The sudden coalescene model of the boiling crisis

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

Carrica, P.M.; Clausse, A.

1995-09-01

A local two-phase flow integral model of nucleate boiling and crisis is presented. The model is based on average balances on a control volume, yielding to a set of three nonlinear differential equations for the local void fraction, bubble number density and velocity. Boiling crisis as critical heat flux is interpreted as a dynamic transition caused by the coalescence of bubbles near the heater. The theoretical dynamic model is compared with experimental results obtained for linear power ramps in a horizontal plate heater in R-113, showing an excellent qualitative agreement.

Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: pros and cons.

PubMed

Rhim, Hyunchul; Lim, Hyo K

2010-09-01

Among locoregional treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been accepted as the most popular alternative to curative transplantation or resection, and it shows an excellent local tumor control rate and acceptable morbidity. The benefits of RFA have been universally validated by the practice guidelines of international societies of hepatology. The main advantages of RFA include 1) it is minimally invasive with acceptable morbidity, 2) it enables excellent local tumor control, 3) it has promising long-term survival, and 4) it is a multimodal approach. Based on these pros, RFA will play an important role in managing the patient with early HCC (smaller than 3 cm with fewer than four tumors). The main limitations of current RFA technology in hepatic ablation include 1) limitation of ablation volume, 2) technically infeasible in some tumors due to conspicuity and dangerous location, and 3) the heat-sink effect. Many technical approaches have been introduced to overcome those limitations, including a novel guiding modality, use of artificial fluid or air, and combined treatment strategies. RFA will continue to play a role as a representative ablative modality in the management of HCC, even in the era of targeted agents.

Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Pros and Cons

PubMed Central

Lim, Hyo K.

2010-01-01

Among locoregional treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been accepted as the most popular alternative to curative transplantation or resection, and it shows an excellent local tumor control rate and acceptable morbidity. The benefits of RFA have been universally validated by the practice guidelines of international societies of hepatology. The main advantages of RFA include 1) it is minimally invasive with acceptable morbidity, 2) it enables excellent local tumor control, 3) it has promising long-term survival, and 4) it is a multimodal approach. Based on these pros, RFA will play an important role in managing the patient with early HCC (smaller than 3 cm with fewer than four tumors). The main limitations of current RFA technology in hepatic ablation include 1) limitation of ablation volume, 2) technically infeasible in some tumors due to conspicuity and dangerous location, and 3) the heat-sink effect. Many technical approaches have been introduced to overcome those limitations, including a novel guiding modality, use of artificial fluid or air, and combined treatment strategies. RFA will continue to play a role as a representative ablative modality in the management of HCC, even in the era of targeted agents. PMID:21103289

A Comprehensive Review of Contemporary Role of Local Treatment of the Primary Tumor and/or the Metastases in Metastatic Prostate Cancer

PubMed Central

Aoun, Fouad; Peltier, Alexandre; van Velthoven, Roland

2014-01-01

To provide an overview of the currently available literature regarding local control of primary tumor and oligometastases in metastatic prostate cancer and salvage lymph node dissection of clinical lymph node relapse after curative treatment of prostate cancer. Evidence Acquisition. A systematic literature search was conducted in 2014 to identify abstracts, original articles, review articles, research articles, and editorials relevant to the local control in metastatic prostate cancer. Evidence Synthesis. Local control of primary tumor in metastatic prostate cancer remains experimental with low level of evidence. The concept is supported by a growing body of genetic and molecular research as well as analogy with other cancers. There is only one retrospective observational population based study showing prolonged survival. To eradicate oligometastases, several options exist with excellent local control rates. Stereotactic body radiotherapy is safe, well tolerated, and efficacious treatment for lymph node and bone lesions. Both biochemical and clinical progression are slowed down with a median time to initiate ADT of 2 years. Salvage lymph node dissection is feasible in patients with clinical lymph node relapse after local curable treatment. Conclusion. Despite encouraging oncologic midterm results, a complete cure remains elusive in metastatic prostate cancer patients. Further advances in imaging are crucial in order to rapidly evolve beyond the proof of concept. PMID:25485280

Local Stable and Unstable Manifolds and Their Control in Nonautonomous Finite-Time Flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balasuriya, Sanjeeva

2016-08-01

It is well known that stable and unstable manifolds strongly influence fluid motion in unsteady flows. These emanate from hyperbolic trajectories, with the structures moving nonautonomously in time. The local directions of emanation at each instance in time is the focus of this article. Within a nearly autonomous setting, it is shown that these time-varying directions can be characterised through the accumulated effect of velocity shear. Connections to Oseledets spaces and projection operators in exponential dichotomies are established. Availability of data for both infinite- and finite-time intervals is considered. With microfluidic flow control in mind, a methodology for manipulating these directions in any prescribed time-varying fashion by applying a local velocity shear is developed. The results are verified for both smoothly and discontinuously time-varying directions using finite-time Lyapunov exponent fields, and excellent agreement is obtained.

Results of a systematic literature review of treatment modalities for jugulotympanic paraganglioma, stratified per Fisch class.

PubMed

Jansen, T T G; Timmers, H J L M; Marres, H A M; Kaanders, J H A M; Kunst, H P M

2018-04-01

Key for successful jugulotympanic paraganglioma management is a personalised approach aiming for the best practice for each individual patient. To this end, a systematic review is performed, evaluating the local control and complication rates for the different treatment modalities stratified by the broadly accepted Fisch classification. A systematic literature review according to the PRISMA statement was performed. A detailed overview of individual treatment outcomes per Fisch class is provided. Local control, cranial nerve damage, complications, function recovery. Eighteen studies were selected, resembling 83 patients treated with radiotherapy and 299 with surgery. Excellent local control was found post-surgery for class A and B tumours, and risk of cranial nerve damage was <1%. For class C1-4 tumours, local control was 80%-95% post-surgery (84% post-radiotherapy), and cranial nerve damage was found in 71%-76% (none post-radiotherapy; P < .05). There was no difference in treatment outcomes between tumours of different C class. For class C1-4De/Di tumours, local control was 38%-86% (98% post-radiotherapy; P < .05) and cranial nerve damage/complication rates were 67%-100% (3% post-radiotherapy; P < .05). C1-4DeDi tumours showed lesser local control and cranial nerve damage rates when compared to C1-4De tumours. An individual risk is constituted for surgery and radiotherapy, stratified per Fisch class. For class A and B tumours, surgery is a suitable treatment option. For class C and D tumours, radiotherapy results in lower complication rates and similar or better local control rates when compared to the surgical group. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Spinal and Paraspinal Ewing Tumors

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

Indelicato, Daniel J., E-mail: dindelicato@floridaproton.or; University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL; Keole, Sameer R.

Purpose: To perform a review of the 40-year University of Florida experience treating spinal and paraspinal Ewing tumors. Patients and Methods: A total of 27 patients were treated between 1965 and 2007. For local management, 21 patients were treated with radiotherapy (RT) alone and 6 with surgery plus RT. All patients with metastatic disease were treated with RT alone. The risk profiles of each group were otherwise similar. The median age was 17 years, and the most frequent subsite was the sacral spine (n = 9). The median potential follow-up was 16 years. Results: The 5-year actuarial overall survival, cause-specificmore » survival, and local control rate was 62%, 62%, and 90%, respectively. For the nonmetastatic subset (n = 22), the 5-year overall survival, cause-specific survival, and local control rate was 71%, 71%, and 89%, respectively. The local control rate was 84% for patients treated with RT alone vs. 100% for those treated with surgery plus RT. Patients who were >14 years old and those who were treated with intensive therapy demonstrated superior local control. Of 9 patients in our series with Frankel C or greater neurologic deficits at presentation, 7 experienced a full recovery with treatment. Of the 27 patients, 37% experienced Common Toxicity Criteria Grade 3 or greater toxicity, including 2 deaths from sepsis. Conclusion: Aggressive management of spinal and paraspinal Ewing tumors with RT with or without surgery results in high toxicity but excellent local control and neurologic outcomes. Efforts should be focused on identifying disease amenable to combined modality local therapy and improving RT techniques.« less

Ultra-low-volume ground aerosols of technical malathion for the control of Aedes aegypti L

PubMed Central

Pant, C. P.; Mount, G. A.; Jatanasen, Sujarti; Mathis, H. L.

1971-01-01

The efficacy of malathion aerosols applied from the ground was evaluated for the control of Ae. aegypti. Several techniques for applying the aerosols to an inhabited locality were investigated, and it was found that excellent control of adult mosquitos could be obtained with a dosage of 438 ml/ha. Two treatments carried out 3 days apart enabled the adult mosquito population to be reduced by 99%, and it took about 2 weeks to regain its pretreatment level. Schedules of treatment and strategies to be applied during an epidemic are discussed. PMID:5317014

Radiotherapy in marginal zone lymphoma

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) for early-stage nodal and extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). Materials and methods Patients with stage I (n = 22) and stage II (n = 8) MZL, who were treated with RT were reviewed. The primary tumor localisation was in the orbita (n = 12), stomach (n = 8), head and neck other than the orbita (n = 8), breast (n = 1) and one case of marginal zone lymphoma of the skin (n = 1). The median radiotherapy dose was 40 Gy (5 to 45 Gy). Results The median follow-up time was 103 months. The 5-year overall survival and event-free survival rates were 85 ± 7% and 71 ± 9%, respectively. There was no infield recurrence. Recurrence occurred outside of the radiation field in six patients. The relapses were treated with salvage RT and had excellent local control (100%) at five years after salvage RT. Conclusions Localized extranodal MZL have an excellent prognosis following moderate-dose RT. RT is also an effective salvage therapy in cases of localized recurrence. Further clinical studies should evaluate the optimal dose for MZL. PMID:23281682

Interstitial radiation therapy for early-stage nasal vestibule cancer: A continuing quest for optimal tumor control and cosmesis

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

Levendag, Peter C.; Nijdam, Wideke M.; Moolenburgh, Sanne E. van

Introduction: This article reports on the effectiveness, cosmetic outcome, and costs of interstitial high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for early-stage cancer of the nasal vestibule (NV) proper and/or columella high-dose-rate (HDR). Methods and Materials: Tumor control, survival, cosmetic outcome, functional results, and costs were established in 64 T1/T2N0 nasal vestibule cancers treated from 1991-2005 by fractionated interstitial radiation therapy (IRT) only. Total dose is 44 Gy: 2 fractions of 3 Gy per day, 6-hour interval, first and last fraction 4 Gy. Cosmesis is noted in the chart by the medical doctor during follow-up, by the patient (visual analog scale), and by amore » panel. Finally, full hospital costs are computed. Results: A local relapse-free survival rate of 92% at 5 years was obtained. Four local failures were observed; all four patients were salvaged. The neck was not treated electively; no neck recurrence in follow-up was seen. Excellent cosmetic and functional results were observed. With 10 days admission for full treatment, hospital costs amounted to Euro 5772 ($7044). Conclusion: Excellent tumor control, cosmesis, and function of nasal airway passage can be achieved when HDR-IRT for T1/T2N0 NV cancers is used. For the more advanced cancers (Wang classification: T3 tumor stage), we elect to treat by local excision followed by a reconstructive procedure. The costs, admission to hospital inclusive, for treatment by HDR-IRT amounts to Euro 5772 ($7044 US). This contrasts substantially with the full hospital costs when NV cancers are treated by plastic reconstructive surgery, being on average threefold as expensive.« less

Post-operative radiation therapy for advanced-stage oropharyngeal cancer.

PubMed

Hansen, Eric; Panwala, Kathryn; Holland, John

2002-11-01

Between 1985 and 1999, 43 patients with locally-advanced, resectable oropharyngeal cancer were treated with combined surgery and post-operative radiation therapy (RT) at Oregon Health and Science University. Five patients (12 per cent) had Stage III disease and 38 patients (88 per cent) had Stage IV disease. All patients had gross total resections of the primary tumour. Thirty-seven patients had neck dissections for regional disease. RT consisted of a mean tumour-bed dose of 63.0 Gy delivered in 1.8-2.0 Gy fractions over a mean of 49 days. At three- and five-years, the actuarial local control was 96 per cent and the actuarial local/regional control was 80 per cent. The three- and five-year actuarial rates of distant metastases were 41 per cent and 46 per cent, respectively. The actuarial overall survival at three- and five-years was 41 per cent and 34 per cent, respectively. The actuarial rates of progression-free survival were 49 per cent at three-years and 45 per cent at five years. Combined surgery and post-operative RT for advanced-stage oropharyngeal cancer results in excellent local/regional control. This particular group of patients experienced a high-rate of developing distant metastases.

A Javascript library that uses Windows Script Host (WSH) to analyze prostate motion data fragmented across a multitude of Excel files by the Calypso 4D Localization System.

PubMed

Vali, Faisal S; Hsi, Alex; Cho, Paul; Parsai, Homayon; Garver, Elizabeth; Garza, Richard

2008-11-06

The Calypso 4D Localization System records prostate motion continuously during radiation treatment. It stores the data across thousands of Excel files. We developed Javascript (JScript) libraries for Windows Script Host (WSH) that use ActiveX Data Objects, OLE Automation and SQL to statistically analyze the data and display the results as a comprehensible Excel table. We then leveraged these libraries in other research to perform vector math on data spread across multiple access databases.

Proposal for a Venture Capital Grant: A Programmatic Approach to Excellence in Illinois Public Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hickrod, G. Alan; And Others

A new formula proposed for categorically funding local education programs in Illinois can channel more money into programs for excellence than can general purpose grants. The formula, which would provide venture capital to stimulate local initiatives, would depend on district plans for using the money to improve instruction and on distribution of…

Preliminary experience in treatment of papillary and macular retinoblastoma: evaluation of local control and local complications after treatment with linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiotherapy with micromultileaf collimator as second-line or salvage treatment after chemotherapy.

PubMed

Pica, Alessia; Moeckli, Raphael; Balmer, Aubin; Beck-Popovic, Maja; Chollet-Rivier, Madeleine; Do, Huu-Phuoc; Weber, Damien C; Munier, Francis L

2011-12-01

To determine the local control and complication rates for children with papillary and/or macular retinoblastoma progressing after chemotherapy and undergoing stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) with a micromultileaf collimator. Between 2004 and 2008, 11 children (15 eyes) with macular and/or papillary retinoblastoma were treated with SRT. The mean age was 19 months (range, 2-111). Of the 15 eyes, 7, 6, and 2 were classified as International Classification of Intraocular Retinoblastoma Group B, C, and E, respectively. The delivered dose of SRT was 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions using a dedicated micromultileaf collimator linear accelerator. The median follow-up was 20 months (range, 13-39). Local control was achieved in 13 eyes (87%). The actuarial 1- and 2-year local control rates were both 82%. SRT was well tolerated. Late adverse events were reported in 4 patients. Of the 4 patients, 2 had developed focal microangiopathy 20 months after SRT; 1 had developed a transient recurrence of retinal detachment; and 1 had developed bilateral cataracts. No optic neuropathy was observed. Linear accelerator-based SRT for papillary and/or macular retinoblastoma in children resulted in excellent tumor control rates with acceptable toxicity. Additional research regarding SRT and its intrinsic organ-at-risk sparing capability is justified in the framework of prospective trials. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Orthovoltage X-rays for Postoperative Treatment of Resected Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Head and Neck Area.

PubMed

Duinkerken, Charlotte W; Lohuis, Peter J F M; Crijns, Marianne B; Navran, Arash; Haas, Rick L M; Hamming-Vrieze, Olga; Klop, W Martin C; van den Brekel, Michiel W M; Al-Mamgani, Abrahim

Surgery is the golden standard for treating basal cell carcinomas. In case of positive tumor margins or recurrent disease, postoperative adjuvant or salvaging therapy is suggested to achieve good local control. To retrospectively report on local control and toxicity of postoperative radiotherapy by means of orthovoltage X-rays for residual or recurrent basal cell carcinoma after surgery in the head and neck area. Sixty-six surgically resected residual or recurrent basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck region were irradiated postoperatively by means of orthovoltage X-rays at the Netherlands Cancer Institute between January 2000 and February 2015. After a median follow-up duration of 30.5 months, only 5 recurrences were reported. The 5-year local control rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 100%, 87%, and 87%, respectively. The 5-year local control rate was 92% for immediate postoperative radiotherapy of incompletely resected basal cell carcinomas, 90% for recurrences after 1 previously performed excision, and 71% for multiple recurrences, namely, a history of more than 1 excision ( P = .437). Acute toxicity healed spontaneously within 3 months. Late toxicities were mild. Radiotherapy by means of orthovoltage X-ray is an excellent alternative for re-excision in case of incompletely resected or recurrent basal cell carcinomas that are at risk of serious functional and cosmetic impairments after re-excision, with a 5-year local control rate of 87% and a low toxicity profile.

Preliminary Experience in Treatment of Papillary and Macular Retinoblastoma: Evaluation of Local Control and Local Complications After Treatment With Linear Accelerator-Based Stereotactic Radiotherapy With Micromultileaf Collimator as Second-Line or Salvage Treatment After Chemotherapy

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

Pica, Alessia, E-mail: Alessia.Pica@chuv.ch; Moeckli, Raphael; Balmer, Aubin

2011-12-01

Purpose: To determine the local control and complication rates for children with papillary and/or macular retinoblastoma progressing after chemotherapy and undergoing stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) with a micromultileaf collimator. Methods and Materials: Between 2004 and 2008, 11 children (15 eyes) with macular and/or papillary retinoblastoma were treated with SRT. The mean age was 19 months (range, 2-111). Of the 15 eyes, 7, 6, and 2 were classified as International Classification of Intraocular Retinoblastoma Group B, C, and E, respectively. The delivered dose of SRT was 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions using a dedicated micromultileaf collimator linear accelerator. Results: The median follow-upmore » was 20 months (range, 13-39). Local control was achieved in 13 eyes (87%). The actuarial 1- and 2-year local control rates were both 82%. SRT was well tolerated. Late adverse events were reported in 4 patients. Of the 4 patients, 2 had developed focal microangiopathy 20 months after SRT; 1 had developed a transient recurrence of retinal detachment; and 1 had developed bilateral cataracts. No optic neuropathy was observed. Conclusions: Linear accelerator-based SRT for papillary and/or macular retinoblastoma in children resulted in excellent tumor control rates with acceptable toxicity. Additional research regarding SRT and its intrinsic organ-at-risk sparing capability is justified in the framework of prospective trials.« less

Favorable Local Control From Consolidative Radiation Therapy in High-Risk Neuroblastoma Despite Gross Residual Disease, Positive Margins, or Nodal Involvement

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

Ferris, Matthew J., E-mail: mjferri@emory.edu; Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Danish, Hasan

Purpose: To report the influence of radiation therapy (RT) dose and surgical pathology variables on disease control and overall survival (OS) in patients treated for high-risk neuroblastoma at a single institution. Methods and Materials: We conducted a retrospective study of 67 high-risk neuroblastoma patients who received RT as part of definitive management from January 2003 until May 2014. Results: At a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 26 patients (38.8%) failed distantly; 4 of these patients also failed locally. One patient progressed locally without distant failure. Local control was 92.5%, and total disease control was 59.5%. No benefit was demonstrated for RT doses over 21.6 Gymore » with respect to local relapse–free survival (P=.55), disease-free survival (P=.22), or OS (P=.72). With respect to local relapse–free survival, disease-free survival, and OS, no disadvantage was seen for positive lymph nodes on surgical pathology, positive surgical margins, or gross residual disease. Of the patients with gross residual disease, 75% (6 of 8) went on to have no evidence of disease at time of last follow-up, and the 2 patients who failed did so distantly. Conclusions: Patients with high-risk neuroblastoma in this series maintained excellent local control, with no benefit demonstrated for radiation doses over 21.6 Gy, and no disadvantage demonstrated for gross residual disease after surgery, positive surgical margins, or pathologic lymph node positivity. Though the limitations of a retrospective review for an uncommon disease must be kept in mind, with small numbers in some of the subgroups, it seems that dose escalation should be considered only in exceptional circumstances.« less

Stereotactic radiotherapy following surgery for brain metastasis: Predictive factors for local control and radionecrosis.

PubMed

Doré, M; Martin, S; Delpon, G; Clément, K; Campion, L; Thillays, F

2017-02-01

To evaluate local control and adverse effects after postoperative hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery in patients with brain metastasis. We reviewed patients who had hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (7.7Gy×3 prescribed to the 70% isodose line, with 2mm planning target volume margin) following resection from March 2008 to January 2014. The primary endpoint was local failure defined as recurrence within the surgical cavity. Secondary endpoints were distant failure rates and the occurrence of radionecrosis. Out of 95 patients, 39.2% had metastatic lesions from a non-small cell lung cancer primary tumour. The median Graded Prognostic Assessment score was 3 (48% of patients). One-year local control rates were 84%. Factors associated with improved local control were no cavity enhancement on pre-radiation MRI (P<0.00001), planning target volume less than 12cm 3 (P=0.005), Graded Prognostic Assessment score 2 or above (P=0.009). One-year distant cerebral control rates were 56%. Thirty-three percent of patients received whole brain radiation therapy. Histologically proven radionecrosis of brain tissue occurred in 7.2% of cases. The size of the preoperative lesion and the volume of healthy brain tissue receiving 21Gy (V 21 ) were both predictive of the incidence of radionecrosis (P=0.010 and 0.036, respectively). Adjuvant hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery to the postoperative cavity in patients with brain metastases results in excellent local control in selected patients, helps delay the use of whole brain radiation, and is associated with a relatively low risk of radionecrosis. Copyright © 2016 Société française de radiothérapie oncologique (SFRO). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Angular dependant micro-ESR characterization of a locally doped Gd3+:Al2O3 hybrid system for quantum applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wisby, I. S.; de Graaf, S. E.; Gwilliam, R.; Adamyan, A.; Kubatkin, S. E.; Meeson, P. J.; Tzalenchuk, A. Ya.; Lindstrom, T.

Rare-earth doped crystals interfaced with superconducting quantum circuitry are an attractive platform for quantum memory and transducer applications. Here we present a detailed characterization of a locally implanted Gd3+ in Al2O3 system coupled to a superconducting micro-resonator, by performing angular dependent micro-electron-spin-resonance (micro-ESR) measurements at mK temperatures. The device is fabricated using a hard Si3N4 mask to facilitate a local ion-implantation technique for precision control of the dopant location. The technique is found not to degrade the internal quality factor of the resonators which remains above 105 (1). We find the measured angular dependence of the micro-ESR spectra to be in excellent agreement with the modelled Hamiltonian, supporting the conclusion that the dopant ions are successfully integrated into their relevant lattice sites whilst maintaining crystalline symmetries. Furthermore, we observe clear contributions from individual microwave field components of our micro-resonator, emphasising the need for controllable local implantation. 1 Wisby et al. Appl. Phys. Lett. 105, 102601 (2014)

Action Enhances Acoustic Cues for 3-D Target Localization by Echolocating Bats

PubMed Central

Wohlgemuth, Melville J.

2016-01-01

Under natural conditions, animals encounter a barrage of sensory information from which they must select and interpret biologically relevant signals. Active sensing can facilitate this process by engaging motor systems in the sampling of sensory information. The echolocating bat serves as an excellent model to investigate the coupling between action and sensing because it adaptively controls both the acoustic signals used to probe the environment and movements to receive echoes at the auditory periphery. We report here that the echolocating bat controls the features of its sonar vocalizations in tandem with the positioning of the outer ears to maximize acoustic cues for target detection and localization. The bat’s adaptive control of sonar vocalizations and ear positioning occurs on a millisecond timescale to capture spatial information from arriving echoes, as well as on a longer timescale to track target movement. Our results demonstrate that purposeful control over sonar sound production and reception can serve to improve acoustic cues for localization tasks. This finding also highlights the general importance of movement to sensory processing across animal species. Finally, our discoveries point to important parallels between spatial perception by echolocation and vision. PMID:27608186

Regulating Surface Facets of Metallic Aerogel Electrocatalysts by Size-dependent Localized Ostwald Ripening.

PubMed

Wenchao, Duan; Zhang, Peina; Xiahou, Yujiao; Song, Yahui; Bi, Cuixia; Zhan, Jie; Du, Wei; Huang, Lihui; Möhwald, Helmuth; Xia, Haibing

2018-06-21

It is well known that the activity and stability of electrocatalysts are largely dependent on their surface facets. In this work, we have successfully regulated surface facets of three-dimensional (3D) metallic Au m-n aerogels by salt-induced assembly of citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) of two different sizes and further size-dependent localized Ostwald ripening at controlled particle-number ratios, where m and n represent the size of Au NPs, respectively. In addition, 3D Au m-n @Pd aerogels were further synthesized on the basis of Au m-n aerogels and also bear controlled surface facets due to the formation of ultrathin Pd layers on Au m-n aerogels. Taking the electrooxidation of small organic molecules (such as methanol and ethanol) by the resulting Au m-n and Au m-n @Pd aerogels as examples, it is found that surface facets of metallic aerogels with excellent performance can be regulated to realize preferential surface facets for methanol oxidation and ethanol oxidation, respectively. Moreover, they also indeed simultaneously bear high activity and excellent stability. Furthermore, their activities and stability are also highly dependent on the area ratio of active facets and inactive facets on their surfaces, respectively, and these ratios are varied via the mismatch of sizes of adjacent nanoparticles. Thus, this work not only demonstrates the realization of the regulation of the surface facets of metallic aerogels by size-dependent localized Ostwald ripening, but also will open up a new way to improve electrocatalytic performance of three-dimensional metallic aerogels by surface regulation.

Therapeutic applications of hydrogels in oral drug delivery

PubMed Central

Sharpe, Lindsey A; Daily, Adam M; Horava, Sarena D; Peppas, Nicholas A

2015-01-01

Introduction Oral delivery of therapeutics, particularly protein-based pharmaceutics, is of great interest for safe and controlled drug delivery for patients. Hydrogels offer excellent potential as oral therapeutic systems due to inherent biocompatibility, diversity of both natural and synthetic material options and tunable properties. In particular, stimuli-responsive hydrogels exploit physiological changes along the intestinal tract to achieve site-specific, controlled release of protein, peptide and chemotherapeutic molecules for both local and systemic treatment applications. Areas covered This review provides a wide perspective on the therapeutic use of hydrogels in oral delivery systems. General features and advantages of hydrogels are addressed, with more considerable focus on stimuli-responsive systems that respond to pH or enzymatic changes in the gastrointestinal environment to achieve controlled drug release. Specific examples of therapeutics are given. Last, in vitro and in vivo methods to evaluate hydrogel performance are discussed. Expert opinion Hydrogels are excellent candidates for oral drug delivery, due to the number of adaptable parameters that enable controlled delivery of diverse therapeutic molecules. However, further work is required to more accurately simulate physiological conditions and enhance performance, which is important to achieve improved bioavailability and increase commercial interest. PMID:24848309

Angle-Dependent Microresonator ESR Characterization of Locally Doped Gd3 + :Al2O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wisby, I. S.; de Graaf, S. E.; Gwilliam, R.; Adamyan, A.; Kubatkin, S. E.; Meeson, P. J.; Tzalenchuk, A. Ya.; Lindström, T.

2016-08-01

Interfacing rare-earth-doped crystals with superconducting circuit architectures provides an attractive platform for quantum memory and transducer devices. Here, we present the detailed characterization of such a hybrid system: a locally implanted rare-earth Gd3 + in Al2O3 spin system coupled to a superconducting microresonator. We investigate the properties of the implanted spin system through angular-dependent microresonator electron spin resonance (micro-ESR) spectroscopy. We find, despite the high-energy near-surface implantation, the resulting micro-ESR spectra to be in excellent agreement with the modeled Hamiltonian, supporting the integration of dopant ions into their relevant lattice sites while maintaining crystalline symmetries. Furthermore, we observe clear contributions from individual microwave field components of our microresonator, emphasizing the need for controllable local implantation.

Technique for Periarticular Local Infiltrative Anesthesia Delivery Using Liposomal Bupivacaine in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

PubMed

Connelly, Jacob O; Edwards, Paul K; Mears, Simon C; Barnes, C Lowry

2015-01-01

Postoperative pain control after total knee arthroplasty is a major contributing factor to patient satisfaction, rehabilitation, and length of stay. Current clinical practice guidelines recommend a multimodal pain management protocol, including the use of regional anesthesia. Periarticular injection (PAI) has been shown to provide excellent pain relief after total knee arthroplasty. Recently, liposomal bupivacaine has been introduced as a long-acting alternative to traditional local anesthetics, such as bupivacaine or ropivacaine. Liposomal bupivacaine is a sustained-release preparation designed to provide local analgesia up to 72 hours after initial application. The efficacy of PAI relies significantly on a meticulous, systematic injection technique. This article details recommendations for solution preparation and injection during total knee arthroplasty on the basis of the experience of a high-volume orthopaedic reconstruction service.

[Construction of abridged life table for health evaluation of local resident using Excel program].

PubMed

Chen, Qingsha; Wang, Feng; Li, Xiaozhen; Yang, Jian; Yu, Shouyi; Hu, Jun

2012-05-01

To provide an easy computational tool for evaluating the health condition of local residents. An abridged life table was programmed by applying mathematical functions and formula in Excel program and tested with the real study data to evaluate the results computed. The Excel was capable of computing group death probability of age in the life table ((n)q(x)), number of survivors (l(x)), number of death ((n)d(x)), survival per person-year ((n)L(x)), survival total per person-year (T(x)) and life expectancy (e(x)). The calculated results were consistent with those by SAS. The abridged life table constructed using Microsoft Excel can conveniently and accurately calculate the relevant indices for evaluating the health condition of the residents.

[Randomized controlled trials of needle knife therapy combined with rotation traction manipulation for the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy].

PubMed

Zhou, Zhong-Liang; Su, Guo-Hong; Zheng, Bao-Zhu; Zuo, Yu-Zhu; Wei, Fu-Liang

2016-09-25

To compare the therapeutic effects between needle knife therapy combined with rotation traction manipulation and rotation traction manipulation for the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. From November 2013 to June 2015, 80 patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups randomly:the control group in which 39 patients were treated with rotation traction manipulation, and the treatment group in which 41 patients were treated with needle knife combined with rotation traction manipulation. The patients in the control group were treated once dayly for 2 weeks, which was 1 course. The patients in the treatment group were treated with needle knife firstly once a week for 2 weeks, which was 1 course;then were treated with the same methods as the patients in the control group. The symptoms, signs score and the therapeutic effects of the two groups before and after treatment were observed. After treatment, symptoms and signs scores declined in both groups( P <0.05). The results of the treatment group were better than effects in the control group( P <0.05). In the treatment group, 19 patients got an excellent result, 16 good, 5 fair and 1 bad;while in the control group, 10 patients got an excellent result, 10 good, 16 fair and 3 bad;the results of the treatment group were better than the results of the control group( P <0.01). Needle knife combined with rotation traction manipulation is an effective method for the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, which is better than using manipulation method simply. Needle knife therapy has follow advantages:improving local blood circulation, reducing local content of pain substance, increasing production of substances resisting pain, opening channels and collaterals, and make body reaching new static and dynamic balance on the new foundation.

Predictive factors of tumor control and survival after radiosurgery for local failures of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PubMed

Chua, Daniel T T; Sham, Jonathan S T; Hung, Kwan-Ngai; Leung, Lucullus H T; Au, Gordon K H

2006-12-01

Stereotactic radiosurgery has been employed as a salvage treatment of local failures of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). To identify patients that would benefit from radiosurgery, we reviewed our data with emphasis on factors that predicted treatment outcome. A total of 48 patients with local failures of NPC were treated by stereotactic radiosurgery between March 1996 and February 2005. Radiosurgery was administered using a modified linear accelerator with single or multiple isocenters to deliver a median dose of 12.5 Gy to the target periphery. Median follow-up was 54 months. Five-year local failure-free probability after radiosurgery was 47.2% and 5-year overall survival rate was 46.9%. Neuroendocrine complications occurred in 27% of patients but there were no treatment-related deaths. Time interval from primary radiotherapy, retreatment T stage, prior local failures and tumor volume were significant predictive factors of local control and/or survival whereas age was of marginal significance in predicting survival. A radiosurgery prognostic scoring system was designed based on these predictive factors. Five-year local failure-free probabilities in patients with good, intermediate and poor prognostic scores were 100%, 42.5%, and 9.6%. The corresponding five-year overall survival rates were 100%, 51.1%, and 0%. Important factors that predicted tumor control and survival after radiosurgery were identified. Patients with good prognostic score should be treated by radiosurgery in view of the excellent results. Patients with intermediate prognostic score may also be treated by radiosurgery but those with poor prognostic score should receive other salvage treatments.

Outcomes and Control Rates for I-125 Plaque Brachytherapy for Uveal Melanoma: A Community-Based Institutional Experience

PubMed Central

Cook, Taylor

2014-01-01

Purpose. To evaluate our community-based institutional experience with plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanomas with a focus on local control rates, factors impacting disease progression, and dosimetric parameters impacting treatment toxicity. Methods and Materials. Our institution was retrospectively reviewed from 1996 to 2011; all patients who underwent plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma were included. Follow-up data were collected regarding local control, distant metastases, and side effects from treatment. Analysis was performed on factors impacting treatment outcomes and treatment toxicity. Results. A total of 107 patients underwent plaque brachytherapy, of which 88 had follow-up data available. Local control at 10 years was 94%. Freedom from progression (FFP) and overall survival at 10 years were 83% and 79%, respectively. On univariate analysis, there were no tumor or dosimetric treatment characteristics that were found to have a prognostic impact on FFP. Brachytherapy treatment was well tolerated, with clinically useful vision (>20/200) maintained in 64% of patients. Statistically significant dosimetric relationships were established with cataract, glaucoma, and retinopathy development (greatest P = 0.05). Conclusions. Treatment with plaque brachytherapy demonstrates excellent outcomes in a community-based setting. It is well tolerated and should remain a standard of care for COMS medium sized tumors. PMID:24734198

'Boomerang' technique: an improved method for conformal treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer.

PubMed

Corry, June; Hornby, Colin; Fisher, Richard; D'Costa, Ieta; Porceddu, Sandro; Rischin, Danny; Peters, Lester J

2004-06-01

The primary aim of the present study was to assess radiation dosimetry and subsequent clinical outcomes in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer using a novel radiation technique termed the 'Boomerang'. Dosimetric comparisons were made with both conventional and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) techniques. This is a study of 22 patients treated with this technique from June 1995 to October 1998. The technique used entailed delivery of 36 Gy in 18 fractions via parallel opposed fields, then 24 Gy in 12 fractions via asymmetric rotating arc fields for a total of 60 Gy in 30 fractions. Patients also received induction and concurrent chemotherapy. The radiation dosimetry was excellent. Dose-volume histograms showed that with the arc fields, 90% of the planning target volume received 94% of the prescribed dose. Relative to other conventional radiation therapy off-cord techniques, the Boomerang technique results in a 27% greater proportion of the prescribed dose being received by 90% of the planning target volume. This translates into an overall 10% greater dose received for the same prescribed dose. At 3 years, the actuarial loco-regional control rate, the failure-free survival rate and the overall survival rate were 91, 75 and 91%, respectively. At 5 years, the actuarial loco-regional control rate, the failure-free survival rate and the overall survival rate were 74, 62 and 71%, respectively. The Boomerang technique provided excellent radiation dosimetry with correspondingly good loco-regional control rates (in conjunction with chemotherapy) and very acceptable acute and late toxicity profiles. Because treatment can be delivered with conventional standard treatment planning and delivery systems, it is a validated treatment option for centres that do not have the capability or capacity for IMRT. A derivative of the Boomerang technique, excluding the parallel opposed component, is now our standard for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer when IMRT is not available.

Computed tomography guided percutaneous injection of a mixture of lipiodol and methylene blue in rabbit lungs: evaluation of localization ability for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

PubMed

Jin, Kwang Nam; Lee, Kyung Won; Kim, Tae Jung; Song, Yong Sub; Kim, Dong Il

2014-01-01

Preoperative localization is necessary prior to video assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the detection of small or deeply located lung nodules. We compared the localization ability of a mixture of lipiodol and methylene blue (MLM) (0.6 mL, 1:5) to methylene blue (0.5 mL) in rabbit lungs. CT-guided percutaneous injections were performed in 21 subjects with MLM and methylene blue. We measured the extent of staining on freshly excised lung and evaluated the subjective localization ability with 4 point scales at 6 and 24 hr after injections. For MLM, radio-opacity was evaluated on the fluoroscopy. We considered score 2 (acceptable) or 3 (excellent) as appropriate for localization. The staining extent of MLM was significantly smaller than methylene blue (0.6 vs 1.0 cm, P<0.001). MLM showed superior staining ability over methylene blue (2.8 vs 2.2, P=0.010). Excellent staining was achieved in 17 subjects (81%) with MLM and 8 (38%) with methylene blue (P=0.011). An acceptable or excellent radio-opacity of MLM was found in 13 subjects (62%). An appropriate localization rate of MLM was 100% with the use of the directly visible ability and radio-opacity of MLM. MLM provides a superior pulmonary localization ability over methylene blue.

Computed Tomography Guided Percutaneous Injection of a Mixture of Lipiodol and Methylene Blue in Rabbit Lungs: Evaluation of Localization Ability for Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

PubMed Central

Jin, Kwang Nam; Kim, Tae Jung; Song, Yong Sub; Kim, Dong Il

2014-01-01

Preoperative localization is necessary prior to video assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the detection of small or deeply located lung nodules. We compared the localization ability of a mixture of lipiodol and methylene blue (MLM) (0.6 mL, 1:5) to methylene blue (0.5 mL) in rabbit lungs. CT-guided percutaneous injections were performed in 21 subjects with MLM and methylene blue. We measured the extent of staining on freshly excised lung and evaluated the subjective localization ability with 4 point scales at 6 and 24 hr after injections. For MLM, radio-opacity was evaluated on the fluoroscopy. We considered score 2 (acceptable) or 3 (excellent) as appropriate for localization. The staining extent of MLM was significantly smaller than methylene blue (0.6 vs 1.0 cm, P<0.001). MLM showed superior staining ability over methylene blue (2.8 vs 2.2, P=0.010). Excellent staining was achieved in 17 subjects (81%) with MLM and 8 (38%) with methylene blue (P=0.011). An acceptable or excellent radio-opacity of MLM was found in 13 subjects (62%). An appropriate localization rate of MLM was 100% with the use of the directly visible ability and radio-opacity of MLM. MLM provides a superior pulmonary localization ability over methylene blue. PMID:24431917

Supplementary routes to local anaesthesia.

PubMed

Meechan, J G

2002-11-01

The satisfactory provision of many dental treatments, particularly endodontics, relies on achieving excellent pain control. Unfortunately, the administration of a local anaesthetic solution does not always produce satisfactory anaesthesia of the dental pulp. This may be distressing for both patient and operator. Fortunately, failure of local anaesthetic injections can be overcome. This is often achieved by using alternative routes of approach for subsequent injections. Nerves such as the inferior alveolar nerve can be anaesthetized by a variety of block methods. However, techniques of anaesthesia other than the standard infiltration and regional block injections may be employed successfully when these former methods have failed to produce adequate pain control. This paper describes some supplementary local anaesthetic techniques that may be used to achieve pulpal anaesthesia for endodontic procedures when conventional approaches have failed. Although some of these techniques can be used as the primary form of anaesthesia, these are normally employed as 'back-up'. The methods described are intraligamentary (periodontal ligament) injections, intraosseous anaesthesia and the intrapulpal approach. The factors that influence the success of these methods and the advantages and disadvantages of each technique are discussed. The advent of new instrumentation, which permits the slow delivery of local anaesthetic solution has led to the development of novel methods of anaesthesia in dentistry. These new approaches are discussed.

Interrater reliability among epilepsy centers: multicenter study of epilepsy surgery.

PubMed

Haut, Sheryl R; Berg, Anne T; Shinnar, Shlomo; Cohen, Hillel W; Bazil, Carl W; Sperling, Michael R; Langfitt, John T; Pacia, Steven V; Walczak, Thaddeus S; Spencer, Susan S

2002-11-01

To measure the interrater reliability of presurgical testing and surgical decisions among epilepsy centers. Seven centers participating in an ongoing, prospective multicenter study of resective epilepsy surgery agreed to conform to a detailed protocol regarding presurgical evaluation and surgery. To assess quality assurance, each center independently reviewed 21 randomly selected surgical cases for preoperative study lateralization and localization, and surgical decisions. Interrater reliability was assessed by using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), validated for use with multiple raters, and calculated in a two-way random model based on absolute agreement. Agreement for ICC values: > or = 0.75, excellent; 0.60-0.74, good; 0.40-0.59, fair; < or = 0.39, poor. One center was excluded for missing data. Agreement was excellent for extracranial EEG lateralization (0.8039), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lateralization (0.9521) and localization (0.9130), Wada lateralization (0.9453), and intracranial EEG localization (0.7905). Agreement was good for extracranial EEG localization (0.7384) and neuropsychological testing lateralization (0.7178) and localization (0.6891). Consensus about the decision to perform intracranial monitoring was fair (0.5397), in part reflecting one center's tendency toward intracranial monitoring. Overall agreements on whether to perform surgery (0.8311) and specific surgery recommended (0.8164) were excellent. High interrater reliability among six epilepsy centers was present for interpretation of most components of presurgical testing. Although consensus for the decision to perform intracranial monitoring was only fair, agreements for the ultimate decision about resective surgery and specific choice of resection were excellent. We believe that this study demonstrates the feasibility of implementing multicenter protocols for neurologic management, especially those involving localization, as well as protocols combining study results with clinical decision making.

Local control after intensity-modulated radiotherapy for head-and-neck rhabdomyosarcoma.

PubMed

Curtis, Amarinthia E; Okcu, M Fatih; Chintagumpala, Murali; Teh, Bin S; Paulino, Arnold C

2009-01-01

To examine the patterns of failure in patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for head-and-neck rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Between 1998 and 2005, 19 patients with a diagnosis of head-and-neck RMS received IMRT at The Methodist Hospital. There were 11 male and 8 female patients, with a median age of 6 years at time of irradiation. Tumor location was parameningeal in 7, orbital in 6, and other head-and-neck RMS in 6. Chemotherapy was given to all patients, with vincristine, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide being the most common regimen (n = 18). The median prescribed dose was 5040 cGy. The clinical target volume included the gross tumor volume with a 1.5-cm margin. The median duration of follow-up for surviving patients was 56 months. The 4-year overall survival and local control rates were 76% and 92.9%, respectively. One patient developed a local failure in the high-dose region of the radiation field; there were no marginal failures. Distant metastasis was seen in 4 patients. Overall survival was 42.9% for parameningeal sites and 100% for other sites (p < 0.01). Late toxicities were seen in 7 patients. Two secondary malignancies occurred in 1 child with embryonal RMS of the face and a p53 mutation. Local control was excellent in patients receiving IMRT for head-and-neck RMS. Patterns of local failure reveal no marginal failures in this group of patients.

A New Treatment Paradigm: Neoadjuvant Radiosurgery Before Surgical Resection of Brain Metastases With Analysis of Local Tumor Recurrence

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

Asher, Anthony L., E-mail: asher@cnsa.com; Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates, Charlotte, North Carolina; Burri, Stuart H.

Purpose: Resected brain metastases (BM) require radiation therapy to reduce local recurrence. Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) reduces recurrence, but with potential toxicity. Postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a strategy without prospective data and problematic target delineation. SRS delivered in the preoperative setting (neoadjuvant, or NaSRS) allows clear target definition and reduction of intraoperative dissemination of tumor cells. Methods and Materials: Our treatment of resectable BM with NaSRS was begun in 2005. Subsequently, a prospective trial of NaSRS was undertaken. A total of 47 consecutively treated patients (23 database and 24 prospective trial) with a total of 51 lesions weremore » reviewed. No statistical difference was observed between the 2 cohorts, and they were combined for analysis. The median follow-up time was 12 months (range, 1-58 months), and the median age was 57. A median of 1 day elapsed between NaSRS and resection. The median diameter of lesions was 3.04 cm (range, 1.34-5.21 cm), and the median volume was 8.49 cc (range, 0.89-46.7 cc). A dose reduction strategy was used, with a median dose of 14 Gy (range, 11.6-18 Gy) prescribed to 80% isodose. Results: Kaplan-Meier overall survival was 77.8% and 60.0% at 6 and 12 months. Kaplan-Meier local control was 97.8%, 85.6%, and 71.8% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Five of 8 failures were proved pathologically without radiation necrosis. There were no perioperative adverse events. Ultimately, 14.8% of the patients were treated with WBRT. Local failure was more likely with lesions >10 cc (P=.01), >3.4 cm (P=.014), with a trend in surface lesions (P=.066) and eloquent areas (P=.052). Six of the 8 failures had an obvious dural attachment or proximity to draining veins. Conclusions: NaSRS can be performed safely and effectively with excellent results without documented radiation necrosis. Local control was excellent even in the setting of large (>3 cm) lesions. The strong majority of patients were able to avoid WBRT. NaSRS merits consideration in a multi-institution trial.« less

A new treatment paradigm: neoadjuvant radiosurgery before surgical resection of brain metastases with analysis of local tumor recurrence.

PubMed

Asher, Anthony L; Burri, Stuart H; Wiggins, Walter F; Kelly, Renee P; Boltes, Margaret O; Mehrlich, Melissa; Norton, H James; Fraser, Robert W

2014-03-15

Resected brain metastases (BM) require radiation therapy to reduce local recurrence. Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) reduces recurrence, but with potential toxicity. Postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a strategy without prospective data and problematic target delineation. SRS delivered in the preoperative setting (neoadjuvant, or NaSRS) allows clear target definition and reduction of intraoperative dissemination of tumor cells. Our treatment of resectable BM with NaSRS was begun in 2005. Subsequently, a prospective trial of NaSRS was undertaken. A total of 47 consecutively treated patients (23 database and 24 prospective trial) with a total of 51 lesions were reviewed. No statistical difference was observed between the 2 cohorts, and they were combined for analysis. The median follow-up time was 12 months (range, 1-58 months), and the median age was 57. A median of 1 day elapsed between NaSRS and resection. The median diameter of lesions was 3.04 cm (range, 1.34-5.21 cm), and the median volume was 8.49 cc (range, 0.89-46.7 cc). A dose reduction strategy was used, with a median dose of 14 Gy (range, 11.6-18 Gy) prescribed to 80% isodose. Kaplan-Meier overall survival was 77.8% and 60.0% at 6 and 12 months. Kaplan-Meier local control was 97.8%, 85.6%, and 71.8% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Five of 8 failures were proved pathologically without radiation necrosis. There were no perioperative adverse events. Ultimately, 14.8% of the patients were treated with WBRT. Local failure was more likely with lesions >10 cc (P=.01), >3.4 cm (P=.014), with a trend in surface lesions (P=.066) and eloquent areas (P=.052). Six of the 8 failures had an obvious dural attachment or proximity to draining veins. NaSRS can be performed safely and effectively with excellent results without documented radiation necrosis. Local control was excellent even in the setting of large (>3 cm) lesions. The strong majority of patients were able to avoid WBRT. NaSRS merits consideration in a multi-institution trial. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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

Badiyan, Shahed N.; Rao, Rajesh C.; Apicelli, Anthony J.

Purpose: To assess the impact on local tumor control of intraoperative ultrasonographic plaque visualization and selective application of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in the treatment of posterior uveal melanoma with iodine-125 (I-125) episcleral plaque brachytherapy (EPB). Methods and Materials: Retrospective analysis of 526 patients treated with I-125 EPB for posterior uveal melanoma. Clinical features, dosimetric parameters, TTT treatments, and local tumor control outcomes were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards and Kaplan-Meier life table method. Results: The study included 270 men (51%) and 256 women (49%), with a median age of 63 years (mean, 62 years; range, 16-91more » years). Median dose to the tumor apex was 94.4 Gy (mean, 97.8; range, 43.9-183.9) and to the tumor base was 257.9 Gy (mean, 275.6; range, 124.2-729.8). Plaque tilt >1 mm away from the sclera at plaque removal was detected in 142 cases (27%). Supplemental TTT was performed in 72 patients (13.7%). One or 2 TTT sessions were required in 71 TTT cases (98.6%). After a median follow-up of 45.9 months (mean, 53.4 months; range, 6-175 months), local tumor recurrence was detected in 19 patients (3.6%). Local tumor recurrence was associated with lower dose to the tumor base (P=.02). Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided plaque localization of I-125 EPB is associated with excellent local tumor control. Detection of plaque tilt by ultrasonography at plaque removal allows supplemental TTT to be used in patients at potentially higher risk for local recurrence while sparing the majority of patients who are at low risk. Most patients require only 1 or 2 TTT sessions.« less

Bio-fabrication of nanomesh channels of single-walled carbon nanotubes for locally gated field-effect transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Byeon, Hye-Hyeon; Lee, Woo Chul; Kim, Wonbin; Kim, Seong Keun; Kim, Woong; Yi, Hyunjung

2017-01-01

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are one of the promising electronic components for nanoscale electronic devices such as field-effect transistors (FETs) owing to their excellent device characteristics such as high conductivity, high carrier mobility and mechanical flexibility. Localized gating gemometry of FETs enables individual addressing of active channels and allows for better electrostatics via thinner dielectric layer of high k-value. For localized gating of SWNTs, it becomes critical to define SWNTs of controlled nanostructures and functionality onto desired locations in high precision. Here, we demonstrate that a biologically templated approach in combination of microfabrication processes can successfully produce a nanostructured channels of SWNTs for localized active devices such as local bottom-gated FETs. A large-scale nanostructured network, nanomesh, of SWNTs were assembled in solution using an M13 phage with strong binding affinity toward SWNTs and micrometer-scale nanomesh channels were defined using negative photolithography and plasma-etching processes. The bio-fabrication approach produced local bottom-gated FETs with remarkably controllable nanostructures and successfully enabled semiconducting behavior out of unsorted SWNTs. In addition, the localized gating scheme enhanced the device performances such as operation voltage and I on/I off ratio. We believe that our approach provides a useful and integrative method for fabricating electronic devices out of nanoscale electronic materials for applications in which tunable electrical properties, mechanical flexibility, ambient stability, and chemical stability are of crucial importance.

Local Material as a Character of Contemporary Interior Design in Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Susanto, Dalhar; Puti Angelia, Dini; Ningsih, Tria Amalia

2017-12-01

Excellent design needs to fulfill universal requirements (utility, aesthetic, ergonomic, durability, and safe). Besides of all the requirements, an excellent design has to be shown its distinctiveness, uniqueness, and identity. To create an excellent design, we can use one of locality approach, it means local material utilization. From time to time, the material is linking each other in unity with environment context, human, knowledge, culture, social, economy, user needs and material availability. The aspects are the important part to get the reflective identity and local values in architecture and interior design work in Indonesia. It can be proofed by some of the architecture and interior work precedent, like traditional or vernacular in Nusantara or contemporary interior design work from Indonesian designer who has recognized to promote the locality value. However interior design works in Indonesia cannot be shown the characteristic of Indonesia identity and locality currently, it is different than another country work, like Japan, Italy, or Scandinavia. Interior design work from these countries can be easily known with accentuating of characteristic their places, such as material, color, detail, or geometry pattern in the product that has been produced. Meanwhile, some of the region in Indonesia are tropical climate and brought about much of local material and it has potential to make a unique work which has the local identity. This paper will discuss the result of a searching potential of local material usefulness as interior design identity in Indonesia. This research is done by typology method, which means discover the presence of some of the architecture elements appears to be related material. The elements are the pattern, color, craftsmanship, building element, object, and type of material in some of the contemporary interior design work in Indonesia were considered superior and capable of lifting elements recognized locality.

Plasmonics simulations including nonlocal effects using a boundary element method approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trügler, Andreas; Hohenester, Ulrich; García de Abajo, F. Javier

2017-09-01

Spatial nonlocality in the photonic response of metallic nanoparticles is actually known to produce near-field quenching and significant plasmon frequency shifts relative to local descriptions. As the control over size and morphology of fabricated nanostructures is truly reaching the nanometer scale, understanding and accounting for nonlocal phenomena is becoming increasingly important. Recent advances clearly point out the need to go beyond the local theory. We here present a general formalism for incorporating spatial dispersion effects through the hydrodynamic model and generalizations for arbitrary surface morphologies. Our method relies on the boundary element method, which we supplement with a nonlocal interaction potential. We provide numerical examples in excellent agreement with the literature for individual and paired gold nanospheres, and critically examine the accuracy of our approach. The present method involves marginal extra computational cost relative to local descriptions and facilitates the simulation of spatial dispersion effects in the photonic response of complex nanoplasmonic structures.

Industry-Supported Team Students' Projects.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glozman, Vladimir

The industry-supported team students' project enhances professional, intellectual, and personal development of students while addressing the needs of local industry. In addition to achieving academic excellence, the students are exposed to industry requirements, and excel in effective oral communication and cooperative teamwork. The teamwork…

Disease Control and Ototoxicity Using Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy Tumor-Bed Boost for Medulloblastoma

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

Polkinghorn, William R.; Dunkel, Ira J.; Souweidane, Mark M.

2011-11-01

Purpose: We previously reported excellent local control for treating medulloblastoma with a limited boost to the tumor bed. In order to decrease ototoxicity, we subsequently implemented a tumor-bed boost using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), the clinical results of which we report here. Patients and Methods: A total of 33 patients with newly diagnosed medulloblastoma, 25 with standard risk, and 8 with high risk, were treated on an IMRT tumor-bed boost following craniospinal irradiation (CSI). Six standard-risk patients were treated with an institutional protocol with 18 Gy CSI in conjunction with intrathecal iodine-131-labeled monoclonal antibody. The majority of patients received concurrentmore » vincristine and standard adjuvant chemotherapy. Pure-tone audiograms were graded according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0. Results: Median age was 9 years old (range, 4-46 years old). Median follow-up was 63 months. Kaplan-Meier estimates of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for standard-risk patients who received 23.4 or 36 Gy CSI (not including those who received 18 Gy CSI with radioimmunotherapy) were 81.4% and 88.4%, respectively, at 5 years; 5-year PFS and OS rates for high-risk patients were both 87.5%. There were no isolated posterior fossa failures outside of the boost volume. Posttreatment audiograms were available for 31 patients, of whom 6%, at a median follow-up of 19 months, had developed Grade 3 hearing loss. Conclusion: An IMRT tumor-bed boost results in excellent local control while delivering a low mean dose to the cochlea, resulting in a low rate of ototoxicity.« less

Definitive Management of Oligometastatic Melanoma in a Murine Model Using Combined Ablative Radiation Therapy and Viral Immunotherapy

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

Blanchard, Miran; Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Shim, Kevin G.

Purpose: The oligometastatic state is an intermediate state between a malignancy that can be completely eradicated with conventional modalities and one in which a palliative approach is undertaken. Clinically, high rates of local tumor control are possible with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR), using precisely targeted, high-dose, low-fraction radiation therapy. However, in oligometastatic melanoma, virtually all patients develop progression systemically at sites not initially treated with ablative radiation therapy that cannot be managed with conventional chemotherapy and immunotherapy. We have demonstrated in mice that intravenous administration of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing defined tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) generates systemic immune responsesmore » capable of clearing established tumors. Therefore, in the present preclinical study, we tested whether the combination of systemic VSV-mediated antigen delivery and SABR would be effective against oligometastatic disease. Methods and Materials: We generated a model of oligometastatic melanoma in C57BL/6 immunocompetent mice and then used a combination of SABR and systemically administered VSV-TAA viral immunotherapy to treat both local and systemic disease. Results: Our data showed that SABR generates excellent control or cure of local, clinically detectable, and accessible tumor through direct cell ablation. Also, the immunotherapeutic activity of systemically administered VSV-TAA generated T-cell responses that cleared subclinical metastatic tumors. We also showed that SABR induced weak T-cell-mediated tumor responses, which, particularly if boosted by VSV-TAA, might contribute to control of local and systemic disease. In addition, VSV-TAA therapy alone had significant effects on control of both local and metastatic tumors. Conclusions: We have shown in the present preliminary murine study using a single tumor model that this approach represents an effective, complementary combination therapy model that addresses the need for both systemic and local control in oligometastatic melanoma.« less

Local Control for Intermediate-Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma: Results From D9803 According to Histology, Group, Site, and Size: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group

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

Wolden, Suzanne L., E-mail: woldens@mskcc.org; Lyden, Elizabeth R.; Arndt, Carola A.

Purpose: To determine local control according to clinical variables for patients with intermediate-risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) treated on Children's Oncology Group protocol D9803. Patients and Methods: Of 702 patients enrolled, we analyzed 423 patients with central pathology–confirmed group III embryonal (n=280) or alveolar (group III, n=102; group I-II, n=41) RMS. Median age was 5 years. Patients received 42 weeks of VAC (vincristine, dactinomycin, cyclophosphamide) or VAC alternating with VTC (T = topotecan). Local therapy with 50.4 Gy radiation therapy with or without delayed primary excision began at week 12 for group III patients. Patients with group I/II alveolar RMS received 36-41.4 Gy. Local failure (LF) was definedmore » as local progression as a first event with or without concurrent regional or distant failure. Results: At a median follow-up of 6.6 years, patients with clinical group I/II alveolar RMS had a 5-year event-free survival rate of 69% and LF of 10%. Among patients with group III RMS, 5-year event-free survival and LF rates were 70% and 19%, respectively. Local failure rates did not differ by histology, nodal status, or primary site, though there was a trend for increased LF for retroperitoneal (RP) tumors (P=.12). Tumors ≥5 cm were more likely to fail locally than tumors <5 cm (25% vs 10%, P=.0004). Almost all (98%) RP tumors were ≥5 cm, with no difference in LF by site when the analysis was restricted to tumors ≥5 cm (P=.86). Conclusion: Local control was excellent for clinical group I/II alveolar RMS. Local failure constituted 63% of initial events in clinical group III patients and did not vary by histology or nodal status. The trend for higher LF in RP tumors was related to tumor size. There has been no clear change in local control over RMS studies, including IRS-III and IRS-IV. Novel approaches are warranted for larger tumors (≥5 cm).« less

Reproducibility of cervical cytopathology following an intervention by an external quality control laboratory.

PubMed

Ázara, Cinara Zago Silveira; Manrique, Edna Joana Claudio; Tavares, Suelene Brito do Nascimento; Alves de Souza, Nadja Lindany; Magalhães, Juliana Cristina; Amaral, Rita Goreti

2016-04-01

This study assessed the effects of a continued education program on the agreement between cervical cytopathology exams interpreted by local laboratories and interpretation made by an external quality control laboratory (LabMEQ). Overall, 9,798 exams were analyzed between 2007 and 2008, prior to implementation of a continued education program, and 10,028 between 2010 and 2011, following implementation. Continued education consisted of theoretical and practical classes held every two months. The chi-square test and the kappa coefficient were used in the statistical analysis. Following implementation of continued education, the rate of false-negative results, and those leading to delays in clinical management fell in eight laboratories and the rate of false-positive results in five. Agreement between the results reported by the laboratories and the findings of LabMEQ, evaluated according to clinical management, remained excellent in three laboratories (kappa >0.80 and <1.0), went from good (kappa >0.60 and <0.80) to excellent in seven and from excellent to good in two. Agreement regarding the identification of metaplastic epithelium was poor (kappa = 0.25) but progressed to excellent following the implementation of continued education (kappa = 0.950). Agreement between cytopathology results improved significantly following implementation of continued education in cases reported as unsatisfactory (P < 0.001), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (P < 0.001), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (P < 0.001), and glandular atypia (P < 0.001). Continued education contributed towards improving the reproducibility of cervical cytopathology, decreased the rates of false-negative and false-positive results, and reduced delays in clinical management. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Building knowledge development and exchange capacity in Canada: lessons from Youth Excel.

PubMed

Riley, B; Wong, K; Manske, S

2014-07-01

Youth Excel was a 3-year pan-Canadian initiative to advance youth health through improving knowledge development and exchange (KDE) capacity. KDE capacity refers to an improvement cycle linking evidence and action. Capacities include local surveillance of youth behaviours; knowledge exchange; skills, resources and a supportive environment to use knowledge; and evaluation. Interviews were conducted with Youth Excel members, including 7 provincial teams and 2 national organizations. Interviews explored participant experiences with building KDE capacity. Local surveillance systems were considered the backbone to KDE capacity, strengthened by co-ordinating surveys within and across jurisdictions and using common indicators and measures. The most effective knowledge exchange included tailored products and opportunities for dialogue and action planning. Evaluation is the least developed KDE component. Building KDE capacity requires frequent dialogue, mutually beneficial partnerships and trust. It also requires attention to language, vision, strategic leadership and funding. Youth Excel reinforces the need for a KDE system to improve youth health that will require new perspectives and sustained commitment from individual champions and relevant organizations.

Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

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

Hathout, Lara; Hijal, Tarek; Théberge, Valérie

2013-12-01

Purpose: Conventional radiation therapy (RT) administered in 25 fractions after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is the standard treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. Although accelerated hypofractionated regimens in 16 fractions have been shown to be equivalent to conventional RT for invasive breast cancer, few studies have reported results of using hypofractionated RT in DCIS. Methods and Materials: In this multicenter collaborative effort, we retrospectively reviewed the records of all women with DCIS at 3 institutions treated with BCS followed by hypofractionated whole-breast RT (WBRT) delivered in 16 fractions. Results: Between 2003 and 2010, 440 patients with DCISmore » underwent BCS followed by hypofractionated WBRT in 16 fractions for a total dose of 42.5 Gy (2.66 Gy per fraction). Boost RT to the surgical bed was given to 125 patients (28%) at a median dose of 10 Gy in 4 fractions (2.5 Gy per fraction). After a median follow-up time of 4.4 years, 14 patients had an ipsilateral local relapse, resulting in a local recurrence-free survival of 97% at 5 years. Positive surgical margins, high nuclear grade, age less than 50 years, and a premenopausal status were all statistically associated with an increased occurrence of local recurrence. Tumor hormone receptor status, use of adjuvant hormonal therapy, and administration of additional boost RT did not have an impact on local control in our cohort. On multivariate analysis, positive margins, premenopausal status, and nuclear grade 3 tumors had a statistically significant worse local control rate. Conclusions: Hypofractionated RT using 42.5 Gy in 16 fractions provides excellent local control for patients with DCIS undergoing BCS.« less

Evaluation of a Localized Treatment Technique Using Three Ready-to-Use Products Against the Drywood Termite Incisitermes snyderi (Kalotermitidae) in Naturally Infested Lumber

PubMed Central

Hickman, Robert; Forschler, Brian T.

2012-01-01

Twenty-one boards infested with drywood termites were examined for activity using a Termatrac® motion detector. Termite galleries were identified using a Resistograph drill and treated with one of three ready-to-use (RTU) products. Results indicated that the Termatrac was excellent at locating termite activity but provided 9.5% false negatives. The Resistograph located termite galleries with an average of 4.6 ± 2.7 holes drilled to find at least one gallery in a board. Treatments included three formulations and two active ingredients; a foam (imidacloprid), a dry (fipronil) and an experimental formulation in a pressurized can (fipronil). All treatments provided evidence for a reduction in mean termite populations per board compared to the control. Two treatments provided evidence of elimination of infestation but no formulation eliminated infestations in every board that was treated. The concept of local treatment for drywood termite control is discussed relative to our results. PMID:26467947

Percutaneous thermal ablation of lung tumors - Radiofrequency, microwave and cryotherapy: Where are we going?

PubMed

Palussière, J; Catena, V; Buy, X

2017-09-01

Main indications of percutaneous pulmonary thermal ablation are early stage non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) for patients who are not amenable to surgery and slow-evolving localized metastatic disease, either spontaneous or following a general treatment. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the most evaluated technique. This technique offers a local control rate ranging between 80 and 90% for tumors <3cm in diameter. Other more recently used ablation techniques such as microwaves and cryotherapy could overcome some limitations of RFA. One common characteristic of these techniques is an excellent tolerance with very few complications. This article reviews the differences between these techniques when applied to lung tumors, indications, results and complications. Future potential associations with immunotherapy will be discussed. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Preliminary clinical outcomes of image-guided 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for limited brain metastases instead of stereotactic irradiation referral.

PubMed

Ohtakara, Kazuhiro; Hoshi, Hiroaki

2014-06-01

To determine the preliminary clinical outcomes of image-guided 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (IG-3DCRT) for limited but variably-sized brain metastases (BM). Sixty-two lesions in 24 patients were retrospectively evaluated; out of these patients 75% were ≥ 65 years of age, and 37.5% were categorized into recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) class 3. The median value for the maximum diameter of the lesions was 19 mm (range=4-72 mm). The median sole treatment dose was 36 Gy in 10 fractions. The median survival durations after IG-3DCRT were 12.0 months and 3.2 months for patients categorized into RPA classes ≤ 2 and 3, respectively. Local recurrences occurred in two lesions with a 6-month local control probability of 93.0%. Major toxicities included radiation necrosis in two patients. IG-3DCRT is feasible even for patients with limited BM who are categorized into RPA class 3, and confers clinical outcomes comparable to those of stereotactic radiosurgery, including excellent local control and minimal toxicity even for large tumors. Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

CyberKnife Radiosurgery of Skull-base Tumors: A UK Center Experience

PubMed Central

Wilson, Hannah P; Price, Patricia M; Ashkan, Keyoumars; Edwards, Andrew; Green, Melanie M; Cross, Timothy; Beaney, Ronald P; Davies, Rhiannon; Sibtain, Amen; Plowman, Nick P

2018-01-01

The study aim was to evaluate patient individualized Cyberknife® treatment for heterogeneous skull-base tumors. Patients treated between 2009 and 2013 at The Harley Street Clinic were studied. In total, 66 patients received 15–30 Gy in 1–5 fractions to a median planning target volume (PTV) of 6.4 cc, including patients with secondary, multiple, residual and recurrent tumors, and those with tumors of uncertain pathological type. Outcome analysis was pragmatically restricted to 35 patients who had single, primary tumors treated with curative intent, and sufficient diagnostic and outcome information. Sixteen vestibular schwannoma patients with median PTV 3.8 cc (range 0.81–19.6) received 18–25 Gy in 3–5 fractions: 81% showed no acute toxicity, 50% reported no late toxicity, 71% of symptoms were stable/improved and local control was 100% at 11.4 months median follow-up. Twelve meningioma patients with median PTV of 5.5 cc (range 0.68–22.3) received 17–30 Gy in 1–5 fractions: 83% experienced no acute toxicity, 33% reported no late toxicity, 88% of symptoms were stable/improved and local control was 100% at 22.1 months median follow-up. Seven patients with other tumor types with median PTV of 24.3 cc (range 7.6–100.5) received 15–28.5 Gy in 1–5 fractions: 57% experienced no acute toxicity, 57% reported no late toxicities, 66% of symptoms were stable and local control was 43% at 14.9 months median follow-up. When tumor types were considered together, smaller tumors (PTV < 6.4 cc) showed reduced acute toxicity (p = 0.01). Overall, smaller benign tumors showed low acute toxicity, excellent local control, and good symptom management: a focus on enhanced neurological preservation may refine outcomes. For other tumor types outcome was encouraging: a focus on optimal dose and fractionation scheduling may reduce toxicity and improve local control. Individual patient experiences are detailed where valuable lessons were gained for optimizing local control and minimizing toxicity.

Additive manufacturing of hierarchical injectable scaffolds for tissue engineering.

PubMed

Béduer, A; Piacentini, N; Aeberli, L; Da Silva, A; Verheyen, C A; Bonini, F; Rochat, A; Filippova, A; Serex, L; Renaud, P; Braschler, T

2018-06-05

We present a 3D-printing technology allowing free-form fabrication of centimetre-scale injectable structures for minimally invasive delivery. They result from the combination of 3D printing onto a cryogenic substrate and optimisation of carboxymethylcellulose-based cryogel inks. The resulting highly porous and elastic cryogels are biocompatible, and allow for protection of cell viability during compression for injection. Implanted into the murine subcutaneous space, they are colonized with a loose fibrovascular tissue with minimal signs of inflammation and remain encapsulation-free at three months. Finally, we vary local pore size through control of the substrate temperature during cryogenic printing. This enables control over local cell seeding density in vitro and over vascularization density in cell-free scaffolds in vivo. In sum, we address the need for 3D-bioprinting of large, yet injectable and highly biocompatible scaffolds and show modulation of the local response through control over local pore size. This work combines the power of 3D additive manufacturing with clinically advantageous minimally invasive delivery. We obtain porous, highly compressible and mechanically rugged structures by optimizing a cryogenic 3D printing process. Only a basic commercial 3D printer and elementary control over reaction rate and freezing are required. The porous hydrogels obtained are capable of withstanding delivery through capillaries up to 50 times smaller than their largest linear dimension, an as yet unprecedented compression ratio. Cells seeded onto the hydrogels are protected during compression. The hydrogel structures further exhibit excellent biocompatibility 3 months after subcutaneous injection into mice. We finally demonstrate that local modulation of pore size grants control over vascularization density in vivo. This provides proof-of-principle that meaningful biological information can be encoded during the 3D printing process, deploying its effect after minimally invasive implantation. Copyright © 2018 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Treatment of salivary gland neoplasms with fast neutron radiotherapy.

PubMed

Douglas, James G; Koh, Wui-jin; Austin-Seymour, Mary; Laramore, George E

2003-09-01

To evaluate the efficacy of fast neutron radiotherapy for the treatment of salivary gland neoplasms. Retrospective analysis. University of Washington Cancer Center, Neutron Facility, Seattle. The medical records of 279 patients treated with curative intent using fast neutron radiotherapy at the University of Washington Cancer Center were reviewed. Of the 279 patients, 263 had evidence of gross residual disease at the time of treatment (16 had no evidence of gross residual disease), 141 had tumors of a major salivary gland, and 138 had tumors of minor salivary glands. The median follow-up period was 36 months (range, 1-142 months). Local-regional control, cause-specific survival, and freedom from metastasis. The 6-year actuarial cause-specific survival rate was 67%. Multivariate analysis revealed that low group stage (I-II) disease, minor salivary sites, lack of skull base invasion, and primary disease were associated with a statistically significant improvement in cause-specific survival. The 6-year actuarial local-regional control rate was 59%. Multivariate analysis revealed size 4 cm or smaller, lack of base of skull invasion, prior surgical resection, and no previous radiotherapy to have a statistically significant improved local-regional control. Sixteen patients without evidence of gross residual disease had a 100% 6-year actuarial local-regional control. The 6-year actuarial freedom from metastasis rate was 64%. Factors associated with decreased development of systemic metastases included negative lymph nodes at the time of treatment and lack of base of skull involvement. The 6-year actuarial rate of development of grade 3 or 4 long-term toxicity (using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and European Organization for Research on the Treatment of Cancer criteria) was 10%. No patient experienced grade 5 toxic effects. Neuron radiotherapy is an effective treatment for patients with salivary gland neoplasms who have gross residual disease and achieves excellent local-regional control in patients without evidence of gross disease.

National Education Standards: The Complex Challenge for Educational Leaders.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Faidley, Ray; Musser, Steven

1991-01-01

National standards for education are important elements in the excellence process, but standards imposed by a central authority simply do not work in the Information Era. It would be wise to increase teachers' decision-making role in establishing and implementing local level excellence standards and train teachers to employ the Japanese "kaizen"…

Examining the front lines of local environmental public health practice: a Maryland case study.

PubMed

Resnick, Beth; Zablotsky, Joanna; Nachman, Keeve; Burke, Thomas

2008-01-01

Local environmental public health (EPH) is the foundation of a nation's environmental protection infrastructure. With increasing pressure to demonstrate the ability of EPH activities to effectively protect health, the Johns Hopkins Center for Excellence in EPH Practice, as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) EPH capacity-building effort, developed the Profile of Maryland Environmental Public Health Practice. This profile offers an examination of front-line local EPH strengths, needs, challenges, and provides recommendations to strengthen the EPH infrastructure. A multistep process was conducted, including site visits to all of Maryland's 24 local EPH agencies and a questionnaire addressing administrative structure, communication, funding, workforce, crisis management, technology, and legal authority, completed by local EPH directors. The Maryland Profile revealed a dedicated and responsive workforce limited by a neglected, fragmented, and underfunded EPH infrastructure. Recommendations regarding leadership, workforce, training, technology, communication, and legal authority are offered. This research has implications for the national EPH infrastructure. Recommendations offered are consistent with the CDC's findings in A National Strategy to Revitalize Environmental Public Health Services. These findings and recommendations offer opportunities to facilitate the advancement of an EPH system to better protect the nation's health.

Primary Tumor Necrosis Predicts Distant Control in Locally Advanced Soft-Tissue Sarcomas After Preoperative Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

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

MacDermed, Dhara M.; Miller, Luke L.; Peabody, Terrance D.

Purpose: Various neoadjuvant approaches have been evaluated for the treatment of locally advanced soft-tissue sarcomas. This retrospective study describes a uniquely modified version of the Eilber regimen developed at the University of Chicago. Methods and Materials: We treated 34 patients (28 Stage III and 6 Stage IV) with locally advanced soft-tissue sarcomas of an extremity between 1995 and 2008. All patients received preoperative therapy including ifosfamide (2.5 g/m2 per day for 5 days) with concurrent radiation (28 Gy in 3.5-Gy daily fractions), sandwiched between various chemotherapy regimens. Postoperatively, 47% received further adjuvant chemotherapy. Results: Most tumors (94%) were Grade 3,more » and all were T2b, with a median size of 10.3 cm. Wide excision was performed in 29 patients (85%), and 5 required amputation. Of the resected tumor specimens, 50% exhibited high (>=90%) treatment-induced necrosis and 11.8% had a complete pathologic response. Surgical margins were negative in all patients. The 5-year survival rate was 42.3% for all patients and 45.2% for Stage III patients. For limb-preservation patients, the 5-year local control rate was 89.0% and reoperation was required for wound complications in 17.2%. The 5-year freedom-from-distant metastasis rate was 53.4% (Stage IV patients excluded), and freedom from distant metastasis was superior if treatment-induced tumor necrosis was 90% or greater (84.6% vs. 19.9%, p = 0.02). Conclusions: This well-tolerated concurrent chemoradiotherapy approach yields excellent rates of limb preservation and local control. The resulting treatment-induced necrosis rates are predictive of subsequent metastatic risk, and this information may provide an opportunity to guide postoperative systemic therapies.« less

A Tandetron as proton injector for the eye tumor therapy in Berlin

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

Roehrich, J.; Damerow, T.; Hahn, W.

2012-02-15

The therapy of eye tumors with fast protons is an excellent tool giving very high local control rates. At the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) almost 1800 patients were treated since 1998. A 2 MV Tandetron was installed as injector for the k = 132 HZB cyclotron. Using the standard 358 duoplasmatron ion source with direct extraction of negative hydrogen ions an extremely stable proton beam can be delivered, both on the short-term and the long-term scale. The hair-needle filaments made from thoriated tungsten wires have safe operation times of more than 1000 h.

TiO2 nanotube platforms for smart drug delivery: a review

PubMed Central

Wang, Qun; Huang, Jian-Ying; Li, Hua-Qiong; Chen, Zhong; Zhao, Allan Zi-Jian; Wang, Yi; Zhang, Ke-Qin; Sun, Hong-Tao; Al-Deyab, Salem S; Lai, Yue-Kun

2016-01-01

Titania nanotube (TNT) arrays are recognized as promising materials for localized drug delivery implants because of their excellent properties and facile preparation process. This review highlights the concept of localized drug delivery systems based on TNTs, considering their outstanding biocompatibility in a series of ex vivo and in vivo studies. Considering the safety of TNT implants in the host body, studies of the biocompatibility present significant importance for the clinical application of TNT implants. Toward smart TNT platforms for sustainable drug delivery, several advanced approaches were presented in this review, including controlled release triggered by temperature, light, radiofrequency magnetism, and ultrasonic stimulation. Moreover, TNT implants used in medical therapy have been demonstrated by various examples including dentistry, orthopedic implants, cardiovascular stents, and so on. Finally, a future perspective of TNTs for clinical applications is provided. PMID:27703349

Vortex shedding from obstacles: theoretical frequency prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pier, Benoît

2001-11-01

The existence of self-sustained oscillations in spatially developing systems is closely related to the presence of a locally absolutely unstable region. A recent investigation of a ``synthetic wake'' (a wake with no solid obstacle and no reverse flow region) has proved [Pier and Huerre, J. Fluid Mech. 435, 145 (2001)] that the observed Kármán vortex street is a nonlinear elephant global mode. The same criterion is now shown to hold for real obstacles. Local properties are derived from the unperturbed basic flow computed by enforcing a symmetry condition on the central line. Application of the theoretical criterion then yields the expected Strouhal vortex shedding frequency. The thus predicted frequency is in excellent agreement with direct numerical simulations of the complete flow. The use of the frequency selection mechanism to control the vortex shedding will also be discussed.

TiO2 nanotube platforms for smart drug delivery: a review.

PubMed

Wang, Qun; Huang, Jian-Ying; Li, Hua-Qiong; Chen, Zhong; Zhao, Allan Zi-Jian; Wang, Yi; Zhang, Ke-Qin; Sun, Hong-Tao; Al-Deyab, Salem S; Lai, Yue-Kun

Titania nanotube (TNT) arrays are recognized as promising materials for localized drug delivery implants because of their excellent properties and facile preparation process. This review highlights the concept of localized drug delivery systems based on TNTs, considering their outstanding biocompatibility in a series of ex vivo and in vivo studies. Considering the safety of TNT implants in the host body, studies of the biocompatibility present significant importance for the clinical application of TNT implants. Toward smart TNT platforms for sustainable drug delivery, several advanced approaches were presented in this review, including controlled release triggered by temperature, light, radiofrequency magnetism, and ultrasonic stimulation. Moreover, TNT implants used in medical therapy have been demonstrated by various examples including dentistry, orthopedic implants, cardiovascular stents, and so on. Finally, a future perspective of TNTs for clinical applications is provided.

[Percutaneous lung thermo-ablation].

PubMed

Palussière, Jean; Catena, Vittorio; Gaubert, Jean-Yves; Buy, Xavier; de Baere, Thierry

2017-05-01

Percutaneous lung thermo-ablation has steadily been developed over the past 15years. Main indications are early stage non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) for non-surgical patients and slow evolving localized metastatic disease, either spontaneous or following a general treatment. Radiofrequency, being the most evaluated technique, offers a local control rate of about 80-90% for tumors <3 cm in diameter. With excellent tolerance and very few complications, radiofrequency may be proposed for patients with a chronic disease. Other ablation techniques under investigation such as microwaves and cryotherapy could allow overcoming radiofrequency limits. Furthermore, stereotactic radiotherapy proposed for the same indications is efficient. Comparative studies are warranted to differentiate these techniques in terms of efficacy, tolerance and cost-effectiveness. Copyright © 2017 Société Française du Cancer. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Rapid localized crystallization of lysozyme by laser trapping.

PubMed

Yuyama, Ken-Ichi; Chang, Kai-Di; Tu, Jing-Ru; Masuhara, Hiroshi; Sugiyama, Teruki

2018-02-28

Confining protein crystallization to a millimetre size was achieved within 0.5 h after stopping 1 h intense trapping laser irradiation, which shows excellent performance in spatial and temporal controllability compared to spontaneous nucleation. A continuous-wave near-infrared laser beam is tightly focused into a glass/solution interfacial layer of a supersaturated buffer solution of hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL). The crystallization is not observed during laser trapping, but initiated by stopping the laser irradiation. The generated crystals are localized densely in a circular area with a diameter of a few millimetres around the focal spot and show specific directions of the optical axes of the HEWL crystals. To interpret this unique crystallization, we propose a mechanism that nucleation and the subsequent growth take place in a highly concentrated domain consisting of HEWL liquid-like clusters after turning off laser trapping.

Multidose Stereotactic Radiosurgery (9 Gy × 3) of the Postoperative Resection Cavity for Treatment of Large Brain Metastases

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

Minniti, Giuseppe, E-mail: gminniti@ospedalesantandrea.it; Department of Neurological Sciences, Scientific Institute IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli; Esposito, Vincenzo

2013-07-15

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes with linear accelerator-based multidose stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to large postoperative resection cavities in patients with large brain metastases. Methods and Materials: Between March 2005 to May 2012, 101 patients with a single brain metastasis were treated with surgery and multidose SRS (9 Gy × 3) for large resection cavities (>3 cm). The target volume was the resection cavity with the inclusion of a 2-mm margin. The median cavity volume was 17.5 cm{sup 3} (range, 12.6-35.7 cm{sup 3}). The primary endpoint was local control. Secondary endpoints were survival and distant failure rates, cause of death,more » performance measurements, and toxicity of treatment. Results: With a median follow-up of 16 months (range, 6-44 months), the 1-year and 2-year actuarial survival rates were 69% and 34%, respectively. The 1-year and 2-year local control rates were 93% and 84%, with respective incidences of new distant brain metastases of 50% and 66%. Local control was similar for radiosensitive (non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer) and radioresistant (melanoma and renal cell cancer) brain metastases. On multivariate Cox analysis stable extracranial disease, breast cancer histology, and Karnofsky performance status >70 were associated with significant survival benefit. Brain radionecrosis occurred in 9 patients (9%), being symptomatic in 5 patients (5%). Conclusions: Adjuvant multidose SRS to resection cavity represents an effective treatment option that achieves excellent local control and defers the use of whole-brain radiation therapy in selected patients with large brain metastases.« less

Reducing perceived barriers to nursing homes data entry in the advancing excellence campaign: the role of LANEs (Local Area Networks for Excellence).

PubMed

Bakerjian, Debra; Bonner, Alice; Benner, Carol; Caswell, Cheryl; Weintraub, Alissa; Koren, Mary Jane

2011-09-01

Advancing Excellence (AE) is a coalition-based campaign concerned with how society cares for its elderly and disabled citizens. The purpose of this project was to work with a small group of volunteer nursing homes and with local quality improvement networks called LANEs (Local Area Networks for Excellence) in 6 states in a learning collaborative. The purpose of the collaborative was to determine effective ways for LANEs to address and mitigate perceived barriers to nursing home data entry in the national Advancing Excellence campaign and to test methods by which local quality improvement networks could support nursing homes as they enter data on the AE Web site. A semistructured telephone survey of nursing homes was conducted in 6 states. Participants included LANEs from California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Washington. Facility characteristics were obtained from a series of questions during the telephone interview. Three states (GA, MA, OK) piloted a new spreadsheet and process for entering data on staff turnover, and 3 states (CA, MI, WA) piloted a new spreadsheet and process for entering data on consistent assignment. Many of the nursing homes we contacted had not entered data for organizational goals on the national Web site, but all were able to do so with telephone assistance from the LANE. Eighty-five percent of nursing homes said they would be able to collect information on advance directives if tools (eg, spreadsheets) were provided. Over 40% of nursing homes, including for-profit homes, were willing to have staff and residents/families enter satisfaction data directly on an independent Web site. Nursing homes were able to convey concerns and questions about the process of goal entry, and offer suggestions to the LANEs during semistructured telephone interviews. The 6 LANEs discussed nursing home responses on their regularly scheduled calls, and useful strategies were shared across states. Nursing homes reported that they are using Advancing Excellence target setting and goal entry to improve care, and that they would use new tools such as those for measuring satisfaction, consistent assignment, and advance directives. Having LANE members contact nursing homes directly by telephone engaged the nursing homes in providing valuable feedback on new Advancing Excellence goals and data entry. It also provided an opportunity to clarify issues related to the campaign and ongoing quality improvement efforts, including culture change. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Membrane morphology and topology for fouling control in Reverse Osmosis filtration systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ling, Bowen; Battiato, Ilenia

2017-11-01

Reverse Osmosis Membrane (ROM) filtration systems are widely utilized in waste-water recovery, seawater desalination, landfill water treatment, etc. During filtration, the system performance is dramatically affected by membrane fouling which causes a significant decrease in permeate flux as well as an increase in the energy input required to operate the system. Design and optimization of ROM filtration systems aim at reducing membrane fouling by studying the coupling between membrane structure, local flow field and foulant adsorption patterns. Yet, current studies focus exclusively on oversimplified steady-state models that ignore any dynamic coupling between fluid flow and transport through the membrane. In this work, we develop a customized solver (SUMembraneFoam) under OpenFOAM to solve the transient equations. The simulation results not only predict macroscopic quantities (e.g. permeate flux, pressure drop, etc.) but also show an excellent agreement with the fouling patterns observed in experiments. It is observed that foulant deposition is strongly controlled by the local shear stress on the membrane, and channel morphology or membrane topology can be modified to control the shear stress distribution and reduce fouling. Finally, we identify optimal regimes for design.

Outcomes of Proton Radiation Therapy for Peripapillary Choroidal Melanoma at the BC Cancer Agency

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

Tran, Eric, E-mail: etran2@bccancer.bc.ca; Ma, Roy; Paton, Katherine

2012-08-01

Purpose: To report toxicity, local control, enucleation, and survival rates for patients with peripapillary choroidal melanoma treated with proton therapy in Canada. Methods and Materials: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with peripapillary choroidal melanoma ({<=}2 mm from optic disc) treated between 1995 and 2007 at the only Canadian proton therapy facility. A prospective database was updated for follow-up information from a chart review. Descriptive and actuarial data are presented. Results: In total, 59 patients were treated. The median age was 59 years. According to the 2010 American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM classification, there were 20 T1 tumorsmore » (34%), 28 T2 tumors (48%), and 11 T3 tumors (19%). The median tumor diameter was 11.4 mm, and the median thickness was 3.5 mm. Median follow-up was 63 months. Nineteen patients received 54 cobalt gray equivalents (CGE) and forty patients received 60 CGE, each in 4 fractions. The 5-year actuarial local control rate was 91% (T1, 100%; T2, 93%; and T3, 59%) (p = 0.038). There was a suggestive relationship between local control and dose. The local control rate was 97% with 60 CGE and 83% with 54 CGE (p = 0.106). The metastasis-free survival rate was 82% and related to T stage (T1, 94%; T2, 84%; and T3, 47%) (p < 0.001). Twelve patients died, including eleven with metastases. The 5-year actuarial rate of neovascular glaucoma was 31% (23% for T1-T2 and 68% for T3, p < 0.001), and that of enucleation was 0% for T1, 14% for T2, and 72% for T3 (p < 0.001). Radiation retinopathy (74%) and optic neuropathy (64%) were common within-field effects. Conclusions: Proton therapy provides excellent local control with acceptable toxicity while conserving the globe in 80% of cases. These results are consistent with other single-institution series using proton radiotherapy, and toxicity rates were acceptable. T3 tumors carry a higher rate of both local recurrence and metastasis.« less

How Can We Ensure That All Children Have Excellent Teachers? A Choicework Discussion Guide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Public Agenda, 2015

2015-01-01

The U.S. Department of Education has renewed its focus on ensuring that all students--especially those in under-resourced communities--have access to excellent educators. By June of 2015, all states must engage education stakeholders on locally-developed solutions to ensure every student has effective educators. This discussion starter is designed…

District Awards for Teacher Excellence: Research Brief

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Center on Performance Incentives, 2010

2010-01-01

Since 2008 Texas's District Awards for Teacher Excellence (D.A.T.E.) program has provided grants to districts for the implementation of locally designed incentive pay plans. The 2010-11 school year is the third year of the D.A.T.E. incentive pay plans with approximately $197 million in annual state funding. This research brief summarizes the key…

Correlation of biologically effective dose and the tumor control in Stage I (<5 cm) non-small cell lung cancer with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy: a single institutional cohort study.

PubMed

Jeon, Wan; Ahn, Sung-Ja; Kim, Young-Chul; Oh, In-Jae; Park, Chul-Kyu; Jeong, Jae-Uk; Yoon, Mee Sun; Song, Ju-Young; Nam, Taek-Keun; Chung, Woong-Ki

2018-02-01

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is one of the newly developed innovative radiotherapy and of which optimal dose prescription needs to be standardized. We aimed to investigate the dose-response relationship for patients with SABR. Fifty-three patients with Stage I non-small cell lung cancer patients, who underwent SABR between November 2006 and January 2015, were evaluated retrospectively. Thirteen patients (24.5%), who refused the surgery were included and 40 patients (75.5%) were medically inoperable at diagnosis. The median age was 74 years. The median SABR dose was 50 Gy in 3-8 fractions and the median biologically effective dose (BED;α/β = 10) was 105.6 Gy (range: 60-160.53 Gy). The median follow-up was 37.1 months. The 1 and 3 year local control rates were 91.7% and 85.1%. The 3 year overall and progression-free survival rate were 63.3% and 47.5%, respectively, and freedom from progression was 62.2%. Local control rate and 3-year overall survival according to tumor size was 100% and 79.4% in T1 tumors in a while 61.8% and 45% in T2a tumors. The 3-year local and regional control by BED10 was 79.4% and 69.4% in ≤100 Gy vs. 89.1% and 100% in >100 Gy (P = 0.526, 0.004). Dyspnea more than Grade 3 was reported in six (11.3%) patients and Grade 1 chest pain was shown in five (9.4%) patients. The excellent regional control was conferred with a prescription of more than BED10 of 100 Gy, which also might be needed to achieve better local tumor control in T2a patients with tolerable lung function. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

Radiotherapy for T1-2N0 glottic cancer: a multivariate analysis of predictive factors for the long-term outcome in 1050 patients and a prospective assessment of quality of life and voice handicap index in a subset of 233 patients.

PubMed

Al-Mamgani, A; van Rooij, P H; Woutersen, D P; Mehilal, R; Tans, L; Monserez, D; Baatenburg de Jong, R J

2013-08-01

To evaluate the outcomes of patients with early stage glottic cancer (GC) treated with radiotherapy (RT). The current study report on a retrospective analysis of oncologic outcome of 1050 patients with T1-2N0 glottic cancer treated with radiotherapy. Prospective assessment of quality of life (QoL) and voice handicap index (VHI) was performed in all patients treated from 2006 onwards (n = 233). Local control (LC), regional control (RC), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), quality of life and voice handicap index. After a median follow-up of 90 months (range 3-309), the actuarial rates of local control, regional control, disease-free survival and overall survival were 85%, 99%, 84% and 81% at 5 years and 82%, 98%, 80% and 61% at 10 years, respectively. On multivariate analysis, T2 tumours, smoking after radiotherapy and conventional radiation scheme correlated significantly with poor local control. Patients who continued smoking after radiotherapy had also significantly lower overall survival rates (OR 4.3, P < 0.001). Hypothyroidism was reported in 18% of patients. Slight and temporary deterioration of quality of life scores was reported. Patient-reported xerostomia and dysphagia at 48 months were -7.1 and -6.5, compared with baseline, respectively. Voice handicap index improved significantly from 37 at baseline to 18 at 48 months. Patients with T2b and those who continued smoking had significantly worse voice handicap index. In the current study, excellent outcome with good quality of life and voice handicap index scores were reported. T2 tumours, in particular T2b, and continuing smoking after radiotherapy correlated significantly with poor local control and worse voice handicap index. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

How architecture wins technology wars.

PubMed

Morris, C R; Ferguson, C H

1993-01-01

Signs of revolutionary transformation in the global computer industry are everywhere. A roll call of the major industry players reads like a waiting list in the emergency room. The usual explanations for the industry's turmoil are at best inadequate. Scale, friendly government policies, manufacturing capabilities, a strong position in desktop markets, excellent software, top design skills--none of these is sufficient, either by itself or in combination, to ensure competitive success in information technology. A new paradigm is required to explain patterns of success and failure. Simply stated, success flows to the company that manages to establish proprietary architectural control over a broad, fast-moving, competitive space. Architectural strategies have become crucial to information technology because of the astonishing rate of improvement in microprocessors and other semiconductor components. Since no single vendor can keep pace with the outpouring of cheap, powerful, mass-produced components, customers insist on stitching together their own local systems solutions. Architectures impose order on the system and make the interconnections possible. The architectural controller is the company that controls the standard by which the entire information package is assembled. Microsoft's Windows is an excellent example of this. Because of the popularity of Windows, companies like Lotus must conform their software to its parameters in order to compete for market share. In the 1990s, proprietary architectural control is not only possible but indispensable to competitive success. What's more, it has broader implications for organizational structure: architectural competition is giving rise to a new form of business organization.

[Force-based local navigation in robot-assisted implantation bed anlage in the lateral skull base. An experimental study].

PubMed

Plinkert, P K; Federspil, P A; Plinkert, B; Henrich, D

2002-03-01

Excellent precision, miss of retiring, reproducibility are main characteristics of robots in the operating theatre. Because of these facts their use for surgery in the lateral scull base is of great interest. In recent experiments we determined process parameters for robot assisted reaming of a cochlea implant bed and for a mastoidectomy. These results suggested that optimizing parameters for thrilling with the robot is needed. Therefore we implemented a suitable reaming curve from the geometrical data of the implant and a force controlled process control for robot assisted reaming at the lateral scull base. Experiments were performed with an industrial robot on animal and human scull base specimen. Because of online force detection and feedback of sensory data the reaming with the robot was controlled. With increasing force values above a defined limit feed rates were automatically regulated. Furthermore we were able to detect contact of the thrill to dura mater by analyzing the force values. With the new computer program the desired implant bed was exactly prepared. Our examinations showed a successful reaming of an implant bed in the lateral scull base with a robot. Because of a force controlled reaming process locale navigation is possible and enables careful thrilling with a robot.

[Effect of axial stress stimulation on tibial and fibular open fractures healing after Taylor space stent fixation].

PubMed

Ge, Qihang; Wan, Chunyou; Liu, Yabei; Ji, Xu; Ma, Jihai; Cao, Haikun; Yong, Wei; Liu, Zhao; Zhang, Ningning

2017-08-01

To investigate the effect of axial stress stimulation on tibial and fibular open fractures healing after Taylor space stent fixation. The data of 45 cases with tibial and fibular open fractures treated by Taylor space stent fixation who meet the selection criteria between January 2015 and June 2016 were retrospectively analysed. The patients were divided into trial group (23 cases) and control group (22 cases) according to whether the axial stress stimulation was performed after operation. There was no significant difference in gender, age, affected side, cause of injury, type of fracture, and interval time from injury to operation between 2 groups ( P >0.05). The axial stress stimulation was performed in trial group after operation. The axial load sharing ratio was tested, and when the value was less than 10%, the external fixator was removed. The fracture healing time, full weight-bearing time, and external fixator removal time were recorded and compared. After 6 months of external fixator removal, the function of the limb was assessed by Johner-Wruhs criteria for evaluation of final effectiveness of treatment of tibial shaft fractures. There were 2 and 3 cases of needle foreign body reaction in trial group and control group, respectively, and healed after symptomatic anti allergic treatment. All the patients were followed up 8-12 months with an average of 10 months. All the fractures reached clinical healing, no complication such as delayed union, nonunion, or osteomyelitis occurred. The fracture healing time, full weight-bearing time, and external fixator removal time in trial group were significantly shorter than those in control group ( P <0.05). After 6 months of external fixator removal, the function of the limb was excellent in 13 cases, good in 6 cases, fair in 3 cases, and poor in 1 case in trial group, with an excellent and good rate of 82.6%; and was excellent in 5 cases, good in 10 cases, fair in 4 cases, and poor in 3 cases in control group, with an excellent and good rate of 68.2%, showing significant difference between 2 groups ( Z =-2.146, P =0.032). The axial stress stimulation of Taylor space stent fixation can promote the healing of tibial and fibular open fractures and promote local bone formation at fracture site.

Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in the treatment of children and adolescents--a single institution's experience and a review of the literature.

PubMed

Sterzing, Florian; Stoiber, Eva M; Nill, Simeon; Bauer, Harald; Huber, Peter; Debus, Jürgen; Münter, Marc W

2009-09-23

While IMRT is widely used in treating complex oncological cases in adults, it is not commonly used in pediatric radiation oncology for a variety of reasons. This report evaluates our 9 year experience using stereotactic-guided, inverse planned intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in children and adolescents in the context of the current literature. Between 1999 and 2008 thirty-one children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.2 years (1.5 - 20.5) were treated with IMRT in our department. This heterogeneous group of patients consisted of 20 different tumor entities, with Ewing's sarcoma being the largest (5 patients), followed by juvenile nasopharyngeal fibroma, esthesioneuroblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma (3 patients each). In addition a review of the available literature reporting on technology, quality, toxicity, outcome and concerns of IMRT was performed. With IMRT individualized dose distributions and excellent sparing of organs at risk were obtained in the most challenging cases. This was achieved at the cost of an increased volume of normal tissue receiving low radiation doses. Local control was achieved in 21 patients. 5 patients died due to progressive distant metastases. No severe acute or chronic toxicity was observed. IMRT in the treatment of children and adolescents is feasible and was applied safely within the last 9 years at our institution. Several reports in literature show the excellent possibilities of IMRT in selective sparing of organs at risk and achieving local control. In selected cases the quality of IMRT plans increases the therapeutic ratio and outweighs the risk of potentially increased rates of secondary malignancies by the augmented low dose exposure.

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

Trifiletti, Daniel M., E-mail: daniel.trifiletti@gmail.com; Lee, Cheng-Chia; Kano, Hideyuki

Purpose: To pool data across multiple institutions internationally and report on the cumulative experience of brainstem stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Methods and Materials: Data on patients with brainstem metastases treated with SRS were collected through the International Gamma Knife Research Foundation. Clinical, radiographic, and dosimetric characteristics were compared for factors prognostic for local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Of 547 patients with 596 brainstem metastases treated with SRS, treatment of 7.4% of tumors resulted in severe SRS-induced toxicity (grade ≥3, increased odds with increasing tumor volume, margin dose, and whole-brain irradiation). Local control at 12 monthsmore » after SRS was 81.8% and was improved with increasing margin dose and maximum dose. Overall survival at 12 months after SRS was 32.7% and impacted by age, gender, number of metastases, tumor histology, and performance score. Conclusions: Our study provides additional evidence that SRS has become an option for patients with brainstem metastases, with an excellent benefit-to-risk ratio in the hands of experienced clinicians. Prior whole-brain irradiation increases the risk of severe toxicity in brainstem metastasis patients undergoing SRS.« less

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in the Management of Oligometastatic Disease.

PubMed

Ahmed, Kamran A; Torres-Roca, Javier F

2016-01-01

The treatment of oligometastatic disease has become common as imaging techniques have advanced and the management of systemic disease has improved. Use of highly targeted, hypofractionated regimens of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is now a primary management option for patients with oligometastatic disease. The properties of SBRT are summarized and the results of retrospective and prospective studies of SBRT use in the management of oligometastases are reviewed. Future directions of SBRT, including optimizing dose and fractionation schedules, are also discussed. SBRT can deliver highly conformal, dosed radiation treatments for ablative tumors in a few treatment sessions. Phase 1/2 trials and retrospective institutional results support use of SBRT as a treatment option for oligometastatic disease metastasized to the lung, liver, and spine, and SBRT offers adequate toxicity profiles with good rates of local control. Future directions will involve optimizing dose and fractionation schedules for select histologies to improve rates of local control while limiting toxicity to normal structures. SBRT offers an excellent management option for patients with oligometastases. However, additional research is still needed to optimize dose and fractionation schedules.

High-velocity deformation of Al0.3CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy: Remarkable resistance to shear failure

PubMed Central

Li, Z.; Zhao, S.; Diao, H.; Liaw, P. K.; Meyers, M. A.

2017-01-01

The mechanical behavior of a single phase (fcc) Al0.3CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) was studied in the low and high strain-rate regimes. The combination of multiple strengthening mechanisms such as solid solution hardening, forest dislocation hardening, as well as mechanical twinning leads to a high work hardening rate, which is significantly larger than that for Al and is retained in the dynamic regime. The resistance to shear localization was studied by dynamically-loading hat-shaped specimens to induce forced shear localization. However, no adiabatic shear band could be observed. It is therefore proposed that the excellent strain hardening ability gives rise to remarkable resistance to shear localization, which makes this material an excellent candidate for penetration protection applications such as armors. PMID:28210000

Expressing a bacterial mercuric ion binding protein in plant for phytoremediation of heavy metals.

PubMed

Hsieh, Ju-Liang; Chen, Ching-Yi; Chiu, Meng-Hsuen; Chein, Mei-Fang; Chang, Jo-Shu; Endo, Ginro; Huang, Chieh-Chen

2009-01-30

A specific mercuric ion binding protein (MerP) originating from transposon TnMERI1 of Bacillus megaterium strain MB1 isolated from Minamata Bay displayed good adsorption capability for a variety of heavy metals. In this study, the Gram-positive MerP protein was expressed in transgenic Arabidopsis to create a model system for phytoremediation of heavy metals. Under control of an actin promoter, the transgenic Arabidpsis showed higher tolerance and accumulation capacity for mercury, cadium and lead when compared with the control plant. Results from confocal microscopy analysis also indicate that MerP was localized at the cell membrane and vesicles of plant cells. The developed transgenic plants possessing excellent metal-accumulative ability could have potential applications in decontamination of heavy metals.

Innovative Ge Quantum Dot Functional Sensing/Metrology Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-20

sensitive to charge number and local temperature with unprecedented precision. Accordingly we have made progresses in the innovative functionalities...sensors feature excellent sensitivity on charge number, local temperature, and photoresponsivity in the visible to near IR wavelength.  “Designer” Ge...Detailed knowledge and understanding of how the QDs are created, and especially their interactions with their local environments are therefore crucial to

Fast Fourier and discrete wavelet transforms applied to sensorless vector control induction motor for rotor bar faults diagnosis.

PubMed

Talhaoui, Hicham; Menacer, Arezki; Kessal, Abdelhalim; Kechida, Ridha

2014-09-01

This paper presents new techniques to evaluate faults in case of broken rotor bars of induction motors. Procedures are applied with closed-loop control. Electrical and mechanical variables are treated using fast Fourier transform (FFT), and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) at start-up and steady state. The wavelet transform has proven to be an excellent mathematical tool for the detection of the faults particularly broken rotor bars type. As a performance, DWT can provide a local representation of the non-stationary current signals for the healthy machine and with fault. For sensorless control, a Luenberger observer is applied; the estimation rotor speed is analyzed; the effect of the faults in the speed pulsation is compensated; a quadratic current appears and used for fault detection. Copyright © 2014 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Secondary Cutaneous Involvement in Follicular Diffuse Lymphoma Treated with Helical Tomotherapy

PubMed Central

Dar, A. Rashid; Jordan, Kevin

2017-01-01

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a complex heterogeneous group of disease entities that involves nodal and extranodal tissues. Cutaneous involvement can occur either as a primary or secondary in course of disease. Radiation therapy with either total body or localized treatments is often used for local control and symptom relief, depending on the target volume. We describe a 60-year-old male with a remote history of stage IA left neck follicular lymphoma treated with radiation 20 years ago and previous relapses aggressively treated by chemotherapy. Treatment to a large volume of back and posterior shoulders on a helical tomotherapy radiotherapy system is reported. The skin lesions responded completely with no toxicity. Palliative radiotherapy to a fairly large and complex volume of skin with modest dose avoiding underlying critical tissues on tomotherapy is feasible, well tolerated with an excellent durable response, without compromising future chemotherapy and stem cell transplant for systemic relapse. PMID:28944110

Combining controlled-source seismology and receiver function information to derive 3-D Moho topography for Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spada, M.; Bianchi, I.; Kissling, E.; Agostinetti, N. Piana; Wiemer, S.

2013-08-01

The accurate definition of 3-D crustal structures and, in primis, the Moho depth, are the most important requirement for seismological, geophysical and geodynamic modelling in complex tectonic regions. In such areas, like the Mediterranean region, various active and passive seismic experiments are performed, locally reveal information on Moho depth, average and gradient crustal Vp velocity and average Vp/Vs velocity ratios. Until now, the most reliable information on crustal structures stems from controlled-source seismology experiments. In most parts of the Alpine region, a relatively large number of controlled-source seismology information are available though the overall coverage in the central Mediterranean area is still sparse due to high costs of such experiments. Thus, results from other seismic methodologies, such as local earthquake tomography, receiver functions and ambient noise tomography can be used to complement the controlled-source seismology information to increase coverage and thus the quality of 3-D crustal models. In this paper, we introduce a methodology to directly combine controlled-source seismology and receiver functions information relying on the strengths of each method and in relation to quantitative uncertainty estimates for all data to derive a well resolved Moho map for Italy. To obtain a homogeneous elaboration of controlled-source seismology and receiver functions results, we introduce a new classification/weighting scheme based on uncertainty assessment for receiver functions data. In order to tune the receiver functions information quality, we compare local receiver functions Moho depths and uncertainties with a recently derived well-resolved local earthquake tomography-derived Moho map and with controlled-source seismology information. We find an excellent correlation in the Moho information obtained by these three methodologies in Italy. In the final step, we interpolate the controlled-source seismology and receiver functions information to derive the map of Moho topography in Italy and surrounding regions. Our results show high-frequency undulation in the Moho topography of three different Moho interfaces, the European, the Adriatic-Ionian, and the Liguria-Corsica-Sardinia-Tyrrhenia, reflecting the complexity of geodynamical evolution.

Long-Term Outcomes With Intraoperative Radiotherapy as a Component of Treatment for Locally Advanced or Recurrent Uterine Sarcoma

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

Barney, Brandon M., E-mail: barney.brandon@mayo.edu; Petersen, Ivy A.; Dowdy, Sean C.

2012-05-01

Purpose: To report our institutional experience with intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) as a component of treatment for women with locally advanced or recurrent uterine sarcoma. Methods and Materials: From 1990 to 2010, 16 women with primary (n = 3) or locoregionally recurrent (n = 13) uterine sarcoma received IORT as a component of combined modality treatment. Tumor histology studies found leiomyosarcoma (n = 9), endometrial stromal sarcoma (n = 4), and carcinosarcoma (n = 3). Surgery consisted of gross total resection in 2 patients, subtotal resection in 6 patients, and resection with close surgical margins in 8 patients. The median IORTmore » dose was 12.5 Gy (range, 10-20 Gy). All patients received perioperative external beam radiotherapy (EBRT; median dose, 50.4 Gy; range, 20-62.5 Gy), and 6 patients also received perioperative systemic therapy. Results: Seven of the 16 patients are alive at a median follow-up of 44 months (range, 11-203 months). The 3-year Kaplan-Meier estimate of local relapse (within the EBRT field) was 7%, and central control (within the IORT field) was 100%. No local failures occurred in any of the 6 patients who underwent subtotal resection. The 3-year freedom from distant relapse was 48%, with failures occurring most frequently in the lungs or mediastinum. Median survival was 18 months, and 3-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of cause-specific and overall survival were 58% and 53%, respectively. Three patients (19%) experienced late Grade 3 toxicity. Conclusions: A combined modality approach with perioperative EBRT, surgery, and IORT for locally advanced or recurrent uterine sarcoma resulted in excellent local disease control with acceptable toxicity, even in patients with positive resection margins. With this approach, some patients were able to experience long-term freedom from recurrence.« less

Impact of tumor size on outcome after stereotactic body radiation therapy for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma

PubMed Central

Kuo, Hsing-Tao; Que, Jenny; Lin, Li-Ching; Yang, Ching-Chieh; Koay, Lok-Beng; Lin, Chia-Hui

2017-01-01

Abstract Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) offers excellent local control rates. This study retrospectively analyzed the influence of different tumor size on treatment outcomes after SBRT. Between December 2008 and February 2014, 141 HCC patients were treated with Cyberknife SBRT. Patients were divided into 3 groups namely small tumors (≤4 cm), intermediate-sized (>4–<10 cm), and large (≥10 cm) tumors. Treatment outcomes, prognoses, and safety at each tumor size were compared and analyzed. A total of 52 patients with small tumors, 55 with intermediate tumors, and 34 patients with large tumors were retrospectively analyzed with a median follow-up of 16 months. Objective responses were achieved at 96.15%, 90.90%, and 76.47% for small, intermediate, and large tumors, respectively (P ≤ .0001) and the 3-year local control rates were 97.85%, 71.99%, and 82.14%, respectively (P = .0035). The 3-year overall survival rates were 50.26%, 45.29%, and 33.38% for small, intermediate, and large tumors, respectively (P = .3757). No significant differences were found in overall-survival, intra-hepatic recurrence free survival, disease-progression free survival, or distant metastasis-free survival. SBRT offers the best effective local control rate and response rate for small HCCs. However, tumor size did not significantly affect the overall survival rate, intra-hepatic recurrence free rate, or disease-progression free rate. PMID:29390360

Electrowetting for Digital Microfluidics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hunt, Tom; Adamson, Kristi; Issadore, David; Westervelt, Robert

2006-03-01

Droplet based chemistry promises to greatly impact biomedical research, providing new avenues for high throughput, low volume assays such as drug screening. Electrowetting on Dielectric (EWOD) is an excellent technique for manipulating microscopic drops of liquid. EWOD uses buried electrodes to locally change the surface energy between a droplet and a substrate. We present microfabricated devices for moving droplets with EWOD. One example of such a device consists of a series of 16 interdigitated electrodes, decreasing in size from 1mm to 20 microns. Each electrode is addressable by an independent, computer controlled, high voltage supply. This work made possible by a gift from Phillip Morris and the NSEC NSF grant PHY-0117795.

How Schools Cope with the Double Challenge of Excellence in High-Stakes Risk Tests and Investment in Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klein, Joseph

2017-01-01

The purpose of the research is to investigate the behaviour of school personnel under two assessment-reporting conditions and school functioning when faced with the choice of excelling in high-stakes tests or catering to local educational needs. The functioning of 60 schools was compared in terms of their preparation for high-risk external tests…

Student Performance Standards of Excellence for Florida Schools in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Writing. Grades Three, Five, Eight, and Twelve. 1984-85 through 1988-89.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Florida State Dept. of Education, Tallahassee.

The student performance standards of excellence in mathematics, science, social studies, and writing for Florida schools were developed cooperatively by the Florida Department of Education, local school district personnel and representatives of institutions of higher education. These standards and skills were reviewed by teachers and supervisors…

District Awards for Teacher Excellence (D.A.T.E.) Program: Final Evaluation Report. [Executive Summary

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Springer, Matthew G.; Lewis, Jessica L.; Ehlert, Mark W.; Podgursky, Michael J.; Crader, Gary D.; Taylor, Lori L.; Gronberg, Timothy J.; Jansen, Dennis W.; Lopez, Omar S.; Stuit, David A.

2010-01-01

District Awards for Teacher Excellence (D.A.T.E.) is a state-funded program in Texas that provides grants to districts for the implementation of locally-designed incentive pay plans. All districts in the state are eligible to receive grants, but participation is voluntary. D.A.T.E. incentive pay plans were first implemented in Texas districts…

District Awards for Teacher Excellence (D.A.T.E.) Program: Year One Evaluation Report. Policy Evaluation Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Springer, Matthew G.; Lewis, Jessica L.; Podgursky, Michael J.; Ehlert, Mark W.; Taylor, Lori L.; Lopez, Omar S.; Ghosh-Dastidar, Bonnie; Peng, Art

2010-01-01

District Awards for Teacher Excellence (D.A.T.E.) is a state-funded program in Texas that provides grants to districts for the implementation of locally-designed performance pay plans. All districts in the state are eligible to receive grants, but participation is voluntary. As D.A.T.E. continues in its second year of operation with approximately…

District Awards for Teacher Excellence (D.A.T.E.) Program: Final Evaluation Report. Policy Evaluation Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Springer, Matthew G.; Lewis, Jessica L.; Ehlert, Mark W.; Podgursky, Michael J.; Crader, Gary D.; Taylor, Lori L.; Gronberg, Timothy J.; Jansen, Dennis W.; Lopez, Omar S.; Stuit, David A.

2010-01-01

District Awards for Teacher Excellence (D.A.T.E.) is a state-funded program in Texas that provides grants to districts for the implementation of locally-designed incentive pay plans. All districts in the state are eligible to receive grants, but participation is voluntary. D.A.T.E. incentive pay plans were first implemented in Texas districts…

Breast conservation in the setting of contemporary multimodality treatment provides excellent outcomes for patients with occult primary breast cancer.

PubMed

Rueth, Natasha M; Black, Dalliah M; Limmer, Angela R; Gabriel, Emmanuel; Huo, Lei; Fornage, Bruno D; Dogan, Basak E; Chavez-MacGregor, Mariana; Yi, Min; Hunt, Kelly K; Strom, Eric A

2015-01-01

To evaluate recurrence and survival for patients with occult (T0N+) breast cancer who underwent contemporary treatment, assessing outcomes for breast conservation and mastectomy. We performed a single-institution review of women with occult breast cancer presenting with axillary metastasis without identifiable breast tumor or distant metastasis. We excluded patients with tumors in the axillary tail or mastectomy specimen, patients with additional nonbreast cancer diagnoses, and patients with a history of breast cancer. Breast conservation was defined as axillary node dissection with radiation therapy, without breast surgery. We evaluated patient, tumor, treatment, and outcome variables. Patients were assessed for local, regional, and distant recurrences. Overall survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Thirty-six patients met criteria for occult breast cancer. Most of these patients (77.8 %) had N1 disease. Fifty percent of cancers (n = 18) were estrogen receptor-positive; 12 (33.3 %) were triple-negative. All patients were evaluated with mammography. Thirty-five patients had breast ultrasound (97.2 %) and 33 (91.7 %) had an MRI. Thirty-four patients (94.4 %) were treated with chemotherapy and 33 (91.7 %) with radiotherapy. Twenty-seven patients (75.0 %) were treated with breast conservation. The median follow-up was 64 months. There were no local or regional failures. One distant recurrence occurred >5 years after diagnosis, resulting in a 5-years overall survival rate of 100 %. There were no significant survival differences between patients receiving breast conservation versus mastectomy (p = 0.7). Breast conservation-performed with contemporary imaging and multimodality treatment-provides excellent local control and survival for women with T0N+ breast cancer and can be safely offered instead of mastectomy.

High-velocity deformation of Al 0.3CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy: Remarkable resistance to shear failure

DOE PAGES

Li, Z.; Zhao, S.; Diao, H.; ...

2017-02-17

Here, the mechanical behavior of a single phase (fcc) Al 0.3CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) was studied in the low and high strain-rate regimes. The combination of multiple strengthening mechanisms such as solid solution hardening, forest dislocation hardening, as well as mechanical twinning leads to a high work hardening rate, which is significantly larger than that for Al and is retained in the dynamic regime. The resistance to shear localization was studied by dynamically-loading hat-shaped specimens to induce forced shear localization. However, no adiabatic shear band could be observed. It is therefore proposed that the excellent strain hardening ability gives risemore » to remarkable resistance to shear localization, which makes this material an excellent candidate for penetration protection applications such as armors.« less

Spot-Scanning Proton Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Chordoma and Chondrosarcoma: Clinical Outcome of 26 Patients Treated at Paul Scherrer Institute

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

Rombi, Barbara; ATreP; Ares, Carmen, E-mail: carmen.ares@psi.ch

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical results of fractionated spot-scanning proton radiation therapy (PT) in 26 pediatric patients treated at Paul Scherrer Institute for chordoma (CH) or chondrosarcoma (CS) of the skull base or axial skeleton. Methods and Materials: Between June 2000 and June 2010, 19 CH and 7 CS patients with tumors originating from the skull base (17) and the axial skeleton (9) were treated with PT. Mean age at the time of PT was 13.2 years. The mean prescribed dose was 74 Gy (relative biological effectiveness [RBE]) for CH and 66 Gy (RBE) for CS, at a dose ofmore » 1.8-2.0 Gy (RBE) per fraction. Results: Mean follow-up was 46 months. Actuarial 5-year local control (LC) rates were 81% for CH and 80% for CS. Actuarial 5-year overall survival (OS) was 89% for CH and 75% for CS. Two CH patients had local failures: one is alive with evidence of disease, while the other patient succumbed to local recurrence in the surgical pathway. One CS patient died of local progression of the disease. No high-grade late toxicities were observed. Conclusions: Spot-scanning PT for pediatric CH and CS patients resulted in excellent clinical outcomes with acceptable rates of late toxicity. Longer follow-up time and larger cohort are needed to fully assess tumor control and late effects of treatment.« less

Component-based subspace linear discriminant analysis method for face recognition with one training sample

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Jian; Yuen, Pong C.; Chen, Wen-Sheng; Lai, J. H.

2005-05-01

Many face recognition algorithms/systems have been developed in the last decade and excellent performances have also been reported when there is a sufficient number of representative training samples. In many real-life applications such as passport identification, only one well-controlled frontal sample image is available for training. Under this situation, the performance of existing algorithms will degrade dramatically or may not even be implemented. We propose a component-based linear discriminant analysis (LDA) method to solve the one training sample problem. The basic idea of the proposed method is to construct local facial feature component bunches by moving each local feature region in four directions. In this way, we not only generate more samples with lower dimension than the original image, but also consider the face detection localization error while training. After that, we propose a subspace LDA method, which is tailor-made for a small number of training samples, for the local feature projection to maximize the discrimination power. Theoretical analysis and experiment results show that our proposed subspace LDA is efficient and overcomes the limitations in existing LDA methods. Finally, we combine the contributions of each local component bunch with a weighted combination scheme to draw the recognition decision. A FERET database is used for evaluating the proposed method and results are encouraging.

Long-term results from the Contura multilumen balloon breast brachytherapy catheter phase 4 registry trial.

PubMed

Cuttino, Laurie W; Arthur, Douglas W; Vicini, Frank; Todor, Dorin; Julian, Thomas; Mukhopadhyay, Nitai

2014-12-01

To describe the long-term outcomes from a completed, multi-institutional phase 4 registry trial using the Contura multilumen balloon (CMLB) breast brachytherapy catheter to deliver accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) in patients with early-stage breast cancer. Three hundred forty-two evaluable patients were enrolled by 23 institutions between January 2008 and February 2011. All patients received 34 Gy in 10 fractions, delivered twice daily. Rigorous target coverage and normal tissue dose constraints were observed. The median follow-up time was 36 months (range, 1-54 months). For the entire patient cohort of 342 patients, 10 patients experienced an ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR). Eight of these IBTR were classified as true recurrences/marginal miss (TRMM), and 2 were elsewhere failures (EF). Local recurrence-free survival was 97.8% at 3 years. For the entire cohort, 88% of patients had good to excellent overall cosmesis. The overall incidence of infection was 8.5%. Symptomatic seroma was reported in only 4.4% of patients. A separate analysis was performed to determine whether improved outcomes would be observed for patients treated at high-volume centers with extensive brachytherapy experience. Three IBTR were observed in this cohort, only 1 of which was classified as a TRMM. Local recurrence-free survival at high-volume centers was 98.1% at 3 years. Overall cosmetic outcome and toxicity were superior in patients treated at high-volume centers. In these patients, 95% had good to excellent overall cosmesis. Infection was observed in only 2.9% of patients, and symptomatic seroma was reported in only 1.9%. Use of the CMLB for APBI delivery is associated with acceptable long-term local control and toxicity. Local recurrence-free survival was 97.8% at 3 years. Significant (grade 3) toxicity was uncommon, and no grade 4 toxicity was observed. Treatment at high-volume centers was associated with decreased late toxicity. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Long-Term Results From the Contura Multilumen Balloon Breast Brachytherapy Catheter Phase 4 Registry Trial

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

Cuttino, Laurie W., E-mail: lcuttino@mcvh-vcu.edu; Arthur, Douglas W.; Vicini, Frank

2014-12-01

Purpose: To describe the long-term outcomes from a completed, multi-institutional phase 4 registry trial using the Contura multilumen balloon (CMLB) breast brachytherapy catheter to deliver accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) in patients with early-stage breast cancer. Methods and Materials: Three hundred forty-two evaluable patients were enrolled by 23 institutions between January 2008 and February 2011. All patients received 34 Gy in 10 fractions, delivered twice daily. Rigorous target coverage and normal tissue dose constraints were observed. Results: The median follow-up time was 36 months (range, 1-54 months). For the entire patient cohort of 342 patients, 10 patients experienced an ipsilateral breast tumor recurrencemore » (IBTR). Eight of these IBTR were classified as true recurrences/marginal miss (TRMM), and 2 were elsewhere failures (EF). Local recurrence-free survival was 97.8% at 3 years. For the entire cohort, 88% of patients had good to excellent overall cosmesis. The overall incidence of infection was 8.5%. Symptomatic seroma was reported in only 4.4% of patients. A separate analysis was performed to determine whether improved outcomes would be observed for patients treated at high-volume centers with extensive brachytherapy experience. Three IBTR were observed in this cohort, only 1 of which was classified as a TRMM. Local recurrence-free survival at high-volume centers was 98.1% at 3 years. Overall cosmetic outcome and toxicity were superior in patients treated at high-volume centers. In these patients, 95% had good to excellent overall cosmesis. Infection was observed in only 2.9% of patients, and symptomatic seroma was reported in only 1.9%. Conclusion: Use of the CMLB for APBI delivery is associated with acceptable long-term local control and toxicity. Local recurrence-free survival was 97.8% at 3 years. Significant (grade 3) toxicity was uncommon, and no grade 4 toxicity was observed. Treatment at high-volume centers was associated with decreased late toxicity.« less

Strong Federal Policies Benefit Local Districts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manna, Paul

2009-01-01

Uncle Sam has expanded his reach into the nation's schools during the last five decades. Those forays frequently have been motivated by concerns over equity and a growing interest in promoting academic excellence. An overall working assumption has been that federal prodding and assistance could help encourage states and localities to better meet…

Public Opinion on Long Island about the Vietnam War: A School Year Project Using Local Sources and Perspectives in the Classroom and in Student Research Papers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howlett, Charles

2004-01-01

A school-year research experiment using primary resources to teach an important national issue--protest movements against the Vietnam War at the local level--is an excellent way to motivate students and energize classroom teaching. Every local community in America has its own story to tell about the war in Vietnam. Whether it is about a local son…

Enhancement of broodstock health and maternal immunity in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) using ExcelMOS®.

PubMed

AbouShabana, N M; AbdelKader, R; Abdel-Rahman, S; Abdel-Gawad, H S; Abdel-Galil, A M

2018-05-22

The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of ExcelMOS® in enhancing the immune system of Sparus aurata broodstock and their impact on offspring health through displaying the maternal transfer of immunity. Broodstock were divided into two groups: one was injected intraperitoneally with ExcelMOS® 1 month before spawning, while the other group was used as a control (without injection). Comprehensive increase in survival rate was observed for larvae hatched from ExcelMOS®-injected broodstock than those of the control (P ≤ 0.05). Hematological analysis showed increases in leukocyte count and hematocrit percentage (P ≤ 0.05) and significant enhancement in immune assays as phagocytic, respiratory burst, lysozyme activities in ExcelMOS®-injected broodstock (P ≤ 0.05). Additionally, total immunoglobulin levels in the serum, eggs, and larvae resulted from ExcelMOS®-injected broodstock were highly significant (P ≤ 0.05) than those in the control ones. Transmission electron microscopy and semi-thin sections in posterior intestine of ExcelMOS®-injected broodstock revealed reinforcement of the epithelial barrier structure, intestinal integrity, and functionality in combination with the stimulation of innate immune system. In conclusion, immunostimulation of Sparus aurata broodstock using ExcelMOS® has improved survival of larvae and enhanced both innate and adaptive immune defense mechanisms. Further investigations are required to show the effect of ExcelMOS® on fish cultured in intensive culture systems.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in pediatric low-grade glioma.

PubMed

Paulino, Arnold C; Mazloom, Ali; Terashima, Keita; Su, Jack; Adesina, Adekunle M; Okcu, M Faith; Teh, Bin S; Chintagumpala, Murali

2013-07-15

The objective of this study was to evaluate local control and patterns of failure in pediatric patients with low-grade glioma (LGG) who received treatment with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). In total, 39 children received IMRT after incomplete resection or disease progression. Three methods of target delineation were used. The first was to delineate the gross tumor volume (GTV) and add a 1-cm margin to create the clinical target volume (CTV) (Method 1; n = 19). The second was to add a 0.5-cm margin around the GTV to create the CTV (Method 2; n = 6). The prescribed dose to the GTV was the same as dose to the CTV for both Methods 1 and 2 (median, 50.4 grays [Gy]). The final method was dose painting, in which a GTV was delineated with a second target volume (2TV) created by adding 1 cm to the GTV (Method 3; n = 14). Different doses were prescribed to the GTV (median, 50.4 Gy) and the 2TV (median, 41.4 Gy). The 8-year progression-free and overall survival rates were 78.2% and 93.7%, respectively. Seven failures occurred, all of which were local in the high-dose (≥95%) region of the IMRT field. On multivariate analysis, age ≤5 years at time of IMRT had a detrimental impact on progression-free survival. IMRT provided local control rates comparable to those provided by 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional radiotherapy. Margins ≥1 cm added to the GTV may not be necessary, because excellent local control was achieved by adding a 0.5-cm margin (Method 2) and by dose painting (Method 3). © 2013 American Cancer Society.

Safety and Tolerability of SBRT after High-Dose External Beam Radiation to the Lung

PubMed Central

Owen, Dawn; Olivier, Kenneth R.; Song, Limin; Mayo, Charles S.; Miller, Robert C.; Nelson, Kathryn; Bauer, Heather; Brown, Paul D.; Park, Sean S.; Ma, Daniel J.; Garces, Yolanda I.

2015-01-01

Purpose: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is commonly used to treat unresectable lung nodules. Given its relative safety and effective local control, SBRT has also been used to treat recurrent lung nodules after high-dose external beam radiation (EBRT) to the lung. The toxicity of such treatment is unknown. Methods and Materials: Between 2006 and 2012, 18 subjects at the Mayo Clinic with 27 recurrent lung nodules were treated with SBRT after receiving EBRT to the lung. Median local control, overall survival, and progression-free survival (PFS) were described. Acute toxicity and late toxicity (defined as toxicity ≥ and >90 days, respectively) were reported and graded as per standardized CTCAE 4.0 criteria. Results: The median age of patients treated was 68 years. Fifteen patients had recurrent lung cancer as their primary histology. Twelve patients received ≥60 Gy of conventional EBRT prior to SBRT. SBRT dose and fractionation varied; the most common prescriptions were 48 Gy/4, 54 Gy/3, and 50 Gy/5 fractions. Only four patients had SBRT planning target volumes (PTVs) that overlapped more than 50% of their prior EBRT PTV. Two patients developed local recurrence following SBRT. With a median follow up of 21.2 months, median SBRT-specific overall survival and PFS were 21.7 and 12.3 months, respectively. No grade ≥3 acute or late toxicities were noted. Conclusion: Stereotactic body radiotherapy may be a good salvage option for select patients with recurrent lung nodules following definitive EBRT to the chest. Toxicity is minimal and local control is excellent. PMID:25642416

Improved prescribed performance control for air-breathing hypersonic vehicles with unknown deadzone input nonlinearity.

PubMed

Wang, Yingyang; Hu, Jianbo

2018-05-19

An improved prescribed performance controller is proposed for the longitudinal model of an air-breathing hypersonic vehicle (AHV) subject to uncertain dynamics and input nonlinearity. Different from the traditional non-affine model requiring non-affine functions to be differentiable, this paper utilizes a semi-decomposed non-affine model with non-affine functions being locally semi-bounded and possibly in-differentiable. A new error transformation combined with novel prescribed performance functions is proposed to bypass complex deductions caused by conventional error constraint approaches and circumvent high frequency chattering in control inputs. On the basis of backstepping technique, the improved prescribed performance controller with low structural and computational complexity is designed. The methodology guarantees the altitude and velocity tracking error within transient and steady state performance envelopes and presents excellent robustness against uncertain dynamics and deadzone input nonlinearity. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method. Copyright © 2018 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Solutions to Kuessner's integral equation in unsteady flow using local basis functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fromme, J. A.; Halstead, D. W.

1975-01-01

The computational procedure and numerical results are presented for a new method to solve Kuessner's integral equation in the case of subsonic compressible flow about harmonically oscillating planar surfaces with controls. Kuessner's equation is a linear transformation from pressure to normalwash. The unknown pressure is expanded in terms of prescribed basis functions and the unknown basis function coefficients are determined in the usual manner by satisfying the given normalwash distribution either collocationally or in the complex least squares sense. The present method of solution differs from previous ones in that the basis functions are defined in a continuous fashion over a relatively small portion of the aerodynamic surface and are zero elsewhere. This method, termed the local basis function method, combines the smoothness and accuracy of distribution methods with the simplicity and versatility of panel methods. Predictions by the local basis function method for unsteady flow are shown to be in excellent agreement with other methods. Also, potential improvements to the present method and extensions to more general classes of solutions are discussed.

Uniaxial Strain Redistribution in Corrugated Graphene: Clamping, Sliding, Friction, and 2D Band Splitting.

PubMed

Wang, Xuanye; Tantiwanichapan, Khwanchai; Christopher, Jason W; Paiella, Roberto; Swan, Anna K

2015-09-09

Graphene is a promising material for strain engineering based on its excellent flexibility and elastic properties, coupled with very high electrical mobility. In order to implement strain devices, it is important to understand and control the clamping of graphene to its support. Here, we investigate the limits of the strong van der Waals interaction on friction clamping. We find that the friction of graphene on a SiO2 substrate can support a maximum local strain gradient and that higher strain gradients result in sliding and strain redistribution. Furthermore, the friction decreases with increasing strain. The system used is graphene placed over a nanoscale SiO2 grating, causing strain and local strain variations. We use a combination of atomic force microscopy and Raman scattering to determine the friction coefficient, after accounting for compression and accidental charge doping, and model the local strain variation within the laser spot size. By using uniaxial strain aligned to a high crystal symmetry direction, we also determine the 2D Raman Grüneisen parameter and deformation potential in the zigzag direction.

The surgical management of rectal cancer: a comparison of treatment methods and outcomes over 2 time periods in the same geographic region.

PubMed

Orrom, William J; Hayashi, Allen H; Kuechler, Derek; Ross, Alison C; Kuechler, Peter M; Larsson, Stephan; Rusnak, Conrad H; Weinerman, Brian

2007-05-01

Preoperative radiotherapy combined with total mesorectal excision (TME) has provided excellent local control in the treatment of rectal cancer. This study is a review of patients treated at our regional cancer center from 1998 to 2004. The results were compared with a similar study carried out in our region from 1988 to 1998 to determine any changes in treatment methods, recurrence rates, and survival. A retrospective review of 448 patients treated with definitive surgery for rectal cancer was conducted. Patient factors analyzed included sex, age, type of surgery, and adjuvant strategy. Tumor factors analyzed included level, stage, and grade. The presence of local recurrence was recorded and overall survival was determined. The local recurrence rate was 8.3% compared with 12.7% in the previous study. Patients treated with preoperative radiotherapy had a recurrence rate of 3.7%. The type of surgical therapy had no significant effect on local recurrence. There was no significant change in overall survival between the present study and the previous one. Preoperative radiotherapy is used more frequently in our region and has resulted in a decrease in the local recurrence rate compared to our previous retrospective review. There was no change in local recurrence seen in those patients treated with operative management alone. This study supports the use of preoperative radiotherapy in the management of rectal cancer.

Treatment of hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer by robotic stereotactic radiation (Cyberknife ®).

PubMed

Peiffert, D; Baumann, A-S; Marchesi, V

2014-04-01

Cyberknife(®) is a dedicated stereotactic radiotherapy device. This new technology permits precise delivery of high dose gradient radiation therapy while sparing the surrounding organs at risk. Hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer (HMCRC) are an example of a lesion where treatment with Cyberknife(®) is indicated because they are located in a radio-sensitive organ and curative treatment is based on focal eradication (resection, radiofrequency ablation,...). The local control rate at one year is reported to be 70 to 100% depending on the study. Tolerance is excellent with less than a 5% rate of acute grade 3 or 4 side effects (nausea, vomiting, gastro-duodenal ulcer). The specific hepatotoxicity of radiotherapy, so-called radiation-induced liver disease (RILD), was found in only one study. Candidates for stereotactic radiotherapy are patients in whom disease is controlled except for intrahepatic disease with 1-3 hepatic metastases ≤ 6 cm in size who have contraindications for surgery, a WHO stage ≤ 2, a volume of healthy liver ≥ 700 cm(3) and normal liver function. It is actually a very simple treatment that results in very good local control with few contraindications. Its place in the management strategy of liver metastases needs further clarification. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Structure and Electronic Properties of Interface-Confined Oxide Nanostructures

DOE PAGES

Liu, Yun; Ning, Yanxiao; Yu, Liang; ...

2017-09-16

The controlled fabrication of nanostructures has often made use of a substrate template to mediate and control the growth kinetics. Electronic substrate-mediated interactions have been demonstrated to guide the assembly of organic molecules or the nucleation of metal atoms but usually at cryogenic temperatures, where the diffusion has been limited. Combining STM, STS, and DFT studies, we report that the strong electronic interaction between transition metals and oxides could indeed govern the growth of low-dimensional oxide nanostructures. As a demonstration, a series of FeO triangles, which are of the same structure and electronic properties but with different sizes (side lengthmore » >3 nm), are synthesized on Pt(111). The strong interfacial interaction confines the growth of FeO nanostructures, leading to a discrete size distribution and a uniform step structure. Given the same interfacial configuration, as-grown FeO nanostructures not only expose identical edge/surface structure but also exhibit the same electronic properties, as manifested by the local density of states and local work functions. We expect the interfacial confinement effect can be generally applied to control the growth of oxide nanostructures on transition metal surfaces. These oxide nanostructures of the same structure and electronic properties are excellent models for studies of nanoscale effects and applications.« less

Structure and Electronic Properties of Interface-Confined Oxide Nanostructures

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

Liu, Yun; Ning, Yanxiao; Yu, Liang

The controlled fabrication of nanostructures has often made use of a substrate template to mediate and control the growth kinetics. Electronic substrate-mediated interactions have been demonstrated to guide the assembly of organic molecules or the nucleation of metal atoms but usually at cryogenic temperatures, where the diffusion has been limited. Combining STM, STS, and DFT studies, we report that the strong electronic interaction between transition metals and oxides could indeed govern the growth of low-dimensional oxide nanostructures. As a demonstration, a series of FeO triangles, which are of the same structure and electronic properties but with different sizes (side lengthmore » >3 nm), are synthesized on Pt(111). The strong interfacial interaction confines the growth of FeO nanostructures, leading to a discrete size distribution and a uniform step structure. Given the same interfacial configuration, as-grown FeO nanostructures not only expose identical edge/surface structure but also exhibit the same electronic properties, as manifested by the local density of states and local work functions. We expect the interfacial confinement effect can be generally applied to control the growth of oxide nanostructures on transition metal surfaces. These oxide nanostructures of the same structure and electronic properties are excellent models for studies of nanoscale effects and applications.« less

Excel2Genie: A Microsoft Excel application to improve the flexibility of the Genie-2000 Spectroscopic software.

PubMed

Forgács, Attila; Balkay, László; Trón, Lajos; Raics, Péter

2014-12-01

Excel2Genie, a simple and user-friendly Microsoft Excel interface, has been developed to the Genie-2000 Spectroscopic Software of Canberra Industries. This Excel application can directly control Canberra Multichannel Analyzer (MCA), process the acquired data and visualize them. Combination of Genie-2000 with Excel2Genie results in remarkably increased flexibility and a possibility to carry out repetitive data acquisitions even with changing parameters and more sophisticated analysis. The developed software package comprises three worksheets: display parameters and results of data acquisition, data analysis and mathematical operations carried out on the measured gamma spectra. At the same time it also allows control of these processes. Excel2Genie is freely available to assist gamma spectrum measurements and data evaluation by the interested Canberra users. With access to the Visual Basic Application (VBA) source code of this application users are enabled to modify the developed interface according to their intentions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Promoting School Excellence through the Application of Effective Schools Research: Summary and Proceedings of a 1984 Regional Exchange Workshop (Nashville, Tennessee, April 15-16, 1984). Occasional Paper Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sattes, Beth D., Ed.

A regional workshop was held in which educational researchers and practitioners shared their innovations, successes, concerns, and progress in using research and development to promote excellence in their state and local education agencies. This document reports its proceedings. "School Improvement: What the Research Says," by David P.…

Investigating the Impact of Working in Multi-Agency Service Delivery Settings in the UK on Early Years Practitioners' Beliefs and Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anning, Angela

2005-01-01

In the UK Centres of Excellence were funded by the DfES to model high quality, multi-agency, early years services for young children and their families. They were precursors to Children's Centres to be established across the UK. Early Excellence Centres were evaluated at national and local levels. This article will draw on data from local…

Strut-adjusted volume implant (SAVI) brachytherapy-based accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) in African American women.

PubMed

Isbell, Amir; Dunmore-Griffith, Jacquelyn; Abayomi, Olubunmi

2017-02-01

To examine the clinical outcomes of postmenopausal African American (AA) women treated with strut-adjusted volume implant brachytherapy-based accelerated partial breast irradiation for early-stage node-negative breast cancer. From January 2011 through April 2015, a total of 50 AA patients, meeting criteria to receive APBI as defined by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-39 (NASBP B-39), completed treatment with the SAVI breast brachytherapy device at Howard University Hospital. 4% ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence and 2% breast cancer-specific mortality was observed. Median follow-up has been 3.8 years with a range of 0.29-4.69 years. Dosimetry parameters yielded a median V90 of 96.22% (range 77.86-105.00%), a median V150 of 31.27 cm 3 (range 23.30-49.15 mL), and a median V200 of 14.53 cm 3 (range 5.92-19.38 mL). Cosmesis was excellent. There were no infections, persistent seromas, fat necrosis, or telangiectasias observed to date. This study is the first study to describe the use of SAVI as APBI in an exclusively AA population. This study has demonstrated excellent local control in appropriately selected patients, similar clinical outcomes to the general population, and good to excellent cosmesis in AA women to date.

Controlled and localized delivery of c-myc AS-ODN to cells by 3-aminopropyl-trimethoxylsilane modified SBA-15 mesoporous silica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Juan; Chen, Minmin; Zhao, Xiqiu; Zhang, Min; Mao, Jinxiang; Cao, Xichuan; Zhang, Zhuoqi

2018-01-01

SBA-15 mesoporous silicate was synthesized and functionalized with 3-aminopropyl organic groups through a post-synthesis method. The materials were characterized consecutively by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption analysis and solid-state magic-angle spinning 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR). Human c-myc anti-sense oligodeoxyneucleotide (AS-ODN) was selected as a model molecule to be loaded onto the surface of bare and functionalized SBA-15 via different loading conditions. It has been found that the amount of AS-ODN incorporated into the porous matrix is strongly dependent on the surface properties, pH of the loading solvent and AS-ODN concentration. The release behaviour of AS-ODN from modified SBA-15 materials was also investigated and depended on conditions chosen. Cellular uptake of the eluted AS-ODN into Hela cells was observed by fluorescent microscopy. The materials showed excellent cytocompatibility. The AS-ODN keeps full transfection and expression activities indicating its structural integrity. The functionalized SBA-15 is an excellent prospect as a biomedical material candidate for the future.

New Report Clearly Demonstrates Value of a High School Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Armistead, Lew

2010-01-01

While educators have long argued that when local schools are successful, local communities benefit; there's now clear evidence that is the case. A new report, "The Economic Benefits from Halving the Dropout Rate: A Boom to Businesses in the Nation's Largest Metropolitan Areas," released in January by the Alliance for Excellent Education…

Long-term results of conservative surgery and radiotherapy for ductal carcinoma in situ using lung density correction: the University of Michigan experience.

PubMed

Ben-David, Merav A; Sturtz, David E; Griffith, Kent A; Douglas, Kathye R; Hayman, James A; Lichter, Allen S; Pierce, Lori J

2007-01-01

The purpose of the study was to review the treatment outcomes of 198 patients treated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and whole breast radiation therapy using lung density correction for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Between April 1985 and December 2002, 198 patients with 200 lesions diagnosed as DCIS (AJCC stage 0) were treated at the University of Michigan. All underwent BCS and whole breast radiotherapy. Median total follow-up was 6.2 years (range: 0.8-18.2). The 5- and 10-year cumulative rates of in-breast only failure were 5.9% (95% CI: 2.6-9.3%) and 9.8% (95% CI: 5.2-14.4%), respectively. Factors that significantly predicted for an increased risk of local failure were family history of breast cancer, positive or close surgical margins and age

Pineal tumors: analysis of treatment results in 20 patients.

PubMed

Amendola, Beatriz E; Wolf, Aizik; Coy, Sammie R; Amendola, Marco A; Eber, Daryl

2005-01-01

The authors evaluate their results when using gamma knife surgery (GKS) in the management of patients with tumors in the pineal region. This is a retrospective clinical evaluation of 20 patients with primary tumors of the pineal region treated with GKS from November 1994 through August 2003. There were 13 germ cell tumors, two pineoblastomas, two low-grade gliomas, one primitive neuroectodermal tumor, one teratoma, and one pineocytoma. There were 10 male and 10 female patients. Their median age was 15.5 years (range 5-71 years). The median margin dose was 11 Gy (range 8-20 Gy). The median target volume was 3.1 cm3 (range 0.1-49.9 cm3). Five patients received sequential systemic chemotherapy and four underwent adjuvant conventional radiation therapy. Seventeen (85%) of 20 patients are alive with a median survival of 30.4 months (range 0-85.7 months). Two patients required retreatment. Three patients died: one of unrelated causes, one who presented with extensive local disease, and the other of meningeal carcinomatosis with local control of the primary tumor. No complications from GKS were noted. This initial experience suggests that GKS is a valuable treatment modality for the management of pineal region tumors. This technique offers excellent local tumor control and minimal patient morbidity, allowing for immediate use of systemic chemotherapy and/or conventional radiation if indicated.

Training the Trainers of Tomorrow Today - driving excellence in medical education.

PubMed

Fellow-Smith, Elizabeth; Beveridge, Ed; Hogben, Katy; Wilson, Graeme; Lowe, John; Abraham, Rachel; Ingle, Digby; Bennett, Danielle; Hernandez, Carol

2013-01-01

Training the Trainers of Tomorrow Today (T4) is a new way to deliver "Training for Trainers". Responding to local dissatisfaction with existing arrangements, T4 builds on 3 essential requirements for a future shape of training: 1. Clinical Leadership and a Collaborative Approach 2. Cross-Specialty Design and Participation 3. Local Delivery and Governance Networks Design principles also included: 3 levels of training to reflect differing needs of clinical supervisors, educational supervisors and medical education leader, mapping to GMC requirements and the London Deanery's Professional Development Framework; alignment of service, educational theory and research; recognition of challenges in delivering and ensuring attendance in busy acute and mental health settings, and the development of a faculty network. The delivery plan took into account census of professional development uptake and GMC Trainee Surveys. Strong engagement and uptake from the 11 Trusts in NW London has been achieved, with powerful penetration into all specialties. Attendance has exceeded expectations. Against an initial 12 month target of 350 attendances, 693 were achieved in the first 8 months. Evaluation of content demonstrates modules are pitched appropriately to attendees needs, with positive feedback from trainers new to the role. Delivery style has attracted high ratings of satisfaction: 87% attendees rating delivery as "good\\excellent". External evaluation of impact demonstrated improved training experiences through changes in supervision, the learning environment and understanding of learning styles. We have addressed sustainability of the programme by advertising and recruiting Local Faculty Development Trainers. Volunteer consultants and higher trainees are trained to deliver the programme on a cascade model, supported by the Specialty Tutors, individual coaching and educational bursaries. The Trainers are local champions for excellence in training, provide a communication between the programme and local providers, are a repository of expertise in their service, and trouble shoot local barriers to engagement.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy of early-stage non-small-cell lung carcinoma: Phase I study

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

McGarry, Ronald C.; Papiez, Lech; Williams, Mark

Purpose: A Phase I dose escalation study of stereotactic body radiation therapy to assess toxicity and local control rates for patients with medically inoperable Stage I lung cancer. Methods and Materials: All patients had non-small-cell lung carcinoma, Stage T1a or T1b N0, M0. Patients were immobilized in a stereotactic body frame and treated in escalating doses of radiotherapy beginning at 24 Gy total (3 x 8 Gy fractions) using 7-10 beams. Cohorts were dose escalated by 6.0 Gy total with appropriate observation periods. Results: The maximum tolerated dose was not achieved in the T1 stratum (maximum dose = 60 Gy),more » but within the T2 stratum, the maximum tolerated dose was realized at 72 Gy for tumors larger than 5 cm. Dose-limiting toxicity included predominantly bronchitis, pericardial effusion, hypoxia, and pneumonitis. Local failure occurred in 4/19 T1 and 6/28 T2 patients. Nine local failures occurred at doses {<=}16 Gy and only 1 at higher doses. Local failures occurred between 3 and 31 months from treatment. Within the T1 group, 5 patients had distant or regional recurrence as an isolated event, whereas 3 patients had both distant and regional recurrence. Within the T2 group, 2 patients had solitary regional recurrences, and the 4 patients who failed distantly also failed regionally. Conclusions: Stereotactic body radiation therapy seems to be a safe, effective means of treating early-stage lung cancer in medically inoperable patients. Excellent local control was achieved at higher dose cohorts with apparent dose-limiting toxicities in patients with larger tumors.« less

Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Denver Security Operations Center (DSOC) Center of Excellence at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-07-01

COLORADO 460 CES/CEV 660 South Aspen Street, Stop 86 Buckley AFB, CO 80011-9551 JULY 2004 Report...and local agencies, and the public for a 30-day review period, 3 June - 3 July 2004. Comments were received from the Colorado Department of 2...3-29 Buckley AFB, CO UNCLASSIFIED/FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY July 2004 i EA for DSOC Center of Excellence

78 FR 53014 - Proposed Information Collection (Principles of Excellence Complaint Intake Questionnaire...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-27

... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS [OMB Control No. 2900-NEW] Proposed Information Collection (Principles of Excellence Complaint Intake Questionnaire) Activity; Withdrawal AGENCY: Veterans Benefits... to comment on a proposed information collection titled ``Principles of Excellence Complaint Intake...

Agarose-based biomaterials for tissue engineering.

PubMed

Zarrintaj, Payam; Manouchehri, Saeed; Ahmadi, Zahed; Saeb, Mohammad Reza; Urbanska, Aleksandra M; Kaplan, David L; Mozafari, Masoud

2018-05-01

Agarose is a natural polysaccharide polymer having unique characteristics that give reason to consider it for tissue engineering applications. Special characteristics of agarose such as its excellent biocompatibility, thermo-reversible gelation behavior and physiochemical features support its use as a biomaterial for cell growth and/or controlled/localized drug delivery. The resemblance of this natural carbohydrate polymer to the extracellular matrix results in attractive features that bring about a strong interest in its usage in the field. The scope of this review is to summarize the extensive researches addressing agarose-based biomaterials in order to provide an in-depth understanding of its tissue engineering-related applications. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Defect interactions in anisotropic two-dimensional fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stannarius, Ralf; Harth, Kirsten

Disclinations in liquid crystals bear striking analogies to defect structures in a wide variety of physical systems, they are excellent models to study fundamental properties of defect interactions. Freely suspended smectic C films behave like quasi 2D polar nematics. An experimental procedure is introduced to capture high-strength disclinations in localized spots. After they are released in a controlled way, the motion of the mutually repelling topological charges is studied. We demonstrate that the classical models, based on elastic one-constant approximation, fail to describe their dynamics correctly. In realistic liquid crystals, the models work only in ideal configurations. In general, additional director walls modify interactions substantially. Funded by DFG within project STA 425/28-1.

Preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer: a comparative study of quality control adherence at two cancer hospitals in Spain and Poland

PubMed Central

Fundowicz, Magdalena; Macia, Miguel; Marin, Susanna; Bogusz-Czerniewicz, Marta; Konstanty, Ewelina; Modolel, Ignaci; Malicki, Julian; Guedea, Ferran

2014-01-01

Background We performed a clinical audit of preoperative rectal cancer treatment at two European radiotherapy centres (Poland and Spain). The aim was to independently verify adherence to a selection of indicators of treatment quality and to identify any notable inter-institutional differences. Methods A total of 162 patients, in Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) 68 and in Greater Poland Cancer Centre (GPCC) 94, diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer and treated with preoperative radiotherapy or radio-chemotherapy were included in retrospective study. A total of 7 quality control measures were evaluated: waiting time, multidisciplinary treatment approach, portal verification, in vivo dosimetry, informed consent, guidelines for diagnostics and therapy, and patient monitoring during treatment. Results Several differences were observed. Waiting time from pathomorphological diagnosis to initial consultation was 31 (ICO) vs. 8 (GPCC) days. Waiting time from the first visit to the beginning of the treatment was twice as long at the ICO. At the ICO, 82% of patient experienced treatment interruptions. The protocol for portal verification was the same at both institutions. In vivo dosimetry is not used for this treatment localization at the ICO. The ICO utilizes locally-developed guidelines for diagnostics and therapy, while the GPCC is currently developing its own guidelines. Conclusions An independent external clinical audit is an excellent approach to identifying and resolving deficiencies in quality control procedures. We identified several procedures amenable to improvement. Both institutions have since implemented changes to improve quality standards. We believe that all radiotherapy centres should perform a comprehensive clinical audit to identify and rectify deficiencies. PMID:24991212

Preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer: a comparative study of quality control adherence at two cancer hospitals in Spain and Poland.

PubMed

Fundowicz, Magdalena; Macia, Miguel; Marin, Susanna; Bogusz-Czerniewicz, Marta; Konstanty, Ewelina; Modolel, Ignaci; Malicki, Julian; Guedea, Ferran

2014-06-01

We performed a clinical audit of preoperative rectal cancer treatment at two European radiotherapy centres (Poland and Spain). The aim was to independently verify adherence to a selection of indicators of treatment quality and to identify any notable inter-institutional differences. A total of 162 patients, in Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) 68 and in Greater Poland Cancer Centre (GPCC) 94, diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer and treated with preoperative radiotherapy or radio-chemotherapy were included in retrospective study. A total of 7 quality control measures were evaluated: waiting time, multidisciplinary treatment approach, portal verification, in vivo dosimetry, informed consent, guidelines for diagnostics and therapy, and patient monitoring during treatment. Several differences were observed. Waiting time from pathomorphological diagnosis to initial consultation was 31 (ICO) vs. 8 (GPCC) days. Waiting time from the first visit to the beginning of the treatment was twice as long at the ICO. At the ICO, 82% of patient experienced treatment interruptions. The protocol for portal verification was the same at both institutions. In vivo dosimetry is not used for this treatment localization at the ICO. The ICO utilizes locally-developed guidelines for diagnostics and therapy, while the GPCC is currently developing its own guidelines. An independent external clinical audit is an excellent approach to identifying and resolving deficiencies in quality control procedures. We identified several procedures amenable to improvement. Both institutions have since implemented changes to improve quality standards. We believe that all radiotherapy centres should perform a comprehensive clinical audit to identify and rectify deficiencies.

Local Tumor Control, Visual Acuity, and Survival After Hypofractionated Stereotactic Photon Radiotherapy of Choroidal Melanoma in 212 Patients Treated Between 1997 and 2007

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

Dunavoelgyi, Roman; Dieckmann, Karin, E-mail: karin.dieckmann@meduniwien.ac.at; Gleiss, Andreas

2011-09-01

Purpose: To evaluate long-term local tumor control, visual acuity, and survival after hypofractionated linear accelerator-based stereotactic photon radiotherapy in patients with choroidal melanoma. Methods and Materials: Between 1997 and 2007, 212 patients with choroidal melanoma unsuitable for ruthenium-106 brachytherapy or local resection were treated stereotactically at a linear accelerator with 6-MV photon beams at the Medical University of Vienna in five fractions over 7 days. Twenty-four patients received a total dose of 70 Gy (five fractions of 14 Gy), 158 a total dose of 60 Gy (five fractions of 12 Gy) and 30 patients a total dose of 50 Gymore » (five fractions of 10 Gy) applied on the 80% isodose. Ophthalmologic examinations were performed at baseline and every 3 months in the first 2 years, every 6 months until 5 years, and once a year thereafter until 10 years after radiotherapy. Assessment of visual acuity, routine ophthalmologic examinations, and measurement of tumor base dimension and height using standardized A-scan and B-scan echography were done at each visit. Funduscopy and fluorescein angiography were done when necessary to document tumor response. Results: Median tumor height and volume decreased from 4.8 mm and 270.7 mm{sup 3} at baseline to 2.6 mm and 86.6 mm{sup 3} at the last individual follow-up, respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). Median visual acuity decreased from 0.55 at baseline to hand motion at the last individual follow-up (p < 0.001). Local tumor control was 95.9% after 5 years and 92.6% after 10 years. Thirty-two patients developed metastatic disease, and 22 of these patients died during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Hypofractionated stereotactic photon radiotherapy with 70 to 50 Gy delivered in five fractions in 7 days is sufficient to achieve excellent local tumor control in patients with malignant melanoma of the choroid. Disease outcome and vision are comparable to those achieved with proton beam radiotherapy. Decreasing the total dose below 60 Gy seems to be possible.« less

Clean Energy Finance Tool

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

State and local governments interested in developing a financing program can use this Excel tool to support energy efficiency and clean energy improvements for large numbers of buildings within their jurisdiction.

Data acquisition and real-time control using spreadsheets: interfacing Excel with external hardware.

PubMed

Aliane, Nourdine

2010-07-01

Spreadsheets have become a popular computational tool and a powerful platform for performing engineering calculations. Moreover, spreadsheets include a macro language, which permits the inclusion of standard computer code in worksheets, and thereby enable developers to greatly extend spreadsheets' capabilities by designing specific add-ins. This paper describes how to use Excel spreadsheets in conjunction to Visual Basic for Application programming language to perform data acquisition and real-time control. Afterwards, the paper presents two Excel applications with interactive user interfaces developed for laboratory demonstrations and experiments in an introductory course in control. 2010 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

III-nitride integration on ferroelectric materials of lithium niobate by molecular beam epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Namkoong, Gon; Lee, Kyoung-Keun; Madison, Shannon M.; Henderson, Walter; Ralph, Stephen E.; Doolittle, W. Alan

2005-10-01

Integration of III-nitride electrical devices on the ferroelectric material lithium niobate (LiNbO3) has been demonstrated. As a ferroelectric material, lithium niobate has a polarization which may provide excellent control of the polarity of III-nitrides. However, while high temperature, 1000°C, thermal treatments produce atomically smooth surfaces, improving adhesion of GaN epitaxial layers on lithium niobate, repolarization of the substrate in local domains occurs. These effects result in multi domains of mixed polarization in LiNbO3, producing inversion domains in subsequent GaN epilayers. However, it is found that AlN buffer layers suppress inversion domains of III-nitrides. Therefore, two-dimensional electron gases in AlGaN /GaN heterojunction structures are obtained. Herein, the demonstration of the monolithic integration of high power devices with ferroelectric materials presents possibilities to control LiNbO3 modulators on compact optoelectronic/electronic chips.

Atomic-scale dynamics of edge dislocations in Ni and concentrated solid solution NiFe alloys

DOE PAGES

Zhao, Shijun; Osetsky, Yuri N.; Zhang, Yanwen; ...

2017-01-19

Single-phase concentrated solid solution alloys (CSAs), including high entropy alloys, exhibit excellent mechanical properties compared to conventional dilute alloys. However, the origin of this observation is not clear yet because the dislocation properties in CSAs are poorly understood. In this work, the mobility of a <110>{111} edge dislocation in pure Ni and equiatomic solid solution Ni 0.5Fe 0.5 (NiFe) is studied using molecular dynamics simulations with different empirical potentials. The threshold stress to initiate dislocation movement in NiFe is found to be much higher compared to pure Ni. The drag coefficient of the dislocation motion calculated from the linear regimemore » of dislocation velocities versus applied stress suggests that the movement of dislocations in NiFe is strongly damped compared to that in Ni. The present results indicate that the mobility of edge dislocations in fcc CSAs are controlled by the fluctuations in local stacking fault energy caused by the local variation of alloy composition.« less

Local field enhancement and thermoplasmonics in multimodal aluminum structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiecha, Peter R.; Mennemanteuil, Marie-Maxime; Khlopin, Dmitry; Martin, Jérôme; Arbouet, Arnaud; Gérard, Davy; Bouhelier, Alexandre; Plain, Jérôme; Cuche, Aurélien

2017-07-01

Aluminum nanostructures have recently been at the focus of numerous studies due to their properties including oxidation stability and surface plasmon resonances covering the ultraviolet and visible spectral windows. In this article, we reveal a facet of this metal relevant for both plasmonic purposes and photothermal conversion. The field distribution of high-order plasmonic resonances existing in two-dimensional Al structures is studied by nonlinear photoluminescence microscopy in a spectral region where electronic interband transitions occur. The polarization sensitivity of the field intensity maps shows that the electric field concentration can be addressed and controlled on demand. We use a numerical tool based on the Green dyadic method to analyze our results and to simulate the absorbed energy that is locally converted into heat. The polarization-dependent temperature increase of the Al structures is experimentally quantitatively measured, and is in an excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. Our work highlights Al as a promising candidate for designing thermal nanosources integrated in coplanar geometries for thermally assisted nanomanipulation or biophysical applications.

MRI-Guided High–Dose-Rate Intracavitary Brachytherapy for Treatment of Cervical Cancer: The University of Pittsburgh Experience

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

Gill, Beant S.; Kim, Hayeon; Houser, Christopher J.

2015-03-01

Purpose: Image-based brachytherapy is increasingly used for gynecologic malignancies. We report early outcomes of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided brachytherapy. Methods and Materials: Consecutive patient cases with FIGO stage IB1 to IVA cervical cancer treated at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received concurrent cisplatin with external beam radiation therapy along with interdigitated high–dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy. Computed tomography or MRI was completed after each application, the latter acquired for at least 1 fraction. High-risk clinical target volume (HRCTV) and organs at risk were identified by Groupe Européen de Curiethérapie and European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology guidelines. Doses weremore » converted to equivalent 2-Gy doses (EQD{sub 2}) with planned HRCTV doses of 75 to 85 Gy. Results: From 2007 to 2013, 128 patients, median 52 years of age, were treated. Predominant characteristics included stage IIB disease (58.6%) with a median tumor size of 5 cm, squamous histology (82.8%), and no radiographic nodal involvement (53.1%). Most patients (67.2%) received intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) at a median dose of 45 Gy, followed by a median brachytherapy dose of 27.5 Gy (range, 25-30 Gy) in 5 fractions. At a median follow up of 24.4 months (range, 2.1-77.2 months), estimated 2-year local control, disease-free survival, and cancer-specific survival rates were 91.6%, 81.8%, and 87.6%, respectively. Predictors of local failure included adenocarcinoma histology (P<.01) and clinical response at 3 months (P<.01). Among the adenocarcinoma subset, receiving HRCTV D{sub 90} EQD{sub 2} ≥84 Gy was associated with improved local control (2-year local control rate 100% vs 54.5%, P=.03). Grade 3 or greater gastrointestinal or genitourinary late toxicity occurred at a 2-year actuarial rate of 0.9%. Conclusions: This study constitutes one of the largest reported series of MRI-guided brachytherapy in North America, demonstrating excellent local control with acceptable morbidity. Dose escalation may be warranted when feasible for adenocarcinomas to offset the risk of local failure.« less

Low dose Photofrin PDT for recurrent in-situ squamous cell tumors of the head and neck

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allison, R. R.; Austerlitz, C.; Sheng, C.; Mota, H.; Brodish, B.; Camnitz, P.; Sibata, C. H.

2009-06-01

Multifocal recurrence of in-situ squamous cell cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx and vocal cord following surgical failure can be a therapeutic dilemma. Salvage surgery or radiation may be an option but morbidity can be significant. We evaluated the potential role of low dose Photofrin (1.2mg/Kg) Photodynamic Therapy for this cohort of patients. A total of 25 patients with multifocal recurrent in-situ squamous cell cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx and vocal cord who had failed local resection, and where additional surgery or radiation therapy would likely result in permanent morbidity, were offered Photodynamic Therapy. PDT consisted of off label infusion of Photofrin (1.2mg/kg) followed 48 hours later by illumination at 630nm employing a light diffuser (300J) and/or microlens (150Jcm2). All patients completed their prescribed PDT and no patient has been lost to follow up (minimum 1 year). No photosensitivity reactions were noted. No significant morbidity was seen. All patients were able to maintain oral nutrition. Procedure related pain was well controlled by one week of oral narcotics. At one month post PDT all patients were biopsy negative in the treatment region and no failures within the treatment region have been noted. No fibrosis or permanent PDT morbidity has been seen with follow up to three years. Vocal cord and voice function were excellent. Three patients developed new regions of in-situ disease outside the PDT fields, two underwent additional PDT and one had laser resection. Low dose Photofrin PDT offers excellent palliation and durable local control of recurrent in-situ squamous cell cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx and true cords. This is a well tolerated therapy. Low dose Photofrin appears to improve selectivity and minimize normal tissue injury. It should be tested in a larger patient population.

Exeresis and Brachytherapy as Salvage Treatment for Local Recurrence After Conservative Treatment for Breast Cancer: Results of a Ten-Year Pilot Study

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

Guix, Benjamin, E-mail: bguix@imor.or; Lejarcegui, Jose Antonio; Tello, Jose Ignacio

2010-11-01

Purpose: To analyze the long-term results of a pilot study assessing excision and brachytherapy as salvage treatment for local recurrence after conservative treatment of breast cancer. Methods and Materials: Between December 1990 and March 2001, 36 patients with breast-only recurrence less than 3 cm in diameter after conservative treatment for Stage I or II breast carcinoma were treated with local excision followed by high-dose rate brachytherapy implants (30 Gy in 12 fractions over a period of 5 days). No patient was lost to follow-up. Special attention was paid to local, regional, or distant recurrences; survival; cosmesis; and early and latemore » side effects. Results: All patients completed treatment. During follow-up (range, 1-13 years), 8 patients presented metastases (2 regional and 6 distant) as their first site of failure, 1 had a differed local recurrence, and 1 died of the disease. Actuarial results at 10 years were as follows: local control, 89.4%; disease-free survival, 64.4%; and survival, 96.7%. Cosmetic results were satisfactory in 90.4%. No patient had Grade 3 or 4 early or late complications. Of the 11 patients followed up for at least 10 years, all but 1 still had their breast in place at the 10-year stage. Conclusions: High-dose rate brachytherapy is a safe, effective treatment for small-size, low-risk local recurrence after local excision in conservatively treated patients. The dose of 30 Gy of high-dose rate brachytherapy (12 fractions over a period of 5 days twice daily) was well tolerated. The excellent results support the use of breast preservation as salvage treatment in selected patients with local recurrence after conservative treatment for breast cancer.« less

Mathematics. Grades 3, 6, 8, 10, 12. State Goals for Learning and Sample Learning Objectives.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Illinois State Board of Education, Springfield. Dept. of School Improvement Services.

This publication is designed to provide assistance to local school districts in Illinois in meeting two new requirements: (1) to submit objectives for student learning to the State Board of Education which meet or exceed the State Goals for Learning and (2) to identify local goals for excellence in education. School districts have the option to…

Complementary optical and nuclear imaging of caspase-3 activity using combined activatable and radio-labeled multimodality molecular probe.

PubMed

Lee, Hyeran; Akers, Walter J; Cheney, Philip P; Edwards, W Barry; Liang, Kexian; Culver, Joseph P; Achilefu, Samuel

2009-01-01

Based on the capability of modulating fluorescence intensity by specific molecular events, we report a new multimodal optical-nuclear molecular probe with complementary reporting strategies. The molecular probe (LS498) consists of tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid (DOTA) for chelating a radionuclide, a near-infrared fluorescent dye, and an efficient quencher dye. The two dyes are separated by a cleavable peptide substrate for caspase-3, a diagnostic enzyme that is upregulated in dying cells. LS498 is radiolabeled with (64)Cu, a radionuclide used in positron emission tomography. In the native form, LS498 fluorescence is quenched until caspase-3 cleavage of the peptide substrate. Enzyme kinetics assay shows that LS498 is readily cleaved by caspase-3, with excellent enzyme kinetic parameters k(cat) and K(M) of 0.55+/-0.01 s(-1) and 1.12+/-0.06 microM, respectively. In mice, the initial fluorescence of LS498 is ten-fold less than control. Using radiolabeled (64)Cu-LS498 in a controlled and localized in-vivo model of caspase-3 activation, a time-dependent five-fold NIR fluorescence enhancement is observed, but radioactivity remains identical in caspase-3 positive and negative controls. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using radionuclide imaging for localizing and quantifying the distribution of molecular probes and optical imaging for reporting the functional status of diagnostic enzymes.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) using 70 Gy in 10 fractions for non-small cell lung cancer: exploration of clinical indications.

PubMed

Li, Qiaoqiao; Swanick, Cameron W; Allen, Pamela K; Gomez, Daniel R; Welsh, James W; Liao, Zhongxing; Balter, Peter A; Chang, Joe Y

2014-08-01

We report our outcomes for patients with NSCLC treated with SABR to 70 Gy in 10 fractions and propose indications for this regimen as well as new dose-volume constraints. Volumetric image-guided SABR was used to treat 82 patients with clinical challenging NSCLC, not suitable for 50 Gy in 4 fractions, to a final dose of 70 Gy in 10 fractions. Endpoints included overall survival (OS), toxicity, and disease control. At a median follow-up time of 21.1 months, 2-year OS and local control rates were 66.9% and 96.2%, respectively. The most common side effects were radiation pneumonitis (14.6% grade 2, 2.4% grade 3), followed by chest wall pain (4.9% grade 2, 1.2% grade 3). Multivariate analysis revealed chest wall V50>60 cm(3) to be associated with chest wall pain. No patient developed brachial plexopathy. One patient with bronchial tree tumor invasion died of hemoptysis. SABR with 70 Gy in 10 fractions appears to achieve excellent local control and acceptable toxicity for clinically challenging cases with improved tolerance of the chest wall and brachial plexus as compared with 50 Gy in 4 fractions. This regimen may not be suitable in patients with tumor invading critical central structures. More studies are needed to validate our conclusions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Complementary optical and nuclear imaging of caspase-3 activity using combined activatable and radio-labeled multimodality molecular probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hyeran; Akers, Walter J.; Cheney, Philip P.; Edwards, W. Barry; Liang, Kexian; Culver, Joseph P.; Achilefu, Samuel

2009-07-01

Based on the capability of modulating fluorescence intensity by specific molecular events, we report a new multimodal optical-nuclear molecular probe with complementary reporting strategies. The molecular probe (LS498) consists of tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid (DOTA) for chelating a radionuclide, a near-infrared fluorescent dye, and an efficient quencher dye. The two dyes are separated by a cleavable peptide substrate for caspase-3, a diagnostic enzyme that is upregulated in dying cells. LS498 is radiolabeled with 64Cu, a radionuclide used in positron emission tomography. In the native form, LS498 fluorescence is quenched until caspase-3 cleavage of the peptide substrate. Enzyme kinetics assay shows that LS498 is readily cleaved by caspase-3, with excellent enzyme kinetic parameters kcat and KM of 0.55+/-0.01 s-1 and 1.12+/-0.06 μM, respectively. In mice, the initial fluorescence of LS498 is ten-fold less than control. Using radiolabeled 64Cu-LS498 in a controlled and localized in-vivo model of caspase-3 activation, a time-dependent five-fold NIR fluorescence enhancement is observed, but radioactivity remains identical in caspase-3 positive and negative controls. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using radionuclide imaging for localizing and quantifying the distribution of molecular probes and optical imaging for reporting the functional status of diagnostic enzymes.

Excel Spreadsheets for Algebra: Improving Mental Modeling for Problem Solving

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Engerman, Jason; Rusek, Matthew; Clariana, Roy

2014-01-01

This experiment investigates the effectiveness of Excel spreadsheets in a high school algebra class. Students in the experiment group convincingly outperformed the control group on a post lesson assessment. The student responses, teacher observations involving Excel spreadsheet revealed that it operated as a mindtool, which formed the users'…

Local structure controls the nonaffine shear and bulk moduli of disordered solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlegel, M.; Brujic, J.; Terentjev, E. M.; Zaccone, A.

2016-01-01

Paradigmatic model systems, which are used to study the mechanical response of matter, are random networks of point-atoms, random sphere packings, or simple crystal lattices; all of these models assume central-force interactions between particles/atoms. Each of these models differs in the spatial arrangement and the correlations among particles. In turn, this is reflected in the widely different behaviours of the shear (G) and compression (K) elastic moduli. The relation between the macroscopic elasticity as encoded in G, K and their ratio, and the microscopic lattice structure/order, is not understood. We provide a quantitative analytical connection between the local orientational order and the elasticity in model amorphous solids with different internal microstructure, focusing on the two opposite limits of packings (strong excluded-volume) and networks (no excluded-volume). The theory predicts that, in packings, the local orientational order due to excluded-volume causes less nonaffinity (less softness or larger stiffness) under compression than under shear. This leads to lower values of G/K, a well-documented phenomenon which was lacking a microscopic explanation. The theory also provides an excellent one-parameter description of the elasticity of compressed emulsions in comparison with experimental data over a broad range of packing fractions.

Core–Shell to Doped Quantum Dots: Evolution of the Local Environment Using XAFS

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

Saha, Avijit; Chattopadhyay, Soma; Shibata, Tomohiro

2016-09-30

Internal structure study at an atomic level is a challenging task with far reaching consequences to its material properties, specifically in the field of transition metal doping in quantum dots. Diffusion of transition metal ions in and out of quantum dots forming magnetic clusters has been a major bottleneck in this class of materials. Diffusion of the magnetic ions from the core into the nonmagnetic shell in a core/shell heterostructure architecture to attain uniform doping has been recently introduced and yet to be understood. In this work, we have studied the local structure variation of Fe as a function ofmore » CdS matrix thickness and annealing time during the overcoating of Fe 3O 4 core with CdS using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The data reveals that Fe 3O 4 core initially forms a core/shell structure with CdS followed by alloying at the interface eventually completely diffusing all the way through the CdS matrix to form homogeneously Fe-doped CdS QDs with excellent control over size and size distribution. Study of Fe K-edge shows a complete change of Fe local environment from Fe–O to FeS.« less

Inhibition of Kv7/M Channel Currents by the Local Anesthetic Chloroprocaine.

PubMed

Zhang, Fan; Cheng, Yanxin; Li, Hong; Jia, Qingzhong; Zhang, Hailin; Zhao, Senming

2015-01-01

Chloroprocaine is a local ester anesthetic, producing excellent sensory block in clinical use. The Kv7/M potassium channel plays an important role in the control of neuronal excitability. In this study, we investigated the effects of the local anesthetic chloroprocaine on Kv7/M channels as well as the effect of retigabine on chloroprocaine-induced seizures. A perforated whole-cell patch technique was used to record Kv7 currents from HEK293 cells and M-type currents from rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Chloroprocaine produced a number of effects on Kv7.2/Kv7.3 currents, including a lowering of current amplitudes, a rightward shift in the voltage-dependent activation curves, and a slowing of channel activation. Chloroprocaine had a more selective inhibitory effect on the homomeric Kv7.3 and heteromeric Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels than on the homomeric Kv7.2 channel. Chloroprocaine also inhibited native M channel currents and induced a depolarization of the DRG neuron membrane potential. Taken together, the findings indicate that chloroprocaine concentration dependently inhibited Kv7/M channel currents. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Imaging Local Ca2+ Signals in Cultured Mammalian Cells

PubMed Central

Lock, Jeffrey T.; Ellefsen, Kyle L.; Settle, Bret; Parker, Ian; Smith, Ian F.

2015-01-01

Cytosolic Ca2+ ions regulate numerous aspects of cellular activity in almost all cell types, controlling processes as wide-ranging as gene transcription, electrical excitability and cell proliferation. The diversity and specificity of Ca2+ signaling derives from mechanisms by which Ca2+ signals are generated to act over different time and spatial scales, ranging from cell-wide oscillations and waves occurring over the periods of minutes to local transient Ca2+ microdomains (Ca2+ puffs) lasting milliseconds. Recent advances in electron multiplied CCD (EMCCD) cameras now allow for imaging of local Ca2+ signals with a 128 x 128 pixel spatial resolution at rates of >500 frames sec-1 (fps). This approach is highly parallel and enables the simultaneous monitoring of hundreds of channels or puff sites in a single experiment. However, the vast amounts of data generated (ca. 1 Gb per min) render visual identification and analysis of local Ca2+ events impracticable. Here we describe and demonstrate the procedures for the acquisition, detection, and analysis of local IP3-mediated Ca2+ signals in intact mammalian cells loaded with Ca2+ indicators using both wide-field epi-fluorescence (WF) and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. Furthermore, we describe an algorithm developed within the open-source software environment Python that automates the identification and analysis of these local Ca2+ signals. The algorithm localizes sites of Ca2+ release with sub-pixel resolution; allows user review of data; and outputs time sequences of fluorescence ratio signals together with amplitude and kinetic data in an Excel-compatible table. PMID:25867132

Long term results after fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) in patients with craniopharyngioma: maximal tumor control with minimal side effects.

PubMed

Harrabi, Semi B; Adeberg, Sebastian; Welzel, Thomas; Rieken, Stefan; Habermehl, Daniel; Debus, Jürgen; Combs, Stephanie E

2014-09-16

There are already numerous reports about high local control rates in patients with craniopharyngioma but there are only few studies with follow up times of more than 10 years. This study is an analysis of long term control, tumor response and side effects after fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) for patients with craniopharyngioma. 55 patients who were treated with FSRT for craniopharyngioma were analyzed. Median age was 37 years (range 6-70 years), among them eight children < 18 years. Radiotherapy (RT) was indicated for progressive disease after neurosurgical resection or postoperatively after repeated resection or partial resection. A median dose of 52.2 Gy (50 - 57.6 Gy) was applied with typical dose per fraction of 1.8 Gy five times per week. The regular follow up examinations comprised in addition to contrast enhanced MRI scans thorough physical examinations and clinical evaluation. During median follow up of 128 months (2 - 276 months) local control rate was 95.3% after 5 years, 92.1% after 10 years and 88.1% after 20 years. Overall survival after 10 years was 83.3% and after 20 years 67.8% whereby none of the deaths were directly attributed to craniopharyngioma. Overall treatment was tolerated well with almost no severe acute or chronic side effects. One patient developed complete anosmia, another one's initially impaired vision deteriorated further. In 83.6% of the cases with radiological follow up a regression of irradiated tumor residues was monitored, in 7 cases complete response was achieved. 44 patients presented themselves initially with endocrinologic dysfunction none of them showed signs of further deterioration during follow up. No secondary malignancies were observed. Long term results for patients with craniopharyngioma after stereotactic radiotherapy are with respect to low treatment related side effects as well as to local control and overall survival excellent.

Investigation of corrosion protection performance of sol-gel surface treatments on AA2024-T3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voevodin, Natalia Nikolajevna

The dissertation research project addresses the technologically important problem of replacement of chromate based coatings for corrosion protection of aircraft. A review of corrosion processes in high-strength aluminum alloys indicated that the strengthening intermetallic precipitates provide local cathodic areas, which may initiate surface pitting. The mechanisms of chromate inhibition in these localized corrosion processes were identified. The environmental hazard of chromates was also highlighted, serves as the impetus for chromate coating replacement. Sol-gel coatings are shown as an excellent alternative, based on environment compliance, flexibility in the composition control, and reasonable costs. Several sol-gel coatings were formulated and applied to the surface of an AA2024-T3 alloy. The coating composition and bonding were analyzed with XPS and FTIR, surface morphology was studied with SEM and AFM, and corrosion protection properties were tested with EIS, PDS, salt water immersion, and salt-fog exposure. The results demonstrated that epoxy-zirconate sol-gel coatings can provide excellent barrier properties. A novel SVET technique was applied for studies of local electrochemical processes in the pitting formation. This technique was further refined in model studies of aluminum surfaces with artificially created local cathodic regions, experimental studies of chromate inhibition with pit formation, and pitting development studies in sol-gel coatings with artificially introduced defects. Mechanisms of pitting development and inhibition with the pit initiation and growth kinetics were established. The Zr-epoxy coatings are subjected to the pit development and undercutting in the absence of the corrosion inhibitors. Several organic and non-organic inhibitors were evaluated in the sol-gel coating composition. Organic inhibitors had a better compliance with sol-gel chemistry and were identified for future studies. Experiments were performed to verify that sol-gel coatings can be used as barrier layers in complex coating systems. The results clearly demonstrated that Zr-epoxy sol-gel coatings are a viable replacement for the currently used chromate-based surface treatments. This work expands the fundamental knowledge of chromate coating replacement with chromate-free sol-gel coatings and identifies possible ways to implement this goal.

The supersonic molecular beam injector as a reliable tool for plasma fueling and physics experiment on HL-2A.

PubMed

Chen, C Y; Yu, D L; Feng, B B; Yao, L H; Song, X M; Zang, L G; Gao, X Y; Yang, Q W; Duan, X R

2016-09-01

On HL-2A tokamak, supersonic molecular beam injection (SMBI) has been developed as a routine refueling method. The key components of the system are an electromagnetic valve and a conic nozzle. The valve and conic nozzle are assembled to compose the simplified Laval nozzle for generating the pulsed beam. The appurtenance of the system includes the cooling system serving the cooled SMBI generation and the in situ calibration component for quantitative injection. Compared with the conventional gas puffing, the SMBI features prompt response and larger fueling flux. These merits devote the SMBI a good fueling method, an excellent plasma density feedback control tool, and an edge localized mode mitigation resource.

Enhanced recovery in total hip replacement: a clinical review.

PubMed

Ibrahim, M S; Twaij, H; Giebaly, D E; Nizam, I; Haddad, F S

2013-12-01

The outcome after total hip replacement has improved with the development of surgical techniques, better pain management and the introduction of enhanced recovery pathways. These pathways require a multidisciplinary team to manage pre-operative education, multimodal pain control and accelerated rehabilitation. The current economic climate and restricted budgets favour brief hospitalisation while minimising costs. This has put considerable pressure on hospitals to combine excellent results, early functional recovery and shorter admissions. In this review we present an evidence-based summary of some common interventions and methods, including pre-operative patient education, pre-emptive analgesia, local infiltration analgesia, pre-operative nutrition, the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields, peri-operative rehabilitation, wound dressings, different surgical techniques, minimally invasive surgery and fast-track joint replacement units.

Separating the Influence of Environment from Stress Relaxation Effects on Dwell Fatigue Crack Growth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Telesman, Jack; Gabb, Tim; Ghosn, Louis J.

2016-01-01

Seven different microstructural variations of LSHR were produced by controlling the cooling rate and the subsequent aging and thermal exposure heat treatments. Through cyclic fatigue crack growth testing performed both in air and vacuum, it was established that four out of the seven LSHR heat treatments evaluated, possessed similar intrinsic environmental resistance to cyclic crack growth. For these four heat treatments, it was further shown that the large differences in dwell crack growth behavior which still persisted, were related to their measured stress relaxation behavior. The apparent differences in their dwell crack growth resistance were attributed to the inability of the standard linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) stress intensity parameter to account for visco-plastic behavior. Crack tip stress relaxation controls the magnitude of the remaining local tensile stresses which are directly related to the measured dwell crack growth rates. It was hypothesized that the environmentally weakened grain boundary crack tip regions fail during the dwells when their strength is exceeded by the remaining local crack tip tensile stresses. It was shown that the classical creep crack growth mechanisms such as grain boundary sliding did not contribute to crack growth, but the local visco-plastic behavior still plays a very significant role by determining the crack tip tensile stress field which controls the dwell crack growth behavior. To account for the influence of the visco-plastic behavior on the crack tip stress field, an empirical modification to the LEFM stress intensity parameter, Kmax, was developed by incorporating into the formulation the remaining stress level concept as measured by simple stress relaxation tests. The newly proposed parameter, Ksrf, did an excellent job in correlating the dwell crack growth rates for the four heat treatments which were shown to have similar intrinsic environmental cyclic fatigue crack growth resistance.

The Modern Role of Radiation Therapy in Treating Advanced-Stage Retinoblastoma: Long-Term Outcomes and Racial Differences

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

Orman, Amber; Koru-Sengul, Tulay; Miao, Feng

2014-12-01

Purpose/Objective(s): To evaluate the effects of various patient characteristics and radiation therapy treatment variables on outcomes in advanced-stage retinoblastoma. Methods and Materials: This was a retrospective review of 41 eyes of 30 patients treated with external beam radiation therapy between June 1, 1992, and March 31, 2012, with a median follow-up time of 133 months (11 years). Outcome measures included overall survival, progression-free survival, local control, eye preservation rate, and toxicity. Results: Over 90% of the eyes were stage V. Definitive external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) was delivered in 43.9% of eyes, adjuvant EBRT in 22% of eyes, and second-line/salvage EBRT inmore » 34.1% of eyes. A relative lens sparing (RLS) technique was used in 68.3% of eyes and modified lens sparing (MLS) in 24.4% of eyes. Three eyes were treated with other techniques. Doses ≥45 Gy were used in 68.3% of eyes. Chemotherapy was a component of treatment in 53.7% of eyes. The 10-year overall survival was 87.7%, progression-free survival was 80.5%, and local control was 87.8%. White patients had significantly better overall survival than did African-American patients in univariate analysis (hazard ratio 0.09; 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.84; P=.035). Toxicity was seen in 68.3% of eyes, including 24.3% with isolated acute dermatitis. Conclusions: External beam radiation therapy continues to be an effective treatment modality for advanced retinoblastoma, achieving excellent long-term local control and survival with low rates of treatment-related toxicity and secondary malignancy.« less

Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DCE-MRI) Combined with Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) and Video-Electroencephalography (VEEG) Have Excellent Diagnostic Value in Preoperative Localization of Epileptic Foci in Children with Epilepsy.

PubMed

Wang, Gui-Bin; Long, Wei; Li, Xiao-Dong; Xu, Guang-Yin; Lu, Ji-Xiang

2017-01-01

BACKGROUND To investigate the effect that dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) has on surgical decision making relative to video-electroencephalography (VEEG) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT), and if the differences in these variables translates to differences in surgical outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 166 children with epilepsy undergoing preoperative DCE-MRI, VEEG, and PET-CT examinations, surgical resection of epileptic foci, and intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) monitoring were enrolled. All children were followed up for 12 months and grouped by Engles prognostic classification for epilepsy. Based on intraoperative ECoG as gold standard, the diagnostic values of DCE-MRI, VEEG, PET-CT, DCE-MRI combined with VEEG, DCE-MRI combined with PET-CT, and combined application of DCE-MRI, VEEG, and PET-CT in preoperative localization for epileptic foci were evaluated. RESULTS The sensitivity of DCE-MRI, VEEG, and PET-CT was 59.64%, 76.51%, and 93.98%, respectively; the accuracy of DCE-MRI, VEEG, PET-CT, DCE-MRI combined with VEEG, and DCE-MRI combined with PET-CT was 57.58%, 67.72%, 91.03%, 91.23%, and 96.49%, respectively. Localization accuracy rate of the combination of DCE-MRI, VEEG, and PET-CT was 98.25% (56/57), which was higher than that of DCE-MRI combined with VEEG and of DCE-MRI combined with PET-CT. No statistical difference was found in the accuracy rate of localization between these three combined techniques. During the 12-month follow-up, children were grouped into Engles grade I (n=106), II (n=31), III (n=21), and IV (n=8) according to postoperative conditions. CONCLUSIONS All DCE-MRI combined with VEEG, DCE-MRI combined with PET-CT, and DCE-MRI combined with VEEG and PET-CT examinations have excellent accuracy in preoperative localization of epileptic foci and present excellent postoperative efficiency, suggesting that these combined imaging methods are suitable for serving as the reference basis in preoperative localization of epileptic foci in children with epilepsy.

Volumetric modulated arc therapy with flattening filter free beams for isolated abdominal/pelvic lymph nodes: report of dosimetric and early clinical results in oligometastatic patients

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background SBRT is a safe and efficient strategy to locally control multiple metastatic sites. While research in the physics domain for Flattening Filter Free Beams (FFF) beams is increasing, there are few clinical data of FFF beams in clinical practice. Here we reported dosimentric and early clinical data of SBRT and FFF delivery in isolated lymph node oligometastatic patients. Methods Between October 2010 and March 2012, 34 patients were treated with SBRT for oligometastatic lymph node metastasis on a Varian TrueBeamTM treatment machine using Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (RapidArc). We retrospectively evaluated a total of 25 patients for isolated lymph node metastases in abdomen and/or pelvis treated with SBRT and FFF (28 treatments). Acute toxicity was recorded. Local control evaluation was scored by means of CT scan and/or PET scan. Results All dosimetric results are in line with what published for the same type of stereotactic abdominal lymph node metastases treatments and fractionation, using RapidArc. All 25 FFF SBRT patients completed the treatment. Acute gastrointestinal toxicity was minimal: one patient showed Grade 1 gastrointestinal toxicity. Three other patients presented Grade 2 toxicity. No Grade 3 or higher was recorded. All toxicities were recovered within one week. The preliminary clinical results at the median follow up of 195 days are: complete response in 12 cases, partial response in 11, stable disease in 5, with an overall response rate of 82%; no local progression was recorded. Conclusions Data of dosimetrical findings and acute toxicity are excellent for patients treated with SBRT with VMAT using FFF beams. Preliminary clinical results showed a high rate of local control in irradiated lesion. Further data and longer follow up are needed to assess late toxicity and definitive clinical outcomes. PMID:23216821

Role of antispasmodics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

PubMed Central

Annaházi, Anita; Róka, Richárd; Rosztóczy, András; Wittmann, Tibor

2014-01-01

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a long-lasting, relapsing disorder characterized by abdominal pain/discomfort and altered bowel habits. Intestinal motility impairment and visceral hypersensitivity are the key factors among its multifactorial pathogenesis, both of which require effective treatment. Voltage-gated calcium channels mediate smooth muscle contraction and endocrine secretion and play important roles in neuronal transmission. Antispasmodics are a group of drugs that have been used in the treatment of IBS for decades. Alverine citrate, a spasmolytic, decreases the sensitivity of smooth muscle contractile proteins to calcium, and it is a selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist. Alverine, in combination with simethicone, has been demonstrated to effectively reduce abdominal pain and discomfort in a large placebo-controlled trial. Mebeverine is a musculotropic agent that potently blocks intestinal peristalsis. Non-placebo-controlled trials have shown positive effects of mebeverine in IBS regarding symptom control; nevertheless, in recent placebo-controlled studies, mebeverine did not exhibit superiority over placebo. Otilonium bromide is poorly absorbed from the GI tract, where it acts locally as an L-type calcium channel blocker, an antimuscarinic and a tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist. Otilonium has effectively reduced pain and improved defecation alterations in placebo-controlled trials in IBS patients. Pinaverium bromide is also an L-type calcium channel blocker that acts locally in the GI tract. Pinaverium improves motility disorders and consequently reduces stool problems in IBS patients. Phloroglucinol and trimethylphloroglucinol are non-specific antispasmodics that reduced pain in IBS patients in a placebo-controlled trial. Antispasmodics have excellent safety profiles. T-type calcium channel blockers can abolish visceral hypersensitivity in animal models, which makes them potential candidates for the development of novel therapeutic agents in the treatment of IBS. PMID:24876726

Effect of intravenous parecoxib on post-craniotomy pain.

PubMed

Williams, D L; Pemberton, E; Leslie, K

2011-09-01

Pain management in craniotomy patients is challenging, with mild-to-moderate pain intensity, moderate-to-high risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and potentially catastrophic consequences of analgesic-related side-effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether i.v. parecoxib administered at dural closure during craniotomy decreased total morphine consumption and morphine-related side-effects compared with placebo. One hundred adult patients presenting for supratentorial craniotomy under propofol/remifentanil anaesthesia were randomized to receive parecoxib, 40 mg i.v., or placebo in a double-blind manner. All patients received local anaesthetic scalp infiltration, regular i.v. paracetamol, nurse-administered morphine in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) until verbal analogue pain scores were ≤4/10 and patient-controlled morphine thereafter. Morphine consumption, pain intensity, and analgesia-related side-effects were recorded during the first 24 h after operation. Ninety-six patients (49 control and 47 parecoxib) were included in the analyses. Fifty-nine (61%) patients received morphine in the PACU and only one patient (control) did not receive any morphine in the postoperative period. There were no significant differences between the two groups in morphine consumption [20 (range: 0-102) vs 16 (range: 1-92) mg; P=0.38], pain intensity [excellent/very good pain relief in 78% of parecoxib patients; 74% of control patients (P=0.72)] or analgesia-related side-effects (PONV in 51% of parecoxib patients; 56% of control patients; P=0.55) in the first 24 h after operation. No major morbidity was recorded. Our study demonstrated no clinical benefit to adding i.v. parecoxib to local anaesthetic scalp infiltration, i.v. paracetamol, and patient-controlled i.v. morphine after supratentorial craniotomy.

Training anesthesiology residents in providing anesthesia for awake craniotomy: learning curves and estimate of needed case load.

PubMed

Bilotta, Federico; Titi, Luca; Lanni, Fabiana; Stazi, Elisabetta; Rosa, Giovanni

2013-08-01

To measure the learning curves of residents in anesthesiology in providing anesthesia for awake craniotomy, and to estimate the case load needed to achieve a "good-excellent" level of competence. Prospective study. Operating room of a university hospital. 7 volunteer residents in anesthesiology. Residents underwent a dedicated training program of clinical characteristics of anesthesia for awake craniotomy. The program was divided into three tasks: local anesthesia, sedation-analgesia, and intraoperative hemodynamic management. The learning curve for each resident for each task was recorded over 10 procedures. Quantitative assessment of the individual's ability was based on the resident's self-assessment score and the attending anesthesiologist's judgment, and rated by modified 12 mm Likert scale, reported ability score visual analog scale (VAS). This ability VAS score ranged from 1 to 12 (ie, very poor, mild, moderate, sufficient, good, excellent). The number of requests for advice also was recorded (ie, resident requests for practical help and theoretical notions to accomplish the procedures). Each task had a specific learning rate; the number of procedures necessary to achieve "good-excellent" ability with confidence, as determined by the recorded results, were 10 procedures for local anesthesia, 15 to 25 procedures for sedation-analgesia, and 20 to 30 procedures for intraoperative hemodynamic management. Awake craniotomy is an approach used increasingly in neuroanesthesia. A dedicated training program based on learning specific tasks and building confidence with essential features provides "good-excellent" ability. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

HFSRT of the resection cavity in patients with brain metastases.

PubMed

Specht, Hanno M; Kessel, Kerstin A; Oechsner, Markus; Meyer, Bernhard; Zimmer, Claus; Combs, Stephanie E

2016-06-01

Aim of this single center, retrospective study was to assess the efficacy and safety of linear accelerator-based hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HFSRT) to the resection cavity of brain metastases after surgical resection. Local control (LC), locoregional control (LRC = new brain metastases outside of the treatment volume), overall survival (OS) as well as acute and late toxicity were evaluated. 46 patients with large (> 3 cm) or symptomatic brain metastases were treated with HFSRT. Median resection cavity volume was 14.16 cm(3) (range 1.44-38.68 cm(3)) and median planning target volume (PTV) was 26.19 cm(3) (range 3.45-63.97 cm(3)). Patients were treated with 35 Gy in 7 fractions prescribed to the 95-100 % isodose line in a stereotactic treatment setup. LC and LRC were assessed by follow-up magnetic resonance imaging. The 1-year LC rate was 88 % and LRC was 48 %; 57% of all patients showed cranial progression after HFSRT (4% local, 44% locoregional, 9% local and locoregional). The median follow-up was 19 months; median OS for the whole cohort was 25 months. Tumor histology and recursive partitioning analysis score were significant predictors for OS. HFSRT was tolerated well without any severe acute side effects > grade 2 according to CTCAE criteria. HFSRT after surgical resection of brain metastases was tolerated well without any severe acute side effects and led to excellent LC and a favorable OS. Since more than half of the patients showed cranial progression after local irradiation of the resection cavity, close patient follow-up is warranted. A prospective evaluation in clinical trials is currently being performed.

Preparing Content-Rich Learning Environments with VPython and Excel, Controlled by Visual Basic for Applications

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prayaga, Chandra

2008-01-01

A simple interface between VPython and Microsoft (MS) Office products such as Word and Excel, controlled by Visual Basic for Applications, is described. The interface allows the preparation of content-rich, interactive learning environments by taking advantage of the three-dimensional (3D) visualization capabilities of VPython and the GUI…

Brewer, Maine Wastewater Treatment Plant Recognized for Excellence

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The Brewer Water Pollution Control Facility was recently honored with a 2015 Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award by the US Environmental Protection Agency's New England regional office.

A Comparison of the Local Flap and Skin Graft by Location of Face in Reconstruction after Resection of Facial Skin Cancer.

PubMed

Lee, Kyung Suk; Kim, Jun Oh; Kim, Nam Gyun; Lee, Yoon Jung; Park, Young Ji; Kim, Jun Sik

2017-12-01

Surgery for reconstruction of defects after surgery should be performed selectively and the many points must be considered. The authors conducted this study to compare the local flap and skin graft by facial location in the reconstruction after resection of facial skin cancer. The authors performed the study in patients that had received treatment in Department of Plastic Surgery, Gyeongsang National University. The cases were analyzed according to the reconstruction methods for the defects after surgery, sex, age, tumor site, and tumor size. Additionally, the authors compared differences of aesthetic satisfaction (out of 5 points) of patients in the local flap and skin graft by facial location after resection of facial skin cancer by dividing the face into eight areas. A total of 153 cases were confirmed. The most common facial skin cancer was basal cell carcinoma (56.8%, 87 cases), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (37.2%, 57 cases) and bowen's disease (5.8%, 9 cases). The most common reconstruction method was local flap 119 cases (77.7%), followed by skin graft 34 cases (22.3%). 86 patients answered the questionnaire and mean satisfaction of the local flap and skin graft were 4.3 and 3.5 ( p =0.04), respectively, indicating that satisfaction of local flap was significantly high. When comparing satisfaction of patients according to results, local flap shows excellent effects in functional and cosmetic aspects would be able to provide excellent results rather than using a skin graft with poor touch and tone compared to the surrounding normal skin.

Gamma Knife Treatment of Brainstem Metastases

PubMed Central

Peterson, Halloran E.; Larson, Erik W.; Fairbanks, Robert K.; MacKay, Alexander R.; Lamoreaux, Wayne T.; Call, Jason A.; Carlson, Jonathan D.; Ling, Benjamin C.; Demakas, John J.; Cooke, Barton S.; Peressini, Ben; Lee, Christopher M.

2014-01-01

The management of brainstem metastases is challenging. Surgical treatment is usually not an option, and chemotherapy is of limited utility. Stereotactic radiosurgery has emerged as a promising palliative treatment modality in these cases. The goal of this study is to assess our single institution experience treating brainstem metastases with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS). This retrospective chart review studied 41 patients with brainstem metastases treated with GKRS. The most common primary tumors were lung, breast, renal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Median age at initial treatment was 59 years. Nineteen (46%) of the patients received whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) prior to or concurrent with GKRS treatment. Thirty (73%) of the patients had a single brainstem metastasis. The average GKRS dose was 17 Gy. Post-GKRS overall survival at six months was 42%, at 12 months was 22%, and at 24 months was 13%. Local tumor control was achieved in 91% of patients, and there was one patient who had a fatal brain hemorrhage after treatment. Karnofsky performance score (KPS) >80 and the absence of prior WBRT were predictors for improved survival on multivariate analysis (HR 0.60 (p = 0.02), and HR 0.28 (p = 0.02), respectively). GKRS was an effective treatment for brainstem metastases, with excellent local tumor control. PMID:24886816

Pumsy in Pursuit of Excellence and Self-Concept of Second Grade Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burkholder, Janiece

This practicum evaluated the effects a self-esteem program, Pumsy in Pursuit of Excellence, which was implemented by the elementary school counselor with second grade students (N=65). Forty-five second grade students comprised the control group. The Pumsy in Pursuit of Excellence Units include: (1) Pumsy Decides; (2) If Only Things Were Different;…

Radiotherapy for localized gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: long-term outcomes over 10 years.

PubMed

Ohkubo, Yu; Saito, Yoshihiro; Ushijima, Hiroki; Onishi, Masahiro; Kazumoto, Tomoko; Saitoh, Jun-Ichi; Kubota, Nobuko; Kobayashi, Hirofumi; Maseki, Nobuo; Nishimura, Yu; Kurosumi, Masafumi

2017-07-01

This study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes of radiotherapy in patients with localized gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Twenty-seven patients with Stage I gastric MALT lymphoma were treated with radiotherapy from 1999 to 2010. The median age was 65 years (range: 31-84). Fifteen patients were Helicobacter pylori-negative. Thirteen patients were treated with definitive radiotherapy alone. The other 14 patients who had refractory or residual disease following a prior treatment received salvage radiotherapy. The median dose of the radiotherapy was 30 Gy in 20 fractions (range: 30-39.5 Gy). The median follow-up period was 121 months (range: 8-176 months). The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates for all patients were 92% and 87%, respectively. No patients died from MALT lymphoma. Three patients died of other diseases at 8, 33 and 74 months after radiotherapy (myocardial infarction, pneumonia and hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively). No cases of local recurrence were observed during the follow-up period. There were no serious late gastric, liver or kidney complications during a median follow-up period of over 10 years. Two patients remain alive with distant metastases: a lung metastasis and an abdominal lymph node metastasis at 104 months and 21 months after radiotherapy, respectively. Excellent long-term local control was observed in patients with localized gastric MALT lymphoma after radiotherapy. However, lifelong follow-up should be conducted to detect cases of late recurrence, especially distant metastases. © Oxford University Press 2017.

The intraoperative use of ultrasound facilitates significantly the arthroscopic debridement of calcific rotator cuff tendinitis.

PubMed

Sabeti, M; Schmidt, M; Ziai, P; Graf, A; Nemecek, E; Schueller-Weidekamm, C

2014-05-01

During arthroscopy, the localization of calcific deposit in patients suffering from calcifying tendinitis can be demanding and time consuming, frequently using ionizing radiation. Intraoperative ultrasound has been recently promoted, facilitating deposit localization and reducing radiation dose. In this prospective, randomized, controlled and clinical observer-blinded pilot trial, 20 patients with calcific tendinitis were operated. In group I, the deposit was localized conventionally. In group II, the deposit was localized using intraoperative ultrasound. The needle punctures to detect the deposit and operation times were noted. Patients were postoperatively evaluated after 2 and 6 weeks and 9 months. In group II, the needle punctures to detect the deposit were significantly lower than in group I (p < 0.0001). Operation time to localize the deposit was also significantly less in group II (p < 0.033). In both groups, patients improved significantly with increased shoulder function (p < 0.0001) and decreased pain (p < 0.0001) 2 weeks and 9 months (p < 0.001) after surgery. The difference between the groups was not significant. Excellent radiological findings were obtained in both groups after 9 months. Intraoperative US significantly facilitates the detection of calcific deposits during arthroscopic debridement by speeding up surgery and reducing the number of needle punctures. Hence, we have changed our method of detecting calcific deposits intraoperatively from fluoroscopy to ultrasound.

What might we be saying to potential applicants to medical school? Discourses of excellence, equity, and diversity on the web sites of Canada's 17 medical schools.

PubMed

Razack, Saleem; Maguire, Mary; Hodges, Brian; Steinert, Yvonne

2012-10-01

Medical school Web sites often advance arguments to claim institutional excellence and appeal to the "best and the brightest" who might join their institutions as medical students. What do these texts communicate about institutional excellence, or the excellence of potential applicants to medical school? How are discourses related to social accountability, such as those concerning diversity and equity, represented? From July through December 2010, using the concepts of excellence, equity, and diversity, the authors examined the discourses identified on the Web sites of Canada's 17 medical schools, focusing on faculty welcome pages, deans' messages, and those pages specifically targeting applicants to medicine. Institutional prestige and applicant suitability were generally promoted through discourses of academic excellence such as research, innovation, and global positioning. Service-to-society discourses were much less prominent. Diversity discourses emerged primarily as appeals to institutions' cosmopolitan sophistication. Equity, when mentioned, tended to focus on increasing the participation of indigenous and rural students in medicine. Institutional positioning can be situated on a continuum from the more "centric" (typical academic excellence claims) to the more "eccentric" (excellence claims grounded in local contexts such as service to a region or constituency). Discourses can play a central role in regulating social institutional practices. It is worthwhile for medical schools to examine the messages that medical schools are communicating on their Web sites. If schools are to move beyond prestige-based characterizations of excellence and build a socially accountable profession, open and inclusive discussions are needed.

[EEG source localization using LORETA (low resolution electromagnetic tomography)].

PubMed

Puskás, Szilvia

2011-03-30

Eledctroencephalography (EEG) has excellent temporal resolution, but the spatial resolution is poor. Different source localization methods exist to solve the so-called inverse problem, thus increasing the accuracy of spatial localization. This paper provides an overview of the history of source localization and the main categories of techniques are discussed. LORETA (low resolution electromagnetic tomography) is introduced in details: technical informations are discussed and localization properties of LORETA method are compared to other inverse solutions. Validation of the method with different imaging techniques is also discussed. This paper reviews several publications using LORETA both in healthy persons and persons with different neurological and psychiatric diseases. Finally future possible applications are discussed.

Localized, stepwise template growth of functional nanowires from an amino acid-supported framework in a microfluidic chip.

PubMed

Puigmartí-Luis, Josep; Rubio-Martínez, Marta; Imaz, Inhar; Cvetković, Benjamin Z; Abad, Llibertat; Pérez Del Pino, Angel; Maspoch, Daniel; Amabilino, David B

2014-01-28

A spatially controlled synthesis of nanowire bundles of the functional crystalline coordination polymer (CP) Ag(I)TCNQ (tetracyanoquinodimethane) from previously fabricated and trapped monovalent silver CP (Ag(I)Cys (cysteine)) using a room-temperature microfluidic-assisted templated growth method is demonstrated. The incorporation of microengineered pneumatic clamps in a two-layer polydimethylsiloxane-based (PDMS) microfluidic platform was used. Apart from guiding the formation of the Ag(I)Cys coordination polymer, this microfluidic approach enables a local trapping of the in situ synthesized structures with a simple pneumatic clamp actuation. This method not only enables continuous and multiple chemical events to be conducted upon the trapped structures, but the excellent fluid handling ensures a precise chemical activation of the amino acid-supported framework in a position controlled by interface and clamp location that leads to a site-specific growth of Ag(I)TCNQ nanowire bundles. The synthesis is conducted stepwise starting with Ag(I)Cys CPs, going through silver metal, and back to a functional CP (Ag(I)TCNQ); that is, a novel microfluidic controlled ligand exchange (CP → NP → CP) is presented. Additionally, the pneumatic clamps can be employed further to integrate the conductive Ag(I)TCNQ nanowire bundles onto electrode arrays located on a surface, hence facilitating the construction of the final functional interfaced systems from solution specifically with no need for postassembly manipulation. This localized self-supported growth of functional matter from an amino acid-based CP shows how sequential localized chemistry in a fluid cell can be used to integrate molecular systems onto device platforms using a chip incorporating microengineered pneumatic tools. The control of clamp pressure and in parallel the variation of relative flow rates of source solutions permit deposition of materials at different locations on a chip that could be useful for device array preparation. The in situ reaction and washing procedures make this approach a powerful one for the fabrication of multicomponent complex nanomaterials using a soft bottom-up approach.

Fiber-Optic Ultrasound Sensors for Smart Structures Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-01-25

Introduction 1 1.1 Objectives 1 1.2 Relevance to Air Force 1 1.3 Fiber Optics Ultrasound Sensors 2 2. Research Accomplishments 2 2.1 Fabry - Perot ...fiber-optic ultrasound receivers: - Fabry - Perot (FOFP) sensors, - Sagnac Ultrasound Sensor (SUS), and - Bragg-Grating Ultrasound (BGU) sensors. We...ultrasound receivers with excellent normal-incidence response can be configured as local ( Fabry - Perot ) or non-local (Sagnac) sensors. The Sagnac

Adding glycaemic index and glycaemic load functionality to DietPLUS, a Malaysian food composition database and diet intake calculator.

PubMed

Shyam, Sangeetha; Wai, Tony Ng Kock; Arshad, Fatimah

2012-01-01

This paper outlines the methodology to add glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) functionality to food DietPLUS, a Microsoft Excel-based Malaysian food composition database and diet intake calculator. Locally determined GI values and published international GI databases were used as the source of GI values. Previously published methodology for GI value assignment was modified to add GI and GL calculators to the database. Two popular local low GI foods were added to the DietPLUS database, bringing up the total number of foods in the database to 838 foods. Overall, in relation to the 539 major carbohydrate foods in the Malaysian Food Composition Database, 243 (45%) food items had local Malaysian values or were directly matched to International GI database and another 180 (33%) of the foods were linked to closely-related foods in the GI databases used. The mean ± SD dietary GI and GL of the dietary intake of 63 women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus, calculated using DietPLUS version3 were, 62 ± 6 and 142 ± 45, respectively. These values were comparable to those reported from other local studies. DietPLUS version3, a simple Microsoft Excel-based programme aids calculation of diet GI and GL for Malaysian diets based on food records.

High-order hydrodynamic algorithms for exascale computing

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

Morgan, Nathaniel Ray

Hydrodynamic algorithms are at the core of many laboratory missions ranging from simulating ICF implosions to climate modeling. The hydrodynamic algorithms commonly employed at the laboratory and in industry (1) typically lack requisite accuracy for complex multi- material vortical flows and (2) are not well suited for exascale computing due to poor data locality and poor FLOP/memory ratios. Exascale computing requires advances in both computer science and numerical algorithms. We propose to research the second requirement and create a new high-order hydrodynamic algorithm that has superior accuracy, excellent data locality, and excellent FLOP/memory ratios. This proposal will impact a broadmore » range of research areas including numerical theory, discrete mathematics, vorticity evolution, gas dynamics, interface instability evolution, turbulent flows, fluid dynamics and shock driven flows. If successful, the proposed research has the potential to radically transform simulation capabilities and help position the laboratory for computing at the exascale.« less

Comparison of outcomes for MR-guided versus CT-guided high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy in women with locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix.

PubMed

Kamran, Sophia C; Manuel, Matthias M; Cho, Linda P; Damato, Antonio L; Schmidt, Ehud J; Tempany, Clare; Cormack, Robert A; Viswanathan, Akila N

2017-05-01

The purpose was to compare local control (LC), overall survival (OS) and dose to the organs at risk (OAR) in women with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with MR-guided versus CT-guided interstitial brachytherapy (BT). 56 patients (29 MR, 27 CT) were treated with high-dose-rate (HDR) interstitial BT between 2005-2015. The MR patients had been prospectively enrolled on a Phase II clinical trial. Data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier (K-M) and Cox proportional hazards statistical modeling in JMP® & R®. Median follow-up time was 19.7months (MR group) and 18.4months (CT group). There were no statistically significant differences in patient age at diagnosis, histology, percent with tumor size >4cm, grade, FIGO stage or lymph node involvement between the groups. Patients in the MR group had more lymphovascular involvement compared to patients in the CT group (p<0.01). When evaluating plans generated, there were no statistically significant differences in median cumulative dose to the high-risk clinical target volume or the OAR. 2-year K-M LC rates for MR-based and CT-based treatments were 96% and 87%, respectively (log-rank p=0.65). At 2years, OS was significantly better in the MR-guided cohort (84% vs. 56%, p=0.036). On multivariate analysis, squamous histology was associated with longer OS (HR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.72) in a model with MR BT (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.08-1.18). There was no difference in toxicities between CT and MR BT. In this population of locally advanced cervical-cancer patients, MR-guided HDR BT resulted in estimated 96% 2-year local control and excellent survival and toxicity rates. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of outcomes for MR-guided versus CT-guided high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy in women with locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix

PubMed Central

Kamran, Sophia C.; Manuel, Matthias M.; Cho, Linda P.; Damato, Antonio L.; Schmidt, Ehud J.; Tempany, Clare; Cormack, Robert A.; Viswanathan, Akila N.

2017-01-01

Objective The purpose was to compare local control (LC), overall survival (OS) and dose to the organs at risk (OAR) in women with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with MR-guided versus CT-guided interstitial brachytherapy (BT). Methods 56 patients (29 MR, 27 CT) were treated with high-dose-rate (HDR) interstitial BT between 2005–2015. The MR patients had been prospectively enrolled on a Phase II clinical trial. Data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier (K-M) and Cox proportional hazards statistical modeling in JMP® & R®. Results Median follow-up time was 19.7 months (MR group) and 18.4 months (CT group). There were no statistically significant differences in patient age at diagnosis, histology, percent with tumor size >4 cm, grade, FIGO stage or lymph node involvement between the groups. Patients in the MR group had more lymphovascular involvement compared to patients in the CT group (p<0.01). When evaluating plans generated, there were no statistically significant differences in median cumulative dose to the high-risk clinical target volume or the OAR. 2-year K-M LC rates for MR-based and CT-based treatments were 96% and 87%, respectively (log-rank p=0.65). At 2 years, OS was significantly better in the MR-guided cohort (84% vs. 56%, p=0.036). On multivariate analysis, squamous histology was associated with longer OS (HR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07–0.72) in a model with MR BT (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.08–1.18). Conclusion In this population of locally advanced cervical-cancer patients, MR-guided HDR BT resulted in estimated 96% 2-year local control and excellent early survival rates. Squamous cell histology was the most significant predictor for survival. PMID:28318644

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans: Long-term Outcomes of 53 Patients Treated With Conservative Surgery and Radiation Therapy

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

Castle, Katherine O.; Guadagnolo, B. Ashleigh, E-mail: aguadagn@mdanderson.org; Tsai, C. Jillian

Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of conservative surgery and radiation therapy (RT) treatment in patients with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Methods and Materials: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 53 consecutive dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans patients treated with surgery and preoperative or postoperative radiation therapy between 1972 and 2010. Median tumor size was 4 cm (range, 1-25 cm). Seven patients (13%) were treated with preoperative RT (50-50.4 Gy) and 46 patients (87%) with postoperative RT (60-66 Gy). Of the 46 patients receiving postoperative radiation, 3 (7%) had gross disease, 14 (30%) positive margins, 26 (57%) negative margins, and 3 (7%) uncertain margin status. Radiationmore » dose ranged from 50 to 66 Gy (median dose, 60 Gy). Results: At a median follow-up time of 6.5 years (range, 0.5 months-23.5 years), 2 patients (4%) had disease recurrence, and 3 patients (6%) had died. Actuarial overall survival was 98% at both 5 and 10 years. Local control was 98% and 93% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Disease-free survival was 98% and 93% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. The presence of fibrosarcomatous change was not associated with increased risk of local or distant relapse (P=.43). One of the patients with a local recurrence had gross residual disease at the time of RT and despite RT to 65 Gy developed both an in-field recurrence and a nodal and distant recurrence 3 months after RT. The other patient with local recurrence was found to have in-field recurrence 10 years after initial treatment. Thirteen percent of patients had an RT complication at 5 and 10 years, and 9% had a moderate or severe complication at 5 and 10 years. Conclusions: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a radioresponsive disease with excellent local control after conservative surgery and radiation therapy. Adjuvant RT should be considered for patients with large or recurrent tumors or when attempts at wide surgical margins would result in significant morbidity.« less

Controlled Synthesis of Ultralong Carbon Nanotubes with Perfect Structures and Extraordinary Properties.

PubMed

Zhang, Rufan; Zhang, Yingying; Wei, Fei

2017-02-21

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have drawn intensive research interest in the past 25 years due to their excellent properties and wide applications. Ultralong CNTs refers to the horizontally aligned CNT arrays which are usually grown on flat substrates, parallel with each other with large intertube distances. They usually have perfect structures, excellent properties, and lengths up to centimeters, even decimeters. Ultralong CNTs are promising candidates as building blocks for transparent displays, nanoelectronics, superstrong tethers, aeronautics and aerospace materials, etc. The controlled synthesis of ultralong CNTs with perfect structures is the key to fully exploit the extraordinary properties of CNTs. CNTs are typical one-dimensional single-crystal nanomaterials. It has always been a great challenge how to grow macroscale single-crystals with no defects. Thus, the synthesis of ultralong CNTs with no defect is of significant importance from both fundamental and industrial aspects. In this Account, we focus on our progress on the controlled synthesis of ultralong CNTs with perfect structures and excellent properties. A deep understanding of the CNT growth mechanism is the first step for the controlled synthesis of ultralong CNTs with high quality. We first introduce the growth mechanism for ultralong CNTs and the main factor affecting their structures. We then discuss the strategies to control the defects in the as-grown ultralong CNTs. With these approaches, ultralong high-quality CNTs with different structures can be obtained. By completely eliminating the factors which may induce defects in the CNT walls, ultralong CNTs with perfect structures can be obtained. Their chiral indices keep unchanged for several centimeters long along the axial direction of the CNTs. The defect-free structures render the ultralong CNTs with excellent electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. The as-grown ultralong CNTs exhibit superhigh mechanical strength (>100 GPa) and their breaking strain (>17.5%) reach the theoretical limits. They also show excellent electrical and thermal properties. In addition, centimeters long CNTs showed macroscale interwall superlubricious properties due to their defect-free structures. Ultralong, defect-free CNTs with controlled structures are highly desirable for many high-end applications. We hope that this Account will shed light on the controlled synthesis of ultralong CNTs with perfect structures and excellent properties. Moreover, the growth mechanism and controlled synthesis of ultralong CNTs with perfect structures also offers a good model for other one-dimensional nanomaterials.

Locoregional control of tongue base adenoid cystic carcinoma with primary resection and radial forearm free flap reconstruction.

PubMed

Yarlagadda, Bharat B; Meier, Josh C; Lin, Derrick T; Emerick, Kevin S; Deschler, Daniel G

2017-01-01

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the minor salivary glands can be challenging and marked by high rates of local recurrence despite appropriate surgical resection. Management of this pathology in the base of the tongue is particularly difficult given the poor functional outcomes traditionally associated with an aggressive surgical approach. This article presents a case series of patients who underwent up-front surgical resection followed by free tissue transfer reconstruction. A retrospective analysis was performed of patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the base of the tongue who underwent composite resection and reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap. Three patients met inclusion criteria and underwent analysis. All patients achieved locoregional control after at least 4 years of surveillance. In addition, all patients were decannulated and were swallowing without the need for gastrostomy tube feeding. This series demonstrates that for select patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the base of the tongue, excellent locoregional control can be achieved with acceptable functional outcomes and prolonged survival when appropriate reconstructive measures are employed.

Trajectory-based visual localization in underwater surveying missions.

PubMed

Burguera, Antoni; Bonin-Font, Francisco; Oliver, Gabriel

2015-01-14

We present a new vision-based localization system applied to an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) with limited sensing and computation capabilities. The traditional EKF-SLAM approaches are usually expensive in terms of execution time; the approach presented in this paper strengthens this method by adopting a trajectory-based schema that reduces the computational requirements. The pose of the vehicle is estimated using an extended Kalman filter (EKF), which predicts the vehicle motion by means of a visual odometer and corrects these predictions using the data associations (loop closures) between the current frame and the previous ones. One of the most important steps in this procedure is the image registration method, as it reinforces the data association and, thus, makes it possible to close loops reliably. Since the use of standard EKFs entail linearization errors that can distort the vehicle pose estimations, the approach has also been tested using an iterated Kalman filter (IEKF). Experiments have been conducted using a real underwater vehicle in controlled scenarios and in shallow sea waters, showing an excellent performance with very small errors, both in the vehicle pose and in the overall trajectory estimates.

Self-Assembly of Semiconducting-Plasmonic Gold Nanoparticles with Enhanced Optical Property for Photoacoustic Imaging and Photothermal Therapy

PubMed Central

Yang, Zhen; Song, Jibin; Dai, Yunlu; Chen, Jingyi; Wang, Feng; Lin, Lisen; Liu, Yijing; Zhang, Fuwu; Yu, Guocan; Zhou, Zijian; Fan, Wenpei; Huang, Wei; Fan, Quli; Chen, Xiaoyuan

2017-01-01

Although various noble metal and semiconducting molecules have been developed as photoacoustic (PA) agents, the use of semiconducting polymer-metal nanoparticle hybrid materials to enhance PA signal has not been explored. A novel semiconducting-plasmonic nanovesicle was fabricated by self-assembly of semiconducting poly(perylene diimide) (PPDI) and poly(ethylene glycol (PEG) tethered gold nanoparticles (Au@PPDI/PEG). A highly localized and strongly enhanced electromagnetic (EM) field is distributed between adjacent gold nanoparticles in the vesicular shell, where the absorbing collapsed PPDI is present. Significantly, the EM field in turn enhances the light absorption efficiency of PPDI, leading to a much greater photothermal effect and a stronger photoacoustic signal compared to PDI nanoparticle or gold nanovesicle alone. The optical property of the hybrid vesicle can be further tailored by controlling the ratio of PPDI and gold nanoparticle as well as the adjustable interparticle distance of gold nanoparticles localized in the vesicular shell. In vivo imaging and therapeutic evaluation demonstrated that the hybrid vesicle is an excellent probe for cancer theranostics. PMID:28740543

Self-Assembly of Semiconducting-Plasmonic Gold Nanoparticles with Enhanced Optical Property for Photoacoustic Imaging and Photothermal Therapy.

PubMed

Yang, Zhen; Song, Jibin; Dai, Yunlu; Chen, Jingyi; Wang, Feng; Lin, Lisen; Liu, Yijing; Zhang, Fuwu; Yu, Guocan; Zhou, Zijian; Fan, Wenpei; Huang, Wei; Fan, Quli; Chen, Xiaoyuan

2017-01-01

Although various noble metal and semiconducting molecules have been developed as photoacoustic (PA) agents, the use of semiconducting polymer-metal nanoparticle hybrid materials to enhance PA signal has not been explored. A novel semiconducting-plasmonic nanovesicle was fabricated by self-assembly of semiconducting poly(perylene diimide) (PPDI) and poly(ethylene glycol (PEG) tethered gold nanoparticles (Au@PPDI/PEG). A highly localized and strongly enhanced electromagnetic (EM) field is distributed between adjacent gold nanoparticles in the vesicular shell, where the absorbing collapsed PPDI is present. Significantly, the EM field in turn enhances the light absorption efficiency of PPDI, leading to a much greater photothermal effect and a stronger photoacoustic signal compared to PDI nanoparticle or gold nanovesicle alone. The optical property of the hybrid vesicle can be further tailored by controlling the ratio of PPDI and gold nanoparticle as well as the adjustable interparticle distance of gold nanoparticles localized in the vesicular shell. In vivo imaging and therapeutic evaluation demonstrated that the hybrid vesicle is an excellent probe for cancer theranostics.

Endovascular embolization for the management of inferior alveolar artery bleeding after a third molar extraction: A case report.

PubMed

Bianchi, Bernardo; Varazzani, Anea; Ferri, Anea; Menozzi, Roberto; Sesenna, Enrico

2016-03-01

Removal of third molars is a common surgical procedure with low complication rates. Localized alveolar osteitis, infection, bleeding, and paresthesia are the four most common postoperative complications of third molar extraction reported in the literature. Postoperative severe hemorrhages are rare and are usually related to inferior alveolar artery damage. Although most bleeding is usually managed effectively by local compression or packing of the socket, even life-threatening complications may occur. Endovascular embolization has been rarely reported as treatment for such a complication and represents an ideal solution, with a low complication rate and excellent control of bleeding. The authors report a case of potentially life-threatening hemorrhage continuing 4 days after extraction of the mandibular right third molar, resulting in significant anemia (Hb 6.6 g/dL) and treated successfully with endovascular embolization of the inferior alveolar artery. The authors consider it important for general practitioners to know this treatment and how to manage this rare complication in the correct way, saving time if satisfactory hemostasis cannot be reached with common procedures.

Progress in Rectal Cancer Treatment

PubMed Central

Ceelen, Wim P.

2012-01-01

The dramatic improvement in local control of rectal cancer observed during the last decades is to be attributed to attention to surgical technique and to the introduction of neoadjuvant therapy regimens. Nevertheless, systemic relapse remains frequent and is currently insufficiently addressed. Intensification of neoadjuvant therapy by incorporating chemotherapy with or without targeted agents before the start of (chemo)radiation or during the waiting period to surgery may present an opportunity to improve overall survival. An increasing number of patients can nowadays undergo sphincter preserving surgery. In selected patients, local excision or even a “wait and see” approach may be feasible following active neoadjuvant therapy. Molecular and genetic biomarkers as well as innovative imaging techniques may in the future allow better selection of patients for this treatment option. Controversy persists concerning the selection of patients for adjuvant chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy after neoadjuvant regimens. The currently available evidence suggests that in complete pathological responders long-term outcome is excellent and adjuvant therapy may be omitted. The results of ongoing trials will help to establish the ideal tailored approach in resectable rectal cancer. PMID:22970381

Bubble-generating nano-lipid carriers for ultrasound/CT imaging-guided efficient tumor therapy.

PubMed

Zhang, Nan; Li, Jia; Hou, Ruirui; Zhang, Jiangnan; Wang, Pei; Liu, Xinyang; Zhang, Zhenzhong

2017-12-20

Ideal therapeutic effectiveness of chemotherapy is obtained only when tumor cells are exposed to a maximal drug concentration, which is often hindered by dose-limiting toxicity. We designed a bubble-generating liposomal delivery system by introducing ammonium bicarbonate and gold nanorods into folic acid-conjugated liposomes to allow both multimodal imaging and the local release of drug (doxorubicin) with hyperthermia. The key component, ammonium bicarbonate, allows a controlled, rapid release of doxorubicin to provide an effective drug concentration in the tumor microenvironment. An in vitro temperature-triggered drug release study showed that cumulative release improved more than two-fold. In addition, in vitro and in vivo studies indicated that local heat treatment or ultrasonic cavitation enhanced the therapeutic efficiency greatly. The delivery system could also serve as an excellent contrast agent to allow ultrasonic imaging and computerized tomography imaging simultaneously to further achieve the aim of accurate diagnostics. Results of this study showed that this versatile bubble-generating liposome is a promising system to provide optimal therapeutic effects that are guided by multimodal imaging. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Localized Synthesis of Conductive Copper-Tetracyanoquinodimethane Nanostructures in Ultrasmall Microchambers for Nanoelectronics.

PubMed

Xing, Yanlong; Sun, Guoguang; Speiser, Eugen; Esser, Norbert; Dittrich, Petra S

2017-05-24

In this work, the microfluidic-assisted synthesis of copper-tetracyanoquinodimethane (Cu-TCNQ) nanostructures in an ambient environment is reported for the first time. A two-layer microfluidic device comprising parallel actuated microchambers was used for the synthesis and enabled excellent fluid handling for the continuous and multiple chemical reactions in confined ultrasmall chambers. Different precautions were applied to ensure the reduction state of copper (Cu) for the synthesis of Cu-TCNQ charge-transfer compounds. The localized synthesis of Cu and in situ transformation to Cu-TCNQ complexes in solution were achieved by applying different gas pressures in the control layer. Additionally, various diameters of the Cu-TCNQ nano/microstructures were obtained by adjusting the concentration of the precursors and reaction time. After the synthesis, platinum (Pt) microelectrode arrays, which were aligned at the microchambers, could enable the in situ measurements of the electronic properties of the synthesized nanostructures without further manipulation. The as-prepared Cu-TCNQ wire bundles showed good conductivity and a reversible hysteretic switching effect, which proved the possibility in using them to build advanced nanoelectronics.

Management of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Current Practice and Future Perspective.

PubMed

Lee, Anne W M; Ma, Brigette B Y; Ng, Wai Tong; Chan, Anthony T C

2015-10-10

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma of the undifferentiated subtype is endemic to southern China, and patient prognosis has improved significantly over the past three decades because of advances in disease management, diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy technology, and broader application of systemic therapy. Despite the excellent local control with modern radiotherapy, distant failure remains a key challenge. Advances in molecular technology have helped to decipher the molecular pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma as well as its etiologic association with the Epstein-Barr virus. This in turn has led to the discovery of novel biomarkers and drug targets, rendering this cancer site a current focus for new drug development. This article reviews and appraises the key literature on the current management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and future directions in clinical research. © 2015 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Thermal rectification in mass-graded next-nearest-neighbor Fermi-Pasta-Ulam lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romero-Bastida, M.; Miranda-Peña, Jorge-Orlando; López, Juan M.

2017-03-01

We study the thermal rectification efficiency, i.e., quantification of asymmetric heat flow, of a one-dimensional mass-graded anharmonic oscillator Fermi-Pasta-Ulam lattice both with nearest-neighbor (NN) and next-nearest-neighbor (NNN) interactions. The system presents a maximum rectification efficiency for a very precise value of the parameter that controls the coupling strength of the NNN interactions, which also optimizes the rectification figure when its dependence on mass asymmetry and temperature differences is considered. The origin of the enhanced rectification is the asymmetric local heat flow response as the heat reservoirs are swapped when a finely tuned NNN contribution is taken into account. A simple theoretical analysis gives an estimate of the optimal NNN coupling in excellent agreement with our simulation results.

Resources for blueberry growers

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Local extension agents and USDA-ARS research scientists are excellent resources for various aspects of blueberry production, but several print and web-based resources are also available to help commercial blueberry growers. Growers are encouraged to consider the source for all web-based information....

Briefing Book for Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Governors' Association, Washington, DC.

This document presents briefing papers for the seven gubernatorial task forces proposed in the National Governors' Association Action Plan for Attaining Educational Excellence. An introductory section discusses the complementary responsibilities of Federal, State, and local governments for assuring access to educational opportunities for all…

An Introduction to Simulated Annealing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Albright, Brian

2007-01-01

An attempt to model the physical process of annealing lead to the development of a type of combinatorial optimization algorithm that takes on the problem of getting trapped in a local minimum. The author presents a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that illustrates how this works.

Exterior view, westsouthwest, of Jeudevine Memorial Library. Built 18961897 and ...

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

Exterior view, west-southwest, of Jeudevine Memorial Library. Built 1896-1897 and designed by local architect Lambert Packard, the library is an excellent example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. - Jeudevine Memorial Library, 93 North Main Street, Hardwick, Caledonia County, VT

A tool for assessing the economic impact of spending on public transit.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-07-01

In this project, an Excel-based template tool was developed for transit agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders of public transit to estimate the economic impacts of spending on public transit. Features include the following: : Uses i...

76 FR 4702 - Disease, Disability, and Injury Prevention and Control Special Emphasis Panel (SEP): Cooperative...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-26

... the National Academic Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention (U01), Funding Opportunity... Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention (U01), FOA CE10-004, initial review''. Agenda items are...

Extracting local information from crowds through betting markets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weijs, Steven

2015-04-01

In this research, a set-up is considered in which users can bet against a forecasting agency to challenge their probabilistic forecasts. From an information theory standpoint, a reward structure is considered that either provides the forecasting agency with better information, paying the successful providers of information for their winning bets, or funds excellent forecasting agencies through users that think they know better. Especially for local forecasts, the approach may help to diagnose model biases and to identify local predictive information that can be incorporated in the models. The challenges and opportunities for implementing such a system in practice are also discussed.

Operative rigid bronchoscopy: indications, basic techniques and results.

PubMed

Petrella, Francesco; Borri, Alessandro; Casiraghi, Monica; Cavaliere, Sergio; Donghi, Stefano; Galetta, Domenico; Gasparri, Roberto; Guarize, Juliana; Pardolesi, Alessandro; Solli, Piergiorgio; Tessitore, Adele; Venturino, Marco; Veronesi, Giulia; Spaggiari, Lorenzo

2014-05-27

Palliative airway treatments are essential to improve quality and length of life in lung cancer patients with central airway obstruction. Rigid bronchoscopy has proved to be an excellent tool to provide airway access and control in this cohort of patients. The main indication for rigid bronchoscopy in adult bronchology remains central airway obstruction due to neoplastic or non-neoplastic disease. We routinely use negative pressure ventilation (NPV) under general anaesthesia to prevent intraoperative apnoea and respiratory acidosis. This procedure allows opioid sparing, a shorter recovery time and avoids manually assisted ventilation, thereby reducing the amount of oxygen needed, while maintaining optimal surgical conditions. The major indication for NPV rigid bronchoscopy at our institution has been airway obstruction by neoplastic tracheobronchial tissue, mainly treated by laser-assisted mechanical dissection. When strictly necessary, we use silicone stents for neoplastic or cicatricial strictures, reserving metal stents to cover tracheo-oesophageal fistulae. NPV rigid bronchoscopy is an excellent tool for the endoscopic treatment of locally advanced tumours of the lung, especially when patients have exhausted the conventional therapeutic resources. Laser-assisted mechanical resection and stent placement are the most effective procedures for preserving quality of life in patients with advanced stage cancer. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

Flexible Self-Powered GaN Ultraviolet Photoswitch with Piezo-Phototronic Effect Enhanced On/Off Ratio.

PubMed

Peng, Mingzeng; Liu, Yudong; Yu, Aifang; Zhang, Yang; Liu, Caihong; Liu, Jingyu; Wu, Wei; Zhang, Ke; Shi, Xieqing; Kou, Jinzong; Zhai, Junyi; Wang, Zhong Lin

2016-01-26

Flexible self-powered sensing is urgently needed for wearable, portable, sustainable, maintenance-free and long-term applications. Here, we developed a flexible and self-powered GaN membrane-based ultraviolet (UV) photoswitch with high on/off ratio and excellent sensitivity. Even without any power supply, the driving force of UV photogenerated carriers can be well boosted by the combination of both built-in electric field and piezoelectric polarization field. The asymmetric metal-semiconductor-metal structure has been elaborately utilized to enhance the carrier separation and transport for highly sensitive UV photoresponse. Its UV on/off ratio and detection sensitivity reach to 4.67 × 10(5) and 1.78 × 10(12) cm·Hz(0.5) W(1-), respectively. Due to its excellent mechanical flexibility, the piezoelectric polarization field in GaN membrane can be easily tuned/controlled based on piezo-phototronic effect. Under 1% strain, a stronger and broader depletion region can be obtained to further enhance UV on/off ratio up to 154%. As a result, our research can not only provide a deep understanding of local electric field effects on self-powered optoelectronic detection, but also promote the development of self-powered flexible optoelectronic devices and integrated systems.

The image of the Nobel Prize.

PubMed

Källstrand, Gustav

2018-05-01

This article traces the origins of the Nobel Prize as a ubiquitous symbol of excellence in science. The public image of the Nobel Prize was created and became established quickly, which can be explained by it being such a useful phenomenon for the co-production of other values and ideas such as national prestige. Through being an easily recognizable symbol for excellence, the Nobel Prize is an important factor for the public image of science. And the image of the Nobel Prize is co-produced with several other sets of values and images that range from the large and thematic to the local and specific.

Quantum soliton in 1D Heisenberg spin chains with Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya and next-nearest-neighbor interactions.

PubMed

Djoufack, Z I; Tala-Tebue, E; Nguenang, J P; Kenfack-Jiotsa, A

2016-10-01

We report in this work, an analytical study of quantum soliton in 1D Heisenberg spin chains with Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya Interaction (DMI) and Next-Nearest-Neighbor Interactions (NNNI). By means of the time-dependent Hartree approximation and the semi-discrete multiple-scale method, the equation of motion for the single-boson wave function is reduced to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. It comes from this present study that the spectrum of the frequencies increases, its periodicity changes, in the presence of NNNI. The antisymmetric feature of the DMI was probed from the dispersion curve while changing the sign of the parameter controlling it. Five regions were identified in the dispersion spectrum, when the NNNI are taken into account instead of three as in the opposite case. In each of these regions, the quantum model can exhibit quantum stationary localized and stable bright or dark soliton solutions. In each region, we could set up quantum localized n-boson Hartree states as well as the analytical expression of their energy level, respectively. The accuracy of the analytical studies is confirmed by the excellent agreement with the numerical calculations, and it certifies the stability of the stationary quantum localized solitons solutions exhibited in each region. In addition, we found that the intensity of the localization of quantum localized n-boson Hartree states increases when the NNNI are considered. We also realized that the intensity of Hartree n-boson states corresponding to quantum discrete soliton states depend on the wave vector.

Maryland Reading First.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maryland State Dept. of Education, Baltimore.

In years past, Maryland has provided little guidance toward adoption and implementation of Scientifically Based Reading Research (SBRR) programs. Only recently, with the implementation of the Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration program and the Reading Excellence Act (REA) program, have schools or local education agencies been required to…

Gifts, Talents and Meritocracy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Radnor, Hilary; Koshy, Valsa; Taylor, Alexis

2007-01-01

This paper investigates aspects of policy implementation that relate to "Excellence in Cities", a UK government initiative. Local Education Authority (LEA) personnel and school teachers, responsible for implementing the Gifted and Talented (G&T) strand of that initiative, were interviewed. These co-ordinators were involved in the…

MRI-guided therapeutic ultrasound: Temperature feedback control for extracorporeal and endoluminal applicators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salomir, Rares

2005-09-01

Therapeutic ultrasound is a mini-invasive and promising tool for in situ ablation of non-resectable tumors in uterus, breast, esophagus, kidney, liver, etc. Extracorporeal, endoluminal, and interstitial applicators have been successfully tested to date. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the only available technique providing non-invasive temperature mapping, together with excellent contrast of soft tissue. Coupling of these two technologies offers the advantage of both: (1) on line spatial guidance to the target region, and (2) thermal dose control during the treatment. This talk will provide an overview of the author's experience with automatic, active feedback control of the temperature evolution in tissues, which has been demonstrated with MRI compatible extracorporeal transducers (focused beam) or endoluminal applicators (plane waves). The feedback loop is based on fast switching capabilities of the driving electronics and real time data transfer out of the MR scanner. Precision of temperature control was typically better than 1°C. This approach is expected to improve the efficacy of the treatment (complete tumor ablation) and the thermal security of the critical regions crossed by the acoustic beam. It also permits one to reach an under-lethal heating regime for local drug delivery using thermosensitive liposomes or gene expression control based on hsp promoters.

Nanostructured Na2Ti9O19 for Hybrid Sodium-Ion Capacitors with Excellent Rate Capability.

PubMed

Bhat, Swetha S M; Babu, Binson; Feygenson, Mikhail; Neuefeind, Joerg C; Shaijumon, M M

2018-01-10

Herein, we report a new Na-insertion electrode material, Na 2 Ti 9 O 19 , as a potential candidate for Na-ion hybrid capacitors. We study the structural properties of nanostructured Na 2 Ti 9 O 19 , synthesized by a hydrothermal technique, upon electrochemical cycling vs Na. Average and local structures of Na 2 Ti 9 O 19 are elucidated from neutron Rietveld refinement and pair distribution function (PDF), respectively, to investigate the initial discharge and charge events. Rietveld refinement reveals electrochemical cycling of Na 2 Ti 9 O 19 is driven by single-phase solid solution reaction during (de)sodiation without any major structural deterioration, keeping the average structure intact. Unit cell volume and lattice evolution on discharge process is inherently related to TiO 6 distortion and Na ion perturbations, while the PDF reveals the deviation in the local structure after sodiation. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies further corroborate the average and local structural behavior derived from neutron diffraction measurements. Also, Na 2 Ti 9 O 19 shows excellent Na-ion kinetics with a capacitve nature of 86% at 1.0 mV s -1 , indicating that the material is a good anode candidate for a sodium-ion hybrid capacitor. A full cell hybrid Na-ion capacitor is fabricated by using Na 2 Ti 9 O 19 as anode and activated porous carbon as cathode, which exhibits excellent electrochemical properties, with a maximum energy density of 54 Wh kg -1 and a maximum power density of 5 kW kg -1 . Both structural insights and electrochemical investigation suggest that Na 2 Ti 9 O 19 is a promising negative electrode for sodium-ion batteries and hybrid capacitors.

An infection control bulletin as an educational tool: is it useful?

PubMed

Rea, L; Cronk, S; Conly, J

1992-01-01

For five years a bulletin has been issued to provide information, increase awareness and educate staff on current issues and problems in infection control. To obtain readers' feedback on the value of receiving this one-page bulletin, an evaluation was conducted with the following objectives: to evaluate the content and structure in terms of relevant and current information; to evaluate the format; and to obtain information on frequency and suggested topics. Categories for response were: poor, fair, good and excellent. All respondees (67) rated the topics as good to excellent in the current and applicable category. The detail and clarity were rated as good/excellent by 59 of 67 (88%) and 59 of 67 (88%) of the respondees, respectively. The majority, 61 of 67 (91%), indicated the references were useful. The readability, organization and length were rated as good/excellent by 63 of 67 (94%), 62 of 67 (92.5%) and 65 of 67 (97%), respectively. All but one wished to remain on the mailing list. The results of this evaluation and the list of suggested topics for future bulletins support the conclusion that the infection control bulletin is a useful educational tool.

Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Information Technology (C4&IT). Strategic Plan, FY2008 - 2012

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

Intentionally Blank 5 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION...18 Goal 5 : Organizational Excellence...fully realized in the next 5 years, it is clear that coordinated activity must occur now to improve the Coast Guard’s operational capabilities

A Man of Principle.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perl, Peter

1998-01-01

Describes a dedicated principal who restored order and doubled enrollment at one troubled Washington, DC, elementary school. His efforts involved instilling a sense of stern discipline and an ethic of striving for excellence. He creates partnerships with local businesses and organizations, involves parents, requires uniforms, knows every child,…

78 FR 12056 - National Environmental Justice Advisory Council

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-21

... reports to address specific policy issues. The average workload for members is approximately 5 to 8 hours... community sustainability, public health and health disparities, climate change adaptation, land use and... environmental justice and community sustainability issues at the national, state, or local level; Excellent...

National Skill Standards Implementation Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Vocational Technical Education Foundation, Washington, DC.

This guide was developed to encourage state policy makers and local school boards to implement the national skill standards formulated by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF) in high schools, technical schools, and technical and community colleges.…

Porous Iron-Carboxylate Metal-Organic Framework: A Novel Bioplatform with Sustained Antibacterial Efficacy and Nontoxicity.

PubMed

Lin, Sha; Liu, Xiangmei; Tan, Lei; Cui, Zhenduo; Yang, Xianjin; Yeung, Kelvin W K; Pan, Haobo; Wu, Shuilin

2017-06-07

Sustained drug release plays a critical role in targeting the therapy of local diseases such as bacterial infections. In the present work, porous iron-carboxylate metal-organic framework [MOF-53(Fe)] nanoparticles (NPs) were designed to entrap the vancomycin (Van) drugs. This system exhibited excellent chemical stability under acidic conditions (pH 7.4, 6.5, and 5.5) and much higher drug-loading capability because of the high porosity and large surface area of MOF NPs. The results showed that the drug-loading ratio of Van could reach 20 wt % and that the antibacterial ratio of the MOF-53(Fe)/Van system against Staphylococcus aureus could reach up to 90%. In addition, this MOF-53(Fe)/Van system exhibited excellent biocompatibility because of its chemical stability and sustained release of iron ions. Hence, these porous MOF NPs are a promising bioplatform not only for local therapy of bacterial infections but also for other biomedical therapies for tissue regeneration.

How a Small Quantum Bath Can Thermalize Long Localized Chains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luitz, David J.; Huveneers, François; De Roeck, Wojciech

2017-10-01

We investigate the stability of the many-body localized phase for a system in contact with a single ergodic grain modeling a Griffiths region with low disorder. Our numerical analysis provides evidence that even a small ergodic grain consisting of only three qubits can delocalize a localized chain as soon as the localization length exceeds a critical value separating localized and extended regimes of the whole system. We present a simple theory, consistent with De Roeck and Huveneers's arguments in [Phys. Rev. B 95, 155129 (2017), 10.1103/PhysRevB.95.155129] that assumes a system to be locally ergodic unless the local relaxation time determined by Fermi's golden rule is larger than the inverse level spacing. This theory predicts a critical value for the localization length that is perfectly consistent with our numerical calculations. We analyze in detail the behavior of local operators inside and outside the ergodic grain and find excellent agreement of numerics and theory.

Quality assurance in the surgical intensive care unit. Where it came from and where it's going.

PubMed

Osler, T; Horne, L

1991-08-01

The early history of QA is one of stunning achievements. Men and women led by a vision of what hospital health care should be brought about fundamental changes in the structure of hospitals and medical schools. These successes required lifetimes of work and enormous capital (Flexner's war chest would have amounted to billions of 1990 dollars). A second wave of reform included the creation of credentialing committees, tissue committees, and infection control efforts. Although less dramatic in their impact, these efforts have had measurable influence on the outcome of health care and, under the joint administration of local hospitals and the JCAHO, continue to guarantee excellence in health care. The most recent attempts at quality assurance, driven at least in part by a federal mandate to control costs, have been much more modest in their success. Committed groups working within a sound theoretical framework have had great difficulty monitoring and evaluating centrally a process as decentralized as health care. The regularity with which new fashions in QA have appeared underscores the frustration felt with this approach. If the quality of health care is to be monitored centrally, reliable measures of quality will be required. No one knows if such measures actually exist. The absence of objective evidence that quality has been improved by these efforts suggests that little has been accomplished, perhaps because all easily attainable improvements had already been implemented. The basic concept of a centrally monitored hospital structure within which provision is made for ongoing observation and innovation by those actually involved in the care of patients retains the advantages of central monitoring and local invention. It is a model that will be hard to improve on. We should persist in our efforts, but fundamental advances are unlikely. In the end, quality is only doing everything the best it can be done. The best quality assurance requires an excellent hospital in which a well-trained and committed staff has a central mandate and local purview to do the best possible job. Two thousand years after Hammurabi's minions busied themselves determining the appropriate punishment for various medical misadventures, the Greek Hippocrates advocated a less complex approach to the same problem. He suggested that the quality of health care could be best guaranteed by administering an oath to physicians, exhorting them simply to do what was best for their fellow men. This approach has seen us through two millennia and, however variable its results, may not be easily improved on.

Analyses of Gas, Steam and Water Samples Collected in and Around Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, 1975-2002

USGS Publications Warehouse

Janik, Cathy J.; Bergfeld, D.

2010-01-01

This report contains physical and chemical data from gas, steam, and water samples collected between July 1975 and September 2002 from locations in and around Lassen Volcanic National Park, California. Data are compiled as tables in Excel spreadsheets and are organized by locale. Most data are keyed to 1 of 107 site codes that are shown on local- and regional-scale maps. Brief descriptions of terminology, sampling, and analytical methods are provided.

Modulation instability, Akhmediev breathers, and rogue waves in nonlinear fiber optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dudley, John M.; Genty, Go"ry; Dias, Frederic; Kibler, Bertrand; Akhmediev, Nail

2010-02-01

The development of the supercontinuum spectrum in the quasi-CW regime is studied analytically, numerically and experimentally. An interpretation in terms of localized periodic structures known as "Akhmediev Breathers" is proposed. Theory, numerical simulation and experiment are in excellent agreement. We also briefly consider the role of breather collisions in the presence of higher order dispersion and show that they lead to the formation of very large amplitude localized structures that may be analogous to the infamous oceanic rogue waves.

On the genetic control of planar growth during tissue morphogenesis in plants.

PubMed

Enugutti, Balaji; Kirchhelle, Charlotte; Schneitz, Kay

2013-06-01

Tissue morphogenesis requires extensive intercellular communication. Plant organs are composites of distinct radial cell layers. A typical layer, such as the epidermis, is propagated by stereotypic anticlinal cell divisions. It is presently unclear what mechanisms coordinate cell divisions relative to the plane of a layer, resulting in planar growth and maintenance of the layer structure. Failure in the regulation of coordinated growth across a tissue may result in spatially restricted abnormal growth and the formation of a tumor-like protrusion. Therefore, one way to approach planar growth control is to look for genetic mutants that exhibit localized tumor-like outgrowths. Interestingly, plants appear to have evolved quite robust genetic mechanisms that govern these aspects of tissue morphogenesis. Here we provide a short summary of the current knowledge about the genetics of tumor formation in plants and relate it to the known control of coordinated cell behavior within a tissue layer. We further portray the integuments of Arabidopsis thaliana as an excellent model system to study the regulation of planar growth. The value of examining this process in integuments was established by the recent identification of the Arabidopsis AGC VIII kinase UNICORN as a novel growth suppressor involved in the regulation of planar growth and the inhibition of localized ectopic growth in integuments and other floral organs. An emerging insight is that misregulation of central determinants of adaxial-abaxial tissue polarity can lead to the formation of spatially restricted multicellular outgrowths in several tissues. Thus, there may exist a link between the mechanisms regulating adaxial-abaxial tissue polarity and planar growth in plants.

Clinical outcome after high-precision radiotherapy for skull base meningiomas: Pooled data from three large German centers for radiation oncology.

PubMed

Combs, Stephanie E; Farzin, Mostafa; Boehmer, Julia; Oehlke, Oliver; Molls, Michael; Debus, Jürgen; Grosu, Anca-Ligia

2018-05-01

To evaluate outcome in patients with base of skull meningiomas treated with modern high precision radiation therapy (RT) techniques. 927 patients from three centers were treated with either radiosurgery or fractionated high-precision RT for meningiomas. Treatment planning was based on CT and MRI following institutional guidelines. For radiosurgery, a median dose of 13 Gy was applied, for fractionated treatments, a median dose of 54 Gy in 1.8 Gy single fractions was prescribed. Follow-up included a clinical examination as well as contrast-enhanced imaging. All patients were followed up prospectively after radiotherapy in the three departments within a strict follow-up regimen. The median follow-up time was 81 months (range 1-348 months). Median local control was 79 months (range 1-348 months). Local control (LC) was 98% at 1 year, 94% at 3 years, 92% at 5 years and 86% at 10 years. There was no difference between radiosurgery and fractionated RT. We analyzed the influence of higher doses on LC and could show that dose did not impact LC. Moreover, there was no difference between 54 Gy and 57.6 Gy in the fractionated group. Side effects were below 5% in both groups without any severe treatment-related complications. Based on the pooled data analysis this manuscript provides a large series of meningiomas of the skull base treated with modern high precision RT demonstrating excellent local control and low rates of side effects. Such data support the recommendation of RT for skull base meningiomas in the interdisciplinary tumor board discussions. The strong role of RT must influence treatment recommendations keeping in mind the individual risk-benefit profile of treatment alternatives. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery of the Postoperative Resection Cavity for Brain Metastases: Prospective Evaluation of Target Margin on Tumor Control

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

Choi, Clara Y.H.; Chang, Steven D.; Gibbs, Iris C.

2012-10-01

Purpose: Given the neurocognitive toxicity associated with whole-brain irradiation (WBRT), approaches to defer or avoid WBRT after surgical resection of brain metastases are desirable. Our initial experience with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) targeting the resection cavity showed promising results. We examined the outcomes of postoperative resection cavity SRS to determine the effect of adding a 2-mm margin around the resection cavity on local failure (LF) and toxicity. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 120 cavities in 112 patients treated from 1998-2009. Factors associated with LF and distant brain failure (DF) were analyzed using competing risks analysis, with death as a competingmore » risk. The overall survival (OS) rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method; variables associated with OS were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards and log rank tests. Results: The 12-month cumulative incidence rates of LF and DF, with death as a competing risk, were 9.5% and 54%, respectively. On univariate analysis, expansion of the cavity with a 2-mm margin was associated with decreased LF; the 12-month cumulative incidence rates of LF with and without margin were 3% and 16%, respectively (P=.042). The 12-month toxicity rates with and without margin were 3% and 8%, respectively (P=.27). On multivariate analysis, melanoma histology (P=.038) and number of brain metastases (P=.0097) were associated with higher DF. The median OS time was 17 months (range, 2-114 months), with a 12-month OS rate of 62%. Overall, WBRT was avoided in 72% of the patients. Conclusion: Adjuvant SRS targeting the resection cavity of brain metastases results in excellent local control and allows WBRT to be avoided in a majority of patients. A 2-mm margin around the resection cavity improved local control without increasing toxicity compared with our prior technique with no margin.« less

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Medically Inoperable Lung Cancer: Prospective, Single-Center Study of 108 Consecutive Patients

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

Taremi, Mojgan, E-mail: mojgan.taremi@rmp.uhn.on.ca; Department of Radiation Oncology, University Health Network, Toronto, ON; Department of Radiation Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam

2012-02-01

Purpose: To present the results of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for medically inoperable patients with Stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and contrast outcomes in patients with and without a pathologic diagnosis. Methods and Materials: Between December 2004 and October 2008, 108 patients (114 tumors) underwent treatment according to the prospective research ethics board-approved SBRT protocols at our cancer center. Of the 108 patients, 88 (81.5%) had undergone pretreatment whole-body [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography. A pathologic diagnosis was unavailable for 33 (28.9%) of the 114 lesions. The SBRT schedules included 48 Gy in 4 fractions or 54-60 Gy inmore » 3 fractions for peripheral lesions and 50-60 Gy in 8-10 fractions for central lesions. Toxicity and radiologic response were assessed at the 3-6-month follow-up visits using conventional criteria. Results: The mean tumor diameter was 2.4-cm (range, 0.9-5.7). The median follow-up was 19.1 months (range, 1-55.7). The estimated local control rate at 1 and 4 years was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86-97%) and 89% (95% CI, 81-96%). The cause-specific survival rate at 1 and 4 years was 92% (95% CI, 87-98%) and 77% (95% CI, 64-89%), respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in the local, regional, and distant control between patients with and without pathologically confirmed NSCLC. The most common acute toxicity was Grade 1 or 2 fatigue (53 of 108 patients). No toxicities of Grade 4 or greater were identified. Conclusions: Lung SBRT for early-stage NSCLC resulted in excellent local control and cause-specific survival with minimal toxicity. The disease-specific outcomes were comparable for patients with and without a pathologic diagnosis. SBRT can be considered an option for selected patients with proven or presumed early-stage NSCLC.« less

The Consortium for NCD Prevention and Control in Sub-Saharan Africa (CNCD-Africa): from concept to practice.

PubMed

Amuyunzu-Nyamongo, Mary; Owuor, Jared O; Blanchard, Claire

2013-12-01

CNCD-Africa was established in July 2009 in response to and in recognition of the continuously increasing burden of diseases such as injuries, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health in low- and middle-income countries, and specifically in countries of sub-Saharan Africa. CNCD-Africa aims to comprehensively address specific and common objectives while building capacity in the region to prevent and control NCDs. With support from key partners and funders, and a keen interest in opportunities to address NCDs from health promotion and equity perspectives, the Consortium has excelled in four key areas: convening; knowledge generation and sharing; advocacy; and networking. However, the path to successful and sustainable efforts remains laden with challenges and barriers. Retaining interest of network partners through flagship efforts and continued efforts to ascertain support from local and international partners with interest in NCDs across the region remain essential to CNCD-Africa core activities. A key lesson learnt from the early years of CNCD-Africa is that existing regional platforms can and should be used to showcase what is being done locally, and to share best practices and best-buys. In addition, partnerships and stakeholder involvement have been key for CNCD-Africa and are essential to NCD action. Sustaining such partnerships requires incentives for the various partners to keep actively involved in NCD action. This can be achieved through joint inception, project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Another ingredient for success seems to be innovative financing for NCD efforts, which is possible through the establishment and sustaining of regional and global partnerships that are robust, locally relevant and respond to country needs.

Towards a Mobile-Based Platform for Traceability Control and Hazard Analysis in the Context of Parenteral Nutrition: Description of a Framework and a Prototype App

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Background The parenteral nutrient (PN) mixtures may pose great risks of physical, microbiological, and chemical contamination during their preparation, storage, distribution, and administration. These potential hazards must be controlled under high levels of excellence to prevent any serious complications for the patients. As a result, management control and traceability of any of these medications is of utmost relevance for the patient care, along with ensuring treatment continuity and adherence. Objective The aim of this study is to develop a mobile-based platform to support the control procedures and traceability services in the domain of parenteral nutrient (PN) mixtures in an efficient and nonintrusive manner. Methods A comprehensive approach combining techniques of software engineering and knowledge engineering was used for the characterization of the framework. Local try-outs for evaluation were performed in a number of application areas, carrying out a test/retest monitoring to detect possible errors or conflicts in different contexts and control processes throughout the entire cycle of PN. From these data, the absolute and relative frequencies (percentages) were calculated. Results A mobile application for the Android operating system was developed. This application allows reading different types of tags and interacts with the local server according to a proposed model. Also, through an internal caching mechanism, the availability of the system is preserved even in the event of problems with the network connection. A set of 1040 test traces were generated for the assessment of the system under various environments tested. Among those, 102 traces (9.81%) involved conflictive situations that were properly taken care of in this paper by suggesting solutions to overcome them. Conclusions A mobile oriented system was generated and tested in order to allow enhanced control and quality management of PN mixtures that is easy to integrate into the daily praxis of health care processes. PMID:27269189

The Louisiana Scholarship Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Egalite, Anna J.; Mills, Jonathan N.

2014-01-01

The Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP), also known as the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program, provides public funds for low-income students in low-performing public schools to enroll in local private schools. The program was initially piloted in New Orleans in 2008; Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal and the state legislature…

Transformational Leadership Behaviors in Elementary School Principals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ergle, Barbara

2012-01-01

School leaders face high expectations from society for leadership effectiveness. While it is commonly accepted that leadership practices contribute to school excellence, specific behaviors of effective elementary principals in the local context were not well understood. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to investigate self-reported…

77 FR 793 - National Environmental Justice Advisory Council; Request for Nominations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-06

... or serve on Work Groups to develop recommendations, advice letters, and reports to address specific... above. In addition, EPA is seeking nominees with knowledge in community sustainability, public health... sustainability issues at the national, state, or local level; Excellent interpersonal and consensus-building...

Salivary Gland Tumors Treated With Adjuvant Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy With or Without Concurrent Chemotherapy

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

Schoenfeld, Jonathan D., E-mail: jdschoenfeld@partners.org; Sher, David J.; Norris, Charles M.

Purpose: To analyze the recent single-institution experience of patients with salivary gland tumors who had undergone adjuvant intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), with or without concurrent chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 35 salivary gland carcinoma patients treated primarily at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute between 2005 and 2010 with surgery and adjuvant IMRT. The primary endpoints were local control, progression-free survival, and overall survival. The secondary endpoints were acute and chronic toxicity. The median follow-up was 2.3 years (interquartile range, 1.2-2.8) among the surviving patients. Results: The histologic types included adenoid cystic carcinoma in 15 (43%), mucoepidermoid carcinomamore » in 6 (17%), adenocarcinoma in 3 (9%), acinic cell carcinoma in 3 (9%), and other in 8 (23%). The primary sites were the parotid gland in 17 (49%), submandibular glands in 6 (17%), tongue in 4 (11%), palate in 4 (11%), and other in 4 (11%). The median radiation dose was 66 Gy, and 22 patients (63%) received CRT. The most common chemotherapy regimen was carboplatin and paclitaxel (n = 14, 64%). A trend was seen for patients undergoing CRT to have more adverse prognostic factors, including Stage T3-T4 disease (CRT, n = 12, 55% vs. n = 4, 31%, p = .29), nodal positivity (CRT, n = 8, 36% vs. n = 1, 8%, p = .10), and positive margins (n = 13, 59% vs. n = 5, 38%, p = .30). One patient who had undergone CRT developed an in-field recurrence, resulting in an overall actuarial 3-year local control rate of 92%. Five patients (14%) developed distant metastases (1 who had undergone IMRT only and 4 who had undergone CRT). Acute Grade 3 mucositis, esophagitis, and dermatitis occurred in 8%, 8%, and 8% (1 each) of IMRT patients and in 18%, 5%, and 14% (4, 1, and 3 patients) of the CRT group, respectively. No acute Grade 4 toxicity occurred. The most common late toxicity was Grade 1 xerostomia (n = 8, 23%). Conclusions: Treatment of salivary gland malignancies with postoperative IMRT was well tolerated with a high rate of local control. Chemoradiotherapy resulted in excellent local control in a subgroup of patients with adverse prognostic factors and might be warranted in select patients.« less

Magnetoencephalography-guided surgery in frontal lobe epilepsy using neuronavigation and intraoperative MR imaging.

PubMed

Sommer, Björn; Roessler, Karl; Rampp, Stefan; Hamer, Hajo M; Blumcke, Ingmar; Stefan, Hermann; Buchfelder, Michael

2016-10-01

Especially in hidden lesions causing drug-resistant frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE), the localization of the epileptic zone EZ can be a challenge. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) can raise the chances for localization of the (EZ) in combination with electroencephalography (EEG). We investigated the impact of MEG-guided epilepsy surgery with the aid of neuronavigation and intraoperative MR imaging (iopMRI) on seizure outcome of FLE patients. Twenty-eight patients (15 females, 13 males; mean age 31.0±11.1 years) underwent surgery in our department. All patients underwent presurgical MEG monitoring (two-sensor Magnes II or whole head WH3600 MEG system; 4-D Neuroimaging, San Diego, CA, USA). Of those, six patients (group 1) with MRI-negative FLE were operated on before 2002 with intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) and invasive EEG mapping only. Eleven patients with MRI-negative FLE (group 2) and eleven with lesional FLE (group 3) underwent surgery using 1.5T-iopMRI and neuronavigation, including intraoperative visualization of the MEG localizations in 22 and functional MR imaging (for motor and speech areas) as well as DTI fiber tracking (for language and pyramidal tracts) in 13 patients. In the first group, complete resection of the defined EZ including the MEG localization according to the latest postoperative MRI was achieved in four out of six patients. Groups two and three had complete removal of the MEG localizations in 20/22 (91%, 10 of 11 each). Intraoperative MRI revealed incomplete resection of the MEG localizations of four patients (12%; two in both groups), leading to successful re-resection. Transient and permanent neurological deficits alike occurred in 7.1%, surgery-associated complications in 11% of all patients. In the first group, excellent seizure outcome (Engel Class IA) was achieved in three (50%), in the second in 7 patients (61%) and third group in 8 patients (64%, two iopMRI-based re-resections). Mean follow-up was 70.3 months (from 12 to 284 months). In our series, MEG-guided resection using neuronavigation and iopMR imaging led to promising seizure control rates. Even in non-lesional FLE, seizure control rates and the probability of complete resection of the MEG localizations was similar to lesional FLE using multimodal navigation. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Center of Excellence for Laser Applications in Medicine, Microlaser Microscope

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

Webb, R. H.

The Center of Excellence for Laser Applications in Medicine at the Schepens Eye Research Institute (SERI) is a Center for: A core group of researchers who support each other and their various projects for real-time medical imaging and diagnostics in contiguous space at SERI. Clinical collaborators who participate in the core research at SERI, MEEI, and local ophthalmology practices, and at associated sites around the world. Industrial partners who transfer our technology to commercial products that will reach clinical usage everywhere. Students, post-doctoral associates and medical fellows who work with us and learn how to practice real-time medical imaging andmore » diagnostics.« less

Truke, a web tool to check for and handle excel misidentified gene symbols.

PubMed

Mallona, Izaskun; Peinado, Miguel A

2017-03-21

Genomic datasets accompanying scientific publications show a surprisingly high rate of gene name corruption. This error is generated when files and tables are imported into Microsoft Excel and certain gene symbols are automatically converted into dates. We have developed Truke, a fexible Web tool to detect, tag and fix, if possible, such misconversions. Aside, Truke is language and regional locale-aware, providing file format customization (decimal symbol, field sepator, etc.) following user's preferences. Truke is a data format conversion tool with a unique corrupted gene symbol detection utility. Truke is freely available without registration at http://maplab.cat/truke .

Our experience with the so-called pull-through technique combined with liposuction for management of gynecomastia.

PubMed

Bracaglia, Roberto; Fortunato, Regina; Gentileschi, Stefano; Seccia, Antonio; Farallo, Eugenio

2004-07-01

Gynecomastia is a benign enlargement of male breast, common in adolescents and adults. To treat this deformity, we have been carrying out liposuction through small cutaneous incisions placed in the axilla and on the sternum. If necessary, we performed a surgical excision of glandular tissue through a periareolar incision. From 1995, we started to perform surgical excision of glandular tissue, if necessary, through the small incisions made for liposuction, thus avoiding the periareolar scars. We describe our experience with this technique, which we believe excellent for the correction of glandular and fatty glandular gynecomastia, obtaining excellent esthetic results and minimal local scarring.

Extended (5-year) Outcomes of Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation Using MammoSite Balloon Brachytherapy: Patterns of Failure, Patient Selection, and Dosimetric Correlates for Late Toxicity

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

Vargo, John A.; Verma, Vivek; Kim, Hayeon

2014-02-01

Purpose: Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) with balloon and catheter-based brachytherapy has gained increasing popularity in recent years and is the subject of ongoing phase III trials. Initial data suggest promising local control and cosmetic results in appropriately selected patients. Long-term data continue to evolve but are limited outside of the context of the American Society of Breast Surgeons Registry Trial. Methods and Materials: A retrospective review of 157 patients completing APBI after breast-conserving surgery and axillary staging via high-dose-rate {sup 192}Ir brachytherapy from June 2002 to December 2007 was made. APBI was delivered with a single-lumen MammoSite balloon-based applicatormore » to a median dose of 34 Gy in 10 fractions over a 5-day period. Tumor coverage and critical organ dosimetry were retrospectively collected on the basis of computed tomography completed for conformance and symmetry. Results: At a median follow-up time of 5.5 years (range, 0-10.0 years), the 5-year and 7-year actuarial incidences of ipsilateral breast control were 98%/98%, of nodal control 99%/98%, and of distant control 99%/99%, respectively. The crude rate of ipsilateral breast recurrence was 2.5% (n=4); of nodal failure, 1.9% (n=3); and of distant failure, 0.6% (n=1). The 5-year and 7-year actuarial overall survival rates were 89%/86%, with breast cancer–specific survival of 100%/99%, respectively. Good to excellent cosmetic outcomes were achieved in 93.4% of patients. Telangiectasia developed in 27% of patients, with 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year actuarial incidence of 7%/24%/33%; skin dose >100% significantly predicted for the development of telangiectasia (50% vs 14%, P<.0001). Conclusions: Long-term single-institution outcomes suggest excellent tumor control, breast cosmesis, and minimal late toxicity. Skin toxicity is a function of skin dose, which may be ameliorated with dosimetric optimization afforded by newer multicatheter brachytherapy applicators and a more rigorous skin dose constraint of ≤100%.« less

Controlled delivery of icariin on small intestine submucosa for bone tissue engineering.

PubMed

Li, Mei; Gu, Qiaoqiao; Chen, Mengjie; Zhang, Chi; Chen, Songdi; Zhao, Jiyuan

2017-02-01

Small intestine submucosa (SIS) has been reported as an excellent biomaterial for tissue engineering because of its naturally occurring collagenous extracellular matrix property with growth factors. However, SIS from submucosal layer of intestine provides different microenvironment from bone tissue, which limits its application to bone regeneration. The object of this study was to improve osteoinductivity of SIS by controlled local delivery of icariin (Ic), a potent osteogenic compound. Sustained release of icariin from SIS scaffold was achieved for >30days and the loading of icariin on SIS scaffold was uniform as scanned by SEM. In vitro experiments revealed that expression of osteogenic differentiation markers (Alp, Bsp and Ocn) was increased after treatment of Ic-SIS scaffold, without significant cytotoxicity. In an in vivo mouse calvarial defect model, bone regeneration was enhanced by SIS implantation at 8weeks, compared to control defect. New bone formation was further improved by implantation with Ic-SIS (low and high) at both 4 and 8weeks. The results of this study suggest that SIS scaffold has the potential as an icariin delivery carrier for enhancement of bone regeneration. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multiple-wavelength vertical cavity laser arrays with wide wavelength span and high uniformity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuen, Wupen; Li, Gabriel S.; Chang-Hasnain, Connie J.

1996-12-01

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are promising for numerous applications. In particular, due to their inherent single Fabry-Perot mode operation, VCSELs can be very useful for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems allowing high bandwidth and high functionalities.1, 2 Multiple wavelength VCSEL arrays with wide channel spacings (>10 nm) provide an inexpensive solution to increasing the capacity of local area networks without using active wavelength controls.1 The lasing wavelength of a VCSEL is determined by the equivalent laser cavity thickness which can be varied by changing the thickness of either the l-spacer or the distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) layers. To make monolithic multiple-wavelength VCSEL arrays, the lasing wavelength, and therefore the cavity thickness, has to be varied at reasonable physical distances. For all practical applications, it is imperative for the fabrication technology to be controllable, cost-effective, and wafer-scale. Recently, we demonstrated a patterned-substrate molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth technique with in-situ laser reflectometry monitoring for fabricating multiple wavelength VCSEL arrays.3, 4 With this method, VCSEL arrays with very large and highly controllable lasing wavelength spans and excellent lasing characteristics have been achieved.

Two conformational states in D-shaped DNA: Effects of local denaturation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, O.-Chul; Kim, Cheolhee; Kim, Jae-Yeol; Lee, Nam Ki; Sung, Wokyung

2016-06-01

The bending of double-stranded(ds) DNA on the nano-meter scale plays a key role in many cellular processes such as nucleosome packing, transcription-control, and viral-genome packing. In our recent study, a nanometer-sized dsDNA bent into a D shape was formed by hybridizing a circular single-stranded(ss) DNA and a complementary linear ssDNA. Our fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurement of D-DNA revealed two types of conformational states: a less-bent state and a kinked state, which can transform into each other. To understand the origin of the two deformed states of D-DNA, here we study the presence of open base-pairs in the ds portion by using the breathing-DNA model to simulate the system. We provide strong evidence that the two states are due to the emergence of local denaturation, i.e., a bubble in the middle and two forks at ends of the dsDNA portion. We also study the system analytically and find that the free-energy landscape is bistable with two minima representative of the two states. The kink and fork sizes estimated by the analytical calculation are also in excellent agreement with the results of the simulation. Thus, this combined experimental-simulation-analytical study corroborates that highly bent D-DNA reduces bending stress via local denaturation.

Sensitivity Analysis of the Static Aeroelastic Response of a Wing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eldred, Lloyd B.

1993-01-01

A technique to obtain the sensitivity of the static aeroelastic response of a three dimensional wing model is designed and implemented. The formulation is quite general and accepts any aerodynamic and structural analysis capability. A program to combine the discipline level, or local, sensitivities into global sensitivity derivatives is developed. A variety of representations of the wing pressure field are developed and tested to determine the most accurate and efficient scheme for representing the field outside of the aerodynamic code. Chebyshev polynomials are used to globally fit the pressure field. This approach had some difficulties in representing local variations in the field, so a variety of local interpolation polynomial pressure representations are also implemented. These panel based representations use a constant pressure value, a bilinearly interpolated value. or a biquadraticallv interpolated value. The interpolation polynomial approaches do an excellent job of reducing the numerical problems of the global approach for comparable computational effort. Regardless of the pressure representation used. sensitivity and response results with excellent accuracy have been produced for large integrated quantities such as wing tip deflection and trim angle of attack. The sensitivities of such things as individual generalized displacements have been found with fair accuracy. In general, accuracy is found to be proportional to the relative size of the derivatives to the quantity itself.

Local Polar Fluctuations in Lead Halide Perovskite Crystals

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

Yaffe, Omer; Guo, Yinsheng; Tan, Liang Z.

2017-03-01

Hybrid lead-halide perovskites have emerged as an excellent class of photovoltaic materials. Recent reports suggest that the organic molecular cation is responsible for local polar fluctuations that inhibit carrier recombination. We combine low-frequency Raman scattering with first-principles molecular dynamics (MD) to study the fundamental nature of these local polar fluctuations. Our observations of a strong central peak in the cubic phase of both hybrid (CH3NH3PbBr3) and all-inorganic (CsPbBr3) leadhalide perovskites show that anharmonic, local polar fluctuations are intrinsic to the general lead-halide perovskite structure, and not unique to the dipolar organic cation. MD simulations indicate that head-tohead Cs motion coupledmore » to Br face expansion, occurring on a few hundred femtosecond time scale, drives the local polar fluctuations in CsPbBr3.« less

ETV TEST REPORT OF CONTROL OF BIOAEROSOLS IN HVAC SYSTEMS GLASFLOSS INDUSTRIES EXCEL FILTER, MODEL SBG24242898

EPA Science Inventory

The Environmental Technology Verification report discusses the technology and performance of the Excel Filter, Model SBG24242898 air filter for dust and bioaerosol filtration manufactured by Glasfloss Industries, Inc. The pressure drop across the filter was 82 Pa clean and 348 Pa...

Give This Teachers' Conference a Tryout.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fisher, Scott M.

2000-01-01

Describes an "excellent and inspiring educators' conference" attended by the author: a three-day summer baseball camp for youngsters (attended by his 12-year-old daughter) sponsored by the local minor league professional team, a marvel of collaborative learning, team teaching, and respect, friendly encouragement, and high expectations for all. (SR)

"Loyola Values": Extending the Brand

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosen, Jeffrey; Shannon, Kelly

2008-01-01

Loyola University Chicago had long used the tag line, "Chicago's Jesuit University," to highlight the institution's local origins and its ties to a 450-year tradition of academic excellence. By the turn of this century, this reference was unfamiliar to a large percentage of prospective students, particularly adult students, and the…

The School and the Private Sector: Romance or Marriage of Convenience.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mauch I, James W.

1999-01-01

Presents the alliance between Reading High School (Pennsylvania) and a local corporation as a case study of the potential for incentives and private-sector involvement to improve student attendance. The partnership, Reading's Excellence and Attendance Programs, used positive reinforcements, including lottery drawings and ice-cream socials, to…

Horse Training and Management: Program of Excellence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lane, Marvin

This report on Lamar Community College's Horse Training and Management (HTM) program assesses the quality of the educational experience provided by the program, the quality of the faculty and students, institutional financial commitment to the program, contribution of the HTM program to state and local economic development, and external funding…

The Ideological Basis of Teacher Organization or Why We Do What We Do.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sutton, James H.

An attempt to explain the behavior of local, state and national teacher organizations by reference to the ideological basis for their activities, this paper links professionalism and excellence to previous organizational activity and demonstrates their continuity. Significant topics include the professionalization of teaching amid societal…

[Teacher Education Center.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wisconsin State Univ., La Crosse.

As universities and colleges across the country are joining local school districts in order to develop teacher training programs in joint college-school ventures, administrative organization is a limiting problem in many quarters. At a time when the concern is for clinical experience in a school setting where teacher excellence is measured in…

Retaining Excellent Teachers through Effective Leadership

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Le, Connie

2013-01-01

School districts continue to face challenges in retaining talented teachers in their schools. There are many factors that contribute to teacher retention, including working conditions, a lack of leadership support, and poor leadership behavior. In a southeastern U.S. state, local school officials were seeking strategies to provide an excellent…

Immunomodulating and Antiprotozoal Effects of Different Extracts of the Oyster Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus (Higher Basidiomycetes) Against Coccidiosis in Broiler.

PubMed

Ullah, Muhammad Irfan; Akhtar, Masood; Iqbal, Zafar; Shahid, Muhammad; Awais, Mian Muhammad

2015-01-01

The culinary-medicinal oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus, procured from local sources, was processed for hot water and methanolic extraction. Extracts obtained were subjected to proximate analysis to determine the amount of crude protein, crude fiber, ash, ether, and nitrogen-free extracts. These extracts were evaluated for immunomodulating and antiprotozoal effects against coccidiosis in a broiler. Cellular immune investigation revealed significantly higher (P < 0.05) lymphoproliferative response to phytohemagglutinin-P in groups administered P. ostreatus extracts compared with controls. Humoral immune investigation revealed higher immunoglobulin (total Ig, IgG, and IgM) titers against sheep red blood cells in treated groups compared with controls. However, nonsignificant (P > 0.05) findings were observed in investigations of lymphoid organs. Antiprotozoal studies revealed a significantly higher (P < 0.05) percentage of protection against coccidiosis in groups administered P. ostreatus extracts when compared with controls. Moreover, lesion scoring and oocysts per gram of droppings observed in the control group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with those in groups administered hot water and methanolic extracts of P. ostreatus. Results concluded that hot water and methanolic extracts of P. ostreatus had strong immune-enhancing activities. Further, these extracts also had excellent antiprotozoal activities against coccidiosis in a broiler.

Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Isotopic Yttrium-90-Labeled Rare Earth Fluoride Nanocrystals for Multimodal Imaging.

PubMed

Paik, Taejong; Chacko, Ann-Marie; Mikitsh, John L; Friedberg, Joseph S; Pryma, Daniel A; Murray, Christopher B

2015-09-22

Isotopically labeled nanomaterials have recently attracted much attention in biomedical research, environmental health studies, and clinical medicine because radioactive probes allow the elucidation of in vitro and in vivo cellular transport mechanisms, as well as the unambiguous distribution and localization of nanomaterials in vivo. In addition, nanocrystal-based inorganic materials have a unique capability of customizing size, shape, and composition; with the potential to be designed as multimodal imaging probes. Size and shape of nanocrystals can directly influence interactions with biological systems, hence it is important to develop synthetic methods to design radiolabeled nanocrystals with precise control of size and shape. Here, we report size- and shape-controlled synthesis of rare earth fluoride nanocrystals doped with the β-emitting radioisotope yttrium-90 ((90)Y). Size and shape of nanocrystals are tailored via tight control of reaction parameters and the type of rare earth hosts (e.g., Gd or Y) employed. Radiolabeled nanocrystals are synthesized in high radiochemical yield and purity as well as excellent radiolabel stability in the face of surface modification with different polymeric ligands. We demonstrate the Cerenkov radioluminescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging capabilities of (90)Y-doped GdF3 nanoplates, which offer unique opportunities as a promising platform for multimodal imaging and targeted therapy.

Definitive radiotherapy for extramedullary plasmacytomas of the head and neck.

PubMed

Michalaki, V J; Hall, J; Henk, J M; Nutting, C M; Harrington, K J

2003-10-01

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the head and neck region (EMPHN) is an uncommon malignant plasma cell neoplasm. In this study we conducted a retrospective analysis of our experience of EMPHN with particular emphasis on the role of definitive radiotherapy. From 1982 to 2001, 10 patients (6 males, 4 females) with EMPHN were treated in our institution. Of nine patients treated at initial diagnosis, all received definitive radiotherapy. One patient treated at relapse underwent surgical resection followed by post-operative radiotherapy. The median age at diagnosis was 55 years (range 35-84 years). The disease was most frequently localized in the paranasal sinuses (50%). All nine patients who received definitive radiotherapy at a dose of 40-50 Gy achieved a complete response. The median follow up period was 29 months (range 7-67 months). Four patients (40%) relapsed, three have died of their disease. Two patients (20%) with paranasal sinus disease subsequently relapsed with multiple myeloma at 10 months and 24 months, respectively. Our results indicate that treatment of EMPHN with radiotherapy achieves excellent rates of local control. The relapse rate in neck nodes of 10% does not justify elective irradiation of the uninvolved neck.

Twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) and work hardening in Ti-based metallic glass matrix composites.

PubMed

Fan, J; Qiao, J W; Wang, Z H; Rao, W; Kang, G Z

2017-05-12

The present study demonstrates that Ti-based metallic glass matrix composites (MGMCs) with a normal composition of Ti 43 Zr 32 Ni 6 Ta 5 Be 14 containing ductile dendrites dispersed in the glass matrix has been developed, and deformation mechanisms about the tensile property have been investigated by focusing on twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) effect. The Ti-based MGMC has excellent tensile properties and pronounced tensile work-hardening capacity, with a yield strength of 1100 MPa and homogeneous elongation of 4%. The distinguished strain hardening is ascribed to the formation of deformation twinning within the dendrites. Twinning generated in the dendrites works as an obstacle for the rapid propagation of shear bands, and then, the localized necking is avoided, which ensures the ductility of such kinds of composites. Besides, a finite-element model (FEM) has been established to explain the TWIP effect which brings out a work-hardening behavior in the present MGMC instead of a localized strain concentration. According to the plasticity theory of traditional crystal materials and some new alloys, TWIP effect is mainly controlled by stacking fault energy (SFE), which has been analyzed intensively in the present MGMC.

CephFS: a new generation storage platform for Australian high energy physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borges, G.; Crosby, S.; Boland, L.

2017-10-01

This paper presents an implementation of a Ceph file system (CephFS) use case at the ARC Center of Excellence for Particle Physics at the Terascale (CoEPP). CoEPP’s CephFS provides a posix-like file system on top of a Ceph RADOS object store, deployed on commodity hardware and without single points of failure. By delivering a unique file system namespace at different CoEPP centres spread across Australia, local HEP researchers can store, process and share data independently of their geographical locations. CephFS is also used as the back-end file system for a WLCG ATLAS user area at the Australian Tier-2. Dedicated SRM and XROOTD services, deployed on top of CoEPP’s CephFS, integrates it in ATLAS data distributed operations. This setup, while allowing Australian HEP researchers to trigger data movement via ATLAS grid tools, also enables local posix-like read access providing greater control to scientists of their data flows. In this article we will present details on CoEPP’s Ceph/CephFS implementation and report performance I/O metrics collected during the testing/tuning phase of the system.

Stereotactic radiotherapy for early lung cancer: Evidence-based approach and future directions

PubMed Central

Chehade, Samer; Palma, David A.

2015-01-01

Aim To review key studies evaluating stereotactic radiotherapy in the setting of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for inoperable or high-risk patients, and discuss areas of ongoing research and clinical trials. Background The use of stereotactic radiotherapy for the treatment of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has increased rapidly over the past decade. Numerous studies have reported outcomes for patients treated with SBRT who are unfit for surgical resection, or at high risk of surgical complications. Materials and methods A narrative review. Results The preponderance of evidence suggests that SBRT is associated with excellent local control (∼90% at 3 years) and a favorable toxicity profile. In patients with higher operative risks, such as the elderly and patients with severe COPD, SBRT may provide a less-toxic treatment than surgery with similar oncologic outcomes. Ongoing studies are evaluating the use of SBRT for locally advanced or oligometastatic NSCLC. Conclusions A large body of evidence now exists to support the use of SBRT for early-stage NSCLC. Decisions regarding the optimal choice of treatment should be individualized, and made in the context of a multidisciplinary team. PMID:26696779

[Cardiac myxoma -- the influence of preoperative clinical presentation and surgical technique on late outcome].

PubMed

Mikić, Aleksandar; Obrenović-Krcanski, Bilijana; Kocica, Mladen; Vranes, Mile; Lacković, Vesna; Velinović, Milos; Miarković, Miroslav; Kovacević, Natasa; Djukić, Petar

2007-01-01

Cardiac myxomas are the most frequent primary tumours of the heart in adults, and they can be found in each of four cardiac chambers. Although biologically benign, due to their unfavourable localization, myxomas are considered "functionally malignant" tumours. Diagnosis of cardiac myxoma necessitates surgical treatment. To analyse: 1) the influence of localization, size and consistency of cardiac myxomas on preoperative symptomatology; 2) the influence of different surgical techniques (left, right, biatrial approach, tumour basis solving) on early, and late outcomes. From 1982 to 2000, at the Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, there were 46 patients with cardiac myxomas operated on, 67.4% of them women, mean age 47.1 +/- 16.3 years. The diagnosis was made according to clinical presentation, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examinations and cardiac catheterization. Follow-up period was 4-18 (mean 7.8) years. In 41 (89.1%) patients, myxoma was localized in the left, while in 5 (10.9%), it was found in the right atrium. Average size was 5.8 x 3.8 cm (range: 1 x l cm to 9 x 8 cm) and 6 x 4 cm (range: 3 x 2 cm to 9 x 5 cm) for the left and right atrial myxomas, respectively. A racemous form predominated in the left (82.6%) and globous in the right (80%) atrium. Fatigue was the most common general (84.8%) and dyspnoea the most common cardiologic symptom (73.9%). Preoperative embolic events were present in 8 patients (4 pulmonary, 4 systemic). In our series: 1) different localization, size and consistency had no influence on the preoperative symptomatology; 2) surgical treatment applied, regardless of different approaches and basis solving, resulted in excellent functional improvements (63.1% patients in NYHA III and IV class preoperatively vs. 6.7% patients postoperatively) and had no influence on new postoperative rhythm disturbances (8.7% patients preoperatively vs. 24.4% patients postoperatively); 3) early (97.8%), and late survival rates (91.3%) were excellent; 4) there were no relapses during the follow-up period. Localization, size and consistency had no influence on the preoperative symptomatology. Excellent survival rate with significant functional improvement, rare postoperative complications and no recurrences, justify the applied strategies of surgical approach and tumour basis solving in our series.

A comparative assessment of economic-incentive and command-and-control instruments for air pollution and CO2 control in China's iron and steel sector.

PubMed

Liu, Zhaoyang; Mao, Xianqiang; Tu, Jianjun; Jaccard, Mark

2014-11-01

China's iron and steel sector is faced with increasing pressure to control both local air pollutants and CO2 simultaneously. Additional policy instruments are needed to co-control these emissions in this sector. This study quantitatively evaluates and compares two categories of emission reduction instruments, namely the economic-incentive (EI) instrument of a carbon tax, and the command-and-control (CAC) instrument of mandatory application of end-of-pipe emission control measures for CO2, SO2 and NOx. The comparative evaluation tool is an integrated assessment model, which combines a top-down computable general equilibrium sub-model and a bottom-up technology-based sub-model through a soft-linkage. The simulation results indicate that the carbon tax can co-control multiple pollutants, but the emission reduction rates are limited under the tax rates examined in this study. In comparison, the CAC instruments are found to have excellent effects on controlling different pollutants separately, but not jointly. Such results indicate that no single EI or CAC instrument is overwhelmingly superior. The environmental and economic effectiveness of an instrument highly depends on its specific attributes, and cannot be predicted by the general policy category. These findings highlight the necessity of clearer identification of policy target priorities, and detail-oriented and integrated policy-making among different governmental departments. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Local versus systemic effect of ovulation-inducing factor in the seminal plasma of alpacas

PubMed Central

Ratto, Marcelo H; Huanca, Wilfredo; Singh, Jaswant; Adams, Gregg P

2005-01-01

Background Camelids are induced (reflex) ovulators. We have recently documented the presence of an ovulation-inducing factor (OIF) in the seminal plasma of alpacas and llamas. The objective was to test the hypothesis that OIF exerts its effect via a systemic rather than a local route and that endometrial curettage will enhance the ovulatory response to intrauterine deposition of seminal plasma in alpacas. Methods Female alpacas were assigned randomly to 6 groups (n = 15 to 17 per group) in a 2 × 3 factorial design to test the effect of seminal plasma versus phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) given by intramuscular injection, by intrauterine infusion, or by intrauterine infusion after endometrial curettage. Specifically, alpacas in the respective groups were given 1) 2 ml of alpaca seminal plasma intramuscularly, 2) 2 ml of PBS intramuscularly (negative control group), 3) 2 ml of alpaca seminal plasma by intrauterine infusion, 4) 2 ml of PBS by intrauterine infusion (negative control group), 5) 2 ml of alpaca seminal plasma by intrauterine infusion after endometrial curettage, or 6) 2 ml of PBS by intrauterine infusion after endometrial curettage (negative control group). The alpacas were examined by transrectal ultrasonography to detect ovulation and measure follicular and luteal diameters. Results Intramuscular administration of seminal plasma resulted in a higher ovulation rate than intrauterine administration of seminal plasma (93% versus 41%; P < 0.01), while intrauterine seminal plasma after endometrial curettage was intermediate (67%). None of the saline-treated controls ovulated. The diameter of the CL after treatment-induced ovulation was not affected by the route of administration of seminal plasma. Conclusion We conclude that 1) OIF in seminal plasma effects ovulation via a systemic rather than a local route, 2) disruption of the endometrial mucosa by curettage facilitated the absorption of OIF and increased the ovulatory effect of seminal plasma, and 3) ovulation in alpacas is not associated with a physical stimulation of the genital tract, and 4) the alpaca represents an excellent biological model to evaluate the bioactivity of OIF. PMID:16018817

Novel high dose rate lip brachytherapy technique to improve dose homogeneity and reduce toxicity by customized mold.

PubMed

Feldman, Jon; Appelbaum, Limor; Sela, Mordechay; Voskoboinik, Ninel; Kadouri, Sarit; Weinberger, Jeffrey; Orion, Itzhak; Meirovitz, Amichay

2014-12-23

The purpose of this study is to describe a novel brachytherapy technique for lip Squamous Cell Carcinoma, utilizing a customized mold with embedded brachytherapy sleeves, which separates the lip from the mandible, and improves dose homogeneity. Seven patients with T2 lip cancer treated with a "sandwich" technique of High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy to the lip, consisting of interstitial catheters and a customized mold with embedded catheters, were reviewed for dosimetry and outcome using 3D planning. Dosimetric comparison was made between the "sandwich" technique to "classic" - interstitial catheters only plan. We compared dose volume histograms for Clinical Tumor Volume (CTV), normal tissue "hot spots" and mandible dose. We are reporting according to the ICRU 58 and calculated the Conformal Index (COIN) to show the advantage of our technique. The seven patients (ages 36-81 years, male) had median follow-up of 47 months. Four patients received Brachytherapy and External Beam Radiation Therapy, 3 patients received brachytherapy alone. All achieved local control, with excellent esthetic and functional results. All patients are disease free. The Customized Mold Sandwich technique (CMS) reduced the high dose region receiving 150% (V150) by an average of 20% (range 1-47%), The low dose region (les then 90% of the prescribed dose) improved by 73% in average by using the CMS technique. The COIN value for the CMS was in average 0.92 as opposed to 0.88 for the interstitial catheter only. All differences (excluding the low dose region) were statistically significant. The CMS technique significantly reduces the high dose volume and increases treatment homogeneity. This may reduce the potential toxicity to the lip and adjacent mandible, and results in excellent tumor control, cosmetic and functionality.

Outcome of Percutaneous Release of Tennis Elbow: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial Study.

PubMed

Panthi, Sagar; Khatri, Kishor; Kharel, Krishna; Byanjankar, Subin; Shrestha, Rahul; Sharma, Jay R; Vaishya, Raju; Agarwal, Amit Kumar; Vijay, Vipul

2017-01-02

Tennis elbow is a common disorder of the upper extremity. It can be treated conservatively in the majority of patients, but some resistant cases eventually can be treated by percutaneous release with good functional outcome. This non-randomized control trial was conducted at the Department of Orthopaedics Surgery in a tertiary care hospital from July 2015 to June 2016 on 50 patients who underwent percutaneous release of the common extensor origin using an 18 gauge hypodermic needle. These patients did not respond to conservative treatment including rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and local steroid injections. The outcome was graded as Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor. Fifty patients (50 elbows) were included in the study. Thirty-two patients were female (64%), and 18 were male (36%). The right side was affected in 37 patients (74%) and left side in 13 (26%). The time taken to achieve a completely pain-free elbow ranged from one day to two months (average of 26.2 days). Those who did not achieve a pain-free elbow had a residual pain of 1.5 to six on the visual analogue scale (VAS) (average 2.32). Excellent outcome was noticed in 24 patients (48%); Good result in eight patients (36% ); Fair in four patients (eight percent) and Poor in four patients (eight percent). Tennis elbow probably results from the degenerative tear of the common extensor origin, and a percutaneous tenotomy using an 18 gauge hypodermic needle is a simple, safe, patient-friendly, efficient, and easily reproducible method of treating tennis elbow in those who are resistant to conservative treatment, and it can be done as an outpatient procedure.

Outcome of Percutaneous Release of Tennis Elbow: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial Study

PubMed Central

Khatri, Kishor; Kharel, Krishna; Byanjankar, Subin; Shrestha, Rahul; Sharma, Jay R; Vaishya, Raju; Agarwal, Amit kumar; Vijay, Vipul

2017-01-01

Background Tennis elbow is a common disorder of the upper extremity. It can be treated conservatively in the majority of patients, but some resistant cases eventually can be treated by percutaneous release with good functional outcome. Materials and methods This non-randomized control trial was conducted at the Department of Orthopaedics Surgery in a tertiary care hospital from July 2015 to June 2016 on 50 patients who underwent percutaneous release of the common extensor origin using an 18 gauge hypodermic needle. These patients did not respond to conservative treatment including rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and local steroid injections. The outcome was graded as Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor. Results Fifty patients (50 elbows) were included in the study. Thirty-two patients were female (64%), and 18 were male (36%). The right side was affected in 37 patients (74%) and left side in 13 (26%). The time taken to achieve a completely pain-free elbow ranged from one day to two months (average of 26.2 days). Those who did not achieve a pain-free elbow had a residual pain of 1.5 to six on the visual analogue scale (VAS) (average 2.32). Excellent outcome was noticed in 24 patients (48%); Good result in eight patients (36% ); Fair in four patients (eight percent) and Poor in four patients (eight percent). Conclusion Tennis elbow probably results from the degenerative tear of the common extensor origin, and a percutaneous tenotomy using an 18 gauge hypodermic needle is a simple, safe, patient-friendly, efficient, and easily reproducible method of treating tennis elbow in those who are resistant to conservative treatment, and it can be done as an outpatient procedure. PMID:28168130

Positional calibration of an ultrasound image-guided robotic breast biopsy system.

PubMed

Nelson, Thomas R; Tran, Amy; Fakourfar, Hourieh; Nebeker, Jakob

2012-03-01

Precision biopsy of small lesions is essential in providing high-quality patient diagnosis and management. Localization depends on high-quality imaging. We have developed a dedicated, fully automatic volume breast ultrasound (US) imaging system for early breast cancer detection. This work focuses on development of an image-guided robotic biopsy system that is integrated with the volume breast US system for performing minimally invasive breast biopsies. The objective of this work was to assess the positional accuracy of the robotic system for breast biopsy. We have adapted a compact robotic arm for performing breast biopsy. The arm incorporates a force torque sensor and is modified to accommodate breast biopsy sampling needles mounted on the robot end effector. Volume breast US images are used as input to a targeting algorithm that provides the physician with control of biopsy device guidance and trajectory optimization. In this work, the positional accuracy was evaluated using (1) a light-emitting diode (LED) mounted on the end effector and (2) a LED mounted on the end of a biopsy needle, each of which was imaged for each robot controller position as part of mapping the positional accuracy throughout a volume that would contain the breast. We measured the error in each location and the cumulative error. Robotic device performance over the volume provided mean accuracy ± SD of 0.76 ± 0.13 mm (end effector) and 0.55 ± 0.13 mm (needle sample location), sufficient for a targeting accuracy within ±1 mm, which is suitable for clinical use. Depth positioning error also was small: 0.38 ± 0.03 mm. Reproducibility was excellent with less than 0.5% variation. Overall accuracy and reproducibility of the compact robotic device were excellent, well within clinical biopsy performance requirements. Volume breast US data provide high-quality input to a biopsy sampling algorithm under physician control. Robotic devices may provide more precise device placement, assisting physicians with biopsy procedures.

A compact dispersive refocusing Rowland circle X-ray emission spectrometer for laboratory, synchrotron, and XFEL applications

DOE PAGES

Holden, William M.; Hoidn, Oliver R.; Ditter, Alexander S.; ...

2017-07-27

X-ray emission spectroscopy is emerging as an important complement to x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, providing a characterization of the occupied electronic density of states local to the species of interest. Here, we present details of the design and performance of a compact x-ray emission spectrometer that uses a dispersive refocusing Rowland (DRR) circle geometry to achieve excellent performance for the 2-2.5 keV range, i.e., especially for the K-edge emission from sulfur and phosphorous. The DRR approach allows high energy resolution even for unfocused x-ray sources. This property enables high count rates in laboratory studies, approaching those of insertion-device beamlinesmore » at third-generation synchrotrons, despite use of only a low-powered, conventional x-ray tube. The spectrometer, whose overall scale is set by use of a 10-cm diameter Rowland circle and a new small-pixel complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor x-ray camera, is easily portable to synchrotron or x-ray free electron laser beamlines. Photometrics from measurements at the Advanced Light Source show excellent overall instrumental efficiency. In addition, the compact size of this instrument lends itself to future multiplexing to gain large factors in net collection efficiency or its implementation in controlled gas gloveboxes either in the lab or in an endstation.« less

Localized neuropathic pain: an expert consensus on local treatments

PubMed Central

Pickering, Gisèle; Martin, Elodie; Tiberghien, Florence; Delorme, Claire; Mick, Gérard

2017-01-01

Background Pain localization is one of the hallmarks for the choice of first-line treatment in neuropathic pain. This literature review has been conducted to provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding the etiology and pathophysiology of localized neuropathic pain (LNP), its assessment and the existing topical pharmacological treatments. Materials and methods Literature review was performed using Medline from 2010 to December 2016, and all studies involving LNP and treatments were examined. A multidisciplinary expert panel of five pain specialists in this article reports a consensus on topical approaches that may be recommended to alleviate LNP and on their advantages in clinical practice. Results Successive international recommendations have included topical 5% lidocaine and 8% capsaicin for LNP treatment. The expert panel considers that these compounds can be a first-line treatment for LNP, especially in elderly patients and patients with comorbidities and polypharmacy. Regulatory LNP indications should cover the whole range of LNP and not be restricted to specific etiologies or sites. Precautions for the use of plasters must be followed cautiously. Conclusion Although there is a real need for more randomized controlled trials for both drugs, publications clearly demonstrate excellent risk/benefit ratios, safety, tolerance and continued efficacy throughout long-term treatment. A major advantage of both plasters is that they have proven efficacy and may reduce the risk of adverse events such as cognitive impairment, confusion, somnolence, dizziness and constipation that are often associated with systemic neuropathic pain treatment and reduce the quality of life. Topical modalities also may be used in combination with other drugs and analgesics with limited drug–drug interactions. PMID:29066862

Design Method of Digital Optimal Control Scheme and Multiple Paralleled Bridge Type Current Amplifier for Generating Gradient Magnetic Fields in MRI Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Shuji; Takano, Hiroshi; Fukuda, Hiroya; Hiraki, Eiji; Nakaoka, Mutsuo

This paper deals with a digital control scheme of multiple paralleled high frequency switching current amplifier with four-quadrant chopper for generating gradient magnetic fields in MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) systems. In order to track high precise current pattern in Gradient Coils (GC), the proposal current amplifier cancels the switching current ripples in GC with each other and designed optimum switching gate pulse patterns without influences of the large filter current ripple amplitude. The optimal control implementation and the linear control theory in GC current amplifiers have affinity to each other with excellent characteristics. The digital control system can be realized easily through the digital control implementation, DSPs or microprocessors. Multiple-parallel operational microprocessors realize two or higher paralleled GC current pattern tracking amplifier with optimal control design and excellent results are given for improving the image quality of MRI systems.

Structure tracking aided design and synthesis of Li 3V 2(PO 4) 3 nanocrystals as high-power cathodes for lithium ion batteries

DOE PAGES

Wang, Liping; Bai, Jianming; Gao, Peng; ...

2015-07-30

In this study, preparing new electrode materials with synthetic control of phases and electrochemical properties is desirable for battery applications but hardly achievable without knowing how the synthesis reaction proceeds. Herein, we report on structure tracking-aided design and synthesis of single-crystalline Li 3V 2(PO 4) 3 (LVP) nanoparticles with extremely high rate capability. A comprehensive investigation was made to the local structural orderings of the involved phases and their evolution toward forming LVP phase using in situ/ex situ synchrotron X-ray and electron-beam diffraction, spectroscopy, and imaging techniques. The results shed light on the thermodynamics and kinetics of synthesis reactions andmore » enabled the design of a cost-efficient synthesis protocol to make nanocrystalline LVP, wherein solvothermal treatment is a crucial step leading to an amorphous intermediate with local structural ordering resembling that of LVP, which, upon calcination at moderate temperatures, rapidly transforms into the desired LVP phase. The obtained LVP particles are about 50 nm, coated with a thin layer of amorphous carbon and featured with excellent cycling stability and rate capability – 95% capacity retention after 200 cycles and 66% theoretical capacity even at a current rate of 10 C. The structure tracking based method we developed in this work offers a new way of designing battery electrodes with synthetic control of material phases and properties.« less

Contemporary role of radiotherapy in the management of penile cancer

PubMed Central

Korzeniowski, Martin Arthur

2017-01-01

Penile cancer is a rare clinical entity that contributes to significant patient morbidity and mortality. Human papilloma virus (HPV) plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is associated with improved clinical outcomes, and is predictive for response to treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Historically, treatment consisted of radical surgery with partial or total penectomy. While effective for local control, surgical resection can impart significant physical, psychological and sexual dysfunction for afflicted men. Organ preservation strategies offer significant quality of life advantages over standard surgery and can be utilized without compromising oncological control. As an alternative or adjunct to surgical resection, radiation therapy can be used for organ preservation strategies successfully in up to 70% of patients. A variety of treatment techniques can be employed depending on the location and burden of disease. Limited disease can be amenable to treatment with interstitial brachytherapy, surface mold plesiotherapy or external beam radiotherapy. For locally advanced presentations, or for patients not amenable to surgical resection, excellent clinical outcomes can be achieved using a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Here, we discuss the management of penile SCC using modern radiation therapy treatment techniques, the expected clinical outcomes for organ preservation, as well as the management of side-effects and toxicities. While large randomized trials are being developed, the management of penile cancer is informed from the management of other of other anogenital malignancies, which we also review. PMID:29184783

Outcomes of WHO Grade I Meningiomas Receiving Definitive or Postoperative Radiotherapy

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

Tanzler, Emily; Morris, Christopher G.; Kirwan, Jessica M.

2011-02-01

Purpose: We analyzed long-term local control and complications in patients with either pathologically confirmed or clinical World Health Organization Grade I meningiomas treated with definitive or postoperative radiotherapy (RT) at the University of Florida. Methods: Between 1984 and 2006, 146 patients were treated with definitive (n = 88) or postoperative RT after subtotal resection (n = 57) or gross total resection (n = 1). Patients were treated with conventional (n = 41), stereotactic (n = 103), or intensity-modulated RT (n = 2) to a median dose of 52.7 Gy and followed for a median of 7.3 years (range, 0.6-22.0 years)more » Results: The local control rates at 5 and 10 years were as follows: definitive RT, 99% and 99%; postoperative RT, 96% and 93%; and overall, 97% and 96%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year cause-specific survival rates were as follows: definitive RT 94% and 94%, postoperative RT, 100% and 96%; and overall, 96% and 95%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were as follows: definitive RT, 81% and 75%; postoperative RT, 96% and 85%; and overall, 87% and 79%, respectively. Severe RT complications occurred in 6.8% of patients; severe surgery-related complications occurred in 10 (17%) of 58 patients treated surgically. Conclusions: The likelihood of cure after definitive RT or following subtotal resection is excellent. However, a small population of patients experience severe complications, even at the moderate dose used for this disease.« less

Stonefish envenomation with acute carpal tunnel syndrome.

PubMed

Ling, Samuel K K; Cheng, S C; Yen, C H

2009-12-01

Stonefish envenomation is a common marine sting. Although stonefish injuries are commonly sustained during maritime activities, this local delicacy can also be considered a regional occupational hazard for chefs. The availability and consumption of stonefish in local restaurants has increased the risk of acute carpal tunnel syndrome after a stonefish injury. This case report describes acute carpal tunnel syndrome following stonefish envenomation. An excellent recovery was achieved after surgical decompression of the carpal tunnel syndrome. Standard management of stonefish injuries should therefore take into account the possibility that this orthopaedic emergency may complicate the injury.

Kinetically reduced local Navier-Stokes equations: an alternative approach to hydrodynamics.

PubMed

Karlin, Iliya V; Tomboulides, Ananias G; Frouzakis, Christos E; Ansumali, Santosh

2006-09-01

An alternative approach, the kinetically reduced local Navier-Stokes (KRLNS) equations for the grand potential and the momentum, is proposed for the simulation of low Mach number flows. The Taylor-Green vortex flow is considered in the KRLNS framework, and compared to the results of the direct numerical simulation of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The excellent agreement between the KRLNS equations and the incompressible nonlocal Navier-Stokes equations for this nontrivial time-dependent flow indicates that the former is a viable alternative for computational fluid dynamics at low Mach numbers.

Immunoelectron Microscopy of Cryofixed and Freeze-Substituted Plant Tissues.

PubMed

Takeuchi, Miyuki; Takabe, Keiji; Mineyuki, Yoshinobu

2016-01-01

Cryofixation and freeze-substitution techniques provide excellent preservation of plant ultrastructure. The advantage of cryofixation is not only in structural preservation, as seen in the smooth plasma membrane, but also in the speed in arresting cell activity. Immunoelectron microscopy reveals the subcellular localization of molecules within cells. Immunolabeling in combination with cryofixation and freeze-substitution techniques provides more detailed information on the immunoelectron-microscopic localization of molecules in the plant cell than can be obtained from chemically fixed tissues. Here, we introduce methods for immunoelectron microscopy of cryofixed and freeze-substituted plant tissues.

Ultrasonographic identification of the anatomical landmarks that define cervical lymph nodes spaces.

PubMed

Lenghel, Lavinia Manuela; Baciuţ, Grigore; Botar-Jid, Carolina; Vasilescu, Dan; Bojan, Anca; Dudea, Sorin M

2013-03-01

The localization of cervical lymph nodes is extremely important in practice for the positive and differential diagnosis as well as the staging of cervical lymphadenopathies. Ultrasonography represents the first line imaging method in the diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathies due to its excellent resolution and high diagnosis accuracy. The present paper aims to illustrate the ultrasonographic identification of the anatomical landmarks used for the definition of cervical lymphatic spaces. The application of standardized views allows a delineation of clear anatomical landmarks and an accurate localization of the cervical lymph nodes.

A symmetric Trefftz-DG formulation based on a local boundary element method for the solution of the Helmholtz equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barucq, H.; Bendali, A.; Fares, M.; Mattesi, V.; Tordeux, S.

2017-02-01

A general symmetric Trefftz Discontinuous Galerkin method is built for solving the Helmholtz equation with piecewise constant coefficients. The construction of the corresponding local solutions to the Helmholtz equation is based on a boundary element method. A series of numerical experiments displays an excellent stability of the method relatively to the penalty parameters, and more importantly its outstanding ability to reduce the instabilities known as the "pollution effect" in the literature on numerical simulations of long-range wave propagation.

Deuterium Abundance in the Local ISM and Possible Spatial Variations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Linsky, Jeffrey L.

1998-01-01

Excellent HST/GHRS spectra of interstellar hydrogen and deuterium Lyman-(alpha) absorption toward nearby stars allow us to identify systematic errors that have plagued earlier work and to measure accurate values of the D/H ratio in local interstellar gas. Analysis of 12 sightlines through the Local Interstellar Cloud leads to a mean value of D/H = (1.50 +/- 0.10) x 10(exp -5) with all data points lying within +/- l(delta) of the mean. Whether or not the D/H ratio has different values elsewhere in the Galaxy and beyond is a very important open question that will be one of the major objectives of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) mission.

Local thermodynamic mapping for effective liquid density-functional theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kyrlidis, Agathagelos; Brown, Robert A.

1992-01-01

The structural-mapping approximation introduced by Lutsko and Baus (1990) in the generalized effective-liquid approximation is extended to include a local thermodynamic mapping based on a spatially dependent effective density for approximating the solid phase in terms of the uniform liquid. This latter approximation, called the local generalized effective-liquid approximation (LGELA) yields excellent predictions for the free energy of hard-sphere solids and for the conditions of coexistence of a hard-sphere fcc solid with a liquid. Moreover, the predicted free energy remains single valued for calculations with more loosely packed crystalline structures, such as the diamond lattice. The spatial dependence of the weighted density makes the LGELA useful in the study of inhomogeneous solids.

Carbon Beam Radio-Therapy and Research Activities at HIMAC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanazawa, Mitsutaka

2007-05-01

Radio-therapy with carbon ion beam has been carried out since 1994 at HIMAC (Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba) in NIRS (National Institute of Radiological Sciences). Now, many types of tumors can be treated with carbon beam with excellent local controls of the tumors. Stimulated with good clinical results, requirement of the dedicated compact facility for carbon beam radio-therapy is increased. To realize this requirement, design study of the facility and the R&D's of the key components in this design are promoted by NIRS. According successful results of these activities, the dedicated compact facility will be realized in Gunma University. In this facility, the established irradiation method is expected to use, which is passive irradiation method with wobbler magnets and ridge filter. In this presentation, above R&D's will be presented together with clinical results and basic research activities at HIMAC.

Progression of understanding for the role of Epstein-Barr virus and management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PubMed

Nakanishi, Yosuke; Wakisaka, Naohiro; Kondo, Satoru; Endo, Kazuhira; Sugimoto, Hisashi; Hatano, Miyako; Ueno, Takayoshi; Ishikawa, Kazuya; Yoshizaki, Tomokazu

2017-09-01

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is very common in southern China and Southeast Asia. In regions where NPC is endemic, undifferentiated subtypes constitute most cases and are invariably associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, whereas the differentiated subtype is more common in other parts of the world. Undifferentiated NPC is a unique malignancy with regard to its epidemiology, etiology, and clinical presentation. Clinically, NPC is highly invasive and metastatic, but sensitive to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT). Overall prognosis has dramatically improved over the past three decades because of advances in management, including the improvement of RT technology, the broader application of chemotherapy, and more accurate disease staging. Despite the excellent local control with modern RT, distant failure remains a challenging problem. Advances in molecular technology have helped to elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of NPC. This article reviews the contribution of EBV gene products to NPC pathogenesis and the current management of NPC.

Spatiotemporal polarization modulation microscopy with a microretarder array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Changqin; Ulcickas, James R. W.; Simpson, Garth J.

2018-02-01

A patterned microretarder array positioned in the rear conjugate plane of a microscope enables rapid polarizationdependent nonlinear optical microscopy. The pattern introduced to the array results in periodic modulation of the polarization-state of the incident light as a function of position within the field of view with no moving parts or active control. Introduction of a single stationary optical element and a fixed polarizer into the beam of a nonlinear optical microscope enabled nonlinear optical tensor recovery, which informs on local structure and orientation. Excellent agreement was observed between the measured and predicted second harmonic generation (SHG) of z-cut quartz, selected as a test system with well-established nonlinear optical properties. Subsequent studies of spatially varying samples further support the general applicability of this relatively simple strategy for detailed polarization analysis in both conventional and nonlinear optical imaging of structurally diverse samples.

Nematic Liquid-Crystal Colloids

PubMed Central

Muševič, Igor

2017-01-01

This article provides a concise review of a new state of colloidal matter called nematic liquid-crystal colloids. These colloids are obtained by dispersing microparticles of different shapes in a nematic liquid crystal that acts as a solvent for the dispersed particles. The microparticles induce a local deformation of the liquid crystal, which then generates topological defects and long-range forces between the neighboring particles. The colloidal forces in nematic colloids are much stronger than the forces in ordinary colloids in isotropic solvents, exceeding thousands of kBT per micrometer-sized particle. Of special interest are the topological defects in nematic colloids, which appear in many fascinating forms, such as singular points, closed loops, multitudes of interlinked and knotted loops or soliton-like structures. The richness of the topological phenomena and the possibility to design and control topological defects with laser tweezers make colloids in nematic liquid crystals an excellent playground for testing the basic theorems of topology. PMID:29295574

A controlled antibiotic release system to prevent orthopedic-implant associated infections: An in vitro study

PubMed Central

Gimeno, Marina; Pinczowski, Pedro; Pérez, Marta; Giorello, Antonella; Martínez, Miguel Ángel; Santamaría, Jesús; Arruebo, Manuel; Luján, Lluís

2015-01-01

A new device for local delivery of antibiotics is presented, with potential use as a drug-eluting fixation pin for orthopedic applications. The implant consists of a stainless steel hollow tubular reservoir packed with the desired antibiotic. Release takes place through several orifices previously drilled in the reservoir wall, a process that does not compromise the mechanical properties required for the implant. Depending on the antibiotic chosen and the number of orifices, the release profile can be tailored from a rapid release of the load (ca. 20 h) to a combination of rapid initial release and slower, sustained release for a longer period of time (ca. 200 h). An excellent bactericidal action is obtained, with 4-log reductions achieved in as little as 2 h, and total bacterial eradication in 8 h using 6-pinholed implants filled with cefazolin. PMID:26297104

Nanothermometer Based on Resonant Tunneling Diodes: From Cryogenic to Room Temperatures.

PubMed

Pfenning, Andreas; Hartmann, Fabian; Rebello Sousa Dias, Mariama; Castelano, Leonardo Kleber; Süßmeier, Christoph; Langer, Fabian; Höfling, Sven; Kamp, Martin; Marques, Gilmar Eugenio; Worschech, Lukas; Lopez-Richard, Victor

2015-06-23

Sensor miniaturization together with broadening temperature sensing range are fundamental challenges in nanothermometry. By exploiting a large temperature-dependent screening effect observed in a resonant tunneling diode in sequence with a GaInNAs/GaAs quantum well, we present a low dimensional, wide range, and high sensitive nanothermometer. This sensor shows a large threshold voltage shift of the bistable switching of more than 4.5 V for a temperature raise from 4.5 to 295 K, with a linear voltage-temperature response of 19.2 mV K(-1), and a temperature uncertainty in the millikelvin (mK) range. Also, when we monitor the electroluminescence emission spectrum, an optical read-out control of the thermometer is provided. The combination of electrical and optical read-outs together with the sensor architecture excel the device as a thermometer with the capability of noninvasive temperature sensing, high local resolution, and sensitivity.

Low-bias negative differential conductance controlled by electrode separation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yi, Xiao-Hua; Liu, Ran; Bi, Jun-Jie; Jiao, Yang; Wang, Chuan-Kui; Li, Zong-Liang

2016-12-01

The electronic transport properties of a single thiolated arylethynylene molecule with 9,10-dihydroanthracene core, denoted as TADHA, is studied by using non-equilibrium Green’s function formalism combined with ab initio calculations. The numerical results show that the TADHA molecule exhibits excellent negative differential conductance (NDC) behavior at lower bias regime as probed experimentally. The NDC behavior of TADHA molecule originates from the Stark effect of the applied bias voltage, by which the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the HOMO-1 are pulled apart and become localized. The NDC behavior of TADHA molecular system is tunable by changing the electrode distance. Shortening the electrode separation can enhance the NDC effect which is attributed to the possible increase of coupling between the two branches of TADHA molecule. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11374195 and 11405098) and the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China (Grant No. ZR2013FM006).

Defect Interactions in Anisotropic Two-Dimensional Fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stannarius, R.; Harth, K.

2016-10-01

Disclinations in liquid crystals bear striking analogies to defect structures in a wide variety of physical systems, and their straightforward optical observability makes them excellent models to study fundamental properties of defect interactions. We employ freely suspended smectic-C films, which behave as quasi-two-dimensional polar nematics. A procedure to capture high-strength disclinations in localized spots is introduced. These disclinations are released in a controlled way, and the motion of the mutually repelling topological charges with strength +1 is studied quantitatively. We demonstrate that the classical models, which employ elastic one-constant approximation, fail to describe their dynamics correctly. In realistic liquid crystals, even small differences between splay and bend constants lead to the selection of pure splay or pure bend +1 defects. For those, the models work only in very special configurations. In general, additional director walls are involved which reinforce the repulsive interactions substantially.

Technology and the study of wildfire: Middle school students study the impacts of wildfire

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fox-Gliessman, D.; Kerski, J.J.

2005-01-01

Various technologies that can assist students in exploring the human and environmental impacts of wildfire and in communicating their findings are discussed. Wildfires occur in many parts of the world, and provide an excellent opportunity for students to study local and global interdisciplinary issues using technology. Prior to the beginning of the field study, students take instructions in both their math and science classes about the distinction and appropriate uses of quantitative and qualitative data. Use of computer programs such as Excel spreadsheets which can contain data, and interaction of research and technology group with students, can help them collect best of the information and in making an accurate report.

Improving sleep for patients in acute hospitals.

PubMed

Norton, Christine; Flood, David; Brittin, Andy; Miles, Jane

2015-03-11

Sleep is important to health and recovery from illness, but is known to be difficult in hospital. This article describes a quality improvement project conducted on 18 wards in acute hospitals. Patients reported sleeping an average of five hours per night, and 47% (352/749) rated their sleep quality as good or excellent in hospital. Individualised ward action plans were implemented. At follow up, disturbance by noise and light had fallen significantly and 69% (540/783) of patients rated their sleep as good or excellent, 22% more than before the intervention (P<0.001). Local interventions such as improving staff awareness of noise, installing window blinds and turning down equipment alarms improved the patient experience of sleep.

Graphene as a local probe to investigate near-field properties of plasmonic nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wasserroth, Sören; Bisswanger, Timo; Mueller, Niclas S.; Kusch, Patryk; Heeg, Sebastian; Clark, Nick; Schedin, Fredrik; Gorbachev, Roman; Reich, Stephanie

2018-04-01

Light interacting with metallic nanoparticles creates a strongly localized near-field around the particle that enhances inelastic light scattering by several orders of magnitude. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering describes the enhancement of the Raman intensity by plasmonic nanoparticles. We present an extensive Raman characterization of a plasmonic gold nanodimer covered with graphene. Its two-dimensional nature and energy-independent optical properties make graphene an excellent material for investigating local electromagnetic near-fields. We show the localization of the near-field of the plasmonic dimer by spatial Raman measurements. Energy- and polarization-dependent measurements reveal the local near-field resonance of the plasmonic system. To investigate the far-field resonance we perform dark-field spectroscopy and find that near-field and far-field resonance energies differ by 170 meV, much more than expected from the model of a damped oscillator (40 meV).

Tracking by Identification Using Computer Vision and Radio

PubMed Central

Mandeljc, Rok; Kovačič, Stanislav; Kristan, Matej; Perš, Janez

2013-01-01

We present a novel system for detection, localization and tracking of multiple people, which fuses a multi-view computer vision approach with a radio-based localization system. The proposed fusion combines the best of both worlds, excellent computer-vision-based localization, and strong identity information provided by the radio system, and is therefore able to perform tracking by identification, which makes it impervious to propagated identity switches. We present comprehensive methodology for evaluation of systems that perform person localization in world coordinate system and use it to evaluate the proposed system as well as its components. Experimental results on a challenging indoor dataset, which involves multiple people walking around a realistically cluttered room, confirm that proposed fusion of both systems significantly outperforms its individual components. Compared to the radio-based system, it achieves better localization results, while at the same time it successfully prevents propagation of identity switches that occur in pure computer-vision-based tracking. PMID:23262485

(/sup 3/H)Batrachotoxinin A 20 alpha-benzoate binding to voltage-sensitive sodium channels: a rapid and quantitative assay for local anesthetic activity in a variety of drugs

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

McNeal, E.T.; Lewandowski, G.A.; Daly, J.W.

1985-03-01

(/sup 3/H)Batrachotoxinin A benzoate ((/sup 3/H)BTX-B) binds with high affinity to sites on voltage-dependent sodium channels in a vesicular preparation from guinea pig cerebral cortex. In this preparation, local anesthetics competitively antagonize the binding of (/sup 3/H)BTX-B. The potencies of some 40 classical local anesthetics and a variety of catecholamine, histamine, serotonin, adenosine, GABA, glycine, acetylcholine, and calcium antagonists, tranquilizers, antidepressants, barbiturates, anticonvulsants, steroids, vasodilators, antiinflammatories, anticoagulants, analgesics, and other agents have been determined. An excellent correlation with the known local anesthetic activity of many of these agents indicate that antagonism of binding of (/sup 3/H)BTX-B binding provides a rapid,more » quantitative, and facile method for the screening and investigation of local anesthetic activity.« less

Local polar fluctuations in lead halide perovskite crystals

DOE PAGES

Yaffe, Omer; Guo, Yinsheng; Tan, Liang Z.; ...

2017-03-28

Hybrid lead-halide perovskites have emerged as an excellent class of photovoltaic materials. Recent reports suggest that the organic molecular cation is responsible for local polar fluctuations that inhibit carrier recombination. We combine low-frequency Raman scattering with first-principles molecular dynamics (MD) to study the fundamental nature of these local polar fluctuations. Our observations of a strong central peak in the cubic phase of both hybrid (CH 3NH 3PbBr 3) and all-inorganic (CsPbBr 3) lead-halide perovskites show that anharmonic, local polar fluctuations are intrinsic to the general lead-halide perovskite structure, and not unique to the dipolar organic cation. Furthermore, MD simulations indicatemore » that head-to-head Cs motion coupled to Br face expansion, occurring on a few hundred femtosecond time scale, drives the local polar fluctuations in CsPbBr 3.« less

The Effectiveness of Facebook Group Discussions on Writing Performance: A Study in Matriculation College

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ping, Ng Sau; Maniam, Mahendran

2015-01-01

Matriculation a pre-tertiary program offered by Ministry of Education for students who have completed their "Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia's" (SPM) examinations successfully. These excellent students will be required to sit for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) before pursuing their studies in local colleges and universities. MUET…

Explore Locally, Excel Digitally: A Participatory Learning After-School Program for Enriching Citizenship On- and Offline

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Felt, Laurel J.; Vartabedian, Vanessa; Literat, Ioana; Mehta, Ritesh

2012-01-01

This paper discusses the design and implementation of a participatory culture pedagogy in the context of a pilot after-school program at LAUSD's Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools. Ethnographic fieldnotes, instructor and student reflections, photographs, video recordings, and student work illustrate the program's culture of participatory…

Using Microsoft Excel[R] to Calculate Descriptive Statistics and Create Graphs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carr, Nathan T.

2008-01-01

Descriptive statistics and appropriate visual representations of scores are important for all test developers, whether they are experienced testers working on large-scale projects, or novices working on small-scale local tests. Many teachers put in charge of testing projects do not know "why" they are important, however, and are utterly convinced…

Media Literacy Education: On the Move

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hagood, Margaret

2011-01-01

In 2005, the author and several colleagues were awarded a five-year grant to create the Center of Excellence for the Advancement of New Literacies in Middle Grades at the College of Charleston. From 2006-2011, they have worked collaboratively with over 200 middle school teachers in underperforming local schools to assist them in stimulating their…

Homegrown Tests Measure Core Critical-Reading Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olson, Lynn

2007-01-01

This article features FAST-R, or Formative Assessments of Student Thinking in Reading, a new assessment tool that measures critical-reading skills. FAST-R was developed by the the nonprofit Boston Plan for Excellence (BPE), a local education foundation, to provide teachers with information about what students are thinking when they try to find…

Baltimore and the Portfolio School District Strategy. Portfolio School Districts Project

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yatsko, Sarah

2012-01-01

In November 2010, Baltimore's Fund for Education Excellence and the Annie E. Casey Foundation approached the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) and requested a case study of the implementation of Baltimore City Public Schools' (City Schools) portfolio strategy. These local foundations were interested in understanding how the district…

NREL Provides PV Holiday Lights for Christmas Tree

Science.gov Websites

annual holiday event that began in 1913. The solar array generates electricity during the day by converting sunlight directly into electricity. The electricity is fed directly to the local electrical small part of the electricity used by the Pageant each night, but it's an excellent public demonstration

The Secretary's Awards for Outstanding Vocational-Technical Education Programs. 1995.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Office of Vocational and Adult Education (ED), Washington, DC.

This publication describes the 12 winning programs and the 9 semifinalists of the 1995 U.S. Secretary of Education's Awards for Outstanding Vocational-Technical Education Programs. The awards program was established in 1981 to recognize excellence in local school-to-work and vocational-technical education programs, services, and activities that…

Bilobed flap in sole surgery

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

Sanchez-Conejo-Mir, J.; Bueno Montes, J.; Moreno Gimenez, J.C.

1985-09-01

The bilobed flap is a simple reconstructive technique principally used to correct substantial defects in the facial region. The authors present their experience with this local flap in the difficult plantar area, with excellent short-term functional results. They describe the special characteristics of the bilobed flap in this zone, and comment on its indications and possible complications.

Educational Excellence for Iowa. Final Report of the Joint Committee on Instructional Development and Academic Articulation in Iowa.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Iowa State Board of Regents, Des Moines.

This report recommends measures to improve elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education in Iowa while providing universal access to education. The proposal stresses unified goals throughout the state's educational system, while retaining local discretion over curriculum. Although the report emphasizes high school-to-college articulation, it…

Homework Policies and Guidelines. Turning the Tide: An Agenda for Excellence in Pennsylvania Public Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pennsylvania State Dept. of Education, Harrisburg.

For homework to be effective, a clear, written policy should be developed that considers local needs, sound educational theories, and current research. This handbook is intended to assist school districts, particularly in Pennsylvania, in planning, developing, and implementing homework policies and guidelines. The booklet first briefly reviews the…

Creating Communities of Learning: Public Education in Greater Boston.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Portz, John

This paper asserts that central to the debate over excellence and equity in education is the shifting nature of authority over public education in the schools and school districts of Greater Boston, Massachusetts, noting that the autonomy that local school districts have historically exercised is fading, if not gone. The 1993 Massachusetts…

Mathematics: Making a Living, Making a Life.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Inc., Reston, VA.

This document highlights what is needed to ensure excellence in mathematics education as teachers and schools prepare students for the world beyond the classroom. One goal of this publication is to inform parent groups, school boards, business leaders, and local policy makers of the changes taking place in mathematics education. The purpose of a…

Developing Clinical Leaders in Primary Care: The US Air Force Diabetes Champion Course

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-04-03

The US Air Force Diabetes Center of Excellence designed the Diabetes Champion Course (DCC), a semi-annual, 3-day course, to train primary care teams ...and patient flow in a team -based setting. Each team is tasked to identify local deficits and make a Plan of Action (POA) for implementation.

Developing and Rewarding Excellent Teachers: The Scottish Chartered Teacher Scheme

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ingvarson, Lawrence

2009-01-01

The Scottish Chartered Teacher Scheme was designed to recognise and reward teachers who attained high standards of practice. The scheme emerged in 2001 as part of an agreement between government, local employing authorities and teacher organisations. Policies such as the chartered teacher scheme aim to benefit students in two main ways: by…

Should We Use Wood for Energy? An Education for Sustainable Development Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ireland, Jessica J. T.; Monroe, Martha C.

2015-01-01

Local issues that combine economic, environmental, and equity impacts make excellent contexts for interdisciplinary teaching. An instructional unit, "Should We Use Wood for Energy? A High School Education Program," was developed by the University of Florida's School of Forest Resources and Conservation to engage high school students in…

Creating and Sustaining Successful K-8 Magnet Schools. Innovations in Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

US Department of Education, 2008

2008-01-01

Magnet schools have developed strong national and local constituencies among parents and educators, who see them as vehicles for bringing equity and academic excellence to all students. Typically, these schools offer innovative programs through a specialized focus or theme. They may emphasize subjects like science or the arts, or they may adopt…

Development of an Excel-based laboratory information management system for improving workflow efficiencies in early ADME screening.

PubMed

Lu, Xinyan

2016-01-01

There is a clear requirement for enhancing laboratory information management during early absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) screening. The application of a commercial laboratory information management system (LIMS) is limited by complexity, insufficient flexibility, high costs and extended timelines. An improved custom in-house LIMS for ADME screening was developed using Excel. All Excel templates were generated through macros and formulae, and information flow was streamlined as much as possible. This system has been successfully applied in task generation, process control and data management, with a reduction in both labor time and human error rates. An Excel-based LIMS can provide a simple, flexible and cost/time-saving solution for improving workflow efficiencies in early ADME screening.

RNA interfering molecule delivery from in situ forming biodegradable hydrogels for enhancement of bone formation in rat calvarial bone defects.

PubMed

Nguyen, Minh K; Jeon, Oju; Dang, Phuong N; Huynh, Cong T; Varghai, Davood; Riazi, Hooman; McMillan, Alexandra; Herberg, Samuel; Alsberg, Eben

2018-06-06

RNA interference (RNAi) may be an effective and valuable tool for promoting the growth of functional tissue, as short interfering RNA (siRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) can block the expression of genes that have negative effects on tissue regeneration. Our group has recently reported that the localized and sustained presentation of siRNA against noggin (siNoggin) and miRNA-20a from in situ forming poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels enhanced osteogenic differentiation of encapsulated human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Here, the capacity of the hydrogel system to accelerate bone formation in a rat calvarial bone defect model is presented. After 12 weeks post-implantation, the hydrogels containing encapsulated hMSCs and miRNA-20a resulted in more bone formation in the defects than the hydrogels containing hMSCs without siRNA or with negative control siRNA. This localized and sustained RNA interfering molecule delivery system may provide an excellent platform for healing bony defects and other tissues. Delivery of RNAi molecules may be a valuable strategy to guide cell behavior for tissue engineering applications, but to date there have been no reports of a biomaterial system capable of both encapsulation of cells and controlled delivery of incorporated RNA. Here, we present PEG hydrogels that form in situ via Michael type reaction, and that permit encapsulation of hMSCs and the concomitant controlled delivery of siNoggin and/or miRNA-20a. These RNAs were chosen to suppress noggin, a BMP-2 antagonist, and/or PPAR-γ, a negative regulator of BMP-2-mediated osteogenesis, and therefore promote osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs and subsequent bone repair in critical-sized rat calvarial defects. Simultaneous delivery of hMSCs and miRNA-20a enhanced repair of these defects compared to hydrogels containing hMSCs without siRNA or with negative control siRNA. This in situ forming PEG hydrogel system offers an exciting platform for healing critical-sized bone defects by localized, controlled delivery of RNAi molecules to encapsulated hMSCs and surrounding cells. Copyright © 2018 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Speak up or Burn out: Five Crucial Conversations that Drive Educational Excellence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maxfield, David

2009-01-01

Challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, poor administrative and parental support, loss of control in the classroom, and bureaucratic red tape are enough to make any teacher abandon the fight for educational excellence and run for the ridge. When teachers retreat, they cross a line between simple stress and serious burnout. In burnout, their…

A Simple Microsoft Excel Method to Predict Antibiotic Outbreaks and Underutilization.

PubMed

Miglis, Cristina; Rhodes, Nathaniel J; Avedissian, Sean N; Zembower, Teresa R; Postelnick, Michael; Wunderink, Richard G; Sutton, Sarah H; Scheetz, Marc H

2017-07-01

Benchmarking strategies are needed to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics. We have adapted a simple regressive method in Microsoft Excel that is easily implementable and creates predictive indices. This method trends consumption over time and can identify periods of over- and underuse at the hospital level. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:860-862.

76 FR 4897 - Submission for OMB Review; OMB Control No. 3090-0291; FSRS Registration and Prime Awardee Entity...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-27

... methods for submitting multiple FFATA subaward reports: A batch upload template using Microsoft Excel, an... three methods for submitting multiple FFATA subaward reports: A batch upload template using Microsoft Excel, an XML report submission template and an XML web service. These methods do take advantage of the...

Radiofrequency-assisted liposuction device for body contouring: 97 patients under local anesthesia.

PubMed

Theodorou, Spero J; Paresi, Robert J; Chia, Christopher T

2012-08-01

Radiofrequency-assisted liposuction involves the delivery of a controlled amount of energy to treated tissue resulting in fat liquefaction, accompanying hemostasis, and skin tightening. The purpose of this study is to report experience with a larger sample size using the BodyTite™ radiofrequency-assisted liposuction (RFAL) platform, and its first use with local tumescent anesthesia. The Bodytite™ device is currently awaiting FDA approval. We prospectively included 97 patients who underwent radiofrequency-assisted liposuction under local anesthesia under IRB approval. We treated 144 anatomical areas in 132 operations and collected the following data: age, sex, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), anatomical area of treatment, operative time, amount of tumescent solution used, amount of fat aspirated, amount of kilojoules (kJ) delivered, and the incidence of infections, seromas, adverse effects from medications, and thermal injuries. Patients were asked to complete an online survey assessing the aesthetic outcome and quality of life after treatment with RFAL-assisted liposuction. Three independent plastic surgeons were asked to evaluate photographs of our 6-month postoperative results in comparison to the preoperative photos. The average age and BMI of our study population was 37.6 years and 28.2 kg/m2, respectively. The study population was 88% female. The mean amount of lidocaine given per treatment session was 32.7 mg/kg (range=3.8-83.3 mg/kg). The mean amount of tumescent fluid given per anatomical treatment area was 1,575 cc. The average amount of total aspirate across all anatomical treatment areas was 1,050 cc, with an average total aspirate of 1,146 cc per treatment date. The overall incidence of major complications was 6.25% and the incidence of minor complications was 8.3%. Overall patient satisfaction was 82% for the degree of skin tightening and 85% for the body-contouring result with the BodyTite™ device. Three independent plastic surgeons graded the improvement in body contour as good to excellent in 74.5% of patients and the improvement in skin tightening as good to excellent in 58.5% of patients. The BodyTite™ RFAL platform is a safe and effective device for use as an energy-based liposuction technique under local tumescent anesthesia in the awake patient. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors at www.springer.com/00266.

Closure of the Radial Forearm Free Flap Donor Site Using the Combined Local Triangular Full-Thickness Skin Graft.

PubMed

Moreno-Sánchez, Manuel; González-García, Raúl; Ruiz-Laza, Luis; Manzano Solo de Zaldívar, Damián; Moreno-García, Carlos; Monje, Florencio

2016-01-01

Traditional donor-site closure has been associated with serious esthetic and functional morbidity. The purpose of this study was to assess morbidity in esthetics and function and measure the postoperative complications of the radial forearm free flap (RFFF) donor site after using combined local triangular full-thickness skin grafting. This prospective study of patients who underwent reconstruction of head and neck defects using an RFFF was conducted from July 2008 through December 2014. The donor site was repaired with a combined local triangular full-thickness skin graft. Quality of the scar, color match, tendon exposure, presence of necrosis, dehiscence of the suture, and presence of dysesthesia were recorded and analyzed using SPSS 21.0 software. One hundred consecutive patients (71 male and 29 female) underwent RFFF harvesting. RFFF donor-site defects ranged from 15 to 70 cm2; partial skin graft loss occurred in 7% of patients. Five patients (5%) had small dehiscences of the forearm skin graft, and 2 cases (2%) presented tendon exposure. In all cases, these sites healed secondarily by conservative management, with no final impairment of function. Esthetic results were considered excellent in 87%, good in 11%, and suboptimal in 2% of the cases. The combined local triangular full-thickness skin graft is a reliable method for closing RFFF donor-site defects because it obviates a second surgical site, it provides excellent color match and pliability, and it can be used for covering large defects of the donor site. Copyright © 2016 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Correcting Inconsistencies and Errors in Bacterial Genome Metadata Using an Automated Curation Tool in Excel (AutoCurE).

PubMed

Schmedes, Sarah E; King, Jonathan L; Budowle, Bruce

2015-01-01

Whole-genome data are invaluable for large-scale comparative genomic studies. Current sequencing technologies have made it feasible to sequence entire bacterial genomes with relative ease and time with a substantially reduced cost per nucleotide, hence cost per genome. More than 3,000 bacterial genomes have been sequenced and are available at the finished status. Publically available genomes can be readily downloaded; however, there are challenges to verify the specific supporting data contained within the download and to identify errors and inconsistencies that may be present within the organizational data content and metadata. AutoCurE, an automated tool for bacterial genome database curation in Excel, was developed to facilitate local database curation of supporting data that accompany downloaded genomes from the National Center for Biotechnology Information. AutoCurE provides an automated approach to curate local genomic databases by flagging inconsistencies or errors by comparing the downloaded supporting data to the genome reports to verify genome name, RefSeq accession numbers, the presence of archaea, BioProject/UIDs, and sequence file descriptions. Flags are generated for nine metadata fields if there are inconsistencies between the downloaded genomes and genomes reports and if erroneous or missing data are evident. AutoCurE is an easy-to-use tool for local database curation for large-scale genome data prior to downstream analyses.

Local recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck after radio(chemo)therapy: Diagnostic performance of FDG-PET/MRI with diffusion-weighted sequences.

PubMed

Becker, Minerva; Varoquaux, Arthur D; Combescure, Christophe; Rager, Olivier; Pusztaszeri, Marc; Burkhardt, Karim; Delattre, Bénédicte M A; Dulguerov, Pavel; Dulguerov, Nicolas; Katirtzidou, Eirini; Caparrotti, Francesca; Ratib, Osman; Zaidi, Habib; Becker, Christoph D

2018-02-01

To determine the diagnostic performance of FDG-PET/MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging (FDG-PET/DWIMRI) for detection and local staging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) after radio(chemo)therapy. This was a prospective study that included 74 consecutive patients with previous radio(chemo)therapy for HNSCC and in whom tumour recurrence or radiation-induced complications were suspected clinically. The patients underwent hybrid PET/MRI examinations with morphological MRI, DWI and FDG-PET. Experienced readers blinded to clinical/histopathological data evaluated images according to established diagnostic criteria taking into account the complementarity of multiparametric information. The standard of reference was histopathology with whole-organ sections and follow-up ≥24 months. Statistical analysis considered data clustering. The proof of diagnosis was histology in 46/74 (62.2%) patients and follow-up (mean ± SD = 34 ± 8 months) in 28/74 (37.8%). Thirty-eight patients had 43 HNSCCs and 46 patients (10 with and 36 without tumours) had 62 benign lesions/complications. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of PET/DWIMRI were 97.4%, 91.7%, 92.5% and 97.1% per patient, and 93.0%, 93.5%, 90.9%, and 95.1% per lesion, respectively. Agreement between imaging-based and pathological T-stage was excellent (kappa = 0.84, p < 0.001). FDG-PET/DWIMRI yields excellent results for detection and T-classification of HNSCC after radio(chemo)therapy. • FDG-PET/DWIMRI yields excellent results for the detection of post-radio(chemo)therapy HNSCC recurrence. • Prospective one-centre study showed excellent agreement between imaging-based and pathological T-stage. • 97.5% of positive concordant MRI, DWI and FDG-PET results correspond to recurrence. • 87% of discordant MRI, DWI and FDG-PET results correspond to benign lesions. • Multiparametric FDG-PET/DWIMRI facilitates planning of salvage surgery in the irradiated neck.

Patient satisfaction with intravenous acetaminophen: a pooled analysis of five randomized, placebo-controlled studies in the acute postoperative setting.

PubMed

Apfel, Christian C; Souza, Kimberly; Portillo, Juan; Dalal, Poorvi; Bergese, Sergio D

2015-01-01

Intravenous (IV) acetaminophen has been shown to reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption, which may lead to increased patient satisfaction. To determine the effect IV acetaminophen has on patient satisfaction, a pooled analysis from methodologically homogenous studies was conducted. We obtained patient-level data from five randomized, placebo-controlled studies in adults undergoing elective surgery in which patient satisfaction was measured using a 4-point categorical rating scale. The primary endpoint was "excellent" satisfaction and the secondary endpoint was "good" or "excellent" satisfaction at 24 hr after first study drug administration. Bivariate analyses were conducted using the chi-square test and Student's t-test and multivariable analyses were conducted using logistic regression analysis. Patients receiving IV acetaminophen were more than twice as likely as those who received placebo to report "excellent" patient satisfaction ratings (32.3% vs. 15.9%, respectively). Of all variables that remained statistically significant in the multivariable analysis (i.e., type of surgery, duration of anesthesia, last pain rating, and opioid consumption), IV acetaminophen had the strongest positive effect on "excellent" patient satisfaction with an odds ratio of 2.76 (95% CI 1.81-4.23). Results for "excellent" or "good" satisfaction were similar. When given as part of a perioperative analgesic regimen, IV acetaminophen was associated with significantly improved patient satisfaction.

Documentation of new mission control center White Flight Control Room (FLCR)

NASA Image and Video Library

1995-06-06

Documentation of the new mission control center White Flight Control Room (FLCR). Excellent overall view of White FLCR with personnel manning console workstations (11221). Fisheye lens perspective from Flight Director station with Brian Austin (11222). Environmental (EECOM) workstation and personnel (11223).

Research on precise control of 3D print nozzle temperature in PEEK material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhichao; Wang, Gong; Huo, Yu; Zhao, Wei

2017-10-01

3D printing technology has shown more and more applicability in medication, designing and other fields for its low cost and high timeliness. PEEK (poly-ether-ether-ketone), as a typical high-performance special engineering plastic, become one of the most excellent materials to be used in 3D printing technology because of its excellent mechanical property, good lubricity, chemical resistance, and other properties. But the nozzle of 3D printer for PEEK has also a series of very high requirements. In this paper, we mainly use the nozzle temperature control as the research object, combining with the advantages and disadvantages of PID control and fuzzy control. Finally realize a kind of fuzzy PID controller to solve the problem of the inertia of the temperature system and the seriousness of the temperature control hysteresis in the temperature control of the nozzle, and to meet the requirements of the accuracy of the nozzle temperature control and rapid reaction.

Radical prostatectomy in the 21st century - the gold standard for localized and locally advanced prostate cancer.

PubMed

Schostak, M; Miller, K; Schrader, M

2008-01-01

Radical prostatectomy for treatment of prostate cancer is a technically sophisticated operation. Simpler therapies have therefore been developed in the course of decades. The decisive advantage of a radical operation is the chance of a cure with minimal collateral damage. It is the only approach that enables precise tumor staging. The 10-year progression-free survival probability is approximately 85% for a localized tumor with negative resection margins. This high cure rate is unsurpassed by competitive treatment modalities. Nowadays, experienced surgeons achieve excellent functional results (for example, recovery of continence and erectile function) with minimum morbidity. Even in the locally advanced stage, results are very good compared to those obtained with other treatment modalities. Pathological staging enables stratified adjuvant therapy based on concrete information. The overall prognosis can thus be significantly improved.

A Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Kinesthetic and Visual Motor Imagery Questionnaire.

PubMed

Demanboro, Alan; Sterr, Annette; Anjos, Sarah Monteiro Dos; Conforto, Adriana Bastos

2018-01-01

Motor imagery has emerged as a potential rehabilitation tool in stroke. The goals of this study were: 1) to develop a translated and culturally-adapted Brazilian-Portugese version of the Kinesthetic and Visual Motor Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ20-P); 2) to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the scale in a group of patients with stroke and in an age-matched control group; 3) to compare the KVIQ20 performance between the two groups. Test-retest, inter-rater reliabilities, and internal consistencies were evaluated in 40 patients with stroke and 31 healthy participants. In the stroke group, ICC confidence intervals showed excellent test-retest and inter-rater reliabilities. Cronbach's alpha also indicated excellent internal consistency. Results for controls were comparable to those obtained in persons with stroke. The excellent psychometric properties of the KVIQ20-P should be considered during the design of studies of motor imagery interventions for stroke rehabilitation.

Calvarial and skull base metastases: expanding the clinical utility of Gamma Knife surgery.

PubMed

Kotecha, Rupesh; Angelov, Lilyana; Barnett, Gene H; Reddy, Chandana A; Suh, John H; Murphy, Erin S; Neyman, Gennady; Chao, Samuel T

2014-12-01

Traditionally, the treatment of choice for patients with metastases to the calvaria or skull base has been conventional radiation therapy. Because patients with systemic malignancies are also at risk for intracranial metastases, the utility of Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) for these patients has been explored to reduce excess radiation exposure to the perilesional brain parenchyma. The purpose of this study was to report the efficacy of GKS for the treatment of calvarial metastases and skull base lesions. The authors performed a retrospective chart review of 21 patients with at least 1 calvarial or skull base metastatic lesion treated with GKS during 2001-2013. For 7 calvarial lesions, a novel technique, in which a bolus was placed over the treatment site, was used. For determination of local control or disease progression, radiation therapy data were examined and posttreatment MR images and oncology records were reviewed. Survival times from the date of procedure were estimated by using Kaplan-Meier analyses. The median patient age at treatment was 57 years (range 29-84 years). A total of 19 (90%) patients received treatment for single lesions, 1 patient received treatment for 3 lesions, and 1 patient received treatment for 4 lesions. The most common primary tumor was breast cancer (24% of patients). Per lesion, the median clinical and radiographic follow-up times were 10.3 months (range 0-71.9 months) and 7.1 months (range 0-61.3 months), respectively. Of the 26 lesions analyzed, 14 (54%) were located in calvarial bones and 12 (46%) were located in the skull base. The median lesion volume was 5.3 cm(3) (range 0.3-55.6 cm(3)), and the median prescription margin dose was 15 Gy (range 13-24 Gy). The median overall survival time for all patients was 35.9 months, and the 1-year local control rate was 88.9% (95% CI 74.4%-100%). Local control rates did not differ between lesions treated with the bolus technique and those treated with traditional methods or between calvarial lesions and skull base lesions (p > 0.05). Of the 3 patients for whom local treatment failed, 1 patient received no further treatment and 2 patients responded to salvage chemotherapy. Subsequent brain parenchymal metastases developed in 2 patients, who then underwent GKS. GKS is an effective treatment modality for patients with metastases to the calvarial bones or skull base. For patients with superficial calvarial lesions, a novel approach with bolus application resulted in excellent rates of local control. GKS provides an effective therapeutic alternative to conventional radiation therapy and should be considered for patients at risk for calvarial metastases and brain parenchymal metastases.

Predictors of pain control in patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopy.

PubMed

Lechtzin, N; Rubin, H R; Jenckes, M; White, P; Zhou, L M; Thompson, D A; Diette, G B

2000-08-01

The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopy (FOB) experience pain and to identify patient factors and process of care factors that are associated with pain. We conducted a prospective cohort study on 481 patients undergoing FOB. Overall control of pain during FOB was the primary outcome. The mean age of the patients was 48 yr, 50% were male, and 32% required supplemental oxygen prior to FOB. Pain control was excellent in 36% of patients, but 10% considered it to be fair or poor. Patient factors associated with excellent pain control were excellent health (versus poor health, OR = 6.25 [95% CI, 2.28-16.67]), more education (college education versus high school education, OR = 1.72 [95% CI, 1.05-2.86]), and not having asthma (OR = 2.86 [95% CI, 1.09-7.14]). Process of care factors associated with excellent pain control were not being bothered by scope insertion (versus bothered, OR = 3.65 [95% CI, 1.99-6.98]), no memory of FOB (versus some memory, OR = 2.33 [95% CI, 1.24-4.44]), and higher ratings of information about the procedure (per 1-point increase on a 12-point scale, OR = 1.57 [95% CI, 1.41-1.78]). This is the first large-scale, prospective study to evaluate patient and process of care factors that influence pain control during FOB. It demonstrated that there are patient characteristics and process of care factors that need to be considered when evaluating pain during bronchoscopy. Improved preparation of patients with lower education, inferior health status, and asthma may lead to decreased pain during FOB. Bronchoscopists may be able to reduce pain during FOB by identifying methods to decrease pain on scope insertion, by improving the information provided to patients, and by achieving greater levels of amnesia during FOB.

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

Guinot, Jose-Luis, E-mail: jguinot@fivo.org; Baixauli-Perez, Cristobal; Soler, Pablo

Purpose: To evaluate the local control rate and complications of a single fraction of high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR BT) boost in women aged 45 yeas and younger after breast-conserving therapy. Methods and Materials: Between 1999 and 2007, 167 patients between the ages of 26 and 45 years old (72 were 40 years old or younger), with stages T1 to T2 invasive breast cancer with disease-free margin status of at least 5 mm after breast-conserving surgery received 46 to 50 Gy whole-breast irradiation plus a 7-Gy HDR-BT boost (“fast boost”). An axillary dissection was performed in 72.5% of the patients and sentinel lymph node biopsy inmore » 27.5%. A supraclavicular area was irradiated in 19% of the patients. Chemotherapy was used in 86% of the patients and hormone treatment in 77%. Clinical nodes were present in 18% and pathological nodes in 29%. The pathological stage was pT0: 5%, pTis: 3%, pT1: 69% and pT2: 23%. Intraductal component was present in 40% and 28% were G3. Results: At a median follow-up of 92 months, 9 patients relapsed on the margin of the implant, and 1 patient in another quadrant, resulting in a 10-year local relapse rate of 4.3% and a breast relapse rate of 4.9%, with breast preservation in 93.4%; no case of mastectomy due to poor cosmesis arose. Actuarial 5- and 10-year disease-free, cause-specific, and overall survival rates were 87.9% and 85.8%, and 92.1% and 88.4%, and 92.1% and 87.3%, respectively. In a univariate analysis, triple-negative cases and negative hormone receptors did worse, but in a multivariate analysis, only the last factor was significant for local and breast control. Asymptomatic fibrosis G2 was recorded in 3 cases, and there were no other late complications. Cosmetic results were good to excellent in 97% of cases. Conclusions: A single dose of 7 Gy using the fast-boost technique is well tolerated, with a low rate of late complications and improved local tumor control in women aged 45 and younger, compared to published data. This approach is recommended in breast-preserving treatment.« less

New Australian High School Represents the Future of Education Facility Design: Kingston High School, Tasmania, Australia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deni, Adriano

2012-01-01

The brief from local government called for an environmentally sustainable school that establishes new models for excellence in curriculum, teaching, and learning. With its visionary sine wave design concept, flexible learning areas, shared community spaces and "extensive" green roof system--a first for an Australian school--the new $33…

78 FR 43923 - Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement-Executive Excellence a Training and Development Program...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-22

... demonstrated the potential to be the chief executive officer at the state, local or federal level. The... experience as a correctional or criminal justice chief executive officer, completed the current curriculum of... Correctional Leadership for the 21st Century, a portion of which specifically addresses the role of the...

State School Finance Inequities and the Limits of Pursuing Teacher Equity through Departmental Regulation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baker, Bruce D.; Weber, Mark

2016-01-01

New federal regulations (State Plans to Ensure Equitable Access to Excellent Educators)1 place increased pressure on states and local public school districts to improve their measurement and reporting of gaps in teacher qualifications across schools and the children they serve. Yet a sole focus on resource disparities between schools within a…

Who Is My Brother's Keeper? All of Us. Issue Brief #5

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCart, Amy B.; Sailor, Wayne S.

2014-01-01

SWIFT is a national center whose mission is to help educators provide academic and behavioral support resulting in excellence in education for all students, including boys and young men of color. This mission presumes all educators, school and district staff, family members, and the local community have shared responsibility for the teaching and…

DOE Chair Excellence Professorship Environmental Disciplines

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

Riley, Reginald

2014-10-08

The DECM Team worked closely with other academic institutions, industrial companies and government laboratories to do research and educate engineers in “cutting edge” environmentally conscious manufacturing practices and instrumentation. The participating universities also worked individually with local companies on research projects in their specialty areas. Together, they were charged with research application, integration and education in environmentally conscious manufacturing.

The Design of Schools' Performance Incentive Programs in Texas: Findings from Year One of GEEG. Research Brief

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Center on Performance Incentives, 2008

2008-01-01

A recent report published by the National Center on Performance Incentives (NCPI) presents findings from the first-year evaluation of the Governor's Educator Excellence Grant (GEEG) program, one of several statewide educator incentive programs in Texas. In this report, the authors provide an overview of 99 schools' locally designed educator…

Synthesis methods of gold nanoparticles for Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) sensor applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diyanah Samsuri, Nurul; Maisarah Mukhtar, Wan; Rashid, Affa Rozana Abdul; Dasuki, Karsono Ahmad; Awangku Yussuf, Awangku Abdul Rahman Hj.

2017-11-01

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been known as an excellent characteristic for Local Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) sensors due to their sensitive spectral response to the local environment of the nanoparticle surface and ease of monitoring the light signal due to their strong scattering or absorption. Prior the technologies, GNPs based LSPR has been commercialized and have become a central tool for characterizing and quantifying in various field. In this review, we presented a brief introduction on the history of surface plasmon, the theory behind the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and the principles of LSPR. We also reported on the synthetization as well of the properties of the GNPs and the applications in current LSPR sensors.

Real-time adaptive methods for treatment of mobile organs by MRI-controlled high-intensity focused ultrasound.

PubMed

de Senneville, Baudouin Denis; Mougenot, Charles; Moonen, Chrit T W

2007-02-01

Focused ultrasound (US) is a unique and noninvasive technique for local deposition of thermal energy deep inside the body. MRI guidance offers the additional benefits of excellent target visualization and continuous temperature mapping. However, treating a moving target poses severe problems because 1) motion-related thermometry artifacts must be corrected, 2) the US focal point must be relocated according to the target displacement. In this paper a complete MRI-compatible, high-intensity focused US (HIFU) system is described together with adaptive methods that allow continuous MR thermometry and therapeutic US with real-time tracking of a moving target, online motion correction of the thermometry maps, and regional temperature control based on the proportional, integral, and derivative method. The hardware is based on a 256-element phased-array transducer with rapid electronic displacement of the focal point. The exact location of the target during US firing is anticipated using automatic analysis of periodic motions. The methods were tested with moving phantoms undergoing either rigid body or elastic periodical motions. The results show accurate tracking of the focal point. Focal and regional temperature control is demonstrated with a performance similar to that obtained with stationary phantoms. Copyright (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Local texture and strongly linked conduction in spray-pyrolyzed TlBa2Ca2Cu3O(8+x) deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kroeger, D. M.; Goyal, A.; Specht, E. D.; Wang, Z. L.; Tkaczyk, J. E.; Sutliff, J. A.; Deluca, J. A.

Local texture in polycrystalline TlBa2Ca2 Cu3O(8+x) deposits has been determined from transmission electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction patterns and x-ray diffraction. The small-grained deposits had excellent c-axis alignment and contained colonies of grains with similar but not identical a-axis orientations. Most grain boundaries within a colony have small misorientation angles and should not be weak links. It is proposed that long range conduction utilizes a percolative network of small angle grain boundaries at colony intersections.

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

Russo, Andrea L.; Adams, Judith A.; Weyman, Elizabeth A.

Purpose: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common sinonasal cancer and is associated with one of the poor outcomes. Proton therapy allows excellent target coverage with maximal sparing of adjacent normal tissues. We evaluated the long-term outcomes in patients with sinonasal SCC treated with proton therapy. Methods and Materials: Between 1991 and 2008, 54 patients with Stage III and IV SCC of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus received proton beam therapy at our institution to a median dose of 72.8 Gy(RBE). Sixty-nine percent underwent prior surgical resection, and 74% received elective nodal radiation. Locoregional control and survival probabilities weremore » estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional-hazards model. Treatment toxicity was scored using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Results: With a median follow-up time of 82 months in surviving patients, there were 10 local, 7 regional, and 11 distant failures. The 2-year and 5-year actuarial local control rate was 80%. The 2-year and 5-year rates of overall survival were 67% and 47%, respectively. Only smoking status was predictive for worse locoregional control, with current smokers having a 5-year rate of 23% compared with 83% for noncurrent smokers (P=.004). Karnofsky performance status ≤80 was the most significant factor predictive for worse overall survival in multivariate analysis (adjusted hazard ratio 4.5, 95% confidence interval 1.6-12.5, P=.004). There were nine grade 3 and six grade 4 toxicities, and no grade 5 toxicity. Wound adverse events constituted the most common grade 3-4 toxicity. Conclusions: Our long-term results show that proton radiation therapy is well tolerated and yields good locoregional control for SCC of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus. Current smokers and patients with poor performance status had inferior outcomes. Prospective study is necessary to compare IMRT with proton therapy in the treatment of sinonasal malignancy.« less

Optima MDxt: A high throughput 335 keV mid-dose implanter

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

Eisner, Edward; David, Jonathan; Justesen, Perry

2012-11-06

The continuing demand for both energy purity and implant angle control along with high wafer throughput drove the development of the Axcelis Optima MDxt mid-dose ion implanter. The system utilizes electrostatic scanning, an electrostatic parallelizing lens and an electrostatic energy filter to produce energetically pure beams with high angular integrity. Based on field proven components, the Optima MDxt beamline architecture offers the high beam currents possible with singly charged species including arsenic at energies up to 335 keV as well as large currents from multiply charged species at energies extending over 1 MeV. Conversely, the excellent energy filtering capability allowsmore » high currents at low beam energies, since it is safe to utilize large deceleration ratios. This beamline is coupled with the >500 WPH capable endstation technology used on the Axcelis Optima XEx high energy ion implanter. The endstation includes in-situ angle measurements of the beam in order to maintain excellent beam-to-wafer implant angle control in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The Optima platform control system provides new generation dose control system that assures excellent dosimetry and charge control. This paper will describe the features and technologies that allow the Optima MDxt to provide superior process performance at the highest wafer throughput, and will provide examples of the process performance achievable.« less

Transcriptomic variation of locally-infected skin of Epinephelus coioides reveals the mucosal immune mechanism against Cryptocaryon irritans.

PubMed

Hu, Yazhou; Li, Anxing; Xu, Yang; Jiang, Biao; Lu, Geling; Luo, Xiaochun

2017-07-01

Fish skin is the largest immunologically active mucosal organ, providing first-line defense against external pathogens. However, the skin-associated immune mechanisms of fish are still unclear. Cryptocaryon irritans is an obligate ectoparasitic ciliated protozoan that infects almost all marine fish, and is believed to be an excellent pathogen model to study fish mucosal immunity. In this study, a de novo transcriptome assembly of Epinephelus coioides skin post C. irritans tail-infection was performed for the first time using the Illumina HiSeq™ 2500 system. Comparative analyses of infected skin (group Isk) and uninfected skin (group Nsk) from the same challenged fish and control skin (group C) from uninfected control fish were conducted. As a result, a total of 91,082 unigenes with an average length of 2880 base pairs were obtained and among them, 38,704 and 48,617 unigenes were annotated based on homology with matches in the non-redundant and zebrafish database, respectively. Pairwise comparison resulted in 10,115 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) in the Isk/C group comparison (4,983 up-regulated and 5,132 down-regulated), 2,275 DEGs in the Isk/Nsk group comparison (1,319 up-regulated and 956 down-regulated) and 4,566 DEGs in the Nsk/C group comparison (1,534 up-regulated and 3,032 down-regulated). Seven immune-related categories including 91 differentially-expressed immune genes (86 up-regulated and 5 down-regulated) were scrutinized. Both DEGs and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and immune-related gene expression analysis were used, and both analyses showed that the genes were more significantly altered in the locally-infected skin than in the uninfected skin of the same challenged fish. This suggests the skin's local immune response is important for host defense against this ectoparasite infection. Innate immune molecules, including hepcidin, C-type lectin, transferrin, transferrin receptor protein, serum amyloid A, cathepsin and complement components were significantly up-regulated (fold-change ranged from 3.3 to 12,944) in infected skin compared with control skin. The up-regulation of chemokines and chemokine receptors and activation of the leukocyte transendothelial migration pathway suggested that leucocytes intensively migrated to the local infected sites to mount a local immune defense. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 1, 2, 5 and 5S were most significantly up-regulated in the infected skin, suggesting that these TLRs may be involved in parasite pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMPs) recognition. Up-regulation of the dendritic cell markers CD209 and CD83 and other antigen presentation pathway molecules provided evidence for skin local antigen presentation. Up-regulation of the T cell markers CD4 and CD48, B cell markers CD22 and CD81 and B cell receptor signaling kinase Lyn, showed the presence and population expansion of T/B cells at locally-infected sites, which suggested possible activation of a local specific immune response in the skin. Our results will facilitate in-depth understanding of local immune defense mechanisms in fish skin against ectoparasite infection. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Buried and accessible surface area control intrinsic protein flexibility.

PubMed

Marsh, Joseph A

2013-09-09

Proteins experience a wide variety of conformational dynamics that can be crucial for facilitating their diverse functions. How is the intrinsic flexibility required for these motions encoded in their three-dimensional structures? Here, the overall flexibility of a protein is demonstrated to be tightly coupled to the total amount of surface area buried within its fold. A simple proxy for this, the relative solvent-accessible surface area (Arel), therefore shows excellent agreement with independent measures of global protein flexibility derived from various experimental and computational methods. Application of Arel on a large scale demonstrates its utility by revealing unique sequence and structural properties associated with intrinsic flexibility. In particular, flexibility as measured by Arel shows little correspondence with intrinsic disorder, but instead tends to be associated with multiple domains and increased α-helical structure. Furthermore, the apparent flexibility of monomeric proteins is found to be useful for identifying quaternary-structure errors in published crystal structures. There is also a strong tendency for the crystal structures of more flexible proteins to be solved to lower resolutions. Finally, local solvent accessibility is shown to be a primary determinant of local residue flexibility. Overall, this work provides both fundamental mechanistic insight into the origin of protein flexibility and a simple, practical method for predicting flexibility from protein structures. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR)-Coupled Fiber-Optic Nanoprobe for the Detection of Protein Biomarkers.

PubMed

Wei, Jianjun; Zeng, Zheng; Lin, Yongbin

2017-01-01

Here is presented a miniaturized, fiber-optic (FO) nanoprobe biosensor based on the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) at the reusable dielectric-metallic hybrid interface with a robust, gold nano-disk array at the fiber end facet. The nanodisk array is directly fabricated using electron beam lithography (EBL) and metal lift-off process. The free prostate-specific antigen (f-PSA) has been detected with a mouse anti-human prostate-specific antigen (PSA) monoclonal antibody (mAb) as a specific receptor linked with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) at the LSPR-FO facet surfaces. Experimental investigation and data analysis found near field refractive index (RI) sensitivity at ~226 nm/RIU with the LSPR-FO nanoprobe, and demonstrated the lowest limit of detection (LOD) at 100 fg/mL (~3 fM) of f-PSA in PBS solutions. The SAM shows insignificant nonspecific binding to the target biomarkers in the solution. The control experimentation using 5 mg/mL bovine serum albumin in PBS and nonspecific surface test shows the excellent specificity and selectivity in the detection of f-PSA in PBS. These results indicate important progress toward a miniaturized, multifunctional fiber-optic technology that integrates informational communication and sensing function for developing a high-performance, label-free, point-of-care (POC) device.

Enhancement in in vitro anti-angiogenesis activity and cytotoxicity in lung cancer cell by pectin-PVP based curcumin particulates.

PubMed

Gaikwad, Dinanath; Shewale, Rajnita; Patil, Vinit; Mali, Dipak; Gaikwad, Uday; Jadhav, Namdeo

2017-11-01

The aim of this work was to prepare pectin-poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) [PVP] based curcumin particulates to enhance the anticancer potential of curcumin, solubility and allow its localized controlled release. Pectin-PVP based curcumin particulates (PECTIN-PVP CUR) were prepared by spray drying technique in different ratios and were evaluated for surface morphology, micromeritics, flowability, particle size, drug content, in vitro dissolution, inhalable fraction, anti-angiogenesis/angiolysis and cytotoxicity. Results of micromeritic properties, Carr's index, Hausner's ratio and angle of repose were satisfactory. The batch CP3 was considered as optimum, due to excellent flowability, acceptable aggregation and enhanced solubility. The particle size and size distribution data of selected batch CP3 showed 90% of curcumin particulates having size less than 2.74μm, which may deposit to lungs. Twin Impinger studies showed that 29% of respirable fraction was generated, which could be directly delivered to lungs. The in vitro dissolution data showed many fold increase in dissolution rate. Angiolytic activity and MTT assay of PECTIN-PVP CUR have demonstrated enhancement in the anti-tumor potential, compared to curcumin alone. Altogether, PECTIN-PVP CUR were found suitable for local delivery and enhance its anticancer potential of curcumin. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Efficacy and toxicity of external-beam radiation therapy for localised prostate cancer: a network meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Zhu, Z; Zhang, J; Liu, Y; Chen, M; Guo, P; Li, K

2014-01-01

Background: Many radiation regimens for treating prostate cancer have been used over the years, but which regimen is optimal for localised or locally advanced prostate cancer lacks consensus. We performed a network meta-analysis to identify the optimal radiation regimen. Methods: We systematically reviewed data from 27 randomised controlled trials and could group seven radiation regimens as follows: low- and high-dose radiation therapy (LDRT and HDRT), LDRT+ short- or long-term androgen deprivation therapy (LDRT+SADT and LDRT+LADT), HDRT+SADT, hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT), and HFRT+SADT. The main outcomes were overall mortality (OM), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure, cancer-specific mortality, and adverse events. Results: For the network meta-analysis of 27 trials, LDRT+LADT and LDRT+SADT were associated with decreased risk of OM as compared with LDRT alone as was LDRT+LADT compared with HDRT. Apart from HFRT, all other treatments were associated with decreased risk of PSA failure as compared with LDRT. HFRT+SADT was associated with decreased risk of cancer-specific mortality as compared with HFRT, LDRT+SADT, HDRT, and LDRT. Conclusions: HFRT+SADT therapy might be the most efficacious treatment but with worst toxicity for localised or locally advanced prostate cancer, and HDRT showed excellent efficacy but more adverse events. PMID:24736585

Five-year results of a prospective clinical trial investigating accelerated partial breast irradiation using 3D conformal radiotherapy after lumpectomy for early stage breast cancer.

PubMed

Horst, Kathleen C; Fasola, Carolina; Ikeda, Debra; Daniel, Bruce; Ognibene, Grant; Goffinet, Don R; Dirbas, Frederick M

2016-08-01

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is emerging as an alternative to whole-breast irradiation. This study presents the results of a prospective trial evaluating 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) to deliver APBI for early-stage breast cancer. Patients with unifocal stage 0-II breast cancer measuring ≤2.5 cm without lymph node involvement were eligible. After lumpectomy, 3D-CRT APBI was delivered to the lumpectomy cavity + margin (34-38.5 Gy in 10 fractions over 5 days). 141 patients with 143 breast cancers (2 bilateral) were treated with 3D-CRT APBI. Median age was 60. Median tumor size was 1.1 cm. At a median follow up of 60 months (range, 5-113), the 5-year and 8-year cumulative incidence rate of a true recurrence is 0.9%. The 5-year and 8-year cumulative incidence rates of an elsewhere failure are 2.4% and 4.4%, respectively. The 5-year and 8-year overall survival is 100% and 94%, respectively. Among the 62 patients with follow up >5 years, 95% had excellent/good cosmetic results. Our experience with 3D-CRT APBI demonstrates excellent cosmesis and local control. Longer follow up will be necessary to evaluate long-term efficacy and toxicity of 3D-CRT APBI. CLINICALTRIALS. NCT00185744. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Theranostic Magnetic Nanostructures (MNS) for Cancer

PubMed Central

Nandwana, Vikas; De, Mrinmoy; Chu, Shihyao; Jaiswal, Manish; Rotz, Matt; Meade, Thomas J.

2015-01-01

Despite the complexities of cancer, remarkable diagnostic and therapeutic advances have been made during the past decade, which include improved genetic, molecular, and nanoscale understanding of the disease. Physical science and engineering, and nanotechnology in particular, have contributed to these developments through out-of-the-box ideas and initiatives from perspectives that are far removed from classical biological and medicinal aspects of cancer. Nanostructures, in particular, are being effectively utilized in sensing/diagnostics of cancer while nanoscale carriers are able to deliver therapeutic cargo for timed and controlled release at localized tumor sites. Magnetic nanostructures (MNS) have especially attracted considerable attention of researchers to address cancer diagnostics and therapy. A significant part of the promise of MNS lies in their potential for “theranostic” applications, wherein diagnostics makes use of the enhanced localized contrast in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while therapy leverages the ability of MNS to heat under external radio frequency (RF) field for thermal therapy or use of thermal activation for release of therapy cargo. In this chapter, we report some of the key developments in recent years in regard to MNS as potential theranostic carriers. We describe that the r2 relaxivity of MNS can be maximized by allowing water (proton) diffusion in the vicinity of MNS by polyethylene glycol (PEG) anchoring, which also facilitates excellent fluidic stability in various media and extended in vivo circulation while maintaining high r2 values needed for T2-weighted MRI contrast. Further, the specific absorption rate (SAR) required for thermal activation of MNS can be tailored by controlling composition and size of MNS. Together, emerging MNS show considerable promise to realize theranostic potential. We discuss that properly functionalized MNS can be designed to provide remarkable in vivo stability and accompanying pharmacokinetics exhibit organ localization that can be tailored for specific applications. In this context, even iron-based MNS show extended circulation as well as diverse organ accumulation beyond liver, which otherwise renders MNS potentially toxic to liver function. We believe that MNS, including those based on iron oxides, have entered a renaissance era where intelligent synthesis, functionalization, stabilization, and targeting provide ample evidence for applications in localized cancer theranostics. PMID:25895864

Quantifying changes in the bone microarchitecture using Minkowski-functionals and scaling vectors: a comparative study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raeth, Christoph W.; Mueller, Dirk; Link, Thomas M.; Boehm, Holger; Monetti, Roberto

2006-03-01

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease leading to de-mineralization and increased risk of fracture. The two major factors that determine the biomechanical competence of bone are the degree of mineralization and the micro-architectural integrity. Today, modern imaging modalities exist that allow to depict structural details of trabecular bone tissue. Recently, non-linear techniques in 2D and 3D based on the scaling vector method (SVM) and the Minkowski functionals (MF) have been introduced, which show excellent performance in predicting bone strength and fracture risk. However, little is known about the performance of the various parameters with respect to monitoring structural changes due to progression of osteoporosis or as a result of medical treatment. We test and compare the two methodologies using realistic two-dimensional simulations of bone structures, which model the effect of osteoblasts and osteoclasts on the local change of relative bone density. Different realizations with slightly varying control parameters are considered. Our results show that even small changes in the trabecular structures, which are induced by variation of a control parameter of the system, become discernible by applying both the MF and the locally adapted scaling vector method. The results obtained with SVM are superior to those obtained with the Minkowski functionals. An additive combination of both measures drastically increases the sensitivity to slight changes in bone structures. These findings may be especially important for monitoring the treatment of patients, where the early recognition of (drug-induced) changes in the trabecular structure is crucial.

Reduced Risk of Importing Ebola Virus Disease because of Travel Restrictions in 2014: A Retrospective Epidemiological Modeling Study.

PubMed

Otsuki, Shiori; Nishiura, Hiroshi

An epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) from 2013-16 posed a serious risk of global spread during its early growth phase. A post-epidemic evaluation of the effectiveness of travel restrictions has yet to be conducted. The present study aimed to estimate the effectiveness of travel restrictions in reducing the risk of importation from mid-August to September, 2014, using a simple hazard-based statistical model. The hazard rate was modeled as an inverse function of the effective distance, an excellent predictor of disease spread, which was calculated from the airline transportation network. By analyzing datasets of the date of EVD case importation from the 15th of July to the 15th of September 2014, and assuming that the network structure changed from the 8th of August 2014 because of travel restrictions, parameters that characterized the hazard rate were estimated. The absolute risk reduction and relative risk reductions due to travel restrictions were estimated to be less than 1% and about 20%, respectively, for all models tested. Effectiveness estimates among African countries were greater than those for other countries outside Africa. The travel restrictions were not effective enough to expect the prevention of global spread of Ebola virus disease. It is more efficient to control the spread of disease locally during an early phase of an epidemic than to attempt to control the epidemic at international borders. Capacity building for local containment and coordinated and expedited international cooperation are essential to reduce the risk of global transmission.

Reduced Risk of Importing Ebola Virus Disease because of Travel Restrictions in 2014: A Retrospective Epidemiological Modeling Study

PubMed Central

Otsuki, Shiori

2016-01-01

Background An epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) from 2013–16 posed a serious risk of global spread during its early growth phase. A post-epidemic evaluation of the effectiveness of travel restrictions has yet to be conducted. The present study aimed to estimate the effectiveness of travel restrictions in reducing the risk of importation from mid-August to September, 2014, using a simple hazard-based statistical model. Methodology/Principal Findings The hazard rate was modeled as an inverse function of the effective distance, an excellent predictor of disease spread, which was calculated from the airline transportation network. By analyzing datasets of the date of EVD case importation from the 15th of July to the 15th of September 2014, and assuming that the network structure changed from the 8th of August 2014 because of travel restrictions, parameters that characterized the hazard rate were estimated. The absolute risk reduction and relative risk reductions due to travel restrictions were estimated to be less than 1% and about 20%, respectively, for all models tested. Effectiveness estimates among African countries were greater than those for other countries outside Africa. Conclusions The travel restrictions were not effective enough to expect the prevention of global spread of Ebola virus disease. It is more efficient to control the spread of disease locally during an early phase of an epidemic than to attempt to control the epidemic at international borders. Capacity building for local containment and coordinated and expedited international cooperation are essential to reduce the risk of global transmission. PMID:27657544

Guided SAR image despeckling with probabilistic non local weights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gokul, Jithin; Nair, Madhu S.; Rajan, Jeny

2017-12-01

SAR images are generally corrupted by granular disturbances called speckle, which makes visual analysis and detail extraction a difficult task. Non Local despeckling techniques with probabilistic similarity has been a recent trend in SAR despeckling. To achieve effective speckle suppression without compromising detail preservation, we propose an improvement for the existing Generalized Guided Filter with Bayesian Non-Local Means (GGF-BNLM) method. The proposed method (Guided SAR Image Despeckling with Probabilistic Non Local Weights) replaces parametric constants based on heuristics in GGF-BNLM method with dynamically derived values based on the image statistics for weight computation. Proposed changes make GGF-BNLM method adaptive and as a result, significant improvement is achieved in terms of performance. Experimental analysis on SAR images shows excellent speckle reduction without compromising feature preservation when compared to GGF-BNLM method. Results are also compared with other state-of-the-art and classic SAR depseckling techniques to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Comparison between electromagnetic transponders and radiographic imaging for prostate localization: A pelvic phantom study with rotations and translations.

PubMed

Hamilton, Daniel G; McKenzie, Dean P; Perkins, Anne E

2017-09-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in target localization between Calypso ® , kV orthogonal imaging and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for combined translations and rotations of an anthropomorphic pelvic phantom. The phantom was localized using all three systems in 50 different positions, with applied translational and rotational offsets randomly sampled from representative normal distributions of prostate motion. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (ρc) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to assess the agreement between the localization systems. Mean differences and difference vectors between the three systems were also calculated. Agreement between systems for lateral, vertical, and longitudinal translations was excellent, with ρc values of greater than 0.98 between all three systems in all axes. There was excellent agreement between the systems for rotations around the lateral axis (pitch) (ρc > 0.99), and around the vertical axis (yaw) (ρc > 0.97). However, somewhat poorer agreement for rotations around the longitudinal axis (roll) was observed, with the lowest correlation observed between Calypso and kV orthogonal imaging (ρc = 0.895). Mean differences between the phantom position reported by Calypso and the radiographic systems were less than 1 mm and 1° for all translations and rotations. The results for translations are consistent with the publications of previous authors. There is no comparable published data for rotations. While there is lower correlation between the three systems for roll than for the other angles, the mean differences in reported rotations are not clinically significant. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Does the academic performance of psychiatrists influence success in the NHS Clinical Excellence Award Scheme?

PubMed Central

Mitchell, Alex J; Crowfoot, Daniel; Leaver, James; Hughes, Samantha

2011-01-01

Objectives Given the uncertainty about factors that influence receipt of Clinical Excellence Awards (CEA) and recent availability of advanced research metrics, we examined the factors that predict CEA success using a convenience sample of English psychiatrists. Design Observational study examining region, subspecialty, H-index, M-index, number of publications, years since registration and years in specialty. Setting ACCEA Nominal Roll, cross-referenced with data from the GMC's list of registered medical practitioners and Thompson's Web of Science database. Participants A total of 494 psychiatrists including 245 with national levels awards and a random sample with local level awards. Main outcome measures Receipt of local or national CEA awards in 2008 and 2009. Results Of those with national awards, 126 had university contracts and 119 NHS contracts. Across all staff, years since qualification in medicine and H-index were the dominant influences. For local awards we found that years worked in the specialty was the main predictor of a CEA award with a smaller contribution from H-index. For national awards to university staff (academics) years on the medical register and publication rate were significant predictors. For national awards to NHS staff (non-academics) H-index and total cites were predictive, but these were themselves related to age. Conclusions Progression in CEAs among psychiatrists is strongly influenced by age (years spent in specialty and years on the medical register) with an additional contribution from research productivity. Currently, research impact is crudely assessed in the CEA process. We suggest that CEA committees formally assess the impact of NHS-related research using standardized research metrics which are openly available. We also suggest that supporting organizations and local trusts adhere to the rules mandated by the ACCEA. PMID:21541089

Local shape of pictorial relief

PubMed Central

Koenderink, Jan; van Doorn, Andrea; Wagemans, Johan

2014-01-01

How is pictorial relief represented in visual awareness? Certainly not as a “depth map,” but perhaps as a map of local surface attitudes (Koenderink & van Doorn, 1995). Here we consider the possibility that observers might instead, or concurrently, represent local surface shape, a geometrical invariant with respect to motions. Observers judge local surface shape, in a picture of a piece of sculpture, on a five-point categorical scale. Categories are cap–ridge–saddle–rut–cup–flat, where “flat” denotes the absence of shape. We find that observers readily perform such a task, with full resolution of a shape index scale (cap–ridge–saddle–rut–cup), and with excellent self-consistency over days. There exist remarkable inter-observer differences. Over a group of 10 naive observers we find that the dispersion of judgments peaks at the saddle category. There may be a relation of this finding to the history of the topic—Alberti's (1827) omission of the saddle category in his purportedly exhaustive catalog of local surface shapes. PMID:25469225

AskFuse Origins: System Barriers to Providing the Research That Public Health Practice and Policy Partners Say They Need

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rushmer, Rosemary; Shucksmith, Janet

2018-01-01

In this paper the development of askFuse is used as a case study to illustrate contextual and system barriers to universities providing useful, usable and timely research evidence in response to local practice and policy partners' stated public health research needs. Entrenched systems (research excellence framework, academic career pathways,…

Excellence in Navy Recruiting: A Look at High Performing Navy Recruiting Districts

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-12-01

September today (in the short run) versus creating through November, recruiting was a lot Navy awareness for the long run. The more difficult as...16 3. The Other Side of the Coin .............................. 17 4. Heads W ins, Tails W ins... VERSUS HARDER................... 73 F. A FLOOD OF TARGETED MAILOUTS AND LOCAL ADS................................................ 74 G. USE ALL THE TOOLS

The Design of Schools' Performance Incentive Programs in Texas: Findings from Year One of TEEG. Research Brief

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Center on Performance Incentives, 2008

2008-01-01

A recent report published by the National Center on Performance Incentives (NCPI) presents findings from the first-year evaluation of the Texas Educator Excellence Grant (TEEG) program, one of several statewide educator incentive programs in Texas. This report provides an overview of over 1,000 schools' locally designed TEEG performance incentive…

Using Trained Pouched Rats to Detect Land Mines: Another Victory for Operant Conditioning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Poling, Alan; Weetjens, Bart; Cox, Christophe; Beyene, Negussie W.; Bach, Harvard; Sully, Andrew

2011-01-01

We used giant African pouched rats ("Cricetomys gambianus") as land mine-detection animals in Mozambique because they have an excellent sense of smell, weigh too little to activate mines, and are native to sub-Saharan Africa, and therefore are resistant to local parasites and diseases. In 2009 the rats searched 93,400 m[superscript 2] of…

Using Trained Pouched Rats (Cricetomys Gambianus) to Detect Land Mines: Another Victory for Operant Conditioning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Poling, Alan; Weetjens, Bart; Cox, Christophe; Beyene, Negussie W.; Bach, Harvard; Sully, Andrew

2011-01-01

We used giant African pouched rats ("Cricetomys gambianus") as land mine-detection animals in Mozambique because they have an excellent sense of smell, weigh too little to activate mines, and are native to sub-Saharan Africa, and therefore are resistant to local parasites and diseases. In 2009 the rats searched 93,400 m[superscript 2] of…

Measurements of the effects of forest cover upon the conservation of snow waters

Treesearch

W. R. Mattoon

1909-01-01

The large treeless openings or "parks" in the western yellow pine forests of the southwest, which form a well known characteristic, afford an excellent opportunity for a comparative study of the effect of a forest canopy upon local snow conditions. During the late winter and spring of 1909, the writer had an exceptionally favorable opportunity for observing...

Tentative guides for the selection of plus trees and superior stands in Douglas-fir.

Treesearch

Leo A. Isaac

1955-01-01

Interest among foresters in forest tree improvement has increased rapidly in recent years. Geneticists have learned that some individual trees greatly excel their neighbors in desirable characteristics, and that some entire stands are superior to other stands of the same species in a general locality. They have learned that many of the desirable tree characteristics...

Tissue adaptations to gravitational stress - Newborn versus adult giraffes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hargens, Alan R; Gershuni, David H.; Danzig, Larry A.; Millard, Ronald W.; Pettersson, Knut

1988-01-01

Preliminary results on developmental alterations in load-bearing tissues of newborn and adult giraffes are presented. Attention is focused on vascular wall thickness in relation to local blood pressure, and on meniscal adaptations to increased load bearing in the developing giraffe. It is believed that the developing giraffe provides an excellent model for investigations of adaptive mechanisms of increased weight bearing.

Implications of Economic, Social, and Educational Developments in Rural America for Rural School Systems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stephens, E. Robert

Great changes are occurring in the vast and extremely diverse nonmetropolitan regions of the United States as a result of economic and social shifts taking place. These are not the only issues facing state and local education policy and planning communities. Nationwide focus on the school reform and school excellence movement poses another serious…

Ice and Sand: Linking the Sandbox to Geographic Features in Elementary Social Studies Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morris, Ronald Vaughan

2008-01-01

Glaciers are an excellent subject for elementary social studies classes. Their effects are easy for students to model with inexpensive teaching supplies, such as sand and ice. Students can conduct research nationally with virtual field trips or locally with real field trips. The models and research can be used as starting point for a discussion of…

An Invitation To Discuss Standards in Public Schools: A Preliminary Policy Statement of the Rural Challenge.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rural Challenge News, 1998

1998-01-01

Strong local communities are the best habitat for excellence in education, and education is the responsibility of the whole community. Setting high academic standards and achieving against those standards is an important educational objective, but the quest for higher standards can be exploited to serve other purposes. This statement sets out the…

Reconstruction of the nasal infratip, columella, and soft triangle.

PubMed

Goldman, Glenn D

2014-09-01

Tumors of the soft triangle and distal nose are common, and the wounds created when removing them are among the more challenging defects to repair. Reconstruction of the soft triangle, infratip, and columella requires attention to form and function beyond what is usually needed in cutaneous surgery. The complexities of the anatomy demand meticulous planning and surgical execution. In this review, the goal is to provide the cutaneous surgeon with a logical approach to repair this challenging region. Skin grafts, composite grafts, local flaps, and pedicle flaps are presented with pearls and pointers. Cartilage grafting for stability is reviewed and detailed. A step-by-step approach allows the surgeon to plan appropriately and execute repairs with excellence. Ten cases are reviewed in sequential photo format to demonstrate successful reconstruction of operative wounds from this challenging region of the nose. The most distal nasal contours pose many challenges for reconstruction. Success depends on a good knowledge of anatomy, rigorous planning, and superior surgical skills. Skin grafts, composite grafts, local and interpolated flaps are all options that need to be considered when recreating the delicate folds and contours of this region. Cartilage support may be needed to maintain structural integrity. With care, excellent outcomes are predictably achieved.

Ten-year results of accelerated hypofractionated adjuvant whole-breast radiation with concomitant boost to the lumpectomy cavity after conserving surgery for early breast cancer.

PubMed

Cante, Domenico; Petrucci, Edoardo; Sciacero, Piera; Piva, Cristina; Ferrario, Silvia; Bagnera, Silvia; Patania, Sebastiano; Mondini, Guido; Pasquino, Massimo; Casanova Borca, Valeria; Vellani, Giorgio; La Porta, Maria Rosa; Franco, Pierfrancesco

2017-09-01

Accelerated hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy (WBRT) is considered a standard therapeutic option for early breast cancer (EBC) in the postoperative setting after breast conservation (BCS). A boost to the lumpectomy cavity may further increase local control. We herein report on the 10-year results of a series of EBC patients treated after BCS with hypofractionated WBRT with a concomitant photon boost to the surgical bed over 4 weeks. Between 2005 and 2007, 178 EBC patients were treated with a basic course of radiotherapy consisting of 45 Gy to the whole breast in 20 fractions (2.25 Gy daily) with an additional boost dose of 0.25 Gy delivered concomitantly to the lumpectomy cavity, for an additional dose of 5 Gy. Median follow-up period was 117 months. At 10-year, overall, cancer-specific, disease-free survival and local control were 92.2% (95% CI 88.7-93.4%), 99.2% (95% CI 96.7-99.7%), 95.5% (95% CI 91.2-97.2%) and 97.3% (95% CI 94.5-98.9%), respectively. Only eight patients recurred. Four in-breast recurrences, two axillary node relapses and two metastatic localizations were observed. Fourteen patients died during the observation period due to other causes while breast cancer-related deaths were eight. At last follow-up, ≥G2 fibrosis and telangiectasia were seen in 7% and 5% of patients. No major lung and heart toxicities were observed. Cosmetic results were excellent/good in 87.8% of patients and fair/poor in 12.2%. Hypofractionated WBRT with concomitant boost to the lumpectomy cavity after BCS in EBC led to consistent clinical results at 10 years. Hence, it can be considered a valid treatment option in this setting.

Low-Dose and Limited-Volume Radiotherapy Alone for Primary Dural Marginal Zone Lymphoma: Treatment Approach and Review of Published Data

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

Puri, Dev R.; Tereffe, Welela; Yahalom, Joachim

2008-08-01

Purpose: Primary dural lymphoma is a rare intracranial lymphoma that almost always has a marginal zone histologic type and immunophenotype and often remains localized and is thus potentially curable with radiotherapy (RT) alone. The unusual location and histologic type of primary dural marginal zone lymphoma (PDMZL) distinguish it from primary central nervous system lymphoma and poses treatment dilemmas of technique, volume, and dose that have not been well addressed. We set out to analyze our recent experience in treating PDMZL and reviewed the limited published data available. Methods and Materials: Between 2002 and 2006, we treated 5 patients with localizedmore » PDMZL. Of these 5 patients, 3 had unilateral and 2 had bilateral/multifocal involvement, and 3 underwent subtotal tumor resection and 2 biopsy only. Whole brain RT was given before involved-field RT (IFRT) in 4 patients and 1 received IFRT alone. The median whole brain RT, IFRT, and total RT dose was 20, 12, and 30 Gy, respectively. The planning computed tomography scan was always fused with the post-gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging scan to assist in the IFRT volume determination. We also analyzed the published data from 27 additional patients. Results: The median follow-up was 34 months (range, 31-52). All obtained lasting local control. One patient developed a relapse in the soft tissue of the flank and additional systemic progression but no central nervous system recurrence. At last follow-up, no significant treatment-related neurotoxicity was detected. Conclusion: The results of our study have demonstrated that a combination of whole brain RT/IFRT or even low-dose IFRT alone provides excellent durable local control of PDMZL. This approach is potentially curative, possibly without significant neurotoxicity. Additional study and longer follow-up are needed to determine the appropriate RT dose and volume parameters for this rare, debilitating, and yet potentially curable lymphoma.« less

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

Tinkle, Christopher L.; Weinberg, Vivian; Chen, Lee-May

Purpose: Evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of image guided brachytherapy using inverse planning simulated annealing (IPSA) high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRB) boost for locoregionally advanced cervical cancer. Methods and Materials: From December 2003 through September 2009, 111 patients with primary cervical cancer were treated definitively with IPSA-planned HDRB boost (28 Gy in 4 fractions) after external radiation at our institution. We performed a retrospective review of our experience using image guided brachytherapy. Of the patients, 70% had a tumor size >4 cm, 38% had regional nodal disease, and 15% had clinically evident distant metastasis, including nonregional nodal disease, at the time of diagnosis. Surgicalmore » staging involving pelvic lymph node dissection was performed in 15% of patients, and 93% received concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Toxicities are reported according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0 guidelines. Results: With a median follow-up time of 42 months (range, 3-84 months), no acute or late toxicities of grade 4 or higher were observed, and grade 3 toxicities (both acute and late) developed in 8 patients (1 constitutional, 1 hematologic, 2 genitourinary, 4 gastrointestinal). The 4-year Kaplan-Meier estimate of late grade 3 toxicity was 8%. Local recurrence developed in 5 patients (4 to 9 months after HDRB), regional recurrence in 3 (6, 16, and 72 months after HDRB), and locoregional recurrence in 1 (4 months after HDR boost). The 4-year estimates of local, locoregional, and distant control of disease were 94.0%, 91.9%, and 69.1%, respectively. The overall and disease-free survival rates at 4 years were 64.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] of 54%-73%) and 61.0% (95% CI, 51%-70%), respectively. Conclusions: Definitive radiation by use of inverse planned HDRB boost for locoregionally advanced cervical cancer is well tolerated and achieves excellent local control of disease. However, overall survival continues to be limited by the high rates of distant metastasis.« less

Five-year Local Control in a Phase II Study of Hypofractionated Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy With an Incorporated Boost for Early Stage Breast Cancer

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

Freedman, Gary M., E-mail: Gary.Freedman@uphs.upenn.edu; Anderson, Penny R.; Bleicher, Richard J.

Purpose: Conventional radiation fractionation of 1.8-2 Gy per day for early stage breast cancer requires daily treatment for 6-7 weeks. We report the 5-year results of a phase II study of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), hypofractionation, and incorporated boost that shortened treatment time to 4 weeks. Methods and Materials: The study design was phase II with a planned accrual of 75 patients. Eligibility included patients aged {>=}18 years, Tis-T2, stage 0-II, and breast conservation. Photon IMRT and an incorporated boost was used, and the whole breast received 2.25 Gy per fraction for a total of 45 Gy, and themore » tumor bed received 2.8 Gy per fraction for a total of 56 Gy in 20 treatments over 4 weeks. Patients were followed every 6 months for 5 years. Results: Seventy-five patients were treated from December 2003 to November 2005. The median follow-up was 69 months. Median age was 52 years (range, 31-81). Median tumor size was 1.4 cm (range, 0.1-3.5). Eighty percent of tumors were node negative; 93% of patients had negative margins, and 7% of patients had close (>0 and <2 mm) margins; 76% of cancers were invasive ductal type: 15% were ductal carcinoma in situ, 5% were lobular, and 4% were other histology types. Twenty-nine percent of patients 29% had grade 3 carcinoma, and 20% of patients had extensive in situ carcinoma; 11% of patients received chemotherapy, 36% received endocrine therapy, 33% received both, and 20% received neither. There were 3 instances of local recurrence for a 5-year actuarial rate of 2.7%. Conclusions: This 4-week course of hypofractionated radiation with incorporated boost was associated with excellent local control, comparable to historical results of 6-7 weeks of conventional whole-breast fractionation with sequential boost.« less

Miniaturized Water Flow and Level Monitoring System for Flood Disaster Early Warning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ifedapo Abdullahi, Salami; Hadi Habaebi, Mohamed; Surya Gunawan, Teddy; Rafiqul Islam, MD

2017-11-01

This study presents the performance of a prototype miniaturised water flow and water level monitoring sensor designed towards supporting flood disaster early warning systems. The design involved selection of sensors, coding to control the system mechanism, and automatic data logging and storage. During the design phase, the apparatus was constructed where all the components were assembled using locally sourced items. Subsequently, under controlled laboratory environment, the system was tested by running water through the inlet during which the flow rate and rising water levels are automatically recorded and stored in a database via Microsoft Excel using Coolterm software. The system is simulated such that the water level readings measured in centimeters is output in meters using a multiplicative of 10. A total number of 80 readings were analyzed to evaluate the performance of the system. The result shows that the system is sensitive to water level rise and yielded accurate measurement of water level. But, the flow rate fluctuates due to the manual water supply that produced inconsistent flow. It was also observed that the flow sensor has a duty cycle of 50% of operating time under normal condition which implies that the performance of the flow sensor is optimal.

Automation in the Space Station module power management and distribution Breadboard

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walls, Bryan; Lollar, Louis F.

1990-01-01

The Space Station Module Power Management and Distribution (SSM/PMAD) Breadboard, located at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama, models the power distribution within a Space Station Freedom Habitation or Laboratory module. Originally designed for 20 kHz ac power, the system is now being converted to high voltage dc power with power levels on a par with those expected for a space station module. In addition to the power distribution hardware, the system includes computer control through a hierarchy of processes. The lowest level process consists of fast, simple (from a computing standpoint) switchgear, capable of quickly safing the system. The next level consists of local load center processors called Lowest Level Processors (LLP's). These LLP's execute load scheduling, perform redundant switching, and shed loads which use more than scheduled power. The level above the LLP's contains a Communication and Algorithmic Controller (CAC) which coordinates communications with the highest level. Finally, at this highest level, three cooperating Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems manage load prioritization, load scheduling, load shedding, and fault recovery and management. The system provides an excellent venue for developing and examining advanced automation techniques. The current system and the plans for its future are examined.

Nanoscale Control over the Mixing Behavior of Surface-Confined Bicomponent Supramolecular Networks Using an Oriented External Electric Field

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Strong electric fields are known to influence the properties of molecules as well as materials. Here we show that by changing the orientation of an externally applied electric field, one can locally control the mixing behavior of two molecules physisorbed on a solid surface. Whether the starting two-component network evolves into an ordered two-dimensional (2D) cocrystal, yields an amorphous network where the two components phase separate, or shows preferential adsorption of only one component depends on the solution stoichiometry. The experiments are carried out by changing the orientation of the strong electric field that exists between the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope and a solid substrate. The structure of the two-component network typically changes from open porous at negative substrate bias to relatively compact when the polarity of the applied bias is reversed. The electric-field-induced mixing behavior is reversible, and the supramolecular system exhibits excellent stability and good response efficiency. When molecular guests are adsorbed in the porous networks, the field-induced switching behavior was found to be completely different. Plausible reasons behind the field-induced mixing behavior are discussed. PMID:29112378

Entomological Monitoring and Evaluation: Diverse Transmission Settings of ICEMR Projects Will Require Local and Regional Malaria Elimination Strategies

PubMed Central

Conn, Jan E.; Norris, Douglas E.; Donnelly, Martin J.; Beebe, Nigel W.; Burkot, Thomas R.; Coulibaly, Mamadou B.; Chery, Laura; Eapen, Alex; Keven, John B.; Kilama, Maxwell; Kumar, Ashwani; Lindsay, Steve W.; Moreno, Marta; Quinones, Martha; Reimer, Lisa J.; Russell, Tanya L.; Smith, David L.; Thomas, Matthew B.; Walker, Edward D.; Wilson, Mark L.; Yan, Guiyun

2015-01-01

The unprecedented global efforts for malaria elimination in the past decade have resulted in altered vectorial systems, vector behaviors, and bionomics. These changes combined with increasingly evident heterogeneities in malaria transmission require innovative vector control strategies in addition to the established practices of long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying. Integrated vector management will require focal and tailored vector control to achieve malaria elimination. This switch of emphasis from universal coverage to universal coverage plus additional interventions will be reliant on improved entomological monitoring and evaluation. In 2010, the National Institutes for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) established a network of malaria research centers termed ICEMRs (International Centers for Excellence in Malaria Research) expressly to develop this evidence base in diverse malaria endemic settings. In this article, we contrast the differing ecology and transmission settings across the ICEMR study locations. In South America, Africa, and Asia, vector biologists are already dealing with many of the issues of pushing to elimination such as highly focal transmission, proportionate increase in the importance of outdoor and crepuscular biting, vector species complexity, and “sub patent” vector transmission. PMID:26259942

Dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel for noise-associated acute anxiety and fear in dogs-a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.

PubMed

Korpivaara, M; Laapas, K; Huhtinen, M; Schöning, B; Overall, K

2017-04-08

The aim of this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical-field study was to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel at subsedative doses in alleviation of noise-associated acute anxiety and fear in dogs. On New Year's Eve, 182 dogs with a history of acute anxiety and fear associated with fireworks received treatment as needed up to five times: 89 dogs received dexmedetomidine and 93 dogs received placebo. For the primary efficacy variables, dog owners assessed the overall treatment effect as well as signs and extent of anxiety and fear. The overall treatment effect was statistically significant (P<0.0001). An excellent or good treatment effect was reported for a higher proportion of dogs treated with dexmedetomidine (64/89, 72 per cent) than those receiving placebo (34/93, 37 per cent). Additionally, dexmedetomidine-treated dogs expressed significantly (P<0.0314) fewer signs of fear and anxiety despite the noise of fireworks. No local tolerance or clinical safety concerns occurred during the study. This study demonstrated that oromucosal dexmedetomidine at subsedative doses alleviates noise-associated acute anxiety and fear in dogs. British Veterinary Association.

MRI-guided Therapeutic Ultrasound : In vitro Validation of a New MR Compatible, Phased Array, Contact Endorectal Ultrasound Transducer with Active Feedback Control of Temperature Evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salomir, Rares; Rata, Mihaela; Lafon, Cyril; Melodelima, David; Chapelon, Jean-Yves; Mathias, Adrien; Cotton, François; Bonmartin, Alain; Cathignol, Dominique

2006-05-01

Contact application of high intensity ultrasound was demonstrated to be suitable for thermal ablation of sectorial tumours of the digestive duct. Experimental validation of a new MR compatible ultrasonic device is described here, dedicated to the minimal invasive therapy of localized colorectal cancer. This is a cylindrical 1D 64-element phased array transducer of 14 mm diameter and 25 mm height (Imasonic, France) allowing electronic rotation of the acoustic beam. Operating frequency ranges from 3.5 to 4.0 MHz and up to 5 effective electrical watts per element are available. A plane wave is reconstructed by simultaneous excitation of eigth adjacent elements with an appropriate phase law. Driving electronics operates outside the Faraday cage of the scanner and provides fast switching capabilities. Excellent passive and active compatibility with the MRI data acquisition has been demonstrated. In addition, feasibility of active temperature control has been demonstrated based on real-time data export out of the MR scanner and a PID feedback algorithm. Further studies will address the in-vivo validation and the integration of a miniature NMR coil for increased SNR in the near field.

Entomological Monitoring and Evaluation: Diverse Transmission Settings of ICEMR Projects Will Require Local and Regional Malaria Elimination Strategies.

PubMed

Conn, Jan E; Norris, Douglas E; Donnelly, Martin J; Beebe, Nigel W; Burkot, Thomas R; Coulibaly, Mamadou B; Chery, Laura; Eapen, Alex; Keven, John B; Kilama, Maxwell; Kumar, Ashwani; Lindsay, Steve W; Moreno, Marta; Quinones, Martha; Reimer, Lisa J; Russell, Tanya L; Smith, David L; Thomas, Matthew B; Walker, Edward D; Wilson, Mark L; Yan, Guiyun

2015-09-01

The unprecedented global efforts for malaria elimination in the past decade have resulted in altered vectorial systems, vector behaviors, and bionomics. These changes combined with increasingly evident heterogeneities in malaria transmission require innovative vector control strategies in addition to the established practices of long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying. Integrated vector management will require focal and tailored vector control to achieve malaria elimination. This switch of emphasis from universal coverage to universal coverage plus additional interventions will be reliant on improved entomological monitoring and evaluation. In 2010, the National Institutes for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) established a network of malaria research centers termed ICEMRs (International Centers for Excellence in Malaria Research) expressly to develop this evidence base in diverse malaria endemic settings. In this article, we contrast the differing ecology and transmission settings across the ICEMR study locations. In South America, Africa, and Asia, vector biologists are already dealing with many of the issues of pushing to elimination such as highly focal transmission, proportionate increase in the importance of outdoor and crepuscular biting, vector species complexity, and "sub patent" vector transmission. © The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

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

Hanna, Samir Abdallah, E-mail: samir.hanna@hsl.org.br; Simões Dornellas de Barros, Alfredo Carlos; Martins de Andrade, Felipe Eduardo

Purpose: To present local control, complications, and cosmetic outcomes of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) for early breast cancer, as well as technical aspects related to the use of a nondedicated linear accelerator. Methods and Materials: This prospective trial began in May of 2004. Eligibility criteria were biopsy-proven breast-infiltrating ductal carcinoma, age >40 years, tumor <3 cm, and cN0. Exclusion criteria were in situ or lobular types, multicentricity, skin invasion, any contraindication for surgery and/or radiation therapy, sentinel lymph node involvement, metastasis, or another malignancy. Patients underwent classic quadrantectomy with intraoperative sentinel lymph node and margins evaluation. If both free, the patient wasmore » transferred from operative suite to linear accelerator room, and IORT was delivered (21 Gy). Primary endpoint: local recurrence (LR); secondary endpoints: toxicities and aesthetics. Quality assurance involved using a customized shield for chest wall protection, applying procedures to minimize infection caused by patient transportation, and using portal films to check collimator-shield alignment. Results: A total of 152 patients were included, with at least 1 year follow-up. Median age (range) was 58.3 (40-85.4) years, and median follow-up time was 50.7 (12-110.5) months. The likelihood of 5-year local recurrence was 3.7%. There were 3 deaths, 2 of which were cancer related. The Kaplan-Meier 5-year actuarial estimates of overall, disease-free, and local recurrence-free survivals were 97.8%, 92.5%, and 96.3%, respectively. The overall incidences of acute and late toxicities were 12.5% and 29.6%, respectively. Excellent, good, fair, and bad cosmetic results were observed in 76.9%, 15.8%, 4.3%, and 2.8% of patients, respectively. Most treatments were performed with a 5-cm collimator, and in 39.8% of the patients the electron-beam energy used was ≥12 MeV. All patients underwent portal film evaluation, and the shielding was repositioned in 39.9% of cases. No infection or anesthesia complications were observed. Conclusions: Local control with IORT was adequate, with low complication rates and good cosmetic outcomes. More than one-third of patients benefited from the “image-guidance” approach, and almost 40% benefited from the option of higher electron beam energies.« less

Infrared laser spectroscopy of the n-propyl and i-propyl radicals: Stretch-bend Fermi coupling in the alkyl CH stretch region

DOE PAGES

Franke, Peter R.; Tabor, Daniel P.; Moradi, Christopher P.; ...

2016-12-13

The n-propyl and i-propyl radicals were generated in the gas phase via pyrolysis of n-butyl nitrite [CH 3(CH 2) 3ONO] and i-butyl nitrite [(CH 3) 2CHCH 2ONO], respectively. Nascent radicals were promptly solvated by a beam of He nanodroplets, and the infrared spectra of the radicals were recorded in the CH stretching region. Several previously unreported bands are observed between 2800 and 3150 cm –1. The CH stretching modes observed above 3000 cm –1 are in excellent agreement with CCSD(T) anharmonic frequencies computed using second-order vibrational perturbation theory. However, between 2800 and 3000 cm –1, the spectra of n- andmore » i-propyl radicals become congested and difficult to assign due to the presence of multiple anharmonic resonance polyads. To model the spectrally congested region, Fermi and Darling-Dennison resonances are treated explicitly using “dressed” Hamiltonians and CCSD(T) quartic force fields in the normal mode representation, and the agreement with experiment is less than satisfactory. Computations employing local mode effective Hamiltonians reveal the origin of the spectral congestion to be strong coupling between the high frequency CH stretching modes and the lower frequency CH n bending/scissoring motions. The most significant coupling is between stretches and bends localized on the same CH 2/CH 3 group. As a result, spectral simulations using the local mode approach are in excellent agreement with experiment.« less

Infrared laser spectroscopy of the n-propyl and i-propyl radicals: Stretch-bend Fermi coupling in the alkyl CH stretch region

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

Franke, Peter R.; Tabor, Daniel P.; Moradi, Christopher P.

The n-propyl and i-propyl radicals were generated in the gas phase via pyrolysis of n-butyl nitrite [CH 3(CH 2) 3ONO] and i-butyl nitrite [(CH 3) 2CHCH 2ONO], respectively. Nascent radicals were promptly solvated by a beam of He nanodroplets, and the infrared spectra of the radicals were recorded in the CH stretching region. Several previously unreported bands are observed between 2800 and 3150 cm –1. The CH stretching modes observed above 3000 cm –1 are in excellent agreement with CCSD(T) anharmonic frequencies computed using second-order vibrational perturbation theory. However, between 2800 and 3000 cm –1, the spectra of n- andmore » i-propyl radicals become congested and difficult to assign due to the presence of multiple anharmonic resonance polyads. To model the spectrally congested region, Fermi and Darling-Dennison resonances are treated explicitly using “dressed” Hamiltonians and CCSD(T) quartic force fields in the normal mode representation, and the agreement with experiment is less than satisfactory. Computations employing local mode effective Hamiltonians reveal the origin of the spectral congestion to be strong coupling between the high frequency CH stretching modes and the lower frequency CH n bending/scissoring motions. The most significant coupling is between stretches and bends localized on the same CH 2/CH 3 group. As a result, spectral simulations using the local mode approach are in excellent agreement with experiment.« less

Elliptic surface grid generation on minimal and parmetrized surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spekreijse, S. P.; Nijhuis, G. H.; Boerstoel, J. W.

1995-01-01

An elliptic grid generation method is presented which generates excellent boundary conforming grids in domains in 2D physical space. The method is based on the composition of an algebraic and elliptic transformation. The composite mapping obeys the familiar Poisson grid generation system with control functions specified by the algebraic transformation. New expressions are given for the control functions. Grid orthogonality at the boundary is achieved by modification of the algebraic transformation. It is shown that grid generation on a minimal surface in 3D physical space is in fact equivalent to grid generation in a domain in 2D physical space. A second elliptic grid generation method is presented which generates excellent boundary conforming grids on smooth surfaces. It is assumed that the surfaces are parametrized and that the grid only depends on the shape of the surface and is independent of the parametrization. Concerning surface modeling, it is shown that bicubic Hermite interpolation is an excellent method to generate a smooth surface which is passing through a given discrete set of control points. In contrast to bicubic spline interpolation, there is extra freedom to model the tangent and twist vectors such that spurious oscillations are prevented.

Dominus: Nematode and pathogen control and improved weed control with fomesafen

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Few new chemical fumigants have been developed in recent years. One of the exceptions is a biofumigant with the active ingredient allylisothiocyanate (AITC), registered as the commercial product Dominus® (Isagro, USA). Excellent control of fungal plant pathogens and nematodes has been achieved wit...

Exploring TeleRobotics: A Radio-Controlled Robot

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deal, Walter F., III; Hsiung, Steve C.

2007-01-01

Robotics is a rich and exciting multidisciplinary area to study and learn about electronics and control technology. The interest in robotic devices and systems provides the technology teacher with an excellent opportunity to make many concrete connections between electronics, control technology, and computers and science, engineering, and…

Online learning: An alternative for STD/HIV/AIDS knowledge update.

PubMed

Caballero, M Erika; San Martín, V Ana María; Reyes, A Cecilia

2006-01-01

The experience of the e-learning diploma "Specialist in management for control and prevention of STD/HIV/AIDS" for Latin-American health professionals is presented. It was developed by eminent advisory Chilean experts using a web CT platform with the support of the, Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) of World Bank and certificated by the Austral University of Chile, Virtual University and REUNA. The design, development, results of learning, and the opinion of the quality of the course are described. The purpose of this research was to know the opinion of the participants about the quality of diploma on line, and to orient the decision making with respect to the optimization for future versions of this diploma. The universe and sample correspond to first cohort of the diploma during year 2005, was conformed by 33 students. The instrument of data collection used was a survey of opinion applied when finalizing of the diploma. The data were process in SPSS 13.0. The measured criteria of quality were classified like high quality when 80% or more of the participants answered that the evaluated aspect was excellent, medium quality (61 and 79%) and low quality at least of 60% thought that was excellent. The results emphasize that the quality of the contents of the diploma it considers a 95% of the participants excellent. A 100% consider the roll carried out by the tutor excellent and 91.3% excellent the roll of the academic secretary. The means of support to the student were evaluated like excellent by 58.3% of the users. The system of communication by means of internal mail of the diploma was considered excellent by 67% of the students the forums were evaluated like excellent by 84.8% of the people. In relation to the Web site 84.5% consider it excellent, the learning activities were considered as excellent by 75% and the system of evaluation of the diploma was considered adapted by 83.3% of the participants. The 100% would recommend the diploma to other professional of the health, having indicated that the diploma allowed them to extend its knowledge, those that are of much actually daily utility and to establish work networks. One concludes that the quality of the diploma is high as far as contents, roll of the professors; the pedagogical aspects; the most deficit aspects and than are due to correct is the tool as guide of study and calendar, and to optimize the tool of communication by means of the mail of the Web site. The results evidence that this methodology, is an excellent media of learning and promoting the interdisciplinary networking in relevant health issues such as STD/HIV/AIDS control and prevention, where coordinate action is crucial.

UAB UT Annual Report : 2010-2011

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-01-01

The UAB UTC's theme, Traffic Safety and Injury Control was an excellent fit for the UAB Injury Control : Research Centers (ICRC) faculty, because it complemented the ICRCs Mission, which was: To help the : nation achieve a significant reduct...

Solar radiation control using nematic curvilinear aligned phase (NCAP) liquid crystal technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

vanKonynenburg, Peter; Marsland, Stephen; McCoy, James

1987-11-01

A new, advanced liquid crystal technology has made economical, large area, electrically-controlled windows a commercial reality. The new technology, Nematic Curvilinear Aligned Phase (NCAP), is based on a polymeric material containing small droplets of nematic liquid crystal which is coated and laminated between transparent electrodes and fabricated into large area field effect devices. NCAP windows feature variable solar transmission and reflection through a voltage-controlled scattering mechanism. Laminated window constructions provide the excellent transmission and visibility of glass in the powered condition. In the unpowered condition, the windows are highly translucent, and provide 1) blocked vision for privacy, security, and obscuration of information, and 2) glare control and solar shading. The stability is excellent during accelerated aging tests. Degradation mechanisms which can limit performance and lifetime are discussed. Maximum long term stability is achieved by product designs that incorporate the appropriate window materials to provide environmental protection.

[MapDraw: a microsoft excel macro for drawing genetic linkage maps based on given genetic linkage data].

PubMed

Liu, Ren-Hu; Meng, Jin-Ling

2003-05-01

MAPMAKER is one of the most widely used computer software package for constructing genetic linkage maps.However, the PC version, MAPMAKER 3.0 for PC, could not draw the genetic linkage maps that its Macintosh version, MAPMAKER 3.0 for Macintosh,was able to do. Especially in recent years, Macintosh computer is much less popular than PC. Most of the geneticists use PC to analyze their genetic linkage data. So a new computer software to draw the same genetic linkage maps on PC as the MAPMAKER for Macintosh to do on Macintosh has been crying for. Microsoft Excel,one component of Microsoft Office package, is one of the most popular software in laboratory data processing. Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is one of the most powerful functions of Microsoft Excel. Using this program language, we can take creative control of Excel, including genetic linkage map construction, automatic data processing and more. In this paper, a Microsoft Excel macro called MapDraw is constructed to draw genetic linkage maps on PC computer based on given genetic linkage data. Use this software,you can freely construct beautiful genetic linkage map in Excel and freely edit and copy it to Word or other application. This software is just an Excel format file. You can freely copy it from ftp://211.69.140.177 or ftp://brassica.hzau.edu.cn and the source code can be found in Excel's Visual Basic Editor.

Clinical governance is "ACE"--using the EFQM excellence model to support baseline assessment.

PubMed

Holland, K; Fennell, S

2000-01-01

The introduction of clinical governance in the "new NHS" means that National Health Service (NHS) organisations are now accountable for the quality of the services they provide to their local communities. As part of the implementation of clinical governance in the NHS, Trusts and health authorities had to complete a baseline assessment of their capability and capacity by September 1999. Describes one Trust's approach to developing and implementing its baseline assessment tool, based upon its existing use of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model. An initial review of the process suggests that the model provides an adaptable framework for the development of a comprehensive and practical assessment tool and that self-assessment ensures ownership of action plans at service level.

A low-cost procedure for production of fresh autochthonous wine yeast.

PubMed

Maqueda, Matilde; Pérez-Nevado, Francisco; Regodón, José A; Zamora, Emiliano; Alvarez, María L; Rebollo, José E; Ramírez, Manuel

2011-03-01

A low-cost procedure was designed for easy and rapid response-on-demand production of fresh wine yeast for local wine-making. The pilot plant produced fresh yeast culture concentrate with good microbial quality and excellent oenological properties from four selected wine yeasts. The best production yields were obtained using 2% sugar beet molasses and a working culture volume of less than 60% of the fermenter capacity. The yeast yield using 2% sugar grape juice was low and had poor cell viability after freeze storage, although the resulting yeast would be directly available for use in the winery. The performance of these yeasts in commercial wineries was excellent; they dominated must fermentation and improved its kinetics, as well as improving the physicochemical parameters and the organoleptic quality of red and white wines.

Developing performance excellence guidance for rural tourism (case study: wangun lestari village, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yopy, Maulana; Sitinjak, M. F.

2018-03-01

In response to Indonesian Ministry of Tourism objective to develop and improve the performance of tourism destination, specifically on rural tourism, Where there is no well-prepared implementation yet by the local government due to constrained human resources and lack of management knowledge and stakeholders. This research aims to develop an integrated rural tourism concept at Wangun Lestari Tourism Village. The Guideline of Rural Tourism Development of Ministry of Tourism, Malcolm Baldrige’s Performance Excellence, SWOT Analysis, and Value Proposition Analysis will be used to help to design the Rural Tourism program. The result of this research is a comprehensive concept of Leadership, Strategic Planning, Customer Management System, Knowledge Management, Workforce Engagement, Operation Focus and also Evaluation Metric for Wangun Lestari Tourism Village.

Managing for Successful Control of Naturally Occurring Asbestos During Large Scale Grading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saur, R.; Harnish, D.; Cavanaugh, J.; Kendall, K.; Virdee, A.; Ludlam, D.

2012-12-01

Pacific Gas and Electric Company recently completed environmental remediation and civil grading of a 35-acre site in San Francisco Bay Area, and the project became recognized with local agencies as having excellent controls systems for naturally-occurring asbestos (NOA). The project began in 2010 and was completed in 2012, and involved excavating and grading over 100,000 tons of soil containing NOA. The work was subject to requirements by state, local and regional agencies, including an asbestos dust mitigation plan for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Effective control of NOA is attributed to management approaches combined with effective monitoring and state-of-the-art controls. Management Planning. The contract for construction specified NOA compliance management and controls, including having a NOA-control "czar" ultimately responsible for effective mitigation. An important element was daily pre-planning for excavation/grading that involved both the NOA mitigation experts and construction staff. Personnel Planning and Training. All construction personnel were trained before work regarding NOA hazards and mitigations. Daily tailboards with all construction personnel included discussions of the NOA controls integral to the daily work. Supervision. A NOA mitigation compliance leader was assigned to each excavation operation, responsible for continuously monitoring wind direction and work to ensure mitigation met requirements, and that disturbed areas were hydrosealed or covered. Adaptive Management - Daily and weekly debriefs occurred with those responsible for NOA controls to evaluate effectiveness, and identify improvements needed. If a monitoring result exceeded the project trigger level, work shut down and a root-cause analysis was performed to determine appropriate corrective actions. Deviations of results from background were researched as to cause, and any adjustments identified. Nearby non-project activities were monitored, as they occasionally caused trigger level exceedences in perimeter monitors, including from off-site vehicles, nearby construction, and mechanical vegetation management (e.g. weed whacking). Regulatory and Owner Oversight. Monitoring results were reported daily to agencies, agencies made frequent inspections, and owner's independent compliance representatives observed the NOA mitigation and provided real-time feedback to the construction team. NOA Controls. NOA emissions were controlled site-wide and for each work activity. Site systems included misting, water trucks on roads, temporary covers and soil sealants. Work activity controls for excavation/grading included both source and perimeter controls. Water application technologies specially designed for NOA fiber mitigation, and not just dust mitigation, were effective without adding excessive water to work areas. These activities collectively created a management structure that facilitated successful implementation of NOA control technologies.

78 FR 32576 - Proposed Airworthiness Design Standards; AQUILA Aviation by Excellence GmbH, Model AT01

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-31

... aeroplanes, each power or thrust control must be designed so that if the control separates at the engine fuel... control toward lean or shut-off position. (b) Each manual engine mixture control must be designed so that... any generator; and (5) Each generator must have an overvoltage control designed and installed to...

Co-sputter deposited nickel-copper bimetallic nanoalloy embedded carbon films for electrocatalytic biomarker detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shiba, Shunsuke; Kato, Dai; Kamata, Tomoyuki; Niwa, Osamu

2016-06-01

We report the fabrication of a nickel (Ni)-copper (Cu) bimetallic nanoalloy (~3 nm) embedded carbon film electrode with the unbalanced magnetron (UBM) co-sputtering technique, which requires only a one-step process at room temperature. Most of each nanoalloy body was firmly embedded in a chemically stable carbon matrix with an atomically flat surface (Ra: 0.21 nm), suppressing the aggregation and/or detachment of the nanoalloy from the electrode surface. The nanoalloy size and composition can be controlled simply by individually controlling the target powers of carbon, Ni and Cu, which also makes it possible to localize the nanoalloys near the electrode surface. This electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for d-mannitol, which should be detected with a low detection limit in urine samples for the diagnosis of severe intestinal diseases. With a Ni/Cu ratio of around 64/36, the electrocatalytic current per metal area was 3.4 times larger than that of an alloy film electrode with a similar composition (~70/30). This improved electrocatalytic activity realized higher stability (n = 60, relative standard deviation (RSD): 4.6%) than the alloy film (RSD: 32.2%) as demonstrated by continuous measurements of d-mannitol.We report the fabrication of a nickel (Ni)-copper (Cu) bimetallic nanoalloy (~3 nm) embedded carbon film electrode with the unbalanced magnetron (UBM) co-sputtering technique, which requires only a one-step process at room temperature. Most of each nanoalloy body was firmly embedded in a chemically stable carbon matrix with an atomically flat surface (Ra: 0.21 nm), suppressing the aggregation and/or detachment of the nanoalloy from the electrode surface. The nanoalloy size and composition can be controlled simply by individually controlling the target powers of carbon, Ni and Cu, which also makes it possible to localize the nanoalloys near the electrode surface. This electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for d-mannitol, which should be detected with a low detection limit in urine samples for the diagnosis of severe intestinal diseases. With a Ni/Cu ratio of around 64/36, the electrocatalytic current per metal area was 3.4 times larger than that of an alloy film electrode with a similar composition (~70/30). This improved electrocatalytic activity realized higher stability (n = 60, relative standard deviation (RSD): 4.6%) than the alloy film (RSD: 32.2%) as demonstrated by continuous measurements of d-mannitol. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: The concept of UBM co-sputtering for fabricating nanoalloy embedded carbon films. HRTEM images of the NiNP and Ni32Cu68 nanoalloy embedded carbon films. The experimental conditions for sputter deposition, HRTEM, HAADF-STEM, STEM-EDS measurements and continuous flow injection analysis. XPS analysis of the nanoalloy embedded carbon film. Repeated CVs of both the nanoalloy embedded carbon film and the alloy film. Amperometric detection of d-mannitol in the presence of chloride ions. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nr02287a

Analysis of Arthroscopic Therapy for hip Pathologies.

PubMed

Przybył, Michał; Walenczak, Krzysztof; Lebiedziński, Radosław; Domżalski, Marcin

2017-05-10

[b]Background. [/b]This paper analyses the outcomes of treatment of avascular necrosis (AVN), femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), hip labral tear (HLT) and snapping hip syndrome (SHS). Moreover, the results of individual groups are also compared. The study group consisted of 70 persons (surgeries of 72 hips). AVN - 14 patients, FAI - 38 patients (39 hips), HLT - 12 patients (13 hips), SHS - 6 patients. Two questionnaires, namely the MHHS (Modified Harris Hip Score) and NAHS (Non Arthritic Hip Score), were used to evaluate the patients before the surgery and at 6- and 12-month follow-up.[b]Results. [/b]AVN : local improvement was recorded at both 6 and 12 months, FAI: local improvement was recorded at both 6 and 12 months, HLT: local improvement was recorded at both 6 and 12 months, SHS: local improvement was recorded at both 6 and 12 months. Comparison of the results between the groups showed that: At baseline, local status in AVN was poorer than in FAI. At 6- and 12-month follow-up, local status in AVN was poorer than in FAI, HLT and SHS.[b]Conclusions.[/b] AVN Group 1. The study demonstrates that arthroscopic treatment of avascular necrosis produced fairly good outcomes at 6 and 12 months after the surgery. 2. Treatment of avascular necrosis showed significantly poorer results than therapy of femoroacetabular impingement, hip labral tear and snapping hip syndrome at 6 and 12 months. FAI Group 1. Arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement produced good outcomes at 6 and 12 months after the surgery. HLT Group 1. Arthroscopic treatment of hip labral tear produced excellent outcomes at 6 and 12 months after the surgery. SHS Group 1. Arthroscopic treat ment of snapping hip syndrome produced excellent outcomes at 6 and 12 months after the surgery.Additional conclusions. 1. Studies showing long-term effect of arthroscopic treatment of selected conditions are necessary to further assess the effectiveness of this treatment. 2. It is necessary to evaluate the influence of the patients' age and severity of osteo arthritis on treatment outcomes in FAI. 3. It is necessary to assess the influence of the severity of pre-operative necrosis according to Ficat and Arlet classification on treatment outcomes in AVN.

Rural health centres, communities and malaria case detection in Zambia using mobile telephones: a means to detect potential reservoirs of infection in unstable transmission conditions.

PubMed

Kamanga, Aniset; Moono, Petros; Stresman, Gillian; Mharakurwa, Sungano; Shiff, Clive

2010-04-15

Effective malaria control depends on timely acquisition of information on new cases, their location and their frequency so as to deploy supplies, plan interventions or focus attention on specific locations appropriately to intervene and prevent an upsurge in transmission. The process is known as active case detection, but because the information is time sensitive, it is difficult to carry out. In Zambia, the rural health services are operating effectively and for the most part are provided with adequate supplies of rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) as well as effective drugs for the diagnosis and treatment of malaria. The tests are administered to all prior to treatment and appropriate records are kept. Data are obtained in a timely manner and distribution of this information is important for the effective management of malaria control operations. The work reported here involves combining the process of positive diagnoses in rural health centres (passive case detection) to help detect potential outbreaks of malaria and target interventions to foci where parasite reservoirs are likely to occur. Twelve rural health centres in the Choma and Namwala Districts were recruited to send weekly information of rapid malaria tests used and number of positive diagnoses to the Malaria Institute at Macha using mobile telephone SMS. Data were entered in excel, expressed as number of cases per rural health centre and distributed weekly to interested parties. These data from each of the health centres which were mapped using geographical positioning system (GPS) coordinates were used in a time sensitive manner to plot the patterns of malaria case detection in the vicinity of each location. The data were passed on to the appropriate authorities. The seasonal pattern of malaria transmission associated with local ecological conditions can be seen in the distribution of cases diagnosed. Adequate supplies of RDT are essential in health centres and the system can be expanded throughout the country to support strategic targeting of interventions by the National Malaria Control Programme. Participation by the health centre staff was excellent.

Decline of Cosmetic Outcomes Following Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation Using Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy: Results of a Single-Institution Prospective Clinical Trial

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

Liss, Adam L.; Ben-David, Merav A.; Jagsi, Reshma

2014-05-01

Purpose: To report the final cosmetic results from a single-arm prospective clinical trial evaluating accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with active-breathing control (ABC). Methods and Materials: Women older than 40 with breast cancer stages 0-I who received breast-conserving surgery were enrolled in an institutional review board-approved prospective study evaluating APBI using IMRT administered with deep inspiration breath-hold. Patients received 38.5 Gy in 3.85-Gy fractions given twice daily over 5 consecutive days. The planning target volume was defined as the lumpectomy cavity with a 1.5-cm margin. Cosmesis was scored on a 4-category scale by themore » treating physician. Toxicity was scored according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE version 3.0). We report the cosmetic and toxicity results at a median follow-up of 5 years. Results: A total of 34 patients were enrolled. Two patients were excluded because of fair baseline cosmesis. The trial was terminated early because fair/poor cosmesis developed in 7 of 32 women at a median follow-up of 2.5 years. At a median follow-up of 5 years, further decline in the cosmetic outcome was observed in 5 women. Cosmesis at the time of last assessment was 43.3% excellent, 30% good, 20% fair, and 6.7% poor. Fibrosis according to CTCAE at last assessment was 3.3% grade 2 toxicity and 0% grade 3 toxicity. There was no correlation of CTCAE grade 2 or greater fibrosis with cosmesis. The 5-year rate of local control was 97% for all 34 patients initially enrolled. Conclusions: In this prospective trial with 5-year median follow-up, we observed an excellent rate of tumor control using IMRT-planned APBI. Cosmetic outcomes, however, continued to decline, with 26.7% of women having a fair to poor cosmetic result. These results underscore the need for continued cosmetic assessment for patients treated with APBI by technique.« less

Nucleon localization and fragment formation in nuclear fission

DOE PAGES

Zhang, C. L.; Schuetrumpf, B.; Nazarewicz, W.

2016-12-27

An electron localization measure was originally introduced to characterize chemical bond structures in molecules. Recently, a nucleon localization based on Hartree-Fock densities has been introduced to investigate α-cluster structures in light nuclei. Compared to the local nucleonic densities, the nucleon localization function has been shown to be an excellent indicator of shell effects and cluster correlations. In this work, using the spatial nucleon localization measure, we investigated the emergence of fragments in fissioning heavy nuclei using the self-consistent energy density functional method with a quantified energy density functional optimized for fission studies. We studied the particle densities and spatial nucleonmore » localization distributions along the fission pathways of 264Fm, 232Th, and 240Pu. We demonstrated that the fission fragments were formed fairly early in the evolution, well before scission. To illustrate the usefulness of the localization measure, we showed how the hyperdeformed state of 232Th could be understood in terms of a quasimolecular state made of 132Sn and 100Zr fragments. Compared to nucleonic distributions, the nucleon localization function more effectively quantifies nucleonic clustering: its characteristic oscillating pattern, traced back to shell effects, is a clear fingerprint of cluster/fragment configurations. This is of particular interest for studies of fragment formation and fragment identification in fissioning nuclei.« less

Determinants of short and long term outcomes in patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction following neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

PubMed

Wengler, Craig A; Valente, Stephanie A; Al-Hilli, Zahraa; Woody, Neil M; Muntean, Julia H; Abraham, Jame; Tendulkar, Rahul D; Djohan, Risal; O'Rourke, Colin; Crowe, Joseph P; Grobmyer, Stephen R

2017-12-01

We evaluated oncologic outcomes and complications of skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) and nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) with immediate reconstruction (IR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with early-stage and locally advanced breast cancer (BC). BC patients from 2000 to 2014 treated with NAC followed by SSM/NSM and IR were reviewed. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, NAC response, complications, and recurrence were analyzed. Two hundred sixty-nine patients with 280 BCs were treated with NAC followed by SSM (94%) or NSM (6%) with IR. Median age was 47 (26-72) years with a median follow-up of 45 months. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was noted in 49 (17.5%) cases. Overall 30-day complication rate was 13.2%. Variables associated with complications included BMI (P < 0.0001), tobacco use (P = 0.015), and adjuvant radiation (P = 0.025). Local-regional recurrence was 3.2% and metastatic recurrence was 13.2%. Variables predicting recurrence risk were pre-NAC tumor size (P < 0.001), residual tumor size (P = 0.002), Grade III (P = 0.002), HER-2 negative (P = 0.025), pre-NAC nodal disease (P = 0.05), and lack of pCR (P = 0.045). Following NAC, risk factors for complications in patients undergoing SSM/NSM with IR are high BMI, smoking, and adjuvant XRT. SSM/NSM following NAC is associated with excellent local control. These data support expanding the indications for NSM/SSM to include patients receiving NAC. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Regional transport of anthropogenic pollution and dust aerosols in spring to Tianjin - A coastal megacity in China.

PubMed

Su, Xiaoli; Wang, Qiao; Li, Zhengqiang; Calvello, Mariarosaria; Esposito, Francesco; Pavese, Giulia; Lin, Meijing; Cao, Junji; Zhou, Chunyan; Li, Donghui; Xu, Hua

2017-04-15

Simultaneous measurements of columnar aerosol microphysical and optical properties, as well as PM 2.5 chemical compositions, were made during two types of spring pollution episodes in Tianjin, a coastal megacity of China. The events were investigated using field observations, satellite data, model simulations, and meteorological fields. The lower Ångström Exponent and the higher aerosol optical depth on 29 March, compared with the earlier event on 26 March, implied a dominance of coarse mode particles - this was consistent with the differences in volume-size distributions. Based on the single scattering spectra, the dominant absorber (at blue wavelength) changed from black carbon during less polluted days to brown carbon on 26 March and dust on 29 March. The concentrations of major PM 2.5 species for these two episodes also differed, with the earlier event enriched in pollution-derived substances and the later with mineral dust elements. The formation mechanisms of these two pollution episodes were also examined. The 26 March episode was attributed to the accumulation of both local emissions and anthropogenic pollutants transported from the southwest of Tianjin under the control of high pressure system. While the high aerosol loading on 29 March was caused by the mixing of transported dust from northwest source region with local urban pollution. The mixing of transported anthropogenic pollutants and dust with local emissions demonstrated the complexity of springtime pollution in Tianjin. The synergy of multi-scale observations showed excellent potential for air pollution study. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Selection by consequences, behavioral evolution, and the price equation.

PubMed

Baum, William M

2017-05-01

Price's equation describes evolution across time in simple mathematical terms. Although it is not a theory, but a derived identity, it is useful as an analytical tool. It affords lucid descriptions of genetic evolution, cultural evolution, and behavioral evolution (often called "selection by consequences") at different levels (e.g., individual vs. group) and at different time scales (local and extended). The importance of the Price equation for behavior analysis lies in its ability to precisely restate selection by consequences, thereby restating, or even replacing, the law of effect. Beyond this, the equation may be useful whenever one regards ontogenetic behavioral change as evolutionary change, because it describes evolutionary change in abstract, general terms. As an analytical tool, the behavioral Price equation is an excellent aid in understanding how behavior changes within organisms' lifetimes. For example, it illuminates evolution of response rate, analyses of choice in concurrent schedules, negative contingencies, and dilemmas of self-control. © 2017 Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Rats track odour trails accurately using a multi-layered strategy with near-optimal sampling.

PubMed

Khan, Adil Ghani; Sarangi, Manaswini; Bhalla, Upinder Singh

2012-02-28

Tracking odour trails is a crucial behaviour for many animals, often leading to food, mates or away from danger. It is an excellent example of active sampling, where the animal itself controls how to sense the environment. Here we show that rats can track odour trails accurately with near-optimal sampling. We trained rats to follow odour trails drawn on paper spooled through a treadmill. By recording local field potentials (LFPs) from the olfactory bulb, and sniffing rates, we find that sniffing but not LFPs differ between tracking and non-tracking conditions. Rats can track odours within ~1 cm, and this accuracy is degraded when one nostril is closed. Moreover, they show path prediction on encountering a fork, wide 'casting' sweeps on encountering a gap and detection of reappearance of the trail in 1-2 sniffs. We suggest that rats use a multi-layered strategy, and achieve efficient sampling and high accuracy in this complex task.

One Minute, Sub-One-Watt Photothermal Tumor Ablation Using Porphysomes, Intrinsic Multifunctional Nanovesicles

PubMed Central

Jin, Cheng S.; Lovell, Jonathan F.; Zheng, Gang

2013-01-01

We recently developed porphysomes as intrinsically multifunctional nanovesicles. A photosensitizer, pyropheophorbide α, was conjugated to a phospholipid and then self-assembled to liposome-like spherical vesicles. Due to the extremely high density of porphyrin in the porphyrin-lipid bilayer, porphysomes generated large extinction coefficients, structure-dependent fluorescence self-quenching, and excellent photothermal efficacy. In our formulation, porphysomes were synthesized using high pressure extrusion, and displayed a mean particle size around 120 nm. Twenty-four hr post-intravenous injection of porphysomes, the local temperature of the tumor increased from 30 °C to 62 °C rapidly upon one minute exposure of 750 mW (1.18 W/cm2), 671 nm laser irradiation. Following the complete thermal ablation of the tumor, eschars formed and healed within 2 weeks, while in the control groups the tumors continued to grow and all reached the defined end point within 3 weeks. These data show how porphysomes can be used as potent photothermal therapy (PTT) agents. PMID:24084712

Multifunctional Nanocarpets for Cancer Theranostics: Remotely Controlled Graphene Nanoheaters for Thermo-Chemosensitisation and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

PubMed

Ramachandra Kurup Sasikala, Arathyram; Thomas, Reju George; Unnithan, Afeesh Rajan; Saravanakumar, Balasubramaniam; Jeong, Yong Yeon; Park, Chan Hee; Kim, Cheol Sang

2016-02-04

A new paradigm in cancer theranostics is enabled by safe multifunctional nanoplatform that can be applied for therapeutic functions together with imaging capabilities. Herein, we develop a multifunctional nanocomposite consisting of Graphene Oxide-Iron Oxide -Doxorubicin (GO-IO-DOX) as a theranostic cancer platform. The smart magnetic nanoplatform acts both as a hyperthermic agent that delivers heat when an alternating magnetic field is applied and a chemotherapeutic agent in a cancer environment by providing a pH-dependent drug release to administer a synergistic anticancer treatment with an enhanced T2 contrast for MRI. The novel GO-IO-DOX nanocomposites were tested in vitro and were observed to exhibit an enhanced tumoricidal effect through both hyperthermia and cancer cell-specific DOX release along with an excellent MRI performance, enabling a versatile theranostic platform for cancer. Moreover the localized antitumor effects of GO-IO-DOX increased substantially as a result of the drug sensitization through repeated application of hyperthermia.

Multifunctional Nanocarpets for Cancer Theranostics: Remotely Controlled Graphene Nanoheaters for Thermo-Chemosensitisation and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramachandra Kurup Sasikala, Arathyram; Thomas, Reju George; Unnithan, Afeesh Rajan; Saravanakumar, Balasubramaniam; Jeong, Yong Yeon; Park, Chan Hee; Kim, Cheol Sang

2016-02-01

A new paradigm in cancer theranostics is enabled by safe multifunctional nanoplatform that can be applied for therapeutic functions together with imaging capabilities. Herein, we develop a multifunctional nanocomposite consisting of Graphene Oxide-Iron Oxide -Doxorubicin (GO-IO-DOX) as a theranostic cancer platform. The smart magnetic nanoplatform acts both as a hyperthermic agent that delivers heat when an alternating magnetic field is applied and a chemotherapeutic agent in a cancer environment by providing a pH-dependent drug release to administer a synergistic anticancer treatment with an enhanced T2 contrast for MRI. The novel GO-IO-DOX nanocomposites were tested in vitro and were observed to exhibit an enhanced tumoricidal effect through both hyperthermia and cancer cell-specific DOX release along with an excellent MRI performance, enabling a versatile theranostic platform for cancer. Moreover the localized antitumor effects of GO-IO-DOX increased substantially as a result of the drug sensitization through repeated application of hyperthermia.

Atomistic understanding of cation exchange in PbS nanocrystals using simulations with pseudoligands

PubMed Central

Fan, Zhaochuan; Lin, Li-Chiang; Buijs, Wim; Vlugt, Thijs J. H.; van Huis, Marijn A.

2016-01-01

Cation exchange is a powerful tool for the synthesis of nanostructures such as core–shell nanocrystals, however, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Interactions of cations with ligands and solvent molecules are systematically ignored in simulations. Here, we introduce the concept of pseudoligands to incorporate cation-ligand-solvent interactions in molecular dynamics. This leads to excellent agreement with experimental data on cation exchange of PbS nanocrystals, whereby Pb ions are partially replaced by Cd ions from solution. The temperature and the ligand-type control the exchange rate and equilibrium composition of cations in the nanocrystal. Our simulations reveal that Pb ions are kicked out by exchanged Cd interstitials and migrate through interstitial sites, aided by local relaxations at core–shell interfaces and point defects. We also predict that high-pressure conditions facilitate strongly enhanced cation exchange reactions at elevated temperatures. Our approach is easily extendable to other semiconductor compounds and to other families of nanocrystals. PMID:27160371

Transition metal ions mediated tyrosine based short peptide amphiphile nanostructures inhibit bacterial growth.

PubMed

Joshi, Khashti Ballabh; Singh, Ramesh; Mishra, Narendra Kumar; Kumar, Vikas; Vinayak, Vandana

2018-05-17

We report the design and synthesis of biocompatible small peptide based molecule for the controlled and targeted delivery of the encapsulated bioactive metal ions via transforming their internal nanostructures. Tyrosine based short peptide amphiphile (sPA) was synthesized which self-assembled into β-sheet like secondary structures. The self assembly of the designed sPA was modulated by using different bioactive transition metal ions which is confirmed by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. These bioactive metal ions conjugated sPA hybrid structures are further used to develop antibacterial materials. It is due to the excellent antibacterial activity of zinc ions that the growth of clinically relevant bacteria such as E. Coli was inhibited in the presence of zinc-sPA conjugate. The bacterial test demonstrated that owing to high biocompatibility with bacterial cell, the designed sPA worked as metal ions delivery agent and therefore it can show great potential in locally addressing bacterial infections. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Ecologic Niche Modeling and Potential Reservoirs for Chagas Disease, Mexico.

PubMed Central

Sánchez-Cordero, Victor; Ben Beard, C.; Ramsey, Janine M.

2002-01-01

Ecologic niche modeling may improve our understanding of epidemiologically relevant vector and parasite-reservoir distributions. We used this tool to identify host relationships of Triatoma species implicated in transmission of Chagas disease. Associations have been documented between the protracta complex (Triatoma: Triatominae: Reduviidae) with packrat species (Neotoma spp.), providing an excellent case study for the broader challenge of developing hypotheses of association. Species pairs that were identified coincided exactly with those in previous studies, suggesting that local interactions between Triatoma and Neotoma species and subspecies have implications at a geographic level. Nothing is known about sylvatic associates of T. barberi, which are considered the primary Chagas vector in Mexico; its geographic distribution coincided closely with that of N. mexicana, suggesting interaction. The presence of the species was confirmed in two regions where it had been predicted but not previously collected. This approach may help in identifying Chagas disease risk areas, planning vector-control strategies, and exploring parasite-reservoir associations for other emerging diseases. PMID:12095431

Design of band-notched antenna with DG-CEBG

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaglan, Naveen; Kanaujia, Binod Kumar; Gupta, Samir Dev; Srivastava, Shweta

2018-01-01

Ultra-wideband (UWB) disc monopole antenna with crescent shaped slot for double band-notched features is presented. Planned antenna discards worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) band (3.3-3.6 GHz) and wireless local area network (WLAN) band (5-6 GHz). Defected ground compact electromagnetic band gap (DG-CEBG) designs are used to accomplish band notches in WiMAX and WLAN bands. Defected ground planes are utilised to achieve compactness in electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures. The proposed WiMAX and WLAN DG-CEBG designs show a compactness of around 46% and 50%, respectively, over mushroom EBG structures. Parametric analyses of DG-CEBG design factors are carried out to control the notched frequencies. Stepwise notch transition from upper to lower frequencies is presented with incremental inductance augmentation. The proposed antenna is made-up on low-cost FR-4 substrate of complete extents as (42 × 50 × 1.6) mm3.Fabricated sample antenna shows excellent consistency in simulated and measured outcomes.

Brachytherapy with an improved MammoSite Radiation Therapy System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karthik, Nanda; Keppel, Cynthia; Nazaryan, Vahagn

2007-03-01

Accelerated partial breast irradiation treatment utilizing the MammoSite Radiation Therapy System (MRTS) is becoming increasingly popular. Clinical studies show excellent results for disease control and localization, as well as for cosmesis. Several Phase I, II, and III clinical trials have found significant association between skin spacing and cosmetic results after treatment with MRTS. As a result, patients with skin spacing less then 7 mm are not recommended to undergo this treatment. We have developed a practical innovation to the MammoSite brachytherapy methodology that is directed to overcome the skin spacing problem. The idea is to partially shield the radiation dose to the skin where the skin spacing is less then 7 mm, thereby protecting the skin from radiation damage. Our innovation to the MRTS will allow better cosmetic outcome in breast conserving therapy (BCT), and will furthermore allow more women to take advantage of BCT. Reduction in skin radiation exposure is particularly important for patients also undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. We will present the method and preliminary laboratory and Monte Carlo simulation results.

Shaping van der Waals nanoribbons via torsional constraints: Scrolls, folds and supercoils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahabi, Alireza; Wang, Hailong; Upmanyu, Moneesh

2014-11-01

Interplay between structure and function in atomically thin crystalline nanoribbons is sensitive to their conformations yet the ability to prescribe them is a formidable challenge. Here, we report a novel paradigm for controlled nucleation and growth of scrolled and folded shapes in finite-length nanoribbons. All-atom computations on graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and experiments on macroscale magnetic thin films reveal that decreasing the end distance of torsionally constrained ribbons below their contour length leads to formation of these shapes. The energy partitioning between twisted and bent shapes is modified in favor of these densely packed soft conformations due to the non-local van der Waals interactions in these 2D crystals; they subvert the formation of supercoils that are seen in their natural counterparts such as DNA and filamentous proteins. The conformational phase diagram is in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. The facile route can be readily extended for tailoring the soft conformations of crystalline nanoscale ribbons, and more general self-interacting filaments.

Numerical simulation of steady and unsteady asymmetric vortical flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kandil, Osama A.; Wong, Tin-Chee; Liu, C. H.

1992-01-01

The unsteady, compressible, thin-layer, Navier-Stokes (NS) equations are solved to simulate steady and unsteady, asymmetric, vortical laminar flow around cones at high incidences and supersonic Mach numbers. The equations are solved by using an implicit, upwind, flux-difference splitting (FDS), finite-volume scheme. The locally conical flow assumption is used and the solutions are obtained by forcing the conserved components of the flowfield vector to be equal at two axial stations located at 0.95 and 1.0. Computational examples cover steady and unsteady asymmetric flows around a circular cone and its control using side strakes. The unsteady asymmetric flow solution around the circular cone has also been validated using the upwind, flux-vector splitting (FVS) scheme with the thin-layer NS equations and the upwind FDS with the full NS equations. The results are in excellent agreement with each other. Unsteady asymmetric flows are also presented for elliptic- and diamond-section cones, which model asymmetric vortex shedding around round- and sharp-edged delta winds.

Local rollback for fault-tolerance in parallel computing systems

DOEpatents

Blumrich, Matthias A [Yorktown Heights, NY; Chen, Dong [Yorktown Heights, NY; Gara, Alan [Yorktown Heights, NY; Giampapa, Mark E [Yorktown Heights, NY; Heidelberger, Philip [Yorktown Heights, NY; Ohmacht, Martin [Yorktown Heights, NY; Steinmacher-Burow, Burkhard [Boeblingen, DE; Sugavanam, Krishnan [Yorktown Heights, NY

2012-01-24

A control logic device performs a local rollback in a parallel super computing system. The super computing system includes at least one cache memory device. The control logic device determines a local rollback interval. The control logic device runs at least one instruction in the local rollback interval. The control logic device evaluates whether an unrecoverable condition occurs while running the at least one instruction during the local rollback interval. The control logic device checks whether an error occurs during the local rollback. The control logic device restarts the local rollback interval if the error occurs and the unrecoverable condition does not occur during the local rollback interval.

Factors influencing cooperation among healthcare providers in a community-based stroke care system in Japan.

PubMed

Koga, Masatoshi; Uehara, Toshiyuki; Yasui, Nobuyuki; Hasegawa, Yasuhiro; Nagatsuka, Kazuyuki; Okada, Yasushi; Minematsu, Kazuo

2011-01-01

Community-based stroke care in Japan is currently provided in acute hospitals, convalescent rehabilitation units, general practices, sanatorium-type wards, nursing care facilities, and in-home/commuting care services. We conducted a nationwide survey to identify factors influencing cooperation among the various providers of community-based stroke care. We sent questionnaires to 11,178 facilities and assessed the independent variables of excellent and fair cooperation among the care providers. Of the providers that responded, 66% were engaged in medical practice or long-term care for stroke patients. The following independent variables were inversely associated with excellent or fair cooperation in the community: area with the higher population density among 3 groups divided by tertile threshold (odds ratio [OR], 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41-0.69), facilities covered by long-term care insurance (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.22-0.34), and insufficient communication with local government (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.14-0.24). Positive independent variables of excellent or fair cooperation were the sharing of patient information in the community (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.78-3.66), use of a scale for assessing activities of daily living (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.42-2.63), appropriate utilization of care support managers (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.43-2.55), and adequate comprehension of the long-term care insurance system (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.24-1.92). Our findings suggest that improved communication between healthcare providers and local government, along with appropriate attention to the problems facing providers covered by long-term care insurance, may improve community-based stroke care in Japan. Copyright © 2011 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Validation of the UNESP-Botucatu unidimensional composite pain scale for assessing postoperative pain in cattle.

PubMed

de Oliveira, Flávia Augusta; Luna, Stelio Pacca Loureiro; do Amaral, Jackson Barros; Rodrigues, Karoline Alves; Sant'Anna, Aline Cristina; Daolio, Milena; Brondani, Juliana Tabarelli

2014-09-06

The recognition and measurement of pain in cattle are important in determining the necessity for and efficacy of analgesic intervention. The aim of this study was to record behaviour and determine the validity and reliability of an instrument to assess acute pain in 40 cattle subjected to orchiectomy after sedation with xylazine and local anaesthesia. The animals were filmed before and after orchiectomy to record behaviour. The pain scale was based on previous studies, on a pilot study and on analysis of the camera footage. Three blinded observers and a local observer assessed the edited films obtained during the preoperative and postoperative periods, before and after rescue analgesia and 24 hours after surgery. Re-evaluation was performed one month after the first analysis. Criterion validity (agreement) and item-total correlation using Spearman's coefficient were employed to refine the scale. Based on factor analysis, a unidimensional scale was adopted. The internal consistency of the data was excellent after refinement (Cronbach's α coefficient = 0.866). There was a high correlation (p < 0.001) between the proposed scale and the visual analogue, simple descriptive and numerical rating scales. The construct validity and responsiveness were confirmed by the increase and decrease in pain scores after surgery and rescue analgesia, respectively (p < 0.001). Inter- and intra-observer reliability ranged from moderate to very good. The optimal cut-off point for rescue analgesia was > 4, and analysis of the area under the curve (AUC = 0.963) showed excellent discriminatory ability. The UNESP-Botucatu unidimensional pain scale for assessing acute postoperative pain in cattle is a valid, reliable and responsive instrument with excellent internal consistency and discriminatory ability. The cut-off point for rescue analgesia provides an additional tool for guiding analgesic therapy.

Cellulose nanofibers/reduced graphene oxide flexible transparent conductive paper.

PubMed

Gao, Kezheng; Shao, Ziqiang; Wu, Xue; Wang, Xi; Li, Jia; Zhang, Yunhua; Wang, Wenjun; Wang, Feijun

2013-08-14

The cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) paper exhibit high visible light transmittance, high mechanical strength, and excellent flexibility. Therefore, CNFs paper may be an excellent substrate material for flexible transparent electronic devices. In this paper, we endeavor to prepare CNFs-based flexible transparent conductive paper by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly using divalent copper ions (Cu(2+)) as the crosslinking agent. The thickness of the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) active layer in the CNFs paper can be controlled by the cycle times of the LbL assembly. CNFs/[RGO]20 paper has the sheet resistances of ∼2.5 kΩ/□, and the transmittance of about 76% at a wavelength of 550 nm. Furthermore, CNFs/[RGO]20 paper inherits the excellent mechanical properties of CNFs paper, and the ultimate strength is about 136 MPa. CNFs-based flexible transparent conductive paper also exhibits excellent electrical stability and flexibility. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Transfer of extensor carpi radialis brevis as an extensor to extensor motor transfer (EEMT) in ulnar nerve palsy.

PubMed

Jamali, Allah Rakha; Bhatti, Anisuddin; Mehboob, Ghulam

2006-07-01

To evaluate functional outcome and correction of deformity with extensor carpiradialis brevis motor transfer to replace the intrinsic muscles as an extensor to extensor motor transfer (EEMT). This was a prospective observational study with one group pretest posttest design conducted from 1996 to 2004. Convenience sampling technique was used and the sample size was twenty one. The independent variable was transfer of extensor carpiradialis brevis to replace the intrinsic muscles. The dependent variable was functional outcome and the correction of deformity. The extraneous variables were age, sex interval between injury and transfer as well as local factors related to wound and grafts used. The average follow up was 22.5 months. The mean preoperative unassisted extensor lag was 56.79 +/- 10.39 which improved to 9.6% +/- 5.4 (correction of 83%) at six months after surgery. With open hand assessment 76.19% reported good to excellent results, while 79.89% achieved good to excellent results with closed hand assessment. The mechanism of closing was good to excellent in 89.42% cases, however only 71.42% patients considered their hands good to excellent. Significant problems were seen with use of tendoachilles as a graft. Extensor carpiradialis brevis transfer to replace the intrinsic muscles as an extensor to extensor motor transfer can achieve good functional outcome as well as correction of deformity despite shortcomings in physical rehabilitation.

Colleague: An Annual Collection of Articles on Academic and Administrative Issues Facing Community Colleges of the State University of New York.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burns, Charles A., Ed.; And Others

This journal presents a cross-section of current ideas on how to teach and advise community college students and promote positive social interactions with the local community. The issue contains: (1) "Characteristics of an Excellent Teacher," by Cherie Corr, Joan Shack, and Anthony Walsh; (2) "Information Literacy: Progress and Prospects in the…

Use of Video Modeling to Teach Vocational Skills to Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allen, Keith D.; Wallace, Dustin P.; Renes, Diana; Bowen, Scott L.; Burke, Ray V.

2010-01-01

As part of a collaborative project between a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and a local private business, we examined the effects of video modeling to teach vocational skills to four adolescents and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Video modeling was used to teach the participants to wear a WalkAround[R]…

Bowel lesions: percutaneous US-guided 18-gauge needle biopsy--preliminary experience.

PubMed

Tudor, G R; Rodgers, P M; West, K P

1999-08-01

Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous biopsy was performed with local anesthesia and an 18-gauge needle in 10 patients with bowel-wall lesions. All patients underwent clinical review within 1 month. Biopsy was diagnostic in all patients. There were no complications, and all patients tolerated the procedure well. The technique appears to be safe and had an excellent diagnostic yield in our series.

EXCELLENCE IN TERMINAL EDUCATION, PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAMS INSTITUTE (3RD, DAYTONA BEACH, JULY 29-AUGUST 2, 1963).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

WIEGMAN, ROBERT R.

THIS DOCUMENT IS A COMPILATION OF FOUR ADDRESSES AND FOUR PANEL PRESENTATIONS CONCERNING JUNIOR COLLEGE TERMINAL EDUCATION. CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO THE NATURE AND PURPOSES OF TERMINAL EDUCATION, THE ROLES OF GENERAL AND SPECIALIZED EDUCATION, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF PROGRAMS RELATED TO TERMINAL EDUCATION AT THE NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS.…

Boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) functionalized carbon nano-onions for high resolution cellular imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartelmess, Juergen; de Luca, Elisa; Signorelli, Angelo; Baldrighi, Michele; Becce, Michele; Brescia, Rosaria; Nardone, Valentina; Parisini, Emilio; Echegoyen, Luis; Pompa, Pier Paolo; Giordani, Silvia

2014-10-01

Carbon nano-onions (CNOs) are an exciting class of carbon nanomaterials, which have recently demonstrated a facile cell-penetration capability. In the present work, highly fluorescent boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes were covalently attached to the surface of CNOs. The introduction of this new carbon nanomaterial-based imaging platform, made of CNOs and BODIPY fluorophores, allows for the exploration of synergetic effects between the two building blocks and for the elucidation of its performance in biological applications. The high fluorescence intensity exhibited by the functionalized CNOs translates into an excellent in vitro probe for the high resolution imaging of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. It was also found that the CNOs, internalized by the cells by endocytosis, localized in the lysosomes and did not show any cytotoxic effects. The presented results highlight CNOs as excellent platforms for biological and biomedical studies due to their low toxicity, efficient cellular uptake and low fluorescence quenching of attached probes.Carbon nano-onions (CNOs) are an exciting class of carbon nanomaterials, which have recently demonstrated a facile cell-penetration capability. In the present work, highly fluorescent boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes were covalently attached to the surface of CNOs. The introduction of this new carbon nanomaterial-based imaging platform, made of CNOs and BODIPY fluorophores, allows for the exploration of synergetic effects between the two building blocks and for the elucidation of its performance in biological applications. The high fluorescence intensity exhibited by the functionalized CNOs translates into an excellent in vitro probe for the high resolution imaging of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. It was also found that the CNOs, internalized by the cells by endocytosis, localized in the lysosomes and did not show any cytotoxic effects. The presented results highlight CNOs as excellent platforms for biological and biomedical studies due to their low toxicity, efficient cellular uptake and low fluorescence quenching of attached probes. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Additional experimental and crystallographic data, additional confocal microscopy and HR-TEM images and illustrations, EELS, TGA, DLS and Z-potential results. Movie M1. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr04533e

Glycemic control and diabetes-related health care costs in type 2 diabetes; retrospective analysis based on clinical and administrative databases.

PubMed

Degli Esposti, Luca; Saragoni, Stefania; Buda, Stefano; Sturani, Alessandra; Degli Esposti, Ezio

2013-01-01

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases, and its prevalence is predicted to increase in the next two decades. Diabetes imposes a staggering financial burden on the health care system, so information about the costs and experiences of collecting and reporting quality measures of data is vital for practices deciding whether to adopt quality improvements or monitor existing initiatives. The aim of this study was to quantify the association between health care costs and level of glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes using clinical and administrative databases. A retrospective analysis using a large administrative database and a clinical registry containing laboratory results was performed. Patients were subdivided according to their glycated hemoglobin level. Multivariate analyses were used to control for differences in potential confounding factors, including age, gender, Charlson comorbidity index, presence of dyslipidemia, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease, and degree of adherence with antidiabetic drugs among the study groups. Of the total population of 700,000 subjects, 31,022 were identified as being diabetic (4.4% of the entire population). Of these, 21,586 met the study inclusion criteria. In total, 31.5% of patients had very poor glycemic control and 25.7% had excellent control. Over 2 years, the mean diabetes-related cost per person was: €1291.56 in patients with excellent control; €1545.99 in those with good control; €1584.07 in those with fair control; €1839.42 in those with poor control; and €1894.80 in those with very poor control. After adjustment, compared with the group having excellent control, the estimated excess cost per person associated with the groups with good control, fair control, poor control, and very poor control was €219.28, €264.65, €513.18, and €564.79, respectively. Many patients showed suboptimal glycemic control. Lower levels of glycated hemoglobin were associated with lower diabetes-related health care costs. Integration of administrative databases and a laboratory database appears to be suitable for showing that appropriate management of diabetes can help to achieve better resource allocation.

Use of fibrin sealants for the localized, controlled release of cefazolin

PubMed Central

Tredwell, Stephen; Jackson, John K.; Hamilton, Donald; Lee, Vivian; Burt, Helen M.

2006-01-01

Background Fibrin sealants are used increasingly in surgery to reduce bleeding and improve wound healing. They have great potential as biocompatible, biodegradable drug delivery systems, because the sealant may adhere to the target tissue and allow controlled release of the drug over an extended period. We investigated the encapsulation, stability and controlled release of erythromycin and cefazolin from Beriplast fibrin sealants (Aventis Behring Canada). Methods Drug-loaded clots were cast in glass vials and allowed to set. We observed the clots for drug precipitation and aggregation, and we assessed the effect of drug encapsulation on clot strength. Drug stability and release from the clots in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was quantified by ultraviolet and visible violet absorbance spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography. Results Erythromycin was found to release slowly from the fibrin clots over the first 2 hours but then degrade rapidly. Cefazolin was found to be very stable in clots in PBS (97% stable at 2 d and 93% stable at 5 d). The drug released in a controlled manner over 2 days, with most being released during the first day. The dose of drug released could be varied by changing the amount placed in the thrombin solution. Clot thickness had no effect on the rate of cefazolin release. Conclusion Overall, the 2-day release profile and the excellent stability of the drug suggest that cefazolin-loaded fibrin sealants may offer an effective route of postoperative antibiotic delivery. PMID:17152573

Light-responsive smart surface with controllable wettability and excellent stability.

PubMed

Zhou, Yin-Ning; Li, Jin-Jin; Zhang, Qing; Luo, Zheng-Hong

2014-10-21

Novel fluorinated gradient copolymer was designed for smart surface with light-responsive controllable wettability and excellent stability. The switchable mechanism and physicochemical characteristics of the as-prepared surface decorated by designed polymeric material were investigated by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrum, scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Thanks to the functional film and surface roughening, etched silicon surface fabricated by copolymer involving spiropyran (Sp) moieties possesses a fairly large variation range of WCA (28.1°) and achieves the transformation between hydrophilicity (95.2° < 109.2°) and hydrophobicity (123.3° > 109.2°) relative to blank sample (109.2°). The synthetic strategy and developed smart surface offer a promising application in coating with controllable wettability, which bridge the gap between chemical structure and material properties.

Exclusive low-dose-rate brachytherapy in 279 patients with T2N0 mobile tongue carcinoma

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

Bourgier, Celine; Coche-Dequeant, Bernard; Fournier, Charles

2005-10-01

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic results obtained with {sup 192}Ir low-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy in T2N0 mobile tongue carcinoma. Patients and Methods: Between December 1979 and January 1998, 279 patients with T2N0 mobile tongue carcinoma were treated by exclusive low-dose-rate brachytherapy, with or without neck dissection. {sup 192}Ir brachytherapy was performed according to the 'Paris system' with a median total dose of 60 Gy (median dose rate, 0.5 Gy/h). Results: Overall survival was 74.3% and 46.6% at 2 and 5 years. Local control was 79.1% at 2 years and regional control, respectively, 75.9% and 69.5% at 2 and 5 years (Kaplan-Meiermore » method). Systematic dissection revealed 44.6% occult node metastases, and histologic lymph node involvement was identified as the main significant factor for survival. Complication rate was 16.5% (Grade 3, 2.9%). Half of the patients presented previous and/or successive malignant tumor (ear-nose-throat, esophagus, or bronchus). Conclusion: Exclusive low-dose-rate brachytherapy is an effective treatment for T2 tongue carcinoma. Regional control and survival are excellent in patients undergoing systematic neck dissection, which is mandatory in our experience because of a high rate of occult lymph node metastases.« less

Community organizing and community health: piloting an innovative approach to community engagement applied to an early intervention project in south London

PubMed Central

Bolton, Matthew; Moore, Imogen; Ferreira, Ana; Day, Crispin; Bolton, Derek

2016-01-01

Background The importance of community engagement in health is widely recognized, and key themes in UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendations for enhancing community engagement are co-production and community control. This study reports an innovative approach to community engagement using the community-organizing methodology, applied in an intervention of social support to increase social capital, reduce stress and improve well-being in mothers who were pregnant and/or with infants aged 0–2 years. Methods Professional community organizers in Citizens-UK worked with local member civic institutions in south London to facilitate social support to a group of 15 new mothers. Acceptability of the programme, adherence to principles of co-production and community control, and changes in the outcomes of interest were assessed quantitatively in a quasi-experimental design. Results The programme was found to be feasible and acceptable to participating mothers, and perceived by them to involve co-production and community control. There were no detected changes in subjective well-being, but there were important reductions in distress on a standard self-report measure (GHQ-12). There were increases in social capital of a circumscribed kind associated with the project. Conclusions Community organizing provides a promising model and method of facilitating community engagement in health. PMID:25724610

Nucleosynthesis of intermediate mass stars: inferences from the observed abundances in photoionized nebulae of the Local Group

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maciel, W. J.; Costa, R. D. D.; Cavichia, O.

2018-01-01

Photoionized nebulae, comprising HII regions and planetary nebulae, are excellent laboratories to investigate the nucleosynthesis and chemical evolution of several elements in the Galaxy and other galaxies of the Local Group. Our purpose in this investigation is threefold: (i) to compare the abundances of HII regions and planetary nebulae in each system in order to investigate the differences derived from the age and origin of these objects, (ii) to compare the chemical evolution in different systems, such as the Milky Way, the Magellanic Clouds, and other galaxies of the Local Group, and (iii) to investigate to what extent the nucleosynthesis contributions from the progenitor stars affect the observed abundances in planetary nebulae, especially for oxygen and neon, which places constraints on the amount of these elements that can be produced by intermediate mass stars.

Local ablation therapy with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for hepatocellular carcinoma: a practical review

PubMed Central

Kim, Tae Kyoung; Khalili, Korosh; Jang, Hyun-Jung

2015-01-01

A successful program for local ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) requires extensive imaging support for diagnosis and localization of HCC, imaging guidance for the ablation procedures, and post-treatment monitoring. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) has several advantages over computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI), including real-time imaging capability, sensitive detection of arterial-phase hypervascularity and washout, no renal excretion, no ionizing radiation, repeatability, excellent patient compliance, and relatively low cost. CEUS is useful for image guidance for isoechoic lesions. While contrast-enhanced CT/MRI is the standard method for the diagnosis of HCC and post-ablation monitoring, CEUS is useful when CT/MRI findings are indeterminate or CT/MRI is contraindicated. This article provides a practical review of the role of CEUS in imaging algorithms for pre- and post-ablation therapy for HCC. PMID:26169081

MRI tools for assessment of microstructure and nephron function of the kidney.

PubMed

Xie, Luke; Bennett, Kevin M; Liu, Chunlei; Johnson, G Allan; Zhang, Jeff Lei; Lee, Vivian S

2016-12-01

MRI can provide excellent detail of renal structure and function. Recently, novel MR contrast mechanisms and imaging tools have been developed to evaluate microscopic kidney structures including the tubules and glomeruli. Quantitative MRI can assess local tubular function and is able to determine the concentrating mechanism of the kidney noninvasively in real time. Measuring single nephron function is now a near possibility. In parallel to advancing imaging techniques for kidney microstructure is a need to carefully understand the relationship between the local source of MRI contrast and the underlying physiological change. The development of these imaging markers can impact the accurate diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease. This study reviews the novel tools to examine kidney microstructure and local function and demonstrates the application of these methods in renal pathophysiology. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Deciphering the Dipole Anisotropy of Galactic Cosmic Rays.

PubMed

Ahlers, Markus

2016-10-07

Recent measurements of the dipole anisotropy in the arrival directions of Galactic cosmic rays (CRs) indicate a strong energy dependence of the dipole amplitude and phase in the TeV-PeV range. We argue here that these observations can be well understood within standard diffusion theory as a combined effect of (i) one or more local sources at Galactic longitude 120°≲l≲300° dominating the CR gradient below 0.1-0.3 PeV, (ii) the presence of a strong ordered magnetic field in our local environment, (iii) the relative motion of the solar system, and (iv) the limited reconstruction capabilities of ground-based observatories. We show that an excellent candidate of the local CR source responsible for the dipole anisotropy at 1-100 TeV is the Vela supernova remnant.

The Development of Two Types of Inhibitory Control in Monolingual and Bilingual Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin-Rhee, Michelle M.; Bialystok, Ellen

2008-01-01

Previous research has shown that bilingual children excel in tasks requiring inhibitory control to ignore a misleading perceptual cue. The present series of studies extends this finding by identifying the degree and type of inhibitory control for which bilingual children demonstrate this advantage. Study 1 replicated the earlier research by…

Local application of an ibandronate/collagen sponge improves femoral fracture healing in ovariectomized rats

PubMed Central

Liu, Yansong; Hou, Zhiyong; Chen, Wei; Jin, Lin; Tian, Ye; Ju, Linlin; Liu, Bo; Dong, Tianhua; Zhang, Fei

2017-01-01

Non-union is a major clinical problem in the healing of fractures, especially in patients with osteoporosis. The systemic administration of drugs is time consuming and large doses are demanding and act slowly, whereas local release acts rapidly, increases the quality and quantity of the bone tissue. We hypothesize that local delivery demonstrates better therapeutic effects on an osteoporotic fracture. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of the local application of ibandronate loaded with a collagen sponge on regulating bone formation and remodeling in an osteoporotic rat model of fracture healing. We found that the local delivery of ibandronate exhibited excellent effects on improving the bone microarchitecture and suppressed effects on bone remodeling. At 4 weeks, more callus formation and improvement of mechanical character and microstructure were observed in a local delivery via μCT, mechanical test, histological research and serum analysis. The suppression of bone remodeling was compared with a systemic treatment at 12 weeks, and the structural mechanical properties and microarchitecture were also improved with local delivery. This research identifies an earlier, safer and integrated approach for local delivery of ibandronate with collagen and provides a better strategy for the treatment of osteoporotic fracture in rats. PMID:29108027

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

Zhang, C. L.; Schuetrumpf, B.; Nazarewicz, W.

An electron localization measure was originally introduced to characterize chemical bond structures in molecules. Recently, a nucleon localization based on Hartree-Fock densities has been introduced to investigate α-cluster structures in light nuclei. Compared to the local nucleonic densities, the nucleon localization function has been shown to be an excellent indicator of shell effects and cluster correlations. In this work, using the spatial nucleon localization measure, we investigated the emergence of fragments in fissioning heavy nuclei using the self-consistent energy density functional method with a quantified energy density functional optimized for fission studies. We studied the particle densities and spatial nucleonmore » localization distributions along the fission pathways of 264Fm, 232Th, and 240Pu. We demonstrated that the fission fragments were formed fairly early in the evolution, well before scission. To illustrate the usefulness of the localization measure, we showed how the hyperdeformed state of 232Th could be understood in terms of a quasimolecular state made of 132Sn and 100Zr fragments. Compared to nucleonic distributions, the nucleon localization function more effectively quantifies nucleonic clustering: its characteristic oscillating pattern, traced back to shell effects, is a clear fingerprint of cluster/fragment configurations. This is of particular interest for studies of fragment formation and fragment identification in fissioning nuclei.« less

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

Ahlawat, Stuti; Haffty, Bruce G.; Goyal, Sharad

Purpose: Conventionally fractionated whole-breast irradiation (WBI) with a boost takes approximately 6 to 7 weeks. We evaluated a short course of hypofractionated (HF), accelerated WBI in which therapy was completed in 3 weeks inclusive of a sequential boost. Methods and Materials: We delivered a whole-breast dose of 36.63 Gy in 11 fractions of 3.33 Gy over 11 days, followed by a lumpectomy bed boost in 4 fractions of 3.33 Gy delivered once daily for a total of 15 treatment days. Acute toxicities were scored using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4. Late toxicities were scored using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Researchmore » and Treatment of Cancer scale. Cosmesis was scored using the Harvard Cosmesis Scale. Our primary endpoint was freedom from locoregional failure; we incorporated early stopping criteria based on predefined toxicity thresholds. Cosmesis was examined as a secondary endpoint. Results: We enrolled 83 women with stages 0 to IIIa breast cancer. After a median follow-up of 40 months, 2 cases of isolated ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence occurred (2 of 83; crude rate, 2.4%). Three-year estimated local recurrence-free survival was 95.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 87.8%-98.7%). The 3-year estimated distant recurrence-free survival was 97.3% (95% CI: 89.8%-99.3%). Three-year secondary malignancy-free survival was 94.3% (95% CI: 85.3%-97.8%). Twenty-nine patients (34%) had grade 2 acute toxicity, and 1 patient had a late grade 2 toxicity (fibrosis). One patient had acute grade 3 dermatitis, whereas 2 patients experienced grade 3 late skin toxicity. Ninety-four percent of evaluable patients had good or excellent cosmesis. Conclusions: Our phase 2 institutional study offers one of the shortest courses of HF therapy, delivered in 15 fractions inclusive of a sequential boost. We demonstrated expected low toxicity and high local control rates with good to excellent cosmetic outcomes. This fractionation scheme is feasible and well tolerated and offers women WBI in a highly convenient schedule.« less

Short-Course Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy With Boost in Women With Stages 0 to IIIa Breast Cancer: A Phase 2 Trial.

PubMed

Ahlawat, Stuti; Haffty, Bruce G; Goyal, Sharad; Kearney, Thomas; Kirstein, Laurie; Chen, Chunxia; Moore, Dirk F; Khan, Atif J

2016-01-01

Conventionally fractionated whole-breast irradiation (WBI) with a boost takes approximately 6 to 7 weeks. We evaluated a short course of hypofractionated (HF), accelerated WBI in which therapy was completed in 3 weeks inclusive of a sequential boost. We delivered a whole-breast dose of 36.63 Gy in 11 fractions of 3.33 Gy over 11 days, followed by a lumpectomy bed boost in 4 fractions of 3.33 Gy delivered once daily for a total of 15 treatment days. Acute toxicities were scored using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4. Late toxicities were scored using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer scale. Cosmesis was scored using the Harvard Cosmesis Scale. Our primary endpoint was freedom from locoregional failure; we incorporated early stopping criteria based on predefined toxicity thresholds. Cosmesis was examined as a secondary endpoint. We enrolled 83 women with stages 0 to IIIa breast cancer. After a median follow-up of 40 months, 2 cases of isolated ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence occurred (2 of 83; crude rate, 2.4%). Three-year estimated local recurrence-free survival was 95.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 87.8%-98.7%). The 3-year estimated distant recurrence-free survival was 97.3% (95% CI: 89.8%-99.3%). Three-year secondary malignancy-free survival was 94.3% (95% CI: 85.3%-97.8%). Twenty-nine patients (34%) had grade 2 acute toxicity, and 1 patient had a late grade 2 toxicity (fibrosis). One patient had acute grade 3 dermatitis, whereas 2 patients experienced grade 3 late skin toxicity. Ninety-four percent of evaluable patients had good or excellent cosmesis. Our phase 2 institutional study offers one of the shortest courses of HF therapy, delivered in 15 fractions inclusive of a sequential boost. We demonstrated expected low toxicity and high local control rates with good to excellent cosmetic outcomes. This fractionation scheme is feasible and well tolerated and offers women WBI in a highly convenient schedule. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rational Design and Synthesis of Carboxylate Gemini Surfactants with an Excellent Aggregate Behavior for Nano-La2O3 Morphology-Controllable Preparation.

PubMed

Liao, Xueming; Gao, Zhinong; Xia, Yan; Niu, Fei; Zhai, Wenzhong

2017-04-04

A series of carboxylate gemini surfactants (CGS, C n -Φ-C n , n = 12, 14, 16, 18) with diphenyl ketone as a spacer group were prepared using a simple and feasible synthetic method. These CGS exhibited an excellent surface activity with extremely low critical micelle concentration (CMC) value (approximately 10 -5 mol/L), good performance in reducing surface tension (nearly 30 mN/m), and the ability of molecular self-assembly into different aggregate morphologies via adjusting the concentrations, which is attributed to the introduction of diphenyl ketone and carboxylic acid ammonium salt in the molecular structure. Moreover, the surface activity and self-assembly ability of CGS were further optimized by tuning the length of the tail chain. These excellent properties imply that CGS can be a soft template to prepare nanomaterials, especially in morphology-controllable synthesis. By adjusting the concentration of one of CGS (C 12 -Φ-C 12 ), nano-La 2 O 3 particles with diverse morphologies were obtained, including spherical shape, bead-chain shape, rod shape, velvet-antler shape, cedar shape, and bowknot shape. This work offers a vital insight into the rational design of template agents for the development of morphology-controllable nanomaterials.

Controllable optical activity of non-spherical Ag and Co SERS substrate with different magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Chun-Zhen; Zhu, Shuang-Mei; Xin, Hao-Yi

2017-02-01

We experimentally fabricate a non-spherical Ag and Co surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate, which not only retains the metallic plasmon resonant effect, but also possesses the magnetic field controllable characteristics. Raman detections are carried out with the test crystal violet (CV) and rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules with the initiation of different magnitudes of external magnetic field. Experimental results indicate that our prepared substrate shows a higher SERS activity and magnetic controllability, where non-spherical Ag nanoparticles are driven to aggregate effectively by the magnetized Co and plenty of hot-spots are built around the metallic Ag nanoparticles, thereby leading to the enhancement of local electromagnetic field. Moreover, when the external magnetic field is increased, our prepared substrate demonstrates excellent SERS enhancement. With the 2500 Gs and 3500 Gs (1 Gs = 10-4 T) magnetic fields, SERS signal can also be obtained with the detection limit lowering down to 10-9 M. These results indicate that our proposed magnetic field controlled substrate enables us to freely achieve the enhanced and controllable SERS effect, which can be widely used in the optical sensing, single molecule detection and bio-medical applications. Project supported by the Key Science and Technology Research Project of Henan Province, China (Grant No. 162102210164), the Natural Science Foundation of Henan Educational Committee, China (Grant No. 17A140002), the National Natural Science Foundations of China (Grant Nos. 11574276, 11404291, and 11604079), and the Program for Science & Technology Innovation Talents in Universities of Henan Province, China (Grant No. 17HASTIT0).

Single-institution comparative study on the outcomes of salvage cryotherapy versus salvage robotic prostatectomy for radio-resistant prostate cancer.

PubMed

Vora, Anup; Agarwal, Vidhi; Singh, Prabhjot; Patel, Rupen; Rivas, Rodolfo; Nething, Josh; Muruve, Nic

2016-03-01

Although primary treatment of localized prostate cancer provides excellent oncologic control, some men who chose radiotherapy experience a recurrence of disease. There is no consensus on the most appropriate management of these patients after radiotherapy failure. In this single-institution review, we compare our oncologic outcome and toxicity between salvage prostatectomy and cryotherapy treatments. From January 2004 to June 2013, a total of 23 salvage procedures were performed. Six of those patients underwent salvage prostatectomy while 17 underwent salvage cryotherapy by two high-volume fellowship-trained urologists. Patients being considered for salvage therapy had localized disease at presentation, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) < 10 ng/mL at recurrence, life expectancy > 10 years at recurrence, and a negative metastatic workup. Patients were followed to observe cancer progression and toxicity of treatment. Patients who underwent salvage cryotherapy were statistically older with a higher incidence of hypertension than our salvage prostatectomy cohort. With a mean follow up of 14.1 months and 7.2 months, the incidence of disease progression was 23.5% and 16.7% after salvage cryotherapy and prostatectomy, respectively. The overall complication rate was also 23.5% versus 16.7%, with the most frequent complication after salvage cryotherapy being urethral stricture and after salvage prostatectomy being severe urinary incontinence. There were no rectal injuries with salvage prostatectomy and one rectourethral fistula in the cohort after salvage cryotherapy. While recurrences from primary radiotherapy for prostate cancer do occur, there is no consensus on its management. In our experience, salvage procedures were generally safe and effective. Both salvage cryotherapy and salvage prostatectomy allow for adequate cancer control with minimal toxicity.

Single-institution comparative study on the outcomes of salvage cryotherapy versus salvage robotic prostatectomy for radio-resistant prostate cancer

PubMed Central

Vora, Anup; Agarwal, Vidhi; Singh, Prabhjot; Patel, Rupen; Rivas, Rodolfo; Nething, Josh; Muruve, Nic

2015-01-01

Background Although primary treatment of localized prostate cancer provides excellent oncologic control, some men who chose radiotherapy experience a recurrence of disease. There is no consensus on the most appropriate management of these patients after radiotherapy failure. In this single-institution review, we compare our oncologic outcome and toxicity between salvage prostatectomy and cryotherapy treatments. Methods From January 2004 to June 2013, a total of 23 salvage procedures were performed. Six of those patients underwent salvage prostatectomy while 17 underwent salvage cryotherapy by two high-volume fellowship-trained urologists. Patients being considered for salvage therapy had localized disease at presentation, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) < 10 ng/mL at recurrence, life expectancy > 10 years at recurrence, and a negative metastatic workup. Patients were followed to observe cancer progression and toxicity of treatment. Results Patients who underwent salvage cryotherapy were statistically older with a higher incidence of hypertension than our salvage prostatectomy cohort. With a mean follow up of 14.1 months and 7.2 months, the incidence of disease progression was 23.5% and 16.7% after salvage cryotherapy and prostatectomy, respectively. The overall complication rate was also 23.5% versus 16.7%, with the most frequent complication after salvage cryotherapy being urethral stricture and after salvage prostatectomy being severe urinary incontinence. There were no rectal injuries with salvage prostatectomy and one rectourethral fistula in the cohort after salvage cryotherapy. Conclusion While recurrences from primary radiotherapy for prostate cancer do occur, there is no consensus on its management. In our experience, salvage procedures were generally safe and effective. Both salvage cryotherapy and salvage prostatectomy allow for adequate cancer control with minimal toxicity. PMID:27014657

The Lake Towuti Drilling Project: A New, 1-Million Year Record of Indo-Pacific Hydroclimate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russell, J. M.; Bijaksana, S.; Vogel, H.; Melles, M.; Crowe, S.; Fajar, S. J.; Hasberg, A. K.; Ivory, S.; Kallmeyer, J.; Kelly, C. S.; Kirana, K. H.; Morlock, M.; Tamuntuan, G. H.; Wicaksono, S. A.

2015-12-01

­The Indo-Pacific region plays an integral role in the Earth's climate system. Changes in local insolation, greenhouse gas concentrations, ice volume, and local sea level are each hypothesized to exert a dominant control on Indo-Pacific hydroclimate variations through the Pleistocene, yet existing records from the region are generally short and exhibit fundamental differences in orbital-scale patterns that limit our understanding of the regional climate responses to these global forcings. New paleoclimate records spanning multiple glacial-interglacial cycles are therefore required to document the region's hydroclimatic response to the full range of global climate boundary conditions observed during the late Quaternary. Lake Towuti is located in central Indonesia and is the only known terrestrial sedimentary archive in the region that spans multiple glacial-interglacial cycles. From May - July, 2015, the Towuti Drilling Project, consisting of nearly 40 scientists from eight countries, recovered over 1,000 meters of new sediment core from Lake Towuti. This includes cores though the entire sediment column to bedrock, which likely provide a >1-million-year records of regional hydroclimate. On-site borehole and sediment core logging data document major shifts in sediment composition, including transitions from lake clays to peats, calcareous sediments, and gravels. These data show excellent agreement with major lithological transitions recorded in seismic reflection data, and indicate large changes in lake levels and hydroclimate through the late Quaternary. Prior work on Lake Towuti indicated a dominant control by global ice volume on regional hydroclimate, a hypothesis we aim to test through the analysis of these new cores. This presentation will review existing records from the region and show the first long geochemical and sedimentological records from Lake Towuti to understand orbital-scale hydrologic change during the last ~1 million years.

Controlling droplet spreading with topography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kant, P.; Hazel, A. L.; Dowling, M.; Thompson, A. B.; Juel, A.

2017-09-01

We present an experimental system that can be used to study the dynamics of a picoliter droplet (in-flight radius of 12.2 μ m ) as it spreads over substrates with topographic variations. We concentrate on the spreading of a droplet within a recessed stadium-shaped pixel, with applications to the manufacture of polymer organic light-emitting-diode displays, and find that the sloping sidewall of the pixel can either locally enhance or hinder spreading depending on whether the topography gradient ahead of the contact line is positive or negative, respectively. Locally enhanced spreading occurs via the formation of thin pointed rivulets along the sidewalls of the pixel through a mechanism similar to capillary rise in sharp corners. We demonstrate that a simplified model involving quasistatic surface-tension effects within the framework of a thin-film approximation combined with an experimentally measured dynamic spreading law, relating the speed of the contact line to the contact angle, provides excellent predictions of the evolving liquid morphologies. A key feature of the liquid-substrate interaction studied here is the presence of significant contact angle hysteresis, which enables the persistence of noncircular fluid morphologies. We also show that the spreading law for an advancing contact line can be adequately approximated by a Cox-Voinov law for the majority of the evolution. The model does not include viscous effects in the bulk of the droplet and hence the time scales for the propagation of the thin pointed rivulets are not captured. Nonetheless, this simple model can be used very effectively to predict the areas covered by the liquid and may serve as a useful design tool for systems that require precise control of liquid on substrates.

A combined experimental atomic force microscopy-based nanoindentation and computational modeling approach to unravel the key contributors to the time-dependent mechanical behavior of single cells.

PubMed

Florea, Cristina; Tanska, Petri; Mononen, Mika E; Qu, Chengjuan; Lammi, Mikko J; Laasanen, Mikko S; Korhonen, Rami K

2017-02-01

Cellular responses to mechanical stimuli are influenced by the mechanical properties of cells and the surrounding tissue matrix. Cells exhibit viscoelastic behavior in response to an applied stress. This has been attributed to fluid flow-dependent and flow-independent mechanisms. However, the particular mechanism that controls the local time-dependent behavior of cells is unknown. Here, a combined approach of experimental AFM nanoindentation with computational modeling is proposed, taking into account complex material behavior. Three constitutive models (porohyperelastic, viscohyperelastic, poroviscohyperelastic) in tandem with optimization algorithms were employed to capture the experimental stress relaxation data of chondrocytes at 5 % strain. The poroviscohyperelastic models with and without fluid flow allowed through the cell membrane provided excellent description of the experimental time-dependent cell responses (normalized mean squared error (NMSE) of 0.003 between the model and experiments). The viscohyperelastic model without fluid could not follow the entire experimental data that well (NMSE = 0.005), while the porohyperelastic model could not capture it at all (NMSE = 0.383). We also show by parametric analysis that the fluid flow has a small, but essential effect on the loading phase and short-term cell relaxation response, while the solid viscoelasticity controls the longer-term responses. We suggest that the local time-dependent cell mechanical response is determined by the combined effects of intrinsic viscoelasticity of the cytoskeleton and fluid flow redistribution in the cells, although the contribution of fluid flow is smaller when using a nanosized probe and moderate indentation rate. The present approach provides new insights into viscoelastic responses of chondrocytes, important for further understanding cell mechanobiological mechanisms in health and disease.

Ultrasound-guided rectus sheath and transversus abdominis plane blocks for perioperative analgesia in upper abdominal surgery: A randomized controlled study.

PubMed

Abdelsalam, Khaled; Mohamdin, O W

2016-01-01

Regional anesthetic techniques can be used to alleviate postoperative pain in patients undergoing major upper abdominal surgery. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of bilateral ultrasound (US)-guided rectus sheath (RS) and transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks for better perioperative analgesia. It is a prospective, observer-blinded, randomized clinical study. 40 eligible patients undergoing elective liver resection or Whipple procedure were included. All patients received a standardized anesthetic technique. Group 1 (n = 20) received preincisional US-guided bilateral RS and TAP blocks using 20 ml volume of bupivacaine 0.25% for each, and group 2 (n = 20) received local wound infiltration at end of surgery with 40 ml of bupivacaine 0.25%. A standardized postoperative analgesic regimen composed of intravenous paracetamol and a morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). The use of intraoperative fentanyl and recovery room morphine boluses, PCA-administered morphine, pain scores as well as number of patients' experienced postoperative nausea and vomiting in the ward at 6 and 24 h were recorded. Group 1 patients received a significantly lower cumulative intraoperative fentanyl, significantly lesser boluses of morphine in postanesthesia care unit, as well, significantly lower cumulative 24 h postoperative morphine dosage than the group 2 patients. Pain visual analog scale scores were significantly lower at both 6 and 24 h postoperatively in TAP group when compared with the no-TAP group. There were no complications related to the TAP block procedures. No signs or symptoms of local anesthetic systemic toxicity were detected. The combination of bilateral US-guided RS and TAP blocks provides excellent perioperative analgesia for major upper abdominal surgery.

Three-year outcomes of a once daily fractionation scheme for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using 3-D conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT)

PubMed Central

Goyal, Sharad; Daroui, Parima; Khan, Atif J; Kearney, Thomas; Kirstein, Laurie; Haffty, Bruce G

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to report 3-year outcomes of toxicity, cosmesis, and local control using a once daily fractionation scheme (49.95 Gy in 3.33 Gy once daily fractions) for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT). Between July 2008 and August 2010, women aged ≥40 years with ductal carcinoma in situ or node-negative invasive breast cancer ≤3 cm in diameter, treated with breast-conserving surgery achieving negative margins, were accrued to a prospective study. Women were treated with APBI using 3–5 photon beams, delivering 49.95 Gy over 15 once daily fractions over 3 weeks. Patients were assessed for toxicities, cosmesis, and local control rates before APBI and at specified time points. Thirty-four patients (mean age 60 years) with Tis 0 (n = 9) and T1N0 (n = 25) breast cancer were treated and followed up for an average of 39 months. Only 3% (1/34) patients experienced a grade 3 subcutaneous fibrosis and breast edema and 97% of the patients had good/excellent cosmetic outcome at 3 years. The 3-year rate of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) was 0% while the rate of contralateral breast events was 6%. The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) was 94%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Our novel accelerated partial breast fractionation scheme of 15 once daily fractions of 3.33 Gy (49.95 Gy total) is a remarkably well-tolerated regimen of 3D-CRT-based APBI. A larger cohort of patients is needed to further ascertain the toxicity of this accelerated partial breast regimen. PMID:24403270

Low-dose-rate or high-dose-rate brachytherapy in treatment of prostate cancer – between options

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Purpose Permanent low-dose-rate (LDR-BT) and temporary high-dose-rate (HDR-BT) brachytherapy are competitive techniques for clinically localized prostate radiotherapy. Although a randomized trial will likely never to be conducted comparing these two forms of brachytherapy, a comparative analysis proves useful in understanding some of their intrinsic differences, several of which could be exploited to improve outcomes. The aim of this paper is to look for possible similarities and differences between both brachytherapy modalities. Indications and contraindications for monotherapy and for brachytherapy as a boost to external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) are presented. It is suggested that each of these techniques has attributes that advocates for one or the other. First, they represent the extreme ends of the spectrum with respect to dose rate and fractionation, and therefore have inherently different radiobiological properties. Low-dose-rate brachytherapy has the great advantage of being practically a one-time procedure, and enjoys a long-term follow-up database supporting its excellent outcomes and low morbidity. Low-dose-rate brachytherapy has been a gold standard for prostate brachytherapy in low risk patients since many years. On the other hand, HDR is a fairly invasive procedure requiring several sessions associated with a brief hospital stay. Although lacking in significant long-term data, it possesses the technical advantage of control over its postimplant dosimetry (by modulating the source dwell time and position), which is absent in LDR brachytherapy. This important difference in dosimetric control allows HDR doses to be escalated safely, a flexibility that does not exist for LDR brachytherapy. Conclusions Radiobiological models support the current clinical evidence for equivalent outcomes in localized prostate cancer with either LDR or HDR brachytherapy, using current dose regimens. At present, all available clinical data regarding these two techniques suggests that they are equally effective, stage for stage, in providing high tumor control rates. PMID:23634153

An alternative methodology for interpretation and reporting of hand hygiene compliance data.

PubMed

DiDiodato, Giulio

2012-05-01

Since 2009, all hospitals in Ontario have been mandated to publicly report health care provider compliance with hand hygiene opportunities (http://www.health.gov.on.ca/patient_safety/index.html). Hand hygiene compliance (HHC) is reported for 2 of the 4 moments during the health care provider-patient encounter. This study analyzes the HHC data by using an alternative methodology for interpretation and reporting. Annualized HHC data were available for fiscal years 2009 and 2010 for each of the 5 hospital corporations (6 sites) in the North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network. The weighted average for HHC was used to estimate the overall observed rate for HHC for each hospital and reporting period. Using Bayes' probability theorem, this estimate was used to predict the probability that any patient would experience HHC for at least 75% of hand hygiene moments. This probability was categorized as excellent (≥75%), above average (50%-74%), below average (25%-49%), or poor (<25%). The results were reported using a balanced scorecard display. The overall observed rates for HHC ranged from 50% to 87% (mean, 75% ± 11%, P = .079). Using the alternative methodology for reporting, 6 of the 12 reporting periods would be categorized as excellent, 1 as above average, 2 as below average, and 3 as poor. Population-level HHC data can be converted to patient-level risk information. Reporting this information to the public may increase the value and understandability of this patient safety indicator. Copyright © 2012 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Development of a safe and pragmatic awake craniotomy program at Maine Medical Center.

PubMed

Rughani, Anand I; Rintel, Theodor; Desai, Rajiv; Cushing, Deborah A; Florman, Jeffrey E

2011-01-01

Awake craniotomy offers an excellent means of performing intraoperative mapping and optimizing surgical resection of brain tumors. Awake craniotomy relies on a strong collaboration between anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, and operating room staff. The authors recently introduced awake craniotomy for tumor resection at the Maine Medical Center and propose that it can be performed safely, effectively, and efficiently in a high-volume community hospital. We describe a practical approach to performing awake craniotomy involving streamlined anesthetic protocols and simplified intraoperative testing parameters in a carefully selected group of patients. Our first 25 patients are retrospectively reviewed with particular attention to the anesthetic protocol, the extent of resection, the operative time, post-operative complications, the length of hospitalization, and their functional status at follow-up. The authors established an anesthetic protocol based primarily on midazolam, fentanyl, propofol, and local anesthetic. The authors note that all but one patient was able to tolerate the awake procedure. Gross total resection was achieved in nearly 80% of patients with a glial tumor. Operative time was short, averaging 159 minutes of entire anesthesia care. Length of stay averaged 3.7 days. Persistent new post-operative deficits were noted in 2 of 25 patients. There was no substantial difference in total hospital charges for patients undergoing awake craniotomy when compared to a matched historical control. With attention focused on patient selection and a streamlined anesthetic protocol, the authors were able to successfully implement an awake craniotomy protocol in a community setting with satisfying results, including low operative morbidity, short operative times, low anesthetic complications, and excellent patient tolerance.

Applying 'evidence-based medicine' theory to interventional radiology. Part 2: a spreadsheet for swift assessment of procedural benefit and harm.

PubMed

Maceneaney, P M; Malone, D E

2000-12-01

To design a spreadsheet program to analyse interventional radiology (IR) data rapidly produced in local research or reported in the literature using 'evidence-based medicine' (EBM) parameters of treatment benefit and harm. Microsoft Excel(TM)was used. The spreadsheet consists of three worksheets. The first shows the 'Levels of Evidence and Grades of Recommendations' that can be assigned to therapeutic studies as defined by the Oxford Centre for EBM. The second and third worksheets facilitate the EBM assessment of therapeutic benefit and harm. Validity criteria are described. These include the assessment of the adequacy of sample size in the detection of possible procedural complications. A contingency (2 x 2) table for raw data on comparative outcomes in treated patients and controls has been incorporated. Formulae for EBM calculations are related to these numerators and denominators in the spreadsheet. The parameters calculated are benefit - relative risk reduction, absolute risk reduction, number needed to treat (NNT). Harm - relative risk, relative odds, number needed to harm (NNH). Ninety-five per cent confidence intervals are calculated for all these indices. The results change automatically when the data in the therapeutic outcome cells are changed. A final section allows the user to correct the NNT or NNH in their application to individual patients. This spreadsheet can be used on desktop and palmtop computers. The MS Excel(TM)version can be downloaded via the Internet from the URL ftp://radiography.com/pub/TxHarm00.xls. A spreadsheet is useful for the rapid analysis of the clinical benefit and harm from IR procedures.

Hematoxylin and Eosin Counterstaining Protocol for Immunohistochemistry Interpretation and Diagnosis.

PubMed

Grosset, Andrée-Anne; Loayza-Vega, Kevin; Adam-Granger, Éloïse; Birlea, Mirela; Gilks, Blake; Nguyen, Bich; Soucy, Geneviève; Tran-Thanh, Danh; Albadine, Roula; Trudel, Dominique

2017-12-21

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining is a well-established technique in histopathology. However, immunohistochemistry (IHC) interpretation is done exclusively with hematoxylin counterstaining. Our goal was to investigate the potential of H&E as counterstaining (H&E-IHC) to allow for visualization of a marker while confirming the diagnosis on the same slide. The quality of immunostaining and the fast-technical performance were the main criteria to select the final protocol. We stained multiple diagnostic tissues with class I IHC tests with different subcellular localization markers (anti-CK7, CK20, synaptophysin, CD20, HMB45, and Ki-67) and with double-staining on prostate tissues with anti-high molecular weight keratins/p63 (DAB detection) and p504s (alkaline phosphatase detection). To validate the efficacy of the counterstaining, we stained tissue microarrays from the Canadian Immunohistochemistry Quality Control (cIQc) with class II IHC tests (ER, PR, HER2, and p53 markers). Interobserver and intraobserver concordance was assessed by κ statistics. Excellent agreement of H&E-IHC interpretation was observed in comparison with standard IHC from our laboratory (κ, 0.87 to 1.00), and with the cIQc reference values (κ, 0.81 to 1.00). Interobserver and intraobserver agreement was excellent (κ, 0.89 to 1.00 and 0.87 to 1.00, respectively). We therefore show for the first time the potential of using H&E counterstaining for IHC interpretation. We recommend the H&E-IHC protocol to enhance diagnostic precision for the clinical workflow and research studies.

Multiple Auto-Adapting Color Balancing for Large Number of Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, X.

2015-04-01

This paper presents a powerful technology of color balance between images. It does not only work for small number of images but also work for unlimited large number of images. Multiple adaptive methods are used. To obtain color seamless mosaic dataset, local color is adjusted adaptively towards the target color. Local statistics of the source images are computed based on the so-called adaptive dodging window. The adaptive target colors are statistically computed according to multiple target models. The gamma function is derived from the adaptive target and the adaptive source local stats. It is applied to the source images to obtain the color balanced output images. Five target color surface models are proposed. They are color point (or single color), color grid, 1st, 2nd and 3rd 2D polynomials. Least Square Fitting is used to obtain the polynomial target color surfaces. Target color surfaces are automatically computed based on all source images or based on an external target image. Some special objects such as water and snow are filtered by percentage cut or a given mask. Excellent results are achieved. The performance is extremely fast to support on-the-fly color balancing for large number of images (possible of hundreds of thousands images). Detailed algorithm and formulae are described. Rich examples including big mosaic datasets (e.g., contains 36,006 images) are given. Excellent results and performance are presented. The results show that this technology can be successfully used in various imagery to obtain color seamless mosaic. This algorithm has been successfully using in ESRI ArcGis.

Temporal complexity in emission from Anderson localized lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Randhir; Balasubrahmaniyam, M.; Alee, K. Shadak; Mujumdar, Sushil

2017-12-01

Anderson localization lasers exploit resonant cavities formed due to structural disorder. The inherent randomness in the structure of these cavities realizes a probability distribution in all cavity parameters such as quality factors, mode volumes, mode structures, and so on, implying resultant statistical fluctuations in the temporal behavior. Here we provide direct experimental measurements of temporal width distributions of Anderson localization lasing pulses in intrinsically and extrinsically disordered coupled-microresonator arrays. We first illustrate signature exponential decays in the spatial intensity distributions of the lasing modes that quantify their localized character, and then measure the temporal width distributions of the pulsed emission over several configurations. We observe a dependence of temporal widths on the disorder strength, wherein the widths show a single-peaked, left-skewed distribution in extrinsic disorder and a dual-peaked distribution in intrinsic disorder. We propose a model based on coupled rate equations for an emitter and an Anderson cavity with a random mode structure, which gives excellent quantitative and qualitative agreement with the experimental observations. The experimental and theoretical analyses bring to the fore the temporal complexity in Anderson-localization-based lasing systems.

The role of health promotion: between global thinking and local action.

PubMed

King, Lesley

2006-12-01

The persistence of health inequities provides an ongoing challenge for health promotion. The dictum 'think globally, act locally' fails to recognise the significance of infrastructure and policy in linking global issues and local practices as a means of addressing health inequities. Commentary and opinion. Through analytic tools and methods, health promotion has much to contribute to facilitating health-improving changes in social, economic and physical environments. Local actions provide excellent illustrations of organisational change and intersectoral action, and present the possibility that such actions could be widely implemented. While this has occurred on some issues, this is not usually the case. Political support, policy and infrastructure are required to link global ideas and local actions and overcome the impasse. Media advocacy is one example of an approach with potential to make these links and mobilise political support. Reframing media and political discussion, away from the dichotomy of individual responsibility and government intervention and towards acknowledging the social context of human behaviour, could contribute to policy and social environments with greater capacity to address inequities.

A hybridized discontinuous Galerkin framework for high-order particle-mesh operator splitting of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maljaars, Jakob M.; Labeur, Robert Jan; Möller, Matthias

2018-04-01

A generic particle-mesh method using a hybridized discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) framework is presented and validated for the solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Building upon particle-in-cell concepts, the method is formulated in terms of an operator splitting technique in which Lagrangian particles are used to discretize an advection operator, and an Eulerian mesh-based HDG method is employed for the constitutive modeling to account for the inter-particle interactions. Key to the method is the variational framework provided by the HDG method. This allows to formulate the projections between the Lagrangian particle space and the Eulerian finite element space in terms of local (i.e. cellwise) ℓ2-projections efficiently. Furthermore, exploiting the HDG framework for solving the constitutive equations results in velocity fields which excellently approach the incompressibility constraint in a local sense. By advecting the particles through these velocity fields, the particle distribution remains uniform over time, obviating the need for additional quality control. The presented methodology allows for a straightforward extension to arbitrary-order spatial accuracy on general meshes. A range of numerical examples shows that optimal convergence rates are obtained in space and, given the particular time stepping strategy, second-order accuracy is obtained in time. The model capabilities are further demonstrated by presenting results for the flow over a backward facing step and for the flow around a cylinder.

Patterns of Nucleotide Diversity at Photoperiod Related Genes in Norway Spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.

PubMed Central

Källman, Thomas; De Mita, Stéphane; Larsson, Hanna; Gyllenstrand, Niclas; Heuertz, Myriam; Parducci, Laura; Suyama, Yoshihisa; Lagercrantz, Ulf; Lascoux, Martin

2014-01-01

The ability of plants to track seasonal changes is largely dependent on genes assigned to the photoperiod pathway, and variation in those genes is thereby important for adaptation to local day length conditions. Extensive physiological data in several temperate conifer species suggest that populations are adapted to local light conditions, but data on the genes underlying this adaptation are more limited. Here we present nucleotide diversity data from 19 genes putatively involved in photoperiodic response in Norway spruce (Picea abies). Based on similarity to model plants the genes were grouped into three categories according to their presumed position in the photoperiod pathway: photoreceptors, circadian clock genes, and downstream targets. An HKA (Hudson, Kreitman and Aquade) test showed a significant excess of diversity at photoreceptor genes, but no departure from neutrality at circadian genes and downstream targets. Departures from neutrality were also tested with Tajima's D and Fay and Wu's H statistics under three demographic scenarios: the standard neutral model, a population expansion model, and a more complex population split model. Only one gene, the circadian clock gene PaPRR3 with a highly positive Tajima's D value, deviates significantly from all tested demographic scenarios. As the PaPRR3 gene harbours multiple non-synonymous variants it appears as an excellent candidate gene for control of photoperiod response in Norway spruce. PMID:24810273

Patterns of nucleotide diversity at photoperiod related genes in Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst].

PubMed

Källman, Thomas; De Mita, Stéphane; Larsson, Hanna; Gyllenstrand, Niclas; Heuertz, Myriam; Parducci, Laura; Suyama, Yoshihisa; Lagercrantz, Ulf; Lascoux, Martin

2014-01-01

The ability of plants to track seasonal changes is largely dependent on genes assigned to the photoperiod pathway, and variation in those genes is thereby important for adaptation to local day length conditions. Extensive physiological data in several temperate conifer species suggest that populations are adapted to local light conditions, but data on the genes underlying this adaptation are more limited. Here we present nucleotide diversity data from 19 genes putatively involved in photoperiodic response in Norway spruce (Picea abies). Based on similarity to model plants the genes were grouped into three categories according to their presumed position in the photoperiod pathway: photoreceptors, circadian clock genes, and downstream targets. An HKA (Hudson, Kreitman and Aquade) test showed a significant excess of diversity at photoreceptor genes, but no departure from neutrality at circadian genes and downstream targets. Departures from neutrality were also tested with Tajima's D and Fay and Wu's H statistics under three demographic scenarios: the standard neutral model, a population expansion model, and a more complex population split model. Only one gene, the circadian clock gene PaPRR3 with a highly positive Tajima's D value, deviates significantly from all tested demographic scenarios. As the PaPRR3 gene harbours multiple non-synonymous variants it appears as an excellent candidate gene for control of photoperiod response in Norway spruce.

A Scalable O(N) Algorithm for Large-Scale Parallel First-Principles Molecular Dynamics Simulations

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

Osei-Kuffuor, Daniel; Fattebert, Jean-Luc

2014-01-01

Traditional algorithms for first-principles molecular dynamics (FPMD) simulations only gain a modest capability increase from current petascale computers, due to their O(N 3) complexity and their heavy use of global communications. To address this issue, we are developing a truly scalable O(N) complexity FPMD algorithm, based on density functional theory (DFT), which avoids global communications. The computational model uses a general nonorthogonal orbital formulation for the DFT energy functional, which requires knowledge of selected elements of the inverse of the associated overlap matrix. We present a scalable algorithm for approximately computing selected entries of the inverse of the overlap matrix,more » based on an approximate inverse technique, by inverting local blocks corresponding to principal submatrices of the global overlap matrix. The new FPMD algorithm exploits sparsity and uses nearest neighbor communication to provide a computational scheme capable of extreme scalability. Accuracy is controlled by the mesh spacing of the finite difference discretization, the size of the localization regions in which the electronic orbitals are confined, and a cutoff beyond which the entries of the overlap matrix can be omitted when computing selected entries of its inverse. We demonstrate the algorithm's excellent parallel scaling for up to O(100K) atoms on O(100K) processors, with a wall-clock time of O(1) minute per molecular dynamics time step.« less

How restructuring river connectivity changes freshwater fish biodiversity and biogeography

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lynch, Heather L.; Grant, Evan H. Campbell; Muneepeerakul, Rachata; Arunachalam, Muthukumarasamy; Rodriguez-Iturbe, Ignacio; Fagan, William F.

2011-01-01

Interbasin water transfer projects, in which river connectivity is restructured via man-made canals, are an increasingly popular solution to address the spatial mismatch between supply and demand of fresh water. However, the ecological consequences of such restructuring remain largely unexplored, and there are no general theoretical guidelines from which to derive these expectations. River systems provide excellent opportunities to explore how network connectivity shapes habitat occupancy, community dynamics, and biogeographic patterns. We apply a neutral model (which assumes competitive equivalence among species within a stochastic framework) to an empirically derived river network to explore how proposed changes in network connectivity may impact patterns of freshwater fish biodiversity. Without predicting the responses of individual extant species, we find the addition of canals connecting hydrologically isolated river basins facilitates the spread of common species and increases average local species richness without changing the total species richness of the system. These impacts are sensitive to the parameters controlling the spatial scale of fish dispersal, with increased dispersal affording more opportunities for biotic restructuring at the community and landscape scales. Connections between isolated basins have a much larger effect on local species richness than those connecting reaches within a river basin, even when those within-basin reaches are far apart. As a result, interbasin canal projects have the potential for long-term impacts to continental-scale riverine communities.

Local melting to design strong and plastically deformable bulk metallic glass composites

PubMed Central

Qin, Yue-Sheng; Han, Xiao-Liang; Song, Kai-Kai; Tian, Yu-Hao; Peng, Chuan-Xiao; Wang, Li; Sun, Bao-An; Wang, Gang; Kaban, Ivan; Eckert, Jürgen

2017-01-01

Recently, CuZr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) composites reinforced by the TRIP (transformation-induced plasticity) effect have been explored in attempt to accomplish an optimal of trade-off between strength and ductility. However, the design of such BMG composites with advanced mechanical properties still remains a big challenge for materials engineering. In this work, we proposed a technique of instantaneously and locally arc-melting BMG plate to artificially induce the precipitation of B2 crystals in the glassy matrix and then to tune mechanical properties. Through adjusting local melting process parameters (i.e. input powers, local melting positions, and distances between the electrode and amorphous plate), the size, volume fraction, and distribution of B2 crystals were well tailored and the corresponding formation mechanism was clearly clarified. The resultant BMG composites exhibit large compressive plasticity and high strength together with obvious work-hardening ability. This compelling approach could be of great significance for the steady development of metastable CuZr-based alloys with excellent mechanical properties. PMID:28211890

Probing the localization of magnetic dichroism by atomic-size astigmatic and vortex electron beams.

PubMed

Negi, Devendra Singh; Idrobo, Juan Carlos; Rusz, Ján

2018-03-05

We report localization of a magnetic dichroic signal on atomic columns in electron magnetic circular dichroism (EMCD), probed by beam distorted by four-fold astigmatism and electron vortex beam. With astigmatic probe, magnetic signal to noise ratio can be enhanced by blocking the intensity from the central part of probe. However, the simulations show that for atomic resolution magnetic measurements, vortex beam is a more effective probe, with much higher magnetic signal to noise ratio. For all considered beam shapes, the optimal SNR constrains the signal detection at low collection angles of approximately 6-8 mrad. Irrespective of the material thickness, the magnetic signal remains strongly localized within the probed atomic column with vortex beam, whereas for astigmatic probes, the magnetic signal originates mostly from the nearest neighbor atomic columns. Due to excellent signal localization at probing individual atomic columns, vortex beams are predicted to be a strong candidate for studying the crystal site specific magnetic properties, magnetic properties at interfaces, or magnetism arising from individual atomic impurities.

The North Galactic Pole Rift and the Local Hot Bubble

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snowden, S. L.; Koutroumpa, D.; Kuntz, K. D.; Lallement, R.; Puspitarini, L.

2015-01-01

The North Galactic Pole Rift (NGPR) is one of the few distinct neutral hydrogen clouds at high Galactic latitudes that have well-defined distances. It is located at the edge of the Local Cavity (LC) and provides an important test case for understanding the Local Hot Bubble (LHB), the presumed location for the hot diffuse plasma responsible for much of the observed 1/4 keV emission originating in the solar neighborhood. Using data from the ROSAT All- Sky Survey and the Planck reddening map, we find the path length within the LC (LHB plus Complex of Local Interstellar Clouds) to be 98 plus or minus 27 pc, in excellent agreement with the distance to the NGPR of 98 +/- 6 pc. In addition, we examine another 14 directions that are distributed over the sky where the LC wall is apparently optically thick at 1/4 keV. We find that the data in these directions are also consistent with the LHB model and a uniform emissivity plasma filling most of the LC.

Quantitative Measurement of Local Infrared Absorption and Dielectric Function with Tip-Enhanced Near-Field Microscopy.

PubMed

Govyadinov, Alexander A; Amenabar, Iban; Huth, Florian; Carney, P Scott; Hillenbrand, Rainer

2013-05-02

Scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) and Fourier transform infrared nanospectroscopy (nano-FTIR) are emerging tools for nanoscale chemical material identification. Here, we push s-SNOM and nano-FTIR one important step further by enabling them to quantitatively measure local dielectric constants and infrared absorption. Our technique is based on an analytical model, which allows for a simple inversion of the near-field scattering problem. It yields the dielectric permittivity and absorption of samples with 2 orders of magnitude improved spatial resolution compared to far-field measurements and is applicable to a large class of samples including polymers and biological matter. We verify the capabilities by determining the local dielectric permittivity of a PMMA film from nano-FTIR measurements, which is in excellent agreement with far-field ellipsometric data. We further obtain local infrared absorption spectra with unprecedented accuracy in peak position and shape, which is the key to quantitative chemometrics on the nanometer scale.

Three-dimensional nanometre localization of nanoparticles to enhance super-resolution microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bon, Pierre; Bourg, Nicolas; Lécart, Sandrine; Monneret, Serge; Fort, Emmanuel; Wenger, Jérôme; Lévêque-Fort, Sandrine

2015-07-01

Meeting the nanometre resolution promised by super-resolution microscopy techniques (pointillist: PALM, STORM, scanning: STED) requires stabilizing the sample drifts in real time during the whole acquisition process. Metal nanoparticles are excellent probes to track the lateral drifts as they provide crisp and photostable information. However, achieving nanometre axial super-localization is still a major challenge, as diffraction imposes large depths-of-fields. Here we demonstrate fast full three-dimensional nanometre super-localization of gold nanoparticles through simultaneous intensity and phase imaging with a wavefront-sensing camera based on quadriwave lateral shearing interferometry. We show how to combine the intensity and phase information to provide the key to the third axial dimension. Presently, we demonstrate even in the occurrence of large three-dimensional fluctuations of several microns, unprecedented sub-nanometre localization accuracies down to 0.7 nm in lateral and 2.7 nm in axial directions at 50 frames per second. We demonstrate that nanoscale stabilization greatly enhances the image quality and resolution in direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy imaging.

Bioinspired sensory systems for local flow characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colvert, Brendan; Chen, Kevin; Kanso, Eva

2016-11-01

Empirical evidence suggests that many aquatic organisms sense differential hydrodynamic signals.This sensory information is decoded to extract relevant flow properties. This task is challenging because it relies on local and partial measurements, whereas classical flow characterization methods depend on an external observer to reconstruct global flow fields. Here, we introduce a mathematical model in which a bioinspired sensory array measuring differences in local flow velocities characterizes the flow type and intensity. We linearize the flow field around the sensory array and express the velocity gradient tensor in terms of frame-independent parameters. We develop decoding algorithms that allow the sensory system to characterize the local flow and discuss the conditions under which this is possible. We apply this framework to the canonical problem of a circular cylinder in uniform flow, finding excellent agreement between sensed and actual properties. Our results imply that combining suitable velocity sensors with physics-based methods for decoding sensory measurements leads to a powerful approach for understanding and developing underwater sensory systems.

Image inpainting and super-resolution using non-local recursive deep convolutional network with skip connections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Miaofeng

2017-07-01

In recent years, deep convolutional neural networks come into use in image inpainting and super-resolution in many fields. Distinct to most of the former methods requiring to know beforehand the local information for corrupted pixels, we propose a 20-depth fully convolutional network to learn an end-to-end mapping a dataset of damaged/ground truth subimage pairs realizing non-local blind inpainting and super-resolution. As there often exist image with huge corruptions or inpainting on a low-resolution image that the existing approaches unable to perform well, we also share parameters in local area of layers to achieve spatial recursion and enlarge the receptive field. To avoid the difficulty of training this deep neural network, skip-connections between symmetric convolutional layers are designed. Experimental results shows that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art methods for diverse corrupting and low-resolution conditions, it works excellently when realizing super-resolution and image inpainting simultaneously

Direct Measurements of the Penetration Depth in a Superconducting Film using Magnetic Force Microscopy

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

E Nazaretski; J Thibodaux; I Vekhter

2011-12-31

We report the local measurements of the magnetic penetration depth in a superconducting Nb film using magnetic force microscopy (MFM). We developed a method for quantitative extraction of the penetration depth from single-parameter simultaneous fits to the lateral and height profiles of the MFM signal, and demonstrate that the obtained value is in excellent agreement with that obtained from the bulk magnetization measurements.

Long-Range Plan for Technology in Elementary and Secondary Education in New York State. Using Technology To Pursue Excellence in Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

New York State Education Dept., Albany. Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The intent of this long-range plan is to provide direction for local, regional, and state level planning so that technology can be applied more effectively to enhance the teaching/learning environment and to improve the management of schools in the state of New York. The plan expands the statement of direction outlined in the "Statement of…

Cluster-model calculations of exotic decays from heavy nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buck, B.; Merchant, A. C.

1989-05-01

A cluster model employing a local, effective cluster-core potential is used to investigate exotic decay from heavy nuclei as a quantum tunneling phenomenon within a semiclassical approximation. Excellent agreement with all reported experimental measurements of the decay widths for 14C and 24Ne emission is obtained. As an added bonus, the width for alpha particle emission from 212Po is also calculated in good agreement with experiment.

The assessment of cervical sensory motor control: a systematic review focusing on measuring methods and their clinimetric characteristics.

PubMed

Michiels, Sarah; De Hertogh, Willem; Truijen, Steven; November, Danny; Wuyts, Floris; Van de Heyning, Paul

2013-05-01

Cervical sensorimotor control (CSMC) becomes increasingly important in the assessment and treatment of patients with neck pain. This review aims to compare commonly used CSMC measuring methods in terms of required tasks, measuring device and clinimetric properties. A systematic review of two databases, followed by methodological quality assessment (CBO guidelines). The methodological quality of 34 included articles was generally good (five to seven out of eight), the inter-rater agreement was excellent (κw=0.966, p<0.01). Following tasks were found: head repositioning accuracy to the neutral head position (HRA-to-NHP) and to a target position (HRA-to-target), a virtual reality test, a continuous linear movement technique (CLMT) and an object following non-linear movement technique (NLMT) (The Fly™). Test-retest reliability was fair to excellent (ICC 0.35-0.87) for the HRA-to-NHP, very bad to excellent (ICC 0.01-0.90) for the HRA-to-target, fair to good (ICC 0.25-0.77) for the virtual reality test and moderate to excellent (ICC: 0.60-0.86) for The Fly™. The reliability of the CLMT was not documented. The HRA-to-NHP, The Fly™ and the CLMT can discriminate between patients with neck complaints and controls (discriminant validity). Currently, only The Fly™ can discriminate between different patient populations (post-traumatic and non-traumatic neck pain). The sensitivity, specificity and responsiveness of the methods have to be assessed in future research. The dynamic method The Fly™ appears to be more reliable than the HRA-to-NHP and is able to discriminate between different patient populations. The diagnostic potential is to be confirmed in future research. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Resistive switching phenomena of tungsten nitride thin films with excellent CMOS compatibility

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

Hong, Seok Man; Kim, Hee-Dong; An, Ho-Myoung

2013-12-15

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • The resistive switching characteristics of WN{sub x} thin films. • Excellent CMOS compatibility WN{sub x} films as a resistive switching material. • Resistive switching mechanism revealed trap-controlled space charge limited conduction. • Good endurance and retention properties over 10{sup 5} cycles, and 10{sup 5} s, respectively - Abstract: We report the resistive switching (RS) characteristics of tungsten nitride (WN{sub x}) thin films with excellent complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility. A Ti/WN{sub x}/Pt memory cell clearly shows bipolar RS behaviors at a low voltage of approximately ±2.2 V. The dominant conduction mechanisms at low and high resistancemore » states were verified by Ohmic behavior and trap-controlled space-charge-limited conduction, respectively. A conducting filament model by a redox reaction explains the RS behavior in WN{sub x} films. We also demonstrate the memory characteristics during pulse operation, including a high endurance over >10{sup 5} cycles and a long retention time of >10{sup 5} s.« less

An algorithm for automated detection, localization and measurement of local calcium signals from camera-based imaging.

PubMed

Ellefsen, Kyle L; Settle, Brett; Parker, Ian; Smith, Ian F

2014-09-01

Local Ca(2+) transients such as puffs and sparks form the building blocks of cellular Ca(2+) signaling in numerous cell types. They have traditionally been studied by linescan confocal microscopy, but advances in TIRF microscopy together with improved electron-multiplied CCD (EMCCD) cameras now enable rapid (>500 frames s(-1)) imaging of subcellular Ca(2+) signals with high spatial resolution in two dimensions. This approach yields vastly more information (ca. 1 Gb min(-1)) than linescan imaging, rendering visual identification and analysis of local events imaged both laborious and subject to user bias. Here we describe a routine to rapidly automate identification and analysis of local Ca(2+) events. This features an intuitive graphical user-interfaces and runs under Matlab and the open-source Python software. The underlying algorithm features spatial and temporal noise filtering to reliably detect even small events in the presence of noisy and fluctuating baselines; localizes sites of Ca(2+) release with sub-pixel resolution; facilitates user review and editing of data; and outputs time-sequences of fluorescence ratio signals for identified event sites along with Excel-compatible tables listing amplitudes and kinetics of events. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Robust aptamer-polydopamine-functionalized M-PLGA-TPGS nanoparticles for targeted delivery of docetaxel and enhanced cervical cancer therapy.

PubMed

Xu, Guojun; Yu, Xinghua; Zhang, Jinxie; Sheng, Yingchao; Liu, Gan; Tao, Wei; Mei, Lin

2016-01-01

One limitation of current biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) is the contradiction between functional modification and maintaining formerly excellent bioproperties with simple procedures. Here, we reported a robust aptamer-polydopamine-functionalized mannitol-functionalized poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (M-PLGA)-D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) nanoformulation (Apt-pD-NPs) for the delivery of docetaxel (DTX) with enhanced cervical cancer therapy effects. The novel DTX-loaded Apt-pD-NPs possess satisfactory advantages: 1) increased drug loading content and encapsulation efficiency induced by star-shaped copolymer M-PLGA-TPGS; 2) significant active targeting effect caused by conjugated AS1411 aptamers; and 3) excellent long-term compatibility by incorporation of TPGS. Therefore, with simple preparation procedures and excellent bioproperties, the new functionalized Apt-pD-NPs could maximally increase the local effective drug concentration on tumor sites, achieving enhanced treatment effectiveness and minimizing side effects. In a word, the robust DTX-loaded Apt-pD-NPs could be used as potential nanotherapeutics for cervical cancer treatment, and the aptamer-polydopamine modification strategy could be a promising method for active targeting of cancer therapy with simple procedures.

A Model of Pantun Learning to Develop Elementary Student’s Entrepreneurship Awareness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asteria, P. V.; Yulianto, B.

2018-01-01

The principle of entrepreneurship should be instilled from an early age. Pantun is one of Indonesian local culture taught for the elementary school student. Therefore, this study aims to describe (1) the ability to understand the content from pantun based entrepreneurship, (2) the ability to determine the messages from pantun based entrepreneurship, and (3) the ability to apply the messages from pantun based entrepreneurship into their real life. The research type is descriptive quantitative and conducted on the subject of 35 students from SDN Margomulyo I Ngawi. The data is the student’s skill in reading comprehension from the pantun based entrepreneurship with the writing test items instrument. The results showed that the student’s ability to determine the content from pantun based entrepreneurship shows achievement by an average of 9.3 (include an excellent category) and the ability of students to determine the entrepreneurship messages by an average of 7.8 (good). Meanwhile, the average student’s ability to apply the entrepreneurship messages in pantun into their real life by an average of 8.7 (excellent). Overall, the student’s skill in reading comprehension from the pantun based entrepreneurship as a whole reached an average of 86.4 (excellent category).

Using the critical incident survey to assess hospital service quality.

PubMed

Longo, B; Connor, G; Barnhart, T

1993-01-01

This survey was designed to determine "standards of excellence" in hospital services as defined by (a) former patients, (b) physicians, (c) hospital employees, and (d) corporate insurance subscribers. One hundred forty-seven (147) patients, 188 employees, and 20 corporate subscribers were interviewed by telephone, and 52 physicians were interviewed in their offices. The interview consisted of a single question: "Can you think of a time when, as a patient/employee/employer/physician, you had a particularly satisfying or dissatisfying experience with a local hospital?" Reported incidents were reviewed, and 239 "critical incidents" were identified. These incidents were classified into 12 descriptive categories relating to the underlying factors in the incident reports. Six focus groups were later held with participants segregated by the population pool they represented. These groups were asked to develop definitions of "excellence" in hospital service quality and standards for service which would "exceed expectations." The focus groups created 122 standards of excellence, which were classified into 43 categories. Overall, the largest percentages of corporate, physician, and employee critical incidents were classified as "Administrative Policy" issues. Patients most often reported "Nurturing" incidents as critical to their perceptions of hospital service quality.

Integrated Control of Fire Blight with Bacterial Antagonists and Oxytetracycline

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In the Pacific Northwest of the United States, the antibiotic streptomycin provided excellent control of fire blight until resistant isolates of Erwinia amylovora were prevalent. Oxytetracycline (Mycoshield) is now sprayed as an alternative antibiotic. We found that the duration of inhibitory acti...

Integrated Control of Fire Blight with Antagonists and Oxytetracycline

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In the Pacific Northwest of the United States, the antibiotic streptomycin provided excellent control of fire blight until resistant isolates of Erwinia amylovora arose. Oxytetracycline (Mycoshield) is now sprayed as an alternative antibiotic. We found that the duration of inhibitory activity of o...

Interrater and intrarater reliability of the Semmes Weinstein aesthesiometer to assess touch pressure threshold in burn scars.

PubMed

Meirte, J; Moortgat, P; Truijen, S; Maertens, K; Lafaire, C; De Cuyper, L; Hubens, G; Van Daele, U

2015-09-01

Burn scars are frequently accompanied with sensory deficits often remaining present months or even years after injury. Clinimetric properties of assessment tools remain understudied within burn literature. Tactile sense of touch can be examined with the touch pressure threshold (TPT) method using the Semmes Weinstein monofilament test (SWMT). There is in recent research no consensus on the exact measurement procedure when using the SWMT. The aim of this paper was to determine the interrater and intrarater reliability of TPT within burn scars and healthy controls using the 'ascending descending' measurement procedure. We used the newly developed guidelines for reporting reliability and agreement studies (GRRAS) as a basis to report this reliability study. In total 36 individuals were tested; a healthy control group and a scar group. The interrater reliability was excellent in the scar group (ICC=0.908/SEM=0.21) and fair to good in the control group (ICC=0.731/SEM=0.12). In the scar group intrarater ICC value was excellent (ICC=0.822/SEM=0.33). Within the control group also an excellent intrarater reliability (ICC=0.807/SEM=0.27) was found. In conclusion this study shows that the SWMT with the 'ascending descending' measurement procedure is a feasible and reliable objective measure to evaluate TPT in (older) upper extremities burn scars as well as in healthy skin. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

A review of introductions of pathogens and nematodes for classical biological control of insects and mites

Treesearch

Ann E. Hajek; Michael L. McManus; Italo Delalibera Junior

2007-01-01

Compared with parasitoids and predators, classical biological control programs targeting arthropod pests have used pathogens and nematodes very little. However, some pathogens and nematodes that have been introduced have become established and provided excellent control and have been introduced in increasing numbers of areas over decades, often after distributions of...

Biological control of purple loosestrife in North America

Treesearch

Bernd Blossey

1998-01-01

In recent years, interest in a biological method to control problem plants in natural areas in the United States has grown. All federal agencies must comply with standards to reduce the use and dependence on chemical control of weeds. But, biological methodologies are not readily available, nor have they been well-endorsed or financially supported. Despite an excellent...

Michigan/Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Collaborative Center in Control Science (MACCCS)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-01

AFRL-RQ-WP-TR-2016-0139 MICHIGAN/AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY (AFRL) COLLABORATIVE CENTER IN CONTROL SCIENCE (MACCCS) Anouck Girard...Final 18 April 2007 – 30 September 2016 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE MICHIGAN/AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY (AFRL) COLLABORATIVE CENTER IN CONTROL SCIENCE...and amplify an internationally recognized center of excellence in control science research and education, through interaction between the faculty and

Multicomponent Pt-Based Zigzag Nanowires as Selectivity Controllers for Selective Hydrogenation Reactions.

PubMed

Bai, Shuxing; Bu, Lingzheng; Shao, Qi; Zhu, Xing; Huang, Xiaoqing

2018-06-22

The selective hydrogenation of α, β-unsaturated aldehyde is an extremely important transformation, while developing efficient catalysts with desirable selectivity to highly value-added products is challenging, mainly due to the coexistence of two conjugated unsaturated functional groups. Herein, we report that a series of Pt-based zigzag nanowires (ZNWs) can be adopted as selectivity controllers for α, β-unsaturated aldehyde hydrogenation, where the excellent unsaturated alcohol (UOL) selectivity (>95%) and high saturated aldehyde (SA) selectivity (>94%) are achieved on PtFe ZNWs and PtFeNi ZNWs+AlCl 3 , respectively. The excellent UOL selectivity of PtFe ZNWs is attributed to the lower electron density of the surface Pt atoms, while the high SA selectivity of PtFeNi ZNWs+AlCl 3 is due to synergy between PtFeNi ZNWs and AlCl 3 , highlighting the importance of Pt-based NWs with precisely controlled surface and composition for catalysis and beyond.

Metal precursor induced shape controlled synthesis of gold nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verma, Manoj; Kathy, Annu Dahiya; Kumar, P. Senthil

2018-05-01

Anisotropic gold nanoparticles have excellent properties which enables them to utilize in exciting applications in plasmonics as well as in nanophotonics, catalysis etc. In this report we have synthesized/tune shape of gold nanoparticles by utilizing in situ polymer halide interaction. Our quest for achieving shape control of gold nanoparticles succeeded even under ambient conditions by utilizing the mild but effective reducing power of versatile polymer, polyvinyl pyrrolidone(PVP) on different precursor more specifically on Hydrochloroauric acid and Potassiumbromoauric acid. The significant shape dependent optical plasmonic signature agrees in excellent manner with TEM observations as shown below. Moreover, as prepared gold nanocrystals having different morphology were studied with XRD measurements and a beautiful conclusion was drawn between crystallographic facets and shapes of gold nanoparticles.

Endocavitary thermal therapy by MRI-guided phased-array contact ultrasound: experimental and numerical studies on the multi-input single-output PID temperature controller's convergence and stability.

PubMed

Salomir, Rares; Rata, Mihaela; Cadis, Daniela; Petrusca, Lorena; Auboiroux, Vincent; Cotton, François

2009-10-01

Endocavitary high intensity contact ultrasound (HICU) may offer interesting therapeutic potential for fighting localized cancer in esophageal or rectal wall. On-line MR guidance of the thermotherapy permits both excellent targeting of the pathological volume and accurate preoperatory monitoring of the temperature elevation. In this article, the authors address the issue of the automatic temperature control for endocavitary phased-array HICU and propose a tailor-made thermal model for this specific application. The convergence and stability of the feedback loop were investigated against tuning errors in the controller's parameters and against input noise, through ex vivo experimental studies and through numerical simulations in which nonlinear response of tissue was considered as expected in vivo. An MR-compatible, 64-element, cooled-tip, endorectal cylindrical phased-array applicator of contact ultrasound was integrated with fast MR thermometry to provide automatic feedback control of the temperature evolution. An appropriate phase law was applied per set of eight adjacent transducers to generate a quasiplanar wave, or a slightly convergent one (over the circular dimension). A 2D physical model, compatible with on-line numerical implementation, took into account (1) the ultrasound-mediated energy deposition, (2) the heat diffusion in tissue, and (3) the heat sink effect in the tissue adjacent to the tip-cooling balloon. This linear model was coupled to a PID compensation algorithm to obtain a multi-input single-output static-tuning temperature controller. Either the temperature at one static point in space (situated on the symmetry axis of the beam) or the maximum temperature in a user-defined ROI was tracked according to a predefined target curve. The convergence domain in the space of controller's parameters was experimentally explored ex vivo. The behavior of the static-tuning PID controller was numerically simulated based on a discrete-time iterative solution of the bioheat transfer equation in 3D and considering temperature-dependent ultrasound absorption and blood perfusion. The intrinsic accuracy of the implemented controller was approximately 1% in ex vivo trials when providing correct estimates for energy deposition and heat diffusivity. Moreover, the feedback loop demonstrated excellent convergence and stability over a wide range of the controller's parameters, deliberately set to erroneous values. In the extreme case of strong underestimation of the ultrasound energy deposition in tissue, the temperature tracking curve alone, at the initial stage of the MR-controlled HICU treatment, was not a sufficient indicator for a globally stable behavior of the feedback loop. Our simulations predicted that the controller would be able to compensate for tissue perfusion and for temperature-dependent ultrasound absorption, although these effects were not included in the controller's equation. The explicit pattern of acoustic field was not required as input information for the controller, avoiding time-consuming numerical operations. The study demonstrated the potential advantages of PID-based automatic temperature control adapted to phased-array MR-guided HICU therapy. Further studies will address the integration of this ultrasound device with a miniature RF coil for high resolution MRI and, subsequently, the experimental behavior of the controller in vivo.

Active control of sound transmission through partitions composed of discretely controlled modules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leishman, Timothy W.

This thesis provides a detailed theoretical and experimental investigation of active segmented partitions (ASPs) for the control of sound transmission. ASPs are physically segmented arrays of interconnected acoustically and structurally small modules that are discretely controlled using electronic controllers. Theoretical analyses of the thesis first address physical principles fundamental to ASP modeling and experimental measurement techniques. Next, they explore specific module configurations, primarily using equivalent circuits. Measured normal-incidence transmission losses and related properties of experimental ASPs are determined using plane wave tubes and the two-microphone transfer function technique. A scanning laser vibrometer is also used to evaluate distributed transmitting surface vibrations. ASPs have the inherent potential to provide excellent active sound transmission control (ASTC) through lightweight structures, using very practical control strategies. The thesis analyzes several unique ASP configurations and evaluates their abilities to produce high transmission losses via global minimization of normal transmitting surface vibrations. A novel dual diaphragm configuration is shown to employ this strategy particularly well. It uses an important combination of acoustical actuation and mechano-acoustical segmentation to produce exceptionally high transmission loss (e.g., 50 to 80 dB) over a broad frequency range-including lower audible frequencies. Such performance is shown to be comparable to that produced by much more massive partitions composed of thick layers of steel or concrete and sand. The configuration uses only simple localized error sensors and actuators, permitting effective use of independent single-channel controllers in a decentralized format. This work counteracts the commonly accepted notion that active vibration control of partitions is an ineffective means of controlling sound transmission. With appropriate construction, actuation, and error sensing, ASPs can achieve high sound transmission loss through efficient global control of transmitting surface vibrations. This approach is applicable to a wide variety of source and receiving spaces-and to both near fields and far fields.

Reliability of Neurobehavioral Assessments from Birth to Term Equivalent Age in Preterm and Term Born Infants.

PubMed

Eeles, Abbey L; Olsen, Joy E; Walsh, Jennifer M; McInnes, Emma K; Molesworth, Charlotte M L; Cheong, Jeanie L Y; Doyle, Lex W; Spittle, Alicia J

2017-02-01

Neurobehavioral assessments provide insight into the functional integrity of the developing brain and help guide early intervention for preterm (<37 weeks' gestation) infants. In the context of shorter hospital stays, clinicians often need to assess preterm infants prior to term equivalent age. Few neurobehavioral assessments used in the preterm period have established interrater reliability. To evaluate the interrater reliability of the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) and the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS), when used both preterm and at term (>36 weeks). Thirty-five preterm infants and 11 term controls were recruited. Five assessors double-scored the HNNE and NNNS administered either preterm or at term. A one-way random effects, absolute, single-measures interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to determine interrater reliability. Interrater reliability for the HNNE was excellent (ICC > 0.74) for optimality scores, and good (ICC 0.60-0.74) to excellent for subtotal scores, except for 'Tone Patterns' (ICC 0.54). On the NNNS, interrater reliability was predominantly excellent for all items. Interrater agreement was generally excellent at both time points. Overall, the HNNE and NNNS neurobehavioral assessments demonstrated mostly excellent interrater reliability when used prior to term and at term.

Relating outcomes to excellent nursing practice.

PubMed

Allen, Diane E; Bockenhauer, Barbarajo; Egan, Carolyn; Kinnaird, Leah S

2006-03-01

Healthcare professionals must find ways to accelerate the diffusion of knowledge within their organizations. Although nurses have extraordinary access to patient care data, they may underestimate their roles as data managers and innovators of change, and relinquish control of data to others. The authors discuss how nurses at an acute psychiatric hospital collect and report their own data to show the direct relationship between outcomes and excellence in nursing practice. Knowledge that is gained through practice is shared to inspire and sustain needed changes.

Composite biodegradable biopolymer coatings of silk fibroin - Poly(3-hydroxybutyric-acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric-acid) for biomedical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miroiu, Floralice Marimona; Stefan, Nicolaie; Visan, Anita Ioana; Nita, Cristina; Luculescu, Catalin Romeo; Rasoga, Oana; Socol, Marcela; Zgura, Irina; Cristescu, Rodica; Craciun, Doina; Socol, Gabriel

2015-11-01

Composite silk fibroin-poly(3-hydroxybutyric-acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric-acid) (SF-PHBV) biodegradable coatings were grown by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation on titanium substrates. Their physico-chemical properties and particularly the degradation behavior in simulated body fluid at 37 °C were studied as first step of applicability in local controlled release for tissue regeneration applications. SF and PHBV, natural biopolymers with excellent biocompatibility, but different biodegradability and tensile strength properties, were combined in a composite to improve their properties as coatings for biomedical uses. FTIR analyses showed the stoichiometric transfer from targets to coatings by the presence in the spectra of the main absorption maxima characteristic of both polymers. XRD investigations confirmed the FTIR results showing differences in crystallization behavior with respect to the SF and PHBV content. Contact angle values obtained through wettability measurements indicated the MAPLE deposited coatings were highly hydrophilic; surfaces turning hydrophobic with the increase of the PHBV component. Degradation assays proved that higher PHBV contents resulted in enhanced resistance and a slower degradation rate of composite coatings in SBF. Distinct drug-release schemes could be obtained by adjusting the SF:PHBV ratio to controllably tuning the coatings degradation rate, from rapid-release formulas, where SF predominates, to prolonged sustained ones, for larger PHBV content.

Nanoscale Resolution 3D Printing with Pin-Modified Electrified Inkjets for Tailorable Nano/Macrohybrid Constructs for Tissue Engineering.

PubMed

Kim, Jeong In; Kim, Cheol Sang

2018-04-18

Cells respond to their microenvironment, which is of a size comparable to that of the cells. The macroscale features of three-dimensional (3D) printing struts typically result in whole cell contact guidance (CCG). In contrast, at the nanoscale, where features are of a size similar to that of receptors of cells, the response of cells is more complex. The cell-nanotopography interaction involves nanoscale adhesion localized structures, which include cell adhesion-related particles that change in response to the clustering of integrin. For this reason, it is necessary to develop a technique for manufacturing tailorable nano/macrohybrid constructs capable of freely controlling the cellular activity. In this study, a hierarchical 3D nano- to microscale hybrid structure was fabricated by combinational processing of 3D printing and electrified inkjet spinning via pin motions. This method overcomes the disadvantages of conventional 3D printing, providing a novel combinatory technique for the fabrication of 3D hybrid constructs with excellent cell proliferation. Through a pin-modified electrified inkjet spinning, we have successfully fabricated customizable nano-/microscale hybrid constructs in a fibrous or mesh form, which can control the cell fate. We have conducted this study of cell-topography interactions from the fabrication approach to accelerate the development of next-generation 3D scaffolds.

Steady-state visually evoked potential correlates of human body perception.

PubMed

Giabbiconi, Claire-Marie; Jurilj, Verena; Gruber, Thomas; Vocks, Silja

2016-11-01

In cognitive neuroscience, interest in the neuronal basis underlying the processing of human bodies is steadily increasing. Based on functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, it is assumed that the processing of pictures of human bodies is anchored in a network of specialized brain areas comprising the extrastriate and the fusiform body area (EBA, FBA). An alternative to examine the dynamics within these networks is electroencephalography, more specifically so-called steady-state visually evoked potentials (SSVEPs). In SSVEP tasks, a visual stimulus is presented repetitively at a predefined flickering rate and typically elicits a continuous oscillatory brain response at this frequency. This brain response is characterized by an excellent signal-to-noise ratio-a major advantage for source reconstructions. The main goal of present study was to demonstrate the feasibility of this method to study human body perception. To that end, we presented pictures of bodies and contrasted the resulting SSVEPs to two control conditions, i.e., non-objects and pictures of everyday objects (chairs). We found specific SSVEPs amplitude differences between bodies and both control conditions. Source reconstructions localized the SSVEP generators to a network of temporal, occipital and parietal areas. Interestingly, only body perception resulted in activity differences in middle temporal and lateral occipitotemporal areas, most likely reflecting the EBA/FBA.

Controlled release of bupivacaine using hybrid thermoresponsive nanoparticles activated via photothermal heating.

PubMed

Alejo, Teresa; Andreu, Vanesa; Mendoza, Gracia; Sebastian, Victor; Arruebo, Manuel

2018-08-01

Near-infrared (NIR) responsive nanoparticles are of great interest in the biomedical field as antennas for photothermal therapy and also as triggers for on-demand drug delivery. The present work reports the preparation of hollow gold nanoparticles (HGNPs) with plasmonic absorption in the NIR region covalently bound to a thermoresponsive polymeric shell that can be used as an on-demand drug delivery system for the release of analgesic drugs. The photothermal heating induced by the nanoparticles is able to produce the collapse of the polymeric shell thus generating the release of the local anesthetic bupivacaine in a spatiotemporally controlled way. Those HGNPs contain a 10 wt.% of polymer and present excellent reversible heating under NIR light excitation. Bupivacaine released at physiological temperature (37 °C) showed a pseudo-zero order release that could be spatiotemporally modified on-demand after applying several pulses of light/temperature above and below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the polymeric shell. Furthermore, the nanomaterials obtained did not displayed detrimental effects on four mammalian cell lines at doses up to 0.2 mg/mL. From the results obtained it can be concluded than this type of hybrid thermoresponsive nanoparticle can be used as an externally activated on-demand drug delivery system. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

pH/NIR Light-Controlled Multidrug Release via a Mussel-Inspired Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Chemo-Photothermal Cancer Therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghavaminejad, Amin; Samarikhalaj, Melisa; Aguilar, Ludwig Erik; Park, Chan Hee; Kim, Cheol Sang

2016-09-01

This study reports on an intelligent composite hydrogel with both pH-dependent drug release in a cancer environment and heat generation based on NIR laser exposure, for the combined application of photothermal therapy (PTT) and multidrug chemotherapy. For the first time in the literature, Dopamine nanoparticle (DP) was incorporated as a highly effective photothermal agent as well as anticancer drug, bortezomib (BTZ) carrier inside a stimuli responsive pNIPAAm-co-pAAm hydrogel. When light is applied to the composite hydrogel, DP nanoparticle absorbs the light, which is dissipated locally as heat to impact cancer cells via hyperthermia. On the other hand, facile release of the anticancer drug BTZ from the surface of DP encapsulated hydrogel could be achieved due to the dissociation between catechol groups of DP and the boronic acid functionality of BTZ in typical acidic cancer environment. In order to increase the synergistic effect by dual drug delivery, Doxorubicin (DOXO) were also loaded to pNIPAAm-co-pAAm/DP-BTZ hydrogel and the effect of monotherapy as well as combined therapy were detailed by a complete characterization. Our results suggest that these mussel inspired nanocomposite with excellent heating property and controllable multidrug release can be considered as a potential material for cancer therapy.

Controlled extended octenidine release from a bacterial nanocellulose/Poloxamer hybrid system.

PubMed

Alkhatib, Y; Dewaldt, M; Moritz, S; Nitzsche, R; Kralisch, D; Fischer, D

2017-03-01

Although bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) has been widely investigated in the last 10years as drug delivery system, up to now no long-term controlled release of drugs could be realized. Therefore, the aim of the present work was the development of a BNC-based drug delivery system that provides prolonged retention time for the antiseptic octenidine up to one week with improved mechanical and antimicrobial properties as well as a high biocompatibility. BNC was modified by incorporation of differently concentrated Poloxamers 338 and 407 as micelles and gels that were extensively investigated regarding size, surface charge, and dynamic viscosity. Depending on type and concentration of the Poloxamer, a retarded octenidine release up to one week could be accomplished. Additionally, superior material properties such as high compression stability and water binding could be achieved. The antimicrobial activity of octenidine against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was not changed by the use of Poloxamers. Excellent biocompatibility of the Poloxamer loaded BNC could be demonstrated after local administration in a shell-less hen's egg model. In conclusion, a long-term delivery system consisting of BNC and Poloxamer could be developed for octenidine as a ready-to-use system e.g. for long-term dermal wound treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The man who mistook his neuropsychologist for a popstar: when configural processing fails in acquired prosopagnosia

PubMed Central

Jansari, Ashok; Miller, Scott; Pearce, Laura; Cobb, Stephanie; Sagiv, Noam; Williams, Adrian L.; Tree, Jeremy J.; Hanley, J. Richard

2015-01-01

We report the case of an individual with acquired prosopagnosia who experiences extreme difficulties in recognizing familiar faces in everyday life despite excellent object recognition skills. Formal testing indicates that he is also severely impaired at remembering pre-experimentally unfamiliar faces and that he takes an extremely long time to identify famous faces and to match unfamiliar faces. Nevertheless, he performs as accurately and quickly as controls at identifying inverted familiar and unfamiliar faces and can recognize famous faces from their external features. He also performs as accurately as controls at recognizing famous faces when fracturing conceals the configural information in the face. He shows evidence of impaired global processing but normal local processing of Navon figures. This case appears to reflect the clearest example yet of an acquired prosopagnosic patient whose familiar face recognition deficit is caused by a severe configural processing deficit in the absence of any problems in featural processing. These preserved featural skills together with apparently intact visual imagery for faces allow him to identify a surprisingly large number of famous faces when unlimited time is available. The theoretical implications of this pattern of performance for understanding the nature of acquired prosopagnosia are discussed. PMID:26236212

Color Filtering Localization for Three-Dimensional Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Liu, Zhihua; Gao, Han; Wang, Wuling; Chang, Shuai; Chen, Jiaxing

2015-01-01

Accurate localization of mobile nodes has been an important and fundamental problem in underwater acoustic sensor networks (UASNs). The detection information returned from a mobile node is meaningful only if its location is known. In this paper, we propose two localization algorithms based on color filtering technology called PCFL and ACFL. PCFL and ACFL aim at collaboratively accomplishing accurate localization of underwater mobile nodes with minimum energy expenditure. They both adopt the overlapping signal region of task anchors which can communicate with the mobile node directly as the current sampling area. PCFL employs the projected distances between each of the task projections and the mobile node, while ACFL adopts the direct distance between each of the task anchors and the mobile node. The proportion factor of distance is also proposed to weight the RGB values. By comparing the nearness degrees of the RGB sequences between the samples and the mobile node, samples can be filtered out. The normalized nearness degrees are considered as the weighted standards to calculate the coordinates of the mobile nodes. The simulation results show that the proposed methods have excellent localization performance and can localize the mobile node in a timely way. The average localization error of PCFL is decreased by about 30.4% compared to the AFLA method. PMID:25774706

A 12-Day Course of Imiquimod 5% for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis: Effectiveness and Local Reactions.

PubMed

Serra-Guillén, C; Nagore, E; Llombart, B; Sanmartín, O; Requena, C; Calomarde, L; Guillén, C

2018-04-01

Imiquimod is an excellent option for patients with actinic keratosis, although its use may be limited by the long course of treatment required (4 weeks) and the likelihood of local skin reactions. The objectives of the present study were to demonstrate the effectiveness of a 12-day course of imiquimod 5% for the treatment of actinic keratosis and to examine the association between treatment effectiveness and severity of local reactions. We included patients with at least 8 actinic keratoses treated with imiquimod 5% cream for 12 consecutive days. Local reactions were classified as mild, moderate, or severe. The statistical analysis of the association between local reactions and clinical response was based on the Pearson χ 2 test and the Spearman rank correlation test. Sixty-five patients completed the study. Complete response was recorded in 52.3% and partial response in 75.4%. We found a statistically significant association between severity of the local reaction and response to treatment in both the Pearson χ 2 test and the Spearman rank correlation test. A 12-day course of imiquimod 5% proved effective for the treatment of actinic keratosis. Severity of local reactions during treatment was correlated with clinical response. Copyright © 2017 AEDV. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

NIR‐Triggered Crystal Phase Transformation of NiTi‐Layered Double Hydroxides Films for Localized Chemothermal Tumor Therapy

PubMed Central

Wang, Donghui; Ge, Naijian; Yang, Tingting; Peng, Feng; Qiao, Yuqin; Li, Qianwen

2018-01-01

Abstract Construction of localized drug‐eluting systems with synergistic chemothermal tumor‐killing abilities is promising for biomedical implants directly contacting with tumor tissues. In this study, an intelligent and biocompatible drug‐loading platform, based on a gold nanorods‐modified butyrate‐inserted NiTi‐layered double hydroxides film (Au@LDH/B), is prepared on the surface of nitinol alloy. The prepared films function as drug‐loading “sponges,” which pump butyrate out under near‐infrared (NIR) irradiation and resorb drugs in water when the NIR laser is shut off. The stimuli‐responsive release of butyrate is verified to be related with the NIR‐triggered crystal phase transformation of Au@LDH/B. In vitro and in vivo studies reveal that the prepared films possess excellent biosafety and high efficiency in synergistic thermochemo tumor therapy, showing a promising application in the construction of localized stimuli‐responsive drug‐delivery systems. PMID:29721424

Localization, correlation, and visualization of electroencephalographic surface electrodes and brain anatomy in epilepsy studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brinkmann, Benjamin H.; O'Brien, Terence J.; Robb, Richard A.; Sharbrough, Frank W.

1997-05-01

Advances in neuroimaging have enhanced the clinician's ability to localize the epileptogenic zone in focal epilepsy, but 20-50 percent of these cases still remain unlocalized. Many sophisticated modalities have been used to study epilepsy, but scalp electrode recorded electroencephalography is particularly useful due to its noninvasive nature and excellent temporal resolution. This study is aimed at specific locations of scalp electrode EEG information for correlation with anatomical structures in the brain. 3D position localizing devices commonly used in virtual reality systems are used to digitize the coordinates of scalp electrodes in a standard clinical configuration. The electrode coordinates are registered with a high- resolution MRI dataset using a robust surface matching algorithm. Volume rendering can then be used to visualize the electrodes and electrode potentials interpolated over the scalp. The accuracy of the coordinate registration is assessed quantitatively with a realistic head phantom.

Dual pancreas- and lung-targeting therapy for local and systemic complications of acute pancreatitis mediated by a phenolic propanediamine moiety.

PubMed

Li, Jianbo; Zhang, Jinjie; Fu, Yao; Sun, Xun; Gong, Tao; Jiang, Jinghui; Zhang, Zhirong

2015-08-28

To inhibit both the local and systemic complications with acute pancreatitis, an effective therapy requires a drug delivery system that can efficiently overcome the blood-pancreas barrier while achieving lung-specific accumulation. Here, we report the first dual pancreas- and lung-targeting therapeutic strategy mediated by a phenolic propanediamine moiety for the treatment of acute pancreatitis. Using the proposed dual-targeting ligand, an anti-inflammatory compound Rhein has been tailored to preferentially accumulate in the pancreas and lungs with rapid distribution kinetics, excellent tissue-penetrating properties and minimum toxicity. Accordingly, the drug-ligand conjugate remarkably downregulated the proinflammatory cytokines in the target organs thus effectively inhibiting local pancreatic and systemic inflammation in rats. The dual-specific targeting therapeutic strategy may help pave the way for targeted drug delivery to treat complicated inflammatory diseases. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electronically highly cubic conditions for Ru in α -RuCl3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agrestini, S.; Kuo, C.-Y.; Ko, K.-T.; Hu, Z.; Kasinathan, D.; Vasili, H. B.; Herrero-Martin, J.; Valvidares, S. M.; Pellegrin, E.; Jang, L.-Y.; Henschel, A.; Schmidt, M.; Tanaka, A.; Tjeng, L. H.

2017-10-01

We studied the local Ru 4 d electronic structure of α -RuCl3 by means of polarization-dependent x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Ru L2 ,3 edges. We observed a vanishingly small linear dichroism indicating that electronically the Ru 4 d local symmetry is highly cubic. Using full multiplet cluster calculations we were able to reproduce the spectra excellently and to extract that the trigonal splitting of the t2 g orbitals is -12 ±10 meV, i.e., negligible as compared to the Ru 4 d spin-orbit coupling constant. Consistent with our magnetic circular dichroism measurements, we found that the ratio of the orbital and spin moments is 2.0, the value expected for a Jeff=1/2 ground state. We have thus shown that as far as the Ru 4 d local properties are concerned, α -RuCl3 is an ideal candidate for the realization of Kitaev physics.

Wavelets and distributed approximating functionals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, G. W.; Kouri, D. J.; Hoffman, D. K.

1998-07-01

A general procedure is proposed for constructing father and mother wavelets that have excellent time-frequency localization and can be used to generate entire wavelet families for use as wavelet transforms. One interesting feature of our father wavelets (scaling functions) is that they belong to a class of generalized delta sequences, which we refer to as distributed approximating functionals (DAFs). We indicate this by the notation wavelet-DAFs. Correspondingly, the mother wavelets generated from these wavelet-DAFs are appropriately called DAF-wavelets. Wavelet-DAFs can be regarded as providing a pointwise (localized) spectral method, which furnishes a bridge between the traditional global methods and local methods for solving partial differential equations. They are shown to provide extremely accurate numerical solutions for a number of nonlinear partial differential equations, including the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation, for which a previous method has encountered difficulties (J. Comput. Phys. 132 (1997) 233).

MRI in local staging of rectal cancer: an update

PubMed Central

Tapan, Ümit; Özbayrak, Mustafa; Tatlı, Servet

2014-01-01

Preoperative imaging for staging of rectal cancer has become an important aspect of current approach to rectal cancer management, because it helps to select suitable patients for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and determine the appropriate surgical technique. Imaging modalities such as endoscopic ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) play an important role in assessing the depth of tumor penetration, lymph node involvement, mesorectal fascia and anal sphincter invasion, and presence of distant metastatic diseases. Currently, there is no consensus on a preferred imaging technique for preoperative staging of rectal cancer. However, high-resolution phased-array MRI is recommended as a standard imaging modality for preoperative local staging of rectal cancer, with excellent soft tissue contrast, multiplanar capability, and absence of ionizing radiation. This review will mainly focus on the role of MRI in preoperative local staging of rectal cancer and discuss recent advancements in MRI technique such as diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. PMID:25010367

Optimal matching for prostate brachytherapy seed localization with dimension reduction.

PubMed

Lee, Junghoon; Labat, Christian; Jain, Ameet K; Song, Danny Y; Burdette, Everette C; Fichtinger, Gabor; Prince, Jerry L

2009-01-01

In prostate brachytherapy, x-ray fluoroscopy has been used for intra-operative dosimetry to provide qualitative assessment of implant quality. More recent developments have made possible 3D localization of the implanted radioactive seeds. This is usually modeled as an assignment problem and solved by resolving the correspondence of seeds. It is, however, NP-hard, and the problem is even harder in practice due to the significant number of hidden seeds. In this paper, we propose an algorithm that can find an optimal solution from multiple projection images with hidden seeds. It solves an equivalent problem with reduced dimensional complexity, thus allowing us to find an optimal solution in polynomial time. Simulation results show the robustness of the algorithm. It was validated on 5 phantom and 18 patient datasets, successfully localizing the seeds with detection rate of > or = 97.6% and reconstruction error of < or = 1.2 mm. This is considered to be clinically excellent performance.