PubMed

Yap, Jason; Rafii, Mahroukh; Azcue, Maria; Pencharz, Paul

2017-05-01

Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) is often used to measure body fluid spaces and thereby body composition. However, in acute animal studies, we found that impedance was driven by the saline content of intravenous (IV) fluids and not by the volume. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of 3 different fluids acutely administered on the change in impedance, specifically resistance (R). Nine healthy adults participated in 3 treatment (0.9% saline, 5% dextrose, and a mixture of 0.3% saline + 3.3% dextrose) experiments on nonconsecutive days. They all received 1 L of one of the treatments intravenously over a 1-hour period. Repeated BIA measurements were performed prior to IV infusion and then every 5 minutes for the 1-hour infusion period, plus 3 more measurements up to 15 minutes after the completion of the infusion. The change in R in the 0.9% saline infusion experiment was significantly lower than that of the glucose and mixture treatment ( P < .001). Bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy and BIA measure salt rather than the volume changes over the infusion period. Hence, in patients receiving IV fluids, BIA of any kind (single frequency or multifrequency) cannot be used to measure body fluid spaces or body composition.

Hematology, plasma chemistry, and serology of the flightless cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi) in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

PubMed

Travis, Erika K; Vargas, F Hernan; Merkel, Jane; Gottdenker, Nicole; Miller, R Eric; Parker, Patricia G

2006-01-01

The flightless cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi) is an endemic species of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Health studies of the species have not previously been conducted. In August 2003, baseline samples were collected from flightless cormorant colonies on the islands of Isabela and Fernandina. Seventy-six birds, from nestlings to adults, were evaluated. Genetic sexing of 70 cormorants revealed 37 females and 33 males. Hematology assessment consisted of packed cell volume (n=19), leukograms (n=69), and blood smear evaluation (n=69). Microscopic evaluation of blood smears revealed microfilaria in 33% (23/69) of the cormorants. Plasma chemistries were performed on 46 cormorants. There was no significant difference in chemistry values or complete blood counts between male and female cormorants or between age groups. Based on a serologic survey to assess exposure to avian pathogens, birds (n=69) were seronegative for West Nile virus, avian paramyxovirus type 1 (Newcastle disease virus), avian paramyxovirus types 2 and 3, avian influenza, infectious bursal disease, infectious bronchitis, Marek's disease (herpes), reovirus, avian encephalomyelitis, and avian adenovirus type 2. Antibodies to avian adenovirus type 1 and Chlamydophila psittaci were found in 31% (21/68) and 11% (7/65) of flightless cormorants respectively. Chlamydophila psittaci was detected via polymerase chain reaction in 6% (2/33) of the cormorants. The overall negative serologic findings of this research suggest that the flightless cormorant is an immunologically naïve species, which may have a reduced capacity to cope with the introduction of novel pathogens.

33 CFR 72.05-5 - Sales agencies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Sales agencies. 72.05-5 Section 72.05-5 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AIDS TO NAVIGATION MARINE INFORMATION Light Lists § 72.05-5 Sales agencies. Each volume of the Light List is for sale...

33 CFR 72.05-5 - Sales agencies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Sales agencies. 72.05-5 Section 72.05-5 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AIDS TO NAVIGATION MARINE INFORMATION Light Lists § 72.05-5 Sales agencies. Each volume of the Light List is for sale...

Proton therapy posterior beam approach with pencil beam scanning for esophageal cancer : Clinical outcome, dosimetry, and feasibility.

PubMed

Zeng, Yue-Can; Vyas, Shilpa; Dang, Quang; Schultz, Lindsay; Bowen, Stephen R; Shankaran, Veena; Farjah, Farhood; Oelschlager, Brant K; Apisarnthanarax, Smith; Zeng, Jing

2016-12-01

The aim of this study is to present the dosimetry, feasibility, and preliminary clinical results of a novel pencil beam scanning (PBS) posterior beam technique of proton treatment for esophageal cancer in the setting of trimodality therapy. From February 2014 to June 2015, 13 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (T3-4N0-2M0; 11 adenocarcinoma, 2 squamous cell carcinoma) were treated with trimodality therapy (neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by esophagectomy). Eight patients were treated with uniform scanning (US) and 5 patients were treated with a single posterior-anterior (PA) beam PBS technique with volumetric rescanning for motion mitigation. Comparison planning with PBS was performed using three plans: AP/PA beam arrangement; PA plus left posterior oblique (LPO) beams, and a single PA beam. Patient outcomes, including pathologic response and toxicity, were evaluated. All 13 patients completed chemoradiation to 50.4 Gy (relative biological effectiveness, RBE) and 12 patients underwent surgery. All 12 surgical patients had an R0 resection and pathologic complete response was seen in 25 %. Compared with AP/PA plans, PA plans have a lower mean heart (14.10 vs. 24.49 Gy, P < 0.01), mean stomach (22.95 vs. 31.33 Gy, P = 0.038), and mean liver dose (3.79 vs. 5.75 Gy, P = 0.004). Compared to the PA/LPO plan, the PA plan reduced the lung dose: mean lung dose (4.96 vs. 7.15 Gy, P = 0.020) and percentage volume of lung receiving 20 Gy (V 20 ; 10 vs. 17 %, P < 0.01). Proton therapy with a single PA beam PBS technique for preoperative treatment of esophageal cancer appears safe and feasible.

Direct numerical simulation of turbulent boundary layer with fully resolved particles at low volume fraction.

PubMed

Luo, Kun; Hu, Chenshu; Wu, Fan; Fan, Jianren

2017-05-01

In the present work, a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of dilute particulate flow in a turbulent boundary layer has been conducted, containing thousands of finite-sized solid rigid particles. The particle surfaces are resolved with the multi-direct forcing immersed-boundary method. This is, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the first DNS study of a turbulent boundary layer laden with finite-sized particles. The particles have a diameter of approximately 11.3 wall units, a density of 3.3 times that of the fluid, and a solid volume fraction of 1/1000. The simulation shows that the onset and the completion of the transition processes are shifted earlier with the inclusion of the solid phase and that the resulting streamwise mean velocity of the boundary layer in the particle-laden case is almost consistent with the results of the single-phase case. At the same time, relatively stronger particle movements are observed in the near-wall regions, due to the driving of the counterrotating streamwise vortexes. As a result, increased levels of dissipation occur on the particle surfaces, and the root mean square of the fluctuating velocities of the fluid in the near-wall regions is decreased. Under the present parameters, including the particle Stokes number St + = 24 and the particle Reynolds number Re p = 33 based on the maximum instantaneous fluid-solid velocity lag, no vortex shedding behind the particle is observed. Lastly, a trajectory analysis of the particles shows the influence of turbophoresis on particle wall-normal concentration, and the particles that originated between y + = 60 and 2/3 of the boundary-layer thickness are the most influenced.

Direct numerical simulation of turbulent boundary layer with fully resolved particles at low volume fraction

PubMed Central

Luo, Kun; Hu, Chenshu; Wu, Fan; Fan, Jianren

2017-01-01

In the present work, a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of dilute particulate flow in a turbulent boundary layer has been conducted, containing thousands of finite-sized solid rigid particles. The particle surfaces are resolved with the multi-direct forcing immersed-boundary method. This is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the first DNS study of a turbulent boundary layer laden with finite-sized particles. The particles have a diameter of approximately 11.3 wall units, a density of 3.3 times that of the fluid, and a solid volume fraction of 1/1000. The simulation shows that the onset and the completion of the transition processes are shifted earlier with the inclusion of the solid phase and that the resulting streamwise mean velocity of the boundary layer in the particle-laden case is almost consistent with the results of the single-phase case. At the same time, relatively stronger particle movements are observed in the near-wall regions, due to the driving of the counterrotating streamwise vortexes. As a result, increased levels of dissipation occur on the particle surfaces, and the root mean square of the fluctuating velocities of the fluid in the near-wall regions is decreased. Under the present parameters, including the particle Stokes number St+ = 24 and the particle Reynolds number Rep = 33 based on the maximum instantaneous fluid-solid velocity lag, no vortex shedding behind the particle is observed. Lastly, a trajectory analysis of the particles shows the influence of turbophoresis on particle wall-normal concentration, and the particles that originated between y+ = 60 and 2/3 of the boundary-layer thickness are the most influenced. PMID:29104418

Direct numerical simulation of turbulent boundary layer with fully resolved particles at low volume fraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Kun; Hu, Chenshu; Wu, Fan; Fan, Jianren

2017-05-01

In the present work, a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of dilute particulate flow in a turbulent boundary layer has been conducted, containing thousands of finite-sized solid rigid particles. The particle surfaces are resolved with the multi-direct forcing immersed-boundary method. This is, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the first DNS study of a turbulent boundary layer laden with finite-sized particles. The particles have a diameter of approximately 11.3 wall units, a density of 3.3 times that of the fluid, and a solid volume fraction of 1/1000. The simulation shows that the onset and the completion of the transition processes are shifted earlier with the inclusion of the solid phase and that the resulting streamwise mean velocity of the boundary layer in the particle-laden case is almost consistent with the results of the single-phase case. At the same time, relatively stronger particle movements are observed in the near-wall regions, due to the driving of the counterrotating streamwise vortexes. As a result, increased levels of dissipation occur on the particle surfaces, and the root mean square of the fluctuating velocities of the fluid in the near-wall regions is decreased. Under the present parameters, including the particle Stokes number St+ = 24 and the particle Reynolds number Rep = 33 based on the maximum instantaneous fluid-solid velocity lag, no vortex shedding behind the particle is observed. Lastly, a trajectory analysis of the particles shows the influence of turbophoresis on particle wall-normal concentration, and the particles that originated between y+ = 60 and 2/3 of the boundary-layer thickness are the most influenced.

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of percolative three-phase piezoelectric polymer composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundar, Udhay

Three-phase piezoelectric bulk composites were fabricated using a mix and cast method. The composites were comprised of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), aluminum (Al) and an epoxy matrix. The volume fraction of the PZT and Al were varied from 0.1 to 0.3 and 0.0 to 0.17, respectively. The influences of three entities on piezoelectric and dielectric properties: inclusion of an electrically conductive filler (Al), poling process (contact and Corona) and Al surface treatment, were observed. The piezoelectric strain coefficient, d33, effective dielectric constant, epsilon r, capacitance, C, and resistivity were measured and compared according to poling process, volume fraction of constituent phases and Al surface treatment. The maximum values of d33 were 3.475 and 1.0 pC/N for Corona and contact poled samples respectively, for samples with volume fractions of 0.40 and 0.13 of PZT and Al (surface treated) respectively. Also, the maximum dielectric constant for the surface treated Al samples was 411 for volume fractions of 0.40 and 0.13 for PZT and Al respectively. The percolation threshold was observed to occur at an Al volume fraction of 0.13. The composites achieved a percolated state for Al volume fractions >0.13 for both contact and corona poled samples. In addition, a comparative time study was conducted to examine the influence of surface treatment processing time of Al particles. The effectiveness of the surface treatment, sample morphology and composition was observed with the aid of SEM and EDS images. These images were correlated with piezoelectric and dielectric properties. PZT-epoxy-aluminum thick films (200 mum) were also fabricated using a two-step spin coat deposition and annealing method. The PZT volume fraction were varied from 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4, wherein the Aluminum volume fraction was varied from 0.1 to 0.17 for each PZT volume fraction, respectively. The two-step process included spin coating the first layer at 500 RPM for 30 seconds, and the second layer at 1000 RPM for 1 minute. The piezoelectric strain coefficients d33 and d31, capacitance and the dielectric constant were measured, and were studied as a function of Aluminum volume fraction.

Military Standard Generators Prototype Modifications. Volume 3. 60 kW DoD Generator Set

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-31

14 JAN ., 17 :35: ’w. 6843 GEN S DS-00 273 . .. •- -,- - 32. 351 3 DE,-.. F Z EX ,-UST 2 895. 93 DEL;. F C REL!:7T 3 988.34 DEC-. F C 4 EXH-4AUST 4...33. 351 DEG. F C 20 GEN. FRAME TOP 11. 64 DEG. F C 2:1 GEN. FRAME BTTM 82. 15± DEG. F C 21 GEN. FRAME BTTM 113. i6 DEG. F C 2,. GEN. EXCITER 32. 992...DEG. F C 21 GEli . FRAME BTTM ±88.15 DEG. F S2 -EN. EXCITER 12. 49 DEG. F C 22 S-EN. EXCITER 185. 5 DEG. F 27 G2N. ’OLT. REG. 95. 459 DEG. F C 23 GEN

Cell-of-Origin Patterns Dominate the Molecular Classification of 10,000 Tumors from 33 Types of Cancer.

PubMed

Hoadley, Katherine A; Yau, Christina; Hinoue, Toshinori; Wolf, Denise M; Lazar, Alexander J; Drill, Esther; Shen, Ronglai; Taylor, Alison M; Cherniack, Andrew D; Thorsson, Vésteinn; Akbani, Rehan; Bowlby, Reanne; Wong, Christopher K; Wiznerowicz, Maciej; Sanchez-Vega, Francisco; Robertson, A Gordon; Schneider, Barbara G; Lawrence, Michael S; Noushmehr, Houtan; Malta, Tathiane M; Stuart, Joshua M; Benz, Christopher C; Laird, Peter W

2018-04-05

We conducted comprehensive integrative molecular analyses of the complete set of tumors in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), consisting of approximately 10,000 specimens and representing 33 types of cancer. We performed molecular clustering using data on chromosome-arm-level aneuploidy, DNA hypermethylation, mRNA, and miRNA expression levels and reverse-phase protein arrays, of which all, except for aneuploidy, revealed clustering primarily organized by histology, tissue type, or anatomic origin. The influence of cell type was evident in DNA-methylation-based clustering, even after excluding sites with known preexisting tissue-type-specific methylation. Integrative clustering further emphasized the dominant role of cell-of-origin patterns. Molecular similarities among histologically or anatomically related cancer types provide a basis for focused pan-cancer analyses, such as pan-gastrointestinal, pan-gynecological, pan-kidney, and pan-squamous cancers, and those related by stemness features, which in turn may inform strategies for future therapeutic development. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cough Augmentation Techniques in the Critically Ill: A Canadian National Survey.

PubMed

Rose, Louise; Adhikari, Neill K; Poon, Joseph; Leasa, David; McKim, Douglas A

2016-10-01

Critically ill mechanically ventilated patients experience impaired airway clearance due to ineffective cough and impaired secretion mobilization. Cough augmentation techniques, including mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E), manually assisted cough, and lung volume recruitment, improve cough efficiency. Our objective was to describe use, indications, contraindications, interfaces, settings, complications, and barriers to use across Canada. An e-mail survey was sent to nominated local survey champions in eligible Canadian units (ICUs, weaning centers, and intermediate care units) with 4 telephone/e-mail reminders. The survey response rate was 157 of 238 (66%); 78 of 157 units (50%) used cough augmentation, with 50 (64%) using MI-E, 53 (68%) using manually assisted cough, and 62 (79%) using lung volume recruitment. Secretion clearance was the most common indication (MI-E, 92%; manually assisted cough, 88%; lung volume recruitment, 76%), although the most common units (44%) used it <50% of the time. Use during weaning from invasive (MI-E, 21%; manually assisted cough, 39%; lung volume recruitment, 3%) and noninvasive ventilation (MI-E, 21%; manually assisted cough, 33%; lung volume recruitment, 21%) was infrequent. The most common diagnoses were neuromuscular disease (97%) and spinal cord injury (83%). Pneumothorax was the most frequently identified absolute contraindication for MI-E (93%) and lung volume recruitment (83%); rib fracture was most frequently identified for manually assisted cough (69%). MI-E mean inspiratory pressure was 31 cm H2O, and expiratory pressure was -32 cm H2O. Mucus plugging requiring tracheostomy inner change was the most frequent complication for MI-E (23%), chest pain for manually assisted cough (36%), and hypotension for lung volume recruitment (17%). The most commonly cited barriers were lack of expertise (70%), knowledge (65%), and resources (52%). We found moderate adoption of cough augmentation techniques, particularly for secretion management. Lack of expertise and knowledge are potentially modifiable barriers addressed with educational interventions. Copyright © 2016 by Daedalus Enterprises.

Use of spiral computed tomography volumetry for determining the operative approach in patients with Graves' disease.

PubMed

Choi, June Young; Lee, Kyu Eun; Koo, Do Hoon; Kim, Kyu Hyung; Kim, Eun young; Bae, Dong Sik; Jung, Sung Eun; Youn, Yeo-Kyu

2014-03-01

The purposes of the present study were to assess (1) the correlation between the weight of the postoperative thyroid specimen and the spiral computed tomography (CT) volumetry results of the thyroid gland in patients with Graves' disease, and (2) the utility of CT volumetry for determining the operative approach. From 2009 to 2010, a total of 56 patients with Graves' disease underwent total or subtotal thyroidectomy. An enhanced spiral CT was taken in all patients prior to the operation. From 2.5 mm-thick slices of the thyroid gland, the surface area was calculated to measure the volume of the thyroid gland. The glandular volume was compared to the weight of the postoperative thyroid specimen. A total of 42 and 14 patients underwent total and subtotal thyroidectomy, respectively. The mean weight of the postoperative thyroid specimen was 43.9 ± 33.4 g, and the mean volume obtained by CT volumetry was 44.2 ± 32.8 mL. A good correlation was observed between the weight of the postoperative thyroid specimen and the volume calculated by CT (r = 0.98, p < 0.001). When 100 mL was set as the higher cut-off value of the thyroid volume for minimally invasive thyroid surgery, the estimated blood loss showed a significant difference between the >100 mL and the ≤100 mL groups (608.3 ± 540.8 vs. 119.7 ± 110.4 mL; p = 0.036). Spiral CT volumetry may be used to measure the thyroid volume reliably in patients with Graves' disease. For cases in which surgery is indicated in patients with Graves' disease, CT volumetry provides useful information from which to determine the operative approach. One hundred milliliter or less of thyroid volume in CT volumetry is recommended to perform minimally invasive thyroid surgery.

23. DOWNSTREAM VIEW OF COMPLETED OUTLET CONTROL STRUCTURE.... Volume XIX, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

23. DOWNSTREAM VIEW OF COMPLETED OUTLET CONTROL STRUCTURE.... Volume XIX, No. 8, April 12, 1940. - Prado Dam, Outlet Works, Santa Ana River near junction of State Highways 71 & 91, Corona, Riverside County, CA

The effect of intra-articular glucocorticosteroids and exercise on symptoms and bone marrow lesions in knee osteoarthritis: a secondary analysis of results from a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Nielsen, F K; Boesen, M; Jurik, A G; Bliddal, H; Nybing, J D; Ellegaard, K; Bartholdy, C; Bandak, E; Henriksen, M

2018-03-02

To evaluate if the relative volume of bone marrow lesions (BMLs) changed in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) during a therapeutic study. This study is a sub-study to a larger clinical trial which compared the clinical effects of intra-articular corticosteroid injection in knee OA to placebo injection, both given prior to exercise therapy. Clinical assessment using the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations with BML assessments were performed at baseline and follow-up after 14 weeks and 26 weeks, respectively. The BML volume was determined using a computer assisted method focusing on participants with valid baseline and follow-up MRI examinations. Any changes in BML and KOOS were analyzed and investigated for associations. Fifty participants received steroid and placebo injection, respectively, of which 41 and 45 had complete MRI examinations at week 14, and 36 and 33 at week 26, respectively. All participants received 12 weeks of exercise. A significant change in relative BML volume was observed between the corticosteroid group and the placebo group after 14 weeks [-1.1% vs 2.7%; between-group difference, 3.8% (95% CI 0.5-7.0)] but not after 26 weeks [0.8% vs 1.6%; between-group difference, 0.8% (95% CI -2.8 to 4.4)]. No significant association was found between changes in relative BML volume and KOOS. Despite the statistically significant difference in BML volume at 14 weeks after corticosteroid injection and 12 weeks exercise therapy compared to placebo injection and exercise, there is very little evidence on a relationship between corticosteroids and BML volume. EudraCT number: 2012-002607-18. Copyright © 2018 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hyberbaric oxygen as sole treatment for severe radiation - induced haemorrhagic cystitis

PubMed Central

Dellis, Athanasios; Papatsoris, Athanasios; Kalentzos, Vasileios; Deliveliotis, Charalambos; Skolarikos, Andreas

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Purpose To examine the safety and efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen as the primary and sole treatment for severe radiation-induced haemorrhagic cystitis. Materials and methods Hyperbaric oxygen was prospectively applied as primary treatment in 38 patients with severe radiation cystitis. Our primary endpoint was the incidence of complete and partial response to treatment, while the secondary endpoints included the duration of response, the correlation of treatment success-rate to the interval between the onset of haematuria and initiation of therapy, blood transfusion need and total radiation dose, the number of sessions to success, the avoidance of surgery and the overall survival. Results All patients completed therapy without complications with a mean follow-up of 29.33 months. Median number of sessions needed was 33. Complete and partial response rate was 86.8% and 13.2%, respectively. All 33 patients with complete response received therapy within 6 months of the haematuria onset. One patient needed cystectomy, while 33 patients were alive at the end of follow-up. Conclusions Our study suggests the early primary use of hyperbaric oxygen for radiation-induced severe cystitis as an effective and safe treatment option. PMID:28338304

Optimal Settings for the Noncontact Holmium:YAG Stone Fragmentation Popcorn Technique.

PubMed

Emiliani, Esteban; Talso, Michele; Cho, Sung-Yong; Baghdadi, Mohammed; Mahmoud, Sadam; Pinheiro, Hugo; Traxer, Olivier

2017-09-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the popcorn technique using a wide range of holmium laser settings and fiber sizes in a systematic in vitro assessment. Evaluations were done with 4 artificial stones in a collection tube. A fixed ureteroscope was inserted through a ureteral access sheath to provide constant irrigation flow and the laser was placed 1 mm from the bottom. Combinations of 0.5 to 1.5 J, 10 to 20 and 40 Hz, and long and short pulses were tested for 2 and 4 minutes. We used 273 and 365 μm laser fibers. All tests were repeated 3 times. The stones were weighed before and after the experiments to evaluate the setting efficiency. Significant predictors of a highly efficient technique were assessed. A total of 144 tests were performed. Mean starting weight of the stones was 0.23 gm, which was consistent among the groups. After the experiment the median weight difference was 0.07 gm (range 0.01 to 0.24). When designating a 50% reduction in stone volume as the threshold indicating high efficiency, the significant predictors of an efficient popcorn technique were a long pulse (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.05-7.15), a longer duration (OR 11.4, 95% CI 3.88-33.29), a small (273 μm) laser fiber (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.08-0.70) and higher power (W) (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.09-1.20). Higher energy, a longer pulse, frequencies higher than 10 Hz, a longer duration and a smaller laser fiber predict a popcorn technique that is more efficient at reducing stone volume. Copyright © 2017 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Joint-probability Analysis of the Natural Variability of Tropical Oceanic Precipitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yuter, Sandra E.

2004-01-01

Data projects pertaining to KWAJEX are described.Data sets delivered to the Goddard Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC): 1) Kwajalein Experiment (KWAJEX) S-band calibrated, quality-controlled radar data, 1221 1 files of 3D volume data and 6832 files of 2D low-level reflectivity. 2) Raw and quality-control- processed versions of University of Washington Joss-Waldvogel disdrometer measurements obtained during KWAJEX. 3) A time series of synoptic-scale gif images of the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS) IR data for the KWAJEX period. The GMS satellite data set for the KWAJEX period was obtained from the University of Wisconsin and reprocessed into format amenable for comparison with radar data.Aircraft microphysics flight-leg definitions for all aircraft and all missions during KWAJEX were completed to facilitate microphysics data processing.

Solution of the Average-Passage Equations for the Incompressible Flow through Multiple-Blade-Row Turbomachinery

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-02-01

numerical treatment. An explicit numerical procedure based on Runqe-Kutta time stepping for cell-centered, hexahedral finite volumes is...An explicit numerical procedure based on Runge-Kutta time stepping for cell-centered, hexahedral finite volumes is outlined for the approximate...Discretization 16 3.1 Cell-Centered Finite -Volume Discretization in Space 16 3.2 Artificial Dissipation 17 3.3 Time Integration 21 3.4 Convergence

Development of automatic visceral fat volume calculation software for CT volume data.

PubMed

Nemoto, Mitsutaka; Yeernuer, Tusufuhan; Masutani, Yoshitaka; Nomura, Yukihiro; Hanaoka, Shouhei; Miki, Soichiro; Yoshikawa, Takeharu; Hayashi, Naoto; Ohtomo, Kuni

2014-01-01

To develop automatic visceral fat volume calculation software for computed tomography (CT) volume data and to evaluate its feasibility. A total of 24 sets of whole-body CT volume data and anthropometric measurements were obtained, with three sets for each of four BMI categories (under 20, 20 to 25, 25 to 30, and over 30) in both sexes. True visceral fat volumes were defined on the basis of manual segmentation of the whole-body CT volume data by an experienced radiologist. Software to automatically calculate visceral fat volumes was developed using a region segmentation technique based on morphological analysis with CT value threshold. Automatically calculated visceral fat volumes were evaluated in terms of the correlation coefficient with the true volumes and the error relative to the true volume. Automatic visceral fat volume calculation results of all 24 data sets were obtained successfully and the average calculation time was 252.7 seconds/case. The correlation coefficients between the true visceral fat volume and the automatically calculated visceral fat volume were over 0.999. The newly developed software is feasible for calculating visceral fat volumes in a reasonable time and was proved to have high accuracy.

Healthy People 2000: National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives and Full Report, with Commentary.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Public Health Service (DHHS), Rockville, MD.

This report has been published in two volumes (combined here). Volume One (162 pages) is a summary report, repeating part 1 of the complete report, selected appendices, and the index to the list of objectives. Volume Two (700 pages) is the complete report, including all appendices. This report provides a strategy for significantly improving the…

Dosimetric evaluation of simultaneous integrated boost during stereotactic body radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Wensha, E-mail: wensha.yang@cshs.org; Reznik, Robert; Fraass, Benedick A.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) provides a promising way to treat locally advanced pancreatic cancer and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. A simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) to the region of vessel abutment or encasement during SBRT has the potential to downstage otherwise likely positive surgical margins. Despite the potential benefit of using SIB-SBRT, the ability to boost is limited by the local geometry of the organs at risk (OARs), such as stomach, duodenum, and bowel (SDB), relative to tumor. In this study, we have retrospectively replanned 20 patients with 25 Gy prescribed to the planning target volume (PTV) and 33~80 Gymore » to the boost target volume (BTV) using an SIB technique for all patients. The number of plans and patients able to satisfy a set of clinically established constraints is analyzed. The ability to boost vessels (within the gross target volume [GTV]) is shown to correlate with the overlap volume (OLV), defined to be the overlap between the GTV + a 1(OLV1)- or 2(OLV2)-cm margin with the union of SDB. Integral dose, boost dose contrast (BDC), biologically effective BDC, tumor control probability for BTV, and normal tissue complication probabilities are used to analyze the dosimetric results. More than 65% of the cases can deliver a boost to 40 Gy while satisfying all OAR constraints. An OLV2 of 100 cm{sup 3} is identified as the cutoff volume: for cases with OLV2 larger than 100 cm{sup 3}, it is very unlikely the case could achieve 25 Gy to the PTV while successfully meeting all the OAR constraints.« less

Dosimetric evaluation of simultaneous integrated boost during stereotactic body radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer.

PubMed

Yang, Wensha; Reznik, Robert; Fraass, Benedick A; Nissen, Nicholas; Hendifar, Andrew; Wachsman, Ashley; Sandler, Howard; Tuli, Richard

2015-01-01

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) provides a promising way to treat locally advanced pancreatic cancer and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. A simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) to the region of vessel abutment or encasement during SBRT has the potential to downstage otherwise likely positive surgical margins. Despite the potential benefit of using SIB-SBRT, the ability to boost is limited by the local geometry of the organs at risk (OARs), such as stomach, duodenum, and bowel (SDB), relative to tumor. In this study, we have retrospectively replanned 20 patients with 25Gy prescribed to the planning target volume (PTV) and 33~80Gy to the boost target volume (BTV) using an SIB technique for all patients. The number of plans and patients able to satisfy a set of clinically established constraints is analyzed. The ability to boost vessels (within the gross target volume [GTV]) is shown to correlate with the overlap volume (OLV), defined to be the overlap between the GTV + a 1(OLV1)- or 2(OLV2)-cm margin with the union of SDB. Integral dose, boost dose contrast (BDC), biologically effective BDC, tumor control probability for BTV, and normal tissue complication probabilities are used to analyze the dosimetric results. More than 65% of the cases can deliver a boost to 40Gy while satisfying all OAR constraints. An OLV2 of 100cm(3) is identified as the cutoff volume: for cases with OLV2 larger than 100cm(3), it is very unlikely the case could achieve 25Gy to the PTV while successfully meeting all the OAR constraints. Copyright © 2015 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Longitudinal Changes in Total Brain Volume in Schizophrenia: Relation to Symptom Severity, Cognition and Antipsychotic Medication

PubMed Central

Veijola, Juha; Guo, Joyce Y.; Moilanen, Jani S.; Jääskeläinen, Erika; Miettunen, Jouko; Kyllönen, Merja; Haapea, Marianne; Huhtaniska, Sanna; Alaräisänen, Antti; Mäki, Pirjo; Kiviniemi, Vesa; Nikkinen, Juha; Starck, Tuomo; Remes, Jukka J.; Tanskanen, Päivikki; Tervonen, Osmo; Wink, Alle-Meije; Kehagia, Angie; Suckling, John; Kobayashi, Hiroyuki; Barnett, Jennifer H.; Barnes, Anna; Koponen, Hannu J.; Jones, Peter B.; Isohanni, Matti; Murray, Graham K.

2014-01-01

Studies show evidence of longitudinal brain volume decreases in schizophrenia. We studied brain volume changes and their relation to symptom severity, level of function, cognition, and antipsychotic medication in participants with schizophrenia and control participants from a general population based birth cohort sample in a relatively long follow-up period of almost a decade. All members of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 with any psychotic disorder and a random sample not having psychosis were invited for a MRI brain scan, and clinical and cognitive assessment during 1999–2001 at the age of 33–35 years. A follow-up was conducted 9 years later during 2008–2010. Brain scans at both time points were obtained from 33 participants with schizophrenia and 71 control participants. Regression models were used to examine whether brain volume changes predicted clinical and cognitive changes over time, and whether antipsychotic medication predicted brain volume changes. The mean annual whole brain volume reduction was 0.69% in schizophrenia, and 0.49% in controls (p = 0.003, adjusted for gender, educational level, alcohol use and weight gain). The brain volume reduction in schizophrenia patients was found especially in the temporal lobe and periventricular area. Symptom severity, functioning level, and decline in cognition were not associated with brain volume reduction in schizophrenia. The amount of antipsychotic medication (dose years of equivalent to 100 mg daily chlorpromazine) over the follow-up period predicted brain volume loss (p = 0.003 adjusted for symptom level, alcohol use and weight gain). In this population based sample, brain volume reduction continues in schizophrenia patients after the onset of illness, and antipsychotic medications may contribute to these reductions. PMID:25036617

Effect of estrogen therapy for 1 year on thyroid volume and thyroid nodules in postmenopausal women.

PubMed

Ceresini, Graziano; Milli, Bruna; Morganti, Simonetta; Maggio, Marcello; Bacchi-Modena, Alberto; Sgarabotto, Maria Paola; Chirico, Carla; Di Donato, Pietro; Campanati, Paolo; Valcavi, Roberto; Ceda, Gian Paolo; Braverman, Lewis E; Valenti, Giorgio

2008-01-01

Estrogen receptors are present in thyroid follicular cells in normal and neoplastic tissue. We evaluated changes in total thyroid volume and volume of thyroid nodules in postmenopausal women given either hormone therapy (HT) or no treatment in a 1-year observational follow-up. We studied 33 women receiving HT and 76 women receiving no treatment, comparing total thyroid volume, thyroid nodule volume, and serum concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone and estradiol at baseline and 1 year of follow-up. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations were not different between groups either at baseline or at 1 year. Estradiol rose significantly in the HT group. The final percent changes in total thyroid volume were comparable between groups (HT, 1.59 +/- 2.56%; no treatment, 1.20 +/- 2.28%). At baseline, nodules were detected in 17 (51.5%) and 33 (43.4%) of women in the HT and no treatment groups, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between groups. The final number of nodules was unchanged or reduced in 88.2% and 81.1% and increased in 11.8% and 18.9% of women in the HT and no treatment groups, respectively, with no differences between groups. Baseline volumes of thyroid nodules were 0.8 +/- 0.4 and 1.4 +/- 0.4 mL in women in the HT and no treatment groups, respectively (P = 0.4). After 1 year the volume of thyroid nodules was unchanged or reduced in 47.1% and 52.8% and increased in 52.9% and 47.2% of women in the HT and no treatment groups, respectively, with no differences between groups. Estrogen administration for 1 year did not affect thyroid volume or the number and volume of thyroid nodules in postmenopausal women.

Influence of plasma volume expansion with saline on the plasma levels of an ouabain-like factor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rauch, A.L.; Morris, M.; Buckalew, V.M. Jr.

1986-03-05

Plasma volume expansion with saline activates the cardiopulmonary baroreflex and causes the release of natriuretic factors(s). One putative natriuretic factor has ouabain-like activity (OLA). To examine the relationship between this factor and plasma volume expansion, the OLA of plasma was examined in rats that were volume expanded with 0.9% saline at a rate of 150..mu..l/min/100 g of rat for 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes. Plasma OLA was quantitated with a radioreceptor assay utilizing /sup 3/H-ouabain and erythrocytes ghosts. The OLA and hematocrit of control rats were 18.2 +/- 2.93 pmoles of OLA/ml of plasma and 43.7 +/- 0.65. Aftermore » plasma volume expansion for 15 and 30 minutes, plasma OLA was not significantly altered (27.1 +/- 6.64 and 15.3 +/- 2.80, respectively). However, the hematocrit was reduced 13.9% (37.6 +/- 1.34, p < 0.05) and 33.6% (29.0 +/- 1.92, p < 0.01) for 15 and 30 minutes of volume expansion, respectively. After 60 minutes of volume expansion the hematocrit began to recover (33.7 +/- 2.16) although it was still significantly depressed (p < 0.01). At this time point the OLA was increased 248% to 63.4 +/- 22.7 pmoles of OLA/ml of plasma (p < 0.01). At 120 minutes of volume expansion the hematocrit was 38.3 +/- 1.24 and the OLA returned to control values (13.4 +/- 5.17). This data indicates that volume expansion causes an increase in plasma OLA and this increase in activity may contribute to the recovery of hematocrit that is seen with continued volume expansion.« less

DCS (Defense Communications System) Technical Control Engineering Criteria. Revision 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-05-01

Switched Network 5-9-14 5.9.6(g) Application of Principle of Time-Slot Interchange for Alt-Routing 5-9-15 5.9.6(h) Digital Interface (typical...is an approximate chart and does not take into account signal degradations which may be caused by frame cross-connects, patch jacks, or splices...Manual, TSEC/KG-30/30A/33A/34/34A Volume I - Description, Installation, and Principles of Operation KAM-238/TSEC Maintenance Maliual TSEC/KG-30/30A/33/33A

SU-F-T-99: Data Visualization From a Treatment Planning Tracking System for Radiation Oncology

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cline, K; Kabat, C; Li, Y

2016-06-15

Purpose: A treatment planning process tracker database with input forms and a TV-viewable display webpage was developed and implemented in our clinic to collect time data points throughout the process. Tracking plan times is important because it directly affects the patient quality of care. Simply, the longer a patient waits after their initial simulation CT for treatment to begin, the more time the cancer has to progress. The tracker helps to drive workflow through the clinic, while the data collected can be used to understand and manage the process to find and eliminate inefficiencies. Methods: The overall process steps trackedmore » are CT-simulation, mark patient, draw normal contours, draw target volumes, create plan, and review/approve plan. Time stamps for task completion were extracted and used to generate a set of clinic metrics, among which include average time for each step in the process split apart by type of treatment, average time to completion for plans started in a given week, and individual overall completion time per plan. Results: Trends have been tracked for fourteen weeks of clinical data (196 plans). On average, drawing normal contours and target volumes is taking 2–5 times as long as creating the plan itself. This is potentially an issue because it could mean the process is taking too long initially, and it could be forcing the planning step to be done in a short amount of time. We also saw from our graphs that there appears to be no clear trend on the average amount of time per plan week-to-week. Conclusion: A tracker of this type has the potential to provide insight into how time is utilized in our clinic. By equipping our dosimetrists, radiation oncologists, and physicists with individualized metric sets, the tracker can help provide visibility and drive workflow. Funded in part by CPRIT (RP140105).« less

Timber resource of the Indiana Knobs Unit, 1986.

Treesearch

Mark H. Hansen; Mark F. Golitz

1988-01-01

The third inventory of Indiana's timber resource shows that commercial forest area in the Knobs Unit decreased less than 2% between 1967 and 1986, from 1,769 to 1,741 thousand acres. During the same period growing-stock volume increased 33%. Highlights and statistics are presented on area, volume, growth, mortality, and removals.

Bulletin of the Association of North Dakota Geographers. Volume XXXVII, 1987.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Munski, Douglas C., Ed.

1987-01-01

The first paper in this volume, "Geomorphic Effects of Flood-Control Channel Works" (H. Rasid), examines the basic mechanisms of morphologic instabilities in man-made or modified channels in terms of their altered hydraulic characteristics and geomorphic responses to such induced changes. Two tables, two figures, and a 33-item…

The use of renal replacement therapy in acute decompensated heart failure.

PubMed

Udani, Suneel M; Murray, Patrick T

2009-01-01

The worsening of renal function in the context of decompensated heart failure is an increasingly common clinical scenario, dubbed the cardiorenal syndrome. Its development is not completely understood; however, it results from the hemodynamic and neurohumoral alterations that occur in the setting of left ventricular pressure and volume overload with poor cardiac output. Diuretics have been the mainstay of treatment; however, they are often unsuccessful in reversing the vicious cycle of volume overload, worsening cardiac function, and azotemia. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the form of isolated or continuous ultrafiltration (UF) with or without a component of solute clearance (hemofiltration or hemodialysis) has been increasingly utilized as a therapeutic tool in this setting. Initial clinical trial data on the use of UF have demonstrated promising cardiac outcomes with regard to fluid removal and symptom relief without worsening renal function. The addition of a component of solute clearance may provide additional benefits in these patients with varying degrees of renal impairment. The exact clinical setting in which the various forms of RRT should be applied as initial or early therapy for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) remains unknown. More research examining the use of RRT in ADHF is necessary; however, it appears that the patients with the most severe clinical presentations have the best chance of benefiting from the early application of RRT.

Teaching about U.S. History: A Comparative Approach, 33 Activities. History Series, Volume 2.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Gary R.

This book contains 33 supplementary activities on U.S. history. Although the activities were written for junior and senior high school students, most activities are adaptable for use with elementary school students also. The activities attempt to develop skills in three areas: (1) discovery skills (collecting, analyzing, and evaluating data;…

World Energy Data System (WENDS). Volume X. Nuclear facility profiles, PO--ZA. [Brief tabulated information

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1979-06-01

In this compendium each profile of a nuclear facility is a capsule summary of pertinent facts regarding that particular installation. The facilities described include the entire fuel cycle in the broadest sense, encompassing resource recovery through waste management. Power plants and all US facilities have been excluded. To facilitate comparison the profiles have been recorded in a standard format. Because of the breadth of the undertaking some data fields do not apply to the establishment under discussion and accordingly are blank. The set of nuclear facility profiles occupies four volumes; the profiles are ordered by country name, and then bymore » facility code. Each nuclear facility profile volume contains two complete indexes to the information. The first index aggregates the facilities alphabetically by country. It is further organized by category of facility, and then by the four-character facility code. It provides a quick summary of the nuclear energy capability or interest in each country and also an identifier, the facility code, which can be used to access the information contained in the profile.« less

Are we fully utilizing the functionalities of modern operating room ventilators?

PubMed

Liu, Shujie; Kacmarek, Robert M; Oto, Jun

2017-12-01

The modern operating room ventilators have become very sophisticated and many of their features are comparable with those of an ICU ventilator. To fully utilize the functionality of modern operating room ventilators, it is important for clinicians to understand in depth the working principle of these ventilators and their functionalities. Piston ventilators have the advantages of delivering accurate tidal volume and certain flow compensation functions. Turbine ventilators have great ability of flow compensation. Ventilation modes are mainly volume-based or pressure-based. Pressure-based ventilation modes provide better leak compensation than volume-based. The integration of advanced flow generation systems and ventilation modes of the modern operating room ventilators enables clinicians to provide both invasive and noninvasive ventilation in perioperative settings. Ventilator waveforms can be used for intraoperative neuromonitoring during cervical spine surgery. The increase in number of new features of modern operating room ventilators clearly creates the opportunity for clinicians to optimize ventilatory care. However, improving the quality of ventilator care relies on a complete understanding and correct use of these new features. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/COAN/A47.

Heliox Improves Carbon Dioxide Removal during Lung Protective Mechanical Ventilation.

PubMed

Beurskens, Charlotte J; Brevoord, Daniel; Lagrand, Wim K; van den Bergh, Walter M; Vroom, Margreeth B; Preckel, Benedikt; Horn, Janneke; Juffermans, Nicole P

2014-01-01

Introduction. Helium is a noble gas with low density and increased carbon dioxide (CO2) diffusion capacity. This allows lower driving pressures in mechanical ventilation and increased CO2 diffusion. We hypothesized that heliox facilitates ventilation in patients during lung-protective mechanical ventilation using low tidal volumes. Methods. This is an observational cohort substudy of a single arm intervention study. Twenty-four ICU patients were included, who were admitted after a cardiac arrest and mechanically ventilated for 3 hours with heliox (50% helium; 50% oxygen). A fixed protective ventilation protocol (6 mL/kg) was used, with prospective observation for changes in lung mechanics and gas exchange. Statistics was by Bonferroni post-hoc correction with statistical significance set at P < 0.017. Results. During heliox ventilation, respiratory rate decreased (25 ± 4 versus 23 ± 5 breaths min(-1), P = 0.010). Minute volume ventilation showed a trend to decrease compared to baseline (11.1 ± 1.9 versus 9.9 ± 2.1 L min(-1), P = 0.026), while reducing PaCO2 levels (5.0 ± 0.6 versus 4.5 ± 0.6 kPa, P = 0.011) and peak pressures (21.1 ± 3.3 versus 19.8 ± 3.2 cm H2O, P = 0.024). Conclusions. Heliox improved CO2 elimination while allowing reduced minute volume ventilation in adult patients during protective mechanical ventilation.

Report on the Results of Site Testing to Determine National Register Eligibility for Sites 39GR32, 39GR53, 39LM33 and 39LM39, in the Lake Francis Case Area, South Dakota. Volume 2. Appendices

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-06-01

WESTERN STUDIES AUGUSTANA COLLEGE, SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA 57105 ARCHEOLOGICAL CONTRACT SERIES NUMBER 29 VOLUME 2 APPENDICES 1. Location of Sites...Specialist Report - Report on the Soils at Sites 39GR53 and 39LM33, by Dr. Frederick Westin APPENDIX I Location of Sites on UGSG 7.5’ Quadrangle Maps...QUADANGL LOCTIO / (r\\\\ 2~0 SCALE 12000 0~ 1 0IL QUDANL OATO 1PPROXLOMETERA 51ONOU INTRVA 10LNAIN FEET DAU 1S MEILEALEE Location of site 39LM39. J~27 . ~ FIt

A novel fMRI paradigm suggests that pedaling-related brain activation is altered after stroke

PubMed Central

Promjunyakul, Nutta-on; Schmit, Brian D.; Schindler-Ivens, Sheila M.

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure pedaling-related brain activation in individuals with stroke and age-matched controls. We also sought to identify stroke-related changes in brain activation associated with pedaling. Fourteen stroke and 12 control subjects were asked to pedal a custom, MRI-compatible device during fMRI. Subjects also performed lower limb tapping to localize brain regions involved in lower limb movement. All stroke and control subjects were able to pedal while positioned for fMRI. Two control subjects were withdrawn due to claustrophobia, and one control data set was excluded from analysis due to an incidental finding. In the stroke group, one subject was unable to enter the gantry due to excess adiposity, and one stroke data set was excluded from analysis due to excessive head motion. Consequently, 81% of subjects (12/14 stroke, 9/12 control) completed all procedures and provided valid pedaling-related fMRI data. In these subjects, head motion was ≤3 mm. In both groups, brain activation localized to the medial aspect of M1, S1, and Brodmann’s area 6 (BA6) and to the cerebellum (vermis, lobules IV, V, VIII). The location of brain activation was consistent with leg areas. Pedaling-related brain activation was apparent on both sides of the brain, with values for laterality index (LI) of –0.06 (0.20) in the stroke cortex, 0.05 (±0.06) in the control cortex, 0.29 (0.33) in the stroke cerebellum, and 0.04 (0.15) in the control cerebellum. In the stroke group, activation in the cerebellum – but not cortex – was significantly lateralized toward the damaged side of the brain (p = 0.01). The volume of pedaling-related brain activation was smaller in stroke as compared to control subjects. Differences reached statistical significance when all active regions were examined together [p = 0.03; 27,694 (9,608) μL stroke; 37,819 (9,169) μL control]. When individual regions were examined separately, reduced brain activation volume reached statistical significance in BA6 [p = 0.04; 4,350 (2,347) μL stroke; 6,938 (3,134) μL control] and cerebellum [p = 0.001; 4,591 (1,757) μL stroke; 8,381 (2,835) μL control]. Regardless of whether activated regions were examined together or separately, there were no significant between-group differences in brain activation intensity [p = 0.17; 1.30 (0.25)% stroke; 1.16 (0.20)% control]. Reduced volume in the stroke group was not observed during lower limb tapping and could not be fully attributed to differences in head motion or movement rate. There was a tendency for pedaling-related brain activation volume to increase with increasing work performed by the paretic limb during pedaling (p = 0.08, r = 0.525). Hence, the results of this study provide two original and important contributions. First, we demonstrated that pedaling can be used with fMRI to examine brain activation associated with lower limb movement in people with stroke. Unlike previous lower limb movements examined with fMRI, pedaling involves continuous, reciprocal, multijoint movement of both limbs. In this respect, pedaling has many characteristics of functional lower limb movements, such as walking. Thus, the importance of our contribution lies in the establishment of a novel paradigm that can be used to understand how the brain adapts to stroke to produce functional lower limb movements. Second, preliminary observations suggest that brain activation volume is reduced during pedaling post-stroke. Reduced brain activation volume may be due to anatomic, physiology, and/or behavioral differences between groups, but methodological issues cannot be excluded. Importantly, brain action volume post-stroke was both task-dependent and mutable, which suggests that it could be modified through rehabilitation. Future work will explore these possibilities. PMID:26089789

Lung lobe modeling and segmentation with individualized surface meshes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blaffert, Thomas; Barschdorf, Hans; von Berg, Jens; Dries, Sebastian; Franz, Astrid; Klinder, Tobias; Lorenz, Cristian; Renisch, Steffen; Wiemker, Rafael

2008-03-01

An automated segmentation of lung lobes in thoracic CT images is of interest for various diagnostic purposes like the quantification of emphysema or the localization of tumors within the lung. Although the separating lung fissures are visible in modern multi-slice CT-scanners, their contrast in the CT-image often does not separate the lobes completely. This makes it impossible to build a reliable segmentation algorithm without additional information. Our approach uses general anatomical knowledge represented in a geometrical mesh model to construct a robust lobe segmentation, which even gives reasonable estimates of lobe volumes if fissures are not visible at all. The paper describes the generation of the lung model mesh including lobes by an average volume model, its adaptation to individual patient data using a special fissure feature image, and a performance evaluation over a test data set showing an average segmentation accuracy of 1 to 3 mm.

Designing and evaluating Brain Powered Games for cognitive training and rehabilitation in at-risk African children.

PubMed

Giordani, B; Novak, B; Sikorskii, A; Bangirana, P; Nakasujja, N; Winn, B M; Boivin, M J

2015-01-01

Valid, reliable, accessible, and cost-effective computer-training approaches can be important components in scaling up educational support across resource-poor settings, such as sub-Saharan Africa. The goal of the current study was to develop a computer-based training platform, the Michigan State University Games for Entertainment and Learning laboratory's Brain Powered Games (BPG) package that would be suitable for use with at-risk children within a rural Ugandan context and then complete an initial field trial of that package. After game development was completed with the use of local stimuli and sounds to match the context of the games as closely as possible to the rural Ugandan setting, an initial field study was completed with 33 children (mean age = 8.55 ± 2.29 years, range 6-12 years of age) with HIV in rural Uganda. The Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA), CogState computer battery, and the Non-Verbal Index from the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition (KABC-II) were chosen as the outcome measures for pre- and post-intervention testing. The children received approximately 45 min of BPG training several days per week for 2 months (24 sessions). Although some improvements in test scores were evident prior to BPG training, following training, children demonstrated clinically significant changes (significant repeated-measures outcomes with moderate to large effect sizes) on specific TOVA and CogState measures reflecting processing speed, attention, visual-motor coordination, maze learning, and problem solving. Results provide preliminary support for the acceptability, feasibility, and neurocognitive benefit of BPG and its utility as a model platform for computerized cognitive training in cross-cultural low-resource settings.

34 CFR 80.33 - Supplies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 34 Education 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Supplies. 80.33 Section 80.33 Education Office of the Secretary, Department of Education UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS... supplies exceeding $5,000 in total aggregate fair market value upon termination or completion of the award...

36 CFR 1207.33 - Supplies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Supplies. 1207.33 Section 1207.33 Parks, Forests, and Public Property NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION GENERAL RULES... aggregate fair market value upon termination or completion of the award, and if the supplies are not needed...

Hidden Symmetries of Euclideanised Kerr-NUT-(A)dS Metrics in Certain Scaling Limits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Visinescu, Mihai; Vîlcu, Eduard

2012-08-01

The hidden symmetries of higher dimensional Kerr-NUT-(A)dS metrics are investigated. In certain scaling limits these metrics are related to the Einstein-Sasaki ones. The complete set of Killing-Yano tensors of the Einstein-Sasaki spaces are presented. For this purpose the Killing forms of the Calabi-Yau cone over the Einstein-Sasaki manifold are constructed. Two new Killing forms on Einstein-Sasaki manifolds are identified associated with the complex volume form of the cone manifolds. Finally the Killing forms on mixed 3-Sasaki manifolds are briefly described.

Optimal investments in digital communication systems in primary exchange area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garcia, R.; Hornung, R.

1980-11-01

Integer linear optimization theory, following Gomory's method, was applied to the model planning of telecommunication networks in which all future investments are made in digital systems only. The integer decision variables are the number of digital systems set up on cable or radiorelay links that can be installed. The objective function is the total cost of the extension of the existing line capacity to meet the demand between primary and local exchanges. Traffic volume constraints and flow conservation in transit nodes complete the model. Results indicating computing time and method efficiency are illustrated by an example.

Correlation of respiratory symptoms and spirometric lung patterns in a rural community setting, Sindh, Pakistan: a cross sectional survey

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Symptom-based questionnaires can be a cost effective tool enabling identification and diagnosis of patients with respiratory illnesses in resource limited setting. This study aimed to determine the correlation of respiratory symptoms and spirometric lung patterns and validity of ATS respiratory questionnaire in a rural community setting. Methods This cross sectional survey was conducted between January – March 2009 on a sample of 200 adults selected from two villages of district Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. A modified version of the American thoracic society division of lung disease questionnaire was used to record the presence of respiratory symptoms. Predicted lung volumes i.e. forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and their ratio (FEV1/FVC) were recorded using portable spirometer. Results In the study sample there were 91 (45.5%) males and 109 (54.5%) females with overall mean age of 34 years (±11.69). Predominant respiratory symptom was phlegm (19%) followed by cough (17.5%), wheeze (14%) and dyspnea (10.5%). Prevalence of physician diagnosed and self-reported asthma was 5.5% and 9.5% respectively. Frequency of obstructive pattern on spirometry was 28.72% and that of restrictive pattern was 19.68%. After adjustment for age, gender, socioeconomic status, spoken dialect, education, smoking status, height, weight and arsenic in drinking water, FVC was significantly reduced for phlegm (OR 3.01; 95% CI: 1.14 – 7.94), wheeze (OR 7.22; 95% CI: 2.52 – 20.67) and shortness of breath (OR 4.91; 95% CI: 1.57 – 15.36); and FEV1 was significantly reduced for cough (OR 2.69; 95% CI: 1.12 – 6.43), phlegm (OR 3.01; 95% CI: 1.26 – 7.16) and wheeze (OR 10.77; 95% CI: 3.45 – 33.6). Presence of respiratory symptoms was significantly associated with restrictive and/or obstructive patterns after controlling for confounders. Similar findings were observed through linear regression where respiratory symptoms were found to be significantly associated with decrements in lung volumes. Specificity and positive predictive values were found to be higher for all the symptoms compared to sensitivity and negative predictive values. Conclusion Symptoms based respiratory questionnaires are a valuable tool for screening of respiratory symptoms in resource poor, rural community setting. PMID:23249311

Landfill aeration for emission control before and during landfill mining.

PubMed

Raga, Roberto; Cossu, Raffaello; Heerenklage, Joern; Pivato, Alberto; Ritzkowski, Marco

2015-12-01

The landfill of Modena, in northern Italy, is now crossed by the new high velocity railway line connecting Milan and Bologna. Waste was completely removed from a part of the landfill and a trench for the train line was built. With the aim of facilitating excavation and further disposal of the material extracted, suitable measures were defined. In order to prevent undesired emissions into the excavation area, the aerobic in situ stabilisation by means of the Airflow technology took place before and during the Landfill Mining. Specific project features involved the pneumatic leachate extraction from the aeration wells (to keep the leachate table low inside the landfill and increase the volume of waste available for air migration) and the controlled moisture addition into a limited zone, for a preliminary evaluation of the effects on process enhancement. Waste and leachate were periodically sampled in the landfill during the aeration before the excavation, for quality assessment over time; the evolution of biogas composition in the landfill body and in the extraction system for different plant set-ups during the project was monitored, with specific focus on uncontrolled migration into the excavation area. Waste biological stability significantly increased during the aeration (waste respiration index dropped to 33% of the initial value after six months). Leachate head decreased from 4 to 1.5m; leachate recirculation tests proved the beneficial effects of moisture addition on temperature control, without hampering waste aerobization. Proper management of the aeration plant enabled the minimization of uncontrolled biogas emissions into the excavation area. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A broad scope knowledge based model for optimization of VMAT in esophageal cancer: validation and assessment of plan quality among different treatment centers.

PubMed

Fogliata, Antonella; Nicolini, Giorgia; Clivio, Alessandro; Vanetti, Eugenio; Laksar, Sarbani; Tozzi, Angelo; Scorsetti, Marta; Cozzi, Luca

2015-10-31

To evaluate the performance of a broad scope model-based optimisation process for volumetric modulated arc therapy applied to esophageal cancer. A set of 70 previously treated patients in two different institutions, were selected to train a model for the prediction of dose-volume constraints. The model was built with a broad-scope purpose, aiming to be effective for different dose prescriptions and tumour localisations. It was validated on three groups of patients from the same institution and from another clinic not providing patients for the training phase. Comparison of the automated plans was done against reference cases given by the clinically accepted plans. Quantitative improvements (statistically significant for the majority of the analysed dose-volume parameters) were observed between the benchmark and the test plans. Of 624 dose-volume objectives assessed for plan evaluation, in 21 cases (3.3 %) the reference plans failed to respect the constraints while the model-based plans succeeded. Only in 3 cases (<0.5 %) the reference plans passed the criteria while the model-based failed. In 5.3 % of the cases both groups of plans failed and in the remaining cases both passed the tests. Plans were optimised using a broad scope knowledge-based model to determine the dose-volume constraints. The results showed dosimetric improvements when compared to the benchmark data. Particularly the plans optimised for patients from the third centre, not participating to the training, resulted in superior quality. The data suggests that the new engine is reliable and could encourage its application to clinical practice.

Effect of Sampling Schedule on Pharmacokinetic Parameter Estimates of Promethazine in Astronauts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boyd, Jason L.; Wang, Zuwei; Putcha, Lakshmi

2005-01-01

Six astronauts on the Shuttle Transport System (STS) participated in an investigation on the pharmacokinetics of promethazine (PMZ), a medication used for the treatment of space motion sickness (SMS) during flight. Each crewmember completed the protocol once during flight and repeated thirty days after returned to Earth. Saliva samples were collected at scheduled times for 72 h after PMZ administration; more frequent samples were collected on the ground than during flight owing to schedule constraints in flight. PMZ concentrations in saliva were determined by a liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric (LC-MS) assay and pharmacokinetic parameters (PKPs) were calculated using actual flight and ground-based data sets and using time-matched sampling schedule on ground to that during flight. Volume of distribution (V(sub c)) and clearance (Cl(sub s),) decreased during flight compared to that from time-matched ground data set; however, Cl(sub s) and V(sub c) estimates were higher for all subjects when partial ground data sets were used for analysis. Area under the curve (AUC) normalized with administered dose was similar in flight and partial ground data; however AUC was significantly lower using time-matched sampling compared with the full data set on ground. Half life (t(sub 1/2)) was longest during flight, shorter with matched-sampling schedule on ground and shortest when complete data set from ground was used. Maximum concentration (C(sub max)), time for C(sub max), (t(sub max)), parameters of drug absorption, depicted a similar trend with lowest and longest respectively, during flight, lower with time-matched ground data and highest and shortest with full ground data.

Effect of sampling schedule on pharmacokinetic parameter estimates of promethazine in astronauts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boyd, Jason L.; Wang, Zuwei; Putcha, Lakshmi

2005-08-01

Six astronauts on the Shuttle Transport System (STS) participated in an investigation on the pharmacokinetics of promethazine (PMZ), a medication used for the treatment of space motion sickness (SMS) during flight. Each crewmember completed the protocol once during flight and repeated thirty days after returned to Earth. Saliva samples were collected at scheduled times for 72 h after PMZ administration; more frequent samples were collected on the ground than during flight owing to schedule constraints in flight. PMZ concentrations in saliva were determined by a liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric (LC-MS) assay and pharmacokinetic parameters (PKPs) were calculated using actual flight and ground-based data sets and using time-matched sampling schedule on ground to that during flight. Volume of distribution (Vc) and clearance (Cls) decreased during flight compared to that from time-matched ground data set; however, ClS and Vc estimates were higher for all subjects when partial ground data sets were used for analysis. Area under the curve (AUC) normalized with administered dose was similar in flight and partial ground data; however AUC was significantly lower using time-matched sampling compared with the full data set on ground. Half life (t1/2) was longest during flight, shorter with matched-sampling schedule on ground and shortest when complete data set from ground was used. Maximum concentration (Cmax), time for Cmax (tmax), parameters of drug absorption, depicted a similar trend with lowest and longest respectively, during flight, lower with time- matched ground data and highest and shortest with full ground data.

21 CFR 1403.33 - Supplies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 9 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Supplies. 1403.33 Section 1403.33 Food and Drugs OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE... supplies exceeding $5,000 in total aggregate fair market value upon termination or completion of the award...

21 CFR 1403.33 - Supplies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 9 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Supplies. 1403.33 Section 1403.33 Food and Drugs OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE... supplies exceeding $5,000 in total aggregate fair market value upon termination or completion of the award...

22 CFR 135.33 - Supplies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... supplies exceeding $5,000 in total aggregate fair market value upon termination or completion of the award... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Supplies. 135.33 Section 135.33 Foreign... Supplies. (a) Title. Title to supplies acquired under a grant or subgrant will vest, upon acquisition, in...

49 CFR 18.33 - Supplies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... supplies exceeding $5,000 in total aggregate fair market value upon termination or completion of the award... 49 Transportation 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Supplies. 18.33 Section 18.33 Transportation... Supplies. (a) Title. Title to supplies acquired under a grant or subgrant will vest, upon acquisition, in...

45 CFR 1183.33 - Supplies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... supplies exceeding $5,000 in total aggregate fair market value upon termination or completion of the award... 45 Public Welfare 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Supplies. 1183.33 Section 1183.33 Public Welfare... Supplies. (a) Title. Title to supplies acquired under a grant or subgrant will vest, upon acquisition, in...

27 CFR 6.33 - Proprietary interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Proprietary interest. 6.33... OF THE TREASURY LIQUORS âTIED-HOUSEâ Unlawful Inducements Interest in Retail Property § 6.33 Proprietary interest. (a) Complete ownership. Outright ownership of a retail business by an industry member is...

27 CFR 6.33 - Proprietary interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Proprietary interest. 6.33... OF THE TREASURY ALCOHOL âTIED-HOUSEâ Unlawful Inducements Interest in Retail Property § 6.33 Proprietary interest. (a) Complete ownership. Outright ownership of a retail business by an industry member is...

Enzyme replacement therapy with taliglucerase alfa: 36-month safety and efficacy results in adult patients with Gaucher disease previously treated with imiglucerase.

PubMed

Pastores, Gregory M; Shankar, Suma P; Petakov, Milan; Giraldo, Pilar; Rosenbaum, Hanna; Amato, Dominick J; Szer, Jeffrey; Chertkoff, Raul; Brill-Almon, Einat; Zimran, Ari

2016-07-01

Taliglucerase alfa is the first available plant cell-expressed human recombinant therapeutic protein. It is indicated for treatment of patients with type 1 Gaucher disease (GD) in adult and pediatric patients in several countries. Study PB-06-002 examined the safety and efficacy of taliglucerase alfa for 9 months in patients who previously received imiglucerase. The results of adult patients from Study PB-06-002 who continued receiving taliglucerase alfa in extension Study PB-06-003 for up to 36 months are reported here. Eighteen patients received at least one dose of taliglucerase alfa in Study PB-06-003; 10 patients completed 36 total months of therapy, and four patients who transitioned to commercial drug completed 30-33 months of treatment. In patients who completed 36 total months of treatment, mean percent (±standard error) changes from baseline/time of switch to taliglucerase alfa to 36 months were as follows: hemoglobin concentration, -1.0% (±1.9%; n = 10); platelet count, +9.3% (±9.8%; n = 10); spleen volume measured in multiples of normal (MN), -19.8% (±9.9%; n = 7); liver volume measured in MN, +0.9% (±5.4%; n = 8); chitotriosidase activity, -51.5% (±8.1%; n = 10); and CCL18 concentration, -36.5 (±8.0%; n = 10). Four patients developed antidrug antibodies, including one with evidence of neutralizing activity in vitro. All treatment-related adverse events were mild or moderate and transient. The 36-month results of switching from imiglucerase to taliglucerase alfa treatment in adults with GD provide further data on the clinical safety and efficacy of taliglucerase alfa beyond the initial 9 months of the original study. www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00705939. Am. J. Hematol. 91:661-665, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 The Authors. American Journal of Hematology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Atropos: specific, sensitive, and speedy trimming of sequencing reads.

PubMed

Didion, John P; Martin, Marcel; Collins, Francis S

2017-01-01

A key step in the transformation of raw sequencing reads into biological insights is the trimming of adapter sequences and low-quality bases. Read trimming has been shown to increase the quality and reliability while decreasing the computational requirements of downstream analyses. Many read trimming software tools are available; however, no tool simultaneously provides the accuracy, computational efficiency, and feature set required to handle the types and volumes of data generated in modern sequencing-based experiments. Here we introduce Atropos and show that it trims reads with high sensitivity and specificity while maintaining leading-edge speed. Compared to other state-of-the-art read trimming tools, Atropos achieves significant increases in trimming accuracy while remaining competitive in execution times. Furthermore, Atropos maintains high accuracy even when trimming data with elevated rates of sequencing errors. The accuracy, high performance, and broad feature set offered by Atropos makes it an appropriate choice for the pre-processing of Illumina, ABI SOLiD, and other current-generation short-read sequencing datasets. Atropos is open source and free software written in Python (3.3+) and available at https://github.com/jdidion/atropos.

Atropos: specific, sensitive, and speedy trimming of sequencing reads

PubMed Central

Collins, Francis S.

2017-01-01

A key step in the transformation of raw sequencing reads into biological insights is the trimming of adapter sequences and low-quality bases. Read trimming has been shown to increase the quality and reliability while decreasing the computational requirements of downstream analyses. Many read trimming software tools are available; however, no tool simultaneously provides the accuracy, computational efficiency, and feature set required to handle the types and volumes of data generated in modern sequencing-based experiments. Here we introduce Atropos and show that it trims reads with high sensitivity and specificity while maintaining leading-edge speed. Compared to other state-of-the-art read trimming tools, Atropos achieves significant increases in trimming accuracy while remaining competitive in execution times. Furthermore, Atropos maintains high accuracy even when trimming data with elevated rates of sequencing errors. The accuracy, high performance, and broad feature set offered by Atropos makes it an appropriate choice for the pre-processing of Illumina, ABI SOLiD, and other current-generation short-read sequencing datasets. Atropos is open source and free software written in Python (3.3+) and available at https://github.com/jdidion/atropos. PMID:28875074

Flight set 360L007 (STS-33R) field joint protection system, thermal protection system, and systems tunnel components, volume 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

The performance of the thermal protection system, field joint protection system, and systems tunnel components of flight set 360L007 is presented as evaluated by postflight hardware inspection. The condition of both motors was similar to previous flights. Four aft edge strikes were noted on the ground environment instrumentation thermal protection system. The hits all left a clean substrate, indicating that the damage was caused by nozzle severance debris and/or water impact. No National Space Transportation System debris criteria for missing thermal protection system were violated. Two problem reports were written against the field joint protection system. The first concerned two cracks in the K5NA closeout over the trunnion/vent valve location on the left-hand aft field joint. A similar condition was observed on Flight 5 (360H005). The second problem report referred to a number of small surface cracks between two impact marks on the left-hand forward field joint. Neither area exhibited loose material or any abnormal heat effects, and they have no impact on flight safety.

Clinical study on the therapeutic role of midodrine in non azotemic cirrhotic patients with tense ascites: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.

PubMed

Ali, Ahmed; Farid, Samar; Amin, Mona; Kassem, Mohamed; Al-Garem, Nouman

2014-10-01

Midodrine is an α-agonist prodrug of desglymidodrine used for the management of hypotension. Midodrine has demonstrated usefulness in hepatorenal syndrome. The objective of the present work was to study the role of midodrine in patients with non-azotemic cirrhosis with tense ascites. This prospective randomized double blind placebo-controlled study was conducted on 67 non azotemic inpatients with liver cirrhosis and tense ascites (52 men and 15 women; age range, 45-72). One patient declined to participate in the study, 33 patients were randomly assigned to take midodrine hydrochloride, and 33 patients were randomly assigned to take placebo. Out of 67 enrolled patients, 60 patients (30: in midodrine group; 30: in placebo group) completed the study and 6 patients lost to follow up. Patients were assessed for patients’ characteristics, history of tapping their ascetic fluid, laboratory values, and Doppler parameters before and after the study. Average 24-h urine volume was assessed before and after the start of the study. significant reduction in body weight and abdominal girth was observed after 2 weeks of midodrine therapy. Midodrine appeared to be effective in lowering body weights and abdominal girths of non azotemic cirrhotic patients with tense ascites.

40 CFR 1051.625 - What special provisions apply to unique snowmobile designs for small-volume manufacturers?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false What special provisions apply to unique snowmobile designs for small-volume manufacturers? 1051.625 Section 1051.625 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM RECREATIONAL ENGINES AND VEHICLES Compliance...

Effects of gravel on infiltration, runoff, and sediment yield in landslide deposit slope in Wenchuan earthquake area, China.

PubMed

Li, Tianyang; He, Binghui; Chen, Zhanpeng; Zhang, Yi; Liang, Chuan; Wang, Renxin

2016-06-01

Amounts of landslide deposits were triggered by the Wenchuan earthquake with magnitude 8.0 on May 12, 2008. The landslide deposits were composed of soil and rock fragments, which play important roles in hydrological and erosion processes in the steep slope of landslide deposits. The mixtures of soil and gravels are common in the top layers of landslide deposits, and its processes are obviously different with the soil without gravels. Based on the data of field investigation, a series of simulated scouring flow experiments with four proportion of gravel (0, 25, 33.3, and 50 %) and three scouring flow rates (4, 8, 12 L/min) under two steep slopes (67.5, 72.7 %) were conducted sequentially to know the effects of proportion of gravel on infiltration capacity, runoff generation, and sediment production in the steep slope of landslide deposit. Results indicated that gravel had promoted or reduced effects on infiltration capacity which could affect further the cumulative runoff volume and cumulative sediment mass increase or decrease. The cumulative infiltration volume in 25 % proportion of gravel was less than those in 0, 33.3, and 50 % proportion of gravel. The cumulative runoff volume was in an order of 25 > 0 > 33.3 > 50 % while cumulative sediment mass ranked as 25 > 33.3 > 0 > 50 % with different proportions of gravel. A significant power relationship was found between scouring time and cumulative runoff volume as well as cumulative sediment mass. The relationship between average soil and water loss rate and proportion of gravel was able to express by quadratic function, with a high degree of reliability. The results have important implications for soil and water conservation and modeling in landslide deposit but also provide useful information for the similar conditions.

Medical Surveillance Monthly Report. Volume 22, Number 10, October 2015

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

Th e virus was fi rst identifi ed in Tanza- nia in 1953, but epidemics of illnesses resem- bling chikungunya fever were reported at least as early as...523 38 2,994 July 2010–June 2011 423 33 95 92 9 652 July 2011–June 2012 312 33 87 67 6 505 July 2012–June 2013 311 25

Personnel Selection Influences on Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Human-System Integration

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-01-30

measured by current selection methods (for a summary, see 9, 33). In the Williams , Carretta, Kirkendall, Barron, Stewart, and Rose study (33), Air...other characteristics. See Williams et al. (33) for the complete list of SAOCs. Williams et al. (33) made several recommendations regarding RPA...exaggerate their positive qualities and minimize those they consider negative when confronted with personality testing. Williams and King (32) compared

Abobotulinum - a toxin injection in patients with refractory idiopathic detrusor overactivity: injections in detrusor, trigone and bladder neck or prostatic urethra, versus detrusor - only injections

PubMed Central

Emami, Maryam; Shadpour, Pejman; Kashi, Amir H.; Choopani, Masoud; Zeighami, Mohammadreza

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate if the injections of abobotulinum-A toxin in trigone and bladder neck/prostatic urethra in addition to detrusor provides better symptoms relief and urodynamic findings in patients with idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) refractory to medical treatment. Materials and Methods: A total of 74 patients with IDO refractory to anticholinergics received injections in detrusor, trigone and bladder neck/prostatic urethra (Group A, N=36) versus detrusor only injections (Group B, N=38) of abobotulinum-A toxin. All patients were evaluated by a standard overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) questionnaire and cystometrography before and 6 weeks after the operation. OABSS questionnaire was also completed 20 weeks after the operation. Results: The magnitude of OABSS reduction from baseline to 6 weeks after operation in groups A and B patients was 13.4±2.2 versus 11.7±2.1 (p=0.001). Cystometry results were similar in both groups except for higher volume at urgent desire to void in Group B patients (p <0.001). The mean±SD change in residual volume in Group A at 6 weeks after the operation was −4.8±28.6mL (p=0.33) compared to 21.3±16.9mL in Group B patients (p <0.001). Conclusions: In patients with IDO, adding trigone, and bladder neck/prostatic urethra as sites of abobotulinum- A toxin injection produces greater reductions in OABSS score and less residual urine volume but a lower volume at urgent desire to void in comparison with detrusor only injections. PMID:28727385

Lung tumor motion change during stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT): an evaluation using MRI

PubMed Central

Olivier, Kenneth R.; Li, Jonathan G.; Liu, Chihray; Newlin, Heather E.; Schmalfuss, Ilona; Kyogoku, Shinsuke; Dempsey, James F.

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in lung tumor internal target volume during stereotactic body radiotherapy treatment (SBRT) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ten lung cancer patients (13 tumors) undergoing SBRT (48 Gy over four consecutive days) were evaluated. Each patient underwent three lung MRI evaluations: before SBRT (MRI‐1), after fraction 3 of SBRT (MRI‐3), and three months after completion of SBRT (MRI‐3m). Each MRI consisted of T1‐weighted images in axial plane through the entire lung. A cone‐beam CT (CBCT) was taken before each fraction. On MRI and CBCT taken before fractions 1 and 3, gross tumor volume (GTV) was contoured and differences between the two volumes were compared. Median tumor size on CBCT before fractions 1 (CBCT‐1) and 3 (CBCT‐3) was 8.68 and 11.10 cm3, respectively. In 12 tumors, the GTV was larger on CBCT‐3 compared to CBCT‐1 (median enlargement, 1.56 cm3). Median tumor size on MRI‐1, MRI‐3, and MRI‐3m was 7.91, 11.60, and 3.33 cm3, respectively. In all patients, the GTV was larger on MRI‐3 compared to MRI‐1 (median enlargement, 1.54 cm3). In all patients, GTV was smaller on MRI‐3m compared to MRI‐1 (median shrinkage, 5.44 cm3). On CBCT and MRI, all patients showed enlargement of the GTV during the treatment week of SBRT, except for one patient who showed minimal shrinkage (0.86 cm3). Changes in tumor volume are unpredictable; therefore, motion and breathing must be taken into account during treatment planning, and image‐guided methods should be used, when treating with large fraction sizes. PACS number: 87.53.Ly PMID:24892328

Effects of equipment performance on data quality from the National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network and the Mercury Deposition Network

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wetherbee, Gregory A.; Rhodes, Mark F.

2013-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Quality Systems operates the Precipitation Chemistry Quality Assurance project (PCQA) to provide independent, external quality-assurance for the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP). NADP is composed of five monitoring networks that measure the chemical composition of precipitation and ambient air. PCQA and the NADP Program Office completed five short-term studies to investigate the effects of equipment performance with respect to the National Trends Network (NTN) and Mercury Deposition Network (MDN) data quality: sample evaporation from NTN collectors; sample volume and mercury loss from MDN collectors; mercury adsorption to MDN collector glassware, grid-type precipitation sensors for precipitation collectors, and the effects of an NTN collector wind shield on sample catch efficiency. Sample-volume evaporation from an NTN Aerochem Metrics (ACM) collector ranged between 1.1–33 percent with a median of 4.7 percent. The results suggest that weekly NTN sample evaporation is small relative to sample volume. MDN sample evaporation occurs predominantly in western and southern regions of the United States (U.S.) and more frequently with modified ACM collectors than with N-CON Systems Inc. collectors due to differences in airflow through the collectors. Variations in mercury concentrations, measured to be as high as 47.5 percent per week with a median of 5 percent, are associated with MDN sample-volume loss. Small amounts of mercury are also lost from MDN samples by adsorption to collector glassware irrespective of collector type. MDN 11-grid sensors were found to open collectors sooner, keep them open longer, and cause fewer lid cycles than NTN 7-grid sensors. Wind shielding an NTN ACM collector resulted in collection of larger quantities of precipitation while also preserving sample integrity.

Factors influencing the output of rural cataract surgical facilities in China: the SHARP study.

PubMed

Chen, Tingting; Jin, Ling; Zhou, Zhongqiang; Huang, Yiwen; Yan, Xixi; Liu, Tianyu; Ong, Ee Lin; Liu, Bin; Huang, Wenyong; Iezzi, Beatrice; He, Mingguang; Friedman, David S; Congdon, Nathan G

2015-02-03

To identify factors associated prospectively with increased cataract surgical rate (CSR) in rural Chinese hospitals. Annual cataract surgical output was obtained at baseline and 24 months later from operating room records at 42 rural, county-level hospitals. Total local CSR (cases/million population/y), and proportion of CSR from hospital and local competitors were calculated from government records. Hospital administrators completed questionnaires providing demographic and professional information, and annual clinic and outreach screening volume. Independent cataract surgeons provided clinical information and videotapes of cases for grading by two masked experts using the Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubric (OSCAR). Uncorrected vision was recorded for 10 consecutive cataract cases at each facility, and 10 randomly-identified patients completed hospital satisfaction questionnaires. Total value of international nongovernmental development organization (INGDO) investment in the previous three years and demographic information on hospital catchment areas were obtained. Main outcome was 2-year percentage change in hospital CSR. Among the 42 hospitals (median catchment population 530,000, median hospital CSR 643), 78.6% (33/42) were receiving INGDO support. Median change in hospital CSR (interquartile range) was 33.3% (-6.25%, 72.3%). Predictors of greater increase in CSR included higher INGDO investment (P = 0.02, simple model), reducing patient dissatisfaction (P = 0.03, simple model), and more outreach patient screening (P = 0.002, simple and multiple model). Outreach cataract screening was the strongest predictor of increased surgical output. Government and INGDO investment in screening may be most likely to enhance output of county hospitals, a major goal of China's Blindness Prevention Plan. Copyright 2015 The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.

Infusion volume control and calculation using metronome and drop counter based intravenous infusion therapy helper.

PubMed

Park, Kyungnam; Lee, Jangyoung; Kim, Soo-Young; Kim, Jinwoo; Kim, Insoo; Choi, Seung Pill; Jeong, Sikyung; Hong, Sungyoup

2013-06-01

This study assessed the method of fluid infusion control using an IntraVenous Infusion Controller (IVIC). Four methods of infusion control (dial flow controller, IV set without correction, IV set with correction and IVIC correction) were used to measure the volume of each technique at two infusion rates. The infused fluid volume with a dial flow controller was significantly larger than other methods. The infused fluid volume was significantly smaller with an IV set without correction over time. Regarding the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) of infused fluid volume in relation to a target volume, IVIC correction was shown to have the highest level of agreement. The flow rate measured in check mode showed a good agreement with the volume of collected fluid after passing through the IV system. Thus, an IVIC could assist in providing an accurate infusion control. © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Peak streamflows and runoff volumes for the Central United States, February through September, 2011: Chapter C in 2011 floods of the central United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Holmes, Robert R.; Wiche, Gregg J.; Koenig, Todd A.; Sando, Steven K.

2013-01-01

During 2011, excessive precipitation resulted in widespread flooding in the Central United States with 33 fatalities and approximately $4.2 billion in damages reported in the Souris/Red River of the North (Souris/Red) and Mississippi River Basins. At different times, beginning in late February 2011 and extending through September 2011, various rivers in these basins had major flooding, with some locations receiving multiple rounds of flooding. Peak streamflow records were broken at 105 streamgages in the Souris/Red and Mississippi River Basins and annual runoff volume records set at 47 of the 211 streamgages analyzed for annual runoff. For the period of 1950 through 2011, the Ohio River provided almost one-half of the annual runoff at Vicksburg; the Missouri River contributed less than one-fourth, and the lower Mississippi River less than one-fourth. Those relative contribution patterns also occurred in 1973 and 2011, with the notable exception of the decrease in contribution of the lower Mississippi River tributaries and the increase in contribution from the upper Missouri River Basin in 2011 as compared to 1973 and the long-term average from 1950 to 2011.

Breathing regulation and blood gas homeostasis after near complete lesions of the retrotrapezoid nucleus in adult rats.

PubMed

Souza, George M P R; Kanbar, Roy; Stornetta, Daniel S; Abbott, Stephen B G; Stornetta, Ruth L; Guyenet, Patrice G

2018-04-18

The retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) is one of several CNS nuclei that contribute, in various capacities (e.g. CO 2 detection, neuronal modulation) to the central respiratory chemoreflex (CRC). Here we test how important the RTN is to PCO 2 homeostasis and breathing during sleep or wake. RTN Nmb positive neurons were killed with targeted microinjections of substance-P-saporin conjugate in adult rats. Under normoxia, rats with large RTN lesions (92 ± 4 % cell loss) had normal blood pressure (BP) and arterial pH but were hypoxic (-8 mmHg PaO 2 ) and hypercapnic (+10 mmHg PaCO 2 ). In resting conditions, minute-volume (V E ) was normal but breathing frequency (f R ) was elevated and tidal volume (V T ) reduced. Resting O 2 consumption and CO 2 production were normal. The hypercapnic ventilatory reflex in 65% FiO 2 had an inverse exponential relationship with the number of surviving RTN neurons and was decreased by up to 92%. The hypoxic ventilatory reflex (HVR; FiO 2 21-10%) persisted after RTN lesions, hypoxia-induced sighing was normal and hypoxia-induced hypotension reduced. In rats with RTN lesions, breathing was lowest during slow-wave sleep (SWS), especially under hyperoxia, but apneas and sleep-disordered breathing were not observed. In conclusion, near complete RTN destruction in rats virtually eliminates the CRC but HVR persists and sighing and the state-dependence of breathing are unchanged. Under normoxia, RTN lesions cause no change in V E but alveolar ventilation is reduced by at least 21%, probably because of increased physiological dead volume. RTN lesions do not cause sleep apnea during SWS, even under hyperoxia. Background: the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) drives breathing proportionally to brain PCO 2 but its role during various states of vigilance needed clarification. New result: Under normoxia, RTN lesions increase the arterial PCO 2 set-point, lower the PO 2 set-point and reduce alveolar ventilation relative to CO 2 production. Tidal volume is reduced and breathing frequency increased to a comparable degree during wake, slow-wave sleep and REM sleep. RTN lesions do not produce apneas or disordered breathing during sleep. New result: RTN lesions in rats virtually eliminate the central respiratory chemoreflex (CRC) while preserving the cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia; the relationship between CRC and number of surviving RTN Nmb neurons is an inverse exponential. the CRC does not function without the RTN. In the quasi-complete absence of the RTN and CRC, alveolar ventilation is reduced despite an increased drive to breathe from the carotid bodies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

32 CFR 33.31 - Real property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 32 National Defense 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Real property. 33.31 Section 33.31 National... Post-Award Requirements Changes, Property, and Subawards § 33.31 Real property. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to real property acquired under a...

32 CFR 33.31 - Real property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 32 National Defense 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Real property. 33.31 Section 33.31 National... Post-Award Requirements Changes, Property, and Subawards § 33.31 Real property. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to real property acquired under a...

32 CFR 33.31 - Real property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 32 National Defense 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Real property. 33.31 Section 33.31 National... Post-Award Requirements Changes, Property, and Subawards § 33.31 Real property. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to real property acquired under a...

32 CFR 33.31 - Real property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 32 National Defense 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Real property. 33.31 Section 33.31 National... Post-Award Requirements Changes, Property, and Subawards § 33.31 Real property. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to real property acquired under a...

32 CFR 33.31 - Real property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 32 National Defense 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Real property. 33.31 Section 33.31 National... Post-Award Requirements Changes, Property, and Subawards § 33.31 Real property. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to real property acquired under a...

Position resolution simulations for the inverted-coaxial germanium detector, SIGMA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wright, J. P.; Harkness-Brennan, L. J.; Boston, A. J.; Judson, D. S.; Labiche, M.; Nolan, P. J.; Page, R. D.; Pearce, F.; Radford, D. C.; Simpson, J.; Unsworth, C.

2018-06-01

The SIGMA Germanium detector has the potential to revolutionise γ-ray spectroscopy, providing superior energy and position resolving capabilities compared with current large volume state-of-the-art Germanium detectors. The theoretical position resolution of the detector as a function of γ-ray interaction position has been studied using simulated detector signals. A study of the effects of RMS noise at various energies has been presented with the position resolution ranging from 0.33 mm FWHM at Eγ = 1 MeV, to 0.41 mm at Eγ = 150 keV. An additional investigation into the effects pulse alignment have on pulse shape analysis and in turn, position resolution has been performed. The theoretical performance of SIGMA operating in an experimental setting is presented for use as a standalone detector and as part of an ancillary system.

Embedding medical student computer tutorials into a busy emergency department.

PubMed

Pusic, Martin V; Pachev, George S; MacDonald, Wendy A

2007-02-01

To explore medical students' use of computer tutorials embedded in a busy clinical setting; to demonstrate that such tutorials can increase knowledge gain over and above that attributable to the clinical rotation itself. Six tutorials were installed on a computer placed in a central area in an emergency department. Each tutorial was made up of between 33 and 85 screens of information that include text, graphics, animations, and questions. They were designed to be brief (10 minutes), focused, interactive, and immediately relevant. The authors evaluated the intervention using quantitative research methods, including usage tracking, surveys of faculty and students, and a randomized pretest-posttest study. Over 46 weeks, 95 medical students used the tutorials 544 times, for an overall average of 1.7 times a day. The median time spent on completed tutorials was 11 minutes (average [SD], 14 [+/-12] minutes). Seventy-four students completed the randomized study. They completed 65% of the assigned tutorials, resulting in improved examination scores compared with the control (effect size, 0.39; 95% confidence interval = 0.15 to 0.62). Students were positively disposed to the tutorials, ranking them as "valuable." Fifty-four percent preferred the tutorials to small group teaching sessions with a preceptor. The faculty was also positive about the tutorials, although they did not appear to integrate the tutorials directly into their teaching. Medical students on rotation in a busy clinical setting can and will use appropriately presented computer tutorials. The tutorials are effective in raising examination scores.

Inclusion of dosimetric data as covariates in toxicity-related radiogenomic studies : A systematic review.

PubMed

Yahya, Noorazrul; Chua, Xin-Jane; Manan, Hanani A; Ismail, Fuad

2018-05-17

This systematic review evaluates the completeness of dosimetric features and their inclusion as covariates in genetic-toxicity association studies. Original research studies associating genetic features and normal tissue complications following radiotherapy were identified from PubMed. The use of dosimetric data was determined by mining the statement of prescription dose, dose fractionation, target volume selection or arrangement and dose distribution. The consideration of the dosimetric data as covariates was based on the statement mentioned in the statistical analysis section. The significance of these covariates was extracted from the results section. Descriptive analyses were performed to determine their completeness and inclusion as covariates. A total of 174 studies were found to satisfy the inclusion criteria. Studies published ≥2010 showed increased use of dose distribution information (p = 0.07). 33% of studies did not include any dose features in the analysis of gene-toxicity associations. Only 29% included dose distribution features as covariates and reported the results. 59% of studies which included dose distribution features found significant associations to toxicity. A large proportion of studies on the correlation of genetic markers with radiotherapy-related side effects considered no dosimetric parameters. Significance of dose distribution features was found in more than half of the studies including these features, emphasizing their importance. Completeness of radiation-specific clinical data may have increased in recent years which may improve gene-toxicity association studies.

Group theoretical quantization of isotropic loop cosmology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Livine, Etera R.; Martín-Benito, Mercedes

2012-06-01

We achieve a group theoretical quantization of the flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker model coupled to a massless scalar field adopting the improved dynamics of loop quantum cosmology. Deparemetrizing the system using the scalar field as internal time, we first identify a complete set of phase space observables whose Poisson algebra is isomorphic to the su(1,1) Lie algebra. It is generated by the volume observable and the Hamiltonian. These observables describe faithfully the regularized phase space underlying the loop quantization: they account for the polymerization of the variable conjugate to the volume and for the existence of a kinematical nonvanishing minimum volume. Since the Hamiltonian is an element in the su(1,1) Lie algebra, the dynamics is now implemented as SU(1, 1) transformations. At the quantum level, the system is quantized as a timelike irreducible representation of the group SU(1, 1). These representations are labeled by a half-integer spin, which gives the minimal volume. They provide superselection sectors without quantization anomalies and no factor ordering ambiguity arises when representing the Hamiltonian. We then explicitly construct SU(1, 1) coherent states to study the quantum evolution. They not only provide semiclassical states but truly dynamical coherent states. Their use further clarifies the nature of the bounce that resolves the big bang singularity.

Exercise Mode Moderates the Relationship Between Mobility and Basal Ganglia Volume in Healthy Older Adults

PubMed Central

Nagamatsu, Lindsay S.; Weinstein, Andrea M.; Erickson, Kirk I.; Fanning, Jason; Awick, Elizabeth A.; Kramer, Arthur F.; McAuley, Edward

2015-01-01

Background Identifying effective intervention strategies to combat age-related decline in mobility and brain health is a priority. The primary aim of our study was to examine whether 12 months of aerobic training (AT) versus balance and toning (BAT) exercises moderates the relationship between change in mobility and change in basal ganglia volume in older adults. Design Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Setting Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Participants Community-dwelling older adults (N = 101; mean age = 66.41 years) Intervention 12-month exercise trial with two groups: AT and BAT. Measurements Mobility was assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Basal ganglia (putamen, caudate nucleus, pallidum) was segmented from T1-weighted MR images using FIRST. Measurements were obtained at baseline and trial completion. Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to examine whether exercise mode moderates the relationship between change in mobility and change in basal ganglia volume over 12 months. Age, sex, and education were included as covariates. Results Exercise mode significantly moderated the relationship between change in mobility and change in left putamen volume. Specifically, for the AT group, volume of the left putamen did not change, regardless of change in mobility. Similarly, in the BAT group, those who improved their mobility most over 12 months had no change in left putamen volume; however, those who declined in mobility levels significantly decreased in left putamen volume. Conclusion Our primary finding that older adults who engage in 12 months of balance and tone training and improve mobility exhibit maintenance of brain volume in a key region responsible for motor control provides compelling evidence that such exercises can contribute to the promotion of functional independence and healthy aging. PMID:26782858

The influence of self-relevant materials on working memory in dysphoric undergraduates.

PubMed

Dai, Qin; Rahman, Shaoon; Lau, Becky; Sook Kim, Hyang; Deldin, Patricia

2015-10-30

Difficulties in updating working memory (WM) may underlie problems with regulating emotions that contribute to depression. To examine the ability of updating affective materials in WM, 33 dysphoric and 34 non-dysphoric participants were asked to evaluate the self-descriptiveness of emotional adjectives and provide answers to self-relevant questions. Within 3-7 days, they completed a two-back task with a series of self-irrelevant or self-relevant emotional words (they had generated previously) and four conditions (match-set, break-set, perseveration-set, and no-set). After the WM task, an unexpected recall task was administered; controls recalled more positive self-relevant words and intrusions while dysphoric participants recalled more negative self-relevant words and intrusions. In break-set trials of the two-back task, dysphoric individuals showed slower response to self-relevant words regardless of valence. In the match-set and perseveration-set trials, dysphoric participants showed delayed response to self-related negative words. Moreover, longer reaction times for self-relevant negative words were correlated with higher rumination and worse depression. The results suggest that dysphoric undergraduates are interfered more by and have a better memory of self-relevant negative stimuli in WM, which is closely correlated with rumination. This study is among the first to confirm the potential mechanism that could underwrite the involvement of self-schema in effectively regulating negative affect. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gray-matter structural variability in the human cerebellum: Lobule-specific differences across sex and hemisphere.

PubMed

Steele, Christopher J; Chakravarty, M Mallar

2018-04-15

Though commonly thought of as a "motor structure", we now know that the cerebellum's reciprocal connections to the cerebral cortex underlie contributions to both motor and non-motor behavior. Further, recent research has shown that cerebellar dysfunction may contribute to a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders. However, there has been little characterization of normative variability at the level of cerebellar structure that can facilitate and further our understanding of disease biomarkers. In this manuscript we examine normative variation of the cerebellum using data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP). The Multiple Automatically Generated Templates (MAGeT) segmentation tool was used to identify the cerebella and 33 anatomically-defined lobules from 327 individuals from the HCP. To characterize normative variation, we estimated population mean volume and variability, assessed differences in hemisphere and sex, and related lobular volume to motor and non-motor behavior. We found that the effects of hemisphere and sex were not homogeneous across all lobules of the cerebellum. Greater volume in the right hemisphere was primarily driven by lobules Crus I, II, and H VIIB, with H VIIIA exhibiting the greatest left>right asymmetry. Relative to total cerebellar gray-matter volume, females had larger Crus II (known to be connected with non-motor regions of the cerebral cortex) while males had larger motor-connected lobules including H V, and VIIIA/B. When relating lobular volume to memory, motor performance, and emotional behavior, we found some evidence for relationships that have previously been identified in the literature. Our observations of normative cerebellar structure and variability in young adults provide evidence for lobule-specific differences in volume and the relationship with sex and behavior - indicating that the cerebellum cannot be considered a single structure with uniform function, but as a set of regions with functions that are likely as diverse as their connectivity with the cerebral cortex. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Nationwide Analysis of Cost Variation for Autologous Free Flap Breast Reconstruction.

PubMed

Billig, Jessica I; Lu, Yiwen; Momoh, Adeyiza O; Chung, Kevin C

2017-11-01

Cost variation among hospitals has been demonstrated for surgical procedures. Uncovering these differences has helped guide measures taken to reduce health care spending. To date, the fiscal consequence of hospital variation for autologous free flap breast reconstruction is unknown. To investigate factors that influence cost variation for autologous free flap breast reconstruction. A secondary cross-sectional analysis was performed using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample database from 2008 to 2010. The dates of analysis were September 2016 to February 2017. The setting was a stratified sample of all US community hospitals. Participants were female patients who were diagnosed as having breast cancer or were at high risk for breast cancer and underwent autologous free flap breast reconstruction. Variables of interest included demographic data, hospital characteristics, length of stay, complications (surgical and systemic), and inpatient cost. The study used univariate and generalized linear mixed models to examine associations between patient and hospital characteristics and cost. A total of 3302 patients were included in the study, with a median age of 50 years (interquartile range, 44-57 years). The mean cost for autologous free flap breast reconstruction was $22 677 (interquartile range, $14 907-$33 391). Flap reconstructions performed at high-volume hospitals were significantly more costly than those performed at low-volume hospitals ($24 360 vs $18 918, P < .001). Logistic regression demonstrated that hospital volume correlated with increased cost (Exp[β], 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02-1.11; P = .003). Fewer surgical complications (16.4% [169 of 1029] vs 23.7% [278 of 1174], P < .001) and systemic complications (24.2% [249 of 1029] vs 31.2% [366 of 1174], P < .001) were experienced in high-volume hospitals compared with low-volume hospitals. Flap procedures performed in the West were the most expensive ($28 289), with a greater odds of increased expenditure (Exp[β], 1.53; 95% CI, 1.46-1.61; P < .001) compared with the Northeast. A significant difference in length of stay was found between the West and Northeast (odds ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.17-1.33). There is significant cost variation among patients undergoing autologous free flap breast reconstruction. Experience, as measured by a hospital's volume, provides quality health care with fewer complications but is more costly. Longer length of stay contributed to regional cost variation and may be a target for decreasing expenditure, without compromising care. In the era of bundled health care payment, strategies should be implemented to eliminate cost variation to condense spending while still providing quality care.

Genetic polymorphisms and asthma: findings from a case-control study in the Madeira island population.

PubMed

Berenguer, Anabela Gonçalves; Fernandes, Ana Teresa; Oliveira, Susana; Rodrigues, Mariana; Ornelas, Pedro; Romeira, Diogo; Serrão, Tânia; Rosa, Alexandra; Câmara, Rita

2014-09-04

Asthma is a complex disease influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors. While Madeira has the highest prevalence of asthma in Portugal (14.6%), the effect of both genetic and environmental factors in this population has never been assessed. We categorized 98 asthma patients according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, established their sensitization profile, and measured their forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) indexes. Selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analysed as potential markers for asthma susceptibility and severity in the interleukin 4 (IL4), interleukin 13 (IL13), beta-2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2), a disintegrin and metalloprotease 33 (ADAM33), gasdermin-like (GSDML) and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) genes comparatively to a population reference set. Although mites are the major source of allergic sensitization, no significant difference was found amongst asthma severity categories. IL4-590*CT/TT and IL4-RP2*253183/183183 were found to predict the risk (2-fold) and severity (3 to 4-fold) of asthma and were associated with a lower FEV1 index. ADRB2-c.16*AG is a risk factor (3.5-fold), while genotype GSDML-236*TT was protective (4-fold) for moderate-severe asthma. ADAM33-V4*C was associated to asthma and mild asthma by the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT). Finally, ADAM33-V4*CC and STAT6-21*TT were associated with higher sensitization (mean wheal size ≥10 mm) to house dust (1.4-fold) and storage mite (7.8-fold). In Madeira, IL4-590C/T, IL4-RP2 253/183, GSDML-236C/T and ADAM33-V4C/G SNPs are important risk factors for asthma susceptibility and severity, with implications for asthma healthcare management.

The major volume /density/ of solid oxygen in equilibrium with vapor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roder, H. M.

1979-01-01

Data from the literature on the molar volume of solid oxygen have been compiled and critically analyzed. A correlated and thermodynamically consistent set of molar volumes, including the volume changes at the various solid phase transitions, is presented. Evidence for the existence of a delta-solid phase is reviewed. Uncertainties in the data and in the recommended set of values are discussed.

MRI and Diffusion-weighted MRI Volumetry for Identification of Complete Tumor Responders After Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy in Patients With Rectal Cancer: A Bi-institutional Validation Study.

PubMed

Lambregts, Doenja M J; Rao, Sheng-Xiang; Sassen, Sander; Martens, Milou H; Heijnen, Luc A; Buijsen, Jeroen; Sosef, Meindert; Beets, Geerard L; Vliegen, Roy A; Beets-Tan, Regina G H

2015-12-01

Retrospective single-center studies have shown that diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is promising for identification of patients with rectal cancer with a complete tumor response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT), using certain volumetric thresholds. This study aims to validate the diagnostic value of these volume thresholds in a larger, independent, and bi-institutional patient cohort. A total of 112 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (2 centers) treated with a long course of CRT were enrolled. Patients underwent standard T2W-magnetic resonance imaging and DWI, both pre- and post-CRT. Two experienced readers independently determined pre-CRT and post-CRT tumor volumes (cm) on T2W-magnetic resonance image and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance image by means of freehand tumor delineation. Tumor volume reduction rates (Δvolume) were calculated. Previously determined T2W and DWI threshold values for prevolume, postvolume, and Δvolume were tested to "prospectively" assess their respective diagnostic value in discriminating patients with a complete tumor response from patients with residual tumor. Twenty patients had a complete response. Using the average measurements between the 2 readers, areas under the curve for the pre-/post-/Δvolumes was 0.73/0.82/0.78 for T2W-magnetic resonance imaging and 0.77/0.92/0.86 for DWI, respectively. For T2W-volumetry, sensitivity and specificity using the predefined volume thresholds were 55% and 74% for pre-, 60% and 89% for post-, and 60% and 86% for Δvolume. For DWI volumetry, sensitivity and specificity were 65% and 76% for pre-, 70% and 98% for post-, and 70% and 93% for Δvolume. Previously established DWI volume thresholds can be reproduced with good results. Post-CRT DWI volumetry offers the best results for the detection of patients with a complete response after CRT with an area under the curve of 0.92, sensitivity of 70%, and specificity of 98%.

Saugus River and Tributaries, Lynn Malden, Revere and Saugus, Massachusetts. Flood Damage Reduction. Volume 8. Appendix K. Environmental

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-01

K10 Summary of Soil Analyses for the Salt Marsh Transects K32 KI1 Plant Community Composition Data Along Compartment K33 B Transect K12 Plant...Community Composition Data Along Compartment K33 I Transect K13 Plant Community Composition Data Along Compartment K33 K1 Transect K14 Plant Community... Composition Data Along Compartment K34 K3 Transect K15 Plant Community Composition Data Along Compartment K34 L2 Transect K16 Plant Community Composition

Deep Deconvolutional Neural Network for Target Segmentation of Nasopharyngeal Cancer in Planning Computed Tomography Images.

PubMed

Men, Kuo; Chen, Xinyuan; Zhang, Ye; Zhang, Tao; Dai, Jianrong; Yi, Junlin; Li, Yexiong

2017-01-01

Radiotherapy is one of the main treatment methods for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). It requires exact delineation of the nasopharynx gross tumor volume (GTVnx), the metastatic lymph node gross tumor volume (GTVnd), the clinical target volume (CTV), and organs at risk in the planning computed tomography images. However, this task is time-consuming and operator dependent. In the present study, we developed an end-to-end deep deconvolutional neural network (DDNN) for segmentation of these targets. The proposed DDNN is an end-to-end architecture enabling fast training and testing. It consists of two important components: an encoder network and a decoder network. The encoder network was used to extract the visual features of a medical image and the decoder network was used to recover the original resolution by deploying deconvolution. A total of 230 patients diagnosed with NPC stage I or stage II were included in this study. Data from 184 patients were chosen randomly as a training set to adjust the parameters of DDNN, and the remaining 46 patients were the test set to assess the performance of the model. The Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was used to quantify the segmentation results of the GTVnx, GTVnd, and CTV. In addition, the performance of DDNN was compared with the VGG-16 model. The proposed DDNN method outperformed the VGG-16 in all the segmentation. The mean DSC values of DDNN were 80.9% for GTVnx, 62.3% for the GTVnd, and 82.6% for CTV, whereas VGG-16 obtained 72.3, 33.7, and 73.7% for the DSC values, respectively. DDNN can be used to segment the GTVnx and CTV accurately. The accuracy for the GTVnd segmentation was relatively low due to the considerable differences in its shape, volume, and location among patients. The accuracy is expected to increase with more training data and combination of MR images. In conclusion, DDNN has the potential to improve the consistency of contouring and streamline radiotherapy workflows, but careful human review and a considerable amount of editing will be required.

Facial Phenotyping by Quantitative Photography Reflects Craniofacial Morphology Measured on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Icelandic Sleep Apnea Patients

PubMed Central

Sutherland, Kate; Schwab, Richard J.; Maislin, Greg; Lee, Richard W.W.; Benedikstdsottir, Bryndis; Pack, Allan I.; Gislason, Thorarinn; Juliusson, Sigurdur; Cistulli, Peter A.

2014-01-01

Study Objectives: (1) To determine whether facial phenotype, measured by quantitative photography, relates to underlying craniofacial obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk factors, measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); (2) To assess whether these associations are independent of body size and obesity. Design: Cross-sectional cohort. Setting: Landspitali, The National University Hospital, Iceland. Participants: One hundred forty patients (87.1% male) from the Icelandic Sleep Apnea Cohort who had both calibrated frontal and profile craniofacial photographs and upper airway MRI. Mean ± standard deviation age 56.1 ± 10.4 y, body mass index 33.5 ± 5.05 kg/m2, with on-average severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index 45.4 ± 19.7 h-1). Interventions: N/A. Measurements and Results: Relationships between surface facial dimensions (photos) and facial bony dimensions and upper airway soft-tissue volumes (MRI) was assessed using canonical correlation analysis. Photo and MRI craniofacial datasets related in four significant canonical correlations, primarily driven by measurements of (1) maxillary-mandibular relationship (r = 0.8, P < 0.0001), (2) lower face height (r = 0.76, P < 0.0001), (3) mandibular length (r = 0.67, P < 0.0001), and (4) tongue volume (r = 0.52, P = 0.01). Correlations 1, 2, and 3 were unchanged when controlled for weight and neck and waist circumference. However, tongue volume was no longer significant, suggesting facial dimensions relate to tongue volume as a result of obesity. Conclusions: Significant associations were found between craniofacial variable sets from facial photography and MRI. This study confirms that facial photographic phenotype reflects underlying aspects of craniofacial skeletal abnormalities associated with OSA. Therefore, facial photographic phenotyping may be a useful tool to assess intermediate phenotypes for OSA, particularly in large-scale studies. Citation: Sutherland K, Schwab RJ, Maislin G, Lee RW, Benedikstdsottir B, Pack AI, Gislason T, Juliusson S, Cistulli PA. Facial phenotyping by quantitative photography reflects craniofacial morphology measured on magnetic resonance imaging in icelandic sleep apnea patients. SLEEP 2014;37(5):959-968. PMID:24790275

Computer-Aided Structural Engineering (CASE) Project. A Case Project Study of Finite Element Analysis of Concrete Flat Slabs.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-01-01

CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE rWhon Dot Entered) REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE READ INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMPLETING FORM I REPORT NUMBER 12. GOVT ACCESSION NO. 3...TO 383 a 4o0IFY 1 10 3 FROM 33 TO 30 TO 30 10 33 TO 30 TO 30 TO 30 TO 33 eEI 3 ELEA 19 351 8 FROM Ss7 33 105860 41 toD 368 41 TO ON 33 TO 347 30

A cadaveric study to determine the minimum volume of methylene blue to completely color the nerves of brachial plexus in cats. An update in forelimb and shoulder surgeries.

PubMed

Mencalha, Rodrigo; Fernandes, Neide; Sousa, Carlos Augusto dos Santos; Abidu-Figueiredo, Marcelo

2014-06-01

To determine the minimum volume of methylene blue (MB) to completely color the brachial plexus (BP) nerves, simulating an effective anesthetic block in cats. Fifteen adult male cat cadavers were injected through subscapular approach with volumes of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 ml in both forelimbs, for a total of 30 brachial plexus blocks (BPB). After infusions, the specimens were carefully dissected preserving each nervous branch. The measurement of the effective area was indicated by the impregnation of MB. Nerves were divided into four segments from the origin at the spinal level until the insertion into the thoracic limb muscles. The blocks were considered effective only when all the nerves were strongly or totally colored. Volumes of 2, 3 and 4 ml were considered insufficient suggesting a failed block, however, volumes of 5 and 6 ml were associated with a successful block. The injection of methylene blue, in a volume of 6 ml, completely colored the brachial plexus. At volumes of 5 and 6 ml the brachial plexus blocks were considered a successful regional block, however, volumes of 2, 3 and 4 ml were considered a failed regional block.

The Effects of Interset Rest on Adaptation to 7 Weeks of Explosive Training in Young Soccer Players

PubMed Central

Ramirez-Campillo, Rodrigo; Andrade, David C.; Álvarez, Cristian; Henríquez-Olguín, Carlos; Martínez, Cristian; Báez-SanMartín, Eduardo; Silva-Urra, Juan; Burgos, Carlos; Izquierdo, Mikel

2014-01-01

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of plyometric training using 30, 60, or 120 s of rest between sets on explosive adaptations in young soccer players. Four groups of athletes (age 10.4 ± 2.3 y; soccer experience 3.3 ± 1.5 y) were randomly formed: control (CG; n = 15), plyometric training with 30 s (G30; n = 13), 60 s (G60; n = 14), and 120 s (G120; n = 12) of rest between training sets. Before and after intervention players were measured in jump ability, 20-m sprint time, change of direction speed (CODS), and kicking performance. The training program was applied during 7 weeks, 2 sessions per week, for a total of 840 jumps. After intervention the G30, G60 and G120 groups showed a significant (p = 0.0001 – 0.04) and small to moderate effect size (ES) improvement in the countermovement jump (ES = 0.49; 0.58; 0.55), 20 cm drop jump reactive strength index (ES = 0.81; 0.89; 0.86), CODS (ES = -1.03; -0.87; -1.04), and kicking performance (ES = 0.39; 0.49; 0.43), with no differences between treatments. The study shows that 30, 60, and 120 s of rest between sets ensure similar significant and small to moderate ES improvement in jump, CODS, and kicking performance during high-intensity short-term explosive training in young male soccer players. Key points Replacing some soccer drills by low volume high-intensity plyometric training would be beneficial in jumping, change of direction speed, and kicking ability in young soccer players. A rest period of 30, 60 or 120 seconds between low-volume high-intensity plyometric sets would induce significant and similar explosive adaptations during a short-term training period in young soccer players. Data from this research can be helpful for soccer trainers in choosing efficient drills and characteristics of between sets recovery programs to enhance performances in young male soccer players. PMID:24790481

Thermoregulatory and Perceptual Effects of a Percooling Garment Worn Underneath an American Football Uniform.

PubMed

Keen, Megan L; Miller, Kevin C; Zuhl, Micah N

2017-11-01

Keen, ML, Miller, KC, and Zuhl, MN. Thermoregulatory and perceptual effects of a percooling garment worn underneath an American football uniform. J Strength Cond Res 31(11): 2983-2991, 2017-American football athletes are at the highest risk of developing exertional heat illness (EHI). We investigated whether percooling (i.e., cooling during exercise) garments affected perceptual or physiological variables in individuals exercising in the heat while wearing football uniforms. Twelve male participants (age = 24 ± 4 year, mass = 80.1 ± 8.5 kg, height = 182.5 ± 10.4 cm) completed this cross-over, counterbalanced study. On day 1, we measured peak oxygen consumption (V[Combining Dot Above]O2). On days 2 and 3, participants wore percooling garments with (ICE) or without (CON) ice packs over the femoral and brachial arteries. They donned a football uniform and completed 3, 20-minute bouts of treadmill exercise at ∼50% of peak V[Combining Dot Above]O2 (∼33° C, ∼42% relative humidity) followed by a 10-minute rest period. Ice packs were replaced every 20 minutes. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal sensation, and thirst sensation were measured before and after each exercise bout. Environmental symptoms questionnaire (ESQ) responses and urine specific gravity (Usg) were measured pretesting and after the last exercise bout. V[Combining Dot Above]O2, change in heart rate (ΔHR), and change in rectal temperature (ΔTrec) were measured every 5 minutes. Sweat rate, sweat volume, and percent hypohydration were calculated. No interactions (F17,187 ≤ 1.6, p ≥ 0.1) or main effect of cooling condition (F1,11 ≤ 1.4, p ≥ 0.26) occurred for ΔTrec, ΔHR, thermal sensation, thirst, RPE, ESQ, or Usg. No differences between conditions occurred for sweat volume, sweat rate, or percent hypohydration (t11 ≤ 0.7, p ≥ 0.25). V[Combining Dot Above]O2 differed between conditions over time (F15,165 = 3.3, p < 0.001); ICE was lower than CON at 30, 55, and 70 minutes (p ≤ 0.05). It is unlikely that these garments would prevent EHI or minimize dehydration in football athletes.

Comparative genomics of Lactobacillus

PubMed Central

Kant, Ravi; Blom, Jochen; Palva, Airi; Siezen, Roland J.; de Vos, Willem M.

2011-01-01

Summary The genus Lactobacillus includes a diverse group of bacteria consisting of many species that are associated with fermentations of plants, meat or milk. In addition, various lactobacilli are natural inhabitants of the intestinal tract of humans and other animals. Finally, several Lactobacillus strains are marketed as probiotics as their consumption can confer a health benefit to host. Presently, 154 Lactobacillus species are known and a growing fraction of these are subject to draft genome sequencing. However, complete genome sequences are needed to provide a platform for detailed genomic comparisons. Therefore, we selected a total of 20 genomes of various Lactobacillus strains for which complete genomic sequences have been reported. These genomes had sizes varying from 1.8 to 3.3 Mb and other characteristic features, such as G+C content that ranged from 33% to 51%. The Lactobacillus pan genome was found to consist of approximately 14 000 protein‐encoding genes while all 20 genomes shared a total of 383 sets of orthologous genes that defined the Lactobacillus core genome (LCG). Based on advanced phylogeny of the proteins encoded by this LCG, we grouped the 20 strains into three main groups and defined core group genes present in all genomes of a single group, signature group genes shared in all genomes of one group but absent in all other Lactobacillus genomes, and Group‐specific ORFans present in core group genes of one group and absent in all other complete genomes. The latter are of specific value in defining the different groups of genomes. The study provides a platform for present individual comparisons as well as future analysis of new Lactobacillus genomes. PMID:21375712

A sex risk reduction text-message program for young adult females discharged from the emergency department.

PubMed

Suffoletto, Brian; Akers, Aletha; McGinnis, Kathleen A; Calabria, Jaclyn; Wiesenfeld, Harold C; Clark, Duncan B

2013-09-01

To pilot test a text message (SMS) sex risk reduction program among at-risk young adult female patients discharged from an emergency department (ED). A convenience sample of 52 female patients with hazardous drinking behavior and recent risky sexual encounters were recruited from an urban ED and randomized to the SMS program (n = 23) or a control group (n = 29). All participants completed a web-based questionnaire in the ED and at 3-month follow-up. For 12 weeks, SMS participants were asked to report whether they had a risky sexual encounter in the past week, received theory-based feedback, and were asked if they were willing set a goal to refrain from having another risky encounter. Thirty-nine percent of SMS participants completed all weeks of SMS reports, and noncompletion increasing from 12% on week 1 to a 33% by week 12. Three-month follow-up was completed in 56% of participants. In the intervention group, there was an increase in the proportion with condom use with last vaginal sex from 20% (95% CI 4%-48%) to 53% (95% CI 27%-79%) and an increase in always condom use over the past 28 days from 0% (95% CI 0%-22%) to 33% (95% CI 12%-62%). These changes were not statistically different from control participants. SMS programs may be useful to reduce risk for sexually transmitted diseases among at-risk young adults being discharged from the ED. Future trials should examine ways to improve adherence to SMS dialog over time and measure objective outcomes in a larger sample. Copyright © 2013 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Utrecht questionnaire (U-CEP) measuring knowledge on clinical epidemiology proved to be valid.

PubMed

Kortekaas, Marlous F; Bartelink, Marie-Louise E L; de Groot, Esther; Korving, Helen; de Wit, Niek J; Grobbee, Diederick E; Hoes, Arno W

2017-02-01

Knowledge on clinical epidemiology is crucial to practice evidence-based medicine. We describe the development and validation of the Utrecht questionnaire on knowledge on Clinical epidemiology for Evidence-based Practice (U-CEP); an assessment tool to be used in the training of clinicians. The U-CEP was developed in two formats: two sets of 25 questions and a combined set of 50. The validation was performed among postgraduate general practice (GP) trainees, hospital trainees, GP supervisors, and experts. Internal consistency, internal reliability (item-total correlation), item discrimination index, item difficulty, content validity, construct validity, responsiveness, test-retest reliability, and feasibility were assessed. The questionnaire was externally validated. Internal consistency was good with a Cronbach alpha of 0.8. The median item-total correlation and mean item discrimination index were satisfactory. Both sets were perceived as relevant to clinical practice. Construct validity was good. Both sets were responsive but failed on test-retest reliability. One set took 24 minutes and the other 33 minutes to complete, on average. External GP trainees had comparable results. The U-CEP is a valid questionnaire to assess knowledge on clinical epidemiology, which is a prerequisite for practicing evidence-based medicine in daily clinical practice. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Detectability of Wolf-Rayet stars in M33 and Beyond the Local Group

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brocklebank, Aaron J.; Pledger, J. L.; Sansom, A. E.

2017-11-01

To understand how complete our surveys of Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars can be with the current generation of telescopes, we study images of M33, a galaxy with a nearly complete WR catalogue, and degrade them to investigate the detectability of WRs out to 30Mpc. We lose almost half of our sample at 4.2Mpc, and at 30Mpc we detect only those WRs in bright regions.

Utility of galaxy catalogs for following up gravitational waves from binary neutron star mergers with wide-field telescopes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hanna, Chad; Mandel, Ilya; Vousden, Will, E-mail: chad.hanna@ligo.org, E-mail: imandel@star.sr.bham.ac.uk, E-mail: will@star.sr.bham.ac.uk

The first detections of gravitational waves from binary neutron star mergers with advanced LIGO and Virgo observatories are anticipated in the next five years. These detections could pave the way for multi-messenger gravitational-wave (GW) and electromagnetic (EM) astronomy if GW triggers are successfully followed up with targeted EM observations. However, GW sky localization is relatively poor, with expected localization areas of ∼10-100 deg{sup 2}; this presents a challenge for following up GW signals from compact binary mergers. Even for wide-field instruments, tens or hundreds of pointings may be required. Prioritizing pointings based on the relative probability of successful imaging ismore » important since it may not be possible to tile the entire gravitational-wave localization region in a timely fashion. Galaxy catalogs were effective at narrowing down regions of the sky to search in initial attempts at joint GW/EM observations. The relatively limited range of initial GW instruments meant that few galaxies were present per pointing and galaxy catalogs were complete within the search volume. The next generation of GW detectors will have a 10-fold increase in range thereby increasing the expected number of galaxies per unit solid angle by a factor of ∼1000. As an additional complication, catalogs will be highly incomplete. Nevertheless, galaxy catalogs can still play an important role in prioritizing pointings for the next era of GW searches. We show how to quantify the advantages of using galaxy catalogs to prioritize wide-field follow-ups as a function of only two parameters: the three-dimensional volume within the field of view of a telescope after accounting for the GW distance measurement uncertainty, and the fraction of the GW sky localization uncertainty region that can be covered with telescope pointings. We find that the use of galaxy catalogs can improve the probability of successful imaging by ∼10% to ∼300% relative to follow-up strategies that do not utilize such catalogs for the scenarios we considered. We determine that catalogs with a 75% completeness perform comparably to complete catalogs in most cases, while 33%-complete catalogs can lead to lower follow-up success rates than complete catalogs for small fields of view, though still providing an advantage over strategies that do not use a catalog at all.« less

Computer-aided detection of bladder masses in CT urography (CTU)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cha, Kenny H.; Hadjiiski, Lubomir M.; Chan, Heang-Ping; Caoili, Elaine M.; Cohan, Richard H.; Weizer, Alon; Samala, Ravi K.

2017-03-01

We are developing a computer-aided detection system for bladder cancer in CT urography (CTU). We have previously developed methods for detection of bladder masses within the contrast-enhanced and the non-contrastenhanced regions of the bladder individually. In this study, we investigated methods for detection of bladder masses within the entire bladder. The bladder was segmented using our method that combined deep-learning convolutional neural network with level sets. The non-contrast-enhanced region was separated from the contrast-enhanced region with a maximum-intensity-projection-based method. The non-contrast region was smoothed and gray level threshold was applied to the contrast and non-contrast regions separately to extract the bladder wall and potential masses. The bladder wall was transformed into a straightened thickness profile, which was analyzed to identify lesion candidates in a prescreening step. The candidates were mapped back to the 3D CT volume and segmented using our auto-initialized cascaded level set (AI-CALS) segmentation method. Twenty-seven morphological features were extracted for each candidate. A data set of 57 patients with 71 biopsy-proven bladder lesions was used, which was split into independent training and test sets: 42 training cases with 52 lesions, and 15 test cases with 19 lesions. Using the training set, feature selection was performed and a linear discriminant (LDA) classifier was designed to merge the selected features for classification of bladder lesions and false positives. The trained classifier was evaluated with the test set. FROC analysis showed that the system achieved a sensitivity of 86.5% at 3.3 FPs/case for the training set, and 84.2% at 3.7 FPs/case for the test set.

Birth weight and neonatal adiposity prediction using fractional limb volume obtained with 3D ultrasound.

PubMed

O'Connor, Clare; O'Higgins, Amy; Doolan, Anne; Segurado, Ricardo; Stuart, Bernard; Turner, Michael J; Kennelly, Máireád M

2014-01-01

The objective of this investigation was to study fetal thigh volume throughout gestation and explore its correlation with birth weight and neonatal body composition. This novel technique may improve birth weight prediction and lead to improved detection rates for fetal growth restriction. Fractional thigh volume (TVol) using 3D ultrasound, fetal biometry and soft tissue thickness were studied longitudinally in 42 mother-infant pairs. The percentages of neonatal body fat, fat mass and fat-free mass were determined using air displacement plethysmography. Correlation and linear regression analyses were performed. Linear regression analysis showed an association between TVol and birth weight. TVol at 33 weeks was also associated with neonatal fat-free mass. There was no correlation between TVol and neonatal fat mass. Abdominal circumference, estimated fetal weight (EFW) and EFW centile showed consistent correlations with birth weight. Thigh volume demonstrated an additional independent contribution to birth weight prediction when added to the EFW centile from the 38-week scan (p = 0.03). Fractional TVol performed at 33 weeks gestation is correlated with birth weight and neonatal lean body mass. This screening test may highlight those at risk of fetal growth restriction or macrosomia.

Prevalence, incidence, and resolution of nocturnal polyuria in a longitudinal community-based study in older men: the Krimpen study.

PubMed

van Doorn, Boris; Blanker, Marco H; Kok, Esther T; Westers, Paul; Bosch, J L H Ruud

2013-03-01

Nocturnal polyuria (NP) is common in older men and can lead to nocturia. However, no longitudinal data are available on the natural history of NP. To determine prevalence, incidence, and resolution rates of NP. A longitudinal, community-based study was conducted among 1688 men aged 50-78 yr in Krimpen aan den IJssel, The Netherlands (reference date: 1995), with planned follow-up rounds at 2, 4, and 6 yr. NP was determined with frequency-volume charts. Two definitions of NP were used: (1) a nocturnal urine production (NUP) of >90 ml/h (NUP90) and (2) the nocturnal voided volume plus first morning void being >33% of the 24-h voided volume (NUV33). Nocturia was defined as two or more voids per night. We determined the prevalence of NP at each study round. At first follow-up, we determined the incidence in men without baseline NP and the resolution in men with baseline NP. Prevalence of NP in men with or without nocturia was also determined. At baseline, the prevalence of NUP90 was 15.0% and increased to 21.7% after 6.5 yr, whereas the prevalence of NUV33 was 77.8% at baseline and 80.5% after 6.5 yr. At 2.1 yr of follow-up, the incidences of NUP90 and NUV33 were 13.6% and 60.3%, respectively, and the resolution rates were 57.0% and 17.8%, respectively. Because of this fluctuation in NP, no reliable long-term incidences could be calculated. At baseline, NUP90 was prevalent in 27.7% of men with nocturia and in 8.0% of those without nocturia. At baseline, NUV33 was prevalent in 91.9% of men with nocturia and in 70.1% of men without nocturia. Due to the fluctuation of NP, it is advisable to first determine its chronicity and cause before starting treatment. Because of the high prevalence of NP in men without nocturia, NUV33 should be reconsidered as a discriminative definition of NP. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.

30 CFR 33.34 - Drilling test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Drilling test. 33.34 Section 33.34 Mineral... MINING PRODUCTS DUST COLLECTORS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH ROCK DRILLING IN COAL MINES Test Requirements § 33.34 Drilling test. (a) A drilling test shall consist of drilling a set of 10 test holes, without...

30 CFR 33.34 - Drilling test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Drilling test. 33.34 Section 33.34 Mineral... MINING PRODUCTS DUST COLLECTORS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH ROCK DRILLING IN COAL MINES Test Requirements § 33.34 Drilling test. (a) A drilling test shall consist of drilling a set of 10 test holes, without...

30 CFR 33.34 - Drilling test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Drilling test. 33.34 Section 33.34 Mineral... MINING PRODUCTS DUST COLLECTORS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH ROCK DRILLING IN COAL MINES Test Requirements § 33.34 Drilling test. (a) A drilling test shall consist of drilling a set of 10 test holes, without...

Temperature change rate actuated bubble mixing for homogeneous rehydration of dry pre-stored reagents in centrifugal microfluidics.

PubMed

Hin, S; Paust, N; Keller, M; Rombach, M; Strohmeier, O; Zengerle, R; Mitsakakis, K

2018-01-16

In centrifugal microfluidics, dead volumes in valves downstream of mixing chambers can hardly be avoided. These dead volumes are excluded from mixing processes and hence cause a concentration gradient. Here we present a new bubble mixing concept which avoids such dead volumes. The mixing concept employs heating to create a temperature change rate (TCR) induced overpressure in the air volume downstream of mixing chambers. The main feature is an air vent with a high fluidic resistance, representing a low pass filter with respect to pressure changes. Fast temperature increase causes rapid pressure increase in downstream structures pushing the liquid from downstream channels into the mixing chamber. As air further penetrates into the mixing chamber, bubbles form, ascend due to buoyancy and mix the liquid. Slow temperature/pressure changes equilibrate through the high fluidic resistance air vent enabling sequential heating/cooling cycles to repeat the mixing process. After mixing, a complete transfer of the reaction volume into the downstream fluidic structure is possible by a rapid cooling step triggering TCR actuated valving. The new mixing concept is applied to rehydrate reagents for loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). After mixing, the reaction mix is aliquoted into several reaction chambers for geometric multiplexing. As a measure for mixing efficiency, the mean coefficient of variation (C[combining macron]V[combining macron], n = 4 LabDisks) of the time to positivity (t p ) of the LAMP reactions (n = 11 replicates per LabDisk) is taken. The C[combining macron]V[combining macron] of the t p is reduced from 18.5% (when using standard shake mode mixing) to 3.3% (when applying TCR actuated bubble mixing). The bubble mixer has been implemented in a monolithic fashion without the need for any additional actuation besides rotation and temperature control, which are needed anyhow for the assay workflow.

Dutasteride reduces prostate size and prostate specific antigen in older hypogonadal men with benign prostatic hyperplasia undergoing testosterone replacement therapy.

PubMed

Page, Stephanie T; Hirano, Lianne; Gilchriest, Janet; Dighe, Manjiri; Amory, John K; Marck, Brett T; Matsumoto, Alvin M

2011-07-01

Benign prostatic hyperplasia and hypogonadism are common disorders in aging men. There is concern that androgen replacement in older men may increase prostate size and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. We examined whether combining dutasteride, which inhibits testosterone to dihydrotestosterone conversion, with testosterone treatment in older hypogonadal men with benign prostatic hyperplasia reduces androgenic stimulation of the prostate compared to testosterone alone. We conducted a double-blind, placebo controlled trial of 53 men 51 to 82 years old with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate volume 30 cc or greater and serum total testosterone less than 280 ng/dl (less than 9.7 nmol/l). Subjects were randomized to daily transdermal 1% T gel plus oral placebo or dutasteride for 6 months. Testosterone dosing was adjusted to a serum testosterone of 500 to 1,000 ng/dl. The primary outcomes were prostate volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging, serum prostate specific antigen and androgen levels. A total of 46 subjects completed all procedures. Serum testosterone increased similarly into the mid-normal range in both groups. Serum dihydrotestosterone increased in the testosterone only but decreased in the testosterone plus dutasteride group. In the testosterone plus dutasteride group prostate volume and prostate specific antigen (mean ± SEM) decreased 12% ± 2.5% and 35% ± 5%, respectively, compared to the testosterone only group in which prostate volume and prostate specific antigen increased 7.5% ± 3.3% and 19% ± 7% (p = 0.03 and p = 0.008), respectively, after 6 months of treatment. Prostate symptom scores improved in both groups. Combined treatment with testosterone plus dutasteride reduces prostate volume and prostate specific antigen compared to testosterone only. Coadministration of a 5α-reductase inhibitor with testosterone appears to spare the prostate from androgenic stimulation during testosterone replacement in older, hypogonadal men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Copyright © 2011 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tetracycline sclerotherapy for testicular hydroceles in renal transplant recipients.

PubMed

Shokeir, A A; Eraky, I; Hassan, N; Wafa, E W; Mohsen, T; Ghoneim, M A

1994-07-01

To study the efficacy of tetracycline sclerotherapy in renal transplant recipients with symptomatic hydroceles. A total of 21 patients with symptomatic hydroceles following renal transplantation underwent aspiration of hydrocele and injection of tetracycline hydrochloride. Sclerosant solution was prepared by dissolving 1 g tetracycline hydrochloride powder in 10 mL 1% lidocaine. The amount of sclerosant used depended on the volume of the sac: 5 mL for a sac containing up to 100 mL and 2.5 mL of sclerosant was added for each increase of 100 mL in sac volume. Twelve patients (57%) required only one treatment and 9 patients (43%) had up to 3 injections. The larger the hydrocele, the more treatments were required. The resolution of hydrocele was complete in 12 patients (57%) and partial in 7 (33%) with 2 (10%) failures. Pain at injection was observed in one third of the patients. No major complications (fever, hematoma, infections, abscess, or scrotal necrosis) occurred in any patient. No changes in the structure or size of the testicles were found by ultrasound during an average follow-up period of 35 months. Tetracycline sclerotherapy is a safe, effective, and economical form of out-patient therapy that can be recommended as primary treatment for hydroceles in patients who have undergone renal transplantation.

Pharmacodynamically optimized erythropoietin treatment combined with phlebotomy reduction predicted to eliminate blood transfusions in selected preterm infants.

PubMed

Rosebraugh, Matthew R; Widness, John A; Nalbant, Demet; Cress, Gretchen; Veng-Pedersen, Peter

2014-02-01

Preterm very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants weighing <1.5 kg at birth develop anemia, often requiring multiple red blood cell transfusions (RBCTx). Because laboratory blood loss is a primary cause of anemia leading to RBCTx in VLBW infants, our purpose was to simulate the extent to which RBCTx can be reduced or eliminated by reducing laboratory blood loss in combination with pharmacodynamically optimized erythropoietin (Epo) treatment. Twenty-six VLBW ventilated infants receiving RBCTx were studied during the first month of life. RBCTx simulations were based on previously published RBCTx criteria and data-driven Epo pharmacodynamic optimization of literature-derived RBC life span and blood volume data corrected for phlebotomy loss. Simulated pharmacodynamic optimization of Epo administration and reduction in phlebotomy by ≥ 55% predicted a complete elimination of RBCTx in 1.0-1.5 kg infants. In infants <1.0 kg with 100% reduction in simulated phlebotomy and optimized Epo administration, a 45% reduction in RBCTx was predicted. The mean blood volume drawn from all infants was 63 ml/kg: 33% required for analysis and 67% discarded. When reduced laboratory blood loss and optimized Epo treatment are combined, marked reductions in RBCTx in ventilated VLBW infants were predicted, particularly among those with birth weights >1.0 kg.

75 FR 29605 - Clean Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Engine Conversions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-26

... Small Volume Manufacturers and Small Volume Test Groups 1. Definition of Small Volume Manufacturers, Small Volume Test Groups, and Small Volume Engine Families a. Light-Duty and Heavy-Duty Complete... and Engines 2. Test Groups, Engine Families, and Evaporative Families a. Test Groups for Light-Duty...

Evaluation of the LWVD Luminosity for Use in the Spectral-Based Volume Sensor Algorithms

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-29

VMI Vibro-Meter, Inc. VS Volume Sensor VSCS Volume Sensor Communications Specification VSDS Volume Sensor Detection Suite VSNP Volume Sensor Nodal Panel...using the VSCS communications protocol. Appendix A gives a complete listing of the SBVS EVENT parameters and the EVENT algorithm descriptions. See

Grid Generation Techniques Utilizing the Volume Grid Manipulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alter, Stephen J.

1998-01-01

This paper presents grid generation techniques available in the Volume Grid Manipulation (VGM) code. The VGM code is designed to manipulate existing line, surface and volume grids to improve the quality of the data. It embodies an easy to read rich language of commands that enables such alterations as topology changes, grid adaption and smoothing. Additionally, the VGM code can be used to construct simplified straight lines, splines, and conic sections which are common curves used in the generation and manipulation of points, lines, surfaces and volumes (i.e., grid data). These simple geometric curves are essential in the construction of domain discretizations for computational fluid dynamic simulations. By comparison to previously established methods of generating these curves interactively, the VGM code provides control of slope continuity and grid point-to-point stretchings as well as quick changes in the controlling parameters. The VGM code offers the capability to couple the generation of these geometries with an extensive manipulation methodology in a scripting language. The scripting language allows parametric studies of a vehicle geometry to be efficiently performed to evaluate favorable trends in the design process. As examples of the powerful capabilities of the VGM code, a wake flow field domain will be appended to an existing X33 Venturestar volume grid; negative volumes resulting from grid expansions to enable flow field capture on a simple geometry, will be corrected; and geometrical changes to a vehicle component of the X33 Venturestar will be shown.

Nuclear science abstracts (NSA) database 1948--1974 (on the Internet)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

Nuclear Science Abstracts (NSA) is a comprehensive abstract and index collection of the International Nuclear Science and Technology literature for the period 1948 through 1976. Included are scientific and technical reports of the US Atomic Energy Commission, US Energy Research and Development Administration and its contractors, other agencies, universities, and industrial and research organizations. Coverage of the literature since 1976 is provided by Energy Science and Technology Database. Approximately 25% of the records in the file contain abstracts. These are from the following volumes of the print Nuclear Science Abstracts: Volumes 12--18, Volume 29, and Volume 33. The database containsmore » over 900,000 bibliographic records. All aspects of nuclear science and technology are covered, including: Biomedical Sciences; Metals, Ceramics, and Other Materials; Chemistry; Nuclear Materials and Waste Management; Environmental and Earth Sciences; Particle Accelerators; Engineering; Physics; Fusion Energy; Radiation Effects; Instrumentation; Reactor Technology; Isotope and Radiation Source Technology. The database includes all records contained in Volume 1 (1948) through Volume 33 (1976) of the printed version of Nuclear Science Abstracts (NSA). This worldwide coverage includes books, conference proceedings, papers, patents, dissertations, engineering drawings, and journal literature. This database is now available for searching through the GOV. Research Center (GRC) service. GRC is a single online web-based search service to well known Government databases. Featuring powerful search and retrieval software, GRC is an important research tool. The GRC web site is at http://grc.ntis.gov.« less

Rectal cancer: assessment of complete response to preoperative combined radiation therapy with chemotherapy--conventional MR volumetry versus diffusion-weighted MR imaging.

PubMed

Curvo-Semedo, Luís; Lambregts, Doenja M J; Maas, Monique; Thywissen, Thomas; Mehsen, Rana T; Lammering, Guido; Beets, Geerard L; Caseiro-Alves, Filipe; Beets-Tan, Regina G H

2011-09-01

To determine diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for assessment of complete tumor response (CR) after combined radiation therapy with chemotherapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) by means of volumetric signal intensity measurements and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements and to compare the performance of DW imaging with that of T2-weighted MR volumetry. A retrospective analysis of 50 patients with LARC, for whom clinical and imaging data were retrieved from a previous imaging study approved by the local institutional ethical committee and for which all patients provided informed consent, was conducted. Patients underwent pre- and post-CRT standard T2-weighted MR and DW MR. Two independent readers placed free-hand regions of interest (ROIs) in each tumor-containing section on both data sets to determine pre- and post-CRT tumor volumes and tumor volume reduction rates (volume). ROIs were copied to an ADC map to calculate tumor ADCs. Histopathologic findings were the standard of reference. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to compare performance of T2-weighted and DW MR volumetry and ADC. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate interobserver variability and the correlation between T2-weighted and DW MR volumetry. Areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) for identification of a CR that was based on pre-CRT volume, post-CRT volume, and volume, respectively, were 0.57, 0.70, and 0.84 for T2-weighted MR versus 0.63, 0.93, and 0.92 for DW MR volumetry (P = .15, .02, .42). Pre- and post-CRT ADC and ADC AUCs were 0.55, 0.54, and 0.51, respectively. Interobserver agreement was excellent for all pre-CRT measurements (ICC, 0.91-0.96) versus good (ICC, 0.61-0.79) for post-CRT measurements. ICC between T2-weighted and DW MR volumetry was excellent (0.97) for pre-CRT measurements versus fair (0.25) for post-CRT measurements. Post-CRT DW MR volumetry provided high diagnostic performance in assessing CR and was significantly more accurate than T2-weighted MR volumetry. Post-CRT DW MR was equally as accurate as volume measurements of both T2-weighted and DW MR. Pre-CRT volumetry and ADC were not reliable.

The K-KIDS Sample: K Dwarfs within 50 Parsecs and the Search for their Closest Companions with CHIRON

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paredes-Alvarez, Leonardo; Nusdeo, Daniel Anthony; Henry, Todd J.; Jao, Wei-Chun; Gies, Douglas R.; White, Russel; RECONS Team

2017-01-01

To understand fundamental aspects of stellar populations, astronomers need carefully vetted, volume-complete samples. In our K-KIDS effort, our goal is to survey a large sample of K dwarfs for their "kids", companions that may be stellar, brown dwarf, or planetary in nature. Four surveys for companions orbiting an initial set of 1048 K dwarfs with declinations between +30 and -30 have begun. Companions are being detected with separations less than 1 AU out to 10000 AU. Fortuitously, the combination of Hipparcos and Gaia DR1 astrometry with optical photometry from APASS and infrared photometry from 2MASS now allows us to create an effectively volume-complete sample of K dwarfs to a horizon of 50 pc. This sample facilitates rigorous studies of the luminosity and mass functions, as well as comprehensive mapping of the companions orbiting K dwarfs that have never before been possible.Here we present two important results. First, we find that our initial sample of ~1000 K dwarfs can be expanded to 2000-3000 stars in what is an effectively volume-complete sample. This population is sufficiently large to provide superb statistics on the outcomes of star and planet formation processes. Second, initial results from our high-precision radial velocity survey of K dwarfs with the CHIRON spectrograph on the CTIO/SMARTS 1.5m reveal its short-term precision and indicate that stellar, brown dwarf and Jovian planets will be detectable. We present radial velocity curves for an inital sample of 8 K dwarfs with V = 7-10 using cross-correlation techniques on R=80,000 spectra, and illustrate the stability of CHIRON over hours, days, and weeks. Ultimately, the combination of all four surveys will provide an unprecedented portrait of K dwarfs and their kids.This effort has been supported by the NSF through grants AST-1412026 and AST-1517413, and via observations made possible by the SMARTS Consortium

SeaWiFS technical report series. Volume 9: The simulated SeaWiFS data set, version 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gregg, Watson W.; Chen, Frank C.; Mezaache, Ahmed L.; Chen, Judy D.; Whiting, Jeffrey A.; Hooker, Stanford B. (Editor); Firestone, Elaine R. (Editor); Indest, A. W. (Editor)

1993-01-01

Data system development activities for the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) must begin well before the scheduled 1994 launch. To assist in these activities, it is essential to develop a simulated SeaWiFS data set as soon as possible. Realism is of paramount importance in this data set, including SeaWiFS spectral bands, orbital and scanning characteristics, and known data structures. Development of the simulated data set can assist in identification of problem areas that can be addressed and solved before the actual data are received. This paper describes the creation of the first version of the simulated SeaWiFS data set. The data set includes the spectral band, orbital, and scanning characteristics of the SeaWiFS sensor and SeaStar spacecraft. The information is output in the data structure as it is stored onboard. Thus, it is a level-0 data set which can be taken from start to finish through a prototype data system. The data set is complete and correct at the time of printing, although the values in the telemetry fields are left blank. The structure of the telemetry fields, however, is incorporated. Also, no account for clouds has been included. However, this version facilitates early prototyping activities by the SeaWiFS data system, providing a realistic data set to assess performance.

A Safe, Self-Calibrating, Wireless System for Measuring Volume of Any Fuel at Non-Horizontal Orientation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woodward, Stanley E.; Taylor, Bryant D.

2010-01-01

A system for wirelessly measuring the volume of fluid in tanks at non-horizontal orientation is predicated upon two technologies developed at Langley Research Center. The first is a magnetic field response recorder that powers and interrogates magnetic field response sensors [ Magnetic Field Response Measurement Acquisition System, (LAR-16908), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 30, No. 6 (June 2006), page 28]. Magnetic field response sensors are a class of sensors that are powered via oscillating magnetic fields and when electrically active respond with their own magnetic fields whose attributes are dependent upon the magnitude of the physical quantity being measured. The response recorder facilitates the use of the second technology, which is a magnetic field response fluid-level sensor ["Wireless Fluid- Level Sensors for Harsh Environments," (LAR-17155), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 33, No. 4 (April 2009), page 30]. The method for powering and interrogating the sensors allows them to be completely encased in materials (Fig. 1) that are chemically resilient to the fluid being measured, thereby facilitating measurement of substances (e.g., acids, petroleum, cryogenic, caustic, and the like) that would normally destroy electronic circuitry. When the sensors are encapsulated, no fluid (or fluid vapor) is exposed to any electrical component of the measurement system. There is no direct electrical line from the vehicle or plant power into a fuel container. The means of interrogating and powering the sensors can be completely physically and electrically isolated from the fuel and vapors by placing the sensor on the other side of an electrically non-conductive bulkhead (Fig. 2). These features prevent the interrogation system and its electrical components from becoming an ignition source.

Designing and verifying a disassembly line approach to cope with the upsurge of end-of-life vehicles in China.

PubMed

Zhang, Chunliang; Chen, Ming

2018-06-01

An upsurge of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) is emerging in China, which means a potential monumental environmental crisis. The approach of disassembly line is expected to be an effective solution to such increasing volumes. Due to the complexity of vehicle product and uncertainties of disassembly processes, a complete set of disassembly line system should be taken into detailed consideration. We have designed and constructed a novel disassembly line using a flexible transition technique with the objective of complete disassembly. Prior to productivity testing, comparative Arena-based simulations on four scenarios have been performed and finally a best scenario is selected. The results show that the guarantee of cycle time is the key to meet the productivity target of 30,000 vehicles for one year. To achieve it, some constructive measures such as forcible entry tools are given. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Epinephrine doses delivered from auto-injectors stored at excessively high temperatures.

PubMed

Rachid, Ousama; Simons, F Estelle R; Rawas-Qalaji, Mutasem; Lewis, Stephen; Simons, Keith J

2016-01-01

Prompt injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) from epinephrine auto-injectors (EAIs) is the primary treatment for anaphylaxis in out-of-hospital settings. Storage of EAIs at room temperature (25 °C) is advised; however, storage at excessively high temperatures sometimes occurs. To our knowledge, there are no previous publications on the doses of epinephrine ejected from EAIs after storage at such temperatures. We examined the epinephrine doses delivered from activated EAIs stored constantly or cyclically at 70 °C. Twenty-five in-date EAIs were stored constantly or cyclically at 70 °C (excessive heat) or 25 °C (controls) for 5 d or 10 d. EAIs were activated and the epinephrine doses in the ejected solutions were measured using HPLC-UV. The enantiomeric purity of epinephrine was also measured by HPLC-UV. Control EAIs ejected a volume of 0.300 ± 0.006 mL containing 103.7 ± 3.3% of labeled dose (LD). After 5 d or 10 d of constant storage at 70 °C and activation at 70 °C, EAIs ejected a volume of 0.367 ± 0.008 mL containing 96.8 ± 3.8% LD and 0.373 ± 0.007 mL containing 77.7 ± 3.3% LD, respectively. After 5 d of cyclic storage at 70 °C and cooling to 25 °C before activation, EAIs ejected a volume of 0.311 ± 0.008 mL containing 87.2 ± 1.9% LD. Under the experimental conditions of this study, the resultant chromatographic peaks of epinephrine solutions from all EAIs represented only the pure l-enantiomer of epinephrine. EAIs should be stored under recommended conditions of the manufacturer. EAIs stored at excessively high temperatures cannot be used to treat humans while still hot, and when cooled, cannot be relied on to deliver the labeled epinephrine dose in anaphylaxis.

The Effects of Varying Ratios of Physical and Mental Practice, and Task Difficulty on Performance of a Tonal Pattern

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cahn, Dan

2008-01-01

Sixty undergraduate students who had completed at least one semester of jazz improvisation were assigned to either: (a) physical practice (PP); (b) mental practice (MP); (c) combined 66 percent PP and 33 percent MP (66%PP:33%MP); and (d) combined 33 percent PP and 66 percent MP (33%PP:66%MP) groups. Subjects were to perform a 3-1-7-5 tonal pattern…

Development of the Modified Four Square Step Test and its reliability and validity in people with stroke.

PubMed

Roos, Margaret A; Reisman, Darcy S; Hicks, Gregory; Rose, William; Rudolph, Katherine S

2016-01-01

Adults with stroke have difficulty avoiding obstacles when walking, especially when a time constraint is imposed. The Four Square Step Test (FSST) evaluates dynamic balance by requiring individuals to step over canes in multiple directions while being timed, but many people with stroke are unable to complete it. The purposes of this study were to (1) modify the FSST by replacing the canes with tape so that more persons with stroke could successfully complete the test and (2) examine the reliability and validity of the modified version. Fifty-five subjects completed the Modified FSST (mFSST) by stepping over tape in all four directions while being timed. The mFSST resulted in significantly greater numbers of subjects completing the test than the FSST (39/55 [71%] and 33/55 [60%], respectively) (p < 0.04). The test-retest, intrarater, and interrater reliability of the mFSST were excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient ranges: 0.81-0.99). Construct and concurrent validity of the mFSST were also established. The minimal detectable change was 6.73 s. The mFSST, an ideal measure of dynamic balance, can identify progress in people with stroke in varied settings and can be completed by a wide range of people with stroke in approximately 5 min with the use of minimal equipment (tape, stop watch).

Reaching the end of the line: Operational issues with implementing phone-based unannounced pill counts in resource-limited settings.

PubMed

Hirsch-Moverman, Yael; Burkot, Camilla; Saito, Suzue; Frederix, Koen; Pitt, Blanche; Melaku, Zenebe; Gadisa, Tsigereda; Howard, Andrea A

2017-01-01

Accurate measurement of adherence is necessary to ensure that therapeutic outcomes can be attributed to the recommended treatment. Phone-based unannounced pill counts were shown to be feasible and reliable measures of adherence in developed settings; and have been further used as part of medication adherence interventions. However, it is not clear whether this method can be implemented successfully in resource-limited settings, where cellular network and mobile phone coverage may be low. Our objective is to describe operational issues surrounding the use of phone-based unannounced pill counts in Lesotho and Ethiopia. Phone-based monthly unannounced pill counts, using an adaptation of a standardized protocol from previous US-based studies, were utilized to measure anti-TB and antiretroviral medication adherence in two implementation science studies in resource-limited settings, START (Lesotho) and ENRICH (Ethiopia). In START, 19.6% of calls were completed, with 71.9% of participants reached at least once; majority of failed call attempts were due to phones not being available (54.8%) or because participants were away from the pills (32.7%). In ENRICH, 33.5% of calls were completed, with 86.7% of participants reached at least once; the main reasons for failed call attempts were phones being switched off (31.5%), participants not answering (27.3%), participants' discomfort speaking on the phone (15.4%), and network problems (13.2%). Structural, facility-level, participant-level, and data collection challenges were encountered in these settings. Phone-based unannounced pill counts were found to be challenging, and response rates suboptimal. While some of these challenges were specific to local contexts, most of them are generalizable to resource-limited settings. In a research study context, a possible solution to ease operational challenges may be to focus phone-based unannounced pill count efforts on a randomly selected sample from participants who are provided with study phones and rigorously ensure that call attempts are made for these participants.

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Demads of the Kettlebell Swing using Tabata Interval versus a Traditional Resistance Protocol

PubMed Central

FORTNER, HOWARD A.; SALGADO, JEANETTE M.; HOLMSTRUP, ANGELICA M.; HOLMSTRUP, MICHAEL E.

2014-01-01

Tabata (TAB) training, consisting of eight cycles of 20 seconds of maximal exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest, is time-efficient, with aerobic and anaerobic benefit. This study investigated the cardiovascular and metabolic demands of a TAB versus traditional (TRAD) resistance protocol with the kettlebell swing. Fourteen young (18–25y), non-obese (BMI 25.7±0.8 kg/m2) participants reported on three occasions. All testing incorporated measurements of HR, oxygen consumption, and blood lactate accumulation. Each participant completed Tabata kettlebell swings (male- 8kg, female- 4.5kg; 8 intervals; 20s maximal repetitions, 10s rest). On a subsequent visit (TRAD), the total swings from the TAB protocol were evenly divided into 4 sets, with 90s rest between sets. Outcome measures were compared using paired t-tests. The TAB was completed more quickly than the TRAD protocol (240.0±0.0 v. 521.5±3.3 sec, P<0.01), at a higher perceived exertion (Borg RPE; 15.1±0.7 v. 11.7±0.9, P<0.01). The TAB elicited a higher average VO2 value (33.1±1.5 v. 27.2±1.6 ml/kg/min, P<0.01), percent of VO2peak achieved (71.0±0.3 v. 58.4±0.3%, P<0.01), maximal HR (162.4±4.6 v. 145.6±4.8 bpm, P<0.01), and post-exercise blood lactate concentration (6.4±1.1 v. 3.7±0.5 mmol/L, P<0.01). Conclusion The kettlebell swing demonstrated significantly greater cardiovascular and metabolic responses within a TAB vs. TRAD framework. Appropriate screening and risk stratification are advised before implementing kettlebell swings. PMID:27182402

41 CFR 102-33.260 - When we report as excess, or replace, an aircraft (including a declassified aircraft), must we...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... to the Federal Aviation Interactive Reporting System (FAIRS)? 102-33.260 Section 102-33.260 Public... a declassified aircraft), must we report the change in inventory to the Federal Aviation Interactive... change in inventory to the Federal Aviation Interactive Reporting System (FAIRS). For complete...

41 CFR 102-33.260 - When we report as excess, or replace, an aircraft (including a declassified aircraft), must we...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... to the Federal Aviation Interactive Reporting System (FAIRS)? 102-33.260 Section 102-33.260 Public... a declassified aircraft), must we report the change in inventory to the Federal Aviation Interactive... change in inventory to the Federal Aviation Interactive Reporting System (FAIRS). For complete...

41 CFR 102-33.260 - When we report as excess, or replace, an aircraft (including a declassified aircraft), must we...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... to the Federal Aviation Interactive Reporting System (FAIRS)? 102-33.260 Section 102-33.260 Public... a declassified aircraft), must we report the change in inventory to the Federal Aviation Interactive... change in inventory to the Federal Aviation Interactive Reporting System (FAIRS). For complete...

41 CFR 102-33.260 - When we report as excess, or replace, an aircraft (including a declassified aircraft), must we...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... to the Federal Aviation Interactive Reporting System (FAIRS)? 102-33.260 Section 102-33.260 Public... a declassified aircraft), must we report the change in inventory to the Federal Aviation Interactive... change in inventory to the Federal Aviation Interactive Reporting System (FAIRS). For complete...

41 CFR 102-33.260 - When we report as excess, or replace, an aircraft (including a declassified aircraft), must we...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... to the Federal Aviation Interactive Reporting System (FAIRS)? 102-33.260 Section 102-33.260 Public... a declassified aircraft), must we report the change in inventory to the Federal Aviation Interactive... change in inventory to the Federal Aviation Interactive Reporting System (FAIRS). For complete...

Changes in serum interleukin-33 levels in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

PubMed

Liu, Jingyao; Xing, Yingqi; Gao, Ying; Zhou, Chunkui

2014-02-01

Inflammation is widely considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemic injury. The balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors significantly affects the prognosis of patients with cerebral infarction. Interleukin-33 (IL-33), a newly identified member of the interkeukin-1 superfamily, has been found to play very important roles in the inflammation of several human diseases including asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and central nervous system inflammation. To our knowledge its role in the pathology of acute cerebral infarction has not yet been reported. In this study, we demonstrated that serum IL-33 levels were significantly increased in patients with acute cerebral infarction compared to control patients without acute cerebral infarction. Furthermore, serum IL-33 levels increased with the infarction volume. Our study suggests that IL-33 may be involved in the pathogenesis and/or progression of acute cerebral infarction. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Retailer-Led Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Price Increase Reduces Purchases in a Hospital Convenience Store in Melbourne, Australia: A Mixed Methods Evaluation.

PubMed

Blake, Miranda R; Peeters, Anna; Lancsar, Emily; Boelsen-Robinson, Tara; Corben, Kirstan; Stevenson, Christopher E; Palermo, Claire; Backholer, Kathryn

2018-06-01

Limited evidence has been gathered on the real-world impact of sugar-sweetened beverage price changes on purchasing behavior over time or in community-retail settings. Our aim was to determine changes in beverage purchases, business outcomes, and customer and retailer satisfaction associated with a retailer-led sugar-sweetened beverage price increase in a convenience store. We hypothesized that purchases of less-healthy beverages would decrease compared to predicted sales. A convergent parallel mixed methods design complemented sales data (122 weeks pre-intervention, 17 weeks during intervention) with stakeholder interviews and customer surveys. Electronic beverage sales data were collected from a convenience store in Melbourne, Australia (August through November 2015). Convenience store staff completed semi-structured interviews (n=4) and adult customers exiting the store completed surveys (n=352). Beverages were classified using a state government framework. Prices of "red" beverages (eg, nondiet soft drinks, energy drinks) increased by 20%. Prices of "amber" (eg, diet soft drinks, small pure fruit juices) and "green" beverages (eg, water) were unchanged. Changes in beverage volume, item sales, and revenue during the intervention were compared with predicted sales. Sales data were analyzed using time series segmented regression while controlling for pre-intervention trends, autocorrelation in sales data, and seasonal fluctuations. Beverage volume sales of red (-27.6%; 95% CI -32.2 to -23.0) and amber (-26.7%; 95% CI -39.3 to -16.0) decreased, and volume of green beverages increased (+26.9%; 95% CI +14.1 to +39.7) in the 17th intervention week compared with predicted sales. Store manager and staff considered the intervention business-neutral, despite a small reduction in beverage revenue. Fifteen percent of customers noticed the price difference and 61% supported the intervention. A 20% sugar-sweetened beverage price increase was associated with a reduction in their purchases and an increase in purchases of healthier alternatives. Community retail settings present a bottom-up approach to improving consumer beverage choices. Copyright © 2018 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A novel approach to segmentation and measurement of medical image using level set methods.

PubMed

Chen, Yao-Tien

2017-06-01

The study proposes a novel approach for segmentation and visualization plus value-added surface area and volume measurements for brain medical image analysis. The proposed method contains edge detection and Bayesian based level set segmentation, surface and volume rendering, and surface area and volume measurements for 3D objects of interest (i.e., brain tumor, brain tissue, or whole brain). Two extensions based on edge detection and Bayesian level set are first used to segment 3D objects. Ray casting and a modified marching cubes algorithm are then adopted to facilitate volume and surface visualization of medical-image dataset. To provide physicians with more useful information for diagnosis, the surface area and volume of an examined 3D object are calculated by the techniques of linear algebra and surface integration. Experiment results are finally reported in terms of 3D object extraction, surface and volume rendering, and surface area and volume measurements for medical image analysis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Timber Volume in Indiana, 1967.

Treesearch

Arnold J. Ostrom

1969-01-01

The recently completed Second Forest Survey of Indiana shows that the State's timber volume has increased by one-fourth in the 17 years since the previous survey. Timber volume by county is presented.

Effect of nitric oxide, perfluorocarbon, and heliox on minute volume measurement and ventilator volumes delivered.

PubMed

Devabhaktuni, V G; Torres, A; Wilson, S; Yeh, M P

1999-08-01

To determine the effect of heliox, nitric oxide (NO), and perfluorocarbon on differential pressure pneumotachometer characteristics and to determine the effect of heliox on volumes delivered by the Siemens S900C (S900C), and Servo Ventilator 300 (SV300) ventilators. Prospective, laboratory study. Pulmonary laboratory of a tertiary care, nonprofit children's hospital. SV300, S900C ventilator, differential pressure pneumotachometer. Dual pneumotachometers were connected in series to a 0.5-L calibration syringe and a 1-L anesthesia bag creating a closed system. Calibration of the pneumotachometers was done in room air at ambient temperature with 100 strokes. Accepted accuracy of measured volumes is within 0.5%. Flow-conductance curves were constructed using 100 strokes each for heliox (70:30 mixture), NO, and perfluorocarbon. Expired gases of room air and a 70:30 mixture of heliox from the above ventilators were collected into a nondiffusing gas collection bag, and the volume was measured in a chain-compensated gasometer. Ten sets of 500-mL breaths (20 breaths each set) and 100-mL breaths (40 breaths each set) were collected. The paired Student's t-test was used to detect significant differences in measured volumes, with significance defined as p < .01. Volumes measured with the pneumotachometer using 25 ppm of NO, 50 ppm of NO, and perfluorocarbon were within +0.25%, -0.7%, and +0.4%, respectively (p = .155, p = .001, p = .06). Heliox decreased the conductance of the pneumotachometer, thereby increasing the measured volume by 15% (p < .001). However, heliox did not affect its linearity. Heliox had no affect on volumes delivered by the S900C. However, the SV300 delivered 7.9% less volume of heliox at a set tidal volume of 500 mL and 10.8% less at a set tidal volume of 100 mL. A 70:30 mixture of heliox caused a significantly overestimated gas volume measured and, therefore, an underestimated gas volume delivered by SV300. NO at 25 ppm and perfluorocarbon did not interfere with the accuracy of a differential pressure pneumotachometer. However, at 50 ppm, NO caused a difference in measured gas volume that was statistically, but not clinically, significant. Application of pneumotachometers in critically ill children receiving heliox requires recalibration. Heliox did not affect volumes delivered with the S900C ventilator. Although volumes delivered with the SV300 were significantly reduced by heliox, the difference can be corrected easily by increasing minute ventilation until expired tidal volume equals desired tidal volume.

The cost of implementation of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988--the example of pediatric office-based cholesterol screening.

PubMed

Tershakovec, A M; Brannon, S D; Bennett, M J; Shannon, B M

1995-08-01

To measure the additional costs of office-based laboratory testing due to the implementation of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA '88), using cholesterol screening for children as an example. Four- to ten-year-old children who received their well child care at one of seven participating pediatric practices were screened for hypercholesterolemia. The average number of analyses per day and days per month were derived from the volume of testing completed by the practices. Nurses and technicians time in the screening process were measured and personnel costs were calculated based on salary and fringe benefit rates. Costs of supplies, analyzing control samples, instrument calibration, and instrument depreciation were included. Costs estimates of screening were then completed. CLIA '88 implementation costs were derived from appropriate proficiency testing and laboratory inspection programs. In six practices completing a low volume of testing, 2807 children (5 to 6 children per week) were screened during the observation period, while 414 (about 25 children per week) were screened in one high-volume practice implementing universal screening over a 4-month period. For the six low-volume practices, the cost of screening was $10.60 per child. This decreased to $5.47 for the high-volume practice. Estimated costs of CLIA '88 implementation, including additional proficiency testing and laboratory inspection, added $3.20 per test for the low-volume practices, and $0.71 per test for the high-volume testing. Implementation of CLIA adds significantly to the cost of office-based chemistry laboratory screening. Despite these additional expenses, the cost of testing is still within a reasonable charge for laboratory testing, and is highly sensitive to the volume of tests completed.

Listening to music with personal listening devices: monitoring the noise dose using a smartphone application.

PubMed

Kaplan-Neeman, Ricky; Muchnik, Chava; Amir, Noam

2017-06-01

To monitor listening habits to personal listening devices (PLDs) using a smartphone application and to compare actual listening habits to self-report data. Two stages: self-report listening habits questionnaire, and real-time monitoring of listening habits through a smartphone application. Overall 117 participants aged 18-34 years (mean 25.5 years) completed the questionnaire, and of them, 40 participants (mean age: 25.2 years) were monitored for listening habits during two weeks. Questionnaire main findings indicated that most of the participants reported listening for 4-7 days a week, for at least 30 min at high listening levels with volume control settings at 75-100%. Monitored data showed that actual listening days per week were 1.5-6.5 d, with mean continuous time of 1.56 h, and mean volume control setting of 7.39 (on a scale of 1-15). Eight participants (22%) were found to exceed the 100% noise dose at least once during the monitoring period. One participant (2.7%) exceeded the weekly 100% daily noise dose. Correlations between actual measurements and self-report data were low to moderate. Results confirmed the feasibility of monitoring listening habits by a smartphone application, and underscore the need for such a tool to enable safe listening behaviour.

A Stirling engine for use with lower quality fuels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paul, Christopher J.

There is increasing interest in using renewable fuels from biomass or alternative fuels such as municipal waste to reduce the need for fossil based fuels. Due to the lower heating values and higher levels of impurities, small scale electricity generation is more problematic. Currently, there are not many technologically mature options for small scale electricity generation using lower quality fuels. Even though there are few manufacturers of Stirling engines, the history of their development for two centuries offers significant guidance in developing a viable small scale generator set using lower quality fuels. The history, development, and modeling of Stirling engines were reviewed to identify possible model and engine configurations. A Stirling engine model based on the finite volume, ideal adiabatic model was developed. Flow dissipation losses are shown to need correcting as they increase significantly at low mean engine pressure and high engine speed. The complete engine including external components was developed. A simple yet effective method of evaluating the external heat transfer to the Stirling engine was created that can be used with any second order Stirling engine model. A derivative of the General Motors Ground Power Unit 3 was designed. By significantly increasing heater, cooler and regenerator size at the expense of increased dead volume, and adding a combustion gas recirculation, a generator set with good efficiency was designed.

Advanced space system concepts and their orbital support needs (1980 - 2000). Volume 4: Detailed data. Part 2: Program plans and common support needs (a study of the commonality of space vehicle applications to future national needs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bekey, I.; Mayer, H. L.; Wolfe, M. G.

1976-01-01

The methodology of alternate world future scenarios is utilized for selecting a plausible, though not advocated, set of future scenarios each of which results in a program plan appropriate for the respective environment. Each such program plan gives rise to different building block and technology requirements, which are analyzed for common need between the NASA and the DoD for each of the alternate world scenarios. An essentially invariant set of system, building block, and technology development plans is presented at the conclusion, intended to allow protection of most of the options for system concepts regardless of what the actual future world environment turns out to be. Thus, building block and technology needs are derived which support: (1) each specific world scenario; (2) all the world scenarios identified in this study; or (3) generalized scenarios applicable to almost any future environment. The output included in this volume consists of the building blocks, i.e.: transportation vehicles, orbital support vehicles, and orbital support facilities; the technology required to support the program plans; identification of their features which could support the DoD and NASA in common; and a complete discussion of the planning methodology.

26 CFR 3.3 - Nontaxability of deposits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 14 2014-04-01 2013-04-01 true Nontaxability of deposits. 3.3 Section 3.3...) CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION FUND § 3.3 Nontaxability of deposits. (a) In general. Section 607(d) of the Act sets... section 607(b) and § 3.2. The specific treatment of deposits with respect to each of the subceilings is...

26 CFR 3.3 - Nontaxability of deposits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 14 2011-04-01 2010-04-01 true Nontaxability of deposits. 3.3 Section 3.3...) CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION FUND § 3.3 Nontaxability of deposits. (a) In general. Section 607(d) of the Act sets... section 607(b) and § 3.2. The specific treatment of deposits with respect to each of the subceilings is...

26 CFR 3.3 - Nontaxability of deposits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 14 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Nontaxability of deposits. 3.3 Section 3.3...) CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION FUND § 3.3 Nontaxability of deposits. (a) In general. Section 607(d) of the Act sets... section 607(b) and § 3.2. The specific treatment of deposits with respect to each of the subceilings is...

26 CFR 3.3 - Nontaxability of deposits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 14 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Nontaxability of deposits. 3.3 Section 3.3...) CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION FUND § 3.3 Nontaxability of deposits. (a) In general. Section 607(d) of the Act sets... section 607(b) and § 3.2. The specific treatment of deposits with respect to each of the subceilings is...

26 CFR 3.3 - Nontaxability of deposits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 14 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Nontaxability of deposits. 3.3 Section 3.3...) CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION FUND § 3.3 Nontaxability of deposits. (a) In general. Section 607(d) of the Act sets... section 607(b) and § 3.2. The specific treatment of deposits with respect to each of the subceilings is...

Retrospective evaluation of dosimetric quality for prostate carcinomas treated with 3D conformal, intensity modulated and volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy

PubMed Central

Crowe, Scott B; Kairn, Tanya; Middlebrook, Nigel; Hill, Brendan; Christie, David R H; Knight, Richard T; Kenny, John; Langton, Christian M; Trapp, Jamie V

2013-01-01

Introduction This study examines and compares the dosimetric quality of radiotherapy treatment plans for prostate carcinoma across a cohort of 163 patients treated across five centres: 83 treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), 33 treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and 47 treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Methods Treatment plan quality was evaluated in terms of target dose homogeneity and organs at risk (OAR), through the use of a set of dose metrics. These included the mean, maximum and minimum doses; the homogeneity and conformity indices for the target volumes; and a selection of dose coverage values that were relevant to each OAR. Statistical significance was evaluated using two-tailed Welch's T-tests. The Monte Carlo DICOM ToolKit software was adapted to permit the evaluation of dose metrics from DICOM data exported from a commercial radiotherapy treatment planning system. Results The 3DCRT treatment plans offered greater planning target volume dose homogeneity than the other two treatment modalities. The IMRT and VMAT plans offered greater dose reduction in the OAR: with increased compliance with recommended OAR dose constraints, compared to conventional 3DCRT treatments. When compared to each other, IMRT and VMAT did not provide significantly different treatment plan quality for like-sized tumour volumes. Conclusions This study indicates that IMRT and VMAT have provided similar dosimetric quality, which is superior to the dosimetric quality achieved with 3DCRT. PMID:26229621

Can a safety-in-numbers effect and a hazard-in-numbers effect co-exist in the same data?

PubMed

Elvik, Rune

2013-11-01

Safety-in-numbers denotes a non-linear relationship between exposure (traffic volume) and the number of accidents, characterised by declining risk as traffic volume increases. There is safety-in-numbers when the number of accidents increases less than proportional to traffic volume, e.g. a doubling of traffic volume is associated with less than a doubling of the number of accidents. Hazard-in-numbers, a less-used concept, refers to the opposite effect: the number of accidents increases more than in proportion to traffic volume, e.g. is more than doubled when traffic volume is doubled. This paper discusses whether a safety-in-numbers effect and a hazard-in-numbers effect can co-exist in the same data. It is concluded that both effects can exist in a given data set. The paper proposes to make a distinction between partial safety-in-numbers and complete safety-in-numbers. Another issue that has been raised in discussions about the safety-in-numbers effect is whether the effect found in some studies is an artefact created by the way exposure was measured. The paper discusses whether measuring exposure as a rate or a share, e.g. kilometres travelled per inhabitant per year, will generate a safety-in-numbers effect as a statistical artefact. It is concluded that this is the case. The preferred measure of exposure is a count of the number of road users. The count should not be converted to a rate or to the share any group of road user contribute to total traffic volume. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

General hospital health professionals' attitudes and perceived dangerousness towards patients with comorbid mental and physical health conditions: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Giandinoto, Jo-Ann; Stephenson, John; Edward, Karen-Leigh

2018-06-01

The stigmatization of mental health is present in general hospital settings impacting quality of care. We hypothesized that health professionals in these areas would elicit negative attitudes and a perceived level of dangerousness across a range of mental health disorders. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine these attitudes and perceptions. We searched the bibliographic databases of CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete, PsycINFO, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection in May 2017 (no date parameters were set). Quantitative studies investigating generalist health professionals' attitudes towards mental health conditions were selected. Initially, prevalence meta-analyses were conducted to assess the extent of perceived danger, followed by a series of comparative meta-analyses in which the perceived dangerousness of mental health conditions was compared. Of the 653 citations retrieved, eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall sample included 2548 health professionals. A majority of health professionals perceived patients with substance use disorder as dangerous 0.60 (95% CI: 0.32-0.88) when compared with patients who had an alcohol-related disorder, schizophrenia, and depression. The results also indicated that a large proportion of staff perceived patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia as dangerous 0.42 (95% CI: 0.33-0.52). Negative attitudes towards people experiencing mental illness in general hospital settings may be attributed to poor mental health literacy, skills and limited exposure, and social and cultural beliefs about mental illness. Ongoing professional development targeting mental health knowledge is recommended for health professionals working in general hospital settings. © 2018 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.

A deep learning classifier for prediction of pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy from baseline breast DCE-MRI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ravichandran, Kavya; Braman, Nathaniel; Janowczyk, Andrew; Madabhushi, Anant

2018-02-01

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is routinely used to treat breast tumors before surgery to reduce tumor size and improve outcome. However, no current clinical or imaging metrics can effectively predict before treatment which NAC recipients will achieve pathological complete response (pCR), the absence of residual invasive disease in the breast or lymph nodes following surgical resection. In this work, we developed and applied a convolu- tional neural network (CNN) to predict pCR from pre-treatment dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) scans on a per-voxel basis. In this study, DCE-MRI data for a total of 166 breast cancer pa- tients from the ISPY1 Clinical Trial were split into a training set of 133 patients and a testing set of 33 patients. A CNN consisting of 6 convolutional blocks was trained over 30 epochs. The pre-contrast and post-contrast DCE-MRI phases were considered in isolation and conjunction. A CNN utilizing a combination of both pre- and post-contrast images best distinguished responders, with an AUC of 0.77; 82% of the patients in the testing set were correctly classified based on their treatment response. Within the testing set, the CNN was able to produce probability heatmaps that visualized tumor regions that most strongly predicted therapeutic response. Multi- variate analysis with prognostic clinical variables (age, largest diameter, hormone receptor and HER2 status), revealed that the network was an independent predictor of response (p=0.05), and that the inclusion of HER2 status could further improve capability to predict response (AUC = 0.85, accuracy = 85%).

Precision Composite Space Structures

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-10-15

large structures. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Composite materials, dimensional stability, microcracking, thermal expansion , space structures, degradation...Figure 32. Variation of normalized coefficients of thermal expansion α11(n), α22(n), and α33(n) with normalized crack density of an AS4/3501-6...coefficients of thermal expansion α11(n), α22(n), and α33(n) with normalized crack density of an AS4/3501-6 composite lamina with a fiber volume

Organic Electrochemistry in Aluminum Chloride Melts.

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-08-15

establishing a new, room temperature molten salt system. The low temperature fused salt was prepared by combining aluminum...narrow (600 mY) potential range. Organic electrosynthesis was conducted in a 50-50 by volume molten salt - benzene solution. This mixed solvent...room temperature molten salt system, namely a 67:33 mole percent aluminum chloride: ethylpyridinium bromide melt and in a 50-50 by volume solution of the

Influence of Hearing Risk Information on the Motivation and Modification of Personal Listening Device Use.

PubMed

Serpanos, Yula C; Berg, Abbey L; Renne, Brittany

2016-12-01

The purpose of this study was (a) to investigate the behaviors, knowledge, and motivators associated with personal listening device (PLD) use and (b) to determine the influence of different types of hearing health risk education information (text with or without visual images) on motivation to modify PLD listening use behaviors in young adults. College-age students (N = 523) completed a paper-and-pencil survey tapping their behaviors, knowledge, and motivation regarding listening to music or media at high volume using PLDs. Participants rated their motivation to listen to PLDs at lower volume levels following each of three information sets: text only, behind-the-ear hearing aid image with text, and inner ear hair cell damage image with text. Acoustically pleasing and emotional motives were the most frequently cited (38%-45%) reasons for listening to music or media using a PLD at high volume levels. The behind-the-ear hearing aid image with text information was significantly (p < .0001) more motivating to participants than text alone or the inner ear hair cell damage image with text. Evocative imagery using hearing aids may be an effective approach in hearing protective health campaigns for motivating safer listening practices with PLDs in young adults.

Quantitative vibro-acoustography of tissue-like objects by measurement of resonant modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazumder, Dibbyan; Umesh, Sharath; Mohan Vasu, Ram; Roy, Debasish; Kanhirodan, Rajan; Asokan, Sundarrajan

2017-01-01

We demonstrate a simple and computationally efficient method to recover the shear modulus pertaining to the focal volume of an ultrasound transducer from the measured vibro-acoustic spectral peaks. A model that explains the transport of local deformation information with the acoustic wave acting as a carrier is put forth. It is also shown that the peaks correspond to the natural frequencies of vibration of the focal volume, which may be readily computed by solving an eigenvalue problem associated with the vibrating region. Having measured the first natural frequency with a fibre Bragg grating sensor, and armed with an expedient means of computing the same, we demonstrate a simple procedure, based on the method of bisection, to recover the average shear modulus of the object in the ultrasound focal volume. We demonstrate this recovery for four homogeneous agarose slabs of different stiffness and verify the accuracy of the recovery using independent rheometer-based measurements. Extension of the method to anisotropic samples through the measurement of a more complete set of resonant modes and the recovery of an elasticity tensor distribution, as is done in resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, is suggested.

Take-Home Experiments in Undergraduate Fluid Mechanics Education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cimbala, John

2007-11-01

Hands-on take-home experiments, assigned as homework, are useful as supplements to traditional in-class demonstrations and laboratories. Students borrow the equipment from the department's equipment room, and perform the experiment either at home or in the student lounge or student shop work area. Advantages include: (1) easy implementation, especially for large classes, (2) low cost and easy duplication of multiple units, (3) no loss of lecture time since the take-home experiment is self-contained with all necessary instructions, and (4) negligible increase in student or teaching assistant work load since the experiment is assigned as a homework problem in place of a traditional pen and paper problem. As an example, a pump flow take-home experiment was developed, implemented, and assessed in our introductory junior-level fluid mechanics course at Penn State. The experimental apparatus consists of a bucket, tape measure, submersible aquarium pump, tubing, measuring cup, and extension cord. We put together twenty sets at a total cost of less than 20 dollars per set. Students connect the tube to the pump outlet, submerge the pump in water, and measure the volume flow rate produced at various outflow elevations. They record and plot volume flow rate as a function of outlet elevation, and compare with predictions based on the manufacturer's pump performance curve (head versus volume flow rate) and flow losses. The homework assignment includes an online pre-test and post-test to assess the change in students' understanding of the principles of pump performance. The results of the assessment support a significant learning gain following the completion of the take-home experiment.

Automated Propulsion Data Screening demonstration system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoyt, W. Andes; Choate, Timothy D.; Whitehead, Bruce A.

1995-01-01

A fully-instrumented firing of a propulsion system typically generates a very large quantity of data. In the case of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), data analysis from ground tests and flights is currently a labor-intensive process. Human experts spend a great deal of time examining the large volume of sensor data generated by each engine firing. These experts look for any anomalies in the data which might indicate engine conditions warranting further investigation. The contract effort was to develop a 'first-cut' screening system for application to SSME engine firings that would identify the relatively small volume of data which is unusual or anomalous in some way. With such a system, limited and expensive human resources could focus on this small volume of unusual data for thorough analysis. The overall project objective was to develop a fully operational Automated Propulsion Data Screening (APDS) system with the capability of detecting significant trends and anomalies in transient and steady-state data. However, the effort limited screening of transient data to ground test data for throttle-down cases typical of the 3-g acceleration, and for engine throttling required to reach the maximum dynamic pressure limits imposed on the Space Shuttle. This APDS is based on neural networks designed to detect anomalies in propulsion system data that are not part of the data used for neural network training. The delivered system allows engineers to build their own screening sets for application to completed or planned firings of the SSME. ERC developers also built some generic screening sets that NASA engineers could apply immediately to their data analysis efforts.

Interventions to Increase Male Attendance and Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections at Publicly-Funded Family Planning Clinics.

PubMed

Fine, David; Warner, Lee; Salomon, Sarah; Johnson, David M

2017-07-01

We assessed the impact of staff, clinic, and community interventions on male and female family planning client visit volume and sexually transmitted infection testing at a multisite community-based health care agency. Staff training, clinic environmental changes, in-reach/outreach, and efficiency assessments were implemented in two Family Health Center (San Diego, CA) family planning clinics during 2010-2012; five Family Health Center family planning programs were identified as comparison clinics. Client visit records were compared between preintervention (2007-2009) and postintervention (2010-2012) for both sets of clinics. Of 7,826 male client visits during the time before intervention, most were for clients who were aged <30 years (50%), Hispanic (64%), and uninsured (81%). From preintervention to postintervention, intervention clinics significantly increased the number of male visits (4,004 to 8,385; Δ = +109%); for comparison clinics, male visits increased modestly (3,822 to 4,500; Δ = +18%). The proportion of male clinic visits where chlamydia testing was performed increased in intervention clinics (35% to 42%; p < .001) but decreased in comparison clinics (37% to 33%; p < .001). Subgroup analyses conducted among adolescent and young adult males yielded similar findings for male client volume and chlamydia testing. The number of female visits declined nearly 40% in both comparison (21,800 to 13,202; -39%) and intervention clinics (30,830 to 19,971; -35%) between preintervention and postintervention periods. Multilevel interventions designed to increase male client volume and sexually transmitted infection testing services in family planning clinics succeeded without affecting female client volume or services. Copyright © 2017 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.

Infrequent physician use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators risks patient safety.

PubMed

Lyman, Stephen; Sedrakyan, Art; Do, Huong; Razzano, Renee; Mushlin, Alvin I

2011-10-01

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have diffused rapidly into clinical practice with little evaluation of their real-world effectiveness. To determine the effect of the adoption of ICD on patient safety, particularly with respect to physician volume and early outcomes. Retrospective cohort of all ICD implantations in New York state from 1997 to 2006, with follow-up at 90 days and 1 year. Setting New York state non-federal hospital discharges in which an ICD was implanted during the admission. Patients were followed forward for 1 year for subsequent admissions. Patients New York state residents undergoing ICD implantation. Effects of annual and career ICD implantation volume on 90-day complication, readmission, reprogramming, mortality and revision of the ICD within 1 year. This cohort (N = 38,992) represents a period of rapid adoption and implementation of this new technology, with frequency more than tripling between 1997 and 2006. We identified 6439 (16.5%) post-implantation complications and 1093 (2.8%) deaths within 90 days of implantation. The majority (73.4%) of physicians implanted one or fewer ICDs per year, and 11.0% of all implantations were performed by these very-low-volume operators. Patients treated by very-low-volume operators were more likely to die (RR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.4) or experience cardiac complications (RR = 4.7, 95% CI 3.3 to 6.8) even after the adjustment for case mix compared to operators who frequently performed ICD implantation. These findings suggest a need for safe and effective implementation strategies for new medical technologies, which minimize patient risk due to rapid diffusion among inexperienced providers and assure that the intended benefit can be maximised rapidly.

Pressure and volume changes of tracheal tube cuff following inflation with various inflating agents during nitrous oxide anesthesia.

PubMed

Bajaj, Pramila; Nanda, Rajan; Goyal, Pradeep KR

2004-10-01

The study was designed to investigate the changes in pressure and volume of a tracheal tube-cuff inflated with air, mixture of N2O + O2, saline and 4% lidocaine during nitrous oxide anesthesia. This study was conducted in 80 patients (33 male & 47 female). The pressure and volume of a tracheal tube cuff increased with air, decreased with mixture of N2O + O2 and almost remained the same with saline and 4% lidocaine. The complications were more in the air group.

SU-F-P-26: Study of Radiation Dose Evaluation for Organs at Risk Using MRI in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gong, G; Guo, Y; Yin, Y

Purpose: To study the contour and dosimetric feature of organs at risk (OARs) applying magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) compared to computed tomography (CT) images. Methods: 35 NPC patients was selected into this trail. CT simulation with non-contrast and contrast enhanced scan, MRI simulation with non-contrast and contrast enhanced T1, T2 and diffusion weighted imaging were achieved sequentially. And the OARs were contoured on the CT and MRI images after rigid registration respectively. 9 beams IMRT plan with equal division angle were designed for every patients, and the prescription dosemore » for tumor target was set as 72Gy (2.4Gy/ fration). The boundary display, volume and dose-volume indices of each organ were compared between on MRI and CT images. Results: Compared to CT, MRI showed clearer boundary of brainstem, spinal cord, the deep lobe of Parotid gland and the optical nerve in canal. MRI images increase the volume of lens, optical nerve, while reducing the volume of eye slightly, and the maximum dose of lens, the mean dose of eyes and optical raised in different percentage, while there was no statistical differences were found. The left and right parotid volume on MRI increased by 7.07%, 8.13%, and the mean dose raised by 14.95% (4.01Gy), 18.76% (4.95Gy) with statistical significant difference (p<0.05). The brainstem volume reduced by 9.33% (p<0.05), and the dose of 0.1cm3 volume (D0.1cm3) reduced by mean 8.46% (4.32Gy), and D0.1cm3 of spinal cord increased by 1.5Gy on MRI. Conclusion: It is credible to evaluate the radiation dose of lens, eye and the spinal cord, while it should be necessary to evaluate the dose of brainstem, parotid and the optical nerve applying MRI images sometime, it will be more meaningful for these organs with high risk of radiation injury.« less

Hydraulic Fracturing Completion Volume is Associated with Induced Earthquake Productivity in the Duvernay Play

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schultz, R.; Atkinson, G. M.; Eaton, D. W. S.; Gu, Y. J.; Kao, H.

2017-12-01

A sharp increase in the frequency of earthquakes near Fox Creek, Alberta began in December 2013 as a result of hydraulic fracturing completions in the Duvernay Formation. Using a newly compiled hydraulic fracturing database, we explore relationships between injection parameters and seismicity response. We find that induced earthquakes are associated with pad completions that used larger injection volumes (104-5 m3) and that seismic productivity scales linearly with injection volume. Injection pressure and rate have limited or insignificant correlation with the seismic response. Further findings suggest that geological susceptibilities play a prominent role in seismic productivity, as evidenced by spatial correlations in the seismicity patterns. Together, volume and geological susceptibilities account for 96% of the variability in the induced earthquake rate near Fox Creek. We suggest this result is fit by a modified Gutenberg-Richter earthquake frequency-magnitude distribution which provides a conceptual framework with which to forecast induced seismicity hazard.

Tat transport of a Sec passenger leads to both completely translocated as well as membrane-arrested passenger proteins.

PubMed

Dittmar, Julia; Schlesier, René; Klösgen, Ralf Bernd

2014-02-01

We have studied the membrane transport of the chimeric precursor protein 16/33, which is composed of the Tat(1)-specific transport signal of OEC16 and the Sec passenger protein OEC33, both subunits of the oxygen-evolving system associated with photosystem II. Protein transport experiments performed with isolated pea thylakoids show that the 16/33 chimera is transported in a strictly Tat-dependent manner into the thylakoid vesicles yielding mature OEC33 (mOEC33) in two different topologies. One fraction accumulates in the thylakoid lumen and is thus resistant to externally added protease. A second fraction is arrested during transport in an N-in/C-out topology within the membrane. Chase experiments demonstrate that this membrane-arrested mOEC33 moiety does not represent a translocation intermediate but instead an alternative end product of the transport process. Transport arrest of mOEC33, which is embedded in the membrane with a mildly hydrophobic protein segment, requires more than 26 additional and predominantly hydrophilic residues C-terminal of the membrane-embedded segment. Furthermore, it is stimulated by mutations which potentially affect the conformation of mOEC33 suggesting that at least partial folding of the passenger protein is required for complete membrane translocation. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An eight-year clinic experience with clozapine use in a Parkinson's disease clinic setting.

PubMed

Hack, Nawaz; Fayad, Sarah M; Monari, Erin H; Akbar, Umer; Hardwick, Angela; Rodriguez, Ramon L; Malaty, Irene A; Romrell, Janet; Shukla, Aparna A Wagle; McFarland, Nikolaus; Ward, Herbert E; Okun, Michael S

2014-01-01

To examine our eight year clinic-based experience in a Parkinson's disease expert clinical care center using clozapine as a treatment for refractory psychosis in Parkinson's disease (PD). The study was a retrospective chart review which covered eight years of clozapine registry use. Statistical T-tests, chi-square, correlations and regression analysis were used to analyze treatment response for potential associations of age, disease duration, and Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) score, and degree of response to clozapine therapy. There were 36 participants included in the analysis (32 PD, 4 parkinsonism-plus). The characteristics included 30.6% female, age 45-87 years (mean 68.3±10.15), disease duration of 17-240 months (mean 108.14±51.13) and H&Y score of 2 to 4 (mean 2.51±0.51). The overall retention rate on clozapine was 41% and the most common reasons for discontinuation were frequent blood testing (28%), nursing home (NH) placement (11%) and leucopenia (8%). Responses to clozapine across the cohort were: complete (33%), partial (33%), absent (16%), and unknown (16%). Age (r = -0.36, p<0.01) and H&Y score (r = -0.41, p<0.01) were shown to be related to response to clozapine therapy, but disease duration was not an associated factor (r = 0.21, p>0.05). This single-center experience highlights the challenges associated with clozapine therapy in PD psychosis. Frequent blood testing remains a significant barrier for clozapine, even in patients with therapeutic benefit. Surprisingly, all patients admitted to a NH discontinued clozapine due to logistical issues of administration and monitoring within that setting. Consideration of the barriers to clozapine therapy will be important to its use and to its continued success in an outpatient setting.

Experiences of Work-Life Conflict for the Athletic Trainer Employed Outside the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Clinical Setting

PubMed Central

Mazerolle, Stephanie M.; Pitney, William A.; Eason, Christianne M.

2015-01-01

Context The intercollegiate setting receives much of the scholarly attention related to work-life conflict (WLC). However research has been focused on the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I setting. Multiple factors can lead to WLC for the athletic trainer (AT), including hours, travel, and lack of flexibility in work schedules. Objective To investigate the experiences of WLC among ATs working in the non-Division I collegiate setting and to identify factors that contribute to fulfillment of work-life balance in this setting. Design Qualitative study. Setting Institutions in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions II and III, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, and the National Junior College Athletic Association. Patients or Other Participants A total of 244 ATs (128 women, 114 men; age = 37.5 ± 13.3 years, experience = 14 ± 12 years) completed phase I. Thirteen participants (8 women, 5 men; age = 38 ± 13 years, experience = 13.1 ± 11.4 years) completed phase II. Data Collection and Analysis For phase I, participants completed a previously validated and reliable (Cronbach α > .90) Web-based survey measuring their levels of WLC and work-family conflict (WFC). This phase included 2 WFC scales defining family; scale 1 defined family as having a partner or spouse with or without children, and scale 2 defined family as those individuals, including parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other close relatives, involved in one's life. Phase II consisted of an interview. Qualitative data were evaluated using content analysis. Data source and multiple-analyst triangulation secured credibility. Results The WFC scores were 26.33 ± 7.37 for scale 1 and 20.46 ± 10.14 for scale 2, indicating a moderate level of WFC for scale 1 and a low level of WFC for scale 2. Qualitative analyses revealed that organizational dimensions, such as job demands and staffing issues, can negatively affect WLC, whereas a combination of organizational and personal dimensions can positively affect WLC. Conclusions Overload continues to be a prevalent factor in negatively influencing WLC and WFC. Supervisor and peer support, personal networks, and time away from the role positively influenced work-life balance and WFC. Athletic trainers are encouraged to support one another in the workplace, especially when providing flexibility in scheduling. PMID:25879575

A Case-Based Toxicology Module on Agricultural- and Mining-Related Occupational Exposures

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Objective. To develop and assess a toxicology module to teach pharmacy students about farming- and mining-related occupational exposures in the context of an existing toxicology elective course. Design. A teaching unit that included lectures and case studies was developed to address the unique occupational exposures of patients working in agricultural and mining environments. Upon completion of this 4-hour (2 class periods) module, students were expected to recognize the clinical signs and symptoms associated with these occupational exposures and propose acceptable therapeutic plans. Assessment. After completing the module, students scored significantly higher on a patient case involving suicide resulting from pesticide consumption. Seventy-three percent of the students scored higher than 90% on a 33-item multiple-choice examination. Eighty-two percent of students were able to correctly read a product label to determine the type of pesticide involved in an occupational exposure. Conclusion. Pharmacy students who completed a module on occupation exposure demonstrated competence in distinguishing occupational exposures from each other and from exposure to prescription and nonprescription drugs. This module can be used to educate future pharmacists about occupational health issues, some of which may be more prevalent in a rural setting. PMID:23049108

Use of Normothermic Default Humidifier Settings Causes Excessive Humidification of Respiratory Gases During Therapeutic Hypothermia.

PubMed

Tanaka, Shoichiro; Iwata, Sachiko; Kinoshita, Masahiro; Tsuda, Kennosuke; Sakai, Sayaka; Saikusa, Mamoru; Shindo, Ryota; Harada, Eimei; Okada, Junichiro; Hisano, Tadashi; Kanda, Hiroshi; Maeno, Yasuki; Araki, Yuko; Ushijima, Kazuo; Sakamoto, Teruo; Yamashita, Yushiro; Iwata, Osuke

2016-12-01

Adult patients frequently suffer from serious respiratory complications during therapeutic hypothermia. During therapeutic hypothermia, respiratory gases are humidified close to saturated vapor at 37°C (44 mg/L) despite that saturated vapor reduces considerably depending on temperature reduction. Condensation may cause serious adverse events, such as bronchial edema, mucosal dysfunction, and ventilator-associated pneumonia during cooling. To determine clinical variables associated with inadequate humidification of respiratory gases during cooling, humidity of inspiratory gases was measured in 42 cumulative newborn infants who underwent therapeutic hypothermia. Three humidifier settings of 37-default (chamber outlet, 37°C; distal circuit, 40°C), 33.5-theoretical (chamber outlet, 33.5°C; distal circuit, 36.5°C), and 33.5-adjusted (optimized setting to achieve 36.6 mg/L using feedback from a hygrometer) were tested to identify independent variables of excessively high humidity >40.7 mg/L and low humidity <32.9 mg/L. The mean (SD) humidity at the Y-piece was 39.2 (5.2), 33.3 (4.1), and 36.7 (1.2) mg/L for 37-default, 33.5-theoretical, and 33.5-adjusted, respectively. The incidence of excessive high humidity was 10.3% (37-default, 31.0%; 33.5-theoretical, 0.0%; 33.5-adjusted, 0.0%), which was positively associated with the use of a counter-flow humidifier (p < 0.001), 37-default (compared with 33.5-theoretical and 33.5-adjusted, both p < 0.001) and higher fraction of inspired oxygen (p = 0.003). The incidence of excessively low humidity was 17.5% (37-default, 7.1%; 33.5-theoretical, 45.2%; 33.5-adjusted, 0.0%), which was positively associated with the use of a pass-over humidifier and 33.5-theoretical (both p < 0.001). All patients who used a counter-flow humidifier achieved the target gas humidity at the Y-piece (36.6 ± 0.5 mg/L) required for 33.5-adjusted with 33.5-theoretical. During cooling, 37-default is associated with excessively high humidity, whereas 33.5-theoretical leads to excessively low humidity. Future studies are needed to assess whether a new regimen with optimized Y-piece temperature and humidity control reduces serious respiratory adverse events during cooling.

fMRI brain mapping during motion capture and FES induced motor tasks: signal to noise ratio assessment.

PubMed

Gandolla, Marta; Ferrante, Simona; Casellato, Claudia; Ferrigno, Giancarlo; Molteni, Franco; Martegani, Alberto; Frattini, Tiziano; Pedrocchi, Alessandra

2011-10-01

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is a well known clinical rehabilitation procedure, however the neural mechanisms that underlie this treatment at Central Nervous System (CNS) level are still not completely understood. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a suitable tool to investigate effects of rehabilitative treatments on brain plasticity. Moreover, monitoring the effective executed movement is needed to correctly interpret activation maps, most of all in neurological patients where required motor tasks could be only partially accomplished. The proposed experimental set-up includes a 1.5 T fMRI scanner, a motion capture system to acquire kinematic data, and an electro-stimulation device. The introduction of metallic devices and of stimulation current in the MRI room could affect fMRI acquisitions so as to prevent a reliable activation maps analysis. What we are interested in is that the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) signal, marker of neural activity, could be detected within a given experimental condition and set-up. In this paper we assess temporal Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) as image quality index. BOLD signal change is about 1-2% as revealed by a 1.5 T scanner. This work demonstrates that, with this innovative set-up, in the main cortical sensorimotor regions 1% BOLD signal change can be detected at least in the 93% of the sub-volumes, and almost 100% of the sub-volumes are suitable for 2% signal change detection. The integrated experimental set-up will therefore allows to detect FES induced movements fMRI maps simultaneously with kinematic acquisitions so as to investigate FES-based rehabilitation treatments contribution at CNS level. Copyright © 2011 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging of the phakic crystalline lens during accommodation.

PubMed

Sheppard, Amy L; Evans, C John; Singh, Krish D; Wolffsohn, James S; Dunne, Mark C M; Davies, Leon N

2011-06-01

To quantify changes in crystalline lens curvature, thickness, equatorial diameter, surface area, and volume during accommodation using a novel two-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) paradigm to generate a complete three-dimensional crystalline lens surface model. Nineteen volunteers, aged 19 to 30 years, were recruited. T(2)-weighted MRIs, optimized to show fluid-filled chambers of the eye, were acquired using an eight-channel radio frequency head coil. Twenty-four oblique-axial slices of 0.8 mm thickness, with no interslice gaps, were acquired to visualize the crystalline lens. Three Maltese cross-type accommodative stimuli (at 0.17, 4.0, and 8.0 D) were presented randomly to the subjects in the MRI to examine lenticular changes with accommodation. MRIs were analyzed to generate a three-dimensional surface model. During accommodation, mean crystalline lens thickness increased (F = 33.39, P < 0.001), whereas lens equatorial diameter (F = 24.00, P < 0.001) and surface radii both decreased (anterior surface, F = 21.78, P < 0.001; posterior surface, F = 13.81, P < 0.001). Over the same stimulus range, mean crystalline lens surface area decreased (F = 7.04, P < 0.005) with a corresponding increase in lens volume (F = 6.06, P = 0.005). These biometric changes represent a 1.82% decrease and 2.30% increase in crystalline lens surface area and volume, respectively. CONCLUSIONS; The results indicate that the capsular bag undergoes elastic deformation during accommodation, causing reduced surface area, and the observed volumetric changes oppose the theory that the lens is incompressible.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wallace, Adam N., E-mail: wallacea@mir.wustl.edu; Tomasian, Anderanik, E-mail: tomasiana@mir.wustl.edu; Chang, Randy O., E-mail: changr@wusm.wustl.edu

BackgroundPercutaneous CT-guided radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for osteoid osteomas. This technical case series describes the use of a recently introduced ablation system with a probe that can be curved in multiple directions, embedded thermocouples for real-time monitoring of the ablation volume, and a bipolar design that obviates the need for a grounding pad.MethodsMedical records of all patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation of an osteoid osteoma with the STAR Tumor Ablation System (DFINE; San Jose, CA) were reviewed. The location of each osteoid osteoma, nidus volume, and procedural details were recorded. Treatment efficacy and long-termmore » complications were assessed at clinical follow-up.ResultsDuring the study period, 18 osteoid osteomas were radiofrequency ablated with the multidirectional bipolar system. Lesion locations included the femur (50 %; 9/18), tibia (22 %; 4/18), cervical spine (11 %; 2/18), calcaneus (5.5 %; 1/18), iliac bone (5.5 %; 1/18), and fibula (5.5 %; 1/18). The median nidus volume of these cases was 0.33 mL (range 0.12–2.0 mL). All tumors were accessed via a single osseous channel. Median cumulative ablation time was 5 min and 0 s (range 1 min and 32 s–8 min and 50 s). All patients with clinical follow-up reported complete symptom resolution. No complications occurred.ConclusionSafe and effective CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteomas can be performed in a variety of locations using a multidirectional bipolar system.« less

Effects of desmopressin for the treatment of nocturnal polyuria in elderly women: impact on related sleep quality

PubMed Central

Mun, Jong-Hyeon; Kim, Sun-Ouck; Yu, Ho Song; Chung, Ho Suck; Kwon, Dongdeuk

2015-01-01

Introduction: We investigated the efficacy, safety, and impact of desmopressin on quality of sleep in treating nocturnal polyuria in elderly women. Methods: We recruited 60 women over 60 years old with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), including nocturia, and with nocturnal polyuria. Nocturnal polyuria was defined as nighttime urine production exceeding 33% of the 24-hour total urine volume determined by a frequency volume (FV) chart. All patients failed to respond to treatment of their underlying disease and evening fluid restriction. Desmopressin 0.1 mg was administered orally at bedtime for 12 weeks. The participants completed a series of questionnaires on the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) sleep scale and FV chart before and after treatment. Results: The patient population had a mean age of 69.2 ± 9.4 years (range: 61–81). The mean duration of symptoms was 61.2 ± 45.1 months. Significant decreases were evident after desmopressin treatment in the number of nocturia episodes (3.63 ± 1.61 to 2.00 ± 1.13, p = 0.01), nocturnal urine volume (p = 0.01), nocturnal polyuria index (NPI) (p = 0.01), and nocturia index (NI) p = 0.01). Among the categories of the MOS sleep scale, sleep index (p = 0.003), sleep disturbance (p = 0.001), snoring (p = 0.028), and shortness of breath (p = 0.036) significantly changed, with a decreased number of nocturia episodes. Adverse events were mild. Conclusions: Desmopressin is an effective treatment for nocturnal polyuria in elderly women, where conservative treatment has failed. Sleep quality is also improved. PMID:26600882

Can treatment of nocturia increase testosterone level in men with late onset hypogonadism?

PubMed

Kim, Jong Wook; Chae, Ji Yun; Kim, Jin Wook; Yoon, Cheol Yong; Oh, Mi Mi; Park, Hong Seok; Kim, Je Jong; Moon, Du Geon

2014-04-01

To assess the effect of desmopressin on serum testosterone level in men with nocturia and late onset hypogonadism. We prospectively enrolled men with nocturia and symptoms of late onset hypogonadism. Desmopressin (0.1 mg) was administered once daily to patients for 12 weeks, and we then compared serum testosterone levels, electrolytes, frequency volume chart indices, and changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function, and Aging Male's Symptom scales before and after treatment. Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease or hyponatremia, those using hypnotics, and those who had primary hypogonadism or hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism were excluded from the study. Sixty-two men (mean age, 68.4 years) completed pre- and post-treatment questionnaires and underwent laboratory testing. At the end of the study, the testosterone levels in men with low testosterone levels (<3.5 ng/mL) increased after the 12-week desmopressin treatment (2.85 ± 0.58 to 3.97 ± 1.44 ng/mL; P = .001). Mean scores had decreased from 17.7 to 13.9 (IPSS), 3.8 to 3.2 (IPSS-Quality of Life), and 33.7 to 31.1 (Aging Male's Symptom). On the frequency volume chart, nocturnal urine volume, nocturnal polyuria index, actual number of nocturia events, nocturia index, and nocturnal bladder capacity index were significantly decreased. Desmopressin improved nocturia and other urinary symptoms. Moreover, serum testosterone levels increased significantly in men with low testosterone levels after 12-week desmopressin treatment. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Scalable Synthesis of Cholesteric Glassy Liquid Crystals

DOE PAGES

Wallace, Jason U.; Shestopalov, Alexander; Kosc, Tanya; ...

2018-03-15

Capable of non-absorbing circular polarization of unpolarized incident light, cholesteric glassy liquid crystals consisting of hybrid chiral-nematic pendants to volume-excluding cores are potentially useful for the fabrication of various robust optical devices. As illustrated in this study, the well-oriented glassy film of enantiomeric Bz3ChN, with a glass transition at 73 °C and a cholesteric-to-isotropic transition at 295 °C, exhibits a selective reflection band centered at approximately 410 nm, an exceptional set of properties well suited for optical device exploration. To enable sustainable, large-scale synthesis of this material class for widespread applications, a productive strategy has been established, requiring a meremore » three-step scheme with an overall yield, atom economy, and reaction mass efficiency at 34%, 33% and 12%, respectively. Lastly, while amenable to improvements, the resultant green chemistry metrics are encouraging as the first attempt.« less

Scalable Synthesis of Cholesteric Glassy Liquid Crystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wallace, Jason U.; Shestopalov, Alexander; Kosc, Tanya

2018-03-08

Capable of non-absorbing circular polarization of unpolarized incident light, cholesteric glassy liquid crystals consisting of hybrid chiral-nematic pendants to volume-excluding cores are potentially useful for the fabrication of various robust optical devices. As illustrated in this study, the well-oriented glassy film of enantiomeric Bz3ChN, with a glass transition at 73 oC and a cholesteric-to-isotropic transition at 295 oC, exhibits a selective reflection band centered at approximately 410 nm, an exceptional set of properties well suited for optical device exploration. To enable sustainable, large-scale synthesis of this material class for widespread applications, a productive strategy has been established, requiring a meremore » three-step scheme with an overall yield, atom economy, and reaction mass efficiency at 34, 33 and 12 %, respectively. While amenable to improvements, the resultant green chemistry metrics are encouraging as the first attempt.« less

Changes in sediment volume in Alder Lake, Nisqually River Basin, Washington, 1945-2011

USGS Publications Warehouse

Czuba, Jonathan A.; Olsen, Theresa D.; Czuba, Christiana R.; Magirl, Christopher S.; Gish, Casey C.

2012-01-01

The Nisqually River drains the southwest slopes of Mount Rainier, a glaciated stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of western Washington. The Nisqually River was impounded behind Alder Dam when the dam was completed in 1945 and formed Alder Lake. This report quantifies the volume of sediment deposited by the Nisqually and Little Nisqually Rivers in their respective deltas in Alder Lake since 1945. Four digital elevation surfaces were generated from historical contour maps from 1945, 1956, and 1985, and a bathymetric survey from 2011. These surfaces were used to compute changes in sediment volume since 1945. Estimates of the volume of sediment deposited in Alder Lake between 1945 and 2011 were focused in three areas: (1) the Nisqually River delta, (2) the main body of Alder Lake, along a 40-meter wide corridor of the pre-dam Nisqually River, and (3) the Little Nisqually River delta. In each of these areas the net deposition over the 66-year period was 42,000,000 ± 4,000,000 cubic meters (m3), 2,000,000 ± 600,000 m3, and 310,000 ± 110,000 m3, respectively. These volumes correspond to annual rates of accumulation of 630,000 ± 60,000 m3/yr, 33,000 ± 9,000 m3/yr, and 4,700 ± 1,600 m3/yr, respectively. The annual sediment yield of the Nisqually (1,100 ± 100 cubic meters per year per square kilometer [(m3/yr)/km2]) and Little Nisqually River basins [70 ± 24 (m3/yr)/km2] provides insight into the yield of two basins with different land cover and geomorphic processes. These estimates suggest that a basin draining a glaciated stratovolcano yields approximately 15 times more sediment than a basin draining forested uplands in the Cascade Range. Given the cumulative net change in sediment volume in the Nisqually River delta in Alder Lake, the total capacity of Alder Lake since 1945 decreased about 3 percent by 1956, 8 percent by 1985, and 15 percent by 2011.

Frequency and predictors of return to incentive spirometry volume baseline after cardiac surgery.

PubMed

Harton, Suzanne C; Grap, Mary Jo; Savage, Laura; Elswick, R K

2007-01-01

Incentive spirometry (IS) is routinely used in most clinical settings, but evaluation of patient efficacy of IS is not standardized. The purpose of this study was to describe the degree and predictors of return to preoperative IS volume after cardiac surgery. IS volumes were documented in 69 subjects (71% men; mean age, 59 years) undergoing cardiac surgery during the preoperative evaluation and twice daily postoperatively. Nineteen percent of subjects achieved their IS preoperative volume by hospital discharge. Based on highest volume achieved, subjects achieved an average of 75% of their preoperative volume by discharge, and only age and number of bypass grafts predicted return to preoperative IS volume. These data may assist nurses and patients to set realistic goals for postoperative IS volume achievement.

Blood transfusion practice: a survey in Sichuan, China.

PubMed

Liu, Yu; Lin, Jia; Zhong, Ling; He, Yi; Yang, Jia; Wu, Yanhong; Yang, Jing; Li, Qian; Wang, Jingxing; Rao, Shaoqin

2015-02-01

To get full knowledge of current conditions and development in the past seven years of clinical transfusion practice in Sichuan, China. This survey was performed by means of a questionnaire which consisted of three parts of questions including basic conditions of blood banks in the hospitals, procedures for clinical blood transfusion and the utilization of different types of blood products. Thirty-five representative hospitals from different geographic locations in Sichuan province participated in this survey. All of the 35 hospitals returned the questionnaires and 33 hospitals (94.3%) answered the questions completely. The blood bank information system began to be used by more hospitals from 2006 (21.21%, 7/33) to 2012 (48.48%, 16/33). Automated grouping and cross-matching systems have not been used in level 2 hospitals and only 3 level 3 hospitals used automated systems in 2012. Still less common were procedures for evaluation of blood order forms for appropriateness (2/33, 6.06%) and evaluation of appropriateness and effect of blood component transfusion (8/33, 24.2%), and all the hospitals having these procedures are level 3 hospitals. The percentage of whole blood usage in the volume of all types of blood products used decreased a lot from 7.45% in 2006 to 0.16% in 2010. Technological instruments for bedside checking are not used by any of the hospitals. The transfusion service degree of the hospitals in Sichuan, China, has developed a lot in the past seven years; however, there are still some problems including whole blood still being used, albeit decreasing; lack of independent blood banks within the hospitals; lack of dedicated personnel for the transfusion services; lack of education; lack of blood bank information systems and automation; lack of screening for appropriateness for blood orders. Thus, the quality control center of clinical blood transfusion (QCCCBT) of Sichuan province should help the transfusion departments to attract more investment in staffing, equipment and information system from the hospitals, enhance the training of transfusion department staffs, and emphasize the supervision of transfusion department's work on directing clinical blood utilization and evaluating clinical transfusion appropriateness. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Earth observing system. Output data products and input requirements, version 2.0. Volume 3: Algorithm summary tables and non-EOS data products

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lu, Yun-Chi; Chang, Hyo Duck; Krupp, Brian; Kumar, Ravindar; Swaroop, Anand

1992-01-01

Volume 3 assists Earth Observing System (EOS) investigators in locating required non-EOS data products by identifying their non-EOS input requirements and providing the information on data sets available at various Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAAC's), including those from Pathfinder Activities and Earth Probes. Volume 3 is intended to complement, not to duplicate, the the EOSDIS Science Data Plan (SDP) by providing detailed data set information which was not presented in the SDP. Section 9 of this volume discusses the algorithm summary tables containing information on retrieval algorithms, expected outputs and required input data. Section 10 describes the non-EOS input requirements of instrument teams and IDS investigators. Also described are the current and future data holdings of the original seven DAACS and data products planned from the future missions and projects including Earth Probes and Pathfinder Activities. Section 11 describes source of information used in compiling data set information presented in this volume. A list of data set attributes used to describe various data sets is presented in section 12 along with their descriptions. Finally, Section 13 presents the SPSO's future plan to improve this report .

Electromechanical properties of a textured ceramic material in the (1 - x)PMN- xPT system: Simulation based on the effective-medium method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aleshin, V. I.; Raevskiĭ, I. P.; Sitalo, E. I.

2008-11-01

A complete set of dielectric, piezoelectric, and elastic parameters for the textured ceramic material 0.67PMN-0.33PT is calculated by the self-consistency method with due regard for the anisotropy and piezoelectric activity of the medium. It is shown that the best piezoelectric properties corresponding to those of a single crystal are observed for the ceramic material with a texture in which all crystallites are oriented parallel to the [001] direction of the parent perovskite cubic cell. The simplest models of the polarization of an untextured ceramic material with a random initial orientation of crystallites are considered. The results obtained are compared with experimental data.

How To Set Up Your Own Small Business. Volumes I-II and Overhead Transparencies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fallek, Max

This two-volume textbook and collection of overhead transparency masters is intended for use in a course in setting up a small business. The following topics are covered in the first volume: getting off to a good start, doing market research, forecasting sales, financing a small business, understanding the different legal needs of different types…

Using X-ray Diffraction to Assess Residual Stresses in Laser Peened and Welded Aluminum

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-01

4 4 5 5 6 6 ’ 33 ’ 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 33 2 2 2 2 2 2 12 ’ 33 133 3 3 3 3 3 ’ 224 4 4 4 4 433 235 5 5 5 5 5’ 33 336 6 6 6 6 6 ’ 33 a b c...29.5  14    29.5  45  24.5  9    24.5  40  22  6.5    22  37.5  19.5  4     19.5  35  14.5  ‐1    14.5  30  9.5  ‐ 6     9.5  25  ‐14.5  ‐30...centerline for all four data sets. Data set one measured the bi-axial residual

A study for the installation of the TEXT heavy-ion beam probe on DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edmonds, P. H.; Solano, E. R.; Bravenec, R. V.; Wootton, A. J.; Schoch, P. M.; Crowley, T. P.; Hickok, R. L.; West, W. P.; Leuer, J.; Anderson, P.

1997-01-01

An assessment of the feasibility of installing the TEXT 2 MeV heavy-ion beam probe on the DIII-D tokamak has been completed. Detailed drawings of the machine cross section were imported into the CAD application AutoCAD. A set of programs written in AutoLisp were used to generate trajectories. Displays of the accessible cross section of the plasma, scan lines for the entire range of primary beam energy and injection angle ranges, and sample-volume dimensions can be rapidly generated. Because of the large deflection between the primary input beam and the emergent secondary beam, either the analyzer needs to be tracked over a ±20° angle or secondary poloidal deflector plates need to be installed at the exit port. Toroidal deflector plates will be installed at both the injection and exit ports to compensate for toroidal displacements and deflections. The sample volumes generated by this procedure are within a few centimeters of the locations derived from a full three-dimensional calculation.

State Energy Conservation Program Measure Directory. Sourcebook: Volume 8. Part 2 of 2 books

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

DOE prepared an 8-volume Sourcebook to provide useful information for states in development and implementation of their Energy Conservation Plans. The purpose of Vol. 8, a 2-book set, is to facilitate exchange of information among states concerning program measures of common interest. DOE/CS--0159/1, Vol. 8, Book 1, announced in EAPA 6: abst. 3475, covered states Alabama through Missouri; this report, Vol. 8, Book 2 begins with Montana and completes the alphabet. Information is summarized also for American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands in the two books. Information on the various programs in each statemore » includes identification data; narrative description of program measure; program measure information; and annual energy savings reported. A cross-reference index is included for agriculture, industry, transportation, buildings, government, legislative/regulatory implementation strategies, general education implementation strategies, specific information implementation strategies, demonstration implementation strategies, administration implementation strategies, and renewable-resource implementation strategies.« less

A randomized controlled trial of prison-initiated buprenorphine: prison outcomes and community treatment entry.

PubMed

Gordon, Michael S; Kinlock, Timothy W; Schwartz, Robert P; Fitzgerald, Terrence T; O'Grady, Kevin E; Vocci, Frank J

2014-09-01

Buprenorphine is a promising treatment for heroin addiction. However, little is known regarding its provision to pre-release prisoners with heroin dependence histories who were not opioid-tolerant, the relative effectiveness of the post-release setting in which it is provided, and gender differences in treatment outcome in this population. This is the first randomized clinical trial of prison-initiated buprenorphine provided to male and female inmates in the US who were previously heroin-dependent prior to incarceration. A total of 211 participants with 3-9 months remaining in prison were randomized to one of four conditions formed by crossing In-Prison Treatment Condition (received buprenorphine vs. counseling only) and Post-release Service Setting (at an opioid treatment center vs. a community health center). Outcome measures were: entered prison treatment; completed prison treatment; and entered community treatment 10 days post-release. There was a significant main effect (p=.006) for entering prison treatment favoring the In-Prison buprenorphine Treatment Condition (99.0% vs. 80.4%). Regarding completing prison treatment, the only significant effect was Gender, with women significantly (p<.001) more likely to complete than men (85.7% vs. 52.7%). There was a significant main effect (p=.012) for community treatment entry, favoring the In-Prison buprenorphine Treatment Condition (47.5% vs. 33.7%). Buprenorphine appears feasible and acceptable to prisoners who were not opioid-tolerant and can facilitate community treatment entry. However, concerns remain with in-prison treatment termination due to attempted diversion of medication. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Prison-Initiated Buprenorphine: Prison Outcomes and Community Treatment Entry

PubMed Central

Gordon, Michael S.; Kinlock, Timothy W.; Schwartz, Robert P.; Fitzgerald, Terrence; O’Grady, Kevin E.; Vocci, Frank J.

2014-01-01

Background Buprenorphine is a promising treatment for heroin addiction. However, little is known regarding its provision to pre-release prisoners with heroin dependence histories who were not opioid-tolerant, the relative effectiveness of the post-release setting in which it is provided, and gender differences in treatment outcome in this population. Methods This is the first randomized clinical trial of prison-initiated buprenorphine provided to male and female inmates in the US who were previously heroin-dependent prior to incarceration. A total of 211 participants with 3–9 months remaining in prison were randomized to one of four conditions formed by crossing In-Prison Treatment Condition (received buprenorphine vs. counseling only) and Post-release Service Setting (at an opioid treatment center vs. a community health center). Outcome measures were: entered prison treatment; completed prison treatment; and entered community treatment 10 days post-release. Results There was a significant main effect (p=.006) for entering prison treatment favoring the In-Prison buprenorphine Treatment Condition (99.0% vs. 80.4%). Regarding completing prison treatment, the only significant effect was Gender, with women significantly (p<.001) more likely to complete than men (85.7% vs. 52.7%). There was a significant main effect (p=.012) for community treatment entry, favoring the In-Prison buprenorphine Treatment Condition (47.5% vs. 33.7%). Conclusions Buprenorphine appears feasible and acceptable to prisoners who were not opioid-tolerant and can facilitate community treatment entry. However, concerns remain with in-prison treatment termination due to attempted diversion of medication. PMID:24962326

Effect of preoperative incentive spirometry patient education on patient outcomes in the knee and hip joint replacement population.

PubMed

Bergin, Carole; Speroni, Karen Gabel; Travis, Tom; Bergin, John; Sheridan, Michael J; Kelly, Karen; Daniel, Marlon G

2014-02-01

This study examined the effects of preoperative incentive spirometry (IS) education (POISE) on postoperative outcomes for knee and hip total joint replacement patients. In this prospective study, 140 patients were randomized to Group 1 (POISE intervention = 50 completing) or Group 2 (no intervention = 56 completing) (34 dropped). The Group 1 intervention consisted of formal instruction preoperatively for IS home use, postoperative use, and IS volumes documentation. Group 2 patients received no intervention. Patients recorded postoperative IS volumes, which were used to determine return to baseline volume. One hundred six patients completed the study. Most were Caucasian females averaging 64 years. Although IS return to baseline volume time was not significantly different between groups, POISE patients had fewer postoperative complications, hospital days, and charges. POISE patients ranked the intervention as helpful. Although IS volumes were not significantly different between groups, POISE patients had better outcomes and ranked the intervention as helpful. Copyright © 2014 American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Model-based measurement of food portion size for image-based dietary assessment using 3D/2D registration

PubMed Central

Chen, Hsin-Chen; Jia, Wenyan; Yue, Yaofeng; Li, Zhaoxin; Sun, Yung-Nien; Fernstrom, John D.; Sun, Mingui

2013-01-01

Dietary assessment is important in health maintenance and intervention in many chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. However, there is currently a lack of convenient methods for measuring the volume of food (portion size) in real-life settings. We present a computational method to estimate food volume from a single photographical image of food contained in a typical dining plate. First, we calculate the food location with respect to a 3D camera coordinate system using the plate as a scale reference. Then, the food is segmented automatically from the background in the image. Adaptive thresholding and snake modeling are implemented based on several image features, such as color contrast, regional color homogeneity and curve bending degree. Next, a 3D model representing the general shape of the food (e.g., a cylinder, a sphere, etc.) is selected from a pre-constructed shape model library. The position, orientation and scale of the selected shape model are determined by registering the projected 3D model and the food contour in the image, where the properties of the reference are used as constraints. Experimental results using various realistically shaped foods with known volumes demonstrated satisfactory performance of our image based food volume measurement method even if the 3D geometric surface of the food is not completely represented in the input image. PMID:24223474

Model-based measurement of food portion size for image-based dietary assessment using 3D/2D registration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Hsin-Chen; Jia, Wenyan; Yue, Yaofeng; Li, Zhaoxin; Sun, Yung-Nien; Fernstrom, John D.; Sun, Mingui

2013-10-01

Dietary assessment is important in health maintenance and intervention in many chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, there is currently a lack of convenient methods for measuring the volume of food (portion size) in real-life settings. We present a computational method to estimate food volume from a single photographic image of food contained on a typical dining plate. First, we calculate the food location with respect to a 3D camera coordinate system using the plate as a scale reference. Then, the food is segmented automatically from the background in the image. Adaptive thresholding and snake modeling are implemented based on several image features, such as color contrast, regional color homogeneity and curve bending degree. Next, a 3D model representing the general shape of the food (e.g., a cylinder, a sphere, etc) is selected from a pre-constructed shape model library. The position, orientation and scale of the selected shape model are determined by registering the projected 3D model and the food contour in the image, where the properties of the reference are used as constraints. Experimental results using various realistically shaped foods with known volumes demonstrated satisfactory performance of our image-based food volume measurement method even if the 3D geometric surface of the food is not completely represented in the input image.

Soft-tissue tumor differentiation using 3D power Doppler ultrasonography with echo-contrast medium injection.

PubMed

Chiou, Hong-Jen; Chou, Yi-Hong; Chen, Wei-Ming; Chen, Winby; Wang, Hsin-Kai; Chang, Cheng-Yen

2010-12-01

We aimed to evaluate the ability of 3-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography to differentiate soft-tissue masses from blood flow and vascularization with contrast medium. Twenty-five patients (mean age, 44.1 years; range, 12-77 years) with a palpable mass were enrolled in this study. Volume data were acquired using linear and convex 3-dimensional probes and contrast medium injected manually by bolus. Data were stored and traced slice by slice for 12 slices. All patients were scanned by the same senior sonologist. The vascular index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascular-flow index (VFI) were automatically calculated after the tumor was completely traced. All tumors were later confirmed by pathology. The study included 8 benign (mean, 36.5 mL; range, 2.4-124 mL) and 17 malignant (mean, 319.4 mL; range, 9.9-1,179.6 mL) tumors. Before contrast medium injection, mean VI, FI and VFI were, respectively, 3.22, 32.26 and 1.07 in benign tumors, and 1.97, 29.33 and 0.67 in malignant tumors. After contrast medium injection, they were, respectively, 20.85, 37.33 and 8.52 in benign tumors, and 40.12, 41.21 and 17.77 in malignant tumors. The mean differences between with and without contrast injection for VI, FI and VFI were, respectively, 17.63, 5.07 and 7.45 in benign tumors, and 38.15, 11.88 and 16.55 in malignant tumors. Tumor volume, VI, FI and VFI were not significantly different between benign and malignant tumors before and after echo-contrast medium injection. However, VI, FI and VFI under self-differentiation (differences between with and without contrast injection) were significantly different between malignant and benign tumors. Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound is a valuable tool for differential diagnosis of soft-tissue tumors, especially with the injection of an echo-contrast medium. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Temporal and spatial variation in allocating annual traffic activity across an urban region and implications for air quality assessments

PubMed Central

Batterman, Stuart

2015-01-01

Patterns of traffic activity, including changes in the volume and speed of vehicles, vary over time and across urban areas and can substantially affect vehicle emissions of air pollutants. Time-resolved activity at the street scale typically is derived using temporal allocation factors (TAFs) that allow the development of emissions inventories needed to predict concentrations of traffic-related air pollutants. This study examines the spatial and temporal variation of TAFs, and characterizes prediction errors resulting from their use. Methods are presented to estimate TAFs and their spatial and temporal variability and used to analyze total, commercial and non-commercial traffic in the Detroit, Michigan, U.S. metropolitan area. The variability of total volume estimates, quantified by the coefficient of variation (COV) representing the percentage departure from expected hourly volume, was 21, 33, 24 and 33% for weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, respectively. Prediction errors mostly resulted from hour-to-hour variability on weekdays and Saturdays, and from day-to-day variability on Sundays and holidays. Spatial variability was limited across the study roads, most of which were large freeways. Commercial traffic had different temporal patterns and greater variability than noncommercial vehicle traffic, e.g., the weekday variability of hourly commercial volume was 28%. The results indicate that TAFs for a metropolitan region can provide reasonably accurate estimates of hourly vehicle volume on major roads. While vehicle volume is only one of many factors that govern on-road emission rates, air quality analyses would be strengthened by incorporating information regarding the uncertainty and variability of traffic activity. PMID:26688671

X-33

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-04-15

This is an artist's concept of the completely operational International Space Station being approached by an X-33 Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV). The X-33 program was designed to pave the way to a full-scale, commercially developed RLV as the flagship technology demonstrator for technologies that would lower the cost of access to space. It is unpiloted, taking off vertically like a rocket, reaching an altitude of up to 60 miles and speeds between Mach 13 and 15, and landing horizontally like an airplane. The X-33 program was cancelled in 2001.

Competency Testing for Pediatric Cardiology Fellows Learning Transthoracic Echocardiography: Implementation, Fellow Experience, and Lessons Learned.

PubMed

Levine, Jami C; Geva, Tal; Brown, David W

2015-12-01

There is currently great interest in measuring trainee competency at all levels of medical education. In 2007, we implemented a system for assessing cardiology fellows' progress in attaining imaging skills. This paradigm could be adapted for use by other cardiology programs. Evaluation consisted of a two-part exercise performed after years 1 and 2 of pediatric cardiology training. Part 1: a directly observed evaluation of technical skills as fellows imaged a normal subject (year 1) and a patient with complex heart disease (year 2). Part 2: fellows interpreted and wrote reports for two echocardiograms illustrating congenital heart disease. These were graded for accuracy and facility with communicating pertinent data. After 5 years of testing, fellows were surveyed about their experience. In 5 years, 40 fellows were tested at least once. Testing identified four fellows who underperformed on the technical portion and four on the interpretive portion. Surveys were completed by 33 fellows (83 %). Most (67 %) felt that intermittent observation by faculty was inadequate for assessing skills and that procedural volume was a poor surrogate for competency (58 %). Posttest feedback was constructive and valuable for 90, and 70 % felt the process helped them set goals for skill improvement. Overall, fellows felt this testing was fair and should continue. Fellow performance and responses identified programmatic issues that were creating barriers to learning. We describe a practical test to assess competency for cardiology fellows learning echocardiography. This paradigm is feasible, has excellent acceptance among trainees, and identifies trainees who need support. Materials developed could be easily adapted to help track upcoming ACGME-mandated metrics.

Dose versus diagnosis: iatrogenic radiation exposure by multidetector computerised tomography in an academic emergency department with measurement of clinically actionable results and emergently treatable findings.

PubMed

Baskerville, J R; Chang, J H; Viator, M; Rutledge, W; Miryala, R; Duval, K E; Nishino, T K

2009-01-01

To determine the iatrogenic absorbed dosage of radiation of the patient in milligray (mGy) computerised tomography dose index volume (CTDIvol) when tested with multidetector computerised tomography (MDCT) in the emergency department (ED) setting and calculate the absorbed dosage of radiation per clinically actionable result and emergently treatable finding (ETF). The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) ED located in Galveston, Texas, USA, is a level 1 trauma and tertiary referral centre treating 70,000 patients per annum. A retrospective cross-sectional data analysis of 770 emergency patients investigated by MDCT in July 2007. The presence of actionable results and ETF were determined by chart review. A total of 5320 emergency patients was treated in the UTMB ED in July 2007. This included 4508 medical and 812 trauma patients. A total of 1094 MDCT studies was performed, of which complete data were available on 1046. A total of 770 patients was investigated by MDCT, representing 14.47% of all emergency patients. This included 33.99% of trauma patients and 10.96% of medical patients. Actionable results were found in 341 studies and ETF in 105 studies. The mean radiation was 163.27 and 530.23 mGy CTDIvol for actionable results and ETF, respectively, for all studies. The mean radiation was 53.27 and 106.36 mGy CTDIvol for medical and trauma patients, respectively. The absorbed dosage of radiation of patients investigated by MDCT is clinically significant. The actionable results and ETF in our study demonstrate considerable opportunity for improvement in the utilisation of this technology by physicians.

Antimicrobial resistance: the major contribution of poor governance and corruption to this growing problem.

PubMed

Collignon, Peter; Athukorala, Prema-Chandra; Senanayake, Sanjaya; Khan, Fahad

2015-01-01

To determine how important governmental, social, and economic factors are in driving antibiotic resistance compared to the factors usually considered the main driving factors-antibiotic usage and levels of economic development. A retrospective multivariate analysis of the variation of antibiotic resistance in Europe in terms of human antibiotic usage, private health care expenditure, tertiary education, the level of economic advancement (per capita GDP), and quality of governance (corruption). The model was estimated using a panel data set involving 7 common human bloodstream isolates and covering 28 European countries for the period 1998-2010. Only 28% of the total variation in antibiotic resistance among countries is attributable to variation in antibiotic usage. If time effects are included the explanatory power increases to 33%. However when the control of corruption indicator is included as an additional variable, 63% of the total variation in antibiotic resistance is now explained by the regression. The complete multivariate regression only accomplishes an additional 7% in terms of goodness of fit, indicating that corruption is the main socioeconomic factor that explains antibiotic resistance. The income level of a country appeared to have no effect on resistance rates in the multivariate analysis. The estimated impact of corruption was statistically significant (p< 0.01). The coefficient indicates that an improvement of one unit in the corruption indicator is associated with a reduction in antibiotic resistance by approximately 0.7 units. The estimated coefficient of private health expenditure showed that one unit reduction is associated with a 0.2 unit decrease in antibiotic resistance. These findings support the hypothesis that poor governance and corruption contributes to levels of antibiotic resistance and correlate better than antibiotic usage volumes with resistance rates. We conclude that addressing corruption and improving governance will lead to a reduction in antibiotic resistance.

First Australian experiences with an oral volume restriction device to change eating behaviors and assist with weight loss.

PubMed

McGee, Toni L; Grima, Mariee T; Hewson, Ian D; Jones, Kay M; Duke, Ellen B; Dixon, John B

2012-01-01

Eating behaviors impact satiety and caloric intake so should be considered in any weight-loss program. A novel custom-made oral device has been designed to be worn in the upper palate while eating in order to slow eating-rate and aid weight loss. The aim of this study was to assess the device's potential impact on weight-loss and gain first impressions among overweight/obese Australians. Twenty participants (M: 6, F: 14, mean age 36 years, BMI 27-33 kg/m(2)) were enrolled in a 4-month open-label trial. Each received a device and nutritionist-delivered diet plan. Weight, compliance, and acceptability were assessed fortnightly. Anthropometry, biochemical and clinical outcomes were measured at baseline and 16 weeks. Sixteen participants completed the study. Mean weight-loss was 4.9 ± 0.9 kg, or 5.2 ± 0.9% initial bodyweight (P < 0.001, n = 20, intention-to-treat). There were no significant adverse events (AEs), but 65% of participants required device adjustment by the dentist. Compliance (defined as >5 uses/week) was achieved by 80% of participants and correlated positively with weight-loss (R = 0.68, P = 0.001). All reported that the device was comfortable and reduced bite-size, promoted chewing and slowed eating-rate. Most observed either no change, or increased satiety, despite reduced meal sizes. For most, speech difficulties discouraged device use in social settings. All reported greater awareness of food choices, portion sizes and eating-rate. Subjective control of dietary behaviors, measured by the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), improved significantly. The device should be explored as an adjunct to dietary composition change in weight-management programs, to assist patients to modify eating behaviors and achieve successful weight-loss.

Transdermal Drug Delivery System. Stage 1. Volume 3

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-30

lauryl sulfate (0.33%) docusate sodium (0.35%) and potassium laurate (1%) were tested and found not irritating to rabbit skin. Formulations of 50% S...hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) gel containing either 0.198% sodium lauryl sulfate or 0.21% docusate sodium . A HPMC gel containing 50% S-26741...formulation excipients and combinations of both. S-26741 (neat chemical) and a 50% S-26741/0.33% sodium lauryl sulfate formulation were tested using the

Completed Research in Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Including International Sources. Volume 32-1990 Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chamberlin, Craig, Ed.

This compilation provides 256 abstracts of research completed in the areas of health, physical education, recreation, dance, and allied areas during 1989. Master's theses and doctoral dissertations are abstracted from institutions offering graduate programs in those fields. The volume includes an index to the abstracts in which references are…

Teaching about Colorado and Community History. History Series, Volume 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Gary R.

This volume is designed to supplement materials teachers have chosen to use in teaching Colorado and community history. The materials are not a complete history of Colorado or a complete textbook; instead, teachers are provided with 14 teaching activities for use in elementary and secondary social studies or history classes. The book is divided…

The Influence of Short-Term Scoliosis-Specific Exercise Rehabilitation on Pulmonary Function in Patients with AIS.

PubMed

Moramarco, Marc; Fadzan, Maja; Moramarco, Kathryn; Heller, Amy; Righter, Sonia

2016-01-01

To investigate the short-term outcomes of treatment utilizing an outpatient scoliosis- specific back school program in thirty-six patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Improved signs and symptoms of AIS have been reported in response to curve-patternspecific exercise therapy programs. Additional outcome studies are needed. Thirty-six patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), 33 females and 3 males, completed a twenty-hour multimodal exercise program (Schroth Best Practice® - SBP) for five to seven days at Scoliosis 3DC(SM). Average age was 13.89 years and average Cobb angles were 36.92° thoracic and 33.92° lumbar. The sample was comprised of patients under treatment from August 2011 to February 2015 who never had scoliosis-related surgery and who were not undergoing brace treatment. SBP program components included physio-logic® exercises, mobilizations, activities of daily living (ADLs), 3-D Made Easy®, and Schroth exercises. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), chest expansion (CE), and angle of trunk rotation (ATR) were clinical parameters used to evaluate results of this outpatient scoliosis-specific exercise program. Highly significant improvements were noted in FVC, FEV1, CE and Scoliometer(TM) readings. A short-term outpatient SBP program was found to have a positive influence on FVC, FEV1, ATR, and CE. We will present long-term results in a subsequent study.

Dosimetric and radiobiologic comparison of 3D conformal versus intensity modulated planning techniques for prostate bed radiotherapy.

PubMed

Koontz, Bridget F; Das, Shiva; Temple, Kathy; Bynum, Sigrun; Catalano, Suzanne; Koontz, Jason I; Montana, Gustavo S; Oleson, James R

2009-01-01

Adjuvant radiotherapy for locally advanced prostate cancer improves biochemical and clinical disease-free survival. While comparisons in intact prostate cancer show a benefit for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) over 3D conformal planning, this has not been studied for post-prostatectomy radiotherapy (RT). This study compares normal tissue and target dosimetry and radiobiological modeling of IMRT vs. 3D conformal planning in the postoperative setting. 3D conformal plans were designed for 15 patients who had been treated with IMRT planning for salvage post-prostatectomy RT. The same computed tomography (CT) and target/normal structure contours, as well as prescription dose, was used for both IMRT and 3D plans. Normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCPs) were calculated based on the dose given to the bladder and rectum by both plans. Dose-volume histogram and NTCP data were compared by paired t-test. Bladder and rectal sparing were improved with IMRT planning compared to 3D conformal planning. The volume of the bladder receiving at least 75% (V75) and 50% (V50) of the dose was significantly reduced by 28% and 17%, respectively (p = 0.002 and 0.037). Rectal dose was similarly reduced, V75 by 33% and V50 by 17% (p = 0.001 and 0.004). While there was no difference in the volume of rectum receiving at least 65 Gy (V65), IMRT planning significant reduced the volume receiving 40 Gy or more (V40, p = 0.009). Bladder V40 and V65 were not significantly different between planning modalities. Despite these dosimetric differences, there was no significant difference in the NTCP for either bladder or rectal injury. IMRT planning reduces the volume of bladder and rectum receiving high doses during post-prostatectomy RT. Because of relatively low doses given to the bladder and rectum, there was no statistically significant improvement in NTCP between the 3D conformal and IMRT plans.

SU-G-JeP3-05: Geometry Based Transperineal Ultrasound Probe Positioning for Image Guided Radiotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Camps, S; With, P de; Verhaegen, F

2016-06-15

Purpose: The use of ultrasound (US) imaging in radiotherapy is not widespread, primarily due to the need for skilled operators performing the scans. Automation of probe positioning has the potential to remove this need and minimize operator dependence. We introduce an algorithm for obtaining a US probe position that allows good anatomical structure visualization based on clinical requirements. The first application is on 4D transperineal US images of prostate cancer patients. Methods: The algorithm calculates the probe position and orientation using anatomical information provided by a reference CT scan, always available in radiotherapy workflows. As initial test, we apply themore » algorithm on a CIRS pelvic US phantom to obtain a set of possible probe positions. Subsequently, five of these positions are randomly chosen and used to acquire actual US volumes of the phantom. Visual inspection of these volumes reveal if the whole prostate, and adjacent edges of bladder and rectum are fully visualized, as clinically required. In addition, structure positions on the acquired US volumes are compared to predictions of the algorithm. Results: All acquired volumes fulfill the clinical requirements as specified in the previous section. Preliminary quantitative evaluation was performed on thirty consecutive slices of two volumes, on which the structures are easily recognizable. The mean absolute distances (MAD) between actual anatomical structure positions and positions predicted by the algorithm were calculated. This resulted in MAD of 2.4±0.4 mm for prostate, 3.2±0.9 mm for bladder and 3.3±1.3 mm for rectum. Conclusion: Visual inspection and quantitative evaluation show that the algorithm is able to propose probe positions that fulfill all clinical requirements. The obtained MAD is on average 2.9 mm. However, during evaluation we assumed no errors in structure segmentation and probe positioning. In future steps, accurate estimation of these errors will allow for better evaluation of the achieved accuracy.« less

Study of impacts of different evaluation criteria on gamma pass rates in VMAT QA using MatriXX and EPID

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noufal, Manthala Padannayil; Abdullah, Kallikuzhiyil Kochunny; Niyas, Puzhakkal; Subha, Pallimanhayil Abdul Raheem

2017-12-01

Aim: This study evaluates the impacts of using different evaluation criteria on gamma pass rates in two commercially available QA methods employed for the verification of VMAT plans using different hypothetical planning target volumes (PTVs) and anatomical regions. Introduction: Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a widely accepted technique to deliver highly conformal treatment in a very efficient manner. As their level of complexity is high in comparison to intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), the implementation of stringent quality assurance (QA) before treatment delivery is of paramount importance. Material and Methods: Two sets of VMAT plans were generated using Eclipse planning systems, one with five different complex hypothetical three-dimensional PTVs and one including three anatomical regions. The verification of these plans was performed using a MatriXX ionization chamber array embedded inside a MultiCube phantom and a Varian EPID dosimetric system attached to a Clinac iX. The plans were evaluated based on the 3%/3 mm, 2%/2 mm, and 1%/1 mm global gamma criteria and with three low-dose threshold values (0%, 10%, and 20%). Results: The gamma pass rates were above 95% in all VMAT plans, when the 3%/3mm gamma criterion was used and no threshold was applied. In both systems, the pass rates decreased as the criteria become stricter. Higher pass rates were observed when no threshold was applied and they tended to decrease for 10% and 20% thresholds. Conclusion: The results confirm the suitability of the equipments used and the validity of the plans. The study also confirmed that the threshold settings greatly affect the gamma pass rates, especially for lower gamma criteria.

Consistency of medical record reporting of a set of indicators for proactive palliative care in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PubMed Central

Verhagen, Stans C; Janssen, Mireille AE; Dekhuijzen, Richard PNR; Vissers, Kris CP; Engels, Yvonne; Heijdra, Yvonne

2016-01-01

To identify patients hospitalized for an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who have a poor prognosis and might benefit from proactive palliative care, a set of indicators had been developed from the literature. A patient is considered eligible for proactive palliative care when meeting ≥2 criteria of the proposed set of 11 indicators. In order to develop a doctor-friendly and patient-convenient tool, our primary objective was to examine whether these indicators are documented consistently in the medical records. Besides, percentage of patients with a poor prognosis and prognostic value were explored. We conducted a retrospective medical record review of 33 patients. Five indicators; non-invasive ventilation (NIV), comorbidity, body mass index (BMI), previous admissions for acute exacerbation COPD and age were always documented. Three indicators; hypoxaemia and/or hypercapnia, professional home care and actual forced expiratory volume1% (FEV1%) were documented in more than half of the records, whereas the clinical COPD questionnaire (CCQ), medical research council dyspnoea (MRC dyspnoea) and the surprise question were never registered. Besides, 78.8% of the patients met ≥2 criteria and there was a significant association between meeting ≥2 criteria and mortality within 1 year (one-sided Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.04). The set of indicators for proactive palliative care in patients with COPD appeared to be user-friendly and feasible. PMID:27872166