Prostaglandin E2 Prevents Ovariectomy-Induced Cancellous Bone Loss in Rats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ke, Hua Zhu; Li, Mei; Jee, Webster S. S.

1992-01-01

The object of this study was to determine whether prostaglandin E2, (PGE2) can prevent ovariectomy induced cancellous bone loss. Thirty-five 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups. The rats in the first group were ovariectomized (OVX) while the others received sham operation (sham-OVX). The OVX group was further divided into three treatment groups. The daily doses for the three groups were 0,1 and 6 mg PGE2/kg for 90 days. Bone histomorphometric analyses were performed on double-fluorescent-labeled undecalcified proximal tibial metaphysis (PTM). We confirmed that OVX induces massive cancellous bone loss (-80%) and a higher bone turnover (+143%). The new findings from the present study demonstrate that bone loss due to ovarian hormone deficiency can be prevented by a low-dose (1 mg) daily administration of PGE2. Furthermore, a higher-dose (6 mg) daily administration of PGE2 not only prevents bone loss but also adds extra bone to the proximal tibial metaphyses. PGE, at the 1-mg dose level significantly increased trabecular bone area, trabecular width, trabecular node density, density of node to node, ratio of node to free end, and thus significantly decreased trabecular separation from OVX controls. At this dose level, these same parameters did not differ significantly from sham-OVX controls. However, at the 6-mg dose level PGE2, there were significant increases in trabecular bone area, trabecular width, trabecular node density, density of node to node, and ratio of node to free end, while there was significant decrease in trabecular separation from both OVX and sham-operated controls. The changes in indices of trabecular bone microanatomical structure indicated that PGE2 prevented bone loss as well as the disconnection of existing trabeculae. In summary, PGE2, administration to OVX rats decreased bone turnover and increased bone formation parameters resulting in a positive bone balance that prevented bone loss (in both lower and higher doses) and added extra bone to metaphyses of OVX rats (in higher dose). These findings support the strategy of the use of bone stimulation agents in the prevention of estrogen depletion bone loss (postmenopausal osteoporosis).

Difluprednate Ophthalmic

MedlinePlus

... tell you that you should not wear contact lenses during your treatment with difluprednate eye drops.you should know that difluprednate eye drops ... your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply extra eye drops to make up for a missed dose.

Non linear processes modulated by low doses of radiation exposure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mariotti, Luca; Ottolenghi, Andrea; Alloni, Daniele; Babini, Gabriele; Morini, Jacopo; Baiocco, Giorgio

The perturbation induced by radiation impinging on biological targets can stimulate the activation of several different pathways, spanning from the DNA damage processing to intra/extra -cellular signalling. In the mechanistic investigation of radiobiological damage this complex “system” response (e.g. omics, signalling networks, micro-environmental modifications, etc.) has to be taken into account, shifting from a focus on the DNA molecule solely to a systemic/collective view. An additional complication comes from the finding that the individual response of each of the involved processes is often not linear as a function of the dose. In this context, a systems biology approach to investigate the effects of low dose irradiations on intra/extra-cellular signalling will be presented, where low doses of radiation act as a mild perturbation of a robustly interconnected network. Results obtained through a multi-level investigation of both DNA damage repair processes (e.g. gamma-H2AX response) and of the activation kinetics for intra/extra cellular signalling pathways (e.g. NFkB activation) show that the overall cell response is dominated by non-linear processes - such as negative feedbacks - leading to possible non equilibrium steady states and to a poor signal-to-noise ratio. Together with experimental data of radiation perturbed pathways, different modelling approaches will be also discussed.

Safety and Efficacy of Occlusion of Large Extra-Prostatic Anastomoses During Prostatic Artery Embolization for Symptomatic BPH

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

Amouyal, Gregory, E-mail: gregamouyal@hotmail.com; Chague, Pierre, E-mail: pierre.chague@gmail.com; Pellerin, Olivier, E-mail: olivier.pellerin@aphp.fr

IntroductionDuring PAE, preembolization angiography of the prostatic artery can show large extra-prostatic shunts, at high risk, if embolized, of rectal or penile necrosis. We report our experience with 11 consecutive patients who underwent protective embolization of large extra-prostatic shunts before successful PAE.Materials and MethodsWe treated 11 consecutive male patients (mean age 67 years), part of a series of 55 consecutive male patients referred for PAE to treat LUTS due to BPH, between December 2013 and January 2015. The procedure involved the exclusion of an extra-prostatic shunt originating from the PA, prior to complete bilateral PAE. We compared the safety and efficacymore » of the 11 shunt exclusions followed by embolization of the PA to the other 44 basic PAE. Clinical success was defined as a decrease of 25 % or eight points of IPSS, QoL <3 or a one-point decrease, and a Qmax improvement of 25 % or 2.5 mL/s.ResultsWe had a 100 % rate of occlusion of the anastomosis. Bilateral embolization of the PA was performed in all patients with no additional time of procedure (p = 0.18), but a significant increase of dose area product (p = 0.03). Distal (PErFecTED) embolization was possible in 64 %. There was no worsening of erectile dysfunction, no rectal or penile necrosis, no immediate or late other clinical complications. Clinical success was 91 % (mean follow-up: 3.5 months), compared to 78 % for the entire PAE group.ConclusionPAE using the protection technique in case of large extra-prostatic shunts is as safe and effective as basic procedures and does not induce any additional time of procedure.« less

Effects of extra virgin olive oil supplementation at two different low doses on lipid profile in mild hypercholesterolemic subjects: a randomised clinical trial.

PubMed

Violante, B; Gerbaudo, L; Borretta, G; Tassone, F

2009-11-01

Olive oil, the principal fat of Mediterranean Diet, is known to improve several cardiovascular risk factors at relatively high doses together with intensive modifications of dietary habits. Since this is hard to obtain in the long term, an intervention with encapsulated oil supplements might be more feasible. Aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the effects of the supplementation of a moderate amount of encapsulated extra virgin olive oil vs a lower dose in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects, as part of their established diet, on blood lipid profile. A prospective randomized study was performed. Thirty-four mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects [age, mean+/-SD: 46+/-7 yr; total cholesterol (TC): 235+/-28 mg/dl] were randomly assigned to receive 2 g (group A) or 4 g (group B) per os of extra-virgin olive oil for 3 months. TC, triglycerides (TG), LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-AI), apolipoprotein B (Apo-B), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the study. In group B, but not in group A, a significant reduction of Apo-B values (7%) was observed; TG concentrations showed a trend towards reduction and Apo-A1 values a trend towards increase (9%). A significant decrease in Apo-B/Apo-A1 ratio (p<0.01) was also observed in group B. Extra virgin olive oil supplementation significantly decreased AIP from baseline in group B (p<0.05). The results of the present study seem to suggest that the daily supplementation, on top of the normal diet, of at least 4 g of extra virgin olive oil, in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects, is associated to favorable modifications of the plasmatic lipid profile.

Re-irradiation: outcome, cumulative dose and toxicity in patients retreated with stereotactic radiotherapy in the abdominal or pelvic region.

PubMed

Abusaris, Huda; Hoogeman, M; Nuyttens, Joost J

2012-12-01

The purpose of the present study was to explore the outcome, cumulative dose in tumor and organs at risk and toxicity after extra-cranial stereotactic re-irradiation. Twenty-seven patients were evaluated who had been re-irradiated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) after conventional radiotherapy (CRT). The dose summation of the SBRT and CRT plans was done by dose point calculations accounting for fraction size by the linear-quadratic model. Efficacy and toxicity was scored by looking at the reduction in tumor size, pain and bleeding. Symptomatic response was observed in 96% of the patients. The median maximum SBRT dose to the tumor was 90 Gy(3) (range: 42-420 Gy(3)). The median cumulative dose for the rectum, bowel and bladder resulted in 104 Gy(3), 98 Gy(3) and 113 Gy(3), respectively. No grades 5, 4 and 3 acute and late toxicity was observed. re-irradiation to the same region using extra-cranial stereotactic radiotherapy is feasible and resulted in a 96% symptomatic response with low toxicity.

Achieving bacterial eradication using pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic principles.

PubMed

Dagan, Ron

2003-03-01

Evidence from studies in otitis media indicates that antimicrobials and dosing regimens that have equivalent bacteriologic efficacy against susceptible pathogens can have significantly different bacteriologic success rates against resistant strains of the same species. Unlike macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance, penicillin resistance can be overcome in Streptococcus pneumoniae by increasing the dose, and hence increasing the time for which the serum concentrations are above the MIC. The new clinical formulation of extra-strength amoxicillin-clavulanate provides 90 mg/kg per day amoxicillin plus 6.4 mg/kg per day clavulanate (14:1) divided every 12 h, compared with 45/6.4 mg/kg per day b.i.d. with conventional dosing. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profiles of extra-strength amoxicillin-clavulanate predict that the new formulation will be more effective than the conventional formulation against S. pneumoniae with elevated amoxicillin MICs and against Haemophilus influenzae. In an open-label, non-comparative study in children with acute otitis media, the extra-strength formulation had high bacteriologic success rates against the major respiratory pathogens, including penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae. The development of new antimicrobial agents and formulations should be aimed at meeting PK/PD parameters predictive of bacterial eradication of both susceptible and resistant strains.

Continuing education: online monitoring of haemodialysis dose.

PubMed

Vartia, Aarne

2018-01-25

Kt/V urea reflects the efficacy of haemodialysis scaled to patient size (urea distribution volume). The guidelines recommend monthly Kt/V measurements based on blood samples. Modern haemodialysis machines are equipped with accessories monitoring the dose online at every session without extra costs, blood samples and computers. To describe the principles, devices, benefits and shortcomings of online monitoring of haemodialysis dose. A critical literature overview and discussion. UV absorbance methods measure Kt/V, ionic dialysance Kt (product of clearance and treatment time; cleared volume without scaling). Both are easy and useful methods, but comparison is difficult due to problems in scaling of the dialysis dose to the patient's size. The best dose estimation method is the one which predicts the quality of life and survival most accurately. There is some evidence on the predictive value of ionic dialysance Kt, but more documentation is required on the UV method. Online monitoring is a useful tool in everyday quality assurance, but blood samples are still required for more accurate kinetic modelling. After reading this article the reader should be able to: Understand the elements of the Kt/V equation for dialysis dose. Compare and contrast different methods of measurement of dialysis dose. Reflect on the importance of adequate dialysis dose for patient survival and life quality. © 2018 European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association/European Renal Care Association.

A novel mechanism of toxic injury to the Papez circuit from chemotherapy.

PubMed

Kwan, Benjamin Yin Ming; Krings, Timo; Bernstein, Mark; Mandell, Daniel M

2015-04-01

Toxic effects of chemotherapy delivered via Ommaya reservoir include pericatheter necrosis and toxic leukoencephalopathy. Imaging evidence of toxicity is often asymptomatic, but can be clinically consequential. A young patient, treated for cerebrospinal fluid relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with methotrexate and cytarabine via Ommaya reservoir, presented with acute deterioration of short-term memory. MRI demonstrated extra-ventricular Ommaya catheter position and typical methotrexate-induced changes in the deep white matter, but also signal alteration in the forniceal columns and mammillary bodies, components of the Papez circuit. This case presents a novel mechanism of chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity associated with extra-ventricular Ommaya catheter position. Specifically, the clinical and imaging findings suggest that extra-ventricular Ommaya catheter position may lead to a direct methotrexate-induced toxicity to the Papez circuit. This provides further clinical evidence of the function of the circuit. The possibility that this patient received a supratherapeutic dose of methotrexate may explain why this presentation with profound memory impairment is not more common. However, this case also provides a potential explanation for patients who receive standard dose chemotherapy via extra-ventricular Ommaya catheter and develop milder memory loss. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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

Walton, B.T.; Ho, C.H.; Ma, C.Y.

Morphological abnormalities including extra compound eyes, extra heads, and distally duplicated legs were generated in cricket embryos by treating eggs with single doses of either benz(g)isoquinoline-5,10-dione or benzo(h)quinoline-5,6-dione. Slight structural modifications of the molecules resulted in a loss of teratogenic activity, although embryotoxicity occurred. These potent insect teratogens can be used for analysis of developmental events during embryogenesis. 13 references, 4 figures, 1 table.

Reduction in clonogenic survival of sodium-iodide symporter (NIS)-positive cells following intracellular uptake of (99m)Tc versus (188)Re.

PubMed

Freudenberg, Robert; Wendisch, Maria; Runge, Roswitha; Wunderlich, Gerd; Kotzerke, Jörg

2012-12-01

Cellular radionuclide uptake increases the heterogeneity of absorbed dose to biological structures. Dose increase depends on uptake yield and emission characteristics of radioisotopes. We used an in vitro model to compare the impact of cellular uptake of (188)Re-perrhenate and (99m)Tc-pertechnetate on cellular survival. Rat thyroid PC Cl3 cells in culture were incubated with (188)Re or (99m)Tc in the presence or absence of perchlorate for 1 hour. Clonogenic cell survival was measured by colony formation. In addition, intracellular radionuclide uptake was quantified. Dose effect curves were established for (188)Re and (99m)Tc for various extra- and intracellular distributions of the radioactivity. In the presence of perchlorate, no uptake of radionuclides was detected and (188)Re reduced cell survival more efficiently than (99m)Tc. A(37), the activity that is necessary to yield 37% cell survival was 14 MBq/ml for (188)Re and 480 MBq/ml for (99m)Tc. In the absence of perchlorate, both radionuclides showed similar uptakes; however, A(37) was reduced by 30% for the beta-emitter and by 95% for (99m)Tc. The dose D(37) that yields 37% cell survival was between 2.3 and 2.8 Gy for both radionuclides. Uptake of (188)Re and (99m)Tc decreased cell survival. Intracellular (99m)Tc yielded a dose increase that was higher compared to (188)Re due to emitted Auger and internal conversion-electrons. Up to 5 Gy there was no difference in radiotoxicity of (188)Re and (99m)Tc. At doses higher than 5 Gy intracellular (99m)Tc became less radiotoxic than (188)Re, probably due to a non-uniform lognormal radionuclide uptake.

A new three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) technique for large breast and/or high body mass index patients: evaluation of a novel fields assessment aimed to reduce extra-target-tissue irradiation.

PubMed

Gerardina, Stimato; Edy, Ippolito; Sonia, Silipigni; Cristina, Di Venanzio; Carla Germana, Rinaldi; Diego, Gaudino; Michele, Fiore; Lucio, Trodella; Maria, D'Angelillo Rolando; Sara, Ramella

2016-09-01

To develop an alternative three-dimensional treatment plan with standardized fields class solution for whole-breast radiotherapy in patients with large/pendulous breast and/or high body mass index (BMI). Two treatment plans [tangential fields and standardized five-fields technique (S5F)] for a total dose of 50 Gy/25 fractions were generated for patients with large breasts [planning target volume (PTV) >1000 cm(3) and/or BMI >25 kg m(-2)], supine positioned. S5F plans consist of two wedged tangential beams, anteroposterior: 20° for the right breast and 340° for the left breast, and posteroanterior: 181° for the right breast and 179° for the left breast. A field in field in medial-lateral beam and additional fields were added to reduce hot spot areas and extra-target-tissue irradiation and to improve dose distribution. The percentage of PTV receiving 95% of the prescribed dose (PTV V95%), percentage of PTV receiving 105% of the prescribed dose (PTV V105%), maximal dose to PTV (PTV Dmax), homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index were recorded. V10%, V20%, V105% and V107% of a "proper" normal tissue structure (body-PTV healthy tissue) were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using SYSTAT v.12.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL). In 38 patients included, S5F improved HI (8.4 vs 10.1; p ≤ 0.001) and significantly reduced PTV Dmax and PTV V105%. The extra-target-tissue irradiation was significantly reduced using S5F for V105% (cm(3)) and V107% (cm(3)) with a very high difference in tissue irradiation (46.6 vs 3.0 cm(3), p ≤ 0.001 for V105% and 12.2 vs 0.0 cm(3), p ≤ 0.001 for V107% for tangential field and S5F plans, respectively). Only a slight increase in low-dose extra-target-tissue irradiation (V10%) was observed (2.2719 vs 1.8261 cm(3), p = 0.002). The S5F technique in patients with large breast or high BMI increases HI and decreases hot spots in extra-target-tissues and can therefore be easily implemented in breast cancer radiotherapy. The treatment planning strategy proposed in this study has several advantages: (a) it is extremely reliable as the standard supine positioning is used; (b) the standardized class solution allows for widespread use; (c) time and cost of treatment are not increased; and (d) it can be used for both large breasted and obese patients not compliant to different treatment positioning.

Optimization of view weighting in tilted-plane-based reconstruction algorithms to minimize helical artifacts in multi-slice helical CT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Xiangyang

2003-05-01

In multi-slice helical CT, the single-tilted-plane-based reconstruction algorithm has been proposed to combat helical and cone beam artifacts by tilting a reconstruction plane to fit a helical source trajectory optimally. Furthermore, to improve the noise characteristics or dose efficiency of the single-tilted-plane-based reconstruction algorithm, the multi-tilted-plane-based reconstruction algorithm has been proposed, in which the reconstruction plane deviates from the pose globally optimized due to an extra rotation along the 3rd axis. As a result, the capability of suppressing helical and cone beam artifacts in the multi-tilted-plane-based reconstruction algorithm is compromised. An optomized tilted-plane-based reconstruction algorithm is proposed in this paper, in which a matched view weighting strategy is proposed to optimize the capability of suppressing helical and cone beam artifacts and noise characteristics. A helical body phantom is employed to quantitatively evaluate the imaging performance of the matched view weighting approach by tabulating artifact index and noise characteristics, showing that the matched view weighting improves both the helical artifact suppression and noise characteristics or dose efficiency significantly in comparison to the case in which non-matched view weighting is applied. Finally, it is believed that the matched view weighting approach is of practical importance in the development of multi-slive helical CT, because it maintains the computational structure of fan beam filtered backprojection and demands no extra computational services.

Interactions of NADPH oxidase, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and reactive oxygen species in mequindox-mediated aldosterone secretion in Wistar rats.

PubMed

Huang, Xian-Ju; Wang, Xu; Ihsan, Awais; Liu, Qin; Xue, Xi-Juan; Su, Shi-Jia; Yang, Chun-Hui; Zhou, Wen; Yuan, Zong-Hui

2010-10-05

High doses of mequindox (MEQ) are associated with oxidative stress and pathological toxicity in the kidney. In this study, we demonstrated long term effects of MEQ on intra- or extra-adrenal renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in vivo. RAAS plays a major role in aldosterone secretion. High doses of MEQ in the diet for 180 days in male rats led to inhibition of intra- and extra-adrenal RAAS, concident with down-regulation of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (NAKA) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), the downstream of aldosterone action. Significant changes of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in kidney were also observed in the high doses (110, 275mg/kg) groups. The mRNA levels of most subunits of NADPH oxidase were significantly upregulated at low doses (25-110mg/kg) but the upregulation was diminished at higher doses in both kidney and adrenal gland, indicating a complicated and contradictory effect of MEQ on NADPH. These results highlight the complex interactions of drug metabolism, RAAS, NADPH oxidase and oxidative stress in response to MEQ-induced tissue toxicity and aldosterone secretion. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simplification of an MCNP model designed for dose rate estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laptev, Alexander; Perry, Robert

2017-09-01

A study was made to investigate the methods of building a simplified MCNP model for radiological dose estimation. The research was done using an example of a complicated glovebox with extra shielding. The paper presents several different calculations for neutron and photon dose evaluations where glovebox elements were consecutively excluded from the MCNP model. The analysis indicated that to obtain a fast and reasonable estimation of dose, the model should be realistic in details that are close to the tally. Other details may be omitted.

Extra-oral dental radiography for disaster victims using a flat panel X-ray detector and a hand-held X-ray generator.

PubMed

Ohtani, M; Oshima, T; Mimasaka, S

2017-12-01

Forensic odontologists commonly incise the skin for post-mortem dental examinations when it is difficult to open the victim's mouth. However, it is prohibited by law to incise dead bodies without permission in Japan. Therefore, we attempted using extra-oral dental radiography, using a digital X-ray equipment with rechargeable batteries, to overcome this restriction. A phantom was placed in the prone position on a table, and three plain dental radiographs were used per case: "lateral oblique radiographs" for left and right posterior teeth and a "contact radiograph" for anterior teeth were taken using a flat panel X-ray detector and a hand-held X-ray generator. The resolving power of the images was measured by a resolution test chart, and the scattered X-ray dose was measured using an ionization chamber-type survey meter. The resolving power of the flat panel X-ray detector was 3.0 lp/mm, which was less than that of intra-oral dental methods, but the three extra-oral plain dental radiographs provided the overall dental information from outside of the mouth, and this approach was less time-consuming. In addition, the higher dose of scattered X-rays was laterally distributed, but the dose per case was much less than that of intra-oral dental radiographs. Extra-oral plain dental radiography can be used for disaster victim identification by dental methods even when it is difficult to open the mouth. Portable and rechargeable devices, such as a flat panel X-ray detector and a hand-held X-ray generator, are convenient to bring and use anywhere, even at a disaster scene lacking electricity and water.

Interventional bronchoscopy in malignant central airway obstruction by extra-pulmonary malignancy.

PubMed

Shin, Beomsu; Chang, Boksoon; Kim, Hojoong; Jeong, Byeong-Ho

2018-03-13

Interventional bronchoscopy is considered an effective treatment option for malignant central airway obstruction (MCAO). However, there are few reports of interventional bronchoscopy in patients with MCAOs due to extra-pulmonary malignancy. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate treatment outcomes and prognostic factors for bronchoscopic intervention in patients with MCAO due to extra-pulmonary malignancy. We retrospectively analyzed consecutive 98 patients with MCAO due to extra-pulmonary malignancy who underwent interventional bronchoscopy between 2004 and 2014 at Samsung Medical Center (Seoul, Korea). The most common primary site of malignancy was esophageal cancer (37.9%), followed by thyroid cancer (16.3%) and head & neck cancer (10.2%). Bronchoscopic interventions were usually performed using a combination of mechanical debulking (84.7%), stent insertion (70.4%), and laser cauterization (37.8%). Of 98 patients, 76 (77.6%) patients had MCAO due to progression of malignancy, and 42 (42.9%) patients had exhausted all other anti-cancer treatment at the time of bronchoscopic intervention. Technical success was achieved in 89.9% of patients, and acute complications and procedure-related deaths occurred in 20.4% and 3.1% of patients, respectively. Reduced survival was associated with MCAO due to cancer other than thyroid cancer or lymphoma, mixed lesions, and not receiving adjuvant treatment after bronchoscopic intervention. Bronchoscopic intervention could be a safe and effective procedure for MCAO due to end-stage extra-pulmonary malignancies. In addition, we identified possible prognostic factors for poor survival after intervention, which could guide clinicians select candidates that will benefit from bronchoscopic intervention.

Ambiguity in running spectral index with an extra light field during inflation

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

Kohri, Kazunori; Matsuda, Tomohiro, E-mail: kohri@post.kek.jp, E-mail: matsuda@sit.ac.jp

At the beginning of inflation there could be extra dynamical scalar fields that will soon disappear (become static) before the end of inflation. In the light of multi-field inflation, those extra degrees of freedom may alter the time-dependence of the original spectrum of the curvature perturbation. It is possible to remove such fields introducing extra number of e-foldings prior to 0N{sub e}∼ 6, however such extra e-foldings may make the trans-Planckian problem worse due to the Lyth bound. We show that such extra scalar fields can change the running of the spectral index to give correction of ± 0.01 without adding significantmore » contribution to the spectral index. The corrections to the spectral index (and the amplitude) could be important in considering global behavior of the corrected spectrum, although they can be neglected in the estimation of the spectrum and its spectral index at the pivot scale. The ambiguity in the running of the spectral index, which could be due to such fields, can be used to nullify tension between BICEP2 and Planck experiments.« less

Nonselective inhibition of the epigenetic transcriptional regulator BET induces marked lymphoid and hematopoietic toxicity in mice

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

Lee, Dong U., E-mail: lee.dong@gene.com

Bromo and extra terminal (BET) proteins (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4 and BRDT) are epigenetic transcriptional regulators required for efficient expression of growth promoting, cell cycle progression and antiapoptotic genes. Through their bromodomain, these proteins bind to acetylated lysine residues of histones and are recruited to transcriptionally active chromatin. Inhibition of the BET-histone interaction provides a tractable therapeutic strategy to treat diseases that may have epigenetic dysregulation. JQ1 is a small molecule that blocks BET interaction with histones. It has been shown to decrease proliferation of patient-derived multiple myeloma in vitro and to decrease tumor burden in vivo in xenograft mouse models.more » While targeting BET appears to be a viable and efficacious approach, the nonclinical safety profile of BET inhibition remains to be well-defined. We report that mice dosed with JQ1 at efficacious exposures demonstrate dose-dependent decreases in their lymphoid and immune cell compartments. At higher doses, JQ1 was not tolerated and due to induction of significant body weight loss led to early euthanasia. Flow cytometry analysis of lymphoid tissues showed a decrease in both B- and T-lymphocytes with a concomitant decrease in peripheral white blood cells that was confirmed by hematology. Further investigation with the inactive enantiomer of JQ1 showed that these in vivo effects were on-target mediated and not elicited through secondary pharmacology due to chemical structure.« less

Sulfur transfer in the distillate fractions of Arabian crude oils under gamma-irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basfar, Ahmed A.; Soliman, Yasser S.; Alkhuraiji, Turki S.

2017-05-01

Desulfurization of light distillation fractions including gasoline, kerosene and diesel obtained from the four Arabian crude oils (heavy, medium, light and extra light) upon γ-rays irradiation to different doses was investigated. In addition, yields vol%, FTIR analysis, kinematic viscosity and density of all distillation fractions of irradiated crude oils were evaluated. Limited radiation-induced desulfurization of those fractions was observed up to an irradiation dose of 200 kGy. FTIR analysis of those fractions indicates the absence of oxidized sulfur compounds, represented by S=O of sulfone group, indicating that γ-irradiation of the Arabian crude oils at normal conditions does not induce an oxidative desulfurization in those distillation fractions. Radiation-induced sulfur transfer decreases by 28.56% and increases in total sulfur by 16.8% in Arabian extra light oil and Arabian medium crude oil respectively.

Dose enhancement effects to the nucleus and mitochondria from gold nanoparticles in the cytosol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McNamara, A. L.; Kam, W. W. Y.; Scales, N.; McMahon, S. J.; Bennett, J. W.; Byrne, H. L.; Schuemann, J.; Paganetti, H.; Banati, R.; Kuncic, Z.

2016-08-01

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have shown potential as dose enhancers for radiation therapy. Since damage to the genome affects the viability of a cell, it is generally assumed that GNPs have to localise within the cell nucleus. In practice, however, GNPs tend to localise in the cytoplasm yet still appear to have a dose enhancing effect on the cell. Whether this effect can be attributed to stress-induced biological mechanisms or to physical damage to extra-nuclear cellular targets is still unclear. There is however growing evidence to suggest that the cellular response to radiation can also be influenced by indirect processes induced when the nucleus is not directly targeted by radiation. The mitochondrion in particular may be an effective extra-nuclear radiation target given its many important functional roles in the cell. To more accurately predict the physical effect of radiation within different cell organelles, we measured the full chemical composition of a whole human lymphocytic JURKAT cell as well as two separate organelles; the cell nucleus and the mitochondrion. The experimental measurements found that all three biological materials had similar ionisation energies  ˜70 eV, substantially lower than that of liquid water  ˜78 eV. Monte Carlo simulations for 10-50 keV incident photons showed higher energy deposition and ionisation numbers in the cell and organelle materials compared to liquid water. Adding a 1% mass fraction of gold to each material increased the energy deposition by a factor of  ˜1.8 when averaged over all incident photon energies. Simulations of a realistic compartmentalised cell show that the presence of gold in the cytosol increases the energy deposition in the mitochondrial volume more than within the nuclear volume. We find this is due to sub-micron delocalisation of energy by photoelectrons, making the mitochondria a potentially viable indirect radiation target for GNPs that localise to the cytosol.

Dose enhancement effects to the nucleus and mitochondria from gold nanoparticles in the cytosol

PubMed Central

McNamara, AL; Kam, WW-Y; Scales, N; McMahon, SJ; Bennett, JW; Byrne, HL; Schuemann, J; Paganetti, H; Banati, R; Kuncic, Z

2016-01-01

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have shown potential as dose enhancers for radiation therapy. Since damage to the genome affects the viability of a cell, it is generally assumed that GNPs have to localise within the cell nucleus. In practice, however, GNPs tend to localise in the cytoplasm yet still appear to have a dose enhancing effect on the cell. Whether this effect can be attributed to stress-induced biological mechanisms or to physical damage to extra-nuclear cellular targets is still unclear. There is however growing evidence to suggest that the cellular response to radiation can also be influenced by indirect processes induced when the nucleus is not directly targeted by radiation. The mitochondrion in particular may be an effective extra-nuclear radiation target given its many important functional roles in the cell. To more accurately predict the physical effect of radiation within different cell organelles, we measured the full chemical composition of a whole human lymphocytic JURKAT cell as well as two separate organelles; the cell nucleus and the mitochondrion. The experimental measurements found that all three biological materials had similar ionisation energies ~ 70 eV, substantially lower than that of liquid water ~ 78 eV. Monte Carlo simulations for 10 – 50 keV incident photons showed higher energy deposition and ionisation numbers in the cell and organelle materials compared to liquid water. Adding a 1% mass fraction of gold to each material increased the energy deposition by a factor of ~ 1.8 when averaged over all incident photon energies. Simulations of a realistic compartmentalised cell show that the presence of gold in the cytosol increases the energy deposition in the mitochondrial volume more than within the nuclear volume. We find this is due to sub-micron delocalisation of energy by photoelectrons, making the mitochondria a potentially viable indirect radiation target for GNPs that localise to the cytosol. PMID:27435339

F18 FDG positron emission tomography revelation of primary testicular lymphoma with concurrent multiple extra nodal involvement

PubMed Central

Vamsy, Mohana; Dattatreya, PS; Parakh, Megha; Dayal, Monal; Rao, VVS Prabhakar

2013-01-01

Primary testicular lymphoma (PTL) a relatively rare disease of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas occurring with a lesser incidence of 1-2% has a propensity to occur at later ages above 50 years. PTL spreads to extra nodal sites due to deficiency of extra cellular adhesion molecules. We present detection of multiple sites of extra nodal involvement of PTL by F-18 positron emission tomography/computed tomography study aiding early detection of the dissemination thus aiding in staging and management. PMID:24019676

Emotional and Social Development: 4 to 7 Months

MedlinePlus

... can’t manage on her own, she’ll demand your help by yelling, banging, or dropping the ... others are much more difficult. Strong-willed and high-strung babies require an extra dose of patience ...

A back-projection algorithm in the presence of an extra attenuating medium: towards EPID dosimetry for the MR-Linac

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torres-Xirau, I.; Olaciregui-Ruiz, I.; Rozendaal, R. A.; González, P.; Mijnheer, B. J.; Sonke, J.-J.; van der Heide, U. A.; Mans, A.

2017-08-01

In external beam radiotherapy, electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) are frequently used for pre-treatment and for in vivo dose verification. Currently, various MR-guided radiotherapy systems are being developed and clinically implemented. Independent dosimetric verification is highly desirable. For this purpose we adapted our EPID-based dose verification system for use with the MR-Linac combination developed by Elekta in cooperation with UMC Utrecht and Philips. In this study we extended our back-projection method to cope with the presence of an extra attenuating medium between the patient and the EPID. Experiments were performed at a conventional linac, using an aluminum mock-up of the MRI scanner housing between the phantom and the EPID. For a 10 cm square field, the attenuation by the mock-up was 72%, while 16% of the remaining EPID signal resulted from scattered radiation. 58 IMRT fields were delivered to a 20 cm slab phantom with and without the mock-up. EPID reconstructed dose distributions were compared to planned dose distributions using the γ -evaluation method (global, 3%, 3 mm). In our adapted back-projection algorithm the averaged {γmean} was 0.27+/- 0.06 , while in the conventional it was 0.28+/- 0.06 . Dose profiles of several square fields reconstructed with our adapted algorithm showed excellent agreement when compared to TPS.

Accounting for patient size in the optimization of dose and image quality of pelvis cone beam CT protocols on the Varian OBI system.

PubMed

Wood, Tim J; Moore, Craig S; Horsfield, Carl J; Saunderson, John R; Beavis, Andrew W

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to develop size-based radiotherapy kilovoltage cone beam CT (CBCT) protocols for the pelvis. Image noise was measured in an elliptical phantom of varying size for a range of exposure factors. Based on a previously defined "small pelvis" reference patient and CBCT protocol, appropriate exposure factors for small, medium, large and extra-large patients were derived which approximate the image noise behaviour observed on a Philips CT scanner (Philips Medical Systems, Best, Netherlands) with automatic exposure control (AEC). Selection criteria, based on maximum tube current-time product per rotation selected during the radiotherapy treatment planning scan, were derived based on an audit of patient size. It has been demonstrated that 110 kVp yields acceptable image noise for reduced patient dose in pelvic CBCT scans of small, medium and large patients, when compared with manufacturer's default settings (125 kVp). Conversely, extra-large patients require increased exposure factors to give acceptable images. 57% of patients in the local population now receive much lower radiation doses, whereas 13% require higher doses (but now yield acceptable images). The implementation of size-based exposure protocols has significantly reduced radiation dose to the majority of patients with no negative impact on image quality. Increased doses are required on the largest patients to give adequate image quality. The development of size-based CBCT protocols that use the planning CT scan (with AEC) to determine which protocol is appropriate ensures adequate image quality whilst minimizing patient radiation dose.

Stationary table CT dosimetry and anomalous scanner-reported values of CTDI{sub vol}

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

Dixon, Robert L., E-mail: rdixon@wfubmc.edu; Boone, John M.

2014-01-15

Purpose: Anomalous, scanner-reported values of CTDI{sub vol} for stationary phantom/table protocols (having elevated values of CTDI{sub vol} over 300% higher than the actual dose to the phantom) have been observed; which are well-beyond the typical accuracy expected of CTDI{sub vol} as a phantom dose. Recognition of these outliers as “bad data” is important to users of CT dose index tracking systems (e.g., ACR DIR), and a method for recognition and correction is provided. Methods: Rigorous methods and equations are presented which describe the dose distributions for stationary-table CT. A comparison with formulae for scanner-reported values of CTDI{sub vol} clearly identifiesmore » the source of these anomalies. Results: For the stationary table, use of the CTDI{sub 100} formula (applicable to a moving phantom only) overestimates the dose due to extra scatter and also includes an overbeaming correction, both of which are nonexistent when the phantom (or patient) is held stationary. The reported DLP remains robust for the stationary phantom. Conclusions: The CTDI-paradigm does not apply in the case of a stationary phantom and simpler nonintegral equations suffice. A method of correction of the currently reported CTDI{sub vol} using the approach-to-equilibrium formula H(a) and an overbeaming correction factor serves to scale the reported CTDI{sub vol} values to more accurate levels for stationary-table CT, as well as serving as an indicator in the detection of “bad data.”.« less

Assessment of rat optic nerve damage due to microbeam radiation therapy in the treatment of glioblastomas.

PubMed

Mohamed, A; Worobec, S; Schultke, E

2008-01-01

Glioblastomas are the most common and aggressive subtype of human primary brain tumors. Due to their uncontrolled cellular proliferation, intense invasion, and lack of apoptosis, they are extremely difficult to treat. Currently, different approaches such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been employed as possible treatments however thus far; these treatments are not curative. Currently, microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) is being trialed in animal models of malignant brain tumors (rats) to aid in treatment. Some of the protocols tested have been shown to significantly increase survival rates. However, due to the high x-ray doses uses in MRT, the surrounding tissue of the targeted Glioblastomas may be irreversibly damaged. In previous studies, lens damage and clouding of the cornea have been observed in microbeam exposed eyes. However, to date no studies have assessed optic nerve damage. Therefore, this study examines the potential rat optic nerve damage following exposure to microbeam radiation therapy in the treatment of Glioblastomas. Although there appears to be no significant damage to the optic nerve, slight inflammation was observed within the extra ocular muscle.

Low dose trichloroethylene alters cytochrome P450 - 2C subfamily expression in the developing chick heart

PubMed Central

Makwana, Om; Ahles, Lauren; Lencinas, Alejandro; Selmin, Ornella I.; Runyan, Raymond B.

2013-01-01

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is an organic solvent and common environmental contaminant. TCE exposure is associated with heart defects in humans and animal models. Primary metabolism of TCE in adult rodent models is by specific hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes (Lash et al., 2000). As association of TCE exposure with cardiac defects is in exposed embryos prior to normal liver development, we investigated metabolism of TCE in the early embryo. Developing chick embryos were dosed in ovo with environmentally relevant doses of TCE (8 ppb and 800 ppb) and RNA was extracted from cardiac and extra-cardiac tissue (whole embryo without heart). Real time PCR showed upregulation of CYP2H1 transcripts in response to TCE exposure in the heart. No detectable cytochrome expression was found in extra-cardiac tissue. As seen previously, the dose response was non-monotonic and 8ppb elicited stronger upregulation than 800 ppb. Immunostaining for CYP2C subfamily expression confirmed protein expression and showed localization in both myocardium and endothelium. TCE exposure increased protein expression in both tissues. These data demonstrate that the earliest embryonic expression of phase I detoxification enzymes is in the developing heart. Expression of these CYPs is likely to be relevant to the susceptibility of the developing heart to environmental teratogens. PMID:22855351

SU-F-J-197: A Novel Intra-Beam Range Detection and Adaptation Strategy for Particle Therapy

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

Chen, M; Jiang, S; Shao, Y

2016-06-15

Purpose: In-vivo range detection/verification is crucial in particle therapy for effective and safe delivery. The state-of-art techniques are not sufficient for in-vivo on-line range verification due to conflicts among patient dose, signal statistics and imaging time. We propose a novel intra-beam range detection and adaptation strategy for particle therapy. Methods: This strategy uses the planned mid-range spots as probing beams without adding extra radiation to patients. Such choice of probing beams ensures the Bragg peaks to remain inside the tumor even with significant range variation from the plan. It offers sufficient signal statistics for in-beam positron emission tomography (PET) duemore » to high positron activity of therapeutic dose. The probing beam signal can be acquired and reconstructed using in-beam PET that allows for delineation of the Bragg peaks and detection of range shift with ease of detection enabled by single-layered spots. If the detected range shift is within a pre-defined tolerance, the remaining spots will be delivered as the original plan. Otherwise, a fast re-optimization using range-shifted beamlets and accounting for the probing beam dose is applied to consider the tradeoffs posed by the online anatomy. Simulated planning and delivery studies were used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed techniques. Results: Simulations with online range variations due to shifts of various foreign objects into the beam path showed successful delineation of the Bragg peaks as a result of delivering probing beams. Without on-line delivery adaptation, dose distribution was significantly distorted. In contrast, delivery adaptation incorporating detected range shift recovered well the planned dose. Conclusion: The proposed intra-beam range detection and adaptation utilizing the planned mid-range spots as probing beams, which illuminate the beam range with strong and accurate PET signals, is a safe, practical, yet effective approach to address range uncertainty issues in particle therapy.« less

Signatures of extra dimensions in gravitational waves

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

Andriot, David; Gómez, Gustavo Lucena, E-mail: andriotphysics@gmail.com, E-mail: glucenag@aei.mpg.de

2017-06-01

Considering gravitational waves propagating on the most general 4+ N -dimensional space-time, we investigate the effects due to the N extra dimensions on the four-dimensional waves. All wave equations are derived in general and discussed. On Minkowski{sub 4} times an arbitrary Ricci-flat compact manifold, we find: a massless wave with an additional polarization, the breathing mode, and extra waves with high frequencies fixed by Kaluza-Klein masses. We discuss whether these two effects could be observed.

Extra-adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis in the intestinal epithelium: more than a drop in the ocean?

PubMed

Noti, Mario; Sidler, Daniel; Brunner, Thomas

2009-07-01

Glucocorticoids (GC) are lipophilic hormones commonly used as therapeutics in acute and chronic inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease due to their attributed anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions. Although the adrenal glands are the major source of endogenous GC, there is increasing evidence for the production of extra-adrenal GC in the brain, thymus, skin, vasculature, and the intestine. However, the physiological relevance of extra-adrenal-produced GC remains still ambiguous. Therefore, this review attracts attention to discuss possible biological benefits of extra-adrenal-synthesized GC, especially focusing on the impact of locally synthesized GC in the regulation of intestinal immune responses.

Accounting for patient size in the optimization of dose and image quality of pelvis cone beam CT protocols on the Varian OBI system

PubMed Central

Moore, Craig S; Horsfield, Carl J; Saunderson, John R; Beavis, Andrew W

2015-01-01

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop size-based radiotherapy kilovoltage cone beam CT (CBCT) protocols for the pelvis. Methods: Image noise was measured in an elliptical phantom of varying size for a range of exposure factors. Based on a previously defined “small pelvis” reference patient and CBCT protocol, appropriate exposure factors for small, medium, large and extra-large patients were derived which approximate the image noise behaviour observed on a Philips CT scanner (Philips Medical Systems, Best, Netherlands) with automatic exposure control (AEC). Selection criteria, based on maximum tube current–time product per rotation selected during the radiotherapy treatment planning scan, were derived based on an audit of patient size. Results: It has been demonstrated that 110 kVp yields acceptable image noise for reduced patient dose in pelvic CBCT scans of small, medium and large patients, when compared with manufacturer's default settings (125 kVp). Conversely, extra-large patients require increased exposure factors to give acceptable images. 57% of patients in the local population now receive much lower radiation doses, whereas 13% require higher doses (but now yield acceptable images). Conclusion: The implementation of size-based exposure protocols has significantly reduced radiation dose to the majority of patients with no negative impact on image quality. Increased doses are required on the largest patients to give adequate image quality. Advances in knowledge: The development of size-based CBCT protocols that use the planning CT scan (with AEC) to determine which protocol is appropriate ensures adequate image quality whilst minimizing patient radiation dose. PMID:26419892

Associated degeneration of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons in the rat nigrostriatal lactacystin model of parkinsonism and their neuroprotection by valproate

PubMed Central

Harrison, Ian F.; Anis, Hiba K.; Dexter, David T.

2016-01-01

Parkinson’s disease (PD) manifests clinically as bradykinesia, rigidity, and development of a resting tremor, primarily due to degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathways in the brain. Intranigral administration of the irreversible ubiquitin proteasome system inhibitor, lactacystin, has been used extensively to model nigrostriatal degeneration in rats, and study the effects of candidate neuroprotective agents on the integrity of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal system. Recently however, adjacent extra-nigral brain regions such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been noted to also become affected in this model, yet their integrity in studies of candidate neuroprotective agents in the model have largely been overlooked. Here we quantify the extent and distribution of dopaminergic degeneration in the VTA of rats intranigrally lesioned with lactacystin, and quantify the extent of VTA dopaminergic neuroprotection after systemic treatment with an epigenetic therapeutic agent, valproate, shown previously to protect dopaminergic SNpc neurons in this model. We found that unilateral intranigral administration of lactacystin resulted in a 53.81% and 31.72% interhemispheric loss of dopaminergic SNpc and VTA neurons, respectively. Daily systemic treatment of lactacystin lesioned rats with valproate however resulted in dose-dependant neuroprotection of VTA neurons. Our findings demonstrate that not only is the VTA also affected in the intranigral lactacystin rat model of PD, but that this extra-nigral brain region is substrate for neuroprotection by valproate, an agent shown previously to induce neuroprotection and neurorestoration of SNpc dopaminergic neurons in this model. Our results therefore suggest that valproate is a candidate for extra-nigral as well as intra-nigral neuroprotection. PMID:26742637

Associated degeneration of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons in the rat nigrostriatal lactacystin model of parkinsonism and their neuroprotection by valproate.

PubMed

Harrison, Ian F; Anis, Hiba K; Dexter, David T

2016-02-12

Parkinson's disease (PD) manifests clinically as bradykinesia, rigidity, and development of a resting tremor, primarily due to degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathways in the brain. Intranigral administration of the irreversible ubiquitin proteasome system inhibitor, lactacystin, has been used extensively to model nigrostriatal degeneration in rats, and study the effects of candidate neuroprotective agents on the integrity of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal system. Recently however, adjacent extra-nigral brain regions such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been noted to also become affected in this model, yet their integrity in studies of candidate neuroprotective agents in the model have largely been overlooked. Here we quantify the extent and distribution of dopaminergic degeneration in the VTA of rats intranigrally lesioned with lactacystin, and quantify the extent of VTA dopaminergic neuroprotection after systemic treatment with an epigenetic therapeutic agent, valproate, shown previously to protect dopaminergic SNpc neurons in this model. We found that unilateral intranigral administration of lactacystin resulted in a 53.81% and 31.72% interhemispheric loss of dopaminergic SNpc and VTA neurons, respectively. Daily systemic treatment of lactacystin lesioned rats with valproate however resulted in dose-dependant neuroprotection of VTA neurons. Our findings demonstrate that not only is the VTA also affected in the intranigral lactacystin rat model of PD, but that this extra-nigral brain region is substrate for neuroprotection by valproate, an agent shown previously to induce neuroprotection and neurorestoration of SNpc dopaminergic neurons in this model. Our results therefore suggest that valproate is a candidate for extra-nigral as well as intra-nigral neuroprotection. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Management of children with type 1 diabetes during illness: a national survey.

PubMed

Soni, Astha; Agwu, Juliana Chizo; Wright, Neil Peter; Moudiotis, Christopher; Kershaw, Melanie; Edge, Julie; Drew, Josephine Helen; Ng, Sze May

2016-08-01

Adequate sick-day management at home can reduce the risk of progression to diabetic ketoacidosis and admission to hospital. The aim of this project was to review the management of diabetes during illness. The Association of Children's Diabetes Clinicians (ACDC) carried out a questionnaire survey of all paediatric diabetes units. In addition, parents of children with type 1 diabetes completed an online questionnaire. The survey of 127 units had a 73% response rate. Sick-day management guidelines were in place in 93%. All guidelines advised giving extra insulin during illness. In 67%, the extra dose was based on a fraction of total daily dose. 22% used units per kg body weight (U/kg). 21% used locally derived formulae to calculate extra dose of insulin. 3% of units advised only blood ketone monitoring. Although all units had an out-of-hours access policy for the families, 45% received advice from the general paediatric registrar. Only in 15%, the advice was directly from a member of the paediatric diabetes team. 680 parents completed the questionnaire. 86% reported receiving training on managing sick days. The majority (52.2%) receiving an informal session at diagnosis. 40% did not know what to do in the presence of raised blood glucose and high blood ketones. There was a wide variation in the practice of monitoring and advice given during illness. Both surveys highlight need for national guidance as well and to improve quality of sick-day rule education programmes for parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Poster — Thur Eve — 77: Implanted Brachythearpy Seed Movement due to Transrectal Ultrasound Probe-Induced Prostate Deformation

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

Liu, D; Usmani, N; Sloboda, R

The study investigated the movement of implanted brachytherapy seeds upon transrectal US probe removal, providing insight into the underlying prostate deformation and an estimate of the impact on prostate dosimetry. Implanted seed distributions, one obtained with the prostate under probe compression and another with the probe removed, were reconstructed using C-arm fluoroscopy imaging. The prostate, delineated on ultrasound images, was registered to the fluoroscopy images using seeds and needle tracks identified on ultrasound. A deformation tensor and shearing model was developed to correlate probe-induced seed movement with position. Changes in prostate TG-43 dosimetry were calculated. The model was used tomore » infer the underlying prostate deformation and to estimate the location of the prostate surface in the absence of probe compression. Seed movement patterns upon probe removal reflected elastic decompression, lateral shearing, and rectal bending. Elastic decompression was characterized by expansion in the anterior-posterior direction and contraction in the superior-inferior and lateral directions. Lateral shearing resulted in large anterior movement for extra-prostatic seeds in the lateral peripheral region. Whole prostate D90 increased up to 8 Gy, mainly due to the small but systematic seed movement associated with elastic decompression. For selected patients, lateral shearing movement increased prostate D90 by 4 Gy, due to increased dose coverage in the anterior-lateral region at the expense of the posterior-lateral region. The effect of shearing movement on whole prostate D90 was small compared to elastic decompression due to the subset of peripheral seeds involved, but is expected to have greater consequences for local dose coverage.« less

Extra-fine particle inhaled corticosteroids, pharma-cokinetics and systemic activity in children with asthma.

PubMed

Wolthers, Ole D

2016-02-01

During recent years, extra-fine particle inhaled corticosteroids with a median aerodynamic diameter ≤2 μm have been introduced in the treatment of asthma. The aim of this paper was to review pharmacokinetics and systemic activity of extra-fine particle hydroalkane pressurized metered dose inhaled (pMDI) ciclesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate in children. A literature review was performed. Systemic bioavailability of oral and pulmonary deposition of extra-fine ciclesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate was 52% and 82%, the half-life in serum 3.2 and 1.5 h and first-pass hepatic metabolism >99% and 60%, respectively. Secondary analyses of urine cortisol/creatinine excretion found no effects of ciclesonide pMDI between 40 and 320 μg/day or of beclomethasone dipropionate pMDI between 80 and 400 μg/day. Ciclesonide pMDI 40, 80 and 160 μg/day caused no effects on short-term lower leg growth rate as assessed by knemometry. Ciclesonide 320 μg/day was associated with a numerically short-term growth suppression equivalent to 30% which was similar to 25% and 36% suppression caused by beclomethasone dipropionate HFA and CFC 200 μg/day, respectively. Consistent with the differences in key pharmacokinetic features, beclomethasone dipropionate is associated with a systemic activity detected by knemometry at a lower dose than ciclesonide. Whether that correlates with a clinically important difference remains to be explored. Assessments of systemic activity of beclomethasone dipropionate <200 μg/day and of ciclesonide >180 μg/day as well as head-to-head comparisons are warranted. Preferably, such studies should apply the sensitive method of knemometry. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Ivermectin residues in squab.

PubMed

Bennett, D C; Cheng, K M

2012-11-01

No drugs have been approved for the treatment of parasitic nematodes in pigeons, but ivermectin, a broad-spectrum endectocide, has been used extra-label by prescription. Producers currently allow for a 2-wk withdrawal time before marketing squabs. However, because its use is extra-label there is no legal maximum residue limit for ivermectin in squab meat. The purpose of this study was to examine the depletion of ivermectin (passed by the parents to the squabs) from the tissues of squab. Adult pigeons brooding squab were treated with ivermectin in their drinking water (3.3 µg/mL) for 3 d. After dosing the parents, the ivermectin concentration of the breast meat and liver of squabs was found to be greater than the maximum residual limits established for livestock, indicating that ivermectin was transferred from the parents to the squabs. However, ivermectin was not detected in either the breast meat or the livers of squabs 1 wk after dosing. These results indicate that there is a rapid decline in tissue levels of ivermectin in squab.

The paradoxical effect of extra-virgin olive oil on oxidative phenomena during in vitro co-digestion with meat.

PubMed

Martini, Serena; Cavalchi, Martina; Conte, Angela; Tagliazucchi, Davide

2018-07-01

Extra-virgin olive oil is an integral part of the Mediterranean diet and its consumption has been associated with a reduction risk of chronic diseases. Here we tested the potential of extra-virgin olive oil to limit the oxidative phenomena during in vitro gastro-intestinal co-digestion with turkey breast meat. The extra-virgin olive oil was particularly rich in oleuropein aglycone isomers, which represented the 66.8% of total phenolic determined with MS/MS experiments. Meals supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil equivocally affected lipid peroxidation. At low concentration (2.5% respect to meat), a significant inhibition of lipid oxidation was observed, whereas lipid peroxidation was greatly enhanced when the amount of extra-virgin olive oil was increased in the gastro-intestinal system. The inhibitory effect observed at 2.5% extra-virgin olive oil was due to the antioxidant properties of extra-virgin olive oil phenolic compounds. At high concentration, extra-virgin olive oil phenolic compounds (especially hydroxytyrosol-derivative) behaved as pro-oxidants increasing the generation of lipid hydroperoxides from meat. At the same time, the presence in the digestive system of catalysers from meat induced the peroxidation of extra-virgin olive oil fatty acids, which was further intensified by the pro-oxidant activity of extra-virgin olive oil phenolic compounds. Our study underlined the importance of the timing and amount of consumption of extra-virgin olive oil as well as its phenolic composition in limiting the peroxidative phenomena on meat lipids during digestion. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development of Room Temperature Stable Formulation of Formoterol Fumarate/Beclomethasone HFA pMDI

PubMed Central

Purohit, D.; Trehan, A.; Arora, V.

2009-01-01

The primary aim of present investigation was to develop and formulate room temperature stable formulation of formoterol fumarate and beclomethasone dipropionate with extra fine part size of hydrofluoroalkane pressurized metered dose inhalers. Particle size distribution of hydrofluoroalkane pressurized metered dose inhalers was evaluated using Twin Stage Glass Impinger and Anderson Cascade Impactor. A tetrafluoroethane and/or heptafluoropropane were evaluated for preparation of hydrofluoroalkane pressurized metered dose inhalers. The fine particle fractions delivered from hydrofluoroalkane propellant suspension pressurized metered dose inhalers can be predicted on the basis of formulation parameters and is dependent of metering chamber of valve and orifice size of actuators. The results presented in investigation showed the importance of formulation excipients with formulation of pressurized metered dose inhalers viz, canister, valve and actuators used in formulations.

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

Jeong, J; Deasy, J O

Purpose: Concurrent chemo-radiation therapy (CCRT) has become a more common cancer treatment option with a better tumor control rate for several tumor sites, including head and neck and lung cancer. In this work, possible optimal chemotherapy schedules were investigated by implementing chemotherapy cell-kill into a tumor response model of RT. Methods: The chemotherapy effect has been added into a published model (Jeong et al., PMB (2013) 58:4897), in which the tumor response to RT can be simulated with the effects of hypoxia and proliferation. Based on the two-compartment pharmacokinetic model, the temporal concentration of chemotherapy agent was estimated. Log cell-killmore » was assumed and the cell-kill constant was estimated from the observed increase in local control due to concurrent chemotherapy. For a simplified two cycle CCRT regime, several different starting times and intervals were simulated with conventional RT regime (2Gy/fx, 5fx/wk). The effectiveness of CCRT was evaluated in terms of reduction in radiation dose required for 50% of control to find the optimal chemotherapy schedule. Results: Assuming the typical slope of dose response curve (γ50=2), the observed 10% increase in local control rate was evaluated to be equivalent to an extra RT dose of about 4 Gy, from which the cell-kill rate of chemotherapy was derived to be about 0.35. Best response was obtained when chemotherapy was started at about 3 weeks after RT began. As the interval between two cycles decreases, the efficacy of chemotherapy increases with broader range of optimal starting times. Conclusion: The effect of chemotherapy has been implemented into the resource-conservation tumor response model to investigate CCRT. The results suggest that the concurrent chemotherapy might be more effective when delayed for about 3 weeks, due to lower tumor burden and a larger fraction of proliferating cells after reoxygenation.« less

Long-term Impact of a "3 + 0" Schedule for 7- and 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines on Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Australia, 2002-2014.

PubMed

Jayasinghe, Sanjay; Menzies, Rob; Chiu, Clayton; Toms, Cindy; Blyth, Christopher C; Krause, Vicki; McIntyre, Peter

2017-01-15

Australia introduced universal 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) from 2005, replaced by 13-valent PCV (PCV13) in 2011, uniquely among high-income countries giving doses at 2, 4, and 6 months (3 + 0 schedule). Data on impact of a timely 3 + 0 PCV schedule with high coverage are sparse, with none for PCV13. We used national surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) from 2002 for baseline and appropriate later comparison periods to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) by serotype and age using a Poisson model. PCV coverage was assessed from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register. After 9 years of timely 3-dose PCV coverage of >92%, all-age IPD in Australia almost halved (IRR, 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], .50-.57), but differed by PCV era. Reductions in IPD due to vaccine serotypes from PCV7 (IRR, 0.20; CI, .17-.22) were about 2-fold greater than for IPD due to extra serotypes in PCV13 (13v-non7v) in a similar period (IRR, 0.58; CI, .51-.66). Post-PCV13 declines in serotype 19A IPD in persons aged <2 years (IRR, 0.23; CI, .13-.35) and ≥2 years (IRR, 0.35; CI, .28-.44) differed from other 13v-non7v IPD (IRR, 0.73; CI, .35-1.48 for those aged <2 years and IRR, 0.96; CI, .81-1.15 for those ≥2 years). Meningitis due to vaccine serotypes nearly disappeared in children eligible for 3 PCV13 doses. IPD due to non-PCV13 serotypes increased by 30% compared with 76% for non-PCV7 serotypes in equivalent period of vaccine use. Reductions in vaccine-type IPD post-PCV13 were inferior to Australian experience with PCV7 and reports from high-income countries giving a PCV booster dose. Applicability of findings to other settings would depend on age of IPD onset, serotype profile, and timeliness of vaccination. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.

Space Radiation Peculiarities in the Extra Vehicular Environment of the International Space Station (ISS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dachev, Tsvetan; Bankov, Nikolay; Tomov, Borislav; Matviichuk, Yury; Dimitrov, Plamen

2013-12-01

The space weather and the connected with it ionizing radiation were recognized as a one of the main health concern to the International Space Station (ISS) crew. Estimation the effects of radiation on humans in ISS requires at first order accurate knowledge of the accumulated by them absorbed dose rates, which depend of the global space radiation distribution and the local variations generated by the 3D surrounding shielding distribution. The R3DE (Radiation Risks Radiometer-Dosimeter (R3D) for the EXPOSE-E platform on the European Technological Exposure Facility (EuTEF) worked successfully outside of the European Columbus module between February 2008 and September 2009. Very similar instrument named R3DR for the EXPOSE-R platform worked outside Russian Zvezda module of ISS between March 2009 and August 2010. Both are Liulin type, Bulgarian build miniature spectrometers-dosimeters. They accumulated about 5 million measurements of the flux and absorbed dose rate with 10 seconds resolution behind less than 0.41 g cm-2 shielding, which is very similar to the Russian and American space suits [1-3] average shielding. That is why all obtained data can be interpreted as possible doses during Extra Vehicular Activities (EVA) of the cosmonauts and astronauts. The paper first analyses the obtained long-term results in the different radiation environments of: Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR), inner radiation belt trapped protons in the region of the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) and outer radiation belt (ORB) relativistic electrons. The large data base was used for development of an empirical model for calculation of the absorbed dose rates in the extra vehicular environment of ISS at 359 km altitude. The model approximate the averaged in a grid empirical dose rate values to predict the values at required from the user geographical point, station orbit or area in geographic coordinate system. Further in the paper it is presented an intercomparison between predicted by the model dose rate values and data collected by the R3DE/R instruments and NASA Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (TEPC) during real cosmonauts and astronauts EVA in 79 the 2008-2010 time interval including large relativistic electrons doses during the magnetosphere enhancement in April 2010. The model was also used to be predicted the accumulated along the orbit of ISS galactic cosmic rays and inner radiation belt dose for 1 orbit (1.5 hours) and 4 consequences orbits (6 hours), which is the usual EVA continuation in dependence by the longitude of the ascending node of ISS. These predictions of the model could be used by space agencies medical and other not specialized in the radiobiology support staff for first approach in the ISS EVA time and space planning.

Intermittent tuberculosis treatment for patients with isoniazid intolerance or drug resistance.

PubMed

Reves, R; Heilig, C M; Tapy, J M; Bozeman, L; Kyle, R P; Hamilton, C D; Bock, N; Narita, M; Wing, D; Hershfield, E; Goldberg, S V

2014-05-01

Twenty tuberculosis (TB) clinics in the United States and Canada. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 6-month intermittent regimen of rifampin (RMP), pyrazinamide (PZA) and ethambutol (EMB) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative patients with culture-confirmed pulmonary or extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and either isoniazid (INH) resistance or INH intolerance. Patients were enrolled in a single-arm clinical trial to receive intermittent dosing after at least 14 initial daily doses of RMP+PZA+EMB. Treatment was continued twice (BIW) or thrice weekly (TIW) per physician/patient preference for a total of 6 months, with 2 years of follow-up for relapse after treatment. From 1999 to 2004, 98 patients were enrolled, 78 with reported INH resistance and 20 with INH intolerance. BIW dosing was used in 77 and TIW in 21. Study treatment was completed in 73 (74%). Reasons for discontinuation were hepatic adverse events (n= 12), other adverse effects (n= 3) and other reasons (n= 10). Failure (n= 1) and relapse (n= 2) occurred in 3 (3.5%, 95%CI 1.2-9.8) of 86 patients eligible for efficacy analysis, all occurring in patients with cavitary, acid-fast bacilli smear-positive pulmonary TB. Intermittent RMP+PZA+EMB appears to be effective in HIV-negative patients, but the regimen is poorly tolerated, possibly due to the prolonged use of PZA. Alternative regimens of lower toxicity are needed.

Update on sexed semen technology in cattle.

PubMed

Seidel, G E

2014-05-01

The technology in current use for sexing sperm represents remarkable feats of engineering. These flow cytometer/cell sorters can make over 30 000 consecutive evaluations of individual sperm each second for each nozzle and sort the sperm into three containers: X-sperm, Y-sperm and unsexable plus dead sperm. Even at these speeds it is not economical to package sperm at standard numbers per inseminate. However, with excellent management, pregnancy rates in cattle with 2 million sexed sperm per insemination dose are about 80% of those with conventional semen at normal sperm doses. This lowered fertility, in part due to damage to sperm during sorting, plus the extra cost of sexed semen limits the applications that are economically feasible. Even so, on the order of 2 million doses of bovine semen are sexed annually in the United States. The main application is for dairy heifers to have heifer calves, either for herd expansion or for sale as replacements, often for eventual export. Breeders of purebred cattle often use sexed semen for specific matings; thawing and then sexing frozen semen and immediately using the few resulting sexed sperm for in vitro fertilization is done with increasing frequency. Beef cattle producers are starting to use sexed semen to produce crossbred female replacements. Proprietary improvements in sperm sexing procedures, implemented in 2013, are claimed to improve fertility between 4 and 6 percentage points, or about 10%.

Lowering whole-body radiation doses in pediatric intensity-modulated radiotherapy through the use of unflattened photon beams.

PubMed

Cashmore, Jason; Ramtohul, Mark; Ford, Dan

2011-07-15

Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has been linked with an increased risk of secondary cancer induction due to the extra leakage radiation associated with delivery of these techniques. Removal of the flattening filter offers a simple way of reducing head leakage, and it may be possible to generate equivalent IMRT plans and to deliver these on a standard linear accelerator operating in unflattened mode. An Elekta Precise linear accelerator has been commissioned to operate in both conventional and unflattened modes (energy matched at 6 MV) and a direct comparison made between the treatment planning and delivery of pediatric intracranial treatments using both approaches. These plans have been evaluated and delivered to an anthropomorphic phantom. Plans generated in unflattened mode are clinically identical to those for conventional IMRT but can be delivered with greatly reduced leakage radiation. Measurements in an anthropomorphic phantom at clinically relevant positions including the thyroid, lung, ovaries, and testes show an average reduction in peripheral doses of 23.7%, 29.9%, 64.9%, and 70.0%, respectively, for identical plan delivery compared to conventional IMRT. IMRT delivery in unflattened mode removes an unwanted and unnecessary source of scatter from the treatment head and lowers leakage doses by up to 70%, thereby reducing the risk of radiation-induced second cancers. Removal of the flattening filter is recommended for IMRT treatments. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Extra-esophageal gastroesophageal reflux disease and asthma: understanding this interplay.

PubMed

Naik, Rishi D; Vaezi, Michael F

2015-07-01

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that develops when there is reflux of stomach contents, which typically manifests as heartburn and regurgitation. These esophageal symptoms are well recognized; however, there are extra-esophageal manifestations of GERD, which include asthma, chronic cough, laryngitis and sinusitis. With the rising incidence of asthma, there is increasing interest in identifying how GERD impacts asthma development and therapy. Due to the poor sensitivity of endoscopy and pH monitoring, empiric therapy with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is now considered the initial diagnostic step in patients suspected of having GERD-related symptoms. If unresponsive, diagnostic testing with pH monitoring off therapy and/or impedance/pH monitoring on therapy, may be reasonable in order to assess for baseline presence of reflux with the former and exclude continued acid or weakly acid reflux with the latter tests. PPI-unresponsive asthmatics, without overt regurgitation, usually have either no reflux or causes other than GERD. In this group, PPI therapy should be discontinued. In those with GERD as a contributing factor acid suppressive therapy should be continued as well as optimally treating other etiologies requiring concomitant treatment. Surgical fundoplication is rarely needed but in those with a large hiatal hernia, moderate-to-severe reflux by pH monitoring surgery might be helpful in eliminating the need for high-dose acid suppressive therapy.

Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors as Adjuncts in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

PubMed Central

Danish, Fazal A.; Koul, Salman S.; Subhani, Fazal R.; Rabbani, Ahemd E.; Yasmin, Saeeda

2008-01-01

Drug-induced hematotoxicity is the most common reason for reducing the dose or withdrawing ribavirin (RBV) and interferon (IFN) therapy in chronic hepatitis C, which leads to the elimination of a possible cure for the patient. Traditionally, severe anemia and neutropenia have been considered as absolute contraindications to start antiviral therapy. This has not however, been the case since the advent of adjunct therapy with hematopoietic growth factors (erythropoietin (EPO) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)). Some recent landmark studies have used this adjunct therapy to help avoid antiviral dose reductions. Although the addition of this adjunct therapy has been shown to significantly increase the overall cost of the treatment, this extra cost is worth bearing if the infection is cured at the end of the day. Although more studies are needed to refine the true indications of this adjunct therapy, determine the best dose regimen, quantify the average extra cost and determine whether or not the addition of this therapy increases the sustained virological response rates achieved, the initial reports are encouraging. Therefore, although not recommended on a routine basis, some selected patients may be given the benefits of these factors. This article reviews the current literature on this subject and makes a few recommendations to help develop local guidelines. PMID:19568529

Long-term medical outcomes in survivors of extra-ocular retinoblastoma: the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) experience.

PubMed

Friedman, Danielle Novetsky; Sklar, Charles A; Oeffinger, Kevin C; Kernan, Nancy A; Khakoo, Yasmin; Marr, Brian P; Wolden, Suzanne L; Abramson, David H; Dunkel, Ira J

2013-04-01

Data on long-term outcomes of survivors of extra-ocular retinoblastoma are lacking. The authors sought to provide the first report characterizing long-term outcomes among survivors of extra-ocular retinoblastoma. Retrospective analysis of long-term medical outcomes in 19 survivors of extra-ocular retinoblastoma treated between 1992 and 2009. Severity of outcomes was graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. All patients received intensive multimodality therapy for their extra-ocular disease after management of their primary intra-ocular disease, including conventional chemotherapy (n = 19, 100%), radiotherapy (n = 15, 69%), and/or high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant (n = 17, 89%). The median follow-up was 7.8 years from diagnosis of extra-ocular retinoblastoma (range 2-17.8 years). The most common long-term non-visual outcomes were hearing loss (n = 15, 79%), short stature (n = 7, 37%), and secondary malignancies [SMN] (n = 6, 31%). Sixty-eight percent of survivors exhibited ≥2 non-visual long-term outcomes of any grade. Except short stature, which was not graded for severity, Grade 3-4 outcomes were limited to: ototoxicity (n = 8; n = 4 require hearing aids), SMNs (n = 6), and unequal limb length (n = 1). Five patients who developed SMNs carried a known RB1 mutation. SMNs developed at a median of 11.1 years after initial diagnosis; two patients died of their SMN. Long-term cardiac, pulmonary, hepatobiliary, or renal conditions were not identified in any survivors. Long-term outcomes are commonly seen in extra-ocular retinoblastoma survivors but the majority are mild-moderate in their severity. Longer comprehensive follow-up is needed to fully assess treatment-related outcomes but the information collected to date may affect management decisions for children with extra-ocular disease. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Phase I/II Trial Evaluating Carbon Ion Radiotherapy for Salvaging Treatment of Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

PubMed

Kong, Lin; Hu, Jiyi; Guan, Xiyin; Gao, Jing; Lu, Rong; Lu, Jiade J

2016-01-01

Radiation therapy is the mainstay strategy for the treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Intensity-modulated X-ray therapy (IMXT) alone is the current standard for stage I and II NPC. For stage III and IV A/B diseases, concurrent chemotherapy should be provided in addition to IMXT. However, optimal treatment for locally recurrent NPC after previous definitive dose of radiotherapy is lacking. Various techniques including brachytherapy, IMXT, stereotactic radiosurgery or radiotherapy (SRS or SBRT) have been used in the management of locally recurrent NPC. Due to the inherent limitation of these techniques, i.e., limited range of irradiation or over-irradiation to surrounding normal tissues, moderate efficacy has been observed at the cost of severe toxicities. Carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) offers potential physical and biological advantages over photon and proton radiotherapy. Due to the inverted dose profile of particle beams and their greater energy deposition within the Bragg peak, precise dose delivery to the target volume(s) without exposing the surrounding organs at risk to extra doses is possible. In addition, CIRT provides an increased relative biological effectiveness (RBE) as compared to photon and proton radiotherapy. Such advantages may translate to improved outcomes after irradiation in terms of disease control in radio-resistant and previously treated, recurrent malignancies. It is therefore reasonable to postulate that recurrent NPC after high-dose radiotherapy could be more resistant to re-irradiation using photons. Reports on the treatment of radio-resistant malignancies in the head and neck region such as melanoma, sarcoma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) have demonstrated superior local control rates from CIRT as compared to photon irradiation. Thus patients with recurrent NPC are likely to benefit from the enhanced biological effectiveness of carbon ions. As effective retreatment strategy is lacking for locally recurrent NPC, carbon ion radiation therapy offers an ideal alternate to conventional X-ray irradiation. The recommended dose of re-irradiation using CIRT for locally recurrent NPC will be determined in the dose-escalating phase (Phase I) of the study. Efficacy in terms of local progression-free survival (LPFS) and overall survival (OS) will be studied in the second phase of the study. Increasing doses of CIRT using raster scanning technology from 55GyE (22×2.5 GyE) to 65 GyE (26× 2.5 GyE) will be delivered in the Phase I part of the study. The primary endpoint of the Phase I part of the study is acute and sub-acute toxicities; the primary endpoint in the Phase II part is local progression-free survival and overall survival. Using the historical 2-year OS rate of 50% in locally recurrent NPC patients treated with photon or proton, we hypothesize that CIRT can improve the 2-year OS rate to 70%. The utilization of conventional radiation techniques including IMXT, brachytherapy, or stereotactic radiation therapy provides moderate efficacy in the treatment of locally recurrent NPC due to the limitations in dose distribution and biological effectiveness. Improved outcome in terms of treatment-induced toxicity, LC, LPFS, and OS are expected using CIRT due to the physical and biological characteristics of carbon ion beam. However, the recommended dose of CIRT used in re-irradiation for the local NPC focus remain to be determined. The recommended dose as well as the efficacy of CIRT in the treatment of locally recurrent NPC will be evaluated in the present trial.

A Phase 1 study of PF-04929113 (SNX-5422), an orally bioavailable heat shock protein 90 inhibitor in patients with refractory solid tumor malignancies and lymphomas

PubMed Central

Rajan, Arun; Kelly, Ronan J.; Trepel, Jane B.; Kim, Yeong Sang; Alarcon, Sylvia V.; Kummar, Shivaani; Gutierrez, Martin; Crandon, Sonja; Zein, Wadih M.; Jain, Lokesh; Mannargudi, Baskar; Figg, William D.; Houk, Brett E.; Shnaidman, Michael; Brega, Nicoletta; Giaccone, Giuseppe

2011-01-01

Purpose To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), toxicities, and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic profile of the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor PF-04929113 (SNX-5422) in patients with advanced solid tumors and lymphomas. Methods This was a single institution, phase I, dose-escalation study of PF-04929113 dosed twice-weekly. Endpoints included determination of dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), MTD, the safety profile of PF-04929113, pharmacodynamic assessment of PF-04929113 on Hsp70 induction, pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis of PF 04928473 (SNX-2112) and its prodrug PF-04929113 and assessment of response. Results Thirty three patients with advanced malignancies were treated. Dose escalation was continued up to 177 mg/m2 administered orally twice a week. One DLT (non-septic arthritis) was noted. No grade 4 adverse events (AEs) were seen; grade 3 AEs included diarrhea (9%), non-septic arthritis (3%), AST elevation (3%) and thrombocytopenia (3%). No objective responses were seen in 32 evaluable patients. Fifteen patients (47%) had stable disease; 17 patients (53%) had progressive disease. PK data revealed rapid absorption, hepatic and extra-hepatic clearance, extensive tissue binding and almost linear pharmacokinetics of the active drug PF 04928473. PD studies confirmed inhibition of Hsp90 and a linear correlation between PK parameters and Hsp70 induction. Conclusions PF-04929113 administered orally twice weekly is well tolerated and inhibits its intended target Hsp90. No objective responses were seen but long lasting stabilizations were obtained. Although no clinically significant drug-related ocular toxicity was seen in this study the development of PF-04929113 has been discontinued due to ocular toxicity seen in animal models and in a separate phase I study. PMID:21908572

Human Space Exploration and Radiation Exposure from EVA: 1981-2011

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Way, A. R.; Saganti, S. P.; Erickson, G. M.; Saganti, P. B.

2011-12-01

There are several risks for any human space exploration endeavor. One such inevitable risk is exposure to the space radiation environment of which extra vehicular activity (EVA) demands more challenges due to limited amount of protection from space suit shielding. We recently compiled all EVA data comprising low-earth orbit (LEO) from Space Shuttle (STS) flights, International Space Station (ISS) expeditions, and Shuttle-Mir missions. Assessment of such radiation risk is very important, particularly for the anticipated long-term, deep-space human explorations in the near future. We present our assessment of anticipated radiation exposure and space radiation dose contribution to each crew member from a listing of 350 different EVA events resulting in more than 1000+ hrs of total EVA time. As of July 12, 2011, 197 astronauts have made spacewalks (out of 520 people who have gone into Earth orbit). Only 11 women have been on spacewalks.

TU-EF-204-08: Dose Efficiency of Added Beam-Shaping Filter with Varied Attenuation Levels in Lung-Cancer Screening CT

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

Ma, C; Yu, L; Vrieze, T

Purpose: Added filtration such as tin filter has the potential to improve dose efficiency of x-ray beam in lung-cancer screening CT. However, dose efficiency with added beam filtration is highly dependent on patient attenuation level. In this phantom study, we evaluated the image quality at different tube voltages with and without added tin filter when attenuation level varies. Methods: A 30 x 20 cm anthropomorphic thorax phantom with three added extension rings were used to simulate small (S), medium (M), large (L), and extra-large (XL) adult patients. These phantoms were scanned on a 192-slice CT scanner (Force, Siemens) at 100more » and 120kV without tin filtration, and 100 and 150 kV with tin filtration (100Sn and 150Sn), at multiple dose levels at each kV. Images were reconstructed using iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE, Siemens). Radiation dose was measured with a 0.6 cc ion chamber in the middle and peripheral areas of the phantom. Image quality was assessed using mean image noise at uniform areas in the central region and lung. Radiation dose that is required for each kV to match the noise in a routine lung-cancer CT screening technique (120kV, 25 quality reference mAs) was calculated. Results: At each of the four phantom sizes, 100Sn had the lowest noise in both soft tissue and lung. Compared with 120 kV, 100Sn saved 39%–60% dose for the same noise, depending on phantom size. For the XL phantom (50 by 40 cm), 150Sn provided images with the least beam-hardening artifact in peripheral region. Conclusion: For thoracic CT, added tin filtration can provide considerable dose reduction compared with 120 kV. 100Sn provides better dose efficiencies for all phantom sizes, while 150Sn provides better image quality in peripheral region for extra-large patients. Drs.Joel G. Fletcher and Cynthia H. McCollough receive research support from Siemens Healthcare.« less

Modeling the acute health effects of astronauts from exposure to large solar particle events.

PubMed

Hu, Shaowen; Kim, Myung-Hee Y; McClellan, Gene E; Cucinotta, Francis A

2009-04-01

Radiation exposure from Solar Particle Events (SPE) presents a significant health concern for astronauts for exploration missions outside the protection of the Earth's magnetic field, which could impair their performance and result in the possibility of failure of the mission. Assessing the potential for early radiation effects under such adverse conditions is of prime importance. Here we apply a biologically based mathematical model that describes the dose- and time-dependent early human responses that constitute the prodromal syndromes to consider acute risks from SPEs. We examine the possible early effects on crews from exposure to some historically large solar events on lunar and/or Mars missions. The doses and dose rates of specific organs were calculated using the Baryon radiation transport (BRYNTRN) code and a computerized anatomical man model, while the hazard of the early radiation effects and performance reduction were calculated using the Radiation-Induced Performance Decrement (RIPD) code. Based on model assumptions we show that exposure to these historical events would cause moderate early health effects to crew members inside a typical spacecraft or during extra-vehicular activities, if effective shielding and medical countermeasure tactics were not provided. We also calculate possible even worse cases (double intensity, multiple occurrences in a short period of time, etc.) to estimate the severity, onset and duration of various types of early illness. Uncertainties in the calculation due to limited data on relative biological effectiveness and dose-rate modifying factors for protons and secondary radiation, and the identification of sensitive sites in critical organs are discussed.

Integration Profile and Safety of an Adenovirus Hybrid-Vector Utilizing Hyperactive Sleeping Beauty Transposase for Somatic Integration

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wenli; Muck-Hausl, Martin; Wang, Jichang; Sun, Chuanbo; Gebbing, Maren; Miskey, Csaba; Ivics, Zoltan; Izsvak, Zsuzsanna; Ehrhardt, Anja

2013-01-01

We recently developed adenovirus/transposase hybrid-vectors utilizing the previously described hyperactive Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposase HSB5 for somatic integration and we could show stabilized transgene expression in mice and a canine model for hemophilia B. However, the safety profile of these hybrid-vectors with respect to vector dose and genotoxicity remains to be investigated. Herein, we evaluated this hybrid-vector system in C57Bl/6 mice with escalating vector dose settings. We found that in all mice which received the hyperactive SB transposase, transgene expression levels were stabilized in a dose-dependent manner and that the highest vector dose was accompanied by fatalities in mice. To analyze potential genotoxic side-effects due to somatic integration into host chromosomes, we performed a genome-wide integration site analysis using linker-mediated PCR (LM-PCR) and linear amplification-mediated PCR (LAM-PCR). Analysis of genomic DNA samples obtained from HSB5 treated female and male mice revealed a total of 1327 unique transposition events. Overall the chromosomal distribution pattern was close-to-random and we observed a random integration profile with respect to integration into gene and non-gene areas. Notably, when using the LM-PCR protocol, 27 extra-chromosomal integration events were identified, most likely caused by transposon excision and subsequent transposition into the delivered adenoviral vector genome. In total, this study provides a careful evaluation of the safety profile of adenovirus/Sleeping Beauty transposase hybrid-vectors. The obtained information will be useful when designing future preclinical studies utilizing hybrid-vectors in small and large animal models. PMID:24124483

Induction of intracellular Ca2+ and pH changes in Sf9 insect cells by rhodojaponin-III, a natural botanic insecticide isolated from Rhododendron molle.

PubMed

Cheng, Xing-An; Xie, Jian-Jun; Hu, Mei-Ying; Zhang, Yan-Bo; Huang, Jing-Fei

2011-04-15

Many studies on intracellular calcium ([Ca2+](i)) and intracellular pH (pH(i)) have been carried out due to their importance in regulation of different cellular functions. However, most of the previous studies are focused on human or mammalian cells. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the effect of Rhodojaponin-III (R-III) on [Ca2+](i) and pH(i) and the proliferation of Sf9 cells. R-III strongly inhibited Sf9 cells proliferation with a time- and dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry established that R-III interfered with Sf9 cells division and arrested them in G2/M. By using confocal scanning technique, effects of R-III on intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+](i)) and intracellular pH (pH(i)) in Sf9 cells were determined. R-III induced a significant dose-dependent (1, 10, 100, 200 μg/mL) increase in [Ca2+](i) and pH(i) of Sf9 cells in presence of Ca2+-containing solution (Hanks) and an irreversible decrease in the absence of extra cellular Ca2+. We also found that both extra cellular Ca2+ and intracellular Ca2+ stores contributed to the increase of [Ca2+](i), because completely treating Sf9 cells with CdCl(2) (5 mM), a Ca2+ channels blocker, R-III (100 μg/mL) induced a transient elevation of [Ca2+](i) in case of cells either in presence of Ca2+ containing or Ca2+ free solution. In these conditions, pH(i) showed similar changes with that of [Ca2+](i) on the whole. Accordingly, we supposed that there was a certain linkage for change of [Ca2+](i), cell cycle arrest, proliferation inhibition in Sf9 cells induced by R-III.

21 CFR 522.812 - Enrofloxacin.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Federal law prohibits the extra-label use of... per pound) as a single, intramuscular, initial dose followed by use of tablets twice daily for 2 to 3 days beyond cessation of clinical signs to a maximum of 10 days. (ii) Indications for use. For the...

21 CFR 522.812 - Enrofloxacin.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Federal law prohibits the extra-label use of... per pound) as a single, intramuscular, initial dose followed by use of tablets twice daily for 2 to 3 days beyond cessation of clinical signs to a maximum of 10 days. (ii) Indications for use. For the...

A Dose-Finding Study of OTX105/MK-8628, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of the Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal (BET) Proteins, in Adults With Selected Advanced Solid Tumors (MK-8628-003)

ClinicalTrials.gov

2017-03-24

NUT Midline Carcinoma; Triple Negative Breast Cancer; Non-small Cell Lung Cancer With Rearranged ALK Gene/Fusion Protein or KRAS Mutation; Castrate-resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC); Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Depletion of penicillin G residues in sows after intramuscular injection

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The US-FDA CVM has not established a tolerance for penicillin residues in swine tissues, but across much of Europe and Asia a tolerance of 50 ppb penicillin G is in effect. In the US, heavy sows are often treated with extra-label doses of penicillin G, however appropriate pre-slaughter withdrawal p...

Effect of Temperature on Ultrasonic Signal Propagation for Extra Virgin Olive Oil Adulteration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alias, N. A.; Hamid, S. B. Abdul; Sophian, A.

2017-11-01

Fraud cases involving adulteration of extra virgin olive oil has become significant nowadays due to increasing in cost of supply and highlight given the benefit of extra virgin olive oil for human consumption. This paper presents the effects of temperature variation on spectral formed utilising pulse-echo technique of ultrasound signal. Several methods had been introduced to characterize the adulteration of extra virgin olive oil with other fluid sample such as mass chromatography, standard method by ASTM (density test, distillation test and evaporation test) and mass spectrometer. Pulse-echo method of ultrasound being a non-destructive method to be used to analyse the sound wave signal captured by oscilloscope. In this paper, a non-destructive technique utilizing ultrasound to characterize extra virgin olive oil adulteration level will be presented. It can be observed that frequency spectrum of sample with different ratio and variation temperature shows significant percentages different from 30% up to 70% according to temperature variation thus possible to be used for sample characterization.

Radiation dose from reentrant electrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Badhwar, G. D.; Watts, J.; Cleghorn, T. E.

2001-01-01

In estimating the crew exposures during an extra vehicular activity (EVA), the contribution of reentrant electrons has always been neglected. Although the flux of these electrons is small compared to the flux of trapped electrons, their energy spectrum extends to several GeV compared to about 7 MeV for trapped electrons. This is also true of splash electrons. Using the measured reentrant electron energy spectra, it is shown that the dose contribution of these electrons to the blood forming organs (BFO) is more that 10 times greater than that from the trapped electrons. The calculations also show that the dose-depth response is a very slowly changing function of depth, and thus adding reasonable amounts of additional shielding would not significantly lower the dose to BFO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Association between desloratadine and prednisolone in the treatment of children with acute symptoms of allergic rhinitis: a double-blind, randomized and controlled clinical trial.

PubMed

Wandalsen, Gustavo F; Miranda, Carolina; Ensina, Luis Felipe; Sano, Flavio; Amazonas, Roberto Bleul; Silva, Joyce Macedo da; Solé, Dirceu

A combination of antihistamines and oral corticosteroids is often used to treat acute symptoms of allergic rhinitis. To evaluate safety and efficacy of desloratadine plus prednisolone in the treatment of acute symptoms of children (2-12 years) with allergic rhinitis, and to compare it to dexchlorpheniramine plus betamethasone. Children with moderate/severe persistent allergic rhinitis and symptomatic (nasal symptoms score [0-12]≥6) were allocated in a double-blind, randomized fashion to receive dexchlorpheniramine plus betamethasone (n=105; three daily doses) or desloratadine plus prednisolone (n=105; single dose followed by two of placebo) for 7 days. At the beginning and end of the evaluation, the following were obtained: nasal symptoms score, extra nasal symptoms score, peak nasal inspiratory flow, blood biochemistry, and electrocardiogram. Ninety-six children of the dexchlorpheniramine plus betamethasone group and 98 of the desloratadine plus prednisolone group completed the protocol. The two groups were similar regarding initial and final nasal symptoms scores, extra nasal symptoms scores and peak nasal inspiratory flow. A drop of 76.4% and 79.1% for nasal symptoms score, 86.0% and 79.2% for extra nasal symptoms score, as well as an increase of 25.2% and 24.3% for peak nasal inspiratory flow occurred for those treated with desloratadine plus prednisolone and dexchlorpheniramine plus betamethasone, respectively. There were no significant changes in blood chemistry. Sinus tachycardia was the most frequent electrocardiogram change, but with no clinical significance. Drowsiness was reported significantly more often among those of dexchlorpheniramine plus betamethasone group (17.14%×8.57%, respectively). The desloratadine plus prednisolone combination was able to effectively control acute symptoms of rhinitis in children, improving symptoms and nasal function. Compared to the dexchlorpheniramine plus betamethasone combination, it showed similar clinical action, but with a lower incidence of adverse events and higher dosing convenience. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda.

Childhood mortality after a high dose of vitamin A in a high risk population.

PubMed Central

Daulaire, N. M.; Starbuck, E. S.; Houston, R. M.; Church, M. S.; Stukel, T. A.; Pandey, M. R.

1992-01-01

OBJECTIVES--To determine whether a single high dose of vitamin A given to all children in communities with high mortality and malnutrition could affect mortality and to assess whether periodic community wide supplementation could be readily incorporated into an ongoing primary health programme. DESIGN--Opportunistic controlled trial. SETTING--Jumla district, Nepal. SUBJECTS--All children aged under 5 years; 3786 in eight subdistricts given single dose of vitamin A and 3411 in remaining eight subdistricts given no supplementation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Mortality and cause of death in the five months after supplementation. RESULTS--Risk of death for children aged 1-59 months in supplemented communities was 26% lower (relative risk 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.55 to 0.99) than in unsupplemented communities. The reduction in mortality was greatest among children aged 6-11 months: death rate (deaths/1000 child years at risk) was 133.8 in supplemented children and 260.8 in unsupplemented children (relative risk 0.51, 0.30 to 0.89). The death rate from diarrhoea was also reduced (63.5 supplemented v 97.5 unsupplemented; relative risk 0.65, 0.44 to 0.95). The extra cost per death averted was about $11. CONCLUSION--The results support a role for Vitamin A in increasing child survival. The supplementation programme was readily integrated with the ongoing community health programme at little extra cost. PMID:1739794

A Signal-to-Noise Crossover Dose as the Point of Departure for Health Risk Assessment

PubMed Central

Portier, Christopher J.; Krewski, Daniel

2011-01-01

Background: The U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) cancer bioassay database provides an opportunity to compare both existing and new approaches to determining points of departure (PoDs) for establishing reference doses (RfDs). Objectives: The aims of this study were a) to investigate the risk associated with the traditional PoD used in human health risk assessment [the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL)]; b) to present a new approach based on the signal-to-noise crossover dose (SNCD); and c) to compare the SNCD and SNCD-based RfD with PoDs and RfDs based on the NOAEL and benchmark dose (BMD) approaches. Methods: The complete NTP database was used as the basis for these analyses, which were performed using the Hill model. We determined NOAELs and estimated corresponding extra risks. Lower 95% confidence bounds on the BMD (BMDLs) corresponding to extra risks of 1%, 5%, and 10% (BMDL01, BMDL05, and BMDL10, respectively) were also estimated. We introduce the SNCD as a new PoD, defined as the dose where the additional risk is equal to the “background noise” (the difference between the upper and lower bounds of the two-sided 90% confidence interval on absolute risk) or a specified fraction thereof. Results: The median risk at the NOAEL was approximately 10%, and the default uncertainty factor (UF = 100) was considered most applicable to the BMDL10. Therefore, we chose a target risk of 1/1,000 (0.1/100) to derive an SNCD-based RfD by linear extrapolation. At the median, this approach provided the same RfD as the BMDL10 divided by the default UF. Conclusions: Under a standard BMD approach, the BMDL10 is considered to be the most appropriate PoD. The SNCD approach, which is based on the lowest dose at which the signal can be reliably detected, warrants further development as a PoD for human health risk assessment. PMID:21813365

Extra dimension searches at hadron colliders to next-to-leading order-QCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, M. C.; Mathews, Prakash; Ravindran, V.

2007-11-01

The quantitative impact of NLO-QCD corrections for searches of large and warped extra dimensions at hadron colliders are investigated for the Drell-Yan process. The K-factor for various observables at hadron colliders are presented. Factorisation, renormalisation scale dependence and uncertainties due to various parton distribution functions are studied. Uncertainties arising from the error on experimental data are estimated using the MRST parton distribution functions.

Excretory, secretory, and tissue residues after label and extra-label administration of flunixin meglumine to saline or lipopolysaccharide-exposed dairy cows

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Twenty lactating dairy cattle were intravenously infused with either lipopolysaccharide (n = 10) or sterile saline (n = 10). Five cattle in each group received 3 doses of flunixin meglumine administered by either IV infusion or IM injection at 24 h intervals. Milk, urine, and tissues were collected....

Policy Perspectives: No Merit in these Scholarships

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vincent, Fay

2005-01-01

Mr. Fay Vincent, former Commissioner of Major League Baseball and Executive Vice President of The Coca Cola Company, provides a crisp, concise assessment of a trend that has worried us for quite a while: the growing trend of rewarding academically-gifted and typically-affluent students with an extra dose of merit aid, often at the expense of…

Lowering Whole-Body Radiation Doses in Pediatric Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy Through the Use of Unflattened Photon Beams;Flattening filter; Pediatric; Intensity-modulated radiotherapy; Second cancers; Radiation-induced malignancies

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

Cashmore, Jason, E-mail: Jason.cashmore@uhb.nhs.uk; Ramtohul, Mark; Ford, Dan

Purpose: Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has been linked with an increased risk of secondary cancer induction due to the extra leakage radiation associated with delivery of these techniques. Removal of the flattening filter offers a simple way of reducing head leakage, and it may be possible to generate equivalent IMRT plans and to deliver these on a standard linear accelerator operating in unflattened mode. Methods and Materials: An Elekta Precise linear accelerator has been commissioned to operate in both conventional and unflattened modes (energy matched at 6 MV) and a direct comparison made between the treatment planning and delivery ofmore » pediatric intracranial treatments using both approaches. These plans have been evaluated and delivered to an anthropomorphic phantom. Results: Plans generated in unflattened mode are clinically identical to those for conventional IMRT but can be delivered with greatly reduced leakage radiation. Measurements in an anthropomorphic phantom at clinically relevant positions including the thyroid, lung, ovaries, and testes show an average reduction in peripheral doses of 23.7%, 29.9%, 64.9%, and 70.0%, respectively, for identical plan delivery compared to conventional IMRT. Conclusions: IMRT delivery in unflattened mode removes an unwanted and unnecessary source of scatter from the treatment head and lowers leakage doses by up to 70%, thereby reducing the risk of radiation-induced second cancers. Removal of the flattening filter is recommended for IMRT treatments.« less

Real-time dose calculation and visualization for the proton therapy of ocular tumours

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pfeiffer, Karsten; Bendl, Rolf

2001-03-01

A new real-time dose calculation and visualization was developed as part of the new 3D treatment planning tool OCTOPUS for proton therapy of ocular tumours within a national research project together with the Hahn-Meitner Institut Berlin. The implementation resolves the common separation between parameter definition, dose calculation and evaluation and allows a direct examination of the expected dose distribution while adjusting the treatment parameters. The new tool allows the therapist to move the desired dose distribution under visual control in 3D to the appropriate place. The visualization of the resulting dose distribution as a 3D surface model, on any 2D slice or on the surface of specified ocular structures is done automatically when adapting parameters during the planning process. In addition, approximate dose volume histograms may be calculated with little extra time. The dose distribution is calculated and visualized in 200 ms with an accuracy of 6% for the 3D isodose surfaces and 8% for other objects. This paper discusses the advantages and limitations of this new approach.

Recombination in liquid filled ionisation chambers with multiple charge carrier species: Theoretical and numerical results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aguiar, P.; González-Castaño, D. M.; Gómez, F.; Pardo-Montero, J.

2014-10-01

Liquid-filled ionisation chambers (LICs) are used in radiotherapy for dosimetry and quality assurance. Volume recombination can be quite important in LICs for moderate dose rates, causing non-linearities in the dose rate response of these detectors, and needs to be corrected for. This effect is usually described with Greening and Boag models for continuous and pulsed radiation respectively. Such models assume that the charge is carried by two different species, positive and negative ions, each of those species with a given mobility. However, LICs operating in non-ultrapure mode can contain different types of electronegative impurities with different mobilities, thus increasing the number of different charge carriers. If this is the case, Greening and Boag models can be no longer valid and need to be reformulated. In this work we present a theoretical and numerical study of volume recombination in parallel-plate LICs with multiple charge carrier species, extending Boag and Greening models. Results from a recent publication that reported three different mobilities in an isooctane-filled LIC have been used to study the effect of extra carrier species on recombination. We have found that in pulsed beams the inclusion of extra mobilities does not affect volume recombination much, a behaviour that was expected because Boag formula for charge collection efficiency does not depend on the mobilities of the charge carriers if the Debye relationship between mobilities and recombination constant holds. This is not the case in continuous radiation, where the presence of extra charge carrier species significantly affects the amount of volume recombination.

Copy Number Variations of TBK1 in Australian Patients With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

PubMed Central

AWADALLA, MONA S.; FINGERT, JOHN H.; ROOS, BENJAMIN E.; CHEN, SIMON; HOLMES, RICHARD; GRAHAM, STUART L.; CHEHADE, MARK; GALANOPOLOUS, ANNA; RIDGE, BRONWYN; SOUZEAU, EMMANUELLE; ZHOU, TIGER; SIGGS, OWEN M.; HEWITT, ALEX W.; MACKEY, DAVID A.; BURDON, KATHRYN P.; CRAIG, JAMIE E.

2015-01-01

PURPOSE To investigate the presence of TBK1 copy number variations in a large, well-characterized Australian cohort of patients with glaucoma comprising both normal-tension glaucoma and high-tension glaucoma cases. DESIGN A retrospective cohort study. METHODS DNA samples from patients with normal-tension glaucoma and high-tension glaucoma and unaffected controls were screened for TBK1 copy number variations using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Samples with additional copies of the TBK1 gene were further tested using custom comparative genomic hybridization arrays. RESULTS Four out of 334 normal-tension glaucoma cases (1.2%) were found to carry TBK1 copy number variations using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. One extra dose of the TBK1 gene (duplication) was detected in 3 normal-tension glaucoma patients, while 2 extra doses of the gene (triplication) were detected in a fourth normal-tension glaucoma patient. The results were further confirmed by custom comparative genomic hybridization arrays. Further, the TBK1 copy number variation segregated with normal-tension glaucoma in the family members of the probands, showing an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. No TBK1 copy number variations were detected in 1045 Australian patients with high-tension glaucoma or in 254 unaffected controls. CONCLUSION We report the presence of TBK1 copy number variations in our Australian normal-tension glaucoma cohort, including the first example of more than 1 extra copy of this gene in glaucoma patients (gene triplication). These results confirm TBK1 to be an important cause of normal-tension glaucoma, but do not suggest common involvement in high-tension glaucoma. PMID:25284765

Constraints on large extra dimensions from the MINOS Experiment

DOE PAGES

Adamson, P.

2016-12-16

We report new constraints on the size of large extra dimensions from data collected by the MINOS experiment between 2005 and 2012. Our analysis employs a model in which sterile neutrinos arise as Kaluza-Klein states in large extra dimensions and thus modify the neutrino oscillation probabilities due to mixing between active and sterile neutrino states. Using Fermilab’s Neutrinos at the Main Injector beam exposure of 10.56 ×10 20 protons on target, we combine muon neutrino charged current and neutral current data sets from the Near and Far Detectors and observe no evidence for deviations from standard three-flavor neutrino oscillations. Themore » ratios of reconstructed energy spectra in the two detectors constrain the size of large extra dimensions to be smaller than 0.45 μm at 90% C.L. in the limit of a vanishing lightest active neutrino mass. Finally, stronger limits are obtained for nonvanishing masses.« less

Constraints on large extra dimensions from the MINOS experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adamson, P.; Anghel, I.; Aurisano, A.; Barr, G.; Bishai, M.; Blake, A.; Bock, G. J.; Bogert, D.; Cao, S. V.; Carroll, T. J.; Castromonte, C. M.; Chen, R.; Childress, S.; Coelho, J. A. B.; Corwin, L.; Cronin-Hennessy, D.; de Jong, J. K.; de Rijck, S.; Devan, A. V.; Devenish, N. E.; Diwan, M. V.; Escobar, C. O.; Evans, J. J.; Falk, E.; Feldman, G. J.; Flanagan, W.; Frohne, M. V.; Gabrielyan, M.; Gallagher, H. R.; Germani, S.; Gomes, R. A.; Goodman, M. C.; Gouffon, P.; Graf, N.; Gran, R.; Grzelak, K.; Habig, A.; Hahn, S. R.; Hartnell, J.; Hatcher, R.; Holin, A.; Huang, J.; Hylen, J.; Irwin, G. M.; Isvan, Z.; James, C.; Jensen, D.; Kafka, T.; Kasahara, S. M. S.; Koizumi, G.; Kordosky, M.; Kreymer, A.; Lang, K.; Ling, J.; Litchfield, P. J.; Lucas, P.; Mann, W. A.; Marshak, M. L.; Mayer, N.; McGivern, C.; Medeiros, M. M.; Mehdiyev, R.; Meier, J. R.; Messier, M. D.; Miller, W. H.; Mishra, S. R.; Moed Sher, S.; Moore, C. D.; Mualem, L.; Musser, J.; Naples, D.; Nelson, J. K.; Newman, H. B.; Nichol, R. J.; Nowak, J. A.; O'Connor, J.; Orchanian, M.; Pahlka, R. B.; Paley, J.; Patterson, R. B.; Pawloski, G.; Perch, A.; Pfützner, M. M.; Phan, D. D.; Phan-Budd, S.; Plunkett, R. K.; Poonthottathil, N.; Qiu, X.; Radovic, A.; Rebel, B.; Rosenfeld, C.; Rubin, H. A.; Sail, P.; Sanchez, M. C.; Schneps, J.; Schreckenberger, A.; Schreiner, P.; Sharma, R.; Sousa, A.; Tagg, N.; Talaga, R. L.; Thomas, J.; Thomson, M. A.; Tian, X.; Timmons, A.; Todd, J.; Tognini, S. C.; Toner, R.; Torretta, D.; Tzanakos, G.; Urheim, J.; Vahle, P.; Viren, B.; Weber, A.; Webb, R. C.; White, C.; Whitehead, L.; Whitehead, L. H.; Wojcicki, S. G.; Zwaska, R.; Minos Collaboration

2016-12-01

We report new constraints on the size of large extra dimensions from data collected by the MINOS experiment between 2005 and 2012. Our analysis employs a model in which sterile neutrinos arise as Kaluza-Klein states in large extra dimensions and thus modify the neutrino oscillation probabilities due to mixing between active and sterile neutrino states. Using Fermilab's Neutrinos at the Main Injector beam exposure of 10.56 ×1 020 protons on target, we combine muon neutrino charged current and neutral current data sets from the Near and Far Detectors and observe no evidence for deviations from standard three-flavor neutrino oscillations. The ratios of reconstructed energy spectra in the two detectors constrain the size of large extra dimensions to be smaller than 0.45 μ m at 90% C.L. in the limit of a vanishing lightest active neutrino mass. Stronger limits are obtained for nonvanishing masses.

Polarization dependent color switching by extra-ordinary transmission in H-slit plasmonic metasurface

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

Mandal, P.; Anantha Ramakrishna, S.; Patil, Raj

2013-12-14

An array of H-shaped subwavelength slits in a plasmonic film has a polarization dependent extra-ordinary transmission due to shape anisotropy. Non-overlapping extra-ordinary transmission bands for the orthogonal linear polarization states of the input light are used to demonstrate a polarization dependent color switch. The fabricated array of submicron sized H-slits on a gold film displayed two transmission bands for the linear x- and y-polarized light at visible (650–850 nm) and near-infra-red (1150–1450 nm) bands, respectively. The relative transmitted light in these two bands can be controlled by changing the linear polarization state of the input radiation from 0° to 90°.

Donor lymphocyte infusions to leukemic bone lesions are therapeutically effective in a Ph+ ALL patient with post-HSCT relapse.

PubMed

Lange, Andrzej; Dlubek, Dorota; Zdziarski, Robert; Chodorowska, Anna; Mordak-Domagala, Monika; Klimczak, Aleksandra; Lange, Janusz; Jaskula, Emilia

2014-10-01

A Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) case was maintained in remission with the use of chemo-immunotherapy. The latter involved sibling bone marrow transplant (BMT) (three procedures) followed by intravenous (IV) donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI). The third relapse responded to routine chemotherapy and again DLI was employed. During hematological and molecular remission verified at the level of iliac crest aspiration, extra-medullary relapse in the bones was apparent. A novel procedure of donor lymphocyte injection to the bone leukemic lesions was developed and employed. A dose of 10(6) donor lymphocytes/kg body weight (BW) of the recipient were each time injected to the plane of the right and left tibia, the head of the humerus, and the calcaneus, which resulted in healing of the destructive process. In consequence of this novel approach, in addition to the healing of bone lesions, an accumulation of cytotoxic activated T-cells in the marrow was documented, which was mirrored by an increase in the number of transcripts for interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-17, as well as RORγt. The local administration of DLI directly to the leukemic lesions requires a lower dose that diminishes the toxicity due to the general immune system activation.

Efficacy of bioactive compounds from extra virgin olive oil to modulate atherosclerosis development.

PubMed

Lou-Bonafonte, José M; Arnal, Carmen; Navarro, María A; Osada, Jesús

2012-07-01

As olive oil is the main source of calories in the Mediterranean diet, a great deal of research has been devoted to characterizing its role in atherosclerosis. Virgin olive oil is an oily matrix that contains hydrocarbons, mainly squalene; triterpenes such as uvaol, erythrodiol, oleanolic, and maslinic acid; phytosterols; and a wide range of phenolic compounds comprising simple phenols, flavonoids, secoiridoids, and lignans. In this review, we analyze the studies dealing with atherosclerosis and olive oil in several species. A protective role of virgin olive oil against atherosclerosis has been shown in ApoE-deficient mice and hamsters. In the former animal, sex, dose, and dietary cholesterol are modulators of the outcome. Contradictory findings have been reported for rabbits, a circumstance that could be due to the profusion of experimental designs, differing in terms of doses and animal strains, as well as sources of olive oils. This role has yet to be fully validated in humans. Minor components of olive oil have been shown to be involved in atherosclerosis protection. Nevertheless, evidence of the potential of isolated compounds or the right combination of them to achieve the antiatherosclerotic effect of virgin olive oil is inconclusive and will undoubtedly require further experimental support. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Validity of a traffic air pollutant dispersion model to assess exposure to fine particles.

PubMed

Kostrzewa, Aude; Reungoat, Patrice; Raherison, Chantal

2009-08-01

Fine particles (PM(2.5)) are an important component of air pollution. Epidemiological studies have shown health effects due to ambient air particles, particularly allergies in children. Since the main difficulty is to determine exposure to such pollution, traffic air pollutant (TAP) dispersions models have been developed to improve the estimation of individual exposure levels. One such model, the ExTra index, has been validated for nitrogen oxide concentrations but not for other pollutants. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of the ExTra index to assess PM(2.5) exposure. We compared PM(2.5) concentrations calculated by the ExTra index to reference measures (passive samplers situated under the covered part of the playground), in 15 schools in Bordeaux, in 2000. First, we collected the input data required by the ExTra index: background and local pollution depending on traffic, meteorology and topography. Second, the ExTra index was calculated for each school. Statistical analysis consisted of a graphic description; then, we calculated an intraclass correlation coefficient. Concentrations calculated with the ExTra index and the reference method were similar. The ExTra index underestimated exposure by 2.2 microg m(-3) on average compared to the reference method. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.85 and its 95% confidence interval was [0.62; 0.95]. The results suggest that the ExTra index provides an assessment of PM(2.5) exposure similar to that of the reference method. Although caution is required in interpreting these results owing to the small number of sites, the ExTra index could be a useful epidemiological tool for reconstructing individual exposure, an important challenge in epidemiology.

Infrared Detector Research

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-08-01

Bratt, Howard Davis, Frank Renda , Paul Chia, Arthur Lockwood. Bell Telephone Labs Leo F. Johnson, Alfred U. MacRae, Paul Norton. Texas Ins truments Werner...impurities which can "donate" their extra electron not required for bonding with the silicon atoms. When there are more acceptors than donors the material...will be p-type. The extra electrons from the donors can complete the bond missing due to the boron atoms. This process is call compensation. The

Aripiprazole and Risperidone for Treatment of Methamphetamine-Associated Psychosis in Chinese Patients.

PubMed

Wang, Gang; Zhang, Yao; Zhang, Sheng; Chen, Huijing; Xu, Zaifeng; Schottenfeld, Richard S; Hao, Wei; Chawarski, Marek Cezary

2016-03-01

We evaluated tolerability and efficacy of aripiprazole and risperidone for treatment of methamphetamine (METH) associated psychotic symptoms in China. Patients with acute METH-associated psychotic symptoms (N=42) and with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score between 60 and 120 were randomized to aripiprazole (initial dose 5-10mg per day followed by flexible doses 5-15 mg per day) or risperidone (initial dose 2-4 mg per day followed by flexible doses 4-6 mg per day) from day 3 to 25 of inpatient hospital stay. Outcome measures included PANSS and Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness scale (CGI-S), METH craving Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Simpson Angus Scale (SAS), Barnes Assessments Akathasia Rating Scale (BARS), and self-reported adverse effects evaluated during treatment. Retention was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the MIXED models procedure was used to compare the groups on measures of psychotic and extra-pyramidal symptoms. Patients in both aripiprazole and risperidone groups showed statistically significant reductions in psychotic symptomatology from baseline during treatment (p<0.001) with no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups (p=0.73 and p=0.15, respectively). Risperidone-treated patients reported significantly greater METH craving reductions (p<0.001). Overall, 71% of patients completed the entire study, but the aripiprazole group had a significantly lower retention than the risperidone group (p=0.007), primarily due to medication related adverse effects. Aripiprazole-treated patients also had significantly more akathisia (p=0.03) and agitation (p=0.02) than risperidone-treated patients. Patients in both groups who tolerated their medications and completed the entire study achieved comparable reductions of psychotic symptoms. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation for extra-nodal NK/T lymphoma in patients from the Western hemisphere: a study from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

PubMed

Fox, Christopher P; Boumendil, Ariane; Schmitz, Norbert; Finel, Herve; Luan, Jian J; Sucak, Gülsan; Blaise, Didier; Finke, Jürgen; Pflüger, Karl-Heinz; Veelken, Hendrik; Gorin, Norbert-Claude; Poiré, Xavier; Ganser, Arnold; Dreger, Peter; Sureda, Anna

2015-01-01

Extra-nodal NK/T lymphoma (ENKTL) is rare and more frequently encountered in East Asia. The role of high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDT-ASCT) for ENKTL is unclear. Twenty-eight evaluable patients who had undergone HDT-ASCT in Europe from 2000-2009 were studied. The median age was 47 years and patients had received a median of two lines of prior therapy. Some 57% of patients were not in complete remission or beyond first complete remission at HDT-ASCT. The 1-year non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 11%; 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 41% and 52%, respectively. Notably, the 2-year PFS and OS for those with stage III/IV disease were 33% and 40%, respectively, with no relapses beyond 1-year post-HDT-ASCT. This is the largest analysis of HDT-ASCT for patients with ENKTL reported from the Western hemisphere. Survival is comparable to East Asian cohorts and outcomes are encouraging for patients with advanced disease.

Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 Is Effective against both Extra- and Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus

PubMed Central

Noore, Jabeen; Noore, Adly

2013-01-01

The increasing resistance of bacteria to conventional antibiotics and the challenges posed by intracellular bacteria, which may be responsible for chronic and recurrent infections, have driven the need for advanced antimicrobial drugs for effective elimination of both extra- and intracellular pathogens. The purpose of this study was to determine the killing efficacy of cationic antimicrobial peptide LL-37 compared to conventional antibiotics against extra- and intracellular Staphylococcus aureus. Bacterial killing assays and an infection model of osteoblasts and S. aureus were studied to determine the bacterial killing efficacy of LL-37 and conventional antibiotics against extra- and intracellular S. aureus. We found that LL-37 was effective in killing extracellular S. aureus at nanomolar concentrations, while lactoferricin B was effective at micromolar concentrations and doxycycline and cefazolin at millimolar concentrations. LL-37 was surprisingly more effective in killing the clinical strain than in killing an ATCC strain of S. aureus. Moreover, LL-37 was superior to conventional antibiotics in eliminating intracellular S. aureus. The kinetic studies further revealed that LL-37 was fast in eliminating both extra- and intracellular S. aureus. Therefore, LL-37 was shown to be very potent and prompt in eliminating both extra- and intracellular S. aureus and was more effective in killing extra- and intracellular S. aureus than commonly used conventional antibiotics. LL-37 could potentially be used to treat chronic and recurrent infections due to its effectiveness in eliminating not only extracellular but also intracellular pathogens. PMID:23274662

Force properties of skinned cardiac muscle following increasing volumes of aerobic exercise in rats.

PubMed

Boldt, Kevin Rudi; Rios, Jaqueline Lourdes; Joumaa, Venus; Herzog, Walter

2018-05-03

The positive effects of chronic endurance exercise training on health and performance have been well documented. These positive effects have been evaluated primarily at the structural level, and work has begun to evaluate mechanical adaptations of the myocardium. However, it remains poorly understood how the volume of exercise training affects cardiac adaptation. In order to gain some understanding, we subjected three-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats (N=23) to treadmill running for eleven weeks at one of three exercise volumes (moderate, high, and extra high). Following training, hearts were excised and mechanical testing was completed on skinned trabecular fiber bundles. Performance on a maximal fitness test was dose-dependent upon training volume, where greater levels of training led to greater performance. No differences were observed between animals from any group for active stress production. Heart mass and passive stress increases in a dose-dependent manner for animals in the control, moderate, and high duration groups. However, hearts from animals in the extra high duration group presented with inhibited responses for heart mass and passive stress, despite performing greatest on a graded treadmill fitness test. These results suggest that heart mass and passive stress adapt in a dose-dependent manner, until exercise becomes excessive and adaptation is inhibited. Our findings are in agreement with the beneficial role exercise has in cardiac adaptation. However, excessive exercise comes with risks of maladaptation which must be weighed against the desire to increase performance.

Can rapeseed oil replace olive oil as part of a Mediterranean-style diet?

PubMed

Hoffman, Richard; Gerber, Mariette

2014-12-14

The present narrative review compares evidence from experimental, epidemiological and clinical studies of the health benefits of rapeseed oil (RO) (known as canola oil) and olive oil (OO) in order to assess whether rapeseed oil is suitable as a sustainable alternative to OO as part of a Mediterranean-style diet in countries where olive trees do not grow. From epidemiological studies, the evidence for cardiovascular protection afforded by extra-virgin OO is 'convincing', and for cancers 'limited-suggestive', especially oestrogen receptor-negative breast cancer, but more studies are required in relation to cognitive impairment. Evidence for RO is limited to short-term studies on the biomarkers of risk factors for CVD. Any benefits of RO are likely to be due to α-linolenic acid; however, it is prone to oxidation during frying. We conclude that due to a lack of evidence from observational or intervention studies indicating that RO has comparable health benefits to extra-virgin OO, RO cannot currently be recommended as a suitable substitute for extra-virgin OO as part of a Mediterranean-style diet.

SU-F-J-146: Experimental Validation of 6 MV Photon PDD in Parallel Magnetic Field Calculated by EGSnrc

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

Ghila, A; Steciw, S; Fallone, B

Purpose: Integrated linac-MR systems are uniquely suited for real time tumor tracking during radiation treatment. Understanding the magnetic field dose effects and incorporating them in treatment planning is paramount for linac-MR clinical implementation. We experimentally validated the EGSnrc dose calculations in the presence of a magnetic field parallel to the radiation beam travel. Methods: Two cylindrical bore electromagnets produced a 0.21 T magnetic field parallel to the central axis of a 6 MV photon beam. A parallel plate ion chamber was used to measure the PDD in a polystyrene phantom, placed inside the bore in two setups: phantom top surfacemore » coinciding with the magnet bore center (183 cm SSD), and with the magnet bore’s top surface (170 cm SSD). We measured the field of the magnet at several points and included the exact dimensions of the coils to generate a 3D magnetic field map in a finite element model. BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc simulated the PDD experiments in parallel magnetic field (i.e. 3D magnetic field included) and with no magnetic field. Results: With the phantom surface at the top of the electromagnet, the surface dose increased by 10% (compared to no-magnetic field), due to electrons being focused by the smaller fringe fields of the electromagnet. With the phantom surface at the bore center, the surface dose increased by 30% since extra 13 cm of air column was in relatively higher magnetic field (>0.13T) in the magnet bore. EGSnrc Monte Carlo code correctly calculated the radiation dose with and without the magnetic field, and all points passed the 2%, 2 mm Gamma criterion when the ion chamber’s entrance window and air cavity were included in the simulated phantom. Conclusion: A parallel magnetic field increases the surface and buildup dose during irradiation. The EGSnrc package can model these magnetic field dose effects accurately. Dr. Fallone is a co-founder and CEO of MagnetTx Oncology Solutions (under discussions to license Alberta bi-planar linac MR for commercialization).« less

Analysis of the origin of the extra chromosome in trisomy 8 in 4 cases of spontaneous abortions.

PubMed

Nicolaidis, P; von Beust, G; Bugge, M; Karadima, G; Vassilopoulos, D; Brøndum-Nielsen, K; Petersen, M B

1998-01-01

To determine the origin of the extra chromosome in trisomy 8 in spontaneous abortions. We analyzed 4 cases of nonmosaic trisomy 8 in 1st-trimester spontaneous abortions and their parents with DNA polymorphism analysis using microsatellite DNA markers. In 3 cases the extra chromosome was maternal in origin and in 1 case paternal in origin. In 2 of the cases the nondisjunction had occurred in maternal meiosis, while the other 2 cases were consistent with a postzygotic (mitotic) origin of the additional chromosome. Although a small number of cases studied, these results suggest differences from the common autosomal trisomies 21, 18, 16, and 13 where the vast majority of cases are due to errors in maternal meiosis.

Extra dimensions hypothesis in high energy physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volobuev, Igor; Boos, Eduard; Bunichev, Viacheslav; Perfilov, Maxim; Smolyakov, Mikhail

2017-10-01

We discuss the history of the extra dimensions hypothesis and the physics and phenomenology of models with large extra dimensions with an emphasis on the Randall- Sundrum (RS) model with two branes. We argue that the Standard Model extension based on the RS model with two branes is phenomenologically acceptable only if the inter-brane distance is stabilized. Within such an extension of the Standard Model, we study the influence of the infinite Kaluza-Klein (KK) towers of the bulk fields on collider processes. In particular, we discuss the modification of the scalar sector of the theory, the Higgs-radion mixing due to the coupling of the Higgs boson to the radion and its KK tower, and the experimental restrictions on the mass of the radion-dominated states.

The effect of on-line position correction on the dose distribution in focal radiotherapy for bladder cancer

PubMed Central

van Rooijen, Dominique C; van de Kamer, Jeroen B; Pool, René; Hulshof, Maarten CCM; Koning, Caro CE; Bel, Arjan

2009-01-01

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the dosimetric effect of on-line position correction for bladder tumor irradiation and to find methods to predict and handle this effect. Methods For 25 patients with unifocal bladder cancer intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with 5 beams was planned. The requirement for each plan was that 99% of the target volume received 95% of the prescribed dose. Tumor displacements from -2.0 cm to 2.0 cm in each dimension were simulated, using 0.5 cm increments, resulting in 729 simulations per patient. We assumed that on-line correction for the tumor was applied perfectly. We determined the correlation between the change in D99% and the change in path length, which is defined here as the distance from the skin to the isocenter for each beam. In addition the margin needed to avoid underdosage was determined and the probability that an underdosage occurs in a real treatment was calculated. Results Adjustments for tumor displacement with perfect on-line position correction resulted in an altered dose distribution. The altered fraction dose to the target varied from 91.9% to 100.4% of the prescribed dose. The mean D99% (± SD) was 95.8% ± 1.0%. There was a modest linear correlation between the difference in D99% and the change in path length of the beams after correction (R2 = 0.590). The median probability that a systematic underdosage occurs in a real treatment was 0.23% (range: 0 - 24.5%). A margin of 2 mm reduced that probability to < 0.001% in all patients. Conclusion On-line position correction does result in an altered target coverage, due to changes in average path length after position correction. An extra margin can be added to prevent underdosage. PMID:19775479

“I Just Wanted to Tell You That Loperamide WILL WORK”: A Web-Based Study of Extra-Medical Use of Loperamide

PubMed Central

Daniulaityte, Raminta; Carlson, Robert; Falck, Russel; Cameron, Delroy; Perera, Sujan; Chen, Lu; Sheth, Amit

2013-01-01

Aims Many websites provide a means for individuals to share their experiences and knowledge about different drugs. Such User-Generated Content (UGC) can be a rich data source to study emerging drug use practices and trends. This study examined UGC on extra-medical use of loperamide among illicit opioid users. Methods A website that allows for the free discussion of illicit drugs and is accessible for public viewing was selected for analysis. Web-forum posts were retrieved using web crawlers and retained in a local text database. The database was queried to extract posts with a mention of loperamide and relevant brand/slang terms. Over 1,290 posts were identified. A random sample of 258 posts was coded using NVivo to identify intent, dosage, and side-effects of loperamide use. Results There has been an increase in discussions related to loperamide’s use by non-medical opioid users, especially in 2010–2011. Loperamide was primarily discussed as a remedy to alleviate a broad range of opioid withdrawal symptoms, and was sometimes referred to as “poor man’s” methadone. Typical doses ranged 70–100 mg per day, much higher than an indicated daily dose of 16 mg. Conclusions This study suggests that loperamide is being used extra-medically to self-treat opioid withdrawal symptoms. There is a growing demand among people who are opioid dependent for drugs to control withdrawal symptoms, and loperamide appears to fit that role. The study also highlights the potential of the Web as a “leading edge” data source in identifying emerging drug use practices. PMID:23201175

"I just wanted to tell you that loperamide WILL WORK": a web-based study of extra-medical use of loperamide.

PubMed

Daniulaityte, Raminta; Carlson, Robert; Falck, Russel; Cameron, Delroy; Perera, Sujan; Chen, Lu; Sheth, Amit

2013-06-01

Many websites provide a means for individuals to share their experiences and knowledge about different drugs. Such User-Generated Content (UGC) can be a rich data source to study emerging drug use practices and trends. This study examined UGC on extra-medical use of loperamide among illicit opioid users. A website that allows for the free discussion of illicit drugs and is accessible for public viewing was selected for analysis. Web-forum posts were retrieved using web crawlers and retained in a local text database. The database was queried to extract posts with a mention of loperamide and relevant brand/slang terms. Over 1290 posts were identified. A random sample of 258 posts was coded using NVivo to identify intent, dosage, and side-effects of loperamide use. There has been an increase in discussions related to loperamide's use by non-medical opioid users, especially in 2010-2011 Loperamide was primarily discussed as a remedy to alleviate a broad range of opioid withdrawal symptoms, and was sometimes referred to as "poor man's" methadone. Typical doses ranged 70-100mg per day, much higher than an indicated daily dose of 16mg. This study suggests that loperamide is being used extra-medically to self-treat opioid withdrawal symptoms. There is a growing demand among people who are opioid dependent for drugs to control withdrawal symptoms, and loperamide appears to fit that role. The study also highlights the potential of the Web as a "leading edge" data source in identifying emerging drug use practices. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Patented drug extension strategies on healthcare spending: a cost-evaluation analysis.

PubMed

Vernaz, Nathalie; Haller, Guy; Girardin, François; Huttner, Benedikt; Combescure, Christophe; Dayer, Pierre; Muscionico, Daniel; Salomon, Jean-Luc; Bonnabry, Pascal

2013-01-01

Drug manufacturers have developed "evergreening" strategies to compete with generic medication after patent termination. These include marketing of slightly modified follow-on drugs. We aimed to estimate the financial impact of these drugs on overall healthcare costs and also to examine the impact of listing these drugs in hospital restrictive drug formularies (RDFs) on the healthcare system as a whole ("spillover effect"). We used hospital and community pharmacy invoice office data in the Swiss canton of Geneva to calculate utilisation of eight follow-on drugs in defined daily doses between 2000 and 2008. "Extra costs" were calculated for three different scenarios assuming replacement with the corresponding generic equivalent for prescriptions of (1) all brand (i.e., initially patented) drugs, (2) all follow-on drugs, or (3) brand and follow-on drugs. To examine the financial spillover effect we calculated a monthly follow-on drug market share in defined daily doses for medications prescribed by hospital physicians but dispensed in community pharmacies, in comparison to drugs prescribed by non-hospital physicians in the community. Estimated "extra costs" over the study period were €15.9 (95% CI 15.5; 16.2) million for scenario 1, €14.4 (95% CI 14.1; 14.7) million for scenario 2, and €30.3 (95% CI 29.8; 30.8) million for scenario 3. The impact of strictly switching all patients using proton-pump inhibitors to esomeprazole at admission resulted in a spillover "extra cost" of €330,300 (95% CI 276,100; 383,800), whereas strictly switching to generic cetirizine resulted in savings of €7,700 (95% CI 4,100; 11,100). Overall we estimated that the RDF resulted in "extra costs" of €503,600 (95% CI 444,500; 563,100). Evergreening strategies have been successful in maintaining market share in Geneva, offsetting competition by generics and cost containment policies. Hospitals may be contributing to increased overall healthcare costs by listing follow-on drugs in their RDF. Therefore, healthcare providers and policy makers should be aware of the impact of evergreening strategies.

Seismic analysis of a LNG storage tank isolated by a multiple friction pendulum system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Ruifu; Weng, Dagen; Ren, Xiaosong

2011-06-01

The seismic response of an isolated vertical, cylindrical, extra-large liquefied natural gas (LNG) tank by a multiple friction pendulum system (MFPS) is analyzed. Most of the extra-large LNG tanks have a fundamental frequency which involves a range of resonance of most earthquake ground motions. It is an effective way to decrease the response of an isolation system used for extra-large LNG storage tanks under a strong earthquake. However, it is difficult to implement in practice with common isolation bearings due to issues such as low temperature, soft site and other severe environment factors. The extra-large LNG tank isolated by a MFPS is presented in this study to address these problems. A MFPS is appropriate for large displacements induced by earthquakes with long predominant periods. A simplified finite element model by Malhotra and Dunkerley is used to determine the usefulness of the isolation system. Data reported and statistically sorted include pile shear, wave height, impulsive acceleration, convective acceleration and outer tank acceleration. The results show that the isolation system has excellent adaptability for different liquid levels and is very effective in controlling the seismic response of extra-large LNG tanks.

Acute abdomen in children due to extra-abdominal causes.

PubMed

Tsalkidis, Aggelos; Gardikis, Stefanos; Cassimos, Dimitrios; Kambouri, Katerina; Tsalkidou, Evanthia; Deftereos, Savas; Chatzimichael, Athanasios

2008-06-01

Acute abdominal pain in children is a common cause for referral to the emergency room and for subsequent hospitalization to pediatric medical or surgical departments. There are rare occasions when the abdominal pain is derived from extra-abdominal organs or systems. The aim of the present study was to establish the most common extra-abdominal causes of acute abdominal pain. The notes of all children (1 month-14 years of age) examined for acute abdominal pain in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department of Alexandroupolis District University Hospital in January 2001-December 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic data, clinical signs and symptoms, and laboratory findings were recorded, as well as the final diagnosis and outcome. Of a total number of 28 124 children who were brought to the A&E department, in 1731 the main complaint was acute abdominal pain. In 51 children their symptoms had an extra-abdominal cause, the most frequent being pneumonia (n = 15), tonsillitis (n = 10), otitis media (n = 9), and acute leukemia (n = 5). Both abdominal and extra-abdominal causes should be considered by a pediatrician who is confronted with a child with acute abdominal pain.

Electronic structure of silver doped As2S3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaur, Veerpal; Khatta, Swati; Tripathi, S. K.; Prakash, S.

2018-04-01

We have studied the band structure, density of states and partial density of states for pure arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) and silver (Ag) doped arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) using DFT based GGA approach. It is observed that with the introduction of silver in As2S3, some extra states are observed in the gap region hence modifying the semiconducting gap in As2S3. These extra states in the gap region are due to 4d-states of silver.

Shame Solutions: How Shame Impacts School-Aged Children and What Teachers Can Do to Help

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Monroe, Ann

2009-01-01

Though many psychologists and researchers argue over the age at which humans first experience shame, all agree that by age two children have the capacity to be shamed (Lansky and Morrison 1997). School-aged children have invariably been exposed to shame at home and receive an extra dose of it in our current school system. This essay investigates…

Application of the Monte Carlo method to the analysis of doses and shielding around an X-ray fluorescence equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ródenas, José; Juste, Belén; Gallardo, Sergio; Querol, Andrea

2017-09-01

An X-ray fluorescence equipment is used for practical exercises in the laboratory of Nuclear Engineering of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain). This equipment includes a compact X-ray tube, ECLIPSE-III, and a Si-PIN XR-100T detector. The voltage (30 kV), and the current (100 μA) of the tube are low enough so that expected doses around the tube do not represent a risk for students working in the laboratory. Nevertheless, doses and shielding should be evaluated to accomplish the ALARA criterion. The Monte Carlo method has been applied to evaluate the dose rate around the installation provided with a shielding composed by a box of methacrylate. Dose rates calculated are compared with experimental measurements to validate the model. Obtained results show that doses are below allowable limits. Hence, no extra shielding is required for the X-ray beam. A previous Monte Carlo model was also developed to obtain the tube spectrum and validated by comparison with data from manufacturer.

Polychromatophilia

MedlinePlus

... than normal with certain dyes. The extra staining is due to too many immature red blood cells (RBCs) called reticulocytes. These cells have a blue-colored center. Increased reticulocytes are the result of ...

Non-vascular interventional procedures: effective dose to patient and equivalent dose to abdominal organs by means of DICOM images and Monte Carlo simulation.

PubMed

Longo, Mariaconcetta; Marchioni, Chiara; Insero, Teresa; Donnarumma, Raffaella; D'Adamo, Alessandro; Lucatelli, Pierleone; Fanelli, Fabrizio; Salvatori, Filippo Maria; Cannavale, Alessandro; Di Castro, Elisabetta

2016-03-01

This study evaluates X-ray exposure in patient undergoing abdominal extra-vascular interventional procedures by means of Digital Imaging and COmmunications in Medicine (DICOM) image headers and Monte Carlo simulation. The main aim was to assess the effective and equivalent doses, under the hypothesis of their correlation with the dose area product (DAP) measured during each examination. This allows to collect dosimetric information about each patient and to evaluate associated risks without resorting to in vivo dosimetry. The dose calculation was performed in 79 procedures through the Monte Carlo simulator PCXMC (A PC-based Monte Carlo program for calculating patient doses in medical X-ray examinations), by using the real geometrical and dosimetric irradiation conditions, automatically extracted from DICOM headers. The DAP measurements were also validated by using thermoluminescent dosemeters on an anthropomorphic phantom. The expected linear correlation between effective doses and DAP was confirmed with an R(2) of 0.974. Moreover, in order to easily calculate patient doses, conversion coefficients that relate equivalent doses to measurable quantities, such as DAP, were obtained. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Hubble Space Telescope faint object spectrograph instrument handbook, version 5.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kinney, A. L. (Editor)

1994-01-01

This version of the FOS Instrument Handbook is for the refurbished telescope, which is affected by an increase in throughput, especially for the smaller apertures, a decrease in efficiency due to the extra reflections of the COSTAR optics, and a change in focal length. The improved PSF affects all exposure time calculations due to better aperture throughputs and increases the spectral resolution. The extra reflections of COSTAR decrease the efficiency by 10-20 percent. The change in focal length affects the aperture sizes as projected on the sky. The aperture designations that are already in use both in the exposure logsheets and in the project data base (PDB) have not been changed. Apertures are referred to here by their size, followed by the designation used on the exposure logsheet.

Absorbed dose determination using experimental and analytical predictions of x-ray spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edwards, David Lee

1999-10-01

Electron beam welding in a vacuum is a technology that NASA is investigating as a joining technique for manufacture of space structures. The interaction of energetic electrons with metal produces x-rays. This investigation characterizes the x-ray environment due to operation of an in-vacuum electron beam welding tool and provides recommendations for adequate radiation shielding for astronauts performing the in-vacuum electron beam welding. NASA, in a joint venture with the Russian Space Agency, was scheduled to perform a series of welding in space experiments on board the United States Space Shuttle. This series of experiments was named the International Space Welding Experiment (ISWE). The hardware associated with the ISWE was leased to NASA, by the Paton Welding Institute (PWI) in Ukraine, for ground based welding experiments in preparation for flight. Two ground tests were scheduled, using the ISWE electron beam welding tool, to characterize the radiation exposure to an astronaut during the operation of the ISWE. These radiation exposure tests used Thermoluminescence Dosimeters (TLD's) shielded with material currently used by astronauts during Extra Vehicular Activities (EVA) to measure the radiation dose. The TLD's were exposed to x- ray radiation generated by operation of the ISWE in- vacuum electron beam welding tool. This investigation was the first known application of TLD's to measure absorbed dose from x-rays of energy less than 10 keV. The ISWE hardware was returned to Ukraine before the issue of adequate shielding for the astronauts was completely verified. Therefore alternate experimental and analytical methods were developed to measure and predict the x-ray spectral and intensity distribution generated by ISWE electron beam impact with metal. These x-ray spectra were normalized to an equivalent ISWE exposure then used to calculate the absorbed radiation dose to astronauts. These absorbed dose values were compared to TLD measurements obtained during actual operation of the ISWE in-vacuum electron beam welding tool. The calculated absorbed dose values were found to be in good agreement with the measured TLD values.

A novel tool for user-friendly estimation of natural, diagnostic and professional radiation risk: Radio-Risk software.

PubMed

Carpeggiani, Clara; Paterni, Marco; Caramella, Davide; Vano, Eliseo; Semelka, Richard C; Picano, Eugenio

2012-11-01

Awareness of radiological risk is low among doctors and patients. An educational/decision tool that considers each patient' s cumulative lifetime radiation exposure would facilitate provider-patient communication. The purpose of this work was to develop user-friendly software for simple estimation and communication of radiological risk to patients and doctors as a part of the SUIT-Heart (Stop Useless Imaging Testing in Heart disease) Project of the Tuscany Region. We developed a novel software program (PC-platform, Windows OS fully downloadable at http://suit-heart.ifc.cnr.it) considering reference dose estimates from American Heart Association Radiological Imaging 2009 guidelines and UK Royal College of Radiology 2007 guidelines. Cancer age and gender-weighted risk were derived from Biological Effects of Ionising Radiation VII Committee, 2006. With simple input functions (demographics, age, gender) the user selects from a predetermined menu variables relating to natural (e.g., airplane flights and geo-tracked background exposure), professional (e.g., cath lab workers) and medical (e.g., CT, cardiac scintigraphy, coronary stenting) sources. The program provides a simple numeric (cumulative effective dose in milliSievert, mSv, and equivalent number of chest X-rays) and graphic (cumulative temporal trends of exposure, cancer cases out of 100 exposed persons) display. A simple software program allows straightforward estimation of cumulative dose (in multiples of chest X-rays) and risk (in extra % lifetime cancer risk), with simple numbers quantifying lifetime extra cancer risk. Pictorial display of radiation risk may be valuable for increasing radiological awareness in cardiologists. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

[A cost-effectiveness analysis on universal infant rotavirus vaccination strategy in China].

PubMed

Sun, S L; Gao, Y Q; Yin, J; Zhuang, G H

2016-02-01

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of current universal infant rotavirus vaccination strategy, in China. Through constructing decision tree-Markov model, we simulated rotavirus diarrhea associated cost and health outcome on those newborns in 2012 regarding different vaccination programs as: group with no vaccination, Rotavirus vaccination group and Rotateq vaccination group, respectively. We determined the optimal program, based on the comparison between incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and China' s 2012 per capital gross domestic product (GDP). Compared with non-vaccination group, the Rotavirus vaccination and Rotateq vaccination groups had to pay 3 760 Yuan and 7 578 Yuan (both less than 2012 GDP per capital) to avert one disability adjusted life years (DALY) loss, respectively. RESULTS from sensitivity analysis indicated that both results were robust. Compared with Rotavirus vaccination program, the Rotateq vaccination program had to pay extra 81 068 Yuan (between 1 and 3 times GDP per capital) to avert one DALY loss. Data from the sensitivity analysis indicated that the result was not robust. From the perspective of health economics, both two-dose Rotarix vaccine and three-dose' s Rotateq vaccine programs were highly cost-effective, when compared to the non-vaccination program. It was appropriate to integrate rotavirus vaccine into the routine immunization program. Considering the large amount of extra cost that had to spend on Rotateq vaccination program, results from the sensitivity analysis showed that it was not robust. Rotateq vaccine required one more dose than the Rotarix vaccine, to be effective. However, it appeared more difficult to practice, suggesting that it was better to choose the Rotarix vaccine, at current stage.

Effects of repeated doses of caffeine on performance and alertness: new data and secondary analyses.

PubMed

Hewlett, Paul; Smith, Andrew

2007-08-01

The effects of caffeine on mood and performance are well established. Some authors suggest that caffeine merely reverses effects of caffeine withdrawal rather than having direct behavioural effects. It has also been suggested that withdrawal may be removed by a first dose of caffeine and further doses have little subsequent effect. These issues are examined here. The present study aimed to determine whether caffeine withdrawal influenced mood and performance by comparing regular consumers who had been withdrawn from caffeine overnight with non-consumers. Following this repeated caffeine doses were administered to test the claim that repeated dosing has no extra effect on mood or performance. Secondary analyses of data collected after a day of normal caffeine consumption were also carried out to examine some alternative explanations of their results which showed effects of caffeine after a day of normal caffeine consumption. One hundred and twenty volunteers participated in the study. Regular caffeine consumption was assessed by questionnaire and this showed that 36 of the volunteers did not regularly consume caffeinated beverages. Volunteers were instructed to abstain from caffeine overnight and then completed a baseline session measuring mood and a range of cognitive functions at 08.00 the next day. Following this volunteers were given 0, or 1 mg/kg caffeine in a milkshake, glucose solution or water (at 09:00), followed by a second 0 or 1 mg/kg caffeine dose (at 09:40) and the test battery repeated at 10:00. The baseline data showed no effect of overnight caffeine withdrawal on mood or performance. In contrast, caffeine challenge improved vigilance performance and prevented decreases in alertness induced by completion of the task battery. The magnitude of these effects increased as a function of the number of doses of caffeine given. Secondary analyses of data from Christopher et al. (2003) also confirmed that effects of caffeine did not depend on length of withdrawal. The present findings show no effect of overnight caffeine withdrawal on mood and performance. Caffeine challenge did have the predicted effect on alertness and vigilance, with the size of the effects increasing with caffeine dose. These findings suggest that the effects of caffeine are not due to reversal of effects of withdrawal, a view confirmed by secondary analyses of data collected after a day of normal caffeine consumption. Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Half brain irradiation in a murine model of breast cancer brain metastasis: magnetic resonance imaging and histological assessments of dose-response.

PubMed

Zarghami, Niloufar; Murrell, Donna H; Jensen, Michael D; Dick, Frederick A; Chambers, Ann F; Foster, Paula J; Wong, Eugene

2018-06-01

Brain metastasis is becoming increasingly prevalent in breast cancer due to improved extra-cranial disease control. With emerging availability of modern image-guided radiation platforms, mouse models of brain metastases and small animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we examined brain metastases' responses from radiotherapy in the pre-clinical setting. In this study, we employed half brain irradiation to reduce inter-subject variability in metastases dose-response evaluations. Half brain irradiation was performed on a micro-CT/RT system in a human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231-BR) brain metastasis mouse model. Radiation induced DNA double stranded breaks in tumors and normal mouse brain tissue were quantified using γ-H2AX immunohistochemistry at 30 min (acute) and 11 days (longitudinal) after half-brain treatment for doses of 8, 16 and 24 Gy. In addition, tumor responses were assessed volumetrically with in-vivo longitudinal MRI and histologically for tumor cell density and nuclear size. In the acute setting, γ-H2AX staining in tumors saturated at higher doses while normal mouse brain tissue continued to increase linearly in the phosphorylation of H2AX. While γ-H2AX fluorescence intensities returned to the background level in the brain 11 days after treatment, the residual γ-H2AX phosphorylation in the radiated tumors remained elevated compared to un-irradiated contralateral tumors. With radiation, MRI-derived relative tumor growth was significantly reduced compared to the un-irradiated side. While there was no difference in MRI tumor volume growth between 16 and 24 Gy, there was a significant reduction in tumor cell density from histology with increasing dose. In the longitudinal study, nuclear size in the residual tumor cells increased significantly as the radiation dose was increased. Radiation damages to the DNAs in the normal brain parenchyma are resolved over time, but remain unrepaired in the treated tumors. Furthermore, there is a radiation dose response in nuclear size of surviving tumor cells. Increase in nuclear size together with unrepaired DNA damage indicated that the surviving tumor cells post radiation had continued to progress in the cell cycle with DNA replication, but failed cytokinesis. Half brain irradiation provides efficient evaluation of dose-response for cancer cell lines, a pre-requisite to perform experiments to understand radio-resistance in brain metastases.

Turning a $10 Computer into a Powerful DIY Data Logger

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schilperoort, B.

2017-12-01

Due the rapid advance of consumer electronics, much more powerful and cheaper options are available for DIY projects. The $10 `Raspberry Pi Zero W' computer, with abilities like WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI video output, and a large cheap memory, can be used for data logging purposes. The computer has a range of input and output pins on the board, with which virtually every type of digital sensor communication is possible. With an extra component, analog measurements can also be made. An extra option is the addition of a camera, which can be connected straight to the board. However, due to the relatively high power consumption (0.5 - 0.7 Watt), the `Zero W' is not optimal for off-the-grid locations. For ease of use, the collected data can be downloaded over a local WiFi network using your smartphone or a laptop. No extra software or skills are needed, it is as simple as visiting a webpage and pressing download, making data collection a quick and easy task. With simple step by step instructions you can set up your own data logger, to collect data from sensors ranging from simple temperature and water level measurements, to sonic anemometers.

Risk assessment of consuming agricultural products irrigated with reclaimed wastewater: An exposure model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Ginneken, Meike; Oron, Gideon

2000-09-01

This study assesses health risks to consumers due to the use of agricultural products irrigated with reclaimed wastewater. The analysis is based on a definition of an exposure model which takes into account several parameters: (1) the quality of the applied wastewater, (2) the irrigation method, (3) the elapsed times between irrigation, harvest, and product consumption, and (4) the consumers' habits. The exposure model is used for numerical simulation of human consumers' risks using the Monte Carlo simulation method. The results of the numerical simulation show large deviations, probably caused by uncertainty (impreciseness in quality of input data) and variability due to diversity among populations. There is a 10-orders of magnitude difference in the risk of infection between the different exposure scenarios with the same water quality. This variation indicates the need for setting risk-based criteria for wastewater reclamation rather than single water quality guidelines. Extra data are required to decrease uncertainty in the risk assessment. Future research needs to include definition of acceptable risk criteria, more accurate dose-response modeling, information regarding pathogen survival in treated wastewater, additional data related to the passage of pathogens into and in the plants during irrigation, and information regarding the behavior patterns of the community of human consumers.

Wireless Video System for Extra Vehicular Activity in the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Orbiter Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Loh, Yin C.; Boster, John; Hwu, Shian; Watson, John C.; deSilva, Kanishka; Piatek, Irene (Technical Monitor)

1999-01-01

The Wireless Video System (WVS) provides real-time video coverage of astronaut extra vehicular activities during International Space Station (ISS) assembly. The ISS wireless environment is unique due to the nature of the ISS structure and multiple RF interference sources. This paper describes how the system was developed to combat multipath, blockage, and interference using an automatic antenna switching system. Critical to system performance is the selection of receiver antenna installation locations determined using Uniform Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (GTD) techniques.

Angular dependence of the MOSFET dosimeter and its impact on in vivo surface dose measurement in breast cancer treatment.

PubMed

Qin, S; Chen, T; Wang, L; Tu, Y; Yue, N; Zhou, J

2014-08-01

The focus of this study is the angular dependence of two types of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) dosimeters (MOSFET20 and OneDose/OneDosePlus) when used for surface dose measurements. External beam radiationat different gantry angles were delivered to a cubic solid water phantom with a MOSFET placed on the top surface at CAX. The long axis of the MOSFET was oriented along the gantry axis of rotation, with the dosimeter (bubble side) facing the radiation source. MOSFET-measured surface doses were compared against calibrated radiochromic film readings. It was found that both types of MOSFET dosimeters exhibited larger than previously reported angular dependence when measuring surface dose in beams at large oblique angles. For the MOSFET20 dosimeter the measured surface dose deviation against film readings was as high as 17% when the incident angle was 72 degrees to the norm of the phantom surface. It is concluded that some MOSFET dosimeters may have a strong angular dependence when placed on the surface of water-equivalent material, even though they may have an isotropic angular response when surrounded by uniform medium. Extra on-surface calibration maybe necessary before using MOSFET dosimeters for skin dose measurement in tangential fields.

Pegfilgrastim in primary prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia following frontline bendamustine plus rituximab treatment in patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a single center, real-life experience.

PubMed

Cerchione, Claudio; De Renzo, Amalia; Di Perna, Maria; Della Pepa, Roberta; Pugliese, Novella; Catalano, Lucio; Pane, Fabrizio; Picardi, Marco

2017-03-01

In this prospective study, the impact of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-2 CSF) administered during induction treatment with bendamustine plus rituximab for indolent non- Hodgkin Llymphoma (NHL) was evaluated by comparing patients who received secondary prophylaxis with filgrastim (control group) versus. patients who received pegfilgrastim as primary prophylaxis (peg-group). The primary endpoint was the incidence rate of febrile neutropenia (FN)- related chemotherapy disruptions (regarding dose-dense and/or dose-intensity of schedule). The Ssecondary endpoint included days of hospitalization due to FN, and G-CSF-related side effects (grade ≥3 WHO toxicity criteria) in each group. One hundred twenty-two: 122 consecutive patients, with untreated indolent NHL, were referred to our outpatient unit for remission induction immuno-chemotherapy with bendamustine-rituximab. During the first period, 61 patients received secondary prophylaxis with filgrastim, given "on demand" if ANC was <1000/mm3. During the second period, 61 patients received primary prophylaxis with pegfilgrastim in a single administration. Pegfilgrastim was significantly associated with fewer incidence rate of FN-related chemotherapy disruptions (11.4% in the control group vs. 1.6% in the peg-group, p = 0.04) and fewer days of hospitalization due to FN (median number 18 days in the control group vs. 6 in the peg-group, p = 0.04). In terms of G-CSF-related extra-hematological grade III side effects, no significant difference has been found in the two groups (9.8% in the control group vs. 11.5% in the peg-group, p = 0.77). Only one patient stopped the treatment in the peg-group due to intolerance. In patients with indolent NHL, in front-line treatment with bendamustine plus rituximab, primary prophylaxis with pegfilgrastim seems to reduce the incidence of chemotherapy disruptions due to FN, and the days of hospitalization. Moreover, it is well- tolerated and may increase the opportunity to maintain the planned schedule of treatment. These results make pegfilgrastim an advantageous option in most cases both in terms of cost-effectiveness and quality of life. These preliminary observations need to be validated by controlled clinical trials.

Mating system and extra-pair paternity in the Fan-tailed Gerygone Gerygone flavolateralis in relation to parasitism by the Shining Bronze-cuckoo Chalcites lucidus

PubMed Central

Kuehn, Ralph; Gazda, Małgorzata A.; Sato, Nozomu J.; Okahisa, Yuji; Tanaka, Keita D.; Attisano, Alfredo; Gula, Roman; Ueda, Keisuke; Theuerkauf, Jörn

2018-01-01

Extra-pair copulation can increase genetic diversity and offspring fitness. However, it may also increase intra-nest variability in avian hosts of brood parasites, which can decrease the discrimination ability of host parents towards the parasite. In New Caledonia, the Fan-tailed Gerygone (Gerygone flavolateralis), which is parasitized by the Shining Bronze-cuckoo (Chalcites lucidus), has two nestling morphs, dark and bright, that can occur in monomorphic and polymorphic broods. Gerygone parents recognize and eject parasite nestlings from their nest, but the presence of polymorphic broods may increase the chances of recognition errors. Using 17 microsatellite markers, we investigated the mating system of the Fan-tailed Gerygone to understand the mechanisms underlying nestling polymorphism. We hypothesised that extra-pair copulations would lead to a higher proportion of polymorphic broods caused by higher genetic variability, thus creating a trade-off between genetic benefits and host defence reliability. Extra-pair paternity occurred in 6 of 36 broods, which resulted in 6 of 69 offspring sired by extra-pair males. Broods with and without mixed paternity were comparably often parasitized. Extra-pair paternity did not influence the proportions of bright, dark and polymorphic broods. Compared to bright siblings in polymorphic broods, dark nestlings tended to have lower heterozygosity, particularly in loci associated with skin coloration. The results also suggested that there is no obstacle for genetic exchange between individuals from forest and savannah, possibly due to dispersal of offspring. We conclude that the Fan-tailed Gerygone is a socially monogamous species with a low rate of extra-pair paternity compared to closely related species. Extra-pair paternity increased offspring genetic variability without measurable associated costs by brood parasitism. The results highlight the importance of studying host mating systems to assess the trade-offs between host defence and offspring fitness in co-evolutionary arms races. PMID:29518150

Retrieving atmospheric transmissivity for biologically active daily dose, in various european sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de La Casinière, A.; Touré, M. L.; Lenoble, J.; Cabot, T.

2003-04-01

In the frame of the European Project EDUCE, global UV irradiance spectra recorded all along the year in several European sites are stored in a common database located in Finland. From the spectra set of some of these stations, are calculated atmospheric transmissivities for daily doses of four biologically active UV radiation, namely: UV-B, erythema, DNA damage, and plant damage. A transmissivity is defined as the ratio of the ground level value of the daily dose of interest to its corresponding extra-atmospheric value. Multiple linear correlation of the various transmissivities with three predictors (daily sunshine fraction, cosine of the daily minimum SZA, and daily total ozone column) assumed to be independent variables, are done for year 2000. The coefficients obtained from year 2000 correlation in a given site are expected to retrieve, from the local predictors, the daily dose for year 2001 in the same site, the average error being lesser than 10% for monthly mean values, and lesser than 5% for three-monthly mean values, depending on the daily dose type. Comparison of yearly mean daily doses retrieved in a given site from coefficients obtained in other sites is also presented.

Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration in Severely Burned Patients with Acute Kidney Injury: A Cohort Study

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-05-01

to result in any extra- renal effects. In the CVVH group the initial prescribed dose was variable based on hemo- dynamic compromise and perceived...associated with a decrease in 28-day and hospital mortality when compared with a historical control group, which largely did not receive any form of renal ...BUN: blood urea nitrogen; CVVH: continuous venovenous hemofiltration; CVVHDF: continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration; ESRD: end-stage renal disease

Paederia foetida Linn. leaf extract: an antihyperlipidemic, antihyperglycaemic and antioxidant activity

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background The primary objective of the present investigation is to evaluate the antidiabetic, antihyperlidemic and antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of the Paederia foetida Linn. (PF) leaf extract in the streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Methods Single intraperitoneal injection (IP) of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight) was used for induction of diabetes is swiss albino (wistar strain) rats. The induction of diabetes was confirmed after 3 days as noticing the increase in blood sugar level of tested rats. PF at a once a daily dose of 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, p.o. along with glibenclamide 10 mg/kg, p.o. was also given for 28 days. On the 28th day rats from all the groups fasted overnight fasted and the blood was collected from the puncturing the retro orbit of the eye under mild anesthetic condition. There collected blood sample was used to determine the antihyperlipidemic, hypoglycemic and antioxidant parameters. Results The oral acute toxicity studies did not show any toxic effect till the dose at 2000 mg/kg. While oral glucose tolerance test showed better glucose tolerance in tested rats. The statistical data indicated that the different dose of the PF significantly increased the body weight, hexokinase, plasma insulin, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxides. It also decreases the level of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, malonaldehyde, glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-1-6-biphosphate and glycated hemoglobin in STZ induced diabetic rats. The histopathology of STZ induce diabetic rats, as expected the test dose of PF extract considerably modulates the pathological condition of various vital organ viz. heart, kidney, liver, pancreas as shown in the histopathology examinations. Conclusions Our investigation has clearly indicated that the leaf extract of Paederia foetida Linn. showed remarkable antihyperglycemic activity due to its possible systematic effect involving in the pancreatic and extra pancreatic mechanism. Forever, the antihyperlipidemic activity was exerted possible by lowering the higher level of lipid profile and decreasing the intercalated disc space in the heart. The antioxidant activity of extract was due to inhibition of lipid peroxidation and increasing the SOD, GPx and CAT. It was corroborate that the extract shown the Paederia foetida Linn leaves potential to be act as antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant properties. PMID:24564866

Incidence and risk factors of early arterial blood flow stasis during first radioembolization of primary and secondary liver malignancy using resin microspheres: an initial single-center analysis.

PubMed

Pieper, Claus Christian; Willinek, Winfried A; Thomas, Daniel; Ahmadzadehfar, Hojjat; Essler, Markus; Nadal, Jennifer; Wilhelm, Kai E; Schild, Hans Heinz; Meyer, Carsten

2016-08-01

To retrospectively determine incidence of early arterial blood flow stasis and its influencing factors during resin-based radioembolization (RE) of liver tumours. Data of patients undergoing resin-based RE from 06/2006-12/2013 were reviewed. Second RE procedures of the same liver lobe were excluded. 90-yttrium dose was calculated according to the body surface area method. Data were categorized according to RE without full dose application because of early stasis and with full dose application. Clinical/procedural characteristics were recorded. Logistic regression was performed to identify associations between clinical/procedural characteristics and early stasis. 362 patients [220 male; mean age 62 years (range 26-90)] underwent 416 RE sessions with early stasis occurring in 103 REs (24.8 %). Highest incidence and degree of stasis were observed in breast cancer metastases [42.6 % (20/47); 55.8 % of mean intended dose administered]. Independent risk factors were: metastasized breast cancer (odds ratio [OR] 2.18, p = 0.02), liver tumour-burden <25 % and 25-50 % (ORs 5.33, 15.64; p < 0.0001), tumour hypovascularity (OR 2.70, p = 0.04), previous bevacizumab therapy (OR 2.79, p = 0.0009) and concurrent chemotherapy (OR 8.69, p < 0.0001). Early stasis was observed in 24.8 % of resin-based REs. In the presence of the identified risk factors, extra care should be taken during microsphere administration. • Early arterial blood flow stasis is a known problem of resin-based RE. • The study showed that early stasis occurs in 25 % of REs. • Several clinical and procedural factors are associated with early stasis. • In patients at risk extra care should be taken during RE.

A Large Cohort Study of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Use and Melanoma Incidence

PubMed Central

Maruti, Sonia S.; White, Emily

2008-01-01

Results of laboratory studies indicate that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may have chemopreventive activity and therapeutic efficacy against melanoma. However, few published epidemiological studies have examined the association between NSAID use and melanoma risk. We examined whether NSAID use was associated with melanoma risk among 63 809 men and women in the Vitamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) cohort study. Participants self-reported NSAID use (low-dose aspirin, regular or extra-strength aspirin, and nonaspirin NSAIDs) during the previous 10 years and data related to their melanoma risk factors on a baseline questionnaire. After linkage of the VITAL database to the NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry, 349 patients with incident melanoma were identified through December 31, 2005. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of melanoma by NSAID use as categorized by overall use, duration of use, and dose (expressed as average number of days of use during the past 10 years). All statistical tests were two-sided. After adjusting for melanoma risk factors and indications for NSAID use, no association between NSAID use and melanoma risk was found. When use of at least 4 d/wk was compared with nonuse, no melanoma risk reduction was detected for any NSAID dose (HR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.84 to 1.48), for any NSAID excluding low-dose aspirin (HR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.74 to 1.43), for regular- or extra-strength aspirin (HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.76 to 1.58), or for nonaspirin NSAIDs (HR = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.75 to 1.99). Moreover, NSAID use was not associated with tumor invasion (Pinteraction = .38), tumor thickness (Ptrend = .98), or risk of metastasis (HR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.32 to 3.62). NSAIDs do not appear to be good candidates for the chemoprevention of melanoma. PMID:18577752

SU-F-T-649: Dosimetric Evaluation of Non-Coplanar Arc Therapy Using a Novel Rotating Gamma Ray System

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

Eldib, A; Chibani, O; Jin, L

2016-06-15

Purpose: Stereotactic intra and extra-cranial body radiation therapy has evolved with advances in treatment accuracy, effective radiation dose, and parameters necessary to maximize machine capabilities. Novel gamma systems with a ring type gantry were developed having the ability to perform oblique arcs. The aim of this study is to explore the dosimetric advantages of this new system. Methods: The rotating Gamma system is named CybeRay (Cyber Medical Corp., Xian, China). It has a treatment head of 16 cobalt-60 sources focused to the isocenter, which can rotate 360° on the ring gantry and swing 35° in the superior direction. Treatment plansmore » were generated utilizing our in-house Monte Carlo treatment planning system. A cylindrical phantom was modeled with 2mm voxel size. Dose inside the cylindrical phantom was calculated for coplanar and non-coplanar arcs. Dosimetric differences between CybeRay cobalt beams and CyberKnife 6MV beams were compared in a lung phantom and for previously treated SBRT patients. Results: The full width at half maxima of cross profiles in the S-I direction for the coplanar setup matched the cone sizes, while for the non-coplanar setup, FWHM was larger by 2mm for a 10mm cone and about 5mm for larger cones. In the coronal and sagittal view, coplanar beams showed elliptical shaped isodose lines, while non-coplanar beams showed circular isodose lines. Thus proper selection of the oblique angle and cone size can aid optimal dose matching to the target volume. Comparing a single 5mm cone from CybeRay to that from CyberKnife showed similar penumbra in a lung phantom but CybeRay had significant lower doses beyond lung tissues. Comparable treatment plans were obtained with CybeRay as that from CyberKnife.ConclusionThe noncoplanar multiple source arrangement of CybeRay will be of great clinical benefits for stereotactic intra and extra-cranial radiation therapy.« less

Intensity of factor VIII treatment and the development of inhibitors in non-severe hemophilia A patients: results of the INSIGHT case-control study.

PubMed

van Velzen, A S; Eckhardt, C L; Peters, M; Leebeek, F W G; Escuriola-Ettingshausen, C; Hermans, C; Keenan, R; Astermark, J; Male, C; Peerlinck, K; le Cessie, S; van der Bom, J G; Fijnvandraat, K

2017-07-01

Essentials Research suggests that intensive treatment episodes may increase the risk to develop inhibitors. We performed an international nested case-control study with 298 non-severe hemophilia A patients. Surgery and a high dose of factor VIII concentrate were associated with increased inhibitor risk. Physicians need to review arguments for factor VIII dose and elective surgery extra critically. Background Inhibitor development is a major complication of treatment with factor VIII concentrates in hemophilia. Findings from studies among severe hemophilia A patients suggest that intensive treatment episodes increase the risk of developing inhibitors. Objectives We set out to assess whether intensive treatment is also associated with an increased risk of inhibitor development among non-severe hemophilia A patients. Patients/Methods We performed a nested case-control study. A total of 75 inhibitor patients (cases) and 223 control patients were selected from 2709 non-severe hemophilia A patients (FVIII:C, 2-40%) of the INSIGHT cohort study. Cases and controls were matched for date of birth and cumulative number of exposure days (EDs) to FVIII concentrates. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate both unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (aOR); the latter were adjusted for a priori specified confounders. Results Peak treatment of 5 or 10 consecutive EDs did not increase inhibitor risk (aOR, 1.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.4-2.5; and aOR, 1.8; CI, 0.6-5.5, respectively). Both surgical intervention (aOR, 4.2; CI, 1.7-10.3) and a high mean dose (> 45 IU kg -1 /ED) of FVIII concentrate (aOR, 7.5; CI, 1.6-35.6) were associated with an increased inhibitor risk. Conclusions Our findings suggest that high-dose FVIII treatment and surgery increase the risk of inhibitor development in non-severe hemophilia A. Together with the notion that non-severe hemophilia A patients are at a lifelong risk of inhibitor development, we suggest that in the future physicians will review the arguments for the FVIII dose and elective surgery extra critically. © 2017 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

Prediction and Measurement of X-Ray Spectral and Intensity Distributions from Low Energy Electron Impact Sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Edwards, David L.

1999-01-01

In-vacuum electron beam welding is a technology that NASA considered as a joining technique for manufacture of space structures. The interaction of energetic electrons with metal produces x-rays. The radiation exposure to astronauts performing the in-vacuum electron beam welding must be characterized and minimized to insure safe operating conditions. This investigation characterized the x-ray environment due to operation of an in-vacuum electron beam welding tool. NASA, in a joint venture with the Russian Space Agency, was scheduled to perform a series of welding in space experiments on board the United States Space Shuttle. This series of experiments was named the International Space Welding Experiment (ISWE). The hardware associated with the ISWE was leased to NASA, by the Paton Welding Institute (PWI) in Ukraine, for ground based welding experiments in preparation for flight. Two tests were scheduled, using the ISWE electron beam welding tool, to characterize the radiation exposure to an astronaut during the operation of the ISWE. These radiation exposure tests consisted of Thermoluminescence Dosimeters (TLD's) shielded with material currently used by astronauts during Extra Vehicular Activities (EVA) and exposed to x-ray radiation generated by operation of an in-vacuum electron beam welding tool. This investigation was the first known application of TLD's to measure absorbed dose from x-rays of energy less than 10 KeV. The ISWE hardware was returned to Ukraine before the issue of adequate shielding for the astronauts was verified. Therefore, alternate experimental and analytical methods were developed to measure and predict the x-ray spectral and intensity distribution generated by electron impact with metal. These x-ray spectra were used to calculate the absorbed radiation dose to astronauts. These absorbed dose values were compared to TLD measurements obtained during actual operation of the in-vacuum electron beam welding tool. The calculated absorbed dose values were found to be in good agreement with the TLD values.

Dietary supplements for football.

PubMed

Hespel, P; Maughan, R J; Greenhaff, P L

2006-07-01

Physical training and competition in football markedly increase the need for macro- and micronutrient intake. This requirement can generally be met by dietary management without the need for dietary supplements. In fact, the efficacy of most supplements available on the market is unproven. In addition, players must be cautious of inadequate product labelling and supplement impurities that may cause a positive drug test. Nonetheless, a number of dietary supplements may beneficially affect football performance. A high endurance capacity is a prerequisite for optimal match performance, particularly if extra time is played. In this context, the potential of low-dose caffeine ingestion (2 - 5 mg . kg body mass(-1)) to enhance endurance performance is well established. However, in the case of football, care must be taken not to overdose because visual information processing might be impaired. Scoring and preventing goals as a rule requires production of high power output. Dietary creatine supplementation (loading dose: 15 - 20 g . day(-1), 4 - 5 days; maintenance dose: 2 - 5 g g . day(-1)) has been found to increase muscle power output, especially during intermittent sprint exercises. Furthermore, creatine intake can augment muscle adaptations to resistance training. Team success and performance also depend on player availability, and thus injury prevention and health maintenance. Glucosamine or chondroitin may be useful in the treatment of joint pain and osteoarthritis, but there is no evidence to support the view that the administration of these supplements will be preventative. Ephedra-containing weight-loss cocktails should certainly be avoided due to reported adverse health effects and positive doping outcomes. Finally, the efficacy of antioxidant or vitamin C intake in excess of the normal recommended dietary dose is equivocal. Responses to dietary supplements can vary substantially between individuals, and therefore the ingestion of any supplement must be assessed in training before being used in competition. It is recommended that dietary supplements are only used based on the advice of a qualified sports nutrition professional.

Patented Drug Extension Strategies on Healthcare Spending: A Cost-Evaluation Analysis

PubMed Central

Vernaz, Nathalie; Haller, Guy; Girardin, François; Huttner, Benedikt; Combescure, Christophe; Dayer, Pierre; Muscionico, Daniel; Salomon, Jean-Luc; Bonnabry, Pascal

2013-01-01

Background Drug manufacturers have developed “evergreening” strategies to compete with generic medication after patent termination. These include marketing of slightly modified follow-on drugs. We aimed to estimate the financial impact of these drugs on overall healthcare costs and also to examine the impact of listing these drugs in hospital restrictive drug formularies (RDFs) on the healthcare system as a whole (“spillover effect”). Methods and Findings We used hospital and community pharmacy invoice office data in the Swiss canton of Geneva to calculate utilisation of eight follow-on drugs in defined daily doses between 2000 and 2008. “Extra costs” were calculated for three different scenarios assuming replacement with the corresponding generic equivalent for prescriptions of (1) all brand (i.e., initially patented) drugs, (2) all follow-on drugs, or (3) brand and follow-on drugs. To examine the financial spillover effect we calculated a monthly follow-on drug market share in defined daily doses for medications prescribed by hospital physicians but dispensed in community pharmacies, in comparison to drugs prescribed by non-hospital physicians in the community. Estimated “extra costs” over the study period were €15.9 (95% CI 15.5; 16.2) million for scenario 1, €14.4 (95% CI 14.1; 14.7) million for scenario 2, and €30.3 (95% CI 29.8; 30.8) million for scenario 3. The impact of strictly switching all patients using proton-pump inhibitors to esomeprazole at admission resulted in a spillover “extra cost” of €330,300 (95% CI 276,100; 383,800), whereas strictly switching to generic cetirizine resulted in savings of €7,700 (95% CI 4,100; 11,100). Overall we estimated that the RDF resulted in “extra costs” of €503,600 (95% CI 444,500; 563,100). Conclusions Evergreening strategies have been successful in maintaining market share in Geneva, offsetting competition by generics and cost containment policies. Hospitals may be contributing to increased overall healthcare costs by listing follow-on drugs in their RDF. Therefore, healthcare providers and policy makers should be aware of the impact of evergreening strategies. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary PMID:23750120

The effect of early life stress on the cognitive phenotype of children with an extra X chromosome (47,XXY/47,XXX).

PubMed

van Rijn, Sophie; Barneveld, Petra; Descheemaeker, Mie-Jef; Giltay, Jacques; Swaab, Hanna

2018-02-01

Studies on gene-environment interactions suggest that some individuals may be more susceptible to life adversities than others due to their genetic profile. This study assesses whether or not children with an extra X chromosome are more vulnerable to the negative impact of early life stress on cognitive functioning than typically-developing children. A total of 50 children with an extra X chromosome and 103 non-clinical controls aged 9 to 18 years participated in the study. Cognitive functioning in domains of language, social cognition and executive functioning were assessed. Early life stress was measured with the Questionnaire of Life Events. High levels of early life stress were found to be associated with compromised executive functioning in the areas of mental flexibility and inhibitory control, irrespective of group membership. In contrast, the children with an extra X chromosome were found to be disproportionally vulnerable to deficits in social cognition on top of executive dysfunction, as compared to typically-developing children. Within the extra X group the number of negative life events is significantly correlated with more problems in inhibition, mental flexibility and social cognition. It is concluded that children with an extra X chromosome are vulnerable to adverse life events, with social cognition being particularly impacted in addition to the negative effects on executive functioning. The findings that developmental outcome is codependent on early environmental factors in genetically vulnerable children also underscores opportunities for training and support to positively influence the course of development.

Brane-world motion in compact dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greene, Brian; Levin, Janna; Parikh, Maulik

2011-08-01

The topology of extra dimensions can break global Lorentz invariance, singling out a globally preferred frame even in flat spacetime. Through experiments that probe global topology, an observer can determine her state of motion with respect to the preferred frame. This scenario is realized if we live on a brane universe moving through a flat space with compact extra dimensions. We identify three experimental effects due to the motion of our universe that one could potentially detect using gravitational probes. One of these relates to the peculiar properties of the twin paradox in multiply-connected spacetimes. Another relies on the fact that the Kaluza-Klein modes of any bulk field are sensitive to boundary conditions. A third concerns the modification to the Newtonian potential on a moving brane. Remarkably, we find that even small extra dimensions are detectable by brane observers if the brane is moving sufficiently fast. Communicated by P R L V Moniz

FEMALE AND MALE GENETIC EFFECTS ON OFFSPRING PATERNITY: ADDITIVE GENETIC (CO)VARIANCES IN FEMALE EXTRA-PAIR REPRODUCTION AND MALE PATERNITY SUCCESS IN SONG SPARROWS (MELOSPIZA MELODIA)

PubMed Central

Reid, Jane M; Arcese, Peter; Keller, Lukas F; Losdat, Sylvain

2014-01-01

Ongoing evolution of polyandry, and consequent extra-pair reproduction in socially monogamous systems, is hypothesized to be facilitated by indirect selection stemming from cross-sex genetic covariances with components of male fitness. Specifically, polyandry is hypothesized to create positive genetic covariance with male paternity success due to inevitable assortative reproduction, driving ongoing coevolution. However, it remains unclear whether such covariances could or do emerge within complex polyandrous systems. First, we illustrate that genetic covariances between female extra-pair reproduction and male within-pair paternity success might be constrained in socially monogamous systems where female and male additive genetic effects can have opposing impacts on the paternity of jointly reared offspring. Second, we demonstrate nonzero additive genetic variance in female liability for extra-pair reproduction and male liability for within-pair paternity success, modeled as direct and associative genetic effects on offspring paternity, respectively, in free-living song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). The posterior mean additive genetic covariance between these liabilities was slightly positive, but the credible interval was wide and overlapped zero. Therefore, although substantial total additive genetic variance exists, the hypothesis that ongoing evolution of female extra-pair reproduction is facilitated by genetic covariance with male within-pair paternity success cannot yet be definitively supported or rejected either conceptually or empirically. PMID:24724612

Prostaglandin E2 Prevents Bone Loss and Adds Extra Bone to Immobilized Distal Femoral Metaphysis in Female Rats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Akamine, T.; Jee, W. S. S.; Ke, H. Z.; Li, X. J.; Lin, B. Y.

1992-01-01

The object of this study was to determine whether prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can prevent disuse (underloading)-induced cancellous bone loss. Thirteen-month-old retired female Sprague-Dawley breeders served as controls or were subjected to right hindlimb immobilization by bandaging and simultaneously treated subcutaneously daily with 0, 1, 3, or 6 mg PGE2/kg/d for two and six weeks. Histomorphometric analyses were performed on the cancellous bone using double-fluorescent labeled, 20 micron thick, undecalcified distal femoral metaphysis sections. We found that PGE2 administration not only prevented disuse-induced bone loss, but also added extra bone to disuse cancellous bone in a dose-response manner. PGE2 prevented the disuse-induced osteopenia by stimulating more bone formation than and shortening the period of bone remodeling. It activated woven bone formation, stimulated lamellar bone formation, and increased the eroded bone surface above that caused by disuse alone. While underloading increased the remodeling period (sigma), PGE2 treatment of underloaded bone shortened the time for osteoclastic bone resorption and bone remodeling, and thus reduced the remodeling space. The study shows that PGE2 is a powerful anabolic agent that prevents disuse-induced osteopenia and adds extra bone to these same bones.

The influence of neutron contamination on dosimetry in external photon beam radiotherapy

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

Horst, Felix, E-mail: felix.ernst.horst@kmub.thm.de; Czarnecki, Damian; Zink, Klemens

Purpose: Photon fields with energies above ∼7 MeV are contaminated by neutrons due to photonuclear reactions. Their influence on dosimetry—although considered to be very low—is widely unexplored. Methods: In this work, Monte Carlo based investigations into this issue performed with FLUKA and EGSNRC are presented. A typical Linac head in 18 MV-X mode was modeled equivalently within both codes. EGSNRC was used for the photon and FLUKA for the neutron production and transport simulation. Water depth dose profiles and the response of different detectors (Farmer chamber, TLD-100, TLD-600H, and TLD-700H chip) in five representative depths were simulated and the neutrons’more » impact (neutron absorbed dose relative to photon absorbed dose) was calculated. To take account of the neutrons’ influence, a theoretically required correction factor was defined and calculated for five representative water depths. Results: The neutrons’ impact on the absorbed dose to water was found to be below 0.1% for all depths and their impact on the response of the Farmer chamber and the TLD-700H chip was found to be even less. For the TLD-100 and the TLD-600H chip it was found to be up to 0.3% and 0.7%, respectively. The theoretical correction factors to be applied to absorbed dose to water values measured with these four detectors in a depth different from the reference/calibration depth were calculated and found to be below 0.05% for the Farmer chamber and the TLD-700H chip, but up to 0.15% and 0.35% for the TLD-100 and TLD-600H chips, respectively. In thermoluminescence dosimetry the neutrons’ influence (and therefore the additional inaccuracy in measurement) was found to be higher for TLD materials whose {sup 6}Li fraction is high, such as TLD-100 and TLD-600H, resulting from the thermal neutron capture reaction on {sup 6}Li. Conclusions: The impact of photoneutrons on the absorbed dose to water and on the response of a typical ionization chamber as well as three different types of TLD chips was quantified and was as expected found to be very low relative to that of the primary photons. For most practical reasons the neutrons’ influence on dosimetry might be neglected while for absolute precise thermoluminescence dosimetry in high energy photon fields, the use of TLD-700H (<0.03% {sup 6}Li) instead of the commonly used TLD-100 (7.4% {sup 6}Li) or even the extra neutron sensitive TLD-600H is recommended (95.6% {sup 6}Li) due to the additional inaccuracy in measurement for TLD materials with a high {sup 6}Li fraction.« less

The influence of neutron contamination on dosimetry in external photon beam radiotherapy.

PubMed

Horst, Felix; Czarnecki, Damian; Zink, Klemens

2015-11-01

Photon fields with energies above ∼7 MeV are contaminated by neutrons due to photonuclear reactions. Their influence on dosimetry-although considered to be very low-is widely unexplored. In this work, Monte Carlo based investigations into this issue performed with fluka and egsnrc are presented. A typical Linac head in 18 MV-X mode was modeled equivalently within both codes. egsnrc was used for the photon and fluka for the neutron production and transport simulation. Water depth dose profiles and the response of different detectors (Farmer chamber, TLD-100, TLD-600H, and TLD-700H chip) in five representative depths were simulated and the neutrons' impact (neutron absorbed dose relative to photon absorbed dose) was calculated. To take account of the neutrons' influence, a theoretically required correction factor was defined and calculated for five representative water depths. The neutrons' impact on the absorbed dose to water was found to be below 0.1% for all depths and their impact on the response of the Farmer chamber and the TLD-700H chip was found to be even less. For the TLD-100 and the TLD-600H chip it was found to be up to 0.3% and 0.7%, respectively. The theoretical correction factors to be applied to absorbed dose to water values measured with these four detectors in a depth different from the reference/calibration depth were calculated and found to be below 0.05% for the Farmer chamber and the TLD-700H chip, but up to 0.15% and 0.35% for the TLD-100 and TLD-600H chips, respectively. In thermoluminescence dosimetry the neutrons' influence (and therefore the additional inaccuracy in measurement) was found to be higher for TLD materials whose 6Li fraction is high, such as TLD-100 and TLD-600H, resulting from the thermal neutron capture reaction on 6Li. The impact of photoneutrons on the absorbed dose to water and on the response of a typical ionization chamber as well as three different types of TLD chips was quantified and was as expected found to be very low relative to that of the primary photons. For most practical reasons the neutrons' influence on dosimetry might be neglected while for absolute precise thermoluminescence dosimetry in high energy photon fields, the use of TLD-700H (<0.03% 6Li) instead of the commonly used TLD-100 (7.4% 6Li) or even the extra neutron sensitive TLD-600H is recommended (95.6% 6Li) due to the additional inaccuracy in measurement for TLD materials with a high 6Li fraction.

Identification of the third/extra allele for forensic application in cases with TPOX tri-allelic pattern.

PubMed

Picanço, Juliane Bentes; Raimann, Paulo Eduardo; Motta, Carlos Henrique Ares Silveira da; Rodenbusch, Rodrigo; Gusmão, Leonor; Alho, Clarice Sampaio

2015-05-01

Genotyping of polymorphic short tandem repeats (STRs) loci is widely used in forensic DNA analysis. STR loci eventually present tri-allelic pattern as a genotyping irregularity and, in that situation, the doubt about the tri-allele locus frequency calculation can reduce the analysis strength. In the TPOX human STR locus, tri-allelic genotypes have been reported with a widely varied frequency among human populations. We investigate whether there is a single extra allele (the third allele) in the TPOX tri-allelic pattern, what it is, and where it is, aiming to understand its genomic anatomy and to propose the knowledge of this TPOX extra allele from genetic profile, thus preserving the two standard TPOX alleles in forensic analyses. We looked for TPOX tri-allelic subjects in 75,113 Brazilian families. Considering only the parental generation (mother+father) we had 150,226 unrelated subjects evaluated. From this total, we found 88 unrelated subjects with tri-allelic pattern in the TPOX locus (0.06%; 88/150,226). Seventy three of these 88 subjects (73/88; 83%) had the Clayton's original Type 2 tri-allelic pattern (three peaks of even intensity). The remaining 17% (15/88) show a new Type 2 derived category with heterozygote peak imbalance (one double dose peak plus one regular sized peak). In this paper we present detailed data from 66 trios (mother+father+child) with true biological relationships. In 39 of these families (39/66; 59%) the extra TPOX allele was transmitted either from the mother or from the father to the child. Evidences indicated the allele 10 as the extra TPOX allele, and it is on the X chromosome. The present data, which support the previous Lane hypothesis, improve the knowledge about tri-allelic pattern of TPOX CODIS' locus allowing the use of TPOX profile in forensic analyses even when with tri-allelic pattern. This evaluation is now available for different forensic applications. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Radiation assessment to paediatric with F-18-FDG undergo whole-body PET/CT examination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhalisa, H.; Mohamad, A. S.; Rafidah, Z.

2016-01-01

This study was carried out on wholebody radiation dose assessment to paediatrics patient who undergo PET/CT scanner at Institut Kanser Negara. Consist of 68 patients with varies of malignancies and epilepsy disease case covering age between 2 years to 12 years old. This is a retrospective study from 2010-2014. The use of PET/CT scanner as an advanced tool has been proven to give an extra radiation dose to the patient. It is because of the radiation exposure from the combination of both CT and PET scans rather than a single CT or PET scan. Furthermore, a study on radiation dose to paediatric patient undergoing PET/CT is rare in Malaysia. So, the aim of this study is to estimate the wholebody effective dose to paediatric patient in Malaysia. Effective dose from PET scan was calculated based on the activity of F18 FDG and dose coefficient reported in International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 106. Effective dose from CT was determined using k coefficient as reported in ICRP publication 102 and Dose Length Product (DLP) value. The average effective dose from PET and CT were found to be 7.05mSv and 5.77mSv respectively. The mean wholebody effective dose received by a patient with combined PETCT examination was 12.78mSv. These results could be used as reference for dosimetry of a patient undergoing PETCT examination in Malaysia.

In vivo quality assurance of volumetric modulated arc therapy for ano-rectal cancer with thermoluminescent dosimetry and image-guidance.

PubMed

Dipasquale, Giovanna; Nouet, Philippe; Rouzaud, Michel; Dubouloz, Angèle; Miralbell, Raymond; Zilli, Thomas

2014-06-01

To assess in vivo dose distribution using cone-beam computed tomography scans (CBCTs) and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) in patients with anal or rectal cancer treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Intracavitary (IC) in vivo dosimetry (IVD) was performed in 11 patients using adapted endorectal probes containing TLDs, with extra measurements at the perianal skin (PS) for anal margin tumors. Measured doses were compared to calculated ones obtained from image fusion of CBCT with CT treatments plans. A total of 55 IC and 6 PS measurements were analyzed. IC TLD median planned and measured doses were 1.81 Gy (range, 0.25-2.02 Gy) and 1.82 Gy (range, 0.19-2.12 Gy), respectively. In comparison to the planned doses all IC TLD dose measurements differed by a median dose of 0.02 Gy (range, -0.11/+0.19 Gy, p=0.102) (median difference of 1.1%, range -6.1%/+10.6%). Overall, 95% of IC measurements were within ±7.7% of the expected percentage doses and only 1 value was above +10%. For PS measurements, only one was not within ±7.7% of expected values (i.e., -8.9%). Image guidance using CBCT for IVD with TLDs is helpful to validate the delivered doses in patients treated with VMAT for ano-rectal tumors. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dexamethasone-mediated inhibition of Glioblastoma neurosphere dispersal in an ex vivo organotypic neural assay

PubMed Central

Meleis, Ahmed M.; Mahtabfar, Aria; Danish, Shabbar

2017-01-01

Glioblastoma is highly aggressive. Early dispersal of the primary tumor renders localized therapy ineffective. Recurrence always occurs and leads to patient death. Prior studies have shown that dispersal of Glioblastoma can be significantly reduced by Dexamethasone (Dex), a drug currently used to control brain tumor related edema. However, due to high doses and significant side effects, treatment is tapered and discontinued as soon as edema has resolved. Prior analyses of the dispersal inhibitory effects of Dex were performed on tissue culture plastic, or polystyrene filters seeded with normal human astrocytes, conditions which inherently differ from the parenchymal architecture of neuronal tissue. The aim of this study was to utilize an ex-vivo model to examine Dex-mediated inhibition of tumor cell migration from low-passage, human Glioblastoma neurospheres on multiple substrates including mouse retina, and slices of mouse, pig, and human brain. We also determined the lowest possible Dex dose that can inhibit dispersal. Analysis by Two-Factor ANOVA shows that for GBM-2 and GBM-3, Dex treatment significantly reduces dispersal on all tissue types. However, the magnitude of the effect appears to be tissue-type specific. Moreover, there does not appear to be a difference in Dex-mediated inhibition of dispersal between mouse retina, mouse brain and human brain. To estimate the lowest possible dose at which Dex can inhibit dispersal, LogEC50 values were compared by Extra Sum-of-Squares F-test. We show that it is possible to achieve 50% reduction in dispersal with Dex doses ranging from 3.8 x10-8M to 8.0x10-9M for GBM-2, and 4.3x10-8M to 1.8x10-9M for GBM-3, on mouse retina and brain slices, respectively. These doses are 3-30-fold lower than those used to control edema. This study extends our previous in vitro data and identifies the mouse retina as a potential substrate for in vivo studies of GBM dispersal. PMID:29040322

Consequences of Team Job Demands: Role Ambiguity Climate, Affective Engagement, and Extra-Role Performance

PubMed Central

Mañas, Miguel A.; Díaz-Fúnez, Pedro; Pecino, Vicente; López-Liria, Remedios; Padilla, David; Aguilar-Parra, José M.

2018-01-01

In the absence of clearly established procedures in the workplace, employees will experience a negative affective state. This situation influences their well-being and their intention to behave in ways that benefit the organization beyond their job demands. This impact is more relevant on teamwork where members share the perception of ambiguity through emotional contagion (role ambiguity climate). In the framework of the job demands-resources model, the present study analyzes how high levels of role ambiguity climate can have such an effect to reduce employee affective engagement. Over time it has been associated with negative results for the organization due to a lack of extra-role performance. The sample included 706 employees from a multinational company, who were divided into 11 work teams. In line with the formulated hypotheses, the results confirm the negative influence of the role ambiguity climate on extra-role performance, and the mediated effect of affective engagement in the relationship between the role ambiguity climate and extra-role performance. These findings indicate that the role ambiguity climate is related to the adequate or inadequate functioning of employees within a work context. PMID:29375424

Ovulation and extra-ovarian origin of ovarian cancer

PubMed Central

Yang-Hartwich, Yang; Gurrea-Soteras, Marta; Sumi, Natalia; Joo, Won Duk; Holmberg, Jennie C.; Craveiro, Vinicius; Alvero, Ayesha B.; Mor, Gil

2014-01-01

The mortality rate of ovarian cancer remains high due to late diagnosis and recurrence. A fundamental step toward improving detection and treatment of this lethal disease is to understand its origin. A growing number of studies have revealed that ovarian cancer can develop from multiple extra-ovarian origins, including fallopian tube, gastrointestinal tract, cervix and endometriosis. However, the mechanism leading to their ovarian localization is not understood. We utilized in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models to recapitulate the process of extra-ovarian malignant cells migrating to the ovaries and forming tumors. We provided experimental evidence to support that ovulation, by disrupting the ovarian surface epithelium and releasing chemokines/cytokines, promotes the migration and adhesion of malignant cells to the ovary. We identified the granulosa cell-secreted SDF-1 as a main chemoattractant that recruits malignant cells towards the ovary. Our findings revealed a potential molecular mechanism of how the extra-ovarian cells can be attracted by the ovary, migrate to and form tumors in the ovary. Our data also supports the association between increased ovulation and the risk of ovarian cancer. Understanding this association will lead us to the development of more specific markers for early detection and better prevention strategies. PMID:25135607

Consequences of Team Job Demands: Role Ambiguity Climate, Affective Engagement, and Extra-Role Performance.

PubMed

Mañas, Miguel A; Díaz-Fúnez, Pedro; Pecino, Vicente; López-Liria, Remedios; Padilla, David; Aguilar-Parra, José M

2017-01-01

In the absence of clearly established procedures in the workplace, employees will experience a negative affective state. This situation influences their well-being and their intention to behave in ways that benefit the organization beyond their job demands. This impact is more relevant on teamwork where members share the perception of ambiguity through emotional contagion (role ambiguity climate). In the framework of the job demands-resources model, the present study analyzes how high levels of role ambiguity climate can have such an effect to reduce employee affective engagement. Over time it has been associated with negative results for the organization due to a lack of extra-role performance. The sample included 706 employees from a multinational company, who were divided into 11 work teams. In line with the formulated hypotheses, the results confirm the negative influence of the role ambiguity climate on extra-role performance, and the mediated effect of affective engagement in the relationship between the role ambiguity climate and extra-role performance. These findings indicate that the role ambiguity climate is related to the adequate or inadequate functioning of employees within a work context.

Time Demand and Radiation Dose in 3D-Fluoroscopy-based Navigation-assisted 3D-Fluoroscopy-controlled Pedicle Screw Instrumentations.

PubMed

Balling, Horst

2018-05-01

Prospective single-center cohort study to record additional time requirements and radiation dose in navigation-assisted O-arm-controlled pedicle screw (PS) instrumentations. The aim of this study was to evaluate amount of extra-time and radiation dose for navigation-assisted PS instrumentations of the thoracolumbosacral spine using O-arm 3D-real-time-navigation (O3DN) compared to non-navigated spinal procedures (NNSPs) with a single C-arm and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan for controlling PS positions. 3D-navigation is reported to enhance PS insertion accuracy. But time-consuming navigational steps and considerable additional radiation doses seem to limit this modern technique's attraction. A detailed analysis of additional time demand and extra-radiation dose in 3D-navigated spine surgery is not provided in literature, yet. From February 2011 through July 2015, 306 consecutive posterior instrumentations were performed in vertebral levels T10-S1 using O3DN for PS insertion. The duration of procedure-specific navigational steps of the overall collective (I) and the last cohort of 50 consecutive O3DN-surgeries (II) was compared to the average duration of analogous surgical steps in 100 consecutive NNSP using a single C-arm. 3D-radiation dose (dose-length-product, DLP) of navigational and postinstrumentation O-arm scans in group I and II was compared to the average DLP of 100 diagnostic lumbar CT scans. The average presurgical time from patient positioning on the operating table to skin incision was 46.2 ± 10.1 minutes (O3DN, I) and 40.6 ± 9.8 minutes (O3DN, II) versus 30.6 ± 8.3 minutes (NNSP) (P < 0.001, each). Intraoperative interruptions for scanning and data processing took 3.0 ± 0.6 minutes. DLPs averaged 865.1 ± 360.8 mGycm (O3DN, I) and 562.1 ± 352.6 mGycm (O3DN, II) compared to 575.5 ± 316.5 mGycm in diagnostic lumbar CT scans (P < 0.001 (I), P ≈ 0.81 [II]). After procedural experience, navigated surgeries can be performed with an additional time demand of 13.0 minutes compared to NNSP, and with a total DLP below that of a diagnostic lumbar CT scan (P ≈ 0.81). 4.

Numerical study on non-locally reacting behavior of nacelle liners incorporating drainage slots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chao; Li, Xiaodong; Thiele, Frank

2018-06-01

For acoustic liners used in current commercial nacelles, in order to prevent any liquid accumulating in the resonators, drainage slots are incorporated on the partition walls between closely packed cavities. Recently, an experimental study conducted by Busse-Gerstengarbe et al. shown that the cell interaction introduced by drainage slots causes an additional dissipation peak which increases with the size of the slot. However, the variation of damping process due to drainage slots is still not fully understood. Therefore, a numerical study based on computational aeroacoustic methods is carried out to investigate the mechanism of the changed attenuation characteristics due to drainage slots in presence of grazing incident sound waves with low or high intensities. Different slot configurations are designed based on the generic non-locally reacting liner model adopted in the experimental investigation. Both 2-D and 3-D numerical simulations of only slit resonators are carried out. Numerical results indicate that the extra peak is a result of a resonance excited in the second cavity at specific frequency. Under high sound pressure level incoming waves, the basic characteristics of the acoustic performance remain. However, vortex shedding transpires at the resonances around both the slits and the drainage slot. Vorticity contours show that the connection of two coupled cavities decreases the strength of vortex shedding around the basic Helmholtz resonance due to a higher energy reflection. Meanwhile, the cell interaction significantly increases the vorticity magnitude near the extra resonant frequency. Finally, a semi-empirical model is derived to predict the extra attenuation peak frequency.

Ceftazidime dosing in the elderly: economic implications.

PubMed

Vlasses, P H; Bastion, W A; Behal, R; Sirgo, M A

1993-01-01

This study evaluated the prevalence and resulting costs of ceftazidime dosing in excess of product labeling recommendations in elderly hospitalized patients. Ceftazidime is a beta-lactam antibiotic excreted via glomerular filtration. According to product labeling, ceftazidime dosing can frequently be decreased in the elderly because glomerular filtration declines with age. A multicenter, retrospective utilization audit involving 11 US academic medical centers examined 221 medical records of patients 65 years of age or older receiving ceftazidime (any brand, any indication). The creatinine clearance of each patient was estimated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula. Renal insufficiency, defined as an estimated creatinine clearance of less than 50 mL/min, was present in 111 of the patients (50 percent). Ceftazidime dosing in excess of product labeling recommendations was noted in 75 of those 111 (68 percent). The cost of excess ceftazidime dosing for those 75 patients (i.e., extra drug acquisition, preparation, administration) was $13,822.50. Although the dosage of ceftazidime required in a specific patient is based on many factors, ceftazidime is frequently overdosed in the elderly because renal function is not considered. Ceftazidime dose-adjustment in the elderly, based on the estimated creatinine clearance, can lead to cost savings. In the US, where hospital reimbursement by Medicare is based on diagnosis, institutions can realize direct cost savings.

Radiation assessment to paediatric with F-18-FDG undergo whole-body PET/CT examination

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

Dhalisa, H., E-mail: dhalisa82@gmail.com; Rafidah, Z.; Mohamad, A. S.

2016-01-22

This study was carried out on wholebody radiation dose assessment to paediatrics patient who undergo PET/CT scanner at Institut Kanser Negara. Consist of 68 patients with varies of malignancies and epilepsy disease case covering age between 2 years to 12 years old. This is a retrospective study from 2010-2014. The use of PET/CT scanner as an advanced tool has been proven to give an extra radiation dose to the patient. It is because of the radiation exposure from the combination of both CT and PET scans rather than a single CT or PET scan. Furthermore, a study on radiation dosemore » to paediatric patient undergoing PET/CT is rare in Malaysia. So, the aim of this study is to estimate the wholebody effective dose to paediatric patient in Malaysia. Effective dose from PET scan was calculated based on the activity of F18 FDG and dose coefficient reported in International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 106. Effective dose from CT was determined using k coefficient as reported in ICRP publication 102 and Dose Length Product (DLP) value. The average effective dose from PET and CT were found to be 7.05mSv and 5.77mSv respectively. The mean wholebody effective dose received by a patient with combined PETCT examination was 12.78mSv. These results could be used as reference for dosimetry of a patient undergoing PETCT examination in Malaysia.« less

Living well to the end: A phenomenological analysis of life in extra care housing.

PubMed

Shaw, Rachel L; West, Karen; Hagger, Barbara; Holland, Carol A

2016-01-01

To understand older adults' experiences of moving into extra care housing which offers enrichment activities alongside social and healthcare support. A longitudinal study was conducted which adopted a phenomenological approach to data generation and analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in the first 18 months of living in extra care housing. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used because its commitment to idiography enabled an in-depth analysis of the subjective lived experience of moving into extra care housing. Themes generated inductively were examined against an existential-phenomenological theory of well-being. Learning to live in an extra care community showed negotiating new relationships was not straightforward; maintaining friendships outside the community became more difficult as capacity declined. In springboard for opportunity/confinement, living in extra care provided new opportunities for social engagement and a restored sense of self. Over time horizons began to shrink as incapacities grew. Seeking care illustrated reticence to seek care, due to embarrassment and a sense of duty to one's partner. Becoming aged presented an ontological challenge. Nevertheless, some showed a readiness for death, a sense of homecoming. An authentic later life was possible but residents required emotional and social support to live through the transition and challenges of becoming aged. Enhancement activities boosted residents' quality of life but the range of activities could be extended to cater better for quieter, smaller scale events within the community; volunteer activity facilitators could be used here. Peer mentoring may help build new relationships and opportunities for interactive stimulation. Acknowledging the importance of feeling-empathic imagination-in caregiving may help staff and residents relate better to each other, thus helping individuals to become ontologically secure and live well to the end.

Living well to the end: A phenomenological analysis of life in extra care housing

PubMed Central

Shaw, Rachel L.; West, Karen; Hagger, Barbara; Holland, Carol A.

2016-01-01

Objectives To understand older adults’ experiences of moving into extra care housing which offers enrichment activities alongside social and healthcare support. Design A longitudinal study was conducted which adopted a phenomenological approach to data generation and analysis. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted in the first 18 months of living in extra care housing. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used because its commitment to idiography enabled an in-depth analysis of the subjective lived experience of moving into extra care housing. Themes generated inductively were examined against an existential–phenomenological theory of well-being. Results Learning to live in an extra care community showed negotiating new relationships was not straightforward; maintaining friendships outside the community became more difficult as capacity declined. In springboard for opportunity/confinement, living in extra care provided new opportunities for social engagement and a restored sense of self. Over time horizons began to shrink as incapacities grew. Seeking care illustrated reticence to seek care, due to embarrassment and a sense of duty to one's partner. Becoming aged presented an ontological challenge. Nevertheless, some showed a readiness for death, a sense of homecoming. Conclusions An authentic later life was possible but residents required emotional and social support to live through the transition and challenges of becoming aged. Enhancement activities boosted residents’ quality of life but the range of activities could be extended to cater better for quieter, smaller scale events within the community; volunteer activity facilitators could be used here. Peer mentoring may help build new relationships and opportunities for interactive stimulation. Acknowledging the importance of feeling—empathic imagination—in caregiving may help staff and residents relate better to each other, thus helping individuals to become ontologically secure and live well to the end. PMID:27172516

The role of extra-couple HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa

PubMed Central

Bellan, Steve E.; Fiorella, Kathryn J.; Melesse, Dessalegn Y.; Getz, Wayne M.; Williams, Brian G.; Dushoff, Jonathan

2013-01-01

Summary Background The proportion of heterosexual HIV transmission in Sub-Saharan Africa that occurs within cohabiting partnerships, as opposed to among single people, or in extra-couple relationships, is a subject of active debate. This question is of immediate importance. As plans to use antiretroviral drugs as a strategy for population-level prevention progress, understanding the importance of different transmission routes is critical to targeting intervention efforts. Methods We built a mechanistic HIV transmission model using data from Demographic and Health Surveys covering 27,201 cohabiting couples from 18 sub-Saharan African countries with information on couple duration, age at sexual debut, and HIV serostatus. We combined this model with estimates of HIV survival times and country-specific estimates of HIV prevalence and ART coverage. We then estimated the proportion of observed infections in surveyed cohabiting couples that occurred prior to couple formation, between couple members, and through extra-couple intercourse. Findings We estimate that extra-couple transmission accounts for between 27-61% and 21-51% of all infected males and females, respectively, in surveyed couples, with the ranges given reflecting inter-country variation. We project that over the next year extra-couple transmission will account for 30-65% and 10-47% of new incident HIV infections in males and females, respectively, in cohabiting couples. Our results also suggest that the directionality of transmission within couples is largely from males to females; however, females experience a very high-risk period prior to couple formation. Interpretation Due to the large contribution of extra-couple transmission, HIV prevention interventions should target the general sexually active population, and not just serodiscordant couples. PMID:23391466

Remediation of incomplete nitrification and capacity increase of biofilters at different drinking water treatment plants through copper dosing.

PubMed

Wagner, Florian B; Nielsen, Peter Borch; Boe-Hansen, Rasmus; Albrechtsen, Hans-Jørgen

2018-04-01

Drinking water treatment plants based on groundwater may suffer from incomplete ammonium removal, which deteriorates drinking water quality and constrains water utilities in the operation of their plants. Ammonium is normally removed through nitrification in biological granular media filters, and recent studies have demonstrated that dosing of copper can stimulate the removal of ammonium. Here, we investigated if copper dosing could generically improve ammonium removal of biofilters, at treatment plants with different characteristics. Copper was dosed at ≤1.5 μg Cu/L to biofilters at 10 groundwater treatment plants, all of which had displayed several years of incomplete nitrification. Plants exceeded the Danish national water quality standard of 0.05 mg NH 4 + /L by a factor of 2-12. Within only 2-3 weeks of dosing, ammonium removal rates increased significantly (up to 150%). Nitrification was fully established, with ammonium effluent concentrations of <0.01 mg NH 4 + -N/L at most plants, regardless of the differences in raw water chemistry, ammonium loading rates, filter design and operation, or treatment plant configuration. However, for filters without primary filtration, it took longer time to reach complete ammonium removal than for filters receiving prefiltered water, likely due to sorption of copper to iron oxides, at plants without prefiltration. With complete ammonium removal, we subjected two plants to short-term loading rate upshifts, to examine the filters' ability to cope with loading rate variations. After 2 months of dosing and an average loading rate of 1.0 g NH 4 + -N/m 3 filter material/h, the loading rate was upshifted by 50%. Yet, a filter managed to completely remove all the influent ammonium, showing that with copper dosing the filter had extra capacity to remove ammonium even beyond its normal loading rates. Depth sampling revealed that the ammonium removal rate of the filter's upper 10 cm increased more than 7-fold from 0.67 to 4.90 g NH 4 + -N/m 3 /h, and that nitrite produced from increased ammonium oxidation was completely oxidized further to nitrate. Hence, no problems with nitrite accumulation or breakthrough occurred. Overall, copper dosing generically enhanced nitrification efficiency and allowed a range of quite different plants to meet water quality standards, even at increased loading rates. The capacity increase is highly relevant in practice, as it makes filters more robust towards sudden ammonium loading rate variations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A correction scheme for a simplified analytical random walk model algorithm of proton dose calculation in distal Bragg peak regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Weiguang; Merchant, Thomas E.; Farr, Jonathan B.

2016-10-01

The lateral homogeneity assumption is used in most analytical algorithms for proton dose, such as the pencil-beam algorithms and our simplified analytical random walk model. To improve the dose calculation in the distal fall-off region in heterogeneous media, we analyzed primary proton fluence near heterogeneous media and propose to calculate the lateral fluence with voxel-specific Gaussian distributions. The lateral fluence from a beamlet is no longer expressed by a single Gaussian for all the lateral voxels, but by a specific Gaussian for each lateral voxel. The voxel-specific Gaussian for the beamlet of interest is calculated by re-initializing the fluence deviation on an effective surface where the proton energies of the beamlet of interest and the beamlet passing the voxel are the same. The dose improvement from the correction scheme was demonstrated by the dose distributions in two sets of heterogeneous phantoms consisting of cortical bone, lung, and water and by evaluating distributions in example patients with a head-and-neck tumor and metal spinal implants. The dose distributions from Monte Carlo simulations were used as the reference. The correction scheme effectively improved the dose calculation accuracy in the distal fall-off region and increased the gamma test pass rate. The extra computation for the correction was about 20% of that for the original algorithm but is dependent upon patient geometry.

Female and male genetic effects on offspring paternity: additive genetic (co)variances in female extra-pair reproduction and male paternity success in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia).

PubMed

Reid, Jane M; Arcese, Peter; Keller, Lukas F; Losdat, Sylvain

2014-08-01

Ongoing evolution of polyandry, and consequent extra-pair reproduction in socially monogamous systems, is hypothesized to be facilitated by indirect selection stemming from cross-sex genetic covariances with components of male fitness. Specifically, polyandry is hypothesized to create positive genetic covariance with male paternity success due to inevitable assortative reproduction, driving ongoing coevolution. However, it remains unclear whether such covariances could or do emerge within complex polyandrous systems. First, we illustrate that genetic covariances between female extra-pair reproduction and male within-pair paternity success might be constrained in socially monogamous systems where female and male additive genetic effects can have opposing impacts on the paternity of jointly reared offspring. Second, we demonstrate nonzero additive genetic variance in female liability for extra-pair reproduction and male liability for within-pair paternity success, modeled as direct and associative genetic effects on offspring paternity, respectively, in free-living song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). The posterior mean additive genetic covariance between these liabilities was slightly positive, but the credible interval was wide and overlapped zero. Therefore, although substantial total additive genetic variance exists, the hypothesis that ongoing evolution of female extra-pair reproduction is facilitated by genetic covariance with male within-pair paternity success cannot yet be definitively supported or rejected either conceptually or empirically. © 2014 The Author(s). Evolution published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Society for the Study of Evolution.

A retrospective analysis of a societal experiment among the Danish population suggests that exposure to extra doses of vitamin A during fetal development may lower type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk later in life.

PubMed

Keller, Amélie; Ängquist, Lars; Jacobsen, Ramune; Vaag, Allan; Heitmann, Berit L

2017-03-01

Vitamin A deficiency has been associated with impaired fetal pancreatic development and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In 1962, mandatory margarine fortification with vitamin A was increased by 25 % in Denmark. We aimed to determine whether offspring of mothers who had been exposed to the extra vitamin A from fortification during pregnancy had a lower risk of developing T2DM in adult life, compared with offspring of mothers exposed to less vitamin A. Individuals from birth cohorts with the higher prenatal vitamin A exposure (born 1 December 1962-31 March 1964) and those with lower prenatal exposure (born 1 September 1959-31 December 1960) were followed up with regard to development of T2DM before 31 December 2012 in the Danish National Diabetes Registry and National Patient Register. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the risk of T2DM by vitamin A exposure level. A total of 193 803 individuals were followed up until midlife. Our results showed that individuals exposed prenatally to extra vitamin A from fortified margarine had a lower risk of developing T2DM than those exposed to lower levels: OR 0·88; 95 % CI 0·81, 0·95, P=0·001, after adjustment for sex. Fetal exposure to small, extra amounts of vitamin A from food fortification may reduce the risk of T2DM. These results may have public health relevance, as they demonstrate that one of the most costly chronic diseases may be prevented by food fortification - a simple and affordable public health nutrition intervention.

Stereotactic Arrhythmia Radioablation (STAR) of Ventricular Tachycardia: A Treatment Planning Study

PubMed Central

Fahimian, Benjamin; Soltys, Scott G; Zei, Paul; Lo, Anthony; Gardner, Edward A; Maguire, Patrick J; Loo Jr., Billy W

2016-01-01

Purpose The first stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation (STAR) of ventricular tachycardia (VT) was delivered at Stanford on a robotic radiosurgery system (CyberKnife® G4) in 2012. The results warranted further investigation of this treatment. Here we compare dosimetrically three possible treatment delivery platforms for STAR. Methods The anatomy and target volume of the first treated patient were used for this study. A dose of 25 Gy in one fraction was prescribed to the planning target volume (PTV). Treatment plans were created on three treatment platforms: CyberKnife® G4 system with Iris collimator (Multiplan, V. 4.6)(Plan #1), CyberKnife® M6 system with InCise 2TM multileaf collimator (Multiplan V. 5.3)(Plan #2) and Varian TrueBeamTM STx with HD 120TM MLC and 10MV flattening filter free (FFF) beam (Eclipse planning system, V.11) (Plan #3 coplanar and #4 noncoplanar VMAT plans). The four plans were compared by prescription isodose line, plan conformity index, dose gradient, as well as dose to the nearby critical structures. To assess the delivery efficiency, planned monitor units (MU) and estimated treatment time were evaluated. Results Plans #1-4 delivered 25 Gy to the PTV to the 75.0%, 83.0%, 84.3%, and 84.9% isodose lines and with conformity indices of 1.19, 1.16, 1.05, and 1.05, respectively. The dose gradients for plans #1-4 were 3.62, 3.42, 3.93, and 3.73 with the CyberKnife® MLC plan (Plan #2) the best, and the TrueBeamTM STx co-planar plan (Plan #3) the worst. The dose to nearby critical structures (lung, stomach, bowel, and esophagus) were all well within tolerance. The MUs for plans #1-4 were 27671, 16522, 6275, and 6004 for an estimated total-treatment-time/beam-delivery-time of 99/69, 65/35, 37/7, and 56/6 minutes, respectively, under the assumption of 30 minutes pretreatment setup time. For VMAT gated delivery, a 40% duty cycle, 2400MU/minute dose rate, and an extra 10 minutes per extra arc were assumed. Conclusion Clinically acceptable plans were created with all three platforms. Plans with MLC were considerably more efficient in MU. CyberKnife® M6 with InCise 2TM collimator provided the most conformal plan (steepest dose drop-off) with significantly reduced MU and treatment time. VMAT plans were most efficient in MU and delivery time. Fluoroscopic image guidance removes the need for additional fiducial marker placement; however, benefits may be moderated by worse dose gradient and more operator-dependent motion management by gated delivery. PMID:27570715

Effect of an oral starter dose of iron on haematology and weight gain in piglets having voluntary access to glutamic acid-chelated iron solution.

PubMed

Egeli, A K; Framstad, T

1998-01-01

Six litters of Norwegian Landrace piglets were included in the study. The day after birth (day 1), half of the piglets (split litters) were given 52 mg glutamic acid-chelated Fe (4 ml of a 50% solution of Super Fe-MAX) perorally. All the piglets had free access to a 3% solution of Super Fe-MAX from this day until weaning at 5 weeks. The piglets were weighed and blood samples collected on days 1, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 35, and weighed only on days 28 and 49. The production of erythrocytes and haemoglobin was greater in the first week after birth in piglets given extra iron perorally on day 1, compared to those with voluntary access to iron. The extra peroral iron administration did not prevent some of the piglets from becoming anaemic later. Weight gain was similar in the 2 groups.

Effective and Safe Use of Glucocorticosteroids for Rescue of Late ARDS

PubMed Central

Diana, Paolo; Money, Dustin T.; Gelvin, Michael G.

2017-01-01

We describe a case of severe refractory hypoxemia requiring prolonged extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support in a case of postpartum acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The clinical course was marked by persistently poor lung compliance and several complications of ECMO, that is, significant hemolysis, hemothorax, and intracranial bleeding. We report marked improvement of lung mechanics and respiratory function, leading to accelerated separation from ECMO, following rescue administration of low dose methylprednisolone 24 days after the onset of ARDS. Corticosteroid treatment was safe and well tolerated. In contrast with the conclusions of the 2006 ARDS Network trial, our report establishes a case in support of the use of low dose methylprednisolone as a safe and effective rescue treatment option in selected subsets of patients with nonresolving ARDS. PMID:28337348

Casimir force in brane worlds: Coinciding results from Green's and zeta function approaches

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

Linares, Roman; Morales-Tecotl, Hugo A.; Pedraza, Omar

2010-06-15

Casimir force encodes the structure of the field modes as vacuum fluctuations and so it is sensitive to the extra dimensions of brane worlds. Now, in flat spacetimes of arbitrary dimension the two standard approaches to the Casimir force, Green's function, and zeta function yield the same result, but for brane world models this was only assumed. In this work we show that both approaches yield the same Casimir force in the case of universal extra dimensions and Randall-Sundrum scenarios with one and two branes added by p compact dimensions. Essentially, the details of the mode eigenfunctions that enter themore » Casimir force in the Green's function approach get removed due to their orthogonality relations with a measure involving the right hypervolume of the plates, and this leaves just the contribution coming from the zeta function approach. The present analysis corrects previous results showing a difference between the two approaches for the single brane Randall-Sundrum; this was due to an erroneous hypervolume of the plates introduced by the authors when using the Green's function. For all the models we discuss here, the resulting Casimir force can be neatly expressed in terms of two four-dimensional Casimir force contributions: one for the massless mode and the other for a tower of massive modes associated with the extra dimensions.« less

Morphological changes in carotid arteries in stroke cases.

PubMed

Thapa, Guna Bahadur; Sundas, Alin; Rauniyar, Raj Kumar

2013-01-01

Majority of stroke is due to ischemic infarction and occurs in carotid artery territory. The extra cranial parts of carotid arteries are the common sites for the atherosclerotic plaque formation. Ultrasonography is the first line of investigation for screening of the carotid artery diseases to localize and characterize the plaques. Objective was to study the morphological changes in extra cranial part of carotid arteries in cases of ischemic infarction using Ultrasonography. It was an institution based prospective study and convenience sampling method was used. Computed Tomography proven ischemic infarct, lacunar infarction and transient ischemic infarction cases were included in the study. Fifty four cases were included in the study. Mean of Intimo-medial Complex Thickness was 0.89 mm and 0.88 mm in right and left side respectively. Sixty five percent cases had plaque in extra cranial part of carotid artery. Ninety three percent of plaque was found in and adjacent to the carotid bulb region. Ipsilateral plaque was found in 76% and 65% cases on right and left side respectively. Fifty three percent of cases had soft plaque. Majority of cases had less than 50% narrowing of the lumen diameter in term of cross-sectional area due to plaque. Thirteen (24%) cases had plaque in internal carotid artery. Carotid ultrasound can be used for screening of the asymptomatic but high-risk cases and following up of the symptomatic cases to plan for necessary management as required.

Radiological risk assessment of cosmic radiation at aviation altitudes (a trip from Houston Intercontinental Airport to Lagos International Airport).

PubMed

Enyinna, Paschal Ikenna

2016-01-01

Radiological risk parameters associated with aircrew members traveling from Houston Intercontinental Airport to Lagos International Airport have been computed using computer software called EPCARD (version 3.2). The mean annual effective dose of radiation was computed to be 2.94 mSv/year. This result is above the standard permissible limit of 1 mSv/year set for the public and pregnant aircrew members but below the limit set for occupationally exposed workers. The Risk of cancer mortality and excess career time cancer risk computed ranged from 3.5 × 10(-5) to 24.5 × 10(-5) (with average of 14.7 × 10(-5)) and 7 × 10(-4) to 49 × 10(-4) (with average of 29.4 × 10(-4)). Passengers and aircrew members should be aware of the extra cosmic radiation doses taken in during flights. All aircraft operators should monitor radiation doses incurred during aviation trips.

Radiological risk assessment of cosmic radiation at aviation altitudes (a trip from Houston Intercontinental Airport to Lagos International Airport)

PubMed Central

Enyinna, Paschal Ikenna

2016-01-01

Radiological risk parameters associated with aircrew members traveling from Houston Intercontinental Airport to Lagos International Airport have been computed using computer software called EPCARD (version 3.2). The mean annual effective dose of radiation was computed to be 2.94 mSv/year. This result is above the standard permissible limit of 1 mSv/year set for the public and pregnant aircrew members but below the limit set for occupationally exposed workers. The Risk of cancer mortality and excess career time cancer risk computed ranged from 3.5 × 10−5 to 24.5 × 10−5 (with average of 14.7 × 10−5) and 7 × 10−4 to 49 × 10−4 (with average of 29.4 × 10−4). Passengers and aircrew members should be aware of the extra cosmic radiation doses taken in during flights. All aircraft operators should monitor radiation doses incurred during aviation trips. PMID:27651568

Disseminated disease severity as a measure of virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the guinea pig model.

PubMed

Palanisamy, Gopinath S; Smith, Erin E; Shanley, Crystal A; Ordway, Diane J; Orme, Ian M; Basaraba, Randall J

2008-07-01

Virulence is the measure of pathogenicity of a microorganism as determined by its ability to invade host tissues and to produce severe disease. In the low-dose aerosol guinea pig model the virulence of multiple strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was determined by measuring time of survival, bacterial loads in target organs, and the severity of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary lesions. Erdman K01, CSU93/CDC1551 and HN878 had shorter survival times compared to the common laboratory strain H37Rv. After 30 days of the infection bacilli had disseminated from the lungs resulting in microscopically visible lesions in peribronchial lymph nodes, peripancreatic lymph nodes, spleen, liver, pancreas, adrenal and heart. The extent of the lesion necrosis paralleled virulence when survival times were used as a measure as Erdman K01 and the two clinical isolates caused more necrosis and resulted in sooner death in infected animals than the H37Rv. The extent of extra-pulmonary lesion necrosis was a better predictor of virulence than the number of viable bacilli in the tissue. Overall, this study emphasizes the point that extra-pulmonary disease is a prominent feature of the guinea pig model and dissemination to organs not normally assayed such as the heart and adrenal glands should be taken into account in the assessment of the disease process.

Isolated, extra-articular neck and shaft fractures of the 4th and 5th metacarpals: a comparison of transverse and bouquet (intra-medullary) pinning in 67 patients.

PubMed

Sletten, I N; Nordsletten, L; Husby, T; Ødegaard, R A; Hellund, J C; Kvernmo, H D

2012-06-01

Although extra-articular metacarpal fractures are common, there is no consensus on the mode of treatment. We evaluated the outcome in 67 patients operated for isolated, extra-articular fractures in the neck or shaft of the ulnar two metacarpals 28 months post-operatively. There were 22 bouquet (intra-medullary) pinnings and 45 transverse pinnings; 11 were lost to follow-up. Overall, hand function was good, and no difference was detected between the two methods (QuickDASH, grip strength, range of motion, VAS pain and VAS satisfaction). Many patients suffered complications: 12% had a superficial infection (all treated with transverse pinning with wires left exposed); 39% had some impairment in skin sensation; 29% reported cold intolerance; and 10% had other complications. Due to the potential risk of a secondary fracture of the neighbouring metacarpal after transverse pinning, we recommend bouquet (intra-medullary) pinning. We also recommend burying wires beneath the skin surface to avoid infection.

Premature ovarian failure due to tetrasomy X in an adolescent girl.

PubMed

Kara, Cengiz; Üstyol, Ala; Yılmaz, Ayşegül; Altundağ, Engin; Oğur, Gönül

2014-12-01

Tetrasomy X associated with premature ovarian failure has been described in a few patients, and the parental origin of the extra X chromosomes has not been investigated so far in this group. A 15-year-old girl with mental retardation and minor physical anomalies showed secondary amenorrhea, high gonadotropin levels, and osteoporosis. Molecular analysis of the fibroblast cells revealed pure 48,XXXX constitution despite 48,XXXX/47,XXX mosaicism in peripheral blood. Analysis of the polymorphic markers (X22, DXYS218, DXYS267, HPRT) on the X chromosome by the quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) method demonstrated that the extra X chromosomes were maternal in origin. Patients with tetrasomy X syndrome should be screened for ovarian insufficiency during early adolescence because hormone replacement therapy may be required for prevention of osteoporosis. In order to understand a potential impact of the parental origin of the extra X chromosomes on ovarian development and function, further studies are needed.

Systemic and Vascular Alterations in Rat models Exposed to Libby Amphibole

EPA Science Inventory

Acute pulmonary injury and chronic diseases can impact systemic vasculature and extra pulmonary organ systems due to the hemodynamic properties of the pulmonary capillary network that allows mediators to release into the circulation. Exposure to Libby amphibole (LA) is associated...

Force-balance model of suppression of multipolar division in cancer cells with extra centrosomes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Jie

2013-03-01

Cancer cells often possess extra centrosomes which have the potential to cause cell death due to catastrophic multipolar division. Many cancer cells, however, are able to escape multipolar mitosis by clustering the extra centrosomes to form bipolar spindles. The mechanism of centrosome clustering is therefore of great interest to the development of anti-cancer drugs because the de-clustering of extra centrosomes provides an appealing way to eliminate cancer cells while keeping healthy cells intact. We present a physical model assuming 1) dynamic centrosomal microtubules interact with chromosomes by both pushing on chromosome arms and pulling along kinetochores; 2) these microtubules interact with force generators associated with actin/adhesion structures at the cell boundary; and 3) motors act on anti-parallel microtubules from different centrosomes. We find via computer simulations that chromosomes tend to aggregate near the cell center while centrosomes can be either clustered to form bipolar spindles or scattered to form multipolar spindles, depending on the strengths of relative forces, cell shape and adhesion geometry. The model predictions agree with data from cells plated on adhesive micropatterns and from biochemically or genetically perturbed cells. Furthermore, our model is able to explain various microtubule distributions in interphase cells on patterned substrates. This work was supported by NSF

29 CFR 778.120 - Deferred commission payments not identifiable as earned in particular workweeks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

.... Assume that he is due overtime compensation after 40 hours and that in the 4-week period he worked 44, 40, 44 and 48 hours. He would be due additional compensation of $4.36 for the first and third week ($96÷44=$2.18÷2=$1.09×4 overtime hours=$4.36), no extra compensation for the second week during which no...

Comparison of Points of Departure for Health Risk Assessment Based on High-Throughput Screening Data

PubMed Central

Sand, Salomon; Parham, Fred; Portier, Christopher J.; Tice, Raymond R.; Krewski, Daniel

2016-01-01

Background: The National Research Council’s vision for toxicity testing in the 21st century anticipates that points of departure (PODs) for establishing human exposure guidelines in future risk assessments will increasingly be based on in vitro high-throughput screening (HTS) data. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare different PODs for HTS data. Specifically, benchmark doses (BMDs) were compared to the signal-to-noise crossover dose (SNCD), which has been suggested as the lowest dose applicable as a POD. Methods: Hill models were fit to > 10,000 in vitro concentration–response curves, obtained for > 1,400 chemicals tested as part of the U.S. Tox21 Phase I effort. BMDs and lower confidence limits on the BMDs (BMDLs) corresponding to extra effects (i.e., changes in response relative to the maximum response) of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% were estimated for > 8,000 curves, along with BMDs and BMDLs corresponding to additional effects (i.e., absolute changes in response) of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%. The SNCD, defined as the dose where the ratio between the additional effect and the difference between the upper and lower bounds of the two-sided 90% confidence interval on absolute effect was 1, 0.67, and 0.5, respectively, was also calculated and compared with the BMDLs. Results: The BMDL40, BMDL25, and BMDL18, defined in terms of extra effect, corresponded to the SNCD1.0, SNCD0.67, and SNCD0.5, respectively, at the median. Similarly, the BMDL25, BMDL17, and BMDL13, defined in terms of additional effect, corresponded to the SNCD1.0, SNCD0.67, and SNCD0.5, respectively, at the median. Conclusions: The SNCD may serve as a reference level that guides the determination of standardized BMDs for risk assessment based on HTS concentration–response data. The SNCD may also have application as a POD for low-dose extrapolation. Citation: Sand S, Parham F, Portier CJ, Tice RR, Krewski D. 2017. Comparison of points of departure for health risk assessment based on high-throughput screening data. Environ Health Perspect 125:623–633; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP408 PMID:27384688

Cancer risk above 1 Gy and the impact for space radiation protection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Uwe; Walsh, Linda

2009-07-01

Analyses of the epidemiological data on the Japanese A-bomb survivors, who were exposed to γ-rays and neutrons, provide most current information on the dose-response of radiation-induced cancer. Since the dose span of main interest is usually between 0 and 1 Gy, for radiation protection purposes, the analysis of the A-bomb survivors is often focused on this range. However, estimates of cancer risk for doses larger than 1 Gy are becoming more important for long-term manned space missions. Therefore in this work, emphasis is placed on doses larger than 1 Gy with respect to radiation-induced solid cancer and leukemia mortality. The present analysis of the A-bomb survivors data was extended by including two extra high-dose categories and applying organ-averaged dose instead of the colon-weighted dose. In addition, since there are some recent indications for a high neutron dose contribution, the data were fitted separately for three different values for the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the neutrons (10, 35 and 100) and a variable RBE as a function of dose. The data were fitted using a linear and a linear-exponential dose-response relationship using a dose and dose-rate effectiveness factor (DDREF) of both one and two. The work presented here implies that the use of organ-averaged dose, a dose-dependent neutron RBE and the bending-over of the dose-response relationship for radiation-induced cancer could result in a reduction of radiation risk by around 50% above 1 Gy. This could impact radiation risk estimates for space crews on long-term mission above 500 days who might be exposed to doses above 1 Gy. The consequence of using a DDREF of one instead of two increases cancer risk by about 40% and would therefore balance the risk decrease described above.

Calcium as a cardiovascular toxin in CKD-MBD.

PubMed

Moe, Sharon M

2017-07-01

Disordered calcium balance and homeostasis are common in patients with chronic kidney disease. Such alterations are commonly associated with abnormal bone remodeling, directly and indirectly. Similarly, positive calcium balance may also be a factor in the pathogenesis of extra skeletal soft tissue and arterial calcification. Calcium may directly affect cardiac structure and function through direct effects to alter cell signaling due to abnormal intracellular calcium homeostasis 2) extra-skeletal deposition of calcium and phosphate in the myocardium and small cardiac arterioles, 3) inducing cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through calcium and hormone activation of NFAT signaling mechanisms, and 4) increased aorta calcification resulting in chronic increased afterload leading to hypertrophy. Similarly, calcium may alter vascular smooth muscle cell function and affect cell signaling which may predispose to a proliferative phenotype important in arteriosclerosis and arterial calcification. Thus, disorders of calcium balance and homeostasis due to CKD-MBD may play a role in the high cardiovascular burden observed in patients with CKD. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Synthesis of PtRu/Ru heterostructure for efficient methanol electrooxidation: The role of extra Ru

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Lei

2018-03-01

Platinum-ruthenium (PtRu) nanocubes and PtRu/Ru heterostructure via epitaxial growth were synthesized by varying the amount of Ru precursor. As model catalysts, the PtRu/Ru heterostructure demonstrated the highest catalytic performance in electrooxidation of methanol, which was possibly due to the more hydroxyl species produced from the extra Ru nanoparticles as well as enhanced adsorption of methanol of PtRu alloys in the PtRu/Ru heterostructure. The catalytic performance of the catalysts was closely related with the structure, which was well characterized by a series of methods. It was expected that the present work could provide a new insight for the synthesis of PtRu based nanocatalysts.

Development of profound Chiari I malformation and cerebellar tissue loss and resolution following shunting of posterior fossa extra-axial cyst. Case report.

PubMed

Khan, Rabia; Oakes, Peter; Tubbs, R Shane; Oakes, W Jerry

2017-01-01

Chiari I malformation can be due to a multitude of etiologies such as craniosynostosis or hydrocephalus. A posterior fossa extra-axial cyst (PFEAC) appears to be an extremely rare cause of this form of hindbrain herniation. Herein, we report a case of PFEAC that presented with no Chiari I malformation and then presented months later with a significant Chiari I malformation. Following shunt placement of a PFEAC, striking reversal of the Chiari malformation as well as reconstitution of the cerebellum was noted. Patients with PFEAC might develop a Chiari I malformation and this might be treated with shunting of the PFEAC alone.

Is the regulation of the electronic properties of organic molecules by polynuclear superhalogens more effective than that by mononuclear superhalogens? A high-level ab initio case study.

PubMed

Li, Miao-Miao; Li, Jin-Feng; Bai, Hongcun; Sun, Yin-Yin; Li, Jian-Li; Yin, Bing

2015-08-21

The regulation of the electronic properties of organic molecules induced by polynuclear superhalogens is theoretically explored here for sixteen composite structures. It is clearly indicated by the higher vertical electron detachment energy (VDE) that polynuclear superhalogens are more effective in regulating the electronic properties than mononuclear structures. However, this enhanced regulation is not only determined by superhalogens themselves but also related to the distribution of the extra electron of the final composites. The composites, in which the extra electron is mainly aggregated into the superhalogen moiety, will possess higher VDE values, as reported in the case of C1', 7.12 eV at the CCSD(T) level. This is probably due to the fact that, compared with organic molecules, superhalogens possess stronger attraction towards the extra electron and thus should lead to lower energies of the extra electrons and to higher VDE values eventually. Compared with CCSD(T), the Outer Valence Green's Function (OVGF) method fails completely for composite structures containing Cl atoms, while MP2 results are generally consistent in terms of the relative order of VDEs. Actually if the extra electron distribution of the systems could be approximated by the HOMO, the results at the OVGF level will be consistent with the CCSD(T) results. Conversely, the difference in VDEs between OVGF and CCSD(T) is significantly large. Besides superhalogen properties, the structures, relative stabilities and thermodynamic stabilities with respect to various fragmentation channels were also investigated for all the composite structures.

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

Choi, C; Kim, J; Park, S

Purpose: Photon beams with energy higher than 10 MV interact with metal material in the primary barriers, where lead or steel have been widely used, neutrons can be generated. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to simulate the production of photoneutrons and the neutron shielding effect. Methods: For two photon beam energies, 15 MV and 18 MV, we simulated to strike metal sheets (steel and lead), and the ambient dose equivalents were calculated at the isocenter (in the patient plane) while delivering 1 Gy to the patient. For these cases, the thickness of the neutron shielding materials (Borated polyethylene (BPE) andmore » concrete) were simulated to reduce the patient exposure by neutron doses. Results: When 18 MV photons interact with the metal sheets in the primary barrier, the evaluated neutron doses at the isocenter inside the treatment vault were 48.7 µSv and 7.3 µSv for lead and steel, respectively. In case of 15 MV photons, the calculated neutron doses were 18.6 µSv and 0.6 µSv for lead and steel, respectively. The neutron dose delivered to the patient can be reduced to negligible levels by including a 10 cm thick sheet of BPE or 22 cm thick sheet of concrete. Conclusion: When bunker shielding is designed with a primary barrier including a metal sheet inside the wall for a high energy machine, proper neutron shielding should be constructed to avoid undesirable extra dose.« less

Experience of low-dose aminophylline use to relieve minor adverse effects of dipyridamole in patients undergoing stress myocardial perfusion imaging.

PubMed

Lin, Li-Fan; Cheng, Cheng-Yi; Hou, Cheng-Han; Ku, Chih-Hung; Tseng, Neng-Chuan; Shen, Daniel H Y

2014-06-01

Intravenous administration of aminophylline is widely adopted to reverse dipyridamole-related adverse effects (AEs) during stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of lower-dose aminophylline to relieve minor AEs. 2,250 consecutive patients undergoing dipyridamole-stressed MPI were enrolled. Information concerning AE occurrence and dosages of aminophylline was collected to evaluate the efficacy of lower-dose aminophylline. A logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of dipyridamole-related AE occurrence. No severe AE was noted. Overall mild AE incidence was 37.0% (833/2,250 patients). Initial low-dose (25 mg) aminophylline relieved symptoms in 98.8% of patients with mild AEs (823/833 patients). An extra 25 mg aminophylline sufficed to reverse all such AEs. Mean body mass index (BMI) differed significantly between patients with and without any AE [25.6 vs 25.1 (P = .009)]. There was no significant difference between two subgroups in mean age, male gender prevalence, body height and weight, dipyridamole dose/BMI, or prevalence of significant perfusion defect(s) on MPI. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated BMI remained the independent predictor of dipyridamole-related AE occurrence (odds ratio 1.028, 95% confidence interval 1.007-1.049, P = .01). Low-dose (≦50 mg, and usually 25 mg) aminophylline seems sufficient to relieve mild dipyridamole-related AEs during stress MPI.

Effects on vitamin A deficiency in children of periodic high-dose supplements and of fortified oil promotion in a deficient area of the Philippines.

PubMed

Mason, John B; Ramirez, Maria A; Fernandez, Chona M; Pedro, Regina; Lloren, Tina; Saldanha, Lisa; Deitchler, Megan; Eisele, T

2011-09-01

Regular semi-annual distribution of high-dose (200,000 IU) vitamin A capsules (VACs) to children 1 - 5 years of age (previously identified as underweight), in Leyte Province, the Philippines, was compared to providing extra VACs to give three-monthly dosing, and to vitamin A-fortified cooking oil (VAFO) promotion (with continued VACs every 6 months). Serum retinol (SR) was measured at baseline and after 12 or 18 months (for VAFO). No sustained increase in SR was determined from the three-month VAC dosing regimen, and the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) as assessed by SR (< 20 mcg / dL) remained around 30 % (in line with national survey estimates over the previous 15 years). The major difference found was that 18 months of VAFO (of which 9 months had sustained promotion) was associated with reducing the prevalence of VAD to < 10 %. The effective fortification and lack of effect of semi-annual VAC results are in line with previous studies; testing with dosing of VAC every three months is a new intervention. The results imply that promotion of fortified oil would reduce VAD in these conditions; whether it can replace or needs to be added to semi-annual VAC dosing remains to be determined. A phased changeover to reliance on fortified commodities (including oil) with careful monitoring of VAD trends is indicated.

Rapid Acute Dose Assessment Using MCNP6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Owens, Andrew Steven

Acute radiation doses due to physical contact with a high-activity radioactive source have proven to be an occupational hazard. Multiple radiation injuries have been reported due to manipulating a radioactive source with bare hands or by placing a radioactive source inside a shirt or pants pocket. An effort to reconstruct the radiation dose must be performed to properly assess and medically manage the potential biological effects from such doses. Using the reference computational phantoms defined by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code (MCNP6), dose rate coefficients are calculated to assess doses for common acute doses due to beta and photon radiation sources. The research investigates doses due to having a radioactive source in either a breast pocket or pants back pocket. The dose rate coefficients are calculated for discrete energies and can be used to interpolate for any given energy of photon or beta emission. The dose rate coefficients allow for quick calculation of whole-body dose, organ dose, and/or skin dose if the source, activity, and time of exposure are known. Doses are calculated with the dose rate coefficients and compared to results from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports from accidents that occurred in Gilan, Iran and Yanango, Peru. Skin and organ doses calculated with the dose rate coefficients appear to agree, but there is a large discrepancy when comparing whole-body doses assessed using biodosimetry and whole-body doses assessed using the dose rate coefficients.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for Streptococcus pyogenes toxic shock syndrome in pregnancy.

PubMed

Imaeda, Taro; Nakada, Taka-Aki; Abe, Ryuzo; Tateishi, Yoshihisa; Oda, Shigeto

2016-06-01

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), an invasive Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus) infection with hypotension and multiple organ failure, is quite rare in pregnancy but is characterized by rapid disease progression and high fatality rates. We present a case of STSS with infection-induced cardiac dysfunction in a pregnant woman who was treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). A 24-year-old multiparous woman in the third trimester had early symptoms of high fever and diarrhea 1 day prior to admission to the hospital emergency department. On admission, she had multiple organ failure including circulatory failure. Due to fetal distress, emergency Cesarean section was carried out and transferred to intensive care units. She had refractory circulatory failure with depressed myocardial contractility with progressive multiple organ failure, despite receiving significant hemodynamic supports including high-dose catecholamine. Thus, VA-ECMO was initiated 18 h after intensive care unit admission. Consequently, ECMO provided extra time to recover from infection and myocardial depression. She was successfully weaned from VA-ECMO on day 7 and was discharged home on day 53. VA-ECMO can be a therapeutic option for refractory circulatory failure with significant myocardial depression in STSS.

Comparison of radioactivity data measured in PM10 aerosol samples at two elevated stations in northern Italy during the Fukushima event.

PubMed

Tositti, Laura; Brattich, Erika; Cinelli, Giorgia; Previti, Alberto; Mostacci, Domiziano

2012-12-01

The follow-up of Fukushima radioactive plume resulting from the 11th March 2011 devastating tsunami is discussed for two Italian stations in the northern Apennines: Mt. Cimone (Modena) and Montecuccolino (Bologna). Radioactivity data collected at both stations are described, including comparison between local natural background of airborne particulate and artificial radioactivity referable to the arrival of the radioactive plume and its persistence and evolution. Analysis of back-trajectories was used to confirm the arrival of artificial radionuclides following atmospheric transport and processing. The Fukushima plume was first detected on 3rd April 2011 when high volume sampling revealed the presence of the artificial radionuclides (131)I, (137)Cs and (134)Cs. The highest activity concentrations of these nuclides were detected on 5th April 2011 at the Montecuccolino site. Fukushima radioactivity data at the two stations were usually comparable, suggesting a good vertical mixing of the plume; discrepancies were occasional and attributed to different occurrence of wet removal, typically characterized by a scattered spatial pattern. To understand the relevance to the local population of the extra dose due to the Fukushima plume, atmospheric activities of the related artificial nuclides were compared to those of the main natural radionuclides in ambient particulate, and found to be lower by over one order of magnitude. Radiation doses referable to Fukushima, maximized for a whole year occurrence at the highest activity level observed at our stations in the weeks affected by the Japanese plume, were estimated at 1.1 μSv/year. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Partial amino-acid sequence of the precursor of an immunoglobulin light chain containing NH2-terminal pyroglutamic acid.

PubMed Central

Burstein, Y; Kantour, F; Schechter, I

1976-01-01

Analyses of amino-acid sequences of the total cell-free products programmed by the mRNA of MOPC-104E gamma light (L)-chain show that over 95% of the products have sequences of a distinct protein that correspond to the L-chain precursor. In this precursor an extra piece is coupled to the NH2-terminus of the mature L-chain. Analyses of products labeled with [3H]alanine, [3H]leucine, and [3H]proline demonstrate that the extra piece is composed of at least 18 residues. Analyses of [35S]methione-labeled product indicate that the extra piece may contain an additional NH2-terminal methionine, which is detected in about 10% of the molecules. Partial recovery of the NJ2-terminal methionine (alanine, leucine, and proline are recovered in yields close to theoretical, greater than 95%) suggests that it is the initiator methionine, which is known to be short lived in eukaryotes due to rapid hydrolysis. Thus, the extra piece seems to be 19 residues in length, and it contains one methionine at the NH2-terminus, three alanines at positions 2, 12, and 17, and five leucines at positions 6, 8, 10, 11, and 13. The close gathering of leucine residues, as well as their abundance (26%), suggest that the extra piece would be quite hydrophobic. Hydrophobicity seems to be a general property of the extra piece, since similar clusters of leucine were found in the precursors of 3 KL-chains (Burstein, Y. & Schechter, I. (1976) Biochem. J. 157, 145-151). The NH2-terminus of the mature MOPC-104E gamma L-chain is blocked by pyroglutamic acid. The fact that in the precursor a peptide segment precedes this NH2-terminus establishes that pyroglutamic acid is not the initiator residue for synthesis of the L-chain. Apparently, the pyroglutamic acid is formed by cyclization of glutamic acid or glutamine during cleavage of the extra piece to yield the mature L-chain. Images PMID:822420

Dose perturbation effect of metallic spinal implants in proton beam therapy.

PubMed

Jia, Yingcui; Zhao, Li; Cheng, Chee-Wai; McDonald, Mark W; Das, Indra J

2015-09-08

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dose perturbations for two metallic spinal screw implants in proton beam therapy in the perpendicular and parallel beam geometry. A 5.5 mm (diameter) by 45 mm (length) stainless steel (SS) screw and a 5.5 mm by 35 mm titanium (Ti) screw commonly used for spinal fixation were CT-scanned in a hybrid phantom of water and solid water. The CT data were processed with an orthopedic metal artifact reduction (O-MAR) algorithm. Treatment plans were generated for each metal screw with a proton beam oriented, first parallel and then perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis of the screw. The calculated dose profiles were compared with measured results from a plane-parallel ion chamber and Gafchromic EBT2 films. For the perpendicular setup, the measured dose immediately downstream from the screw exhibited dose enhancement up to 12% for SS and 8% for Ti, respectively, but such dose perturbation was not observed outside the lateral edges of the screws. The TPS showed 5% and 2% dose reductions immediately at the interface for the SS nd Ti screws, respectively, and up to 9% dose enhancements within 1 cm outside of the lateral edges of the screws. The measured dose enhancement was only observed within 5 mm from the interface along the beam path. At deeper depths, the lateral dose profiles appeared to be similar between the measurement and TPS, with dose reduction in the screw shadow region and dose enhancement within 1-2 cm outside of the lateral edges of the metals. For the parallel setup, no significant dose perturbation was detected at lateral distance beyond 3 mm away from both screws. Significant dose discrepancies exist between TPS calculations and ion chamber and film measurements in close proximity of high-Z inhomogeneities. The observed dose enhancement effect with proton therapy is not correctly modeled by TPS. An extra measure of caution should be taken when evaluating dosimetry with spinal metallic implants.

Estimation of immunization providers' activities cost, medication cost, and immunization dose errors cost in Iraq.

PubMed

Al-lela, Omer Qutaiba B; Bahari, Mohd Baidi; Al-abbassi, Mustafa G; Salih, Muhannad R M; Basher, Amena Y

2012-06-06

The immunization status of children is improved by interventions that increase community demand for compulsory and non-compulsory vaccines, one of the most important interventions related to immunization providers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the activities of immunization providers in terms of activities time and cost, to calculate the immunization doses cost, and to determine the immunization dose errors cost. Time-motion and cost analysis study design was used. Five public health clinics in Mosul-Iraq participated in the study. Fifty (50) vaccine doses were required to estimate activities time and cost. Micro-costing method was used; time and cost data were collected for each immunization-related activity performed by the clinic staff. A stopwatch was used to measure the duration of activity interactions between the parents and clinic staff. The immunization service cost was calculated by multiplying the average salary/min by activity time per minute. 528 immunization cards of Iraqi children were scanned to determine the number and the cost of immunization doses errors (extraimmunization doses and invalid doses). The average time for child registration was 6.7 min per each immunization dose, and the physician spent more than 10 min per dose. Nurses needed more than 5 min to complete child vaccination. The total cost of immunization activities was 1.67 US$ per each immunization dose. Measles vaccine (fifth dose) has a lower price (0.42 US$) than all other immunization doses. The cost of a total of 288 invalid doses was 744.55 US$ and the cost of a total of 195 extra immunization doses was 503.85 US$. The time spent on physicians' activities was longer than that spent on registrars' and nurses' activities. Physician total cost was higher than registrar cost and nurse cost. The total immunization cost will increase by about 13.3% owing to dose errors. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sperm quality and fertility of boar seminal doses after 2 days of storage: does the type of extender really matter?

PubMed

Pinart, Elisabeth; Yeste, Marc; Prieto-Martínez, Noelia; Reixach, Josep; Bonet, Sergi

2015-06-01

The present approach was designed to evaluate the extender effects on sperm quality and fertility of short-term refrigerated seminal doses from Landrace boars lodged in husbandry-controlled conditions. For this purpose, we analyzed the sperm quality of seminal doses diluted in short-term (Beltsville Thawing Solution) and extra-long-term (Duragen) extenders from Days 0 to 2 of storage at 17 °C during an 8-month period. Pregnancy rates and litter size were evaluated from double inseminations within an interval of 12 hours (36 and 48 hours of refrigeration) of multiparous females using seminal doses diluted in each extender type. Sperm quality was assessed from the analyses of sperm motility and kinetics, sperm viability, expressed as plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, membrane lipid disorder, intracellular calcium levels, and acrosin activity. Results indicated significant differences between the extenders in the sperm quality of seminal doses. Therefore, the seminal doses diluted in Duragen had higher percentages of progressive motile spermatozoa and membrane-intact spermatozoa than those diluted in Beltsville Thawing Solution throughout all the experimental months. Nevertheless, despite these differences in preserving the sperm quality, pregnancy rates (>90%) and litter sizes (>10 piglets born per litter) were similar between the extenders. Our results had great relevance from a practical point of view because they reported lack of an extender effect on the reproductive performance of seminal doses during short-tem storage. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Knowledge of appropriate acetaminophen doses and potential toxicities in an adult clinic population.

PubMed

Stumpf, Janice L; Skyles, Amy J; Alaniz, Cesar; Erickson, Steven R

2007-01-01

To evaluate the knowledge of appropriate doses and potential toxicities of acetaminophen and assess the ability to recognize products containing acetaminophen in an adult outpatient setting. Cross-sectional, prospective study. University adult general internal medicine (AGIM) clinic. 104 adult patients presenting to the clinic over consecutive weekdays in December 2003. Three-page, written questionnaire. Ability of patients to identify maximum daily doses and potential toxicities of acetaminophen and recognize products that contain acetaminophen. A large percentage of participants (68.3%) reported pain on a daily or weekly basis, and 78.9% reported use of acetaminophen in the past 6 months. Only 2 patients correctly identified the maximum daily dose of regular acetaminophen, and just 3 correctly identified the maximum dose of extra-strength acetaminophen. Furthermore, 28 patients were unsure of the maximum dose of either product. Approximately 63% of participants either had not received or were unsure whether information on the possible danger of high doses of acetaminophen had been previously provided to them. When asked to identify potential problems associated with high doses of acetaminophen, 43.3% of patients noted the liver would be affected. The majority of the patients (71.2%) recognized Tylenol as containing acetaminophen, but fewer than 15% correctly identified Vicodin, Darvocet, Tylox, Percocet, and Lorcet as containing acetaminophen. Although nearly 80% of this AGIM population reported recent acetaminophen use, their knowledge of the maximum daily acetaminophen doses and potential toxicities associated with higher doses was poor and appeared to be independent of education level, age, and race. This indicates a need for educational efforts to all patients receiving acetaminophen-containing products, especially since the ability to recognize multi-ingredient products containing acetaminophen was likewise poor.

Analysis of uncertainties in Monte Carlo simulated organ dose for chest CT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muryn, John S.; Morgan, Ashraf G.; Segars, W. P.; Liptak, Chris L.; Dong, Frank F.; Primak, Andrew N.; Li, Xiang

2015-03-01

In Monte Carlo simulation of organ dose for a chest CT scan, many input parameters are required (e.g., half-value layer of the x-ray energy spectrum, effective beam width, and anatomical coverage of the scan). The input parameter values are provided by the manufacturer, measured experimentally, or determined based on typical clinical practices. The goal of this study was to assess the uncertainties in Monte Carlo simulated organ dose as a result of using input parameter values that deviate from the truth (clinical reality). Organ dose from a chest CT scan was simulated for a standard-size female phantom using a set of reference input parameter values (treated as the truth). To emulate the situation in which the input parameter values used by the researcher may deviate from the truth, additional simulations were performed in which errors were purposefully introduced into the input parameter values, the effects of which on organ dose per CTDIvol were analyzed. Our study showed that when errors in half value layer were within ± 0.5 mm Al, the errors in organ dose per CTDIvol were less than 6%. Errors in effective beam width of up to 3 mm had negligible effect (< 2.5%) on organ dose. In contrast, when the assumed anatomical center of the patient deviated from the true anatomical center by 5 cm, organ dose errors of up to 20% were introduced. Lastly, when the assumed extra scan length was longer by 4 cm than the true value, dose errors of up to 160% were found. The results answer the important question: to what level of accuracy each input parameter needs to be determined in order to obtain accurate organ dose results.

A Preliminary Investigation of the Effect of Acute Alcohol on Dopamine Transmission as Assessed by [11 C]-(+)-PHNO.

PubMed

Thiruchselvam, Thulasi; Wilson, Alan A; Boileau, Isabelle; Le Foll, Bernard

2017-06-01

Previous positron emission tomography (PET) studies exploring the effect of acute alcohol on dopamine (DA) levels have yielded inconsistent results, with only some studies suggesting increased synaptic DA levels after an alcohol challenge. The D 2 /D 3 agonist radiotracer, [ 11 C]-(+)-propyl-hexahydro-naphtho-oxazin ([ 11 C]-(+)-PHNO), has greater sensitivity to synaptic DA fluctuation than previously used antagonist radiotracers and is in principle more suitable for imaging alcohol-induced changes in DA. Its high affinity for the D 3 receptor also enables measuring changes in D 3 -rich brain areas which have previously been unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate whether alcohol reduces [ 11 C]-(+)-PHNO binding in the striatum and in D 3 -rich extra-striatal areas. Eight healthy drinkers underwent 2 [ 11 C]-(+)-PHNO PET scans following alcohol and placebo in a randomized, single-blind, crossover design. [ 11 C]-(+)-PHNO binding in the striatum and in the extra-striatal regions were compared between the 2 scans. Acute alcohol administration did not significantly reduce [ 11 C]-(+)-PHNO binding in either the limbic striatum (d = 0.64), associative striatum (d < 0.20), or the sensorimotor striatum (d < 0.15). Similarly, there were no changes in binding in the D 3 -rich areas of the ventral pallidum (d = 0.53), substantia nigra (d < 0.15), or globus pallidus (d < 0.15). However, greater percent change in [ 11 C]-(+)-PHNO binding (ΔBP ND ) between scans was related to lower blood alcohol levels. Using the agonist radiotracer, [ 11 C]-(+)-PHNO, our preliminary findings suggest that alcohol is not associated with robust changes in tracer binding in striatal or extra-striatal regions. However, we found that changes in [ 11 C]-(+)-PHNO binding following alcohol are dependent on blood alcohol levels suggesting that increases in DA may occur at lower stimulating doses. The effect of lower doses of alcohol on DA warrants further investigation in a larger study. Copyright © 2017 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.

Application of the stochastic optimization method in optimizing traffic signal control settings.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-01-01

Traffic congestion has greatly affected not only the nation's economy and environment but also every citizen's quality of life. A recent study shows that every American traveler spent an extra 38 hours and 26 gallons of fuel per year due to traffic c...

SU-E-T-478: Sliding Window Multi-Criteria IMRT Optimization

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

Craft, D; Papp, D; Unkelbach, J

2014-06-01

Purpose: To demonstrate a method for what-you-see-is-what-you-get multi-criteria Pareto surface navigation for step and shoot IMRT treatment planning. Methods: We show mathematically how multiple sliding window treatment plans can be averaged to yield a single plan whose dose distribution is the dosimetric average of the averaged plans. This is incorporated into the Pareto surface navigation based approach to treatment planning in such a way that as the user navigates the surface, the plans he/she is viewing are ready to be delivered (i.e. there is no extra ‘segment the plans’ step that often leads to unacceptable plan degradation in step andmore » shoot Pareto surface navigation). We also describe how the technique can be applied to VMAT. Briefly, sliding window VMAT plans are created such that MLC leaves paint out fluence maps every 15 degrees or so. These fluence map leaf trajectories are averaged in the same way the static beam IMRT ones are. Results: We show mathematically that fluence maps are exactly averaged using our leaf sweep averaging algorithm. Leaf transmission and output factor corrections effects, which are ignored in this work, can lead to small errors in terms of the dose distributions not being exactly averaged even though the fluence maps are. However, our demonstrations show that the dose distributions are almost exactly averaged as well. We demonstrate the technique both for IMRT and VMAT. Conclusions: By turning to sliding window delivery, we show that the problem of losing plan fidelity during the conversion of an idealized fluence map plan into a deliverable plan is remedied. This will allow for multicriteria optimization that avoids the pitfall that the planning has to be redone after the conversion into MLC segments due to plan quality decline. David Craft partially funded by RaySearch Laboratories.« less

A Simple and Efficient Methodology To Improve Geometric Accuracy in Gamma Knife Radiation Surgery: Implementation in Multiple Brain Metastases

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

Karaiskos, Pantelis, E-mail: pkaraisk@med.uoa.gr; Gamma Knife Department, Hygeia Hospital, Athens; Moutsatsos, Argyris

Purpose: To propose, verify, and implement a simple and efficient methodology for the improvement of total geometric accuracy in multiple brain metastases gamma knife (GK) radiation surgery. Methods and Materials: The proposed methodology exploits the directional dependence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-related spatial distortions stemming from background field inhomogeneities, also known as sequence-dependent distortions, with respect to the read-gradient polarity during MRI acquisition. First, an extra MRI pulse sequence is acquired with the same imaging parameters as those used for routine patient imaging, aside from a reversal in the read-gradient polarity. Then, “average” image data are compounded from data acquiredmore » from the 2 MRI sequences and are used for treatment planning purposes. The method was applied and verified in a polymer gel phantom irradiated with multiple shots in an extended region of the GK stereotactic space. Its clinical impact in dose delivery accuracy was assessed in 15 patients with a total of 96 relatively small (<2 cm) metastases treated with GK radiation surgery. Results: Phantom study results showed that use of average MR images eliminates the effect of sequence-dependent distortions, leading to a total spatial uncertainty of less than 0.3 mm, attributed mainly to gradient nonlinearities. In brain metastases patients, non-eliminated sequence-dependent distortions lead to target localization uncertainties of up to 1.3 mm (mean: 0.51 ± 0.37 mm) with respect to the corresponding target locations in the “average” MRI series. Due to these uncertainties, a considerable underdosage (5%-32% of the prescription dose) was found in 33% of the studied targets. Conclusions: The proposed methodology is simple and straightforward in its implementation. Regarding multiple brain metastases applications, the suggested approach may substantially improve total GK dose delivery accuracy in smaller, outlying targets.« less

Variable dose rate single-arc IMAT delivered with a constant dose rate and variable angular spacing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Grace; Earl, Matthew A.; Yu, Cedric X.

2009-11-01

Single-arc intensity-modulated arc therapy (IMAT) has gained worldwide interest in both research and clinical implementation due to its superior plan quality and delivery efficiency. Single-arc IMAT techniques such as the Varian RapidArc™ deliver conformal dose distributions to the target in one single gantry rotation, resulting in a delivery time in the order of 2 min. The segments in these techniques are evenly distributed within an arc and are allowed to have different monitor unit (MU) weightings. Therefore, a variable dose-rate (VDR) is required for delivery. Because the VDR requirement complicates the control hardware and software of the linear accelerators (linacs) and prevents most existing linacs from delivering IMAT, we propose an alternative planning approach for IMAT using constant dose-rate (CDR) delivery with variable angular spacing. We prove the equivalence by converting VDR-optimized RapidArc plans to CDR plans, where the evenly spaced beams in the VDR plan are redistributed to uneven spacing such that the segments with larger MU weighting occupy a greater angular interval. To minimize perturbation in the optimized dose distribution, the angular deviation of the segments was restricted to <=± 5°. This restriction requires the treatment arc to be broken into multiple sectors such that the local MU fluctuation within each sector is reduced, thereby lowering the angular deviation of the segments during redistribution. The converted CDR plans were delivered with a single gantry sweep as in the VDR plans but each sector was delivered with a different value of CDR. For four patient cases, including two head-and-neck, one brain and one prostate, all CDR plans developed with the variable spacing scheme produced similar dose distributions to the original VDR plans. For plans with complex angular MU distributions, the number of sectors increased up to four in the CDR plans in order to maintain the original plan quality. Since each sector was delivered with a different dose rate, extra mode-up time (xMOT) was needed between the transitions of the successive sectors during delivery. On average, the delivery times of the CDR plans were approximately less than 1 min longer than the treatment times of the VDR plans, with an average of about 0.33 min of xMOT per sector transition. The results have shown that VDR may not be necessary for single-arc IMAT. Using variable angular spacing, VDR RapidArc plans can be implemented into the clinics that are not equipped with the new VDR-enabled machines without compromising the plan quality or treatment efficiency. With a prospective optimization approach using variable angular spacing, CDR delivery times can be further minimized while maintaining the high delivery efficiency of single-arc IMAT treatment.

Community Health: FCS Extension Educators Deliver Diabetes Education in PA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cox, Jill N.; Corbin, Marilyn

2011-01-01

For decades, family and consumer sciences (FCS) Extension educators have provided health related education to consumers through Cooperative Extension programming at land grant universities. However, offering diabetes education can be extra challenging due to the complicated nature of the disease and the multi-faceted treatment required. Faced with…

Radiation Dose to Post-Chernobyl Cleanup Workers

Cancer.gov

Radiation dose calculation for post-Chernobyl Cleanup Workers in Ukraine - both external radiation exposure due to fallout and internal doses due to inhalation (I131 intake) or ingestion of contaminated foodstuffs.

Cellular cation transport studied by 6/7Li and 23Na NMR in a porous Mo132 Keplerate type nano-capsule as model system.

PubMed

Rehder, Dieter; Haupt, Erhard T K; Müller, Achim

2008-01-01

Li+ ions can interplay with other cations intrinsically present in the intra- and extra-cellular space (i.e. Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+) have therapeutic effects (e.g. in the treatment of bipolar disorder) or toxic effects (at higher doses), likely because Li+ interferes with the intra-/extra-cellular concentration gradients of the mentioned physiologically relevant cations. The cellular transmembrane transport can be modelled by molybdenum-oxide-based Keplerates, i.e. nano-sized porous capsules containing 132 Mo centres, monitored through 6/7Li as well as 23Na NMR spectroscopy. The effects on the transport of Li+ cations through the 'ion channels' of these model cells, caused by variations in water amount, temperature, and by the addition of organic cationic 'plugs' and the shift reagent [Dy(PPP)2](7-) are reported. In the investigated solvent systems, water acts as a transport mediator for Li+. Likewise, the counter-transport (Li+/Na+, Li+/K+, Li+/Cs+ and Li+/Ca2+) has been investigated by 7Li NMR and, in the case of Li+/Na+ exchange, by 23Na NMR, and it has been shown that most (in the case of Na+ and K+, all (Ca2+) or almost none (Cs+) of the Li cations is extruded from the internal sites of the artificial cell to the extra-cellular medium, while Na+, K+ and Ca2+ are partially incorporated.

The costs of diabetes among Australians aged 45–64 years from 2015 to 2030: projections of lost productive life years (PLYs), lost personal income, lost taxation revenue, extra welfare payments and lost gross domestic product from Health&WealthMOD2030

PubMed Central

Schofield, Deborah; Shrestha, Rupendra N; Cunich, Michelle M; Veerman, Lennert; Tanton, Robert; Kelly, Simon J

2017-01-01

Objectives To project the number of people aged 45–64 years with lost productive life years (PLYs) due to diabetes and related costs (lost income, extra welfare payments, lost taxation revenue); and lost gross domestic product (GDP) attributable to diabetes in Australia from 2015 to 2030. Design A simulation study of how the number of people aged 45–64 years with diabetes increases over time (based on population growth and disease trend data) and the economic losses incurred by individuals and the government. Cross-sectional outputs of a microsimulation model (Health&WealthMOD2030) which used the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2003 and 2009 as a base population and integrated outputs from two microsimulation models (Static Incomes Model and Australian Population and Policy Simulation Model), Treasury's population and labour force projections, and chronic disease trends data. Setting Australian population aged 45–64 years in 2015, 2020, 2025 and 2030. Outcome measures Lost PLYs, lost income, extra welfare payments, lost taxation revenue, lost GDP. Results 18 100 people are out of the labour force due to diabetes in 2015, increasing to 21 400 in 2030 (18% increase). National costs consisted of a loss of $A467 million in annual income in 2015, increasing to $A807 million in 2030 (73% increase). For the government, extra annual welfare payments increased from $A311 million in 2015 to $A350 million in 2030 (13% increase); and lost annual taxation revenue increased from $A102 million in 2015 to $A166 million in 2030 (63% increase). A loss of $A2.1 billion in GDP was projected for 2015, increasing to $A2.9 billion in 2030 attributable to diabetes through its impact on PLYs. Conclusions Individuals incur significant costs of diabetes through lost PLYs and lost income in addition to disease burden through human suffering and healthcare costs. The government incurs extra welfare payments, lost taxation revenue and lost GDP, along with direct healthcare costs. PMID:28069621

The costs of diabetes among Australians aged 45-64 years from 2015 to 2030: projections of lost productive life years (PLYs), lost personal income, lost taxation revenue, extra welfare payments and lost gross domestic product from Health&WealthMOD2030.

PubMed

Schofield, Deborah; Shrestha, Rupendra N; Cunich, Michelle M; Passey, Megan E; Veerman, Lennert; Tanton, Robert; Kelly, Simon J

2017-01-09

To project the number of people aged 45-64 years with lost productive life years (PLYs) due to diabetes and related costs (lost income, extra welfare payments, lost taxation revenue); and lost gross domestic product (GDP) attributable to diabetes in Australia from 2015 to 2030. A simulation study of how the number of people aged 45-64 years with diabetes increases over time (based on population growth and disease trend data) and the economic losses incurred by individuals and the government. Cross-sectional outputs of a microsimulation model (Health&WealthMOD2030) which used the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2003 and 2009 as a base population and integrated outputs from two microsimulation models (Static Incomes Model and Australian Population and Policy Simulation Model), Treasury's population and labour force projections, and chronic disease trends data. Australian population aged 45-64 years in 2015, 2020, 2025 and 2030. Lost PLYs, lost income, extra welfare payments, lost taxation revenue, lost GDP. 18 100 people are out of the labour force due to diabetes in 2015, increasing to 21 400 in 2030 (18% increase). National costs consisted of a loss of $A467 million in annual income in 2015, increasing to $A807 million in 2030 (73% increase). For the government, extra annual welfare payments increased from $A311 million in 2015 to $A350 million in 2030 (13% increase); and lost annual taxation revenue increased from $A102 million in 2015 to $A166 million in 2030 (63% increase). A loss of $A2.1 billion in GDP was projected for 2015, increasing to $A2.9 billion in 2030 attributable to diabetes through its impact on PLYs. Individuals incur significant costs of diabetes through lost PLYs and lost income in addition to disease burden through human suffering and healthcare costs. The government incurs extra welfare payments, lost taxation revenue and lost GDP, along with direct healthcare costs. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

32 CFR 218.3 - Dose reconstruction methodology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... effects of shot-specific parameters such as weapon type and yield, neutron and gamma output, source and... specific personnel activities. Due to the range of activities, times, geometries, shielding, and weapon... that could have led to atypical doses. Radiation dose from neutrons and dose commitments due to inhaled...

32 CFR 218.3 - Dose reconstruction methodology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... effects of shot-specific parameters such as weapon type and yield, neutron and gamma output, source and... specific personnel activities. Due to the range of activities, times, geometries, shielding, and weapon... that could have led to atypical doses. Radiation dose from neutrons and dose commitments due to inhaled...

32 CFR 218.3 - Dose reconstruction methodology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... effects of shot-specific parameters such as weapon type and yield, neutron and gamma output, source and... specific personnel activities. Due to the range of activities, times, geometries, shielding, and weapon... that could have led to atypical doses. Radiation dose from neutrons and dose commitments due to inhaled...

Extra-anatomic bypass for recurrent abdominal aortic and renal in-stent stenoses following radiotherapy for neuroblastoma.

PubMed

Luehr, Maximilian; Siepe, Matthias; Beyersdorf, Friedhelm; Schlensak, Christian

2009-04-01

We describe the case of an 11-year-old girl with an abdominal neuroblastoma which was operated and intraoperatively irradiated nine years ago. After six years, she developed stenoses of the infrarenal abdominal aorta and both renal arteries. Initial treatment of the stenosed vessels comprised endovascular balloon dilatations and repeated stent-graft implantations, including drug eluting stents. However, severe in-stent stenoses occurred during follow-up and the girl developed acute renal failure. Open surgery was performed with two extra-anatomic bypasses, a thoracic-to-abdominal aortic bypass and a left iliac-to-renal bypass, on an urgent basis. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged home two weeks after the operation with full recovery of renal function. We conclude that endovascular stent-graft placement in children can only be a palliative treatment due to outgrowing of the stent-graft and the potential risk of re-stenosis, especially after a history of irradiation. Vascular surgery with placement of extra-anatomic bypasses will provide a definite treatment.

Sodium movements in perfused squid giant axons. Passive fluxes.

PubMed

Rojas, E; Canessa-Fischer, M

1968-08-01

Sodium movements in internally perfused giant axons from the squid Dosidicus gigas were studied with varying internal sodium concentrations and with fluoride as the internal anion. It was found that as the internal concentration of sodium was increased from 2 to 200 mM the resting sodium efflux increased from 0.09 to 34.0 pmoles/cm(2)sec and the average resting sodium influx increased from 42.9 to 64.5 pmoles/cm(2)sec but this last change was not statistically significant. When perfusing with a mixture of 500 mM K glutamate and 100 mM Na glutamate the resting efflux was 10 +/- 3 pmoles/cm(2)sec and 41 +/- 10 pmoles/cm(2)sec for sodium influx. Increasing the internal sodium concentration also increased both the extra influx and the extra efflux of sodium due to impulse propagation. At any given internal sodium concentration the net extra influx was about 5 pmoles/cm(2)impulse. This finding supports the notion that the inward current generated in a propagated action potential can be completely accounted for by movements of sodium.

Sodium Movements in Perfused Squid Giant Axons

PubMed Central

Rojas, Eduardo; Canessa-Fischer, Mitzy

1968-01-01

Sodium movements in internally perfused giant axons from the squid Dosidicus gigas were studied with varying internal sodium concentrations and with fluoride as the internal anion. It was found that as the internal concentration of sodium was increased from 2 to 200 mM the resting sodium efflux increased from 0.09 to 34.0 pmoles/cm2sec and the average resting sodium influx increased from 42.9 to 64.5 pmoles/cm2sec but this last change was not statistically significant. When perfusing with a mixture of 500 mM K glutamate and 100 mM Na glutamate the resting efflux was 10 ± 3 pmoles/cm2sec and 41 ± 10 pmoles/cm2sec for sodium influx. Increasing the internal sodium concentration also increased both the extra influx and the extra efflux of sodium due to impulse propagation. At any given internal sodium concentration the net extra influx was about 5 pmoles/cm2impulse. This finding supports the notion that the inward current generated in a propagated action potential can be completely accounted for by movements of sodium. PMID:5672003

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

Mao, W; Hrycushko, B; Yan, Y

Purpose: Traditional external beam radiotherapy for cervical cancer requires setup by external skin marks. In order to improve treatment accuracy and reduce planning margin for more conformal therapy, it is essential to monitor tumor positions interfractionally and intrafractionally. We demonstrate feasibility of monitoring cervical tumor motion online using EPID imaging from Beam’s Eye View. Methods: Prior to treatment, 1∼2 cylindrical radio opaque markers were implanted into inferior aspect of cervix tumor. During external beam treatments on a Varian 2100C by 4-field 3D plans, treatment beam images were acquired continuously by an EPID. A Matlab program was developed to locate internalmore » markers on MV images. Based on 2D marker positions obtained from different treatment fields, their 3D positions were estimated for every treatment fraction. Results: There were 398 images acquired during different treatment fractions of three cervical cancer patients. Markers were successfully located on every frame of image at an analysis speed of about 1 second per frame. Intrafraction motions were evaluated by comparing marker positions relative to the position on the first frame of image. The maximum intrafraction motion of the markers was 1.6 mm. Interfraction motions were evaluated by comparing 3D marker positions at different treatment fractions. The maximum interfraction motion was up to 10 mm. Careful comparison found that this is due to patient positioning since the bony structures shifted with the markers. Conclusion: This method provides a cost-free and simple solution for online tumor tracking for cervical cancer treatment since it is feasible to acquire and export EPID images with fast analysis in real time. This method does not need any extra equipment or deliver extra dose to patients. The online tumor motion information will be very useful to reduce planning margins and improve treatment accuracy, which is particularly important for SBRT treatment with long delivery time.« less

Estimation of Extra Length of Stay Attributable to Hospital-Acquired Infections in Adult ICUs Using a Time-Dependent Multistate Model.

PubMed

Ohannessian, Robin; Gustin, Marie-Paule; Bénet, Thomas; Gerbier-Colomban, Solweig; Girard, Raphaele; Argaud, Laurent; Rimmelé, Thomas; Guerin, Claude; Bohé, Julien; Piriou, Vincent; Vanhems, Philippe

2018-04-10

The objective of the study was to estimate the length of stay of patients with hospital-acquired infections hospitalized in ICUs using a multistate model. Active prospective surveillance of hospital-acquired infection from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2012. Twelve ICUs at the University of Lyon hospital (France). Adult patients age greater than or equal to 18 years old and hospitalized greater than or equal to 2 days were included in the surveillance. All hospital-acquired infections (pneumonia, bacteremia, and urinary tract infection) occurring during ICU stay were collected. None. The competitive risks of in-hospital death, transfer, or discharge were considered in estimating the change in length of stay due to infection(s), using a multistate model, time of infection onset. Thirty-three thousand four-hundred forty-nine patients were involved, with an overall hospital-acquired infection attack rate of 15.5% (n = 5,176). Mean length of stay was 27.4 (± 18.3) days in patients with hospital-acquired infection and 7.3 (± 7.6) days in patients without hospital-acquired infection. A multistate model-estimated mean found an increase in length of stay by 5.0 days (95% CI, 4.6-5.4 d). The extra length of stay increased with the number of infected site and was higher for patients discharged alive from ICU. No increased length of stay was found for patients presenting late-onset hospital-acquired infection, more than the 25th day after admission. An increase length of stay of 5 days attributable to hospital-acquired infection in the ICU was estimated using a multistate model in a prospective surveillance study in France. The dose-response relationship between the number of hospitalacquired infection and length of stay and the impact of early-stage hospital-acquired infection may strengthen attention for clinicians to focus interventions on early preventions of hospital-acquired infection in ICU.

In vivo thermoluminescence dosimetry dose verification of transperineal 192Ir high-dose-rate brachytherapy using CT-based planning for the treatment of prostate cancer.

PubMed

Anagnostopoulos, G; Baltas, D; Geretschlaeger, A; Martin, T; Papagiannis, P; Tselis, N; Zamboglou, N

2003-11-15

To evaluate the potential of in vivo thermoluminescence dosimetry to estimate the accuracy of dose delivery in conformal high-dose-rate brachytherapy of prostate cancer. A total of 50 LiF, TLD-100 cylindrical rods were calibrated in the dose range of interest and used as a batch for all fractions. Fourteen dosimeters for every treatment fraction were loaded in a plastic 4F catheter that was fixed in either one of the 6F needles implanted for treatment purposes or in an extra needle implanted after consulting with the patient. The 6F needles were placed either close to the urethra or in the vicinity of the median posterior wall of the prostate. Initial results are presented for 18 treatment fractions in 5 patients and compared to corresponding data calculated using the commercial treatment planning system used for the planning of the treatments based on CT images acquired postimplantation. The maximum observed mean difference between planned and delivered dose within a single treatment fraction was 8.57% +/- 2.61% (root mean square [RMS] errors from 4.03% to 9.73%). Corresponding values obtained after averaging results over all fractions of a patient were 6.88% +/- 4.93% (RMS errors from 4.82% to 7.32%). Experimental results of each fraction corresponding to the same patient point were found to agree within experimental uncertainties. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method is feasible for dose verification purposes and suggest that dose delivery in transperineal high-dose-rate brachytherapy after CT-based planning can be of acceptable accuracy.

Intra- and Extra-cellular Proteome Analyses of Steroid-Producer Mycobacteria.

PubMed

Barreiro, Carlos; Morales, Alejandro; Vázquez-Iglesias, Inés; Sola-Landa, Alberto

2017-01-01

The importance of the pathogenic mycobacteria has mainly focused the omic analyses on different aspects of their clinical significance. In contrast, those industrially relevant mycobacteria have received less attention, even though the steroids market sales in 2011, in example, were estimated in $8 billion.The extra-cellular proteome, due to its relevance in the sterols processing and uptake; as well as the intra-cellular proteome, because of its role in steroids bioconversion, are the core of the present chapter. As a proof of concept, the obtaining methods for both sub-proteomes of Mycobacterium neoaurum NRRL B-3805, a relevant industrial strain involved in steroids production, have been developed. Thus, procedures and relevant key points of these proteomes analyses are fully described.

Primary Gastric Lymphoma Presenting as Acute Pancreatitis: A Case Report.

PubMed

Raj, Mithun; Ghoshal, Uday C; Choudhuri, Gourdas; Mohindra, Samir

2013-07-10

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the commonest form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Gastro-intestinal tract and bone marrow are common extra-nodal sites of lymphomatous involvement. A 54-year-old woman presented with acute onset epigastric pain. On evaluation, raised serum amylase and radiological features of acute pancreatitis were detected. Gastroscopy revealed thickened folds in distal stomach, which on histopathology revealed large B-cell lymphoma. Subsequently, the patient developed extra-hepatic biliary obstruction due to peripancreatic lymph nodal mass that was relieved with plastic biliary stenting. Subsequent chemotherapy regime directed against lymphoma led to resolution of lymphoma. In this patient , pancreatitis was the initial presentation of primary gastric lymphoma, which has not been commonly reported and therefore should be considered in the etiological workup.

Extra-virgin olive oil diet and mild physical activity prevent cartilage degeneration in an osteoarthritis model: an in vivo and in vitro study on lubricin expression.

PubMed

Musumeci, Giuseppe; Trovato, Francesca Maria; Pichler, Karin; Weinberg, Annelie Martina; Loreto, Carla; Castrogiovanni, Paola

2013-12-01

Mediterranean diet includes a relatively high fat consumption mostly from monounsaturated fatty acids mainly provided by olive oil, the principal source of culinary and dressing fat. The beneficial effects of olive oil have been widely studied and could be due to its phytochemicals, which have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Lubricin is a chondroprotective glycoprotein and it serves as a critical boundary lubricant between opposing cartilage surfaces. A joint injury causes an initial flare of cytokines, which decreases lubricin expression and predisposes to cartilage degeneration such as osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of extra-virgin olive oil diet and physical activity on inflammation and expression of lubricin in articular cartilage of rats after injury. In this study we used histomorphometric, histological, immunocytochemical, immunohistochemical, western blot and biochemical analysis for lubricin and interleukin-1 evaluations in the cartilage and in the synovial fluid. We report the beneficial effect of physical activity (treadmill training) and extra-virgin olive oil supplementation, on the articular cartilage. The effects of anterior cruciate ligament transection decrease drastically the expression of lubricin and increase the expression of interleukin-1 in rats, while after physical activity and extra-virgin olive oil supplemented diet, the values return to a normal level compared to the control group. With our results we can confirm the importance of the physical activity in conjunction with extra-virgin olive oil diet in medical therapy to prevent osteoarthritis disease in order to preserve the articular cartilage and then the entire joint.

Relief of Night-time Symptoms Associated With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Following 4 Weeks of Treatment With Pantoprazole Magnesium: The Mexican Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Working Group

PubMed Central

Orr, William; Vargas-Romero, José Antonio; Remes-Troche, José María; Morales-Arámbula, Miguel; Soto-Pérez, Julio César; Mateos-Pérez, Gualberto; Sobrino-Cossío, Sergio; Teramoto-Matsubara, Oscar; López-Colombo, Aurelio; Orozco-Gamiz, Antonio; Saez-Ríos, Adolfo; Arellano-Plancarte, Araceli; Chiu-Ugalde, Jazmin; Tholen, Anne; Horbach, Silke; Lundberg, Lars; Fass, Ronnie

2014-01-01

Background/Aims To evaluate the effectiveness of pantoprazole magnesium (pantoprazole-Mg) 40 mg in the relief of esophageal and extra-esophageal symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), particularly night-time symptoms. Methods Patients (aged 18-50 years) with 3-month history of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation plus at least one other symptom in the last week were enrolled in a nationwide, prospective and observational study in Mexico. Patients received pantoprazole-Mg 40 mg once daily during 4 weeks. Symptoms were assessed through a physician-administered structured interview and the patient-completed ReQuest in Practice™ questionnaire. Night-time GERD was defined as arousal from sleep during the night due to GERD-associated symptoms. Results Out of 4,343 patients included at basal visit, 3,665 were considered for the effectiveness per protocol analysis. At baseline, patients had a median of 8 GERD related symptoms. Patients with night-time GERD symptoms (42.7%) were more likely to have extra-esophageal symptoms (P < 0.001) than other GERD patients. Pantoprazole-Mg 40 mg once daily for 4 weeks improved a broad range of GERD-associated symptoms from baseline (80% reduction on physicians assessments; 68-77% reduction on ReQuest in Practice™ dimensions), including both day- and night-time GERD symptoms; improvements were the greatest for extra-esophageal symptoms in patients with night-time symptoms. Pantoprazole-Mg was well tolerated. Conclusions Pantoprazole-Mg 40 mg significantly improved a broad range of esophageal and extra-esophageal GERD related symptoms including sleep disturbances, as well as well-being, in patients with daytime or night-time GERD, making it a good option for patients with GERD, especially when extra-esophageal and night-time symptoms are present. PMID:24466446

Stimulation-induced decreases in the diffusion of extra-vascular water in the human visual cortex: a window in time and space on mechanisms of brain water transport and economy.

PubMed

Baslow, Morris H; Hu, Caixia; Guilfoyle, David N

2012-07-01

In a human magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) investigation at 3 T and high diffusion sensitivity weighting (b = 1,800 s/mm(2)), which emphasizes the contribution of water in the extra-vascular compartment and minimizes that of the vascular compartment, we observed that visual stimulation with a flashing checkerboard at 8 Hz for a period of 600 s in eight subjects resulted in significant increases in DWI signals (mean +2.70%, range +0.51 to 8.54%). The increases in DWI signals in activated areas of the visual cortex indicated that during stimulation, the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of extra-vascular compartment water decreased. In response to continuous stimulation, DWI signals gradually increased from pre-stimulation controls, leveling off after 400-500 s. During recovery from stimulation, DWI signals gradually decreased, approaching control levels in 300-400 s. In this study, we show for the first time that the effects of visual stimulation on DWI signals in the human visual cortex are cumulative over an extended period of time. We propose that these relatively slow stimulation-induced changes in the ADC of water in the extra-vascular compartment are due to transient changes in the ratio of faster diffusing free water to slower diffusing bound water and reflect brain water transport processes between the vascular and extra-vascular compartments at the cellular level. The nature of these processes including possible roles of the putative glucose water import and N-acetylaspartate water export molecular water pumps in brain function are discussed.

Relief of Night-time Symptoms Associated With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Following 4 Weeks of Treatment With Pantoprazole Magnesium: The Mexican Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Working Group.

PubMed

López-Alvarenga, Juan Carlos; Orr, William; Vargas-Romero, José Antonio; Remes-Troche, José María; Morales-Arámbula, Miguel; Soto-Pérez, Julio César; Mateos-Pérez, Gualberto; Sobrino-Cossío, Sergio; Teramoto-Matsubara, Oscar; López-Colombo, Aurelio; Orozco-Gamiz, Antonio; Saez-Ríos, Adolfo; Arellano-Plancarte, Araceli; Chiu-Ugalde, Jazmin; Tholen, Anne; Horbach, Silke; Lundberg, Lars; Fass, Ronnie

2014-01-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of pantoprazole magnesium (pantoprazole-Mg) 40 mg in the relief of esophageal and extra-esophageal symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), particularly night-time symptoms. Patients (aged 18-50 years) with 3-month history of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation plus at least one other symptom in the last week were enrolled in a nationwide, prospective and observational study in Mexico. Patients received pantoprazole-Mg 40 mg once daily during 4 weeks. Symptoms were assessed through a physician-administered structured interview and the patient-completed ReQuest in Practice™ questionnaire. Night-time GERD was defined as arousal from sleep during the night due to GERD-associated symptoms. Out of 4,343 patients included at basal visit, 3,665 were considered for the effectiveness per protocol analysis. At baseline, patients had a median of 8 GERD related symptoms. Patients with night-time GERD symptoms (42.7%) were more likely to have extra-esophageal symptoms (P < 0.001) than other GERD patients. Pantoprazole-Mg 40 mg once daily for 4 weeks improved a broad range of GERD-associated symptoms from baseline (80% reduction on physicians assessments; 68-77% reduction on ReQuest in Practice™ dimensions), including both day- and night-time GERD symptoms; improvements were the greatest for extra-esophageal symptoms in patients with night-time symptoms. Pantoprazole-Mg was well tolerated. Pantoprazole-Mg 40 mg significantly improved a broad range of esophageal and extra-esophageal GERD related symptoms including sleep disturbances, as well as well-being, in patients with daytime or night-time GERD, making it a good option for patients with GERD, especially when extra-esophageal and night-time symptoms are present.

Has the use of talc an effect on yield and extra virgin olive oil quality?

PubMed

Caponio, Francesco; Squeo, Giacomo; Difonzo, Graziana; Pasqualone, Antonella; Summo, Carmine; Paradiso, Vito Michele

2016-08-01

The maximization of both extraction yield and extra virgin olive oil quality during olive processing are the main objectives of the olive oil industry. As regards extraction yield, it can be improved by both acting on time/temperature of malaxation and using physical coadjuvants. It is well known that, generally, increasing temperature of malaxation gives an increase in oil extraction yield due to a reduction in oily phase viscosity; however, high malaxation temperature can compromise the nutritional and health values of extra virgin olive oil, leading to undesirable effects such as accelerated oxidative process and loss of volatile compounds responsible for oil flavor and fragrance. The addition of physical coadjuvants in olive oil processing during the malaxation phase, not excluded by EC regulations owing to its exclusively physical action, is well known to promote the breakdown of oil/water emulsions and consequently make oil extraction easier, thus increasing the yield. Among physical coadjuvants, micronized natural talc is used for olive oil processing above all for Spanish and Italian olive cultivars. The quality of extra virgin olive oil depends on numerous variables such as olive cultivar, ripeness degree and quality, machines utilized for processing, oil storage conditions, etc. However, the coadjuvants utilized in olive processing can also influence virgin olive oil characteristics. The literature highlights an increase in oil yield by micronized natural talc addition during olive processing, whereas no clear trend was observed as regards the chemical, nutritional and sensory characteristics of extra virgin olive oil. Although an increase in oil stability was reported, no effect of talc was found on the evolution of virgin olive oil quality indices during storage. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Antioxidative potential of Duranta repens (Linn.) fruits against H2O2 induced cell death in vitro.

PubMed

Khan, Md Asaduzzaman; Rahman, Mohammad Mijanur; Tania, Mousumi; Shoshee, Nusrat Fatima; Xu, Ai-hua; Chen, Han-chun

2013-01-01

The effects of Duranta repens fruits were investigated on H2O2 induced oxidative cell death to evaluate its antioxidative potential in vitro. HEK293T cells were treated with different concentrations [0-1000 µg/ ml] of ethanol extract (E-Ex) and methanol extract (M-Ex) of D. repens for 24h, and then treated with 100 µM H2O2 for 24h. Cell viability, antioxidant parameters of cells, and antioxidant constituents of the extracts were determined. Treatment with limited dose of E-Ex or M-Ex increased the survival rate of H2O2-treated HEK293T cells, however the extra-high dose showed growth inhibitory effect. Treatment with E-Ex or M-Ex protected cellular lipid per-oxidation. In vitro analyses showed the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and H2O2 scavenging activities as well as reducing potential of the extracts. We report here that the limited dose of E-Ex and M-Ex possess antioxidative potential, which can protect H2O2-induced oxidative cell damage.

Bacterial community changes in copper and PEX drinking water pipeline biofilms under extra disinfection and magnetic water treatment.

PubMed

Inkinen, J; Jayaprakash, B; Ahonen, M; Pitkänen, T; Mäkinen, R; Pursiainen, A; Santo Domingo, J W; Salonen, H; Elk, M; Keinänen-Toivola, M M

2018-02-01

To study the stability of biofilms and water quality in pilot scale drinking water copper and PEX pipes in changing conditions (extra disinfection, magnetic water treatment, MWT). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 16S ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) to describe total bacterial community and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) to describe active bacterial members in addition to traditional microbiological methods were applied. Biofilms from control copper and PEX pipes shared same most abundant bacteria (Methylobacterium spp., Sphingomonas spp., Zymomonas spp.) and average species diversities (Shannon 3·8-4·2) in rDNA and rRNA libraries, whereas few of the taxa differed by their abundance such as lower total Mycobacterium spp. occurrence in copper (<0·02%) to PEX (<0·2%) pipes. Extra disinfection (total chlorine increase from c. 0·5 to 1 mg l -1 ) affected total and active population in biofilms seen as decrease in many bacterial species and diversity (Shannon 2·7, P < 0·01, rRNA) and increase in Sphingomonas spp. as compared to control samples. Furthermore, extra-disinfected copper and PEX samples formed separate clusters in unweighted non-metric multidimensional scaling plot (rRNA) similarly to MWT-treated biofilms of copper (but not PEX) pipes that instead showed higher species diversity (Shannon 4·8, P < 0·05 interaction). Minor chlorine dose addition increased selection pressure and many species were sensitive to chlorination. Pipe material seemed to affect mycobacteria occurrence, and bacterial communities with MWT in copper but not in PEX pipes. This study using rRNA showed that chlorination affects especially active fraction of bacterial communities. Copper and PEX differed by the occurrence of some bacterial members despite similar community profiles. © 2017 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Sensitivity of Daily Doses of Biologically Active Radiation, To Ozone Changes In Southern French Alps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de La Casinière, A.; Touré, M. L.; Masserot, D.; Lenoble, J.; Cabot, T.; Pinedo Vega, J. L.

Global UV irradiance spectra we re recorded each half an hour between sunrise and sunset, along the year 2000 in Briançon (1300m asl) at the CEMBREU (Centre Européen Médical Bioclimatique de Recherche et d'Enseignement Universitaire), a site of the French spectral UV network in Southern Alps. From these spectra are retrieved atmospheric transmissivities corresponding to daily doses of various biologically active radiation. A transmissivity is defined as the ratio of the ground level value of a daily dose to the extra -atmospheric value of this daily dose. The daily doses studied relate to UVB, erythema, DNA damage, and plant damage. Multiple linear correlations of the various transmissivities with the three predictors (daily sunshine fraction), µmin (cosine of the daily minimum SZA), and (daily total ozone column) assumed to be independent variables, are done for year 2000. These correlations permit to assess the mean sensitivities of the various transmissivities, to changes in for different cloud cover conditions in Briançon. The variations of each sensitivity is studied as a function of , µmin and . Comparing the results obtained with those given in the literature, we find for = 1 (that is for a strong probability of clear sky conditions) and SZA min = 45°, a radiation amplification factor (RAF) of the erythemal daily dose equal to 1.1 when = 285 DU, and to 1.4 when = 315 DU.

Effect of multiple short highly energetic X-ray pulses on the synthesis of endoglucanase by a mutant strain of Trichoderma reesei-M7.

PubMed

Gemishev, Orlin; Zapryanov, Stanislav; Blagoev, Alexander; Markova, Maya; Savov, Valentin

2014-09-03

Bioconversion of cellulose-containing substrate to glucose represents an important area of modern biotechnology. Enzymes for the degradation of the polysaccharide part of biomass have been produced, mostly by fungi belonging to genus Trichoderma . Studies were carried out with the mutant strain Trichoderma reesei- M7, a cellulase producer. Spores of the enzyme producer were irradiated with different doses of characteristic X-ray radiation from metallic tungsten (mainly the W Kα1 and Kα2 lines) with a high dose rate. The latter is a specific property of the dense plasma focus (DPF) device, which has pulsed operation and thus gives short and highly energetic pulses of multiple types of rays and particles. In this case, we focused our study on the influence of hard X-rays. The doses of X-rays absorbed by the spores varied in the range of approximately 5-11,000 mSv measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). The influence of the applied doses in combination with exceptionally high dose rates (in the order of tens of millisieverts per microsecond) on the activity of the produced endoglucanase, amount of biomass and extra-cellular protein, was studied in batch cultivation conditions. In the dose range of 200-1200 mSv, some enhancement of endoglucanase activity was obtained: around 18%-32%, despite the drop of the biomass amount, compared with the untreated material.

Effect of multiple short highly energetic X-ray pulses on the synthesis of endoglucanase by a mutant strain of Trichoderma reesei-M7

PubMed Central

Gemishev, Orlin; Zapryanov, Stanislav; Blagoev, Alexander; Markova, Maya; Savov, Valentin

2014-01-01

Bioconversion of cellulose-containing substrate to glucose represents an important area of modern biotechnology. Enzymes for the degradation of the polysaccharide part of biomass have been produced, mostly by fungi belonging to genus Trichoderma. Studies were carried out with the mutant strain Trichoderma reesei-M7, a cellulase producer. Spores of the enzyme producer were irradiated with different doses of characteristic X-ray radiation from metallic tungsten (mainly the W Kα1 and Kα2 lines) with a high dose rate. The latter is a specific property of the dense plasma focus (DPF) device, which has pulsed operation and thus gives short and highly energetic pulses of multiple types of rays and particles. In this case, we focused our study on the influence of hard X-rays. The doses of X-rays absorbed by the spores varied in the range of approximately 5–11,000 mSv measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). The influence of the applied doses in combination with exceptionally high dose rates (in the order of tens of millisieverts per microsecond) on the activity of the produced endoglucanase, amount of biomass and extra-cellular protein, was studied in batch cultivation conditions. In the dose range of 200–1200 mSv, some enhancement of endoglucanase activity was obtained: around 18%–32%, despite the drop of the biomass amount, compared with the untreated material. PMID:26019569

AN ESTIMATION OF THE EXPOSURE OF THE POPULATION OF ISRAEL TO NATURAL SOURCES OF IONIZING RADIATION.

PubMed

Epstein, L; Koch, J; Riemer, T; Haquin, G; Orion, I

2017-11-01

The radiation dose to the population of Israel due to exposure to natural sources of ionizing radiation was assessed. The main contributor to the dose is radon that accounts for 60% of the exposure to natural sources. The dose due to radon inhalation was assessed by combining the results of a radon survey in single-family houses with the results of a survey in apartments in multi-storey buildings. The average annual dose due to radon inhalation was found to be 1.2 mSv. The dose rate due to exposure to cosmic radiation was assessed using a code that calculates the dose rate at different heights above sea level, taking into account the solar cycle. The annual dose was calculated based on the fraction of time spent indoors and the attenuation provided by buildings and was found to be 0.2 mSv. The annual dose due to external exposure to the terrestrial radionuclides was similarly assessed. The indoor dose rate was calculated using a model that takes into account the concentrations of the natural radionuclides in building materials, the density and the thickness of the walls. The dose rate outdoors was calculated based on the concentrations of the natural radionuclides in different geological units in Israel as measured in an aerial survey and measurements above ground. The annual dose was found to be 0.2 mSv. Doses due to internal exposure other than exposure to radon were also calculated and were found to be 0.4 mSv. The overall annual exposure of the population of Israel to natural sources of ionizing radiation is therefore 2 mSv and ranges between 1.7 and 2.7 mSv. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

You Are Not Alone: Colleague Support and Goal-Oriented Cooperation as Resources to Reduce Teachers' Stress

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolgast, Anett; Fischer, Natalie

2017-01-01

The teaching profession is associated with high levels of perceived stress due to time constraints, heavy workload, and extra-curricular obligations. Teachers' perceived stress affects the quality of their instruction and consequently their students' motivation. According to social interdependence theory, frequent cooperative activities with…

Gas Turbines in Naval Propulsion (Turbinas de Gas en la Propulsion Naval),

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-22

produce extra power when needed. /74 There exists a vast panorama of theoretical investigations con- cerned with determination of the ideal division in...recommended for routine opera- tion, due to the thermal stresses produced in the exhaust system). The success achieved by the COSAG systems in the ASIIANTI

Single crystal X-ray diffraction study of the HgBa2CuO4+δ superconducting compound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bordet, P.; Duc, F.; Lefloch, S.; Capponi, J. J.; Alexandre, E.; Rosa-Nunes, M.; Antipov, E. V.; Putilin, S.

1996-02-01

A high precision X-ray diffraction analysis up to sin θ/λ = 1.15 of a HgBa2CuO4+δ single crystal having a Tc of ~ 90 K is presented. The cell parameters are a = 3.8815(4), c = 9.485 (7) Å. The refinements indicate the existence of a split barium site due to the presence of excess oxygen in the mercury layer. The position of this excess oxygen might be slightly displaced from the (1/2 1/2 0) position. A 6% mercury deficiency is observed. Models, including mercury defects, substitution by copper cations, or carbonate groups, are compared. However, we obtain no definite evidence for either of the three models. A possible disorder of the Hg position, due to the formation of chemical bonds with neighbouring extra oxygen anions, could correlate to the refinements of mixed species at the Hg site. A low temperature single crystal x-ray diffraction study, and comparison of refinements for the same single crystal with different extra oxygen contents, are in progress to help clarify this problem.

Cellular communication and “non-targeted effects”: Modelling approaches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ballarini, Francesca; Facoetti, Angelica; Mariotti, Luca; Nano, Rosanna; Ottolenghi, Andrea

2009-10-01

During the last decade, a large number of experimental studies on the so-called "non-targeted effects", in particular bystander effects, outlined that cellular communication plays a significant role in the pathways leading to radiobiological damage. Although it is known that two main types of cellular communication (i.e. via gap junctions and/or molecular messengers diffusing in the extra-cellular environment, such as cytokines, NO etc.) play a major role, it is of utmost importance to better understand the underlying mechanisms, and how such mechanisms can be modulated by ionizing radiation. Though the "final" goal is of course to elucidate the in vivo scenario, in the meanwhile also in vitro studies can provide useful insights. In the present paper we will discuss key issues on the mechanisms underlying non-targeted effects and cell communication, for which theoretical models and simulation codes can be of great help. In this framework, we will present in detail three literature models, as well as an approach under development at the University of Pavia. More specifically, we will first focus on a version of the "State-Vector Model" including bystander-induced apoptosis of initiated cells, which was successfully fitted to in vitro data on neoplastic transformation supporting the hypothesis of a protective bystander effect mediated by apoptosis. The second analyzed model, focusing on the kinetics of bystander effects in 3D tissues, was successfully fitted to data on bystander damage in an artificial 3D skin system, indicating a signal range of the order of 0.7-1 mm. A third model for bystander effect, taking into account of spatial location, cell killing and repopulation, showed dose-response curves increasing approximately linearly at low dose rates but quickly flattening out for higher dose rates, also predicting an effect augmentation following dose fractionation. Concerning the Pavia approach, which can model the release, diffusion and depletion/degradation of candidate signals (e.g. cytokines) travelling in the extra-cellular environment, the good agreement with ad hoc experimental data obtained in our laboratory validated the adopted approach, which in the future can be applied also to other candidate signals. Although the available information is still not sufficient to decide whether the Linear No Threshold approach for low dose risk - including space radiation risk - has to be modified, these studies confirmed the need of a paradigm shift in (low-dose) radiobiology, where the DNA-centric vision needs to be integrated by a wider vision where cells constitute an organized population responding to external stimuli in a collective fashion, communicating by means of different molecular signals. Further studies, in particular in vivo (or at least in 3D tissues) and possibly combined with human epidemiological data, will be crucial to help solving such questions in the future.

NUNDO: a numerical model of a human torso phantom and its application to effective dose equivalent calculations for astronauts at the ISS.

PubMed

Puchalska, Monika; Bilski, Pawel; Berger, Thomas; Hajek, Michael; Horwacik, Tomasz; Körner, Christine; Olko, Pawel; Shurshakov, Vyacheslav; Reitz, Günther

2014-11-01

The health effects of cosmic radiation on astronauts need to be precisely quantified and controlled. This task is important not only in perspective of the increasing human presence at the International Space Station (ISS), but also for the preparation of safe human missions beyond low earth orbit. From a radiation protection point of view, the baseline quantity for radiation risk assessment in space is the effective dose equivalent. The present work reports the first successful attempt of the experimental determination of the effective dose equivalent in space, both for extra-vehicular activity (EVA) and intra-vehicular activity (IVA). This was achieved using the anthropomorphic torso phantom RANDO(®) equipped with more than 6,000 passive thermoluminescent detectors and plastic nuclear track detectors, which have been exposed to cosmic radiation inside the European Space Agency MATROSHKA facility both outside and inside the ISS. In order to calculate the effective dose equivalent, a numerical model of the RANDO(®) phantom, based on computer tomography scans of the actual phantom, was developed. It was found that the effective dose equivalent rate during an EVA approaches 700 μSv/d, while during an IVA about 20 % lower values were observed. It is shown that the individual dose based on a personal dosimeter reading for an astronaut during IVA results in an overestimate of the effective dose equivalent of about 15 %, whereas under an EVA conditions the overestimate is more than 200 %. A personal dosemeter can therefore deliver quite good exposure records during IVA, but may overestimate the effective dose equivalent received during an EVA considerably.

Comprehensive clinical commissioning and validation of the RayStation treatment planning system for proton therapy with active scanning and passive treatment techniques.

PubMed

Bäumer, C; Geismar, D; Koska, B; Kramer, P H; Lambert, J; Lemke, M; Plaude, S; Pschichholz, L; Qamhiyeh, S; Schiemann, A; Timmermann, B; Vermeren, X

2017-11-01

To commission the treatment planning system (TPS) RayStation for proton therapy including beam models for spot scanning and for uniform scanning. Tests consist of procedures from ESTRO booklet number 7, the German DIN for constancy checks of TPSs, and extra tests checking the dose perturbation function. The dose distributions within patients were verified in silico by a comparison of 65 clinical treatment plans with the TPS XiO. Dose-volume parameters, dose differences, and three-dimensional gamma-indices serve as measures of similarity. The monthly constancy checks of Raystation have been automatized with a script. The basic functionality of the software complies with ESTRO booklet number 7. For a few features minor enhancements are suggested. The dose distribution in RayStation agrees with the calculation in XiO. This is supported by a gamma-index (3mm/3%) pass rate of >98.9% (median over 59 plans) for the volume within the 20% isodose line and a difference of <0.3% of V 95 of the PTV (median over 59 plans). If spot scanning is used together with a range shifter, the dose level calculated by RayStation can be off by a few percent. RayStation can be used for the creation of clinical proton treatment plans. Compared to XiO RayStation has an improved modelling of the lateral dose fall-off in passively delivered fields. For spot scanning fields with range shifter blocks an empirical adjustment of monitor units is required. The computation of perturbed doses also allows the evaluation of the robustness of a treatment plan. Copyright © 2017 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Renal excretion in channel catfish following injection of quinaldine sulphate or 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol

USGS Publications Warehouse

Allen, J.L.; Hunn, J.B.

1977-01-01

Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, injected intraperitoneally with 2-methyl-quinoline sulphate (QdSO4) or 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) eliminate most of the dose of these compounds by extra-renal routes. Patterns of renal excretion of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Cl- (pEq kg-1 h-1) appeared to be associated with the 'stress' of the urine collection technique rather than with the elimination of either compound. Concentrations of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Cl- (mEq/1) were determined in urine, plasma and gall bladder bile.

[Pregnancy-induced haemolytic anaemia].

PubMed

Karagiozova, J; Masseva, A; Ivanov, St; Marinov, B; Kulinska, R; Boiadjiev, D; Jordanova, D

2014-01-01

This is the clinical case of a primiparous eight month pregnant female, presenting with symptoms of pregnancy-induced acute haemolytic anaemia (haemolytic aneamia provoked by an immune mechanism, intra- and extra-erythrocyte defects, and HELLP syndrome were excluded). The anaemia progressed to become life-threatening for both the pregnant women and the foetus, which brought the following questions into consideration: diagnosis of anaemia during pregnancy; dosing of corticosteroid therapy; possibility of giving birth to a viable foetus and prognosis for next pregnancies. Owing to the inter-disciplinary efforts, the life and health of this pregnant woman were preserved, but the foetus was lost.

Ambient Dose Equivalent in S. Paulo and Bauru cities

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

Umisedo, Nancy K.; Okuno, Emico; Cancio, Francisco S.

2008-08-07

The Laboratory of Dosimetry (Institute of Physics, University of S. Paulo) performs since 1981 the external individual monitoring of workers exposed to X and gamma rays based on thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD). Personal dose equivalent refers only to the exposure of workers due to the working activities, and the dose due to background radiation, also measured with TLD, must be subtracted to evaluate it. A compilation of ambient dose equivalent was done to evaluate the dose due to the background radiation in the work places, and also to contribute to the knowledge of the level of indoor radiation to which themore » public is exposed.« less

A Technique for Murine Irradiation in a Controlled Gas Environment

PubMed Central

Walb, M. C.; Moore, J. E.; Attia, A.; Wheeler, K. T.; Miller, M. S.; Munley, M. T.

2013-01-01

NASA’s extra-vehicular activities (EVAs) involve exposure to high energy photons while breathing 100% oxygen. Using previously verified mouse models, our laboratory is studying whether low dose irradiation under these hyperoxic conditions could lead to an increase in carcinogenic potential. To simulate the environment astronauts encounter during an EVA, enclosed chambers were constructed that allowed for mouse movement, controlled gas conditions, and uniform radiation dose delivery. Custom-built gas chambers with input/output gas valves and dividers that allowed for uniform gas flow were used to keep 6 unanesthetized mice separated while they were irradiated. The chambers were supplied with 100% oxygen or air using ball valves linked together with T-splitters. A calibrated ion chamber was used to verify the radiation dose distribution across an entire chamber. Mice were placed in the gas environments for 0.5 h, irradiated with a 10 or 18 MV photon beam from a medical linear accelerator, and left in their gas environment for 2 h post-irradiation. We irradiated 200 mice (5 different doses between 0–1000 mGy) under normoxic or 100% oxygen conditions. For the next step of this research, these mice will be euthanized 9 months post-irradiation, and lung tumors will be counted and sized to determine if hyperoxia increases the carcinogenic effect for this model. PMID:22846321

Role of cellular communication in the pathways of radiation-induced biological damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ballarini, Francesca; Facoetti, Angelica; Mariotti, Luca; Nano, Rosanna; Ottolenghi, Andrea

During the last decade, a large number of experimental studies on the so-called "non-targeted effects", in particular bystander effects, outlined that cellular communication plays a signifi- cant role in the pathways leading to radiation-induced biological damage. This might imply a paradigm shift in (low-dose) radiobiology, according to which one has to consider the response of groups of cells behaving like a population rather than single cells behaving as individuals. Furthermore, bystander effects, which are observed both for lethal endpoints (e.g. clonogenic inactivation and apoptosis) and for non-lethal ones (e.g. mutations and neoplastic transformation), tend to show non-linear dose responses characterized by a sharp increase followed by a plateau. This might have significant consequences in terms of low-dose risk, which is generally calculated on the basis of the "Linear No Threshold" hypothesis. Although it is known that two types of cellular communication (i.e. via gap junctions and/or molecular messengers diffusing in the extra-cellular environment, such as cytokines) play a major role, it is of utmost importance to better understand the underlying mechanisms, and how such mechanisms can be modulated by ionizing radiation. Though the "final" goal is to elucidate the in vivo scenario, in the meanwhile also in vitro studies can provide useful insights. In the present paper we will discuss key issues on the mechanisms underlying non-targeted effects and, more generally, cell communication, with focus on candidate molecular signals. Theoretical models and simulation codes can be of help in elucidating such mechanisms. In this framework, we will present a model and Monte Carlo code, under development at the University of Pavia, simulating the release, diffusion and internalization of candidate signals (typically cytokines) travelling in the extra-cellular environment, both by unirradiated (i.e., control) cells and by irradiated cells. The focus will be on the role of critical parameters such as the cell number and density, the amount of culture medium etc. Comparisons with ad hoc experimental data obtained in our laboratory will be presented, and possible implications in terms of low-dose risk assessment will be discussed. Work supported by the European Community (projects "RISC-RAD" and "NOTE") and the Italian Space Agency (project "MoMa/COUNT)

Pollutant emissions from vehicles with regenerating after-treatment systems in regulatory and real-world driving cycles.

PubMed

Alvarez, Robert; Weilenmann, Martin; Novak, Philippe

2008-07-15

Regenerating exhaust after-treatment systems are increasingly employed in passenger cars in order to comply with regulatory emission standards. These systems include pollutant storage units that occasionally have to be regenerated. The regeneration strategy applied, the resultant emission levels and their share of the emission level during normal operation mode are key issues in determining realistic overall emission factors for these cars. In order to investigate these topics, test series with four cars featuring different types of such after-treatment systems were carried out. The emission performance in legislative and real-world cycles was monitored as well as at constant speeds. The extra emissions determined during regeneration stages are presented together with the methodology applied to calculate their impact on overall emissions. It can be concluded that exhaust after-treatment systems with storage units cause substantial overall extra emissions during regeneration mode and can appreciably affect the emission factors of cars equipped with such systems, depending on the frequency of regenerations. Considering that the fleet appearance of vehicles equipped with such after-treatment systems will increase due to the evolution of statutory pollutant emission levels, extra emissions originating from regenerations of pollutant storage units consequently need to be taken into account for fleet emission inventories. Accurately quantifying these extra emissions is achieved by either conducting sufficient repetitions of emission measurements with an individual car or by considerably increasing the size of the sample of cars with comparable after-treatment systems.

[Delayed diagnosis of neurocysticercosis: two case reports].

PubMed

Vandenbos, F; Boscagli-Melaine, A; Roth, S; Mondain-Miton, V; Paquis, P; Gari-Toussaint, M; Saint-Paul, M C; Montagne, N

2002-04-01

Neurocysticercosis is the most frequently encountered cerebral parasitic infection worldwide. It is due to infection of the central nervous system by Taenia solium larval form. According to the location of the cysts, parenchymal and extra-parenchymal forms may be identified, with different clinical expressions. We report two cases of neurocysticercosis, one with typical parenchymal involvement and the second with extra-parenchymal involvement revealed by increased intra-cranial pressure. In both cases, the diagnosis was established over 10 years after the onset of symptoms. Neurocysticercosis is very frequent in non-Islamic developing countries, and its incidence is increasing in industrialized nations in relation to tourism and immigration from highly endemic areas. Symptoms usually appear several years after infection and this accounts for the frequent delays before the diagnosis is established.

[Dehydration due to "mouth broken"].

PubMed

Meijler, D P M; van Mossevelde, P W J; van Beek, R H T

2012-09-01

Two children were admitted to a medical centre due to dehydration after an oral injury and the extraction of a tooth. One child complained of "mouth broken". Dehydration is the most common water-electrolyte imbalance in children. Babies and young children are prone to dehydration due to their relatively large body surface area, the high percentage extracellular fluid, and the limited ability of the kidneys to conserve water. After the removal ofa tooth, after an oral trauma or in case of oral discomfort, a child is at greater risk of dehydration by reduced fluid and food intake due to oral pain and/or discomfort and anxiety to drink. In those cases, extra attention needs to be devoted to the intake of fluids.

Effects of atomoxetine on heart rhythm in children and adolescents.

PubMed

Tanidir, Ibrahim Cansaran; Tanidir, Canan; Ozturk, Erkut; Bahali, Kayhan; Gunes, Hatice; Ergul, Yakup; Uneri, Ozden Sukran; Akdeniz, Celal; Tuzcu, Volkan

2015-12-01

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of atomoxetine on heart rhythm using 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) and 24 h Holter monitoring. Children and adolescents who were diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder according to DSM-IV-TR were referred to a pediatric cardiology clinic for cardiologic examination before and after 4 or 5 weeks of atomoxetine treatment. Cardiac examination, complete blood count, biochemistry, thyroid function tests, 12-lead ECG and 24 h Holter monitoring were performed routinely in all patients. Each subject underwent 24 h Holter ECG monitoring before atomoxetine was started and after 4 or 5 weeks of effective dose atomoxetine treatment. Forty-one patients were included in this prospective study. No statistically significant change was found in QT, QTc or QT interval dispersion or blood pressure before and after 4 or 5 weeks of atomoxetine treatment. There was a statistically significant increase in heart rate (both during the day and at night) and QRS duration, and a statistically significant decrease in P wave dispersion. Three patients had rhythm disturbances. All of these three patients were asymptomatic and none of these arrhythmias reached clinical significance. Atomoxetine did not cause significant changes in ECG or Holter variables. In two patients, who had undiagnosed subclinical extrasystoles, extra beats were increased after 4th week of treatment, but still remained clinically insignificant. Before and after atomoxetine treatment, listening to the heart sounds for a longer time, may help clinicians to notice an extra beat. If an extra beat is identified then 24 Holter monitoring is recommended. © 2015 Japan Pediatric Society.

Clinical Experience and Evaluation of Patient Treatment Verification With a Transit Dosimeter

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

Ricketts, Kate, E-mail: k.ricketts@ucl.ac.uk; Department of Radiotherapy Physics, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Reading; Navarro, Clara

2016-08-01

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate a protocol for transit dosimetry on a patient population undergoing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and to assess the issues in clinical implementation of electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) for treatment verification. Methods and Materials: Fifty-eight patients were enrolled in the study. Amorphous silicon EPIDs were calibrated for dose and used to acquire images of delivered fields. Measured EPID dose maps were back-projected using the planning computed tomographic (CT) images to calculate dose at prespecified points within the patient and compared with treatment planning system dose offline using point dose difference and point γ analysis. Themore » deviation of the results was used to inform future action levels. Results: Two hundred twenty-five transit images were analyzed, composed of breast, prostate, and head and neck IMRT fields. Patient measurements demonstrated the potential of the dose verification protocol to model dose well under complex conditions: 83.8% of all delivered beams achieved the initial set tolerance level of Δ{sub D} of 0 ± 5 cGy or %Δ{sub D} of 0% ± 5%. Importantly, the protocol was also sensitive to anatomic changes and spotted that 3 patients from 20 measured prostate patients had undergone anatomic change in comparison with the planning CT. Patient data suggested an EPID-reconstructed versus treatment planning system dose difference action level of 0% ± 7% for breast fields. Asymmetric action levels were more appropriate for inversed IMRT fields, using absolute dose difference (−2 ± 5 cGy) or summed field percentage dose difference (−6% ± 7%). Conclusions: The in vivo dose verification method was easy to use and simple to implement, and it could detect patient anatomic changes that impacted dose delivery. The system required no extra dose to the patient or treatment time delay and so could be used throughout the course of treatment to identify and limit systematic and random errors in dose delivery for patient groups.« less

Clinical Experience and Evaluation of Patient Treatment Verification With a Transit Dosimeter.

PubMed

Ricketts, Kate; Navarro, Clara; Lane, Katherine; Blowfield, Claire; Cotten, Gary; Tomala, Dee; Lord, Christine; Jones, Joanne; Adeyemi, Abiodun

2016-08-01

To prospectively evaluate a protocol for transit dosimetry on a patient population undergoing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and to assess the issues in clinical implementation of electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) for treatment verification. Fifty-eight patients were enrolled in the study. Amorphous silicon EPIDs were calibrated for dose and used to acquire images of delivered fields. Measured EPID dose maps were back-projected using the planning computed tomographic (CT) images to calculate dose at prespecified points within the patient and compared with treatment planning system dose offline using point dose difference and point γ analysis. The deviation of the results was used to inform future action levels. Two hundred twenty-five transit images were analyzed, composed of breast, prostate, and head and neck IMRT fields. Patient measurements demonstrated the potential of the dose verification protocol to model dose well under complex conditions: 83.8% of all delivered beams achieved the initial set tolerance level of ΔD of 0 ± 5 cGy or %ΔD of 0% ± 5%. Importantly, the protocol was also sensitive to anatomic changes and spotted that 3 patients from 20 measured prostate patients had undergone anatomic change in comparison with the planning CT. Patient data suggested an EPID-reconstructed versus treatment planning system dose difference action level of 0% ± 7% for breast fields. Asymmetric action levels were more appropriate for inversed IMRT fields, using absolute dose difference (-2 ± 5 cGy) or summed field percentage dose difference (-6% ± 7%). The in vivo dose verification method was easy to use and simple to implement, and it could detect patient anatomic changes that impacted dose delivery. The system required no extra dose to the patient or treatment time delay and so could be used throughout the course of treatment to identify and limit systematic and random errors in dose delivery for patient groups. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Frequency Response Assessment and Enhancement of the U.S. Power Grids towards Extra-High Photovoltaic Generation Penetrations – an Industry Perspective

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

Liu, Yong; You, Shutang; Tan, Jin

Nonsynchronous generations such as photovoltaics (PVs) are expected to undermine bulk power systems (BPSs)' frequency response at high penetration levels. Though the underlying mechanism has been relatively well understood, the accurate assessment and effective enhancement of the U.S. interconnections, frequency response under extra-high PV penetration conditions remains an issue. In this paper, the industry-provided full-detail interconnection models were further validated by synchrophasor frequency measurements and realistically-projected PV geographic distribution information were used to develop extra-high PV penetration scenarios and dynamic models for the three main U.S. interconnections, including Eastern Interconnection (EI), Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), and Electric Reliability Councilmore » of Texas (ERCOT). Up to 65% instantaneous PV and 15% wind penetration were simulated and the frequency response change trend of each U.S. interconnection due to the increasing PV penetration level were examined. Most importantly, the practical solutions to address the declining frequency response were discussed. This paper will provide valuable guidance for policy makers, utility operators and academic researchers not only in the U.S. but also other countries in the world.« less

Frequency Response Assessment and Enhancement of the U.S. Power Grids towards Extra-High Photovoltaic Generation Penetrations – an Industry Perspective

DOE PAGES

Liu, Yong; You, Shutang; Tan, Jin; ...

2018-01-30

Nonsynchronous generations such as photovoltaics (PVs) are expected to undermine bulk power systems (BPSs)' frequency response at high penetration levels. Though the underlying mechanism has been relatively well understood, the accurate assessment and effective enhancement of the U.S. interconnections, frequency response under extra-high PV penetration conditions remains an issue. In this paper, the industry-provided full-detail interconnection models were further validated by synchrophasor frequency measurements and realistically-projected PV geographic distribution information were used to develop extra-high PV penetration scenarios and dynamic models for the three main U.S. interconnections, including Eastern Interconnection (EI), Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), and Electric Reliability Councilmore » of Texas (ERCOT). Up to 65% instantaneous PV and 15% wind penetration were simulated and the frequency response change trend of each U.S. interconnection due to the increasing PV penetration level were examined. Most importantly, the practical solutions to address the declining frequency response were discussed. This paper will provide valuable guidance for policy makers, utility operators and academic researchers not only in the U.S. but also other countries in the world.« less

Mobile Microbiome

PubMed Central

Han, Y.W.; Wang, X.

2013-01-01

The link between oral infections and adverse systemic conditions has attracted much attention in the research community. Several mechanisms have been proposed, including spread of the oral infection due to transient bacteremia resulting in bacterial colonization in extra-oral sites, systemic injury by free toxins of oral pathogens, and systemic inflammation caused by soluble antigens of oral pathogens. Mounting evidence supports a major role of the systemic spread of oral commensals and pathogens to distant body sites causing extra-oral infections and inflammation. We review here the most recent findings on systemic infections and inflammation complicated by oral bacteria, including cardiovascular disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer, respiratory tract infections, and organ inflammations and abscesses. The recently identified virulence mechanisms of oral species Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Streptococcus mutans, and Campylobacter rectus are also reviewed. A pattern emerges indicating that only select subtype(s) of a given species, e.g., F. nucleatum subspecies animalis and polymorphum and S. mutans non-c serotypes, are prone to extra-oral translocation. These findings advocate the importance of identification and quantification of potential pathogens at the subtype levels for accurate prediction of disease potential. PMID:23625375

Between Main and Sideline Occupations: A Survey of the "Income-Generating" Activities of Rural Junior High School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Xiaoqiang, Gao

2018-01-01

The Ministry of Education banned the "income-generating" activities of urban primary and secondary school teachers obtaining extra income by conducting paid supplemental classes, due to their social impact. Other than examining the policy provisions, however, there has not been much research by domestic scholars on urban teachers…

Missing the Mark: Students Gain Little from Mandating Extra Math and Science Courses. ACT Policy Brief

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buddin, Richard; Croft, Michelle

2014-01-01

For several decades, policymakers have embraced the goal of preparing students for college and careers, particularly for careers in the area of mathematics and science. The recent emphasis on these STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects is due to the growth of STEM occupations and the perceived shortage of qualified…

Air Pollution and Exercise: A Perspective from China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Zhen

2016-01-01

China is experiencing an air pollution crisis, which has already had a significantly negative impact on the health of the Chinese people. Although exercising is considered a useful means to prevent chronic diseases, it could actually lead to adverse effects due to extra exposure to polluted air when done outdoors. After a brief description of the…

Extra Pay for Extra Duties, 1967-1968.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Education Association, Washington, DC. Research Div.

The practice of adding supplements to teachers' salaries for the guidance of pupil-participating extracurricular activities is widely used. To meet the demand for information on "extra pay for extra duties," a comprehensive study was made, including extra pay for extra duties of both athletic and nonathletic activities. Included are only those…

Annual committed effective dose from olive oil (due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn) estimated for members of the Moroccan public from ingestion and skin application.

PubMed

Misdaq, M A; Touti, R

2012-03-01

Olive oil is traditionally refined and widely consumed by Moroccan rural populations. Uranium (238U), thorium (232Th), radon (222Rn), and thoron (220Rn) contents were measured in various locally produced olive oil samples collected in rural areas of Morocco. These radionuclides were also measured inside various bottled virgin olive oils consumed by the Moroccan populations. CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) were used. Annual committed effective doses due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn from the ingestion of olive oil by the members of the general public were determined. The maximum total committed effective dose due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn from the ingestion of olive oil by adult members of Moroccan rural populations was found equal to 5.9 µSv y-1. The influence of pollution due to building material dusts and phosphates on the radiation dose to workers from the ingestion of olive oil was investigated, and it was found that the maximum total committed effective dose due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn was on the order of 0.22 mSy y-1. Committed effective doses to skin due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn from the application of olive oil masks by rural women were evaluated. The maximum total committed effective dose to skin due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn was found equal to 0.07 mSy y-1 cm-2.

Simulation and experimental study of aspect ratio limitation in Fresnel zone plates for hard-x-ray optics.

PubMed

Liu, Jianpeng; Shao, Jinhai; Zhang, Sichao; Ma, Yaqi; Taksatorn, Nit; Mao, Chengwen; Chen, Yifang; Deng, Biao; Xiao, Tiqiao

2015-11-10

For acquiring high-contrast and high-brightness images in hard-x-ray optics, Fresnel zone plates with high aspect ratios (zone height/zone width) have been constantly pursued. However, knowledge of aspect ratio limits remains limited. This work explores the achievable aspect ratio limit in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) by electron-beam lithography (EBL) under 100 keV, and investigates the lithographic factors for this limitation. Both Monte Carlo simulation and EBL on thick PMMA are applied to investigate the profile evolution with exposure doses over 100 nm wide dense zones. A high-resolution scanning electron microscope at low acceleration mode for charging free is applied to characterize the resultant zone profiles. It was discovered for what we believe is the first time that the primary electron-beam spreading in PMMA and the proximity effect due to extra exposure from neighboring areas could be the major causes of limiting the aspect ratio. Using the optimized lithography condition, a 100 nm zone plate with aspect ratio of 15/1 was fabricated and its focusing property was characterized at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The aspect ratio limit found in this work should be extremely useful for guiding further technical development in nanofabrication of high-quality Fresnel zone plates.

Skin dose from radionuclide contamination on clothing

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

Taylor, D.C.; Hussein, E.M.A.; Yuen, P.S.

1997-06-01

Skin dose due to radio nuclide contamination on clothing is calculated by Monte Carlo simulation of electron and photon radiation transport. Contamination due to a hot particle on some selected clothing geometries of cotton garment is simulated. The effect of backscattering in the surrounding air is taken into account. For each combination of source-clothing geometry, the dose distribution function in the skin, including the dose at tissue depths of 7 mg cm{sup -2} and 1,000 Mg cm{sup -2}, is calculated by simulating monoenergetic photon and electron sources. Skin dose due to contamination by a radionuclide is then determined by propermore » weighting of & monoenergetic dose distribution functions. The results are compared with the VARSKIN point-kernel code for some radionuclides, indicating that the latter code tends to under-estimate the dose for gamma and high energy beta sources while it overestimates skin dose for low energy beta sources. 13 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Effect of vitamin D deficiency in developed countries.

PubMed

Hassan-Smith, Zaki K; Hewison, Martin; Gittoes, Neil J

2017-06-01

Vitamin D deficiency is common worldwide with adverse effects on skeletal health. In recent years, there has been great interest in non-classical actions of vitamin D. Basic research has uncovered actions in a range of non-skeletal tissues, and observational studies have identified inverse relationships with risk of a number of disease states including sarcopenia, obesity, the metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases. PubMed, Medline and Cochrane Systematic Reviews. Current evidence supports the use of vitamin D supplementation in deficiency to improve skeletal outcomes such as falls/fracture risk and bone mineral density. There is debate reflected in guidelines on optimal thresholds for circulating levels of vitamin D. Further studies are required to refine dosing regimens and treatment target levels of vitamin D. A number of studies have investigated the extra-skeletal effects of vitamin D deficiency but causality in humans has yet to be confirmed. Large-scale randomized controlled trials incorporating data on vitamin D status at baseline and follow up, adverse events, and comparison of dosing regimens are required. It is imperative that studies are carried out with a diverse range of participants (age, gender and ethnicity), and settings to allow for a more individualized approach. In addition, we would advocate incorporating cutting-edge research tools into human studies to advance our understanding of the mechanisms of vitamin D action in extra-skeletal disease. This may involve multi-metabolite analysis of vitamin D metabolites, or unbiased approaches to assess regulation of gene/protein expression in tissues of interest. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

A Two-Center Randomized Trial of an Additional Early Dose of Measles Vaccine: Effects on Mortality and Measles Antibody Levels.

PubMed

Fisker, Ane B; Nebie, Eric; Schoeps, Anja; Martins, Cesario; Rodrigues, Amabelia; Zakane, Alphonse; Kagone, Moubassira; Byberg, Stine; Thysen, Sanne M; Tiendrebeogo, Justin; Coulibaly, Boubacar; Sankoh, Osman; Becher, Heiko; Whittle, Hilton C; van der Klis, Fiona R M; Benn, Christine S; Sie, Ali; Müller, Olaf; Aaby, Peter

2018-05-02

In addition to protecting against measles, measles vaccine (MV) may have beneficial nonspecific effects. We tested the effect of an additional early MV on mortality and measles antibody levels. Children aged 4-7 months at rural health and demographic surveillance sites in Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau were randomized 1:1 to an extra early standard dose of MV (Edmonston-Zagreb strain) or no extra MV 4 weeks after the third diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-hepatitis B-Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine. All children received routine MV at 9 months. We assessed mortality through home visits and compared mortality from enrollment to age 3 years using Cox proportional hazards models, censoring for subsequent nontrial MV. Subgroups of participants had blood sampled to assess measles antibody levels. Among 8309 children enrolled from 18 July 2012 to 3 December 2015, we registered 145 deaths (mortality rate: 16/1000 person-years). The mortality was lower than anticipated and did not differ by randomization group (hazard ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-1.46). At enrollment, 4% (16/447) of children in Burkina Faso and 21% (90/422) in Guinea-Bissau had protective measles antibody levels. By age 9 months, no measles-unvaccinated/-unexposed child had protective levels, while 92% (306/333) of early MV recipients had protective levels. At final follow-up, 98% (186/189) in the early MV group and 97% (196/202) in the control group had protective levels. Early MV did not reduce all-cause mortality. Most children were susceptible to measles infection at age 4-7 months and responded with high antibody levels to early MV. NCT01644721.

Extra Double-stranded RNA Binding Domain (dsRBD) in a Squid RNA Editing Enzyme Confers Resistance to High Salt Environment*

PubMed Central

Palavicini, Juan Pablo; Correa-Rojas, Rodrigo A.; Rosenthal, Joshua J. C.

2012-01-01

A-to-I RNA editing is particularly common in coding regions of squid mRNAs. Previously, we isolated a squid editing enzyme (sqADAR2) that shows a unique structural feature when compared with other ADAR2 family members: an additional double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding domain (dsRBD). Alternative splicing includes or excludes this motif, generating a novel or a conventional variant termed sqADAR2a and sqADAR2b, respectively. The extra dsRBD of sqADAR2a increases its editing activity in vitro. We hypothesized that the high activity is due to an increase in the affinity of the enzyme for dsRNA. This may be important because protein-RNA interactions can be influenced by physical factors. We became particularly interested in analyzing the effects of salt on interactions between sqADAR2 and RNA because squid cells have a ∼3-fold higher ionic strength and proportionally more Cl− than vertebrate cells. To date, in vitro biochemical analyses of adenosine deamination have been conducted using vertebrate-like ionic strength buffers containing chloride as the major anion, although the vast majority of cellular anions are known to be organic. We found that squid-like salt conditions severely impair the binding affinity of conventional ADAR2s for dsRNA, leading to a decrease in nonspecific and site-specific editing activity. Inhibition of editing was mostly due to high Cl− levels and not to the high concentrations of K+, Na+, and organic anions like glutamate. Interestingly, the extra dsRBD in sqADAR2a conferred resistance to the high Cl− levels found in squid neurons. It does so by increasing the affinity of sqADAR2 for dsRNA by 30- or 100-fold in vertebrate-like or squid-like conditions, respectively. Site-directed mutagenesis of squid ADAR2a showed that its increased affinity and editing activity are directly attributable to the RNA binding activity of the extra dsRBD. PMID:22457361

Optical and FT Infrared spectral studies of vanadium ions in cadmium borate glass and effects of gamma irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

AbdelAziz, T. D.; EzzElDin, F. M.; El Batal, H. A.; Abdelghany, A. M.

2014-10-01

Combined optical and infrared absorption spectra of V2O5-doped cadmium borate glasses were investigated before and after gamma irradiation with a dose of 8 Mrad (=8 × 104 Gy). The undoped base cadmium borate glass reveals a spectrum consisting of strong charge transfer UV absorption bands which are related to the presence of unavoidable contaminated trace iron impurities (mainly Fe3+). The V2O5-doped glasses reveal an extra band at 380 nm and the high V2O5-content glass also shows a further band at about 420 nm. The observed optical spectrum indicates the presence of vanadium ions mainly in the pentavalent state (d0 configuration). The surplus band at 420 nm shows that some trivalent vanadium ions are identified at high V2O5 content. The optical spectra of the glasses after gamma irradiation show small decrease of the intensity of the UV absorption which are interpreted by assuming the transformation of some Fe3+ ions by photochemical reactions with the presence of high content (45 mol%) of heavy massive CdO causing some shielding behavior. FT infrared absorption spectra of the glasses show vibrational bands due to collective presence of triangular and tetrahedral borate groups in their specific wavenumbers. The FTIR spectra are observed to be slightly affected by both the V2O5-dopants being present in modifying low percent or gamma irradiation due to the presence of high content heavy CdO.

Optical and FT Infrared spectral studies of vanadium ions in cadmium borate glass and effects of gamma irradiation.

PubMed

AbdelAziz, T D; EzzElDin, F M; El Batal, H A; Abdelghany, A M

2014-10-15

Combined optical and infrared absorption spectra of V2O5-doped cadmium borate glasses were investigated before and after gamma irradiation with a dose of 8 Mrad (=8×10(4) Gy). The undoped base cadmium borate glass reveals a spectrum consisting of strong charge transfer UV absorption bands which are related to the presence of unavoidable contaminated trace iron impurities (mainly Fe(3+)). The V2O5-doped glasses reveal an extra band at 380nm and the high V2O5-content glass also shows a further band at about 420nm. The observed optical spectrum indicates the presence of vanadium ions mainly in the pentavalent state (d(0) configuration). The surplus band at 420nm shows that some trivalent vanadium ions are identified at high V2O5 content. The optical spectra of the glasses after gamma irradiation show small decrease of the intensity of the UV absorption which are interpreted by assuming the transformation of some Fe(3+) ions by photochemical reactions with the presence of high content (45mol%) of heavy massive CdO causing some shielding behavior. FT infrared absorption spectra of the glasses show vibrational bands due to collective presence of triangular and tetrahedral borate groups in their specific wavenumbers. The FTIR spectra are observed to be slightly affected by both the V2O5-dopants being present in modifying low percent or gamma irradiation due to the presence of high content heavy CdO. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A shielding application of perturbation theory to determine changes in neutron and gamma doses due to changes in shield layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fieno, D.

1972-01-01

The perturbation theory for fixed sources was applied to radiation shielding problems to determine changes in neutron and gamma ray doses due to changes in various shield layers. For a given source and detector position the perturbation method enables dose derivatives due to all layer changes to be determined from one forward and one inhomogeneous adjoint calculation. The direct approach requires two forward calculations for the derivative due to a single layer change. Hence, the perturbation method for obtaining dose derivatives permits an appreciable savings in computation for a multilayered shield. For an illustrative problem, a comparison was made of the fractional change in the dose per unit change in the thickness of each shield layer as calculated by perturbation theory and by successive direct calculations; excellent agreement was obtained between the two methods.

Overview of Graphical User Interface for ARRBOD (Acute Radiation Risk and BRYNTRN Organ Dose Projection)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Myung-Hee Y.; Hu, Shaowen; Nounu, Hatem N.; Cucinotta, Francis A.

2010-01-01

Solar particle events (SPEs) pose the risk of acute radiation sickness (ARS) to astronauts, because organ doses from large SPEs may reach critical levels during extra vehicular activities (EVAs) or lightly shielded spacecraft. NASA has developed an organ dose projection model of Baryon transport code (BRYNTRN) with an output data processing module of SUMDOSE, and a probabilistic model of acute radiation risk (ARR). BRYNTRN code operation requires extensive input preparation, and the risk projection models of organ doses and ARR take the output from BRYNTRN as an input to their calculations. With a graphical user interface (GUI) to handle input and output for BRYNTRN, these response models can be connected easily and correctly to BRYNTRN in a user friendly way. The GUI for the Acute Radiation Risk and BRYNTRN Organ Dose (ARRBOD) projection code provides seamless integration of input and output manipulations required for operations of the ARRBOD modules: BRYNTRN, SUMDOSE, and the ARR probabilistic response model. The ARRBOD GUI is intended for mission planners, radiation shield designers, space operations in the mission operations directorate (MOD), and space biophysics researchers. Assessment of astronauts organ doses and ARS from the exposure to historically large SPEs is in support of mission design and operation planning to avoid ARS and stay within the current NASA short-term dose limits. The ARRBOD GUI will serve as a proof-of-concept for future integration of other risk projection models for human space applications. We present an overview of the ARRBOD GUI product, which is a new self-contained product, for the major components of the overall system, subsystem interconnections, and external interfaces.

Modeling Acute Health Effects of Astronauts from Exposure to Large Solar Particle Events

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hu, Shaowen; Kim, Myung-Hee Y.; Cucinotta, Francis A.

2011-01-01

In space exploration outside the Earth s geomagnetic field, radiation exposure from solar particle events (SPE) presents a health concern for astronauts, that could impair their performance and result in possible failure of the mission. Acute risks are of special concern during extra-vehicular activities because of the rapid onset of SPE. However, most SPEs will not lead to acute risks but can lead to mission disruption if accurate projection methods are not available. Acute Radiation Sickness (ARS) is a group of clinical syndromes developing acutely (within several seconds to 3 days) after high dose whole-body or significant partial-body ionizing radiation exposures. The manifestation of these syndromes reflects the disturbance of physiological processes of various cellular groups damaged by radiation. Hematopoietic cells, skin, epithelium, intestine, and vascular endothelium are among the most sensitive tissues of human body to ionizing radiation. Most ARS symptoms are directly related to these tissues and other systems (nervous, endocrine, and cardiovascular, etc.) with coupled regulations. Here we report the progress in bio-mathematical models to describe the dose and time-dependent early human responses to ionizing radiation. The responses include lymphocyte depression, granulocyte modulation, fatigue and weakness syndrome, and upper gastrointestinal distress. The modest dose and dose-rates of SPEs are predicted to lead to large sparing of ARS, however detailed experimental data on a range of proton dose-rates for organ doses from 0.5 to 2 Gy is needed to validate the models. We also report on the ARRBOD code that integrates the BRYNTRN and SUMDOSE codes, which are used to estimate the SPE organ doses for astronauts under various space travel scenarios, with our models of ARS. The more recent effort is to provide easy web access to space radiation risk assessment using the ARRBOD code.

Development of an irradiation method with lateral modulation of SOBP width using a cone-type filter for carbon ion beams.

PubMed

Ishizaki, Azusa; Ishii, Keizo; Kanematsu, Nobuyuki; Kanai, Tatsuaki; Yonai, Shunsuke; Kase, Yuki; Takei, Yuka; Komori, Masataka

2009-06-01

Passive irradiation methods deliver an extra dose to normal tissues upstream of the target tumor, while in dynamic irradiation methods, interplay effects between dynamic beam delivery and target motion induced by breathing or respiration distort the dose distributions. To solve the problems of those two irradiation methods, the authors have developed a new method that laterally modulates the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) width. By reducing scanning in the depth direction, they expect to reduce the interplay effects. They have examined this new irradiation method experimentally. In this system, they used a cone-type filter that consisted of 400 cones in a grid of 20 cones by 20 cones. There were five kinds of cones with different SOBP widths arranged on the frame two dimensionally to realize lateral SOBP modulation. To reduce the number of steps of cones, they used a wheel-type filter to make minipeaks. The scanning intensity was modulated for each SOBP width with a pair of scanning magnets. In this experiment, a stepwise dose distribution and spherical dose distribution of 60 mm in diameter were formed. The nonflatness of the stepwise dose distribution was 5.7% and that of the spherical dose distribution was 3.8%. A 2 mm misalignment of the cone-type filter resulted in a nonflatness of more than 5%. Lateral SOBP modulation with a cone-type filter and a scanned carbon ion beam successfully formed conformal dose distribution with nonflatness of 3.8% for the spherical case. The cone-type filter had to be set to within 1 mm accuracy to maintain nonflatness within 5%. This method will be useful to treat targets moving during breathing and targets in proximity to important organs.

Significance of including field non-uniformities such as the heel effect and beam scatter in the determination of the skin dose distribution during interventional fluoroscopic procedures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rana, Vijay; Gill, Kamaljit; Rudin, Stephen; Bednarek, Daniel R.

2012-03-01

The current version of the real-time skin-dose-tracking system (DTS) we have developed assumes the exposure is contained within the collimated beam and is uniform except for inverse-square variation. This study investigates the significance of factors that contribute to beam non-uniformity such as the heel effect and backscatter from the patient to areas of the skin inside and outside the collimated beam. Dose-calibrated Gafchromic film (XR-RV3, ISP) was placed in the beam in the plane of the patient table at a position 15 cm tube-side of isocenter on a Toshiba Infinix C-Arm system. Separate exposures were made with the film in contact with a block of 20-cm solid water providing backscatter and with the film suspended in air without backscatter, both with and without the table in the beam. The film was scanned to obtain dose profiles and comparison of the profiles for the various conditions allowed a determination of field non-uniformity and backscatter contribution. With the solid-water phantom and with the collimator opened completely for the 20-cm mode, the dose profile decreased by about 40% on the anode side of the field. Backscatter falloff at the beam edge was about 10% from the center and extra-beam backscatter decreased slowly with distance from the field, being about 3% of the beam maximum at 6 cm from the edge. Determination of the magnitude of these factors will allow them to be included in the skin-dose-distribution calculation and should provide a more accurate determination of peak-skin dose for the DTS.

Validation of a method for in vivo 3D dose reconstruction for IMRT and VMAT treatments using on-treatment EPID images and a model-based forward-calculation algorithm

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

Van Uytven, Eric, E-mail: eric.vanuytven@cancercare.mb.ca; Van Beek, Timothy; McCowan, Peter M.

2015-12-15

Purpose: Radiation treatments are trending toward delivering higher doses per fraction under stereotactic radiosurgery and hypofractionated treatment regimens. There is a need for accurate 3D in vivo patient dose verification using electronic portal imaging device (EPID) measurements. This work presents a model-based technique to compute full three-dimensional patient dose reconstructed from on-treatment EPID portal images (i.e., transmission images). Methods: EPID dose is converted to incident fluence entering the patient using a series of steps which include converting measured EPID dose to fluence at the detector plane and then back-projecting the primary source component of the EPID fluence upstream of themore » patient. Incident fluence is then recombined with predicted extra-focal fluence and used to calculate 3D patient dose via a collapsed-cone convolution method. This method is implemented in an iterative manner, although in practice it provides accurate results in a single iteration. The robustness of the dose reconstruction technique is demonstrated with several simple slab phantom and nine anthropomorphic phantom cases. Prostate, head and neck, and lung treatments are all included as well as a range of delivery techniques including VMAT and dynamic intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Results: Results indicate that the patient dose reconstruction algorithm compares well with treatment planning system computed doses for controlled test situations. For simple phantom and square field tests, agreement was excellent with a 2%/2 mm 3D chi pass rate ≥98.9%. On anthropomorphic phantoms, the 2%/2 mm 3D chi pass rates ranged from 79.9% to 99.9% in the planning target volume (PTV) region and 96.5% to 100% in the low dose region (>20% of prescription, excluding PTV and skin build-up region). Conclusions: An algorithm to reconstruct delivered patient 3D doses from EPID exit dosimetry measurements was presented. The method was applied to phantom and patient data sets, as well as for dynamic IMRT and VMAT delivery techniques. Results indicate that the EPID dose reconstruction algorithm presented in this work is suitable for clinical implementation.« less

Prediction of extravasation in pelvic fracture using coagulation biomarkers.

PubMed

Aoki, Makoto; Hagiwara, Shuichi; Tokue, Hiroyuki; Shibuya, Kei; Kaneko, Minoru; Murata, Masato; Nakajima, Jun; Sawada, Yusuke; Isshiki, Yuta; Ichikawa, Yumi; Oshima, Kiyohiro

2016-08-01

To evaluate the usefulness of coagulation biomarkers, which are easy and quick to analyze in emergency settings, for prediction of arterial extravasation due to pelvic fracture. The medical records of pelvic fracture patients transferred to the emergency department of Gunma University Hospital between December 2009 and May 2015 were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups, those with (Extra(+)) and without (Extra(-)) arterial extravasation on enhanced CT or angiography. Levels of fibrin degradation products (FDP), D-dimer, fibrinogen, the ratio of FDP to fibrinogen, the ratio of D-dimer to fibrinogen, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, the Glasgow Coma Scale, pH, base excess, hemoglobin and lactate levels, the pattern of pelvic injury, and injury severity score were measured at hospital admission, and compared between the two groups. Parameters with a significant difference between the two groups were used to construct receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The study included 29 patients with pelvic fracture. FDP, D-dimer, the ratio of FDP to fibrinogen and the ratio of D-dimer to fibrinogen were the most useful parameters for predicting arterial extravasation due to pelvic fracture. FDP, D-dimer, the ratio of FDP to fibrinogen, the ratio of D-dimer to fibrinogen, and hemoglobin and lactate levels were significantly higher in the Extra(+) group than in the Extra(-) group (FDP, 354.8μg/mL [median] versus 96.6μg/mL; D-dimer, 122.3μg/mL versus 42.1μg/mL; the ratio of FDP to fibrinogen, 3.39 versus 0.42; the ratio of D-dimer to fibrinogen, 1.14 versus 0.18; hemoglobin, 10.5g/dL versus 13.5g/dL; lactate, 3.5mmol/L versus 1.7mmol/L). The area under the ROC curves for FDP, D-dimer, the ratio of FDP to fibrinogen, the ratio of D-dimer to fibrinogen, hemoglobin and lactate levels were 0.900, 0.882, 0.918, 0.900, 0.815 and 0.765, respectively. Coagulation biomarkers, and hemoglobin and lactate levels could be useful to predict the existence of arterial extravasation due to pelvic fracture. The ratio of FDP to fibrinogen and the ratio of D-dimer to fibrinogen were the most accurate markers. Coagulation biomarkers may enable more rapid and specific treatment for pelvic fracture. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

A Case of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Due to Legionella pneumophila Serogroup 9 Wherein Initial Treatment with Single-Dose Oral Azithromycin Appeared Useful.

PubMed

Ito, Akihiro; Ishida, Tadashi; Tachibana, Hiromasa; Ito, Yuhei; Takaiwa, Takuya; Fujii, Hiroyuki; Hashimoto, Toru; Nakajima, Hiroshi; Amemura-Maekawa, Junko

2017-11-22

Legionella species are important causative pathogens for severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Most cases of Legionella pneumonia are due to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, and CAP due to L. pneumophila serogroup 9 is rare. A fourth case of CAP due to L. pneumophila serogroup 9 has been reported, and initial treatment using single-dose oral azithromycin appeared useful. Azithromycin or fluoroquinolone injection is usually recommended for the treatment of Legionella pneumonia, and no previous reports have shown the effectiveness of single-dose oral azithromycin. This case report is therefore valuable from the perspective of possible treatment for mild to moderate Legionella pneumonia using single-dose oral azithromycin.

The financial and service implications of splitting fixed-dose antiretroviral drugs - a case study.

PubMed

Taylor, R; Carlin, E; Sadique, Z; Ahmed, I; Adams, E J

2015-02-01

In 2010/2011, regional commissioners withdrew payment for the fixed-dose combination Combivir, forcing a switch to component drugs. This was deemed clinically acceptable and annual savings of £44 k expected. We estimated the true costs of switching and examined patient outcomes. Information for 46 patients using Combivir was extracted from case notes for each clinical contact in the 12 months pre- and post-switch (clinician seen, tests, antiretrovirals). Post-switch care costs £93/patient more annually versus pre-switch (95% CI £424 to £609), yielding £4278/year more post-switch for all patients. Drug and pathology costs were more expensive post-switch and extra clinical visits required. None of these results were statistically significant. Forty-two per cent of patients switched directly or in the subsequent year to an alternative fixed-dose combination rather than generics. Costs in this group were significantly higher post-switch driven by drug cost. Six patients (13%) reported problems with the switch including confusion around dosing and new side effects. As less-expensive generic antiretroviral drugs become available, it may appear cheaper to switch from fixed-dose combinations to component drugs. However, the additional clinical costs involved may outweigh the initial cost savings of the drugs and switching may cause confusion for some patients, risking loss of adherence. © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

Dosimetric variations due to interfraction organ deformation in cervical cancer brachytherapy.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Kazuma; Murakami, Naoya; Wakita, Akihisa; Nakamura, Satoshi; Okamoto, Hiroyuki; Umezawa, Rei; Takahashi, Kana; Inaba, Koji; Igaki, Hiroshi; Ito, Yoshinori; Shigematsu, Naoyuki; Itami, Jun

2015-12-01

We quantitatively estimated dosimetric variations due to interfraction organ deformation in multi-fractionated high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRBT) for cervical cancer using a novel surface-based non-rigid deformable registration. As the number of consecutive HDRBT fractions increased, simple addition of dose-volume histogram parameters significantly overestimated the dose, compared with distribution-based dose addition. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Dofetilide in Overdose: A Case Series from Poison Center Data.

PubMed

Hieger, M A; Maskell, K F; Moss, M J; Powell, S W; Cumpston, K L

2017-07-01

Dofetilide is a class III antiarrhythmic used for treating atrial dysrhythmias. Though its adverse effects are well described in routine use, very little is known about dofetilide toxicity in overdose. This is a retrospective case series of consecutive patients reported to our poison center after dofetilide overdose. Twenty-seven cases were included. Seventeen patients were treated at a healthcare facility, and of these, eight were admitted. Twenty-one patients took one extra capsule, four took someone else's medication, one took three extra capsules, and one had a large intentional overdose. Ten patients had co-ingestants reported, including three QT-prolonging agents. No one required cardioversion, defibrillation, CPR, or overdrive pacing. The patient who reported taking 90 times his usual dose in suicide attempt was the only patient to have significant clinical effects. He experienced an 8-beat run of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, frequent multifocal PVCs, and ventricular bigeminy. He received magnesium sulfate and potassium chloride supplementation. In this series, unintentional small overdoses did not result in significant clinical effects and were often managed successfully at home, despite the fact that information showing a single capsule can cause torsades. This study is limited by its small sample size, retrospective design, and reliance on incomplete information.

Vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and management of major chronic diseases not related to mineral homeostasis in adults: research for evidence and a scientific statement from the European society for clinical and economic aspects of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis (ESCEO).

PubMed

Cianferotti, Luisella; Bertoldo, Francesco; Bischoff-Ferrari, Heike A; Bruyere, Olivier; Cooper, Cyrus; Cutolo, Maurizio; Kanis, John A; Kaufman, Jean-Marc; Reginster, Jean-Yves; Rizzoli, Rene; Brandi, Maria Luisa

2017-05-01

Optimal vitamin D status promotes skeletal health and is recommended with specific treatment in individuals at high risk for fragility fractures. A growing body of literature has provided indirect and some direct evidence for possible extraskeletal vitamin D-related effects. Members of the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis have reviewed the main evidence for possible proven benefits of vitamin D supplementation in adults at risk of or with overt chronic extra-skeletal diseases, providing recommendations and guidelines for future studies in this field. Robust mechanistic evidence is available from in vitro studies and in vivo animal studies, usually employing cholecalciferol, calcidiol or calcitriol in pharmacologic rather than physiologic doses. Although many cross-sectional and prospective association studies in humans have shown that low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (i.e., <50 nmol/L) are consistently associated with chronic diseases, further strengthened by a dose-response relationship, several meta-analyses of clinical trials have shown contradictory results. Overall, large randomized controlled trials with sufficient doses of vitamin D are missing, and available small to moderate-size trials often included people with baseline levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels >50 nmol/L, did not simultaneously assess multiple outcomes, and did not report overall safety (e.g., falls). Thus, no recommendations can be made to date for the use of vitamin D supplementation in general, parental compounds, or non-hypercalcemic vitamin D analogs in the prevention and treatment of extra-skeletal chronic diseases. Moreover, attainment of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels well above the threshold desired for bone health cannot be recommended based on current evidence, since safety has yet to be confirmed. Finally, the promising findings from mechanistic studies, large cohort studies, and small clinical trials obtained for autoimmune diseases (including type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus), cardiovascular disorders, and overall reduction in mortality require further confirmation.

Time related neutralization of two doses acetyl salicylic acid.

PubMed

Aguejouf, O; Malfatti, E; Belon, P; Doutremepuich, C

2000-11-15

Aspirin has a well established role in the prevention of arterial thrombosis. Discussion on the efficacy and safety of aspirin in the treatment and prophylaxis of thrombosis has become an important issue. In fact, hemorrhage complications are often associated with its use. On the other hand, previous studies showed unexpected thrombotic potencies associated with the presence of this drug at ultra low doses (ULD) in the circulation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of aspirin at ULD, injected 1, 2, or 3 hours after the administration of aspirin at 100 mg/kg, on hemostasis and bleeding in rats. We used an experimental model of thrombosis induced by laser beams to evaluate these effects. Platelet aggregation was determined by Cardinal and Flower method. Results from this investigation demonstrate that the neutralizing effect of aspirin at ULD did not operate significantly 1 hour after the injection of aspirin at 100 mg/kg. This effect was observed 2 and 3 hours after. The use of aspirin at ULD to neutralize the side effects of aspirin at high doses will reduce the hemorrhagic risk during extra corporeal circulation. The therapeutic benefit and safety of aspirin therapy in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases can be obtained.

CASIMIR Effect in a Supersymmetry-Breaking Brane-World as Dark Energy

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

Chen, P

2004-09-29

A new model for the origin of dark energy is proposed based on the Casimir effect in a supersymmetry-breaking brane-world. Supersymmetry is assumed to be preserved in the bulk while broken on a 3-brane. Due to the boundary conditions imposed on the compactified extra dimensions, there is an effective Casimir energy induced on the brane. The net Casimir energy contributed from the graviton and the gravitino modes as a result of supersymmetry-breaking on the brane is identified as the observed dark energy, which in our construction is a cosmological constant. We show that the smallness of the cosmological constant, whichmore » results from the huge contrast in the extra-dimensional volumes between that associated with the 3-brane and that of the bulk, is attainable under very relaxed condition.« less

Body Fluids Monitor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siconolfi, Steven F. (Inventor)

2000-01-01

Method and apparatus are described for determining volumes of body fluids in a subject using bioelectrical response spectroscopy. The human body is represented using an electrical circuit. Intra-cellular water is represented by a resistor in series with a capacitor; extra-cellular water is represented by a resistor in series with two parallel inductors. The parallel inductors represent the resistance due to vascular fluids. An alternating, low amperage, multifrequency signal is applied to determine a subject's impedance and resistance. From these data, statistical regression is used to determine a 1% impedance where the subject's impedance changes by no more than 1% over a 25 kHz interval. Circuit component, of the human body circuit are determined based on the 1% impedance. Equations for calculating total body water, extra-cellular water, total blood volume, and plasma volume are developed based on the circuit components.

Inhibition of herpes simplex virus multiplication by activated macrophages: a role for arginase?

PubMed Central

Wildy, P; Gell, P G; Rhodes, J; Newton, A

1982-01-01

Proteose-peptone-activated mouse macrophages can prevent productive infection by herpes simplex virus in neighboring cells in vitro whether or not those cells belong to the same animal species. The effect does not require contact between the macrophages and the infected cells, may be prevented by adding extra arginine to the medium, and may be reversed when extra arginine is added 24 h after the macrophages. Arginase activity was found both intracellularly and released from the macrophages. The extracellular enzyme is quite stable; 64% activity was found after 48 h of incubation at 37 degrees C in tissue culture medium. No evidence was found that the inefficiency of virus replication in macrophages was due to self-starvation by arginase. As might be predicted macrophages can, by the same mechanism, limit productive infection by vaccinia virus. PMID:6286497

Inhibition of herpes simplex virus multiplication by activated macrophages: a role for arginase?

PubMed

Wildy, P; Gell, P G; Rhodes, J; Newton, A

1982-07-01

Proteose-peptone-activated mouse macrophages can prevent productive infection by herpes simplex virus in neighboring cells in vitro whether or not those cells belong to the same animal species. The effect does not require contact between the macrophages and the infected cells, may be prevented by adding extra arginine to the medium, and may be reversed when extra arginine is added 24 h after the macrophages. Arginase activity was found both intracellularly and released from the macrophages. The extracellular enzyme is quite stable; 64% activity was found after 48 h of incubation at 37 degrees C in tissue culture medium. No evidence was found that the inefficiency of virus replication in macrophages was due to self-starvation by arginase. As might be predicted macrophages can, by the same mechanism, limit productive infection by vaccinia virus.

Comparison of fluorouracil with additional levamisole, higher-dose folinic acid, or both, as adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer: a randomised trial. QUASAR Collaborative Group.

PubMed

2000-05-06

Standard adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer consists of fluorouracil with folinic acid or levamisole. The large QUASAR randomised trial aimed to investigate (in a two x two design) whether use of a higher dose of folinic acid or addition of levamisole to fluorouracil and folinic acid improved survival. Patients with colorectal cancer, without evident residual disease, were randomly assigned fluorouracil (370 mg/m2) with high-dose (175 mg) or low-dose (25 mg) L-folinic acid and either active or placebo levamisole. The fluorouracil and folinic acid could be given either as six 5-day courses with 4 weeks between the start of the courses or as 30 once-weekly doses. Levamisole (50 mg) or placebo was given three times daily for 3 days repeated every 2 weeks for 12 courses. The primary endpoint was mortality from any cause. Analyses were by intention to treat. Between 1994 and 1997, 4,927 patients were enrolled. 1,776 had recurrences and 1,576 died. Survival was similar with high-dose and low-dose folinic acid (70.1% vs 71.0% at 3 years; p=0-43), as were 3-year recurrence rates (36.0% vs 35.8%; p=0.94). Survival was worse with levamisole than with placebo (69.4% vs 71.5% at 3 years; p=0.06), and there were more recurrences with the active drug (37.0% vs 34.9% at 3 years; p=0.16). The inclusion of levamisole in chemotherapy regimens for colorectal cancer does not delay recurrence or improve survival. Higher-dose folinic acid produced no extra benefit in these regimens over that from low-dose folinic acid. Trials of chemotherapy versus no chemotherapy will show whether these four treatments are equally effective or equally ineffective.

The forkhead transcription factor Foxf1 is required for differentiation of extra-embryonic and lateral plate mesoderm.

PubMed

Mahlapuu, M; Ormestad, M; Enerbäck, S; Carlsson, P

2001-01-01

The murine Foxf1 gene encodes a forkhead transcription factor expressed in extra-embryonic and lateral plate mesoderm and later in splanchnic mesenchyme surrounding the gut and its derivatives. We have disrupted Foxf1 and show that mutant embryos die at midgestation due to defects in mesodermal differentiation and cell adhesion. The embryos do not turn and become deformed by the constraints of a small, inflexible amnion. Extra-embryonic structures exhibit a number of differentiation defects: no vasculogenesis occurs in yolk sac or allantois; chorioallantoic fusion fails; the amnion does not expand with the growth of the embryo, but misexpresses vascular and hematopoietic markers. Separation of the bulk of yolk sac mesoderm from the endodermal layer and adherence between mesoderm of yolk sac and amnion, indicate altered cell adhesion properties and enhanced intramesodermal cohesion. A possible cause of this is misexpression of the cell-adhesion protein VCAM1 in Foxf1-deficient extra-embryonic mesoderm, which leads to co-expression of VCAM with its receptor, alpha(4)-integrin. The expression level of Bmp4 is decreased in the posterior part of the embryo proper. Consistent with this, mesodermal proliferation in the primitive streak is reduced and somite formation is retarded. Expression of Foxf1 and the homeobox gene Irx3 defines the splanchnic and somatic mesodermal layers, respectively. In Foxf1-deficient embryos incomplete separation of splanchnic and somatic mesoderm is accompanied by misexpression of Irx3 in the splanchnopleure, which implicates Foxf1 as a repressor of Irx3 and as a factor involved in coelom formation.

Characterisation of extra virgin olive oils from Galician autochthonous varieties and their co-crushings with Arbequina and Picual cv.

PubMed

Reboredo-Rodríguez, P; González-Barreiro, C; Cancho-Grande, B; Fregapane, G; Salvador, M D; Simal-Gándara, J

2015-06-01

The current trend of the olive oil market is the production of high quality extra from traditional minor olive varieties with peculiar and differentiated characteristics (especially with respect to the aromatic and phenolic composition). In this way, the interest of Galician oil producers (NW Spain) in recovering old autochthonous Local olive fruits has increased substantially in recent years. In order to investigate the potential of the Local olives by either producing high quality monovarietal oils or mixing with the most widespread olives in Galicia (Arbequina and Picual cv.), quality indices, and fatty acid composition as well as volatile and phenolic profiles were determined and compared. All EVOOs studied in this work can be considered as "extra virgin olive oil" due to quality indices fell within the ranges established in legislation. Picual and Local olive oils as well as those resulting from their co-crushing reach values which are required by EU legislation to add the specific health claim on the oil label. Co-crushing Picual:Local (80:20) provided a significant enhancement of grass and apple nuances and a decrease of banana notes with respect to Picual oils. The co-crushing process improved sensory and health properties of Picual extra virgin olive oils. The effect of co-crushing on phenolics, ester volatiles and banana nuances cannot be easily modulated, contrary to quality indices and fatty acid composition, both changing linearly in strict correlation with the fruit mass ratio. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DRS is far less divergent than streptococcal inhibitor of complement of group A streptococcus.

PubMed

Sagar, Vivek; Kumar, Rajesh; Ganguly, Nirmal K; Menon, Thangam; Chakraborti, Anuradha

2007-04-01

When 100 group A streptococcus isolates were screened, drs, a variant of sic, was identified in emm12 and emm55 isolates. Molecular characterization showed that the drs gene sequence is highly conserved, unlike the sic gene sequence. However, the variation in gene size observed was due to the presence of extra internal repeat sequences.

USACE Extreme Sea levels

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-14

with expected changes due to climate change. (tropicals and extra-tropicals) Ivan provided some good information on work being done on tropical...Pattiaratchi, C., Jensen, J., 2013. Estimating extreme water level probabilities: a comparison of the direct methods and recommendations for best practise ...sites: site-by-site analyses. Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory , Internal Document, No. 65, 229pp. Dixon, M.J., Tawn, J.A. (1995) Extreme sea-levels

DRS Is Far Less Divergent than Streptococcal Inhibitor of Complement of Group A Streptococcus▿

PubMed Central

Sagar, Vivek; Kumar, Rajesh; Ganguly, Nirmal K.; Menon, Thangam; Chakraborti, Anuradha

2007-01-01

When 100 group A streptococcus isolates were screened, drs, a variant of sic, was identified in emm12 and emm55 isolates. Molecular characterization showed that the drs gene sequence is highly conserved, unlike the sic gene sequence. However, the variation in gene size observed was due to the presence of extra internal repeat sequences. PMID:17237170

Meaningful Digital Video for Every Classroom: A Strategic Guide to Integrating Digital Video into Your Lessons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davidson, Hall

2004-01-01

In practice, videomaking in the classroom takes dedication, inspiration, and plenty of extra time. Despite these difficulties, teachers have always made great videos. Perhaps this is due to a combination of the tremendous appeal of video, the deep satisfaction of seeing stellar projects on the television set, and the knowledge that work can be…

Examples of Practice: An Intercultural Approach to Translate Romanian Children's Folklore into Spanish

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oprica, Dana

2016-01-01

Due to the great number of Romanian pupils in Spanish public school, the local administration organises extra-curricular Romanian courses in order to preserve the Romanian language and culture. This is a way to contribute to build and consolidate a bicultural and bilingual profile of the young people. Besides, it is also an opportunity to align…

Gamma ray cosmology: The extra galactic gamma spectrum and methods to detect the underlying source

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cline, David B.

1990-01-01

The possible sources of extragalactic gamma rays and methods to distinguish the different sources are discussed. The sources considered are early universe decays and annihilation of Particles, active galactic nuclei (AGN) sources, and baryon-antibaryon annihilation in a baryon symmetric cosmology. The energy spectrum and possible angular fluctuations due to these sources are described.

Evaluation of a Modified Atmosphere Packaging System to Increase Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Shelf Life for Extended Military Supply Chains

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-24

Three key items – iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, and broccoli crowns – were tested in the Pacific Region Guam supply chain. Due to longer total...7 2.1.1 Extra Apio Broccoli for Test Shipments 2 and 3 ................................................8 2.2 Test...49 3.3 Broccoli Crowns .............................................................................................................49 3.3.1

The Tenure Process and Extending the Tenure Clock: The Experience of Faculty at One University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pribbenow, Christine Maidl; Sheridan, Jennifer; Winchell, Jessica; Benting, Deveny; Handelsman, Jo; Carnes, Molly

2010-01-01

Tenure clock extension policies are increasingly available for faculty who need extra time granted on their "clock" due to special circumstances, such as family responsibilities or health issues. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the formal policy has been available to faculty for over 10 years and is the focus of study by…

Formation of multiple pulmonary nodules during treatment with leflunomide*

PubMed Central

Yoshikawa, Gilberto Toshikawa; Dias, George Alberto da Silva; Fujihara, Satomi; Silva, Luigi Ferreira e; Cruz, Lorena de Britto Pereira; Fuzii, Hellen Thais; Koyama, Roberta Vilela Lopes

2015-01-01

Pulmonary involvement is one of the extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis and can be due to the disease itself or secondary to the medications used in order to treat it. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and developed multiple pulmonary nodules during treatment with leflunomide. PMID:26176527

SU-E-T-645: Dose Enhancement to Cell Nucleus Due to Hard Collisions of Protons with Electrons in Gold Nanospheres

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

Eley, J; Krishnan, S

2014-06-15

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the theoretical dose enhancement to a cell nucleus due to increased fluence of secondary electrons when gold nanospheres are present in the cytoplasm during proton therapy. Methods: We modeled the irradiation of prostate cancer cells using protons of variable energies when 10,000 gold nanoparticles, each with radius of 10 nm, were randomly distributed in the cytoplasm. Using simple analytical equations, we calculated the increased mean dose to the cell nucleus due to secondary electrons produced by hard collisions of 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 MeV protons with orbital electrons in gold.more » We only counted electrons with kinetic energy higher than 1 keV. In addition to calculating the increase in the mean dose to the cell nucleus, we also calculated the increase in local dose in the “shadow,” i.e., the umbra, of individual gold nanospheres due to forward scattered electrons. Results: For proton energies of 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 MeV, we calculated increases to the mean nuclear dose of 0.15, 0.09, 0.05, and 0.04%, respectively. When we considered local dose increases in the shadows of individual gold spheres, we calculated local dose increases of 5.5, 3.2, 1.9, and 1.3%, respectively. Conclusion: We found negligible, less than 0.2%, increases in the mean dose to the cell nucleus due to electrons produced by hard collisions of protons with electrons in gold nanospheres. However, we observed increases up to 5.5% in the local dose in the shadow of gold nanospheres. Considering the shadow radius of 10 nm, these local dose enhancements may have implications for slightly increased probability of clustered DNA damage when gold nanoparticles are close to the nuclear membrane.« less

Offline multiple adaptive planning strategy for concurrent irradiation of the prostate and pelvic lymph nodes

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

Qi, Peng; Xia, Ping, E-mail: xiap@ccf.org; Pouliot, Jean

2014-02-15

Purpose: Concurrent irradiation of the prostate and pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs) can be challenging due to the independent motion of the two target volumes. To address this challenge, the authors have proposed a strategy referred to as Multiple Adaptive Planning (MAP). To minimize the number of MAP plans, the authors’ previous work only considered the prostate motion in one major direction. After analyzing the pattern of the prostate motion, the authors investigated a practical number of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans needed to accommodate the prostate motion in two major directions simultaneously. Methods: Six patients, who received concurrent irradiation of themore » prostate and PLNs, were selected for this study. Nine MAP-IMRT plans were created for each patient with nine prostate contours that represented the prostate at nine locations with respect to the PLNs, including the original prostate contour and eight contours shifted either 5 mm in a single anterior-posterior (A-P), or superior-inferior (S-I) direction, or 5 mm in both A-P and S-I directions simultaneously. From archived megavoltage cone beam CT (MV-CBCT) and a dual imaging registration, 17 MV-CBCTs from 33 available MV-CBCT from these patients showed large prostate displacements (>3 mm in any direction) with respect to the pelvic bones. For each of these 17 fractions, one of nine MAP-IMRT plans was retrospectively selected and applied to the MV-CBCT for dose calculation. For comparison, a simulated isocenter-shifting plan and a reoptimized plan were also created for each of these 17 fractions. The doses to 95% (D95) of the prostate and PLNs, and the doses to 5% (D5) of the rectum and bladder were calculated and analyzed. Results: For the prostate, D95 > 97% of the prescription dose was observed in 16, 16, and 17 of 17 fractions for the MAP, isocenter-shifted, and reoptimized plans, respectively. For PLNs, D95 > 97% of the prescription doses was observed in 10, 3, and 17 of 17 fractions for the three types of verification plans, respectively. The D5 (mean ± SD) of the rectum was 45.78 ± 5.75, 45.44 ± 4.64, and 44.64 ± 2.71 Gy, and the D5 (mean ± SD) of the bladder was 45.18 ± 2.70, 46.91 ± 3.04, and 45.67 ± 3.61 Gy for three types of verification plans, respectively. Conclusions: The MAP strategy with nine IMRT plans to accommodate the prostate motions in two major directions achieved good dose coverage to the prostate and PLNs. The MAP approach can be immediately used in clinical practice without requiring extra hardware and software.« less

Effects of spot parameters in pencil beam scanning treatment planning.

PubMed

Kraan, Aafke Christine; Depauw, Nicolas; Clasie, Ben; Giunta, Marina; Madden, Tom; Kooy, Hanne M

2018-01-01

Spot size σ (in air at isocenter), interspot spacing d, and spot charge q influence dose delivery efficiency and plan quality in Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) treatment planning. The choice and range of parameters varies among different manufacturers. The goal of this work is to demonstrate the influence of the spot parameters on dose quality and delivery in IMPT treatment plans, to show their interdependence, and to make practitioners aware of the spot parameter values for a certain facility. Our study could help as a guideline to make the trade-off between treatment quality and time in existing PBS centers and in future systems. We created plans for seven patients and a phantom, with different tumor sites and volumes, and compared the effect of small-, medium-, and large-spot widths (σ = 2.5, 5, and 10 mm) and interspot distances (1σ, 1.5σ, and 1.75σ) on dose, spot charge, and treatment time. Moreover, we quantified how postplanning charge threshold cuts affect plan quality and the total number of spots to deliver, for different spot widths and interspot distances. We show the effect of a minimum charge (or MU) cutoff value for a given proton delivery system. Spot size had a strong influence on dose: larger spots resulted in more protons delivered outside the target region. We observed dose differences of 2-13 Gy (RBE) between 2.5 mm and 10 mm spots, where the amount of extra dose was due to dose penumbra around the target region. Interspot distance had little influence on dose quality for our patient group. Both parameters strongly influence spot charge in the plans and thus the possible impact of postplanning charge threshold cuts. If such charge thresholds are not included in the treatment planning system (TPS), it is important that the practitioner validates that a given combination of lower charge threshold, interspot spacing, and spot size does not result in a plan degradation. Low average spot charge occurs for small spots, small interspot distances, many beam directions, and low fractional dose values. The choice of spot parameters values is a trade-off between accelerator and beam line design, plan quality, and treatment efficiency. We recommend the use of small spot sizes for better organ-at-risk sparing and lateral interspot distances of 1.5σ to avoid long treatment times. We note that plan quality is influenced by the charge cutoff. Our results show that the charge cutoff can be sufficiently large (i.e., 10 6 protons) to accommodate limitations on beam delivery systems. It is, therefore, not necessary per se to include the charge cutoff in the treatment planning optimization such that Pareto navigation (e.g., as practiced at our institution) is not excluded and optimal plans can be obtained without, perhaps, a bias from the charge cutoff. We recommend that the impact of a minimum charge cut impact is carefully verified for the spot sizes and spot distances applied or that it is accommodated in the TPS. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

EXTraS: Exploring the X-ray Transient and variable Sky

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Luca, A.; Salvaterra, R.; Tiengo, A.; D'Agostino, D.; Watson, M.; Haberl, F.; Wilms, J.

2017-10-01

The EXTraS project extracted all temporal domain information buried in the whole database collected by the EPIC cameras onboard the XMM-Newton mission. This included a search and characterisation of variability, both periodic and aperiodic, in hundreds of thousands of sources spanning more than eight orders of magnitude in time scale and six orders of magnitude in flux, as well as a search for fast transients, missed by standard image analysis. Phenomenological classification of variable sources, based on X-ray and multiwavelength information, has also been performed. All results and products of EXTraS are made available to the scientific community through a web public data archive. A dedicated science gateway will allow scientists to apply EXTraS pipelines on new observations. EXTraS is the most comprehensive analysis of variability, on the largest ever sample of soft X-ray sources. The resulting archive and tools disclose an enormous scientific discovery space to the community, with applications ranging from the search for rare events to population studies, with impact on the study of virtually all astrophysical source classes. EXTraS, funded within the EU/FP7 framework, is carried out by a collaboration including INAF (Italy), IUSS (Italy), CNR/IMATI (Italy), University of Leicester (UK), MPE (Germany) and ECAP (Germany).

Characterization of technological features of dry yeast (strain I-7-43) preparation, product of electrofusion between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces diastaticus, in industrial application.

PubMed

Kotarska, Katarzyna; Kłosowski, Grzegorz; Czupryński, Bogusław

2011-06-10

The aim of the study was to verify the technological usability and stability of biotechnological features of active dry distillery yeast preparation (strain I-7-43 with amylolytic abilities) applied to full-scale production of agricultural distillery. Various reduced doses of glucoamylase preparation (San-Extra L) were used for starch saccharification, from 90% to 70% in relation to the full standard dose of preparation. The dry distillery yeast I-7-43 were assessed positively in respect to fermentation activity and yield of ethanol production. Application of the dry yeast I-7-43 preparation in distillery practice lowers the costs of spirit production by saving the glucoamylase preparation (up to 30%) used in the process of mash saccharification. Concentrations of the volatile fermentation by-products in raw spirits obtained from fermentations with application of I-7-43 strain were on the levels guaranteeing good organoleptic properties of distillates. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's inhalation RfD methodology: Risk assessment for air toxics

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

Jarabek, A.M.; Menache, M.G.; Overton, J.H. Jr.

1990-10-01

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has advocated the establishment of general and scientific guidelines for the evaluation of toxicological data and their use in deriving benchmark values to protect exposed populations from adverse health effects. The Agency's reference dose (RfD) methodology for deriving benchmark values for noncancer toxicity originally addressed risk assessment of oral exposures. This paper presents a brief background on the development of the inhalation reference dose (RfDi) methodology, including concepts and issues related to addressing the dynamics of the respiratory system as the portal of entry. Different dosimetric adjustments are described that were incorporated intomore » the methodology to account for the nature of the inhaled agent (particle or gas) and the site of the observed toxic effects (respiratory or extra-respiratory). Impacts of these adjustments on the extrapolation of toxicity data of inhaled agents for human health risk assessment and future research directions are also discussed.« less

SU-F-T-179: Fast and Accurate Profile Acquisition for Proton Beam Using Multi-Ion Chamber Arrays

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

Wang, X; Zou, J; Chen, T

2016-06-15

Purpose: Proton beam profile measurement is more time-consuming than photon beam. Due to the energy modulation during proton delivery, chambers have to move step-by-step instead of continuously. Multi-ion chamber arrays are appealing to this task since multiple measurements can be performed at once. However, their utilization suffers from sparse spatial resolution and potential intrinsic volume-averaging effect of the disk-shaped ion chambers. We proposed an approach to measure proton beam profiles accurately and efficiently. Methods: Mevion S250 proton system and IBA Matrixx ion chamber arrays were used in this study. Matrixx has interchamber distance of 7.62 mm, and chamber diameter ofmore » 4.5 mm. We measured the same beam profile by moving the Matrixx seven times with 1 mm each time along y axis. All 7 measurements were superimposed to get a “finer” profile with 1 mm spatial resolution. Coarser resolution profiles of 2 mm and 3 mm were also generated by using subsets of measurements. Those profiles were compared to the TPS calculated beam profile. Gamma analysis was performed for 2D dose maps to evaluate the difference to TPS dose plane. Results: Preliminary results showed a large discrepancy between the TPS calculated profile and the single measurement profile with 7.6 mm resolution. A good match could be achieved when the resolution reduced to 3 mm by adding one extra measurement. Gamma analysis for 2D dose map of a 10×10 field showed a passing rate (γ ≤ 1) of 90.6% using a 3% and 3mm criterion for single measurement, which increased to 92.3% for 2-measurement superimposition, and slightly further increased to 92.9% for 7-measurement superimposition. Conclusion: The results indicated that 2 measurements shifted by 3mm using Matrixx generated a smooth proton beam profile with good matching to Eclipse beam profile. We suggest using this 2-measurement approach in clinic for double scattering proton beam profile measurement.« less

Dietary unsaponifiable fraction of extra virgin olive oil supplementation attenuates lung injury and DNA damage of rats co-exposed to aluminum and acrylamide.

PubMed

Ghorbel, Imen; Chaâbane, Mariem; Boudawara, Ons; Kamoun, Naziha Grati; Boudawara, Tahia; Zeghal, Najiba

2016-10-01

Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and acrylamide (ACR) are well known as environmental pollutants inducing oxidative stress. Our study investigated the effects of these contaminants and if the hydrophilic fraction of extra virgin olive oil was able to prevent lung oxidative stress and DNA damage. Animals were divided into four groups of six each: group 1, serving as controls, received distilled water; group 2 received in drinking water aluminum chloride (50 mg/ kg body weight) and by gavage acrylamide (20 mg/kg body weight); group 3 received both aluminum and acrylamide in the same way and the same dose as group 2 and hydrophilic fraction from olive oil (OOHF) (1 ml) by gavage; group 4 received only OOHF by gavage. Exposure of rats to both aluminum and acrylamide provoked oxidative stress in lung tissue based on biochemical parameters and histopathological alterations. In fact, we have observed an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2, and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) and a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH), non-protein thiols (NPSH), and vitamin C levels. Activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also decreased. Histopathological changes in lung tissue were noted like emphysema, vascular congestion, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. A random DNA degradation was observed on agarose gel in the lung of AlCl3 and acrylamide (ACR)-treated rats. Co-administration of OOHF to treated rats improved biochemical parameters to near control values and lung histoarchitecture. The smear formation of genomic DNA was reduced. The hydrophilic fraction of extra virgin olive oil might provide a basis for developing a new dietary supplementation strategy in order to prevent lung tissue damage.

A comparison of the dose from natural radionuclides and artificial radionuclides after the Fukushima nuclear accident

PubMed Central

Hosoda, Masahiro; Tokonami, Shinji; Omori, Yasutaka; Ishikawa, Tetsuo; Iwaoka, Kazuki

2016-01-01

Due to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, the evacuees from Namie Town still cannot reside in the town, and some continue to live in temporary housing units. In this study, the radon activity concentrations were measured at temporary housing facilities, apartments and detached houses in Fukushima Prefecture in order to estimate the annual internal exposure dose of residents. A passive radon–thoron monitor (using a CR-39) and a pulse-type ionization chamber were used to evaluate the radon activity concentration. The average radon activity concentrations at temporary housing units, including a medical clinic, apartments and detached houses, were 5, 7 and 9 Bq m−3, respectively. Assuming the residents lived in these facilities for one year, the average annual effective doses due to indoor radon in each housing type were evaluated as 0.18, 0.22 and 0.29 mSv, respectively. The average effective doses to all residents in Fukushima Prefecture due to natural and artificial sources were estimated using the results of the indoor radon measurements and published data. The average effective dose due to natural sources for the evacuees from Namie Town was estimated to be 1.9 mSv. In comparison, for the first year after the FDNPP accident, the average effective dose for the evacuees due to artificial sources from the accident was 5.0 mSv. Although residents' internal and external exposures due to natural radionuclides cannot be avoided, it might be possible to lower external exposure due to the artificial radionuclides by changing some behaviors of residents. PMID:26838130

LAND AND WATER USE CHARACTERISTICS AND HUMAN HEALTH INPUT PARAMETERS FOR USE IN ENVIRONMENTAL DOSIMETRY AND RISK ASSESSMENTS AT THE SAVANNAH RIVER SITE

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

Jannik, T.; Karapatakis, D.; Lee, P.

2010-08-06

Operations at the Savannah River Site (SRS) result in releases of small amounts of radioactive materials to the atmosphere and to the Savannah River. For regulatory compliance purposes, potential offsite radiological doses are estimated annually using computer models that follow U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Regulatory Guides. Within the regulatory guides, default values are provided for many of the dose model parameters but the use of site-specific values by the applicant is encouraged. A detailed survey of land and water use parameters was conducted in 1991 and is being updated here. These parameters include local characteristics of meat, milk andmore » vegetable production; river recreational activities; and meat, milk and vegetable consumption rates as well as other human usage parameters required in the SRS dosimetry models. In addition, the preferred elemental bioaccumulation factors and transfer factors to be used in human health exposure calculations at SRS are documented. Based on comparisons to the 2009 SRS environmental compliance doses, the following effects are expected in future SRS compliance dose calculations: (1) Aquatic all-pathway maximally exposed individual doses may go up about 10 percent due to changes in the aquatic bioaccumulation factors; (2) Aquatic all-pathway collective doses may go up about 5 percent due to changes in the aquatic bioaccumulation factors that offset the reduction in average individual water consumption rates; (3) Irrigation pathway doses to the maximally exposed individual may go up about 40 percent due to increases in the element-specific transfer factors; (4) Irrigation pathway collective doses may go down about 50 percent due to changes in food productivity and production within the 50-mile radius of SRS; (5) Air pathway doses to the maximally exposed individual may go down about 10 percent due to the changes in food productivity in the SRS area and to the changes in element-specific transfer factors; and (6) Air pathway collective doses may go down about 30 percent mainly due to the decrease in the inhalation rate assumed for the average individual.« less

Modeling extreme sea levels due to tropical and extra-tropical cyclones at the global-scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muis, S.; Lin, N.; Verlaan, M.; Winsemius, H.; Ward, P.; Aerts, J.

2017-12-01

Extreme sea levels, a combination of storm surges and astronomical tides, can cause catastrophic floods. Due to their intense wind speeds and low pressure, tropical cyclones (TCs) typically cause higher storm surges than extra-tropical cyclones (ETCs), but ETCs may still contribute significantly to the overall flood risk. In this contribution, we show a novel approach to model extreme sea levels due to both tropical and extra-tropical cyclones at the global-scale. Using a global hydrodynamic model we have developed the Global Tide and Surge Reanalysis (GTSR) dataset (Muis et al., 2016), which provides daily maximum timeseries of storm tide from 1979 to 2014. GTSR is based on wind and pressure fields from the ERA-Interim climate reanalysis (Dee at al., 2011). A severe limitation of the GTSR dataset is the underrepresentation of TCs. This is due to the relatively coarse grid resolution of ERA-Interim, which means that the strong intensities of TCs are not fully included. Furthermore, the length of ERA-Interim is too short to estimate the probabilities of extreme TCs in a reliable way. We will discuss potential ways to address this limitation, and demonstrate how to improve the global GTSR framework. We will apply the improved framework to the east coast of the United States. First, we improve our meteorological forcing by applying a parametric hurricane model (Holland 1980), and we improve the tide and surge reanalysis dataset (Muis et al., 2016) by explicitly modeling the historical TCs in the Extended Best Track dataset (Demuth et al., 2006). Second, we improve our sampling by statistically extending the observed TC record to many thousands of years (Emanuel et al., 2006). The improved framework allows for the mapping of probabilities of extreme sea levels, including extremes TC events, for the east coast of the United States. ReferencesDee et al (2011). The ERA-Interim reanalysis: configuration and performance of the data assimilation system. Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc. 137, 553-97. Emanuel et al (2006). A Statistical Deterministic Approach to Hurricane Risk Assessment/ Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc. 87, 299-314. Holland (1980). An analytic model of the wind and pressure profiles in hurricanes. Mon. Weather Rev. 108, 1212-1218. Muis et al (2016). A global reanalysis of storm surge and extreme sea levels. Nat. Commun. 7, 1-11

Assessment of organ-specific neutron equivalent doses in proton therapy using computational whole-body age-dependent voxel phantoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zacharatou Jarlskog, Christina; Lee, Choonik; Bolch, Wesley E.; Xu, X. George; Paganetti, Harald

2008-02-01

Proton beams used for radiotherapy will produce neutrons when interacting with matter. The purpose of this study was to quantify the equivalent dose to tissue due to secondary neutrons in pediatric and adult patients treated by proton therapy for brain lesions. Assessment of the equivalent dose to organs away from the target requires whole-body geometrical information. Furthermore, because the patient geometry depends on age at exposure, age-dependent representations are also needed. We implemented age-dependent phantoms into our proton Monte Carlo dose calculation environment. We considered eight typical radiation fields, two of which had been previously used to treat pediatric patients. The other six fields were additionally considered to allow a systematic study of equivalent doses as a function of field parameters. For all phantoms and all fields, we simulated organ-specific equivalent neutron doses and analyzed for each organ (1) the equivalent dose due to neutrons as a function of distance to the target; (2) the equivalent dose due to neutrons as a function of patient age; (3) the equivalent dose due to neutrons as a function of field parameters; and (4) the ratio of contributions to secondary dose from the treatment head versus the contribution from the patient's body tissues. This work reports organ-specific equivalent neutron doses for up to 48 organs in a patient. We demonstrate quantitatively how organ equivalent doses for adult and pediatric patients vary as a function of patient's age, organ and field parameters. Neutron doses increase with increasing range and modulation width but decrease with field size (as defined by the aperture). We analyzed the ratio of neutron dose contributions from the patient and from the treatment head, and found that neutron-equivalent doses fall off rapidly as a function of distance from the target, in agreement with experimental data. It appears that for the fields used in this study, the neutron dose lateral to the field is smaller than the reported scattered photon doses in a typical intensity-modulated photon treatment. Most importantly, our study shows that neutron doses to specific organs depend considerably on the patient's age and body stature. The younger the patient, the higher the dose deposited due to neutrons. Given the fact that the risk also increases with decreasing patient age, this factor needs to be taken into account when treating pediatric patients of very young ages and/or of small body size. The neutron dose from a course of proton therapy treatment (assuming 70 Gy in 30 fractions) could potentially (depending on patient's age, organ, treatment site and area of CT scan) be equivalent to up to ~30 CT scans.

Intrusion errors in visuospatial working memory performance.

PubMed

Cornoldi, Cesare; Mammarella, Nicola

2006-02-01

This study tested the hypothesis that failure in active visuospatial working memory tasks involves a difficulty in avoiding intrusions due to information that is already activated. Two experiments are described, in which participants were required to process several series of locations on a 4 x 4 matrix and then to produce only the final location of each series. Results revealed a higher number of errors due to already activated locations (intrusions) compared with errors due to new locations (inventions). Moreover, when participants were required to pay extra attention to some irrelevant (non-final) locations by tapping on the table, intrusion errors increased. Results are discussed in terms of current models of working memory functioning.

Grid of the Future: Quantification of Benefits from Flexible Energy Resources in Scenarios With Extra-High Penetration of Renewable Energy

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

Bebic, Jovan; Hinkle, Gene; Matic, Slobodan

2015-01-15

The main objective of this study is to quantify the entitlement for system benefits attainable by pervasive application of flexible energy resources in scenarios with extra-high penetration of renewable energy. The quantified benefits include savings in thermal energy and reduction of CO 2 emissions. Both are primarily a result of displacement of conventional thermal generation by renewable energy production, but there are secondary improvements that arise from lowering operating reserves, removing transmission constraints, and by partially removing energy-delivery losses due to energy production by distributed solar. The flexible energy resources in the context of this study include energy storage andmore » adjustable loads. The flexibility of both was constrained to a time horizon of one day. In case of energy storage this means that the state of charge is restored to the starting value at the end of each day, while for load this means that the daily energy consumed is maintained constant. The extra-high penetration of renewable energy in the context of this study means the level of penetration resulting in significant number of hours where instantaneous power output from renewable resources added to the power output from baseload nuclear fleet surpasses the instantaneous power consumption by the load.« less

Regenerative hair waves in aging mice and extra-follicular modulators follistatin, dkk1, and sfrp4.

PubMed

Chen, Chih-Chiang; Murray, Philip J; Jiang, Ting Xin; Plikus, Maksim V; Chang, Yun-Ting; Lee, Oscar K; Widelitz, Randall B; Chuong, Cheng-Ming

2014-08-01

Hair cycling is modulated by factors both intrinsic and extrinsic to hair follicles. Cycling defects lead to conditions such as aging-associated alopecia. Recently, we demonstrated that mouse skin exhibits regenerative hair waves, reflecting a coordinated regenerative behavior in follicle populations. Here, we use this model to explore the regenerative behavior of aging mouse skin. Old mice (>18 months) tracked over several months show that with progressing age, hair waves slow down, wave propagation becomes restricted, and hair cycle domains fragment into smaller domains. Transplanting aged donor mouse skin to a young host can restore donor cycling within a 3 mm range of the interface, suggesting that changes are due to extracellular factors. Therefore, hair stem cells in aged skin can be reactivated. Molecular studies show that extra-follicular modulators Bmp2, Dkk1, and Sfrp4 increase in early anagen. Further, we identify follistatin as an extra-follicular modulator, which is highly expressed in late telogen and early anagen. Indeed, follistatin induces hair wave propagation and its level decreases in aging mice. We present an excitable medium model to simulate the cycling behavior in aging mice and illustrate how the interorgan macroenvironment can regulate the aging process by integrating both "activator" and "inhibitor" signals.

Hepatic radioembolization with yttrium-90 containing glass microspheres: Preliminary results and clinical follow-up

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

Andrews, J.C.; Walker, S.C.; Ackermann, R.J.

1994-10-01

The treatment of hepatic tumors remains unsatisfactory. These lesions receive most of their blood supply from the hepatic artery, therefore the hepatic artery administration of beta-emitting particulate radiopharmaceuticals is an attractive approach to deliver therapeutic irradiation to the liver and differentially to tumors within the liver. A Phase 1 dose escalation study of the hepatic tolerance to radiation delivered by {sup 90}Y containing glass microspheres was carried out in 24 patients with hepatic malignancy. Doses of {sup 90}Y microspheres to achieve an estimated whole-liver nominal absorbed radiation dose of 5000 cGy (two patients), 7500cGy (six patients), 10,000 cGy (seven patients),more » 12,500 cGy (six patients), and 15,000 cGy (three patients) were administered via the hepatic artery. The administered nominal absorbed radiation dose (NARD) was estimated based on liver volume determined from CT scans and the assumption of uniform distribution of microspheres throughout the liver. No hematologic, hepatic or pulmonary toxicity was encountered in the dose range examined during a mean follow-up period of up to 53 mo. Reversible gastritis or duodenitis was encountered in four patients without imaging or biopsy evidence for extra-hepatic deposition of microspheres. Response data, based on CT scans obtained 16 wk after treatment, showed progressive disease in eight patients, stable disease in seven patients, minimal response in four patients and partial response in five patients. Subsequent follow-up revealed three long-term survivors at 204, 216 and 228 wk. These preliminary data demonstrates that in the examined dose range, radiation may be safely delivered to liver tumors by means of {sup 90}Y glass microspheres with encouraging response data. 39 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.« less

MCNP simulations of material exposure experiments (u)

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

Temple, Brian A

2010-12-08

Simulations of proposed material exposure experiments were performed using MCNP6. The experiments will expose ampules containing different materials of interest with radiation to observe the chemical breakdown of the materials. Simulations were performed to map out dose in materials as a function of distance from the source, dose variation between materials, dose variation due to ampule orientation, and dose variation due to different source energy. This write up is an overview of the simulations and will provide guidance on how to use the data in the spreadsheet.

Threshold corrections to dimension-six proton decay operators in SUSY SU(5)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuwahara, Takumi

2017-11-01

Proton decay is a significant phenomenon to verify supersymmetric grand unified theories (SUSY GUTs). To predict the proton lifetime precisely, it is important to include the next-leading order (NLO) corrections to the proton decay operators. In this talk, we have shown threshold corrections to the dimension-six proton decay operators in the minimal SUSY SU(5) GUT, its extended models with extra matters, and the missing partner SUSY SU(5) GUT. As a result, we have found that the threshold effects give rise to corrections a few percent in the minimal setup and below 5% in its extension with extra matters in spite of a large unified coupling at the GUT scale. On the other hand, in the missing partner model the correction to the proton decay rate is suppression about 60% due to a number of component fields of 75 and their mass splitting.

An extra-uterine system to physiologically support the extreme premature lamb

PubMed Central

Partridge, Emily A.; Davey, Marcus G.; Hornick, Matthew A.; McGovern, Patrick E.; Mejaddam, Ali Y.; Vrecenak, Jesse D.; Mesas-Burgos, Carmen; Olive, Aliza; Caskey, Robert C.; Weiland, Theodore R.; Han, Jiancheng; Schupper, Alexander J.; Connelly, James T.; Dysart, Kevin C.; Rychik, Jack; Hedrick, Holly L.; Peranteau, William H.; Flake, Alan W.

2017-01-01

In the developed world, extreme prematurity is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity due to a combination of organ immaturity and iatrogenic injury. Until now, efforts to extend gestation using extracorporeal systems have achieved limited success. Here we report the development of a system that incorporates a pumpless oxygenator circuit connected to the fetus of a lamb via an umbilical cord interface that is maintained within a closed ‘amniotic fluid' circuit that closely reproduces the environment of the womb. We show that fetal lambs that are developmentally equivalent to the extreme premature human infant can be physiologically supported in this extra-uterine device for up to 4 weeks. Lambs on support maintain stable haemodynamics, have normal blood gas and oxygenation parameters and maintain patency of the fetal circulation. With appropriate nutritional support, lambs on the system demonstrate normal somatic growth, lung maturation and brain growth and myelination. PMID:28440792

The High Resolution Tropospheric Ozone Residual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schoeberl, Mark R.

2006-01-01

The co-flight of the MLS stratospheric limb sounder and the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) provides the capability of computing the Tropospheric Ozone Residual (TOR) in much greater detail [Ziemke et al., 2006]. Using forward trajectory calculations of MLS ozone measurements combined with OMI column ozone we have developed a high horizontal resolution tropospheric ozone residual (HTOR) which can provide even more detail than the standard TOR product. HTOR is especially useful for extra-tropical studies of tropospheric ozone transport. We find that both the Pacific pollution corridor (East Asia to Alaska) and the Atlantic pollution corridor (North America east coast to Europe) are also preferred locations for strat-trop folds leading to systematic overestimates of pollution amounts. In fact, fold events appear to dominate extra-tropical Northern Hemisphere day-to-day maps of HTOR. Model estimates of the tropospheric column are in reasonable agreement with the HTOR amounts when offsets due to different tropopause height calculations are taken into consideration.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, and The American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology: Clinical Practice Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Bypass--Temperature Management During Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

PubMed

Engelman, Richard; Baker, Robert A; Likosky, Donald S; Grigore, Alina; Dickinson, Timothy A; Shore-Lesserson, Linda; Hammon, John W

2015-08-01

In order to improve our understanding of the evidence-based literature supporting temperature management during adult cardiopulmonary bypass, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology and the American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology tasked the authors to conduct a review of the peer-reviewed literature, including: 1) optimal site for temperature monitoring, 2) avoidance of hyperthermia, 3) peak cooling temperature gradient and cooling rate, and 4) peak warming temperature gradient and rewarming rate. Authors adopted the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association method for development clinical practice guidelines, and arrived at the following recommendations: No Recommendation No recommendation for a guideline is provided concerning optimal temperature for weaning from CPB due to insufficient published evidence. Copyright © 2015 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chiral U(1) flavor models and flavored Higgs doublets: the top FB asymmetry and the W jj

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

Ko, P.; Omura, Yuji; Yu, Chaehyun

2012-01-01

We present U(1) flavor models for leptophobic Z' with flavor dependent couplings to the right-handed up-type quarks in the Standard Model (SM), which can accommodate the recent data on the top forward-backward (FB) asymmetry and the dijet resonance associated with a W boson reported by CDF Collaboration. Such flavor-dependent leptophobic charge assignments generally require extra chiral fermions for anomaly cancellation. Also the chiral nature of U(1)' flavor symmetry calls for new U(1)'-charged Higgs doublets in order for the SM fermions to have realistic renormalizable Yukawa couplings. The stringent constraints from the top FB asymmetry at the Tevatron and the samemore » sign top pair production at the LHC can be evaded due to contributions of the extra Higgs doublets. We also show that the extension could realize cold dark matter candidates.« less

An extra-uterine system to physiologically support the extreme premature lamb

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Partridge, Emily A.; Davey, Marcus G.; Hornick, Matthew A.; McGovern, Patrick E.; Mejaddam, Ali Y.; Vrecenak, Jesse D.; Mesas-Burgos, Carmen; Olive, Aliza; Caskey, Robert C.; Weiland, Theodore R.; Han, Jiancheng; Schupper, Alexander J.; Connelly, James T.; Dysart, Kevin C.; Rychik, Jack; Hedrick, Holly L.; Peranteau, William H.; Flake, Alan W.

2017-04-01

In the developed world, extreme prematurity is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity due to a combination of organ immaturity and iatrogenic injury. Until now, efforts to extend gestation using extracorporeal systems have achieved limited success. Here we report the development of a system that incorporates a pumpless oxygenator circuit connected to the fetus of a lamb via an umbilical cord interface that is maintained within a closed `amniotic fluid' circuit that closely reproduces the environment of the womb. We show that fetal lambs that are developmentally equivalent to the extreme premature human infant can be physiologically supported in this extra-uterine device for up to 4 weeks. Lambs on support maintain stable haemodynamics, have normal blood gas and oxygenation parameters and maintain patency of the fetal circulation. With appropriate nutritional support, lambs on the system demonstrate normal somatic growth, lung maturation and brain growth and myelination.

Ascorbate peroxidase-related (APx-R) is not a duplicable gene.

PubMed

Dunand, Christophe; Mathé, Catherine; Lazzarotto, Fernanda; Margis, Rogério; Margis-Pinheiro, Marcia

2011-12-01

Phylogenetic, genomic and functional analyses have allowed the identification of a new class of putative heme peroxidases, so called APx-R (APx-Related). These new class, mainly present in the green lineage (including green algae and land plants), can also be detected in other unicellular chloroplastic organisms. Except for recent polyploid organisms, only single-copy of APx-R gene was detected in each genome, suggesting that the majority of the APx-R extra-copies were lost after chromosomal or segmental duplications. In a similar way, most APx-R co-expressed genes in Arabidopsis genome do not have conserved extra-copies after chromosomal duplications and are predicted to be localized in organelles, as are the APx-R. The member of this gene network can be considered as unique gene, well conserved through the evolution due to a strong negative selection pressure and a low evolution rate. © 2011 Landes Bioscience

Proceedings of the Meeting of the Coordinating Group on Modern Control Theory (2nd) 10-11 December 1980, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Part 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-04-01

The results are summarizcd in the following lemma, Lemna 1: A canonical delayed-measurement observer for the system described by (30) aW-JT-) is...is probably due to the higher total accuracy of the systes with the extra support. However, in both cases, the contribution is minor . These results

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation using an innovative dual-lumen cannula following implantation of a total artificial heart.

PubMed

Youdle, Jemma; Penn, Sarah; Maunz, Olaf; Simon, Andre

2017-01-01

We report our first clinical use of the new Protek Duo TM cannula for peripheral veno-venous extra-corporeal life support (ECLS). A 53-year-old male patient underwent implantation of a total artificial heart (TAH) for biventricular failure. However, due to the development of post-operative respiratory dysfunction, the patient required ECLS for six days.

SU-F-J-54: Towards Real-Time Volumetric Imaging Using the Treatment Beam and KV Beam

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

Chen, M; Rozario, T; Liu, A

Purpose: Existing real-time imaging uses dual (orthogonal) kV beam fluoroscopies and may result in significant amount of extra radiation to patients, especially for prolonged treatment cases. In addition, kV projections only provide 2D information, which is insufficient for in vivo dose reconstruction. We propose real-time volumetric imaging using prior knowledge of pre-treatment 4D images and real-time 2D transit data of treatment beam and kV beam. Methods: The pre-treatment multi-snapshot volumetric images are used to simulate 2D projections of both the treatment beam and kV beam, respectively, for each treatment field defined by the control point. During radiation delivery, the transitmore » signals acquired by the electronic portal image device (EPID) are processed for every projection and compared with pre-calculation by cross-correlation for phase matching and thus 3D snapshot identification or real-time volumetric imaging. The data processing involves taking logarithmic ratios of EPID signals with respect to the air scan to reduce modeling uncertainties in head scatter fluence and EPID response. Simulated 2D projections are also used to pre-calculate confidence levels in phase matching. Treatment beam projections that have a low confidence level either in pre-calculation or real-time acquisition will trigger kV beams so that complementary information can be exploited. In case both the treatment beam and kV beam return low confidence in phase matching, a predicted phase based on linear regression will be generated. Results: Simulation studies indicated treatment beams provide sufficient confidence in phase matching for most cases. At times of low confidence from treatment beams, kV imaging provides sufficient confidence in phase matching due to its complementary configuration. Conclusion: The proposed real-time volumetric imaging utilizes the treatment beam and triggers kV beams for complementary information when the treatment beam along does not provide sufficient confidence for phase matching. This strategy minimizes the use of extra radiation to patients. This project is partially supported by a Varian MRA grant.« less

Results of nDOSE and HiDOSE Experiments for Dosimetric Evaluation During STS-134 Mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pugliese, M.; Loffredo, F.; Quarto, M.; Roca, V.; Mattone, C.; Borla, O.; Zanini, A.

2014-07-01

HiDOSE (Heavy ion DOSimetry Experiment) and nDOSE (neutron DOSimetry Experiment) experiments conducted as a part of BIOKIS (Biokon in Space) payload were designed to measure the dose equivalent due to charged particles and to neutron field, on the entire energy range, during STS-134 mission. Given the complexity of the radiation field in space environment, dose measurements should be considered an asset of any space mission, and for this reason HiDOSE and nDOSE experiments represent an important contribution to the radiation environment assessment during this mission, a short duration flight. The results of these experiments, obtained using Thermo Luminescence Dosimeters (TLDs) to evaluate the charged particles dosimetry and neutron bubbles dosimeters and stack bismuth track dosimeters for neutron dosimetry, indicate that the dose equivalent rate due to space radiation exposure during the STS-134 mission is in accordance with the results obtained from long duration flights.

Extra-pair copulation and extra-range movements in Flammulated Owls

Treesearch

Richard T. Reynolds; Brian D. Linkhart

1990-01-01

We report an extra-pair copulation (EPC) in the Flammulated Owl (Otus flammeolus), the first in strigiforms, and document 21 cases of extra-range movements (ERMs) in this species. Extra-range movements occurred throughout nesting with both sexes participating: males anytime during nesting and females only after their young fledged. Males appear to make ERMs to...

Ionic displacement induced ferroelectricity in multiferroic Cr doped ZnO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwari, Jeetendra Kumar; Ali, Nasir; Ghosh, Subhasis

2018-05-01

Cr doped ZnO thin film was grown on quartz substrate using RF magnetron sputtering. Room temperature magnetic and ferroelectric properties of Cr doped ZnO were investigated. It is shown that ZnO becomes ferromagnetic upon Cr doping. It is considered that breaking of centrosymmetry due strain developed by doping of Cr should be responsible for the ferroelectricity. These films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), which shows that the films possess crystalline structure with preferred orientation along the (002) crystal plane and there is no extra peak due to Cr i.e. single phase.

Shielding application of perturbation theory to determine changes in neutron and gamma doses due to changes in shield layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fieno, D.

1972-01-01

Perturbation theory formulas were derived and applied to determine changes in neutron and gamma-ray doses due to changes in various radiation shield layers for fixed sources. For a given source and detector position, the perturbation method enables dose derivatives with respect to density, or equivalently thickness, for every layer to be determined from one forward and one inhomogeneous adjoint calculation. A direct determination without the perturbation approach would require two forward calculations to evaluate the dose derivative due to a change in a single layer. Hence, the perturbation method for obtaining dose derivatives requires fewer computations for design studies of multilayer shields. For an illustrative problem, a comparison was made of the fractional change in the dose per unit change in the thickness of each shield layer in a two-layer spherical configuration as calculated by perturbation theory and by successive direct calculations; excellent agreement was obtained between the two methods.

Extra-anatomic revascularization for preoperative cerebral malperfusion due to distal carotid artery occlusion in acute type A aortic dissection.

PubMed

Luehr, Maximilian; Etz, Christian D; Nozdrzykowski, Michal; Lehmkuhl, Lukas; Misfeld, Martin; Bakhtiary, Farhad; Borger, Michael A; Mohr, Friedrich-Wilhelm

2016-02-01

Management of patients with acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) and cerebral malperfusion secondary to occlusion or stenosis of the left common carotid artery (LCCA) or right common carotid artery (RCCA) is a significant challenge. The aim of this study is to present our institutional strategy and postoperative results for this high-risk patient cohort. Between November 2005 and July 2013, 23 of 354 consecutively operated AADA patients [median age: 66.3; interquartile range (IQR): 55.2-69.9] suffered from cerebral malperfusion due to bilateral (n = 1) or unilateral occlusion of the LCCA/RCCA (n = 22). AADA repair comprised hemi- (n = 14) or total (n = 9) arch replacement in combination with aortic valve repair (n = 7) or replacement (n = 11), root replacement (n = 15) and coronary bypass (n = 3). Extra-anatomic aorto-carotid bypass was performed in all patients. Aorto-carotid bypass was performed at the beginning of the procedure to allow for unilateral selective cerebral perfusion (n = 17; 73.9%) or during the procedure if persisting malperfusion was suspected by near-infrared spectroscopy (n = 6; 26.1%). The median follow-up was 15.2 months (IQR: 4.8-34.1) and 100% complete. Median hospital stay and ICU stay were 16.0 (IQR: 12.5-26.0) and 13.7 (IQR: 2.0-16.5) days, respectively. Rethoracotomy for haemorrhage or cardiac tamponade was performed in 6 (26.1%) patients. Other postoperative complications comprised low cardiac output with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 2; 8.7%), sepsis (n = 4; 17.4%), respiratory insufficiency (n = 10; 43.5%), renal failure with temporary dialysis (n = 7; 30.4%) and visceral malperfusion (n = 2; 8.7%) requiring stent grafting (n = 1) or laparotomy with intestinal resection (n = 1). New stroke with or without permanent sensory or motor deficit was diagnosed in 8 (34.8%) patients. Temporary neurological deficits were seen in 9 (39.1%) individuals. Hospital and 1-year mortality rates were 13.0 and 30.4%, respectively. Overall survival after 36 months of the 23 patients (Group I = Extra-anatomic bypass) versus the remaining 331 AADA patients without distal RCCA/LCCA occlusion (Group II = no extra-anatomic bypass) was 69.6% (n = 16) in Group I vs 72.5% (n = 240) in Group II (P = 0.90). Extra-anatomic bypass for LCCA or RCCA occlusion allows for early selective cerebral perfusion during AADA repair, and may reduce the risk of neurological complications in patients with preoperative cerebral malperfusion. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

Variation in parent-offspring kinship in socially monogamous systems with extra-pair reproduction and inbreeding.

PubMed

Reid, Jane M; Bocedi, Greta; Nietlisbach, Pirmin; Duthie, A Bradley; Wolak, Matthew E; Gow, Elizabeth A; Arcese, Peter

2016-07-01

Female extra-pair reproduction in socially monogamous systems is predicted to cause cuckolded socially-paired males to conditionally reduce paternal care, causing selection against extra-pair reproduction and underlying polyandry. However, existing models and empirical studies have not explicitly considered that cuckolded males might be related to their socially-paired female and/or to her extra-pair mate, and therefore be related to extra-pair offspring that they did not sire but could rear. Selection against paternal care, and hence against extra-pair reproduction, might then be weakened. We derive metrics that quantify allele-sharing between within-pair and extra-pair offspring and their mother and her socially-paired male in terms of coefficients of kinship and inbreeding. We use song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) paternity and pedigree data to quantify these metrics, and thereby quantify the joint effects of extra-pair reproduction and inbreeding on a brood's total allelic value to its socially-paired parents. Cuckolded male song sparrows were almost always detectably related to extra-pair offspring they reared. Consequently, although brood allelic value decreased substantially following female extra-pair reproduction, this decrease was reduced by within-pair and extra-pair reproduction among relatives. Such complex variation in kinship within nuclear families should be incorporated into models considering coevolutionary dynamics of extra-pair reproduction, parental care, and inbreeding. 2016 The Author(s). Evolution published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Society for the Study of Evolution.

Cost-effectiveness of computed tomography colonography in colorectal cancer screening: a systematic review.

PubMed

Hanly, Paul; Skally, Mairead; Fenlon, Helen; Sharp, Linda

2012-10-01

The European Code Against Cancer recommends individuals aged ≥ 50 should participate in colorectal cancer screening. CT-colonography (CTC) is one of several screening tests available. We systematically reviewed evidence on, and identified key factors influencing, cost-effectiveness of CTC screening. PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane library were searched for cost-effectiveness or cost-utility analyses of CTC-based screening, published in English, January 1999 to July 2010. Data was abstracted on setting, model type and horizon, screening scenario(s), comparator(s), participants, uptake, CTC performance and cost, effectiveness, ICERs, and whether extra-colonic findings and medical complications were considered. Sixteen studies were identified from the United States (n = 11), Canada (n = 2), and France, Italy, and the United Kingdom (1 each). Markov state-transition (n = 14) or microsimulation (n = 2) models were used. Eleven considered direct medical costs only; five included indirect costs. Fourteen compared CTC with no screening; fourteen compared CTC with colonoscopy-based screening; fewer compared CTC with sigmoidoscopy (8) or fecal tests (4). Outcomes assessed were life-years gained/saved (13), QALYs (2), or both (1). Three considered extra-colonic findings; seven considered complications. CTC appeared cost-effective versus no screening and, in general, flexible sigmoidoscopy and fecal occult blood testing. Results were mixed comparing CTC to colonoscopy. Parameters most influencing cost-effectiveness included: CTC costs, screening uptake, threshold for polyp referral, and extra-colonic findings. Evidence on cost-effectiveness of CTC screening is heterogeneous, due largely to between-study differences in comparators and parameter values. Future studies should: compare CTC with currently favored tests, especially fecal immunochemical tests; consider extra-colonic findings; and conduct comprehensive sensitivity analyses.

The endemic Patagonian vespertilionid assemblage is a depauperate ecomorphological vicariant of species-rich neotropical assemblages

PubMed Central

Giannini, Norberto P.

2017-01-01

Abstract Vespertilionidae is the most diverse chiropteran family, and its diversity is concentrated in warm regions of the World; however, due to physiological and behavioral adaptations, these bats also dominate bat faunas in temperate regions. Here we performed a comparative study of vespertilionid assemblages from two broad regions of the New World, the cold and harsh Patagonia, versus the remaining temperate-to-subtropical, extra-Patagonian eco-regions of the South American Southern Cone. We took an ecomorphological approach and analyzed the craniodental morphological structure of these assemblages within a phylogenetic framework. We measured 17 craniodental linear variables from 447 specimens of 22 currently recognized vespertilionid species of the study regions. We performed a multivariate analysis to define the morphofunctional space, and calculated the pattern and degree of species packing for each assemblage. We assessed the importance of phylogeny and biogeography, and their impact on depauperate (Patagonian) versus rich (extra-Patagonian) vespertilionid assemblages as determinants of morphospace structuring. We implemented a sensitivity analysis associated to small samples of rare species. The morphological patterns were determined chiefly by the evolutionary history of the family. The Patagonian assemblage can be described as a structurally similar but comparatively depauperate ecomorphological version of those assemblages from neighboring extra-Patagonian eco-regions. The Patagonian assemblage seems to have formed by successively adding populations from Northern regions that eventually speciated in the region, leaving corresponding sisters (vicariants) in extra-Patagonian eco-regions that continued to be characteristically richer. Despite being structurally akin, degree of species packing in Patagonia was comparatively very low, which may reflect the effect of limited dispersal success into a harsh region for bat survival. PMID:29492009

Effects of olive maturation and stoning on quality indices and antioxidant content of extra virgin oils (cv. Coratina) during storage.

PubMed

Gambacorta, G; Faccia, M; Previtali, M A; Pati, S; La Notte, E; Baiano, A

2010-04-01

Quality indices, antioxidant compounds, and antioxidant activities of extra-virgin oils from Coratina olives were evaluated during a 12-mo storage. Whole and stoned olives, picked at 2 different maturation index (MI), were submitted to malaxation for 45 min and extracted by a 3-phase continuous system. A 90-min malaxation trial was also performed for the stoned olives. The following parameters were monitored: free acidity, peroxide value, K(232) and K(270) indices, sensory profile, total phenolic content (TPC), phenolic profiles, tocopherol compounds, and antioxidant activity (AA). The highest TPC, AA, and sensory score were found for the oils obtained by olives picked at low MI and by stoned olives. After 12 mo, all the oils were still included into the "extra-virgin" category, and those deriving from whole olives picked at the lowest MI showed the best sensory characteristics due to high fruity and well-balanced pungent and bitter tastes. This study could represent a helpful tool for oil-makers to improve the marketing of extra-virgin olive oils produced from cultivars with very high phenolic contents, such as Coratina, generally not adequately appreciated by consumers because of their excessive bitterness and pungent taste. These oils, when extracted from whole olives, are generally consumed after a certain period of time (at least 6 mo) during which a decrease in the phenolic content occurs. The results of the present work demonstrate that oils extracted from olives picked at low maturation index can be marketed immediately after production if subjected to stoning and malaxed for a short time. This procedure allows to adjust the phenolic content and to obtain a high flavor and a well-balanced taste.

Frequent incidental discovery of phaeochromocytoma: data from a German cohort of 201 phaeochromocytoma.

PubMed

Kopetschke, Robert; Slisko, Mario; Kilisli, Aylin; Tuschy, Ulrich; Wallaschofski, Henri; Fassnacht, Martin; Ventz, Manfred; Beuschlein, Felix; Reincke, Martin; Reisch, Nicole; Quinkler, Marcus

2009-08-01

Adrenal and extra-adrenal phaeochromocytoma are chromaffin cell-derived tumours that are discovered due to classical symptom triad with headache, sweating and palpitations combined with persistent or paroxysmal hypertension. However, an increasing proportion of phaeochromocytoma seems to be discovered incidentally upon abdominal imaging. To specify the exact circumstances of discovery of adrenal and extra-adrenal phaeochromocytoma. Four German endocrine centres participated in this retrospective study. MEDICAL: records of 201 patients with adrenal and extra-adrenal phaeochromocytoma who were diagnosed between 1973 and 2007 were analyzed. The typical triad of symptoms was found only in 10% of cases. Ten percent of patients presented were without clinical symptoms and 6.1% were normotensive. Documented blood pressure peaks occurred in 44.1% of cases. In 24 patients (12.2%), phaeochromocytoma was malignant. Before 1985, <10% of cases were incidentally discovered, whereas thereafter the frequency was >25% (29.4% of the total study population). Patients with incidentally detected phaeochromocytoma were significantly older (53.1+/-1.9 vs 47.0+/-1.3 years; P<0.05) and often had less blood pressure peaks (37.0 vs 70.7%; P<0.001) than patients in whom the diagnosis was suspected on clinical grounds. Of phaeochromocytomas 94.4% were intra-adrenal tumours, of which 12.9% were bilateral. Bilateral tumours were significantly smaller than unilateral tumours (36.6+/-14.7 vs 52.5+/-34.3 mm; P<0.05), whereas extra-adrenal tumours had a mean diameter of 52.6+/-28.7 mm. Owing to better availability and accessibility of imaging procedures, the number of incidentally discovered phaeochromocytoma is increasing and reaches nearly 30% in our study population. Every adrenal incidentaloma should be investigated for the presence of phaeochromocytoma.

CARIBIC Observations of Non-Methane Hydrocarbons (NMHCs) in the UT/LS: Biomass Burning in the Tropics and Anthropogenic Pollution in the Extra-Tropics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brenninkmeijer, C. A.; Rhee, T. S.; Slemr, F.; Mfühle, J.; Fischer, H.; Zahn, A.; van Velthoven, P. F.

2003-12-01

CARIBIC (Civil Aircraft for the Regular Investigation of the atmosphere Based on an Instrumented Container) used a Boeing 767 on intercontinental flights to measure trace gases and aerosols between November 1997 and April 2002. From April 2004 onwards, a new Lufthansa Airbus A340-600 with a new inlet system and measurement container with 16 experiments will become operational. Here we discuss the results for NMHCs for a flight from the Maldives to Germany, June 2000. Twelve air samples of 350 L were collected and analyzed in the laboratory for NMHCs, halocarbons, CH4, CO, N2O, SF6, and isotopic compositions in CO and CO2. In the upper troposphere (UT) of the tropics, the concentrations of saturated NMHCs (C2 - C6) were significantly lower and less variable than in the extra-tropics, likely due to enhanced photo-oxidation in summer. A good correlation between long-lived NMHCs and CO, and their emission ratios imply that the air masses come from biomass burning regions. By contrast, the concentrations of all saturated NMHCs in the extra-tropics were greatly augmented. In particular, very high concentrations of several short-lived NMHCs, i.e., n-pentane, i-pentane, n-hexane, were observed near or even in the lowermost stratosphere (LS). Tight anti-correlations between CO and O3, the enhancement of ultra-fine particles, and the calculated backward trajectories indicate the occurrence of deep convection of highly polluted air from southern Europe into the lowermost stratosphere. The CARIBIC findings show a direct (fast) injection of polluted air to be a significant source of NMHCs observed in the lowermost stratosphere in the extra-tropics.

Effect of molecular exchange on water droplet size analysis as determined by diffusion NMR: The W/O/W double emulsion case.

PubMed

Vermeir, Lien; Sabatino, Paolo; Balcaen, Mathieu; Declerck, Arnout; Dewettinck, Koen; Martins, José C; Guthausen, Gisela; Van der Meeren, Paul

2016-08-01

The accuracy of the inner water droplet size determination of W/O/W emulsions upon water diffusion measurement by diffusion NMR was evaluated. The resulting droplet size data were compared to the results acquired from the diffusion measurement of a highly water soluble marker compound with low permeability in the oil layer of a W/O/W emulsion, which provide a closer representation of the actual droplet size. Differences in droplet size data obtained from water and the marker were ascribed to extra-droplet water diffusion. The diffusion data of the tetramethylammonium cation marker were measured using high-resolution pulsed field gradient NMR, whereas the water diffusion was measured using both low-resolution and high-resolution NMR. Different data analysis procedures were evaluated to correct for the effect of extra-droplet water diffusion on the accuracy of water droplet size analysis. Using the water diffusion data, the use of a low measurement temperature and diffusion delay Δ could reduce the droplet size overestimation resulting from extra-droplet water diffusion, but this undesirable effect was inevitable. Detailed analysis of the diffusion data revealed that the extra-droplet diffusion effect was due to an exchange between the inner water phase and the oil phase, rather than by exchange between the internal and external aqueous phase. A promising data analysis procedure for retrieving reliable size data consisted of the application of Einstein's diffusion law to the experimentally determined diffusion distances. This simple procedure allowed determining the inner water droplet size of W/O/W emulsions upon measurement of water diffusion by low-resolution NMR at or even above room temperature. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Substitution scenario in follow-up of chronic cancer patients in primary care: prevalence, disease duration and estimated extra consultation time.

PubMed

van Dipten, C; Olde Hartman, T C; Biermans, M C J; Assendelft, W J J

2016-02-01

The incidence of cancer as well as survival rates for it are increasing. It is debated whether care in the chronic phase of cancer can be positioned in primary care due to doubts about capacity and workload. To estimate GPs' extra consultation time if they assume responsibility for the care in the chronic phase of cancer. Retrospective cohort study. Estimation of extra consultation time by quantifying prevalence, incidence, survival, number of chronic cancer patients, current practice contacts and registration of risk factors in patients with all types of cancers. The most prevalent types of cancer (with 5-year survival rates) are as follows: breast cancer (91.5%), colorectal cancer (63.8%), prostate cancer (78.3%), melanoma (91.9%) and bladder and urinary tract cancer (77.3%). Primary care practices include ~32 chronic cancer patients, with a potential extra consultation time of ~19 hours per year per 1000 patients. One-third (35%) are already in a chronic disease management programme and 57% were diagnosed >5 years ago. Registration of risk factors for cancer is incomplete, but of better quality when comorbidity is present. Numbers of chronic cancer patients and possible time investment by primary care professionals in the case of a substitution scenario should not be a limiting factor for transition of follow-up from secondary to primary care, as most of the patients were diagnosed >5 years ago and a large proportion of these patients are already monitored in an existing chronic care programme. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

The Role of Extra-Credit Assignments in the Teaching of World Languages

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alley, David

2011-01-01

The granting of extra credit is a hotly debated topic in all fields of education. Teachers are reluctant to offer extra credit for fear of inflating grades, but students are persistent in their demands for extra-credit points to which they have become accustomed. This article considers extra-credit assignments in the teaching of world languages.…

Safety and dose modification for patients receiving niraparib.

PubMed

Berek, J S; Matulonis, U A; Peen, U; Ghatage, P; Mahner, S; Redondo, A; Lesoin, A; Colombo, N; Vergote, I; Rosengarten, O; Ledermann, J; Pineda, M; Ellard, S; Sehouli, J; Gonzalez-Martin, A; Berton-Rigaud, D; Madry, R; Reinthaller, A; Hazard, S; Guo, W; Mirza, M R

2018-05-14

Niraparib is a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor approved in the United States and Europe for maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. In the pivotal ENGOT-OV16/NOVA trial, the dose reduction rate due to TEAE was 68.9%, and the discontinuation rate due to TEAE was 14.7%, including 3.3% due to thrombocytopenia. A retrospective analysis was performed to identify clinical parameters that predict dose reductions. All analyses were performed on the safety population, comprising all patients who received at least one dose of study drug. Patients were analyzed according to the study drug consumed (ie, as treated). A predictive modeling method (decision trees) was used to identify important variables for predicting the likelihood of developing grade ≥3 thrombocytopenia within 30 days after the first dose of niraparib and determine cutoff points for chosen variables. Following dose modification, 200 mg was the most commonly administered dose in the ENGOT-OV16/NOVA trial. Baseline platelet count and baseline body weight were identified as risk factors for increased incidence of grade ≥3 thrombocytopenia. Patients with a baseline body weight <77 kg or a baseline platelet count <150,000/μL in effect received an average daily dose approximating 200 mg (median = 207 mg) due to dose interruption and reduction. Progression-free survival in patients who were dose reduced to either 200 mg or 100 mg was consistent with that of patients who remained at the 300 mg starting dose. The analysis presented suggests that patients with baseline body weight of < 77 kg or baseline platelets of < 150,000/μL may benefit from a starting dose of 200 mg per day. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01847274).

Interaction of classical platinum agents with the monomeric and dimeric Atox1 proteins: a molecular dynamics simulation study.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaolei; Li, Chaoqun; Wang, Yan; Chen, Guangju

2013-12-20

We carried out molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations for a series of binary and ternary models of the cisplatin, transplatin and oxaliplatin agents binding to a monomeric Atox1 protein and a dimeric Atox1 protein to investigate their interaction mechanisms. All three platinum agents could respectively combine with the monomeric Atox1 protein and the dimeric Atox1 protein to form a stable binary and ternary complex due to the covalent interaction of the platinum center with the Atox1 protein. The results suggested that the extra interaction from the oxaliplatin ligand-Atox1 protein interface increases its affinity only for the OxaliPt + Atox1 model. The binding of the oxaliplatin agent to the Atox1 protein might cause larger deformation of the protein than those of the cisplatin and transplatin agents due to the larger size of the oxaliplatin ligand. However, the extra interactions to facilitate the stabilities of the ternary CisPt + 2Atox1 and OxaliPt + 2Atox1 models come from the α1 helices and α2-β4 loops of the Atox1 protein-Atox1 protein interface due to the cis conformation of the platinum agents. The combinations of two Atox1 proteins in an asymmetric way in the three ternary models were analyzed. These investigations might provide detailed information for understanding the interaction mechanism of the platinum agents binding to the Atox1 protein in the cytoplasm.

TTT and PIKK Complex Genes Reverted to Single Copy Following Polyploidization and Retain Function Despite Massive Retrotransposition in Maize.

PubMed

Garcia, Nelson; Messing, Joachim

2017-01-01

The TEL2, TTI1, and TTI2 proteins are co-chaperones for heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) to regulate the protein folding and maturation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases (PIKKs). Referred to as the TTT complex, the genes that encode them are highly conserved from man to maize. TTT complex and PIKK genes exist mostly as single copy genes in organisms where they have been characterized. Members of this interacting protein network in maize were identified and synteny analyses were performed to study their evolution. Similar to other species, there is only one copy of each of these genes in maize which was due to a loss of the duplicated copy created by ancient allotetraploidy. Moreover, the retained copies of the TTT complex and the PIKK genes tolerated extensive retrotransposon insertion in their introns that resulted in increased gene lengths and gene body methylation, without apparent effect in normal gene expression and function. The results raise an interesting question on whether the reversion to single copy was due to selection against deleterious unbalanced gene duplications between members of the complex as predicted by the gene balance hypothesis, or due to neutral loss of extra copies. Uneven alteration of dosage either by adding extra copies or modulating gene expression of complex members is being proposed as a means to investigate whether the data supports the gene balance hypothesis or not.

Strain-Annealing Based Grain Boundary Engineering to Evaluate its Sole Implication on Intergranular Corrosion in Extra-Low Carbon Type 304L Austenitic Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pradhan, S. K.; Bhuyan, P.; Kaithwas, C.; Mandal, Sumantra

2018-05-01

Strain-annealing based thermo-mechanical processing has been performed to promote grain boundary engineering (GBE) in an extra-low carbon type austenitic stainless steel without altering the grain size and residual strain to evaluate its sole influence on intergranular corrosion. Single-step processing comprising low pre-strain ( 5 and 10 pct) followed by annealing at 1273 K for 1 hour have resulted in a large fraction of Σ3 n boundaries and significant disruption in random high-angle grain boundaries (RHAGBs) connectivity. This is due to the occurrence of prolific multiple twinning in these specimens as confirmed by their large twin-related domain and twin-related grain size ratio. Among the iterative processing, the schedule comprising two cycles of 10 and 5 pct deformation followed by annealing at 1173 K for 1 hour has yielded the optimum GBE microstructure with the grain size and residual strain akin to the as-received condition. The specimens subjected to the higher number of iterations failed to realize GBE microstructures due to the occurrence of partial recrystallization. Owing to the optimum grain boundary character distribution, the GBE specimen has exhibited remarkable resistance against sensitization and intergranular corrosion as compared to the as-received condition. Furthermore, the lower depth of percolation in the GBE specimen is due to the significant disruption of RHAGBs connectivity as confirmed from its large twin-related domain and lower fractal dimension.

Strain-Annealing Based Grain Boundary Engineering to Evaluate its Sole Implication on Intergranular Corrosion in Extra-Low Carbon Type 304L Austenitic Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pradhan, S. K.; Bhuyan, P.; Kaithwas, C.; Mandal, Sumantra

2018-07-01

Strain-annealing based thermo-mechanical processing has been performed to promote grain boundary engineering (GBE) in an extra-low carbon type austenitic stainless steel without altering the grain size and residual strain to evaluate its sole influence on intergranular corrosion. Single-step processing comprising low pre-strain ( 5 and 10 pct) followed by annealing at 1273 K for 1 hour have resulted in a large fraction of Σ3 n boundaries and significant disruption in random high-angle grain boundaries (RHAGBs) connectivity. This is due to the occurrence of prolific multiple twinning in these specimens as confirmed by their large twin-related domain and twin-related grain size ratio. Among the iterative processing, the schedule comprising two cycles of 10 and 5 pct deformation followed by annealing at 1173 K for 1 hour has yielded the optimum GBE microstructure with the grain size and residual strain akin to the as-received condition. The specimens subjected to the higher number of iterations failed to realize GBE microstructures due to the occurrence of partial recrystallization. Owing to the optimum grain boundary character distribution, the GBE specimen has exhibited remarkable resistance against sensitization and intergranular corrosion as compared to the as-received condition. Furthermore, the lower depth of percolation in the GBE specimen is due to the significant disruption of RHAGBs connectivity as confirmed from its large twin-related domain and lower fractal dimension.

Evaluation of the effect of prostate volume change on tumor control probability in LDR brachytherapy.

PubMed

Knaup, Courtney; Mavroidis, Panayiotis; Stathakis, Sotirios; Smith, Mark; Swanson, Gregory; Papanikolaou, Niko

2011-09-01

This study evaluates low dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR) prostate plans to determine the biological effect of dose degradation due to prostate volume changes. In this study, 39 patients were evaluated. Pre-implant prostate volume was determined using ultrasound. These images were used with the treatment planning system (Nucletron Spot Pro 3.1(®)) to create treatment plans using (103)Pd seeds. Following the implant, patients were imaged using CT for post-implant dosimetry. From the pre and post-implant DVHs, the biologically equivalent dose and the tumor control probability (TCP) were determined using the biologically effective uniform dose. The model used RBE = 1.75 and α/β = 2 Gy. The prostate volume changed between pre and post implant image sets ranged from -8% to 110%. TCP and the mean dose were reduced up to 21% and 56%, respectively. TCP is observed to decrease as the mean dose decreases to the prostate. The post-implant tumor dose was generally observed to decrease, compared to the planned dose. A critical uniform dose of 130 Gy was established. Below this dose, TCP begins to fall-off. It was also determined that patients with a small prostates were more likely to suffer TCP decrease. The biological effect of post operative prostate growth due to operative trauma in LDR was evaluated using the concept. The post-implant dose was lower than the planned dose due to an increase of prostate volume post-implant. A critical uniform dose of 130 Gy was determined, below which TCP begun to decline.

Effect of lyophilized lactobacilli and 0.03 mg estriol (Gynoflor®) on vaginitis and vaginosis with disrupted vaginal microflora: a multicenter, randomized, single-blind, active-controlled pilot study.

PubMed

Donders, G G G; Van Bulck, B; Van de Walle, P; Kaiser, R R; Pohlig, G; Gonser, S; Graf, F

2010-01-01

To evaluate the efficacy of lyophilized lactobacilli in combination with 0.03 mg estriol when compared to metronidazole in the treatment of bacterial vaginal infections. Multicenter, randomized, single-blind, active-controlled pilot study in 3 independent gynecological practices in Belgium. Forty-six, 18- to 50-year-old premenopausal women with a disrupted vaginal flora due to a bacterial vaginal infection (bacterial vaginosis, aerobic vaginitis) were included, provided that fresh phase-contrast microscopy of the vaginal fluid showed lactobacillary flora grade 2B or 3. Patients were given a blinded box with either 12 vaginal tablets of Gynoflor® (study medication) or 6 vaginal suppositories containing 500 mg metronidazole (control medication). Eight efficacy variables were studied to assess the status of the vaginal flora at entry, 3-7 days (control 1), 4-6 (control 2) weeks and 4 months after the end of therapy. At control 1, the combined variables equally improved in the lactobacilli group as in the metronidazole group. At control 2, the lactobacillus preparation showed slightly inferior results when compared to metronidazole. At 4 months, this analysis could not be performed due to low numbers, but analysis of recurrence rate and extra medication needed was not different between both groups. Lyophilized lactobacilli in combination with low-dose estriol are equivalent to metronidazole in the short-term treatment of bacterial vaginal infections, but have less effect after 1 month. Further studies are required to evaluate the long-term efficacy of lactobacilli when applied repeatedly. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Practitioners' Perceptions of the Soccer Extra-Time Period: Implications for Future Research.

PubMed

Harper, Liam D; Fothergill, Melissa; West, Daniel J; Stevenson, Emma; Russell, Mark

2016-01-01

Qualitative research investigating soccer practitioners' perceptions can allow researchers to create practical research investigations. The extra-time period of soccer is understudied compared to other areas of soccer research. Using an open-ended online survey containing eleven main and nine sub questions, we gathered the perceptions of extra-time from 46 soccer practitioners, all working for different professional soccer clubs. Questions related to current practices, views on extra-time regulations, and ideas for future research. Using inductive content analysis, the following general dimensions were identified: 'importance of extra-time', 'rule changes', 'efficacy of extra-time hydro-nutritional provision', 'nutritional timing', 'future research directions', 'preparatory modulations' and 'recovery'. The majority of practitioners (63%) either agreed or strongly agreed that extra-time is an important period for determining success in knockout football match-play. When asked if a fourth substitution should be permitted in extra-time, 67% agreed. The use of hydro-nutritional strategies prior to extra-time was predominately considered important or very important. However; only 41% of practitioners felt that it was the most important time point for the use of nutritional products. A similar number of practitioners account (50%) and do not (50%) account for the potential of extra-time when training and preparing players and 89% of practitioners stated that extra-time influences recovery practices following matches. In the five minute break prior to extra-time, the following practices (in order of priority) were advocated to players: hydration, energy provision, massage, and tactical preparations. Additionally, 87% of practitioners advocate a particular nutritional supplementation strategy prior to extra-time. In order of importance, practitioners see the following as future research areas: nutritional interventions, fatigue responses, acute injury risk, recovery modalities, training paradigms, injury epidemiology, and environmental considerations. This study presents novel insight into the practitioner perceptions of extra-time and provides information to readers about current applied practices and potential future research opportunities.

Practitioners' Perceptions of the Soccer Extra-Time Period: Implications for Future Research

PubMed Central

Harper, Liam D.; Fothergill, Melissa; West, Daniel J.; Stevenson, Emma; Russell, Mark

2016-01-01

Qualitative research investigating soccer practitioners’ perceptions can allow researchers to create practical research investigations. The extra-time period of soccer is understudied compared to other areas of soccer research. Using an open-ended online survey containing eleven main and nine sub questions, we gathered the perceptions of extra-time from 46 soccer practitioners, all working for different professional soccer clubs. Questions related to current practices, views on extra-time regulations, and ideas for future research. Using inductive content analysis, the following general dimensions were identified: ‘importance of extra-time’, ‘rule changes’, ‘efficacy of extra-time hydro-nutritional provision’, ‘nutritional timing’, ‘future research directions’, ‘preparatory modulations’ and ‘recovery’. The majority of practitioners (63%) either agreed or strongly agreed that extra-time is an important period for determining success in knockout football match-play. When asked if a fourth substitution should be permitted in extra-time, 67% agreed. The use of hydro-nutritional strategies prior to extra-time was predominately considered important or very important. However; only 41% of practitioners felt that it was the most important time point for the use of nutritional products. A similar number of practitioners account (50%) and do not (50%) account for the potential of extra-time when training and preparing players and 89% of practitioners stated that extra-time influences recovery practices following matches. In the five minute break prior to extra-time, the following practices (in order of priority) were advocated to players: hydration, energy provision, massage, and tactical preparations. Additionally, 87% of practitioners advocate a particular nutritional supplementation strategy prior to extra-time. In order of importance, practitioners see the following as future research areas: nutritional interventions, fatigue responses, acute injury risk, recovery modalities, training paradigms, injury epidemiology, and environmental considerations. This study presents novel insight into the practitioner perceptions of extra-time and provides information to readers about current applied practices and potential future research opportunities. PMID:27384693

SPECT-CT in routine clinical practice: increase in patient radiation dose compared with SPECT alone.

PubMed

Sharma, Punit; Sharma, Shekhar; Ballal, Sanjana; Bal, Chandrasekhar; Malhotra, Arun; Kumar, Rakesh

2012-09-01

To assess the patient radiation dose during routine clinical single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) and measure the increase as compared with SPECT alone. Data pertaining to 357 consecutive patients who had undergone radioisotope imaging along with SPECT-CT of a selected volume were retrospectively evaluated. Dose of the injected radiopharmaceutical (MBq) was noted, and the effective dose (mSv) was calculated as per International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) guidelines. The volume-weighted computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product of the CT were also assessed using standard phantoms. The effective dose (mSv) due to CT was calculated as the product of dose length product and a conversion factor depending on the region of investigation, using ICRP guidelines. The dose due to CT was compared among different investigations. The increase in effective dose was calculated as CT dose expressed as a percentage of radiopharmaceutical dose. The per-patient CT effective dose for different studies varied between 0.06 and 11.9 mSv. The mean CT effective dose was lowest for 99mTc-ethylene cysteine dimer brain SPECT-CT (0.9 ± 0.7) and highest for 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate bone SPECT-CT (4.2 ± 2.8). The increase in radiation dose (SPECT-CT vs. SPECT) varied widely (2.3-666.4% for 99mTc-tracers and 0.02-96.2% for 131I-tracers). However, the effective dose of CT in SPECT-CT was less than the values reported for conventional CT examinations of the same regions. Addition of CT to nuclear medicine imaging in the form of SPECT-CT increases the radiation dose to the patient, with the effective dose due to CT exceeding the effective dose of RP in many instances. Hence, appropriate utilization and optimization of the protocols of SPECT-CT is needed to maximize benefit to patients.

Anisotropy of human muscle via non invasive impedance measurements. Frequency dependence of the impedance changes during isometric contractions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kashuri, Hektor

In this thesis we present non invasive muscle impedance measurements using rotatable probes extending the work done by Aaron et al. (1997) by measuring not only the real part of the impedance but the imaginary part as well. The results reveal orientations of underlying muscle fibers via minima in resistance and reactance versus angle curves, suggesting this method as potentially useful for studying muscle properties in clinical and physiological research. Calculations of the current distribution for a slab of material with anisotropic conductivity show that the current distribution depends strongly on the separation of two current electrodes and as well as on its conducting anisotropy. Forearm muscle impedance measurements at 50 kHz done by Shiffman et al. (2003) had shown that both resistance (R) and reactance (X) increase during isometric contraction. We have extended these measurements in the 3 to 100 kHz range and we found that resistance (R) and reactance (X) both increase and their changes increased or decreased at frequency dependent rates. Analysis based on circuit models of changes in R and X during the short contraction pulses showed that the extra cellular fluid resistance increased by 3.9 +/- 1.4 %, while the capacitance increased by 5.6 +/- 2 %. For long contraction pulses at very low frequencies: (1) there was practically no change in R during contraction, which implies that these changes are due to cellular membrane or intracellular effects with the extra cellular water component not participating, and (2) in post contraction stage there were no morphological changes which means that drifts in R can only be due to physiological changes. Following Shiffman et al. (2003) we measured impedance changes of R and X during a triangular shaped pulse of force generated via isometric forearm muscle contraction at 50 kHz. We measured these changes in 3-100 kHz frequency range for a stair case pulse of forces and the results showed that they are frequency dependent. Analysis based on circuit models suggest that the increase of isometric forearm muscle contraction is accompanied with both extra and intra cellular effects. The decrease following it is accompanied with changes in the extra cellular components and with intracellular elements remaining at the values they have at the maximum contraction force.

Evaluation of the effect of patient dose from cone beam computed tomography on prostate IMRT using Monte Carlo simulation.

PubMed

Chow, James C L; Leung, Michael K K; Islam, Mohammad K; Norrlinger, Bernhard D; Jaffray, David A

2008-01-01

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the patient dose due to the kilovoltage cone beam computed tomography (kV-CBCT) in a prostate intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The dose distributions for the five prostate IMRTs were calculated using the Pinnacle treatment planning system. To calculate the patient dose from CBCT, phase-space beams of a CBCT head based on the ELEKTA x-ray volume imaging system were generated using the Monte Carlo BEAMnr code for 100, 120, 130, and 140 kVp energies. An in-house graphical user interface called DOSCTP (DOSXYZnrc-based) developed using MATLAB was used to calculate the dose distributions due to a 360 degrees photon arc from the CBCT beam with the same patient CT image sets as used in Pinnacle. The two calculated dose distributions were added together by setting the CBCT doses equal to 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5% of the prescription dose of the prostate IMRT. The prostate plan and the summed dose distributions were then processed in the CERR platform to determine the dose-volume histograms (DVHs) of the regions of interest. Moreover, dose profiles along the x- and y-axes crossing the isocenter with and without addition of the CBCT dose were determined. It was found that the added doses due to CBCT are most significant at the femur heads. Higher doses were found at the bones for a relatively low energy CBCT beam such as 100 kVp. Apart from the bones, the CBCT dose was observed to be most concentrated on the anterior and posterior side of the patient anatomy. Analysis of the DVHs for the prostate and other critical tissues showed that they vary only slightly with the added CBCT dose at different beam energies. On the other hand, the changes of the DVHs for the femur heads due to the CBCT dose and beam energy were more significant than those of rectal and bladder wall. By analyzing the vertical and horizontal dose profiles crossing the femur heads and isocenter, with and without the CBCT dose equal to 2% of the prescribed dose, it was found that there is about a 5% increase of dose at the femur head. Still, such an increase in the femur head dose is well below the dose limit of the bone in our IMRT plans. Therefore, under these dose fractionation conditions, it is concluded that, though CBCT causes a higher dose deposited at the bones, there may be no significant effect in the DVHs of critical tissues in the prostate IMRT.

Radiation-induced desulfurization of Arabian crude oil and straight-run diesel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basfar, A. A.; Mohamed, K. A.

2011-11-01

Radiation-induced desulfurization of four types of Arabian crude oils (heavy, medium, light and extra light) and straight-run diesel (SRD) was investigated over the range of 10-200 kGy. Results show that gamma radiation processing at absorbed doses up to 200 kGy without further treatment is not sufficient for desulfurization. However, the combination of gamma-irradiation with other physical/chemical processes (i.e. L/L extraction, adsorption and oxidation) may be capable of removing considerable levels of sulfur compounds in the investigated products. Currently, this approach of combined radiation/physical/chemical processes is under investigation. The findings of these attempts will be reported in the future.

Zinc Modulates Nanosilver-Induced Toxicity in Primary Neuronal Cultures.

PubMed

Ziemińska, Elżbieta; Strużyńska, Lidia

2016-02-01

Silver nanoparticles (NAg) have recently become one of the most commonly used nanomaterials. Since the ability of nanosilver to enter the brain has been confirmed, there has been a need to investigate mechanisms of its neurotoxicity. We previously showed that primary neuronal cultures treated with nanosilver undergo destabilization of calcium homeostasis via a mechanism involving glutamatergic NMDA receptors. Considering the fact that zinc interacts with these receptors, the aim of the present study was to examine the role of zinc in mechanisms of neuronal cell death in primary cultures. In cells treated with nanosilver, we noted an imbalance between extracellular and intracellular zinc levels. Thus, the influence of zinc deficiency and supplementation on nanosilver-evoked cytotoxicity was investigated by treatment with TPEN (a chelator of zinc ions), or ZnCl(2), respectively. Elimination of zinc leads to complete death of nanosilver-treated CGCs. In contrast, supplementation with ZnCl(2) increases viability of CGCs in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of zinc provided protection against the extra/intracellular calcium imbalance in a manner similar to MK-801, an antagonist of NMDA receptors. Zinc chelation by TPEN decreases the mitochondrial potential and dramatically increases the rate of production of reactive oxygen species. Our results indicate that zinc supplementation positively influences nanosilver-evoked changes in CGCs. This is presumed to be due to an inhibitory effect on NMDA-sensitive calcium channels.

SU-F-T-372: Surface and Peripheral Dose in Compensator-Based FFF Beam IMRT

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

Zhang, D; Feygelman, V; Moros, E

2016-06-15

Purpose: Flattening filter free (FFF) beams produce higher dose rates. Combined with compensator IMRT techniques, the dose delivery for each beam can be much shorter compared to the flattened beam MLC-based or compensator-based IMRT. This ‘snap shot’ IMRT delivery is beneficial to patients for tumor motion management. Due to softer energy, surface doses in FFF beam treatment are usually higher than those from flattened beams. Because of less scattering due to no flattening filter, peripheral doses are usually lower in FFF beam treatment. However, in compensator-based IMRT using FFF beams, the compensator is in the beam pathway. Does it introducemore » beam hardening effects and scattering such that the surface dose is lower and peripheral dose is higher compared to FFF beam MLC-based IMRT? Methods: This study applied Monte Carlo techniques to investigate the surface and peripheral doses in compensator-based IMRT using FFF beams and compared it to the MLC-based IMRT using FFF beams and flattened beams. Besides various thicknesses of copper slabs to simulate various thicknesses of compensators, a simple cone-shaped compensator was simulated to mimic a clinical application. The dose distribution in water phantom by the cone-shaped compensator was then simulated by multiple MLC defined FFF and flattened beams with various openings. After normalized to Dmax, the surface and peripheral dose was compared between the FFF beam compensator-based IMRT and FFF/flattened beam MLC-based IMRT. Results: The surface dose at the central 0.5mm depth was close between the compensator and 6FFF MLC dose distributions, and about 8% (of Dmax) higher than the flattened 6MV MLC dose. At 8cm off axis at dmax, the peripheral dose between the 6FFF and flattened 6MV MLC demonstrated similar doses, while the compensator dose was about 1% higher. Conclusion: Compensator does not reduce the surface doses but slightly increases the peripheral doses due to scatter inside compensator.« less

Meta-analysis of incidence of early lung toxicity in 3-dimensional conformal irradiation of breast carcinomas

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background This meta-analysis aims to ascertain the significance of early lung toxicity with 3-Dimensional (3D) conformal irradiation for breast carcinomas and identify the sub-groups of patients with increased risk. Methods Electronic databases, reference sections of major oncological textbooks and identified studies were searched for synonyms of breast radiotherapy and radiation pneumonitis (RP). Major studies in thoracic irradiation were reviewed to identify factors frequently associated with RP. Meta-analysis for RP incidence estimation and odds ratio calculation were carried out. Results The overall incidence of Clinical and Radiological RP is 14% and 42% respectively. Ten studies were identified. Dose-volume Histogram (DVH) related dosimetric factors (Volume of lung receiving certain dose, Vdose and Mean lung Dose, MLD), supraclavicular fossa (SCF) irradiation and age are significantly associated with RP, but not sequential chemotherapy and concomitant use of Tamoxifen. A poorly powered study in IMN group contributed to the negative finding. Smoking has a trend towards protective effect against RP. Conclusion Use of other modalities may be considered when Ipsilateral lung V20Gy > 30% or MLD > 15 Gy. Extra caution is needed in SCF and IMN irradiation as they are likely to influence these dosimetric parameters. PMID:24229418

Extra virgin olive oil modulates brain docosahexaenoic acid level and oxidative damage caused by 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in rats.

PubMed

Amel, Nakbi; Wafa, Tayeb; Samia, Dabbou; Yousra, Belaid; Issam, Chargui; Cheraif, Imed; Attia, Nebil; Mohamed, Hammami

2016-03-01

Oxidative stress is an important pathomechanism of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease, cardiovascular disorders and many others. This study sought to verify whether extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), lipophilic fraction (OOLF) and hydrophilic fraction (OOHF) exerted a brain protective effect against the oxidative stress caused by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) pesticide at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight. 2,4-D, EVOO and its fractions were administered to rats by gavages for four consecutive weeks. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring brain lipid peroxide level, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), antioxidant enzyme activities and fatty acid composition. 2,4-D induced a decrease in both plasma and brain acetylcholinesterase activity and a rise in Brain TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) level and antioxidant enzyme activities compared with the control group. These changes were partly reversed by either EVOO or its fractions oral administration to 2,4-D treated rats. EVOO enhanced a neuroprotective effect evaluated by the restoration of brain fatty acid composition especially the level of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Our results indicate that EVOO exerts a neuroprotective activity against oxidative damage in brain induced by 2,4-D, which could be attributed to its antioxidative property.

Ophthalmologic manifestations of celiac disease

PubMed Central

Martins, Thiago Gonçalves dos Santos; Costa, Ana Luiza Fontes de Azevedo; Oyamada, Maria Kiyoko; Schor, Paulo; Sipahi, Aytan Miranda

2016-01-01

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine of genetically predisposed individuals. Ophthalmic manifestations are within the extra-intestinal manifestations, and can be divided into those of autoimmune disorders or those due to absorptive disabilities. This article reviewed the ophthalmologic manifestation of celiac disease. Ophthalmic symptoms are rare, but should be investigated in patients with celiac disease and taken into consideration as the first systemic manifestation. PMID:26949627

A Fundamental Classification of Atomization Processes

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-10-12

spontaneous dewetting [41, 42], the extra surface tension created by the wall contact would slow any breakdown of perforations into droplets thus...important role in the type and size of the disturbance formed. Small defects can lead to spontaneous dewetting where a perforation is formed [41, 42...Films also may ―spontaneously‖ rupture or dewet due to microscopic surface imperfections or forces on a molecular level [41, 42]. Films are

Effects of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition on Cholinergic Transmission in the Hippocampal Slice.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-02-08

compare desensitizing and non- desensitizing amino acids with the changes produced by comparable treatment with carbachol , a cholinergic agonist. We...strong evidence that the effect is due to a classical desensitization of an extra synaptic receptor (Fig. 4). Carbachol (1 min. perfusion) produced a...15 minutes) of the following: glutamate (G),n-methyl-aspartate (NMA), homocysteate (H), or carbachol (C). Each ofthese compounds depolarizes the

Simulation of heat losses and ground temperatures for district-heating culverts. Comparison with field experiments for well-insulated, damaged, and extra-insulated culverts

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

Hagentoft, C.E.

1986-01-01

Many old district-heating culverts are in bad condition due to the entry of water into the thermal insulation. The thermal conductivity, and thereby the heat loss from the culvert, is much larger for a wet than a dry thermal insulation. The high energy prices make it interesting and necessary to find the water-damaged parts of the district-heating culvert and improve the thermal insulation so that a reduction in the heat losses is obtained. The aim of the project is to develop a simple field method to determine the heat loss and the condition of the culvert. The method is basedmore » on the measurement of the temperature on the top of the culvert and a classification of the soil. The classification of the soil gives an estimation of its thermal conductivity. The heat loss and the reduction in heat loss due to an extra insulation is estimated from these data. Five different types of culverts were tested: two types of asbestos cement culverts, one concrete culvert, and two aerated concrete culverts. The comparison of the measured temperatures and the temperatures obtained from the simulations is reported in the study.« less

Pictorial essay: Vascular interventions in extra cranial head and neck

PubMed Central

Kulkarni, Suyash S; Shetty, Nitin S; Dharia, Tejas P; Polnaya, Ashwin M

2012-01-01

Medicine is an ever changing field and interventional radiology (IR) procedures are becoming increasingly popular because of high efficacy and its minimally invasive nature of the procedure. Management of disease processes in the extra cranial head and neck (ECHN) has always been a challenge due to the complex anatomy of the region. Cross sectional imaging of the ECHN has grown and evolved tremendously and occupies a pivotal and integral position in the clinical management of variety of head and neck pathologies. Advances in angiographic technologies including flat panel detector systems, biplane, and 3-dimensional rotational angiography have consolidated and expanded the role of IR in the management of various ECHN pathologies. The ECHN is at cross roads between the origins of great vessels and the cerebral vasculature. Thorough knowledge of functional and technical aspects of neuroangiography is essential before embarking on head and neck vascular interventions. The vessels of the head and neck can be involved by infectious and inflammatory conditions, get irradiated during radiotherapy and injured due to trauma or iatrogenic cause. The ECHN is also a common site for various hypervascular neoplasms and vascular malformations, which can be treated with endovascular and percutaneous embolization. This pictorial essay provides a review of variety of ECHN pathologies which were managed by various IR procedures using different approaches. PMID:23833428

Optical spectroscopic analysis for the discrimination of extra-virgin olive-oil (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McReynolds, Naomi; Auñón Garcia, Juan M.; Guengerich, Zoe; Smith, Terry K.; Dholakia, Kishan

2017-02-01

We present an optical spectroscopic technique, making use of both Raman signals and fluorescence spectroscopy, for the identification of five brands of commercially available extra-virgin olive-oil (EVOO). We demonstrate our technique on both a `bulk-optics' free-space system and a compact device. Using the compact device, which is capable of recording both Raman and fluorescence signals, we achieved an average sensitivity and specificity of 98.4% and 99.6% for discrimination, respectively. Our approach demonstrates that both Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy can be used for portable discrimination of EVOOs which obviates the need to use centralised laboratories and opens up the prospect of in-field testing. This technique may enable detection of EVOO that has undergone counterfeiting or adulteration. One of the main challenges facing Raman spectroscopy for use in quality control of EVOOs is that the oxidation of EVOO, which naturally occurs due to aging, causes shifts in Raman spectra with time, which implies regular retraining would be necessary. We present a potential method of analysis to minimize the effect that aging has on discrimination efficiency; we show that by discarding the first principal component, which contains information on the variations due to oxidation, we can improve discrimination efficiency thus improving the robustness of our technique.

Introduction of a second dose of measles in national immunization program in India: a major step towards eradication.

PubMed

Verma, Ramesh; Khanna, Pardeep; Bairwa, Mohan; Chawla, Suraj; Prinja, Shankar; Rajput, Meena

2011-10-01

Measles is a highly infectious, acute respiratory illness that is caused by a virus of the genus Morbillivirus. The disease infects nearly 30 million children each year, and deaths usually occur from complications related to pneumonia, diarrhea and malnutrition. A systematic review of published Indian literature depicts the median case fatality ratio (CFR) of measles to be 1.6%. Through immunization, measles deaths dropped a remarkable 78% from 733,000 in 2000 to 164,000 in 2008. As of 2008, 192 of 193 Member States of WHO use 2 doses of measles vaccine in their national immunization programs, India being the only exception. The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 aims to reduce by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015 the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) in the world. Per the draft comprehensive Multi Year Strategic Plan (cMYP, 2010–17) for immunization of India, the country aims to reduce measles-related mortality by 90% by 2013 when compared to 2000. As recommended by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), the implementation strategy of the second dose of measles vaccine at the state level is determined by the underlying performance of the routine immunization program. The second dose in the national immunization schedule gives extra immunity against measles infection that renders children more susceptible to secondary pneumonia and diarrheal diseases, which are the primary causes of under-5 child mortality in India.

The current state of knowledge on the use of the benchmark dose concept in risk assessment.

PubMed

Sand, Salomon; Victorin, Katarina; Filipsson, Agneta Falk

2008-05-01

This review deals with the current state of knowledge on the use of the benchmark dose (BMD) concept in health risk assessment of chemicals. The BMD method is an alternative to the traditional no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and has been presented as a methodological improvement in the field of risk assessment. The BMD method has mostly been employed in the USA but is presently given higher attention also in Europe. The review presents a number of arguments in favor of the BMD, relative to the NOAEL. In addition, it gives a detailed overview of the several procedures that have been suggested and applied for BMD analysis, for quantal as well as continuous data. For quantal data the BMD is generally defined as corresponding to an additional or extra risk of 5% or 10%. For continuous endpoints it is suggested that the BMD is defined as corresponding to a percentage change in response relative to background or relative to the dynamic range of response. Under such definitions, a 5% or 10% change can be considered as default. Besides how to define the BMD and its lower bound, the BMDL, the question of how to select the dose-response model to be used in the BMD and BMDL determination is highlighted. Issues of study design and comparison of dose-response curves and BMDs are also covered. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Bioactivity guided isolation of antipsychotic constituents from the leaves of Rauwolfia tetraphylla L.

PubMed

Gupta, Shikha; Khanna, Vinay Kumar; Maurya, Anupam; Bawankule, Dnyaneshwar Umrao; Shukla, Rajendra Kumar; Pal, Anirban; Srivastava, Santosh Kumar

2012-09-01

This study was undertaken to ascertain the antipsychotic properties of Rauwolfia tetraphylla L. leaves and to isolate and characterize the antipsychotic constituents. Among the MeOH extract and some alkaloidal fractions at different pHs, the alkaloidal CHCl(3) fraction at pH-9 (2C) showed the highest antipsychotic activity against dopaminergic (DA-D(2)) and serotonergic (5-HT(2A)) receptors in-vitro and amphetamine induced hyperactive mouse model in-vivo. The activity guided isolation of CHCl(3) fraction (2C) afforded six indole alkaloids: 10-methoxytetrahydroalstonine (1), isoreserpiline (2), an isomeric mixture of 11-demethoxyreserpiline (3) and 10-demethoxyreserpiline (4), α-yohimbine (5) and reserpiline (6). Given orally, alkaloids 3-6 showed significant antipsychotic activity in a dose dependent manner. None of the extract, alkaloidal fractions or alkaloids showed any extra pyramidal symptoms at the tested doses. It was also observed that MeOH extract was behaving similar to other clinically used novel atypical antipsychotics in having 5-HT(2A) occupancy greater than the DA-D(2) receptor at the tested doses. Further toxicity and safety evaluation studies of MeOH extracts of R. tetraphylla leaves at different doses (10, 100, 300 and 2000 mg/kg) on female Swiss albino mice showed that MeOH extract is non toxic. The isolated alkaloids, 3-6 could serve as a promising lead structure for drug development of treating psychotic conditions in human. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Naringin inhibits ovarian tumor growth by promoting apoptosis: An in vivo study.

PubMed

Cai, Liping; Wu, Heli; Tu, Chunhua; Wen, Xiaochun; Zhou, Bei

2018-07-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the antitumor activities of naringin in ovarian cancer, and to assess the underlying mechanisms. Ovarian tumor cells were implanted into nude mice to produce ovarian tumors in vivo . The mice were divided into six groups: Control, low dose naringin [0.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)], middle dose naringin (1 mg/kg, i.p.), high dose naringin (2 mg/kg, i.p.), positive control (cisplatin, 2 mg/kg, i.p.) and a combination of cisplatin and naringin (both 2 mg/kg). Following administration of naringin and/or cisplatin, the tumor size and weight were measured. Apoptosis of tumor cells was detected using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Apoptosis-associated gene expression was detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. In the range of 0.5-2 mg/kg, naringin dose-dependently inhibited tumor growth, as demonstrated by a decrease in tumor size and weight. Naringin promoted apoptosis of the ovarian tumor cells. Additionally, naringin reduced the expression of B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2, Bcl-extra large (Bcl-xL), cyclin D1, c-Myc and survivin, while it increased the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-7. The data demonstrated that naringin inhibited ovarian tumor growth in vivo . Its mechanisms may be associated with caspase-7-, caspase-3-, Bcl-2- and Bcl-xL-mediated apoptosis. Nevertheless, the clinical application of naringin in the treatment of ovarian cancer requires further study.

Concomitant Imaging Dose and Cancer Risk in Image Guided Thoracic Radiation Therapy

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

Zhang, Yibao; Wu, Hao; Chen, Zhe

Purpose: Kilovoltage cone beam computed tomography (CT) (kVCBCT) imaging guidance improves the accuracy of radiation therapy but imposes an extra radiation dose to cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate concomitant imaging dose and associated cancer risk in image guided thoracic radiation therapy. Methods and Materials: The planning CT images and structure sets of 72 patients were converted to CT phantoms whose chest circumferences (C{sub chest}) were calculated retrospectively. A low-dose thorax protocol on a Varian kVCBCT scanner was simulated by a validated Monte Carlo code. Computed doses to organs and cardiac substructures (for 5 selected patients of various dimensions)more » were regressed as empirical functions of C{sub chest}, and associated cancer risk was calculated using the published models. The exposures to nonthoracic organs in children were also investigated. Results: The structural mean doses decreased monotonically with increasing C{sub chest}. For all 72 patients, the median doses to the heart, spinal cord, breasts, lungs, and involved chest were 1.68, 1.33, 1.64, 1.62, and 1.58 cGy/scan, respectively. Nonthoracic organs in children received 0.6 to 2.8 cGy/scan if they were directly irradiated. The mean doses to the descending aorta (1.43 ± 0.68 cGy), left atrium (1.55 ± 0.75 cGy), left ventricle (1.68 ± 0.81 cGy), and right ventricle (1.85 ± 0.84 cGy) were significantly different (P<.05) from the heart mean dose (1.73 ± 0.82 cGy). The blade shielding alleviated the exposure to nonthoracic organs in children by an order of magnitude. Conclusions: As functions of patient size, a series of models for personalized estimation of kVCBCT doses to thoracic organs and cardiac substructures have been proposed. Pediatric patients received much higher doses than did the adults, and some nonthoracic organs could be irradiated unexpectedly by the default scanning protocol. Increased cancer risks and disease adverse events in the thorax were strongly related to higher imaging doses and smaller chest dimensions.« less

Physical aspects of total-body irradiation at the Middlesex Hospital (UCL group of hospitals), London 1988-1993: II. In vivo planning and dosimetry.

PubMed

Planskoy, B; Tapper, P D; Bedford, A M; Davis, F M

1996-11-01

Part II of this paper gives the results of applying the TBI methods described in part I, to in vivo patient planning and dosimetry. Patients are planned on nine CT based body slices, five of which pass through the lungs. Planned doses are verified with ten silicon diodes applied bi-laterally to five body sites, at each treatment. LiF TLDs are applied to seven other body sites at the first treatment only. For 84 patients and at least 1016 measurements per body site with the diodes, the mean measured total doses agreed with planned doses within at most 2% except at lung levels, where the mean measured dose was 3% too low. Standard deviations of the measurements about the mean were between 2.4 and 3.1%. For the LiF TLDs, the mean measured doses for all seven body sites were with in +/- 5% of planned doses. A separate assessment of measured entrance and transmitted doses showed that the former agreed well with planned doses, but that the latter tended to be low, especially over the lungs, and that they had a wider dispersion. Possible reasons for this are discussed. These results show measurement uncertainties similar to those for non-TBI treatments of Nilsson et al, Leunens et al and Essers et al. An analysis of the treatment plans showed a mean dose inhomogeneity in the body (75 patients, nine slices) of 19 +/- 6.0% (1 s.d.) and in the lungs (40 patients, five slices) of 9.2 +/- 2.85% (1 s.d.). The conclusions are that, overall, the methods are reasonably satisfactory but that, with an extra effort, even closer agreement between measured and planned doses and a further limited reduction in the body dose inhomogeneity could be obtained. However, if it were thought desirable to make a substantial reduction in the dose inhomogeneity in the body and lungs, this could only be achieved with the available equipment by changing from lateral to anterior-posterior irradiation and any potential advantages of this change would have to be balanced against a likely deterioration in patient comfort and an increase in treatment set-up times.

A single-blind cross over study investigating the efficacy of standard and controlled release levodopa in combination with entacapone in the treatment of end-of-dose effect in people with Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Iansek, R; Danoudis, M

2011-08-01

To determine the efficacy of standard levodopa combined with controlled release levodopa and entacapone in controlling end-of-dose symptoms in Parkinson's disease. A single-blind cross over design was used to compare the duration of action for three pharmacological combinations: standard levodopa (L/DDC); standard levodopa combined with entacapone (L/DDC/E); and standard levodopa combined with controlled release levodopa (CR) and entacapone (L/DDC/CR/E). Thirty two participants with wearing-off symptoms and inadequate symptom control with L/DDC/E had their optimum dose of L/DDC determined at base line. Entacapone was added to the optimal L/DDC dose and duration of action determined. Levodopa CR dosage was adjusted to match the optimal L/DDC dose for each participant. All participants were then trialed on L/DDC/CR/E and duration of response calculated. Timed Up and Go (TUG) times and magnitude of extra movements were recorded hourly throughout the day over several days to determine the optimum interval between doses for each combination. The UPDRS (Sections 2 and 3), PDQ39 and fatigue scale, the PDF-16, were recorded at base line and when dosage intervals had stabilized on L/DDC/CR/E. Duration of response was greatest with L/DDC/CR/E compared to L/DDC/E (p < 0.001) and number of daily doses were less on L/DDC/CR/E compared to L/DDC/E (p < 0.001). UPDRS, PDQ39 and fatigue scores also improved on L/DDC/CR/E compared to L/DDC (p < 0.001). Dyskinesia increased on L/DDC/CR/E (p = 0.001) however magnitude was mild. Combining standard levodopa and levodopa CR preparations with entacapone is an additional treatment strategy to manage motor fluctuations in advanced PD. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

COMPARISON OF ORGAN DOSES IN HUMAN PHANTOMS: VARIATIONS DUE TO BODY SIZE AND POSTURE.

PubMed

Feng, Xu; Xiang-Hong, Jia; Qian, Liu; Xue-Jun, Yu; Zhan-Chun, Pan; Chun-Xin, Yang

2017-04-20

Organ dose calculations performed using human phantoms can provide estimates of astronauts' health risks due to cosmic radiation. However, the characteristics of such phantoms strongly affect the estimation precision. To investigate organ dose variations with body size and posture in human phantoms, a non-uniform rational B-spline boundary surfaces model was constructed based on cryosection images. This model was used to establish four phantoms with different body size and posture parameters, whose organs parameters were changed simultaneously and which were voxelised with 4 × 4 × 4 mm3 resolution. Then, using Monte Carlo transport code, the organ doses caused by ≤500 MeV isotropic incident protons were calculated. The dose variations due to body size differences within a certain range were negligible, and the doses received in crouching and standing-up postures were similar. Therefore, a standard Chinese phantom could be established, and posture changes cannot effectively protect astronauts during solar particle events. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

The over-optimistic portrayal of life-supporting treatments in newspapers and on the Internet: a cross-sectional study using extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation as an example.

PubMed

Chen, Yen-Yuan; Chen, Likwang; Kao, Yu-Hui; Chu, Tzong-Shinn; Huang, Tien-Shang; Ko, Wen-Je

2014-08-01

Extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation has been introduced to clinical practice for several decades. It is unclear how internet and newspapers portray the use of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. This study were: (1) to quantify the coverage of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation use in newspapers and on the Internet; (2) to describe the characteristics of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation users presented in newspaper articles and the Internet web pages in comparison with those shown in extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation studies in Taiwan; and (3) to examine the survival rates of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation users presented in newspaper articles and the Internet web pages in comparison with those in Taiwan and in the Extracorporeal Life Support Registry Report International Summary for January 2014. All issues of Taiwan's four major newspapers from 2006 to 2010 were reviewed. In October 2011, a search of Internet web pages was performed based on the subjects of "yeh-ko-mo" (extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation in Traditional Chinese), "ECMO", and "extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation." All the Internet web pages and newspaper articles recounting the use of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation were reviewed. The information, such as patient characteristic and the status at hospital discharge, was collected. The survival rate of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation use shown on the Internet (83.97%) was significantly higher than all the survival rates reported in Taiwan's literature (p < .01) and in the Extracorporeal Life Support Registry Report International Summary for January 2014 (p < .01). In addition, the survival rate of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation use shown in newspapers (61.54%) was significantly higher than the average survival rate (43%) reported in Taiwan's literature, the pediatric average survival rate (51%), and the adult average survival rate (47%) in the Extracorporeal Life Support Registry Report International Summary for January 2014. Internet and newspapers both showed over-optimistic survival to hospital discharge for patients sustained by extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. Internet was more likely to provide optimistic information for aggressive life-supporting treatments such as extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation than newspapers as indicated by survival to hospital discharge.

Sterile Neutrino Searches in MINOS and MINOS+ Experiments

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

Huang, Junting

2015-05-01

This dissertation presents the searches on sterile neutrinos using the data collected in MINOS+ Experiment from September 2013 to September 2014, and the full data set of MINOS Experiment collected from 2005 to 2012. Anomalies in short baseline experiments, such as LSND and MiniBooNE, showed hints of sterile neutrinos, a type of neutrino that does not interact with the Standard Model particles. In this work, two models are considered: 3+1 and large extra dimension (LED). In the 3+1 model, one sterile neutrino state is added into the standard oscillation scheme consisting of three known active neutrino states v e, vmore » μ and v τ. In the LED model, sterile neutrinos arise as Kaluza-Klein (KK) states due to assumed large extra dimensions. Mixing between sterile and active neutrino states may modify the oscillation patterns observed in the MINOS detectors. Both searches yield null results. For 3+1, a combined fit of MINOS and MINOS+ data gives a stronger limit on θ 24 in the range of 10 -2 eV 2 < Δm 41 2 < 1 eV 2 than previous experiments. For LED, with the complete MINOS data set, the size of extra dimensions is constrained to be smaller than ~ 0.35 μm at 90% C.L. in the limit of a vanishing lightest neutrino mass.« less

Concomitant injuries are an important determinant of outcome of high-grade blunt hepatic trauma.

PubMed

Schnüriger, B; Inderbitzin, D; Schafer, M; Kickuth, R; Exadaktylos, A; Candinas, D

2009-01-01

Little is known about the clinical importance of concomitant injuries in polytraumatized patients with high-grade blunt liver injury. A retrospective single-centre study was performed to investigate the safety of non-operative management of liver injury and the impact of concomitant intra- and extra-abdominal injuries on clinical outcome. Some 183 patients with blunt liver injury were admitted to Berne University Hospital, Switzerland, between January 2000 and December 2006. Grade 3-5 injuries were considered to be high grade. Immediate laparotomy was required by 35 patients (19.1 per cent), owing to extrahepatic intra-abdominal injury (splenic and vascular injuries, perforations) in 21 cases. The mortality rate was 16.9 per cent; 22 of the 31 deaths were due to concomitant lesions. Of 81 patients with high-grade liver injury, 63 (78 per cent) were managed without surgery; liver-related and extra-abdominal complication rates in these patients were 11 and 17 per cent respectively. Grades 4 and 5 liver injury were associated with hepatic-related and extra-abdominal complications. Concomitant injuries are a major determinant of outcome in patients with blunt hepatic injury and should be given high priority by trauma surgeons. An algorithm for the management of blunt liver injury is proposed. Copyright (c) 2008 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Breast compression in mammography: how much is enough?

PubMed

Poulos, Ann; McLean, Donald; Rickard, Mary; Heard, Robert

2003-06-01

The amount of breast compression that is applied during mammography potentially influences image quality and the discomfort experienced. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between applied compression force, breast thickness, reported discomfort and image quality. Participants were women attending routine breast screening by mammography at BreastScreen New South Wales Central and Eastern Sydney. During the mammographic procedure, an 'extra' craniocaudal (CC) film was taken at a reduced level of compression ranging from 10 to 30 Newtons. Breast thickness measurements were recorded for both the normal and the extra CC film. Details of discomfort experienced, cup size, menstrual status, existing breast pain and breast problems were also recorded. Radiologists were asked to compare the image quality of the normal and manipulated film. The results indicated that 24% of women did not experience a difference in thickness when the compression was reduced. This is an important new finding because the aim of breast compression is to reduce breast thickness. If breast thickness is not reduced when compression force is applied then discomfort is increased with no benefit in image quality. This has implications for mammographic practice when determining how much breast compression is sufficient. Radiologists found a decrease in contrast resolution within the fatty area of the breast between the normal and the extra CC film, confirming a decrease in image quality due to insufficient applied compression force.

Atomic-scale understanding of non-stoichiometry effects on the electrochemical performance of Ni-rich cathode materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Fantai; Liang, Chaoping; Longo, Roberto C.; Zheng, Yongping; Cho, Kyeongjae

2018-02-01

As the next-generation high energy capacity cathode materials for Li-ion batteries, Ni-rich oxides face the problem of obtaining near-stoichiometric phases due to excessive Ni occupying Li sites. These extra-Ni-defects drastically affect the electrochemical performance. Despite of its importance, the fundamental correlation between such defects and the key electrochemical properties is still poorly understood. In this work, using density-functional-theory, we report a comprehensive study on the effects of non-stoichiometric phases on properties of Ni-rich layered oxides. For instance, extra-Ni-defects trigger charge disproportionation reaction within the system, alleviating the Jahn-Teller distortion of Ni3+ ions, which constitutes an important reason for their low formation energies. Kinetic studies of these defects reveal their immobile nature, creating a "pillar effect" that increases the structural stability. Ab initio molecular dynamics revealed Li depletion regions surrounding extra-Ni-defects, which are ultimate responsible for the arduous Li diffusion and re-intercalation, resulting in poor rate performance and initial capacity loss. Finally, the method with combination of high valence cation doping and ion-exchange synthesis is regarded as the most promising way to obtain stoichiometric oxides. Overall, this work not only deepens our understanding of non-stoichiometric Ni-rich layered oxides, but also enables further optimizations of high energy density cathode materials.

Adrenal gland involvement in the regulation of renal 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2.

PubMed

Zallocchi, Marisa Laura; Matkovic, Laura; Calvo, Juan Carlos; Damasco, María Cristina

2004-06-01

Renal 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (HSD2) catalyzes the conversion of active glucocorticoids to inert 11beta-keto compounds, thereby preventing the illicit binding of these hormones to mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) and, thus, conferring aldosterone specificity. Absence or inhibition of HSD2 activity, originates a hypertensive syndrome with sodium retention and increased potassium elimination. Recent studies from our laboratory reported an increment of HSD2 activity in intact-stressed rats. To evaluate the adrenal involvement in this increase, we analyzed HSD2 activity and protein abundance in Intact, Sham-operated, and adrenalectomized rats under stress situations (gavage with an overload of 200 mM HCl (10 ml) and simulated gavage) or with corticosterone replacement. HSD2 activity was assessed in renal microsomal preparations obtained from different groups of animals. HSD2 protein abundance was measured by Western-blot. Circulating corticosterone was determined by radioimmunoassay. Sham-operated animals showed an increase in HSD2 activity and abundance compared to Intact and adrenalectomized rats suggesting the involvement of stress-related adrenal factors in HSD2 regulation. In the case of acidotic adrenalectomized animals, there was an increase in renal HSD2 activity when, along with the HCl overload, the rats were injected with corticosterone. This increment occurred without an increase in enzyme abundance. These results suggest the importance of circulating levels of glucocorticoids to respond to a metabolic acidosis, through regulation of HSD2 stimulation. The group subjected to a simulated gavage showed an increase in enzyme activity and protein abundance, thus demonstrating the need for both adrenal and extra-factors in the modulation of renal HSD2. The adrenalectomized animals injected with different doses of corticosterone, produced a progressive increase in enzyme activity and abundance, being significant for the dose of 68 microg corticosterone/100 g body weight. The highest dose (308 microg/100 g body weight) did not show any variation in activity and abundance compared to the control group. This biphasic effect of glucocorticoids could be explained taking into account their permissive and suppressive actions, depending on their blood levels. Knowing that stress induces multifactorial responses, it should not be surprising to observe a differential regulation in renal HSD2, confirming that different stressors act through different factors of both, adrenal and extra-adrenal origin. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Cardioprotective aspirin users and their excess risk of upper gastrointestinal complications.

PubMed

Hernández-Díaz, Sonia; García Rodríguez, Luis A

2006-09-20

To balance the cardiovascular benefits from low-dose aspirin against the gastrointestinal harm caused, studies have considered the coronary heart disease risk for each individual but not their gastrointestinal risk profile. We characterized the gastrointestinal risk profile of low-dose aspirin users in real clinical practice, and estimated the excess risk of upper gastrointestinal complications attributable to aspirin among patients with different gastrointestinal risk profiles. To characterize aspirin users in terms of major gastrointestinal risk factors (i.e., advanced age, male sex, prior ulcer history and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), we used The General Practice Research Database in the United Kingdom and the Base de Datos para la Investigación Farmacoepidemiológica en Atención Primaria in Spain. To estimate the baseline risk of upper gastrointestinal complications according to major gastrointestinal risk factors and the excess risk attributable to aspirin within levels of these factors, we used previously published meta-analyses on both absolute and relative risks of upper gastrointestinal complications. Over 60% of aspirin users are above 60 years of age, 4 to 6% have a recent history of peptic ulcers and over 13% use other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The estimated average excess risk of upper gastrointestinal complications attributable to aspirin is around 5 extra cases per 1,000 aspirin users per year. However, the excess risk varies in parallel to the underlying gastrointestinal risk and might be above 10 extra cases per 1,000 person-years in over 10% of aspirin users. In addition to the cardiovascular risk, the underlying gastrointestinal risk factors have to be considered when balancing harms and benefits of aspirin use for an individual patient. The gastrointestinal harms may offset the cardiovascular benefits in certain groups of patients where the gastrointestinal risk is high and the cardiovascular risk is low.

Cardioprotective aspirin users and their excess risk of upper gastrointestinal complications

PubMed Central

Hernández-Díaz, Sonia; García Rodríguez, Luis A

2006-01-01

Background To balance the cardiovascular benefits from low-dose aspirin against the gastrointestinal harm caused, studies have considered the coronary heart disease risk for each individual but not their gastrointestinal risk profile. We characterized the gastrointestinal risk profile of low-dose aspirin users in real clinical practice, and estimated the excess risk of upper gastrointestinal complications attributable to aspirin among patients with different gastrointestinal risk profiles. Methods To characterize aspirin users in terms of major gastrointestinal risk factors (i.e., advanced age, male sex, prior ulcer history and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), we used The General Practice Research Database in the United Kingdom and the Base de Datos para la Investigación Farmacoepidemiológica en Atención Primaria in Spain. To estimate the baseline risk of upper gastrointestinal complications according to major gastrointestinal risk factors and the excess risk attributable to aspirin within levels of these factors, we used previously published meta-analyses on both absolute and relative risks of upper gastrointestinal complications. Results Over 60% of aspirin users are above 60 years of age, 4 to 6% have a recent history of peptic ulcers and over 13% use other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The estimated average excess risk of upper gastrointestinal complications attributable to aspirin is around 5 extra cases per 1,000 aspirin users per year. However, the excess risk varies in parallel to the underlying gastrointestinal risk and might be above 10 extra cases per 1,000 person-years in over 10% of aspirin users. Conclusion In addition to the cardiovascular risk, the underlying gastrointestinal risk factors have to be considered when balancing harms and benefits of aspirin use for an individual patient. The gastrointestinal harms may offset the cardiovascular benefits in certain groups of patients where the gastrointestinal risk is high and the cardiovascular risk is low. PMID:16987411

Early discharge after high-dose melphalan and peripheral blood stem cell reinfusion in patients with hematological and non-hematological disease.

PubMed

Anastasia, Antonella; Giglio, Fabio; Mazza, Rita; Sarina, Barbara; Todisco, Elisabetta; Bramanti, Stefania; Castagna, Luca

2009-01-01

The purpose of this study was to analyse our experience of early discharge 2 days after high-dose melphalan (HDM) (Day-1) followed by peripheral blood stem cell re-infusion (Day-0) and re-admission on Day +5 in patients with hematological diseases or solid tumors. From 2000 to November 2005, seven patients received tandem Melphalan 200 mg/m(2) HDM with peripheral blood stem cells transplantation (PBSC-T), 130 a single HDM, for a total of 144 procedures. In 123 of them, patients were discharged on Day +1 for re-admission on Day +5 or earlier in the event of complications. Antibiotic prophylaxis was not used. Patients were hospitalised in positive-pressure reverse isolation room during the neutropenic period. Of the 123 procedures eligible for our mixed inpatient-outpatient management regimen, six (5%) required early re-admission for complications. Full engraftment was achieved in all cases. Median time to neutrophil count >0.5 x 10(9)/microL and >1 x 10(9)/microL were 12 and 14 days, respectively. Median time to platelet recovery (>20 x 10(9)/microL) was 13 days. Severe extra-hematological toxicities occurred in 78 (63%) patients: all had oral mucositis and five had associated diarrhoea. During hospitalisation, 94/123 (76%) experienced febrile neutropenia, 20/94 (21%) had documented infection and 74/94 (79%) were considered fever of unknown origin. Median fever duration was 1 day (range 0-11). Median duration of antibiotic treatment was 6 days (range 3-26). Median time to discharge (from Day 0) was 16 days (range 11-57). There was no mortality by on Day +100. Our experience of early discharge after HDM and PBSC-T with re-admission on Day +5 is safe and feasible with acceptable frequency of hematological and extra-hematological toxicities. The regimen allows reduced hospital stay and hence cost savings.

Diuretics in primary hypertension - Reloaded.

PubMed

Mishra, Sundeep

Diuretics have long been cherished as drugs of choice for uncomplicated primary hypertension. Robust mortality and morbidity data is available for diuretics to back this strategy. Off-late the interest for diuretics has waned off perhaps due to availability of more effective drugs but more likely due to perceived lack of tolerance and side-effect profile of high-dose of diuretics required for mortality benefit. Low-dose diuretics particularly thiazide diuretics are safer but lack the mortality benefit shown by high-dose. However, indapamide and low dose chlorthalidone have fewer side-effects but continue to provide mortality benefit. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Cyclophosphamide priming reduces intestinal damage in man following high dose melphalan chemotherapy.

PubMed Central

Selby, P. J.; Lopes, N.; Mundy, J.; Crofts, M.; Millar, J. L.; McElwain, T. J.

1987-01-01

A small pre-treatment 'priming' dose of cyclophosphamide will reduce gut damage due to high dose i.v. melphalan in mice and sheep but efforts to demonstrate this effect in man have been hampered by difficulty in the measurement of gut damage. We have evaluated the 51CR EDTA absorption test, a new method for measuring intestinal permeability, as a means of assessing damage due to high dose melphalan. The test was reliable, with a narrow normal range, easy to use and well tolerated. It detected an increase in intestinal permeability after high dose melphalan with a maximum occurring between 9 and 15 days after treatment and subsequently returning to normal. It was shown in 19 patients that a pre-treatment dose of cyclophosphamide was capable of significantly reducing the abnormalities in intestinal permeability which resulted from high dose melphalan. PMID:3111515

Primary Education in Vietnam: Extra Classes and Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ha, Tran Thu; Harpham, Trudy

2005-01-01

Extra classes are increasingly observed in both developed and developing countries. In Vietnam, a country where education reforms are at their height, extra classes are proliferating and have become a concern to society and the government. Although the government has banned extra classes that are independent of school administration, teachers…

23 CFR 635.120 - Changes and extra work.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE Contract Procedures § 635.120 Changes and extra work. (a) Following authorization to proceed with a project, all major changes in the plans and contract provisions and all major extra... to what constitutes a non-major change and non-major extra work. (c) Changes in contract time, as...

Persistent anterograde amnesia due to the artery of Percheron occlusion: a case report.

PubMed

Ince, Birsen; Asan, Furkan

2018-04-01

Bilateral thalamic infarction involving the artery of Percheron (AOP) can cause diagnostic difficulties due to the varying clinical presentations. AOP infarcts presented with isolated memory impairment are not common and the factors affecting the persistence of memory disorders are still unknown. A 41-year-old male patient was hospitalized with acute unconsciousness. MRI disclosed bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction The patient had isolated memory deficit and his anterograde amnesia continued without any change in the past decade. More cases might answer the questions concerning the intra- and extra-thalamic structures responsible for the amnesic syndrome and the factors affecting the persistence of the symptoms.

Breakdown of the coherence effects and Fermi liquid behavior in YbAl3 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Echevarria-Bonet, C.; Rojas, D. P.; Espeso, J. I.; Rodríguez Fernández, J.; Rodríguez Fernández, L.; Bauer, E.; Burdin, S.; Magalhães, S. G.; Fernández Barquín, L.

2018-04-01

A change in the Kondo lattice behavior of bulk YbAl3 has been observed when the alloy is shaped into nanoparticles (≈12 nm). Measurements of the electrical resistivity show inhibited coherence effects and deviation from the standard Fermi liquid behavior (T 2-dependence). These results are interpreted as being due to the effect of the disruption of the periodicity of the array of Kondo ions provoked by the size reduction process. Additionally, the ensemble of randomly placed nanoparticles also triggers an extra source of electronic scattering at very low temperatures (≈15 K) due to quantum interference effects.

Structural Response of the Earth's Crust to an Extra-Terrestrial Source of Stress by Identifying its Characteristic Pattern

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dasgupta, B.

2016-12-01

The earth's crust is a geodynamic realm, which is constantly evolving. Due to its dynamic nature, the crust is constantly being subjected to remodelling. The earth's crustal response to stress is a result of isostatic compensation. The crust is also a living proof of yesteryears' dynamics. Extra-terrestrial agents of deformation refers to meteorites, asteroids etc. These are catastrophic events that influence a larger area (considering larger impact bodies). They effect the crust from outside, hence leave behind very specific structural signatures.Consider an extra-terrestrial object impacting the earth's crust. The problem can be broken down into 3 parts: Pre Impact (kinematics of the object and nature of surface of impact); Syn Impact (dissipation of energy and formation of crater); and Post Impact (structural response, geophysical anomalies and effect on biota)Upon impact, the projectile penetrates the earth's crust to a depth of twice its diameter. Shock waves generated due impact propagate in all possible directions. The reflected waves cause complete melting and vaporization of the impact body. At the same time, increased internal energy of the system melts the target rock. Depending on the thickness and density of crustal matter, its' interaction with the mantle is determined. Data collection from such impact sites is the first step towards its theoretical modeling. Integrating geophysical (seismic, magnetic), paleomagnetic, geochemical and geo-chronological data one can determine the kinematic parameters that governed the event. A working model that illustrates the crustal responses to extraterrestrial stress of extreme magnitude cannot be qualitative. Hence the most fundamental thing at this point is quantification of these parameters. The variables form a `mass-energy equation', a simple theorem in Classical Physics. This project is directed to give the equation its shape. The equation will be the foundation on which the simulation model will rest. Mass energy equation for Hyper velocity bolide impact mechanics: E1 + E2 = E3 + E4 + E5)

Cobalt-60 Machines and Medical Linear Accelerators: Competing Technologies for External Beam Radiotherapy.

PubMed

Healy, B J; van der Merwe, D; Christaki, K E; Meghzifene, A

2017-02-01

Medical linear accelerators (linacs) and cobalt-60 machines are both mature technologies for external beam radiotherapy. A comparison is made between these two technologies in terms of infrastructure and maintenance, dosimetry, shielding requirements, staffing, costs, security, patient throughput and clinical use. Infrastructure and maintenance are more demanding for linacs due to the complex electric componentry. In dosimetry, a higher beam energy, modulated dose rate and smaller focal spot size mean that it is easier to create an optimised treatment with a linac for conformal dose coverage of the tumour while sparing healthy organs at risk. In shielding, the requirements for a concrete bunker are similar for cobalt-60 machines and linacs but extra shielding and protection from neutrons are required for linacs. Staffing levels can be higher for linacs and more staff training is required for linacs. Life cycle costs are higher for linacs, especially multi-energy linacs. Security is more complex for cobalt-60 machines because of the high activity radioactive source. Patient throughput can be affected by source decay for cobalt-60 machines but poor maintenance and breakdowns can severely affect patient throughput for linacs. In clinical use, more complex treatment techniques are easier to achieve with linacs, and the availability of electron beams on high-energy linacs can be useful for certain treatments. In summary, there is no simple answer to the question of the choice of either cobalt-60 machines or linacs for radiotherapy in low- and middle-income countries. In fact a radiotherapy department with a combination of technologies, including orthovoltage X-ray units, may be an option. Local needs, conditions and resources will have to be factored into any decision on technology taking into account the characteristics of both forms of teletherapy, with the primary goal being the sustainability of the radiotherapy service over the useful lifetime of the equipment. Copyright © 2016 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of the reference air kerma rate for 192Ir brachytherapy sources and the related uncertainty.

PubMed

van Dijk, Eduard; Kolkman-Deurloo, Inger-Karine K; Damen, Patricia M G

2004-10-01

Different methods exist to determine the air kerma calibration factor of an ionization chamber for the spectrum of a 192Ir high-dose-rate (HDR) or pulsed-dose-rate (PDR) source. An analysis of two methods to obtain such a calibration factor was performed: (i) the method recommended by [Goetsch et al., Med. Phys. 18, 462-467 (1991)] and (ii) the method employed by the Dutch national standards institute NMi [Petersen et al., Report S-EI-94.01 (NMi, Delft, The Netherlands, 1994)]. This analysis showed a systematic difference on the order of 1% in the determination of the strength of 192Ir HDR and PDR sources depending on the method used for determining the air kerma calibration factor. The definitive significance of the difference between these methods can only be addressed after performing an accurate analysis of the associated uncertainties. For an NE 2561 (or equivalent) ionization chamber and an in-air jig, a typical uncertainty budget of 0.94% was found with the NMi method. The largest contribution in the type-B uncertainty is the uncertainty in the air kerma calibration factor for isotope i, N(i)k, as determined by the primary or secondary standards laboratories. This uncertainty is dominated by the uncertainties in the physical constants for the average mass-energy absorption coefficient ratio and the stopping power ratios. This means that it is not foreseeable that the standards laboratories can decrease the uncertainty in the air kerma calibration factors for ionization chambers in the short term. When the results of the determination of the 192Ir reference air kerma rates in, e.g., different institutes are compared, the uncertainties in the physical constants are the same. To compare the applied techniques, the ratio of the results can be judged by leaving out the uncertainties due to these physical constants. In that case an uncertainty budget of 0.40% (coverage factor=2) should be taken into account. Due to the differences in approach between the method used by NMi and the method recommended by Goetsch et al., an extra type-B uncertainty of 0.9% (k= 1) has to be taken into account when the method of Goetsch et al. is applied. Compared to the uncertainty of 1% (k= 2) found for the air calibration of 192Ir, the difference of 0.9% found is significant.

Evaluation and optimization of the new EBT2 radiochromic film dosimetry system for patient dose verification in radiotherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richley, L.; John, A. C.; Coomber, H.; Fletcher, S.

2010-05-01

A new radiochromic film, the yellow Gafchromic EBT2, has been marketed as a drop-in replacement for the discontinued blue EBT film. In order to verify the manufacturer's claims prior to clinical use, EBT2 was characterized in transmission, and the less commonly used, reflection modes with an Epson Expression 10000XL A3 flatbed scanner. The red channel was confirmed to provide the greatest sensitivity and was used for all measurements. The post-irradiation darkening of the film was investigated, and the relative response was found to be dose dependent with higher doses stabilizing earlier than lower doses. After 13 h all dose levels had stabilized to within 1% of their value at 24 h. Uniformity of irradiated EBT2 films was within 0.8% and 1.2% (2SD of signal), in reflection and transmission modes, respectively. The light scattering effect, arising from the structure and thickness of EBT2, was found to give rise to an apparent scanner non-uniformity of up to 5.5% in signal. In reflection mode, differences of up to 1.2% were found between the signal obtained from a small film fragment (5 × 5 cm2) and the signal obtained from the same fragment bordered by extra film. Further work is needed to determine the origin of this effect, as there will be implications for reflection dosimetry of intensity modulated fields; reflection mode cannot yet be regarded as a viable alternative to transmission mode. Our results suggest that EBT2 film is a valid alternative, rather than a direct replacement for EBT film.

Phase holograms in PMMA with proximity effect correction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maker, Paul D.; Muller, R. E.

1993-01-01

Complex computer generated phase holograms (CGPH's) have been fabricated in PMMA by partial e-beam exposure and subsequent partial development. The CGPH was encoded as a sequence of phase delay pixels and written by the JEOL JBX-5D2 E-beam lithography system, a different dose being assigned to each value of phase delay. Following carefully controlled partial development, the pattern appeared rendered in relief in the PMMA, which then acts as the phase-delay medium. The exposure dose was in the range 20-200 micro-C/sq cm, and very aggressive development in pure acetone led to low contrast. This enabled etch depth control to better than plus or minus lambda(sub vis)/60. That result was obtained by exposing isolated 50 micron square patches and measuring resist removal over the central area where the proximity effect dose was uniform and related only to the local exposure. For complex CGPH's with pixel size of the order of the e-beam proximity effect radius, the patterns must be corrected for the extra exposure caused by electrons scattered back up out of the substrate. This has been accomplished by deconvolving the two-dimensional dose deposition function with the desired dose pattern. The deposition function, which plays much the same role as an instrument response function, was carefully measured under the exact conditions used to expose the samples. The devices fabricated were designed with 16 equal phase steps per retardation cycle, were up to 1 cm square, and consisted of up to 100 million 0.3-2.0 micron square pixels. Data files were up to 500 MB long and exposure times ranged to tens of hours. A Fresnel phase lens was fabricated that had diffraction limited optical performance with better than 85 percent efficiency.

[Effects of several inhibitors of intracellular signaling on production of cytokines and signal proteins in RAW 264.7 cells cultivated with low dose ammonium].

PubMed

Novoselova, E G; Parfeniuk, S B; Glushkova, O V; Khrenov, M O; Novoselova, T V; Lunin, S M; Fesenko, E E

2012-01-01

Effects of four inhibitors of NF-kappaB, SAPK/JNK and TLR4 signaling, namely, inhibitor XII, SP600125, CLI-095 and Oxpapc on a macrophage response to low dose ammonium were studied in RAW 264.7 cells. Low dose ammonium induced pro-inflammatory response in cells as judged from enhanced production of TNF-alpha, IF-gamma, and IL-6, and by activation of signal cascades. The increase in production of cytokines, namely TNF, IFN, and IL-6, demonstrated that low-dose ammonium induced a pro-inflammatory cellular response. In addition, an activation of NF-kappaB and SAPK/JNK cascades, as well as enhancement of TLR4 expression was shown. Each of used inhibitors reduced to a variable degree the pro-inflammatory response of RAW 264.7 cells on chemical toxin by decreasing cytokine production. The inhibitor of NF-kappaB cascade, IKK Inhibitor XII, was more effective, and not only prevented the development of pro-inflammatory response induced by ammonium, but also decreased cytokine production below control values. The inhibitor of extra cellular domains of TLR2 and TLR4 (OxPAPC) had almost the same anti-inflammatory effect, and an addition of the inhibitor of JNK cascade (SP600125) to cell culture practically neutralized effect of ammonium ions by decreasing cytokine production to control level. Inhibitory analysis showed that activation of RAW 264.7 cells induced by chemical toxin coincide incompletely with intracellular signaling pathways that were early determined regarding macrophage's response to toxin from gram-negative bacteria. Nevertheless, application of the inhibitors defended RAW 264.7 from toxic effect of the low dose ammonium.

Measuring Close Binary Stars with Speckle Interferometry

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

extra effort to be measured. One method of observing such binary star systems is to use adaptive optics to correct the atmospheric blur in real-time...simplicity, and with no loss in generalization, this analysis will be reduced to one dimension . From equation (4), it can be seen that the frequency (u...the binary pair are systematically too large , due to the displacement of the minima of the fringes by the atmospheric OTF, when left uncorrected

[Is scuba diving allowed in diabetic patients treated with insulin?].

PubMed

Dufaitre, L; Vialettes, B

2000-11-01

Scuba diving is usually prohibited in diabetic patients at risk of hypoglycemic attacks (i.e. IDDM and NIDDM treated with sulfonylureas) due to the particular severity of these episodes in a hostile environment. In fact, diabetic subjects can perform this popular leisure activity without extra-risk, provided strict requisites in aptitude, practice and environment are enforced. These limitations lead to the establishment of practical guidelines, as proposed in this paper.

A NEW MEDIUM‐TERM BIOASSAY SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CARCINOGENS USING DIETHYLNITROSAMINE‐INITIATED RAT LIVER FOLLOWED BY D‐GALACTOSAMINE TREATMENT AND PARTIAL HEPATECTOMY

PubMed Central

Ito, Nobuyuki; Imaida, Katsumi; de Camargo, Joao Lauro V.; Takahashi, Satoru; Asamoto, Makoto; Tsuda, Hiroyuki

1988-01-01

The effects of D‐galactosamine on induction of preneoplastic glutathione S‐transferase placental form positive liver foci were investigated in F344 rats pretreated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in an attempt to improve the predictive value of the medium‐term bioassay system developed in our laboratory. Two weeks after the initial single ip dose (200 mg/kg) of DEN, administration of test compounds was commenced simultaneously with an ip injection of D‐galactosamine at a dose of 300 mg/kg body wt. All rats were then subjected to two‐thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) at week 5 and sacrificed for assessment of lesion yield at week 8. Measurement and comparison of the numbers and areas of glutathione S‐transferase placental form positive (GST‐P+) foci per cm2 revealed a positive response to more carcinogens, including non‐hepatocarcinogens, than did the same bioassay system without injection of D‐galactosamine. Thus the results suggest that inclusion of this extra proliferative stimulus may improve the medium‐term detection of carcinogens and modifiers. PMID:3136108

Quantifying inbreeding avoidance through extra-pair reproduction

PubMed Central

Reid, Jane M; Arcese, Peter; Keller, Lukas F; Germain, Ryan R; Duthie, A Bradley; Losdat, Sylvain; Wolak, Matthew E; Nietlisbach, Pirmin

2015-01-01

Extra-pair reproduction is widely hypothesized to allow females to avoid inbreeding with related socially paired males. Consequently, numerous field studies have tested the key predictions that extra-pair offspring are less inbred than females’ alternative within-pair offspring, and that the probability of extra-pair reproduction increases with a female's relatedness to her socially paired male. However, such studies rarely measure inbreeding or relatedness sufficiently precisely to detect subtle effects, or consider biases stemming from failure to observe inbred offspring that die during early development. Analyses of multigenerational song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) pedigree data showed that most females had opportunity to increase or decrease the coefficient of inbreeding of their offspring through extra-pair reproduction with neighboring males. In practice, observed extra-pair offspring had lower inbreeding coefficients than females’ within-pair offspring on average, while the probability of extra-pair reproduction increased substantially with the coefficient of kinship between a female and her socially paired male. However, simulations showed that such effects could simply reflect bias stemming from inbreeding depression in early offspring survival. The null hypothesis that extra-pair reproduction is random with respect to kinship therefore cannot be definitively rejected in song sparrows, and existing general evidence that females avoid inbreeding through extra-pair reproduction requires reevaluation given such biases. PMID:25346331

Heritability of female extra-pair paternity rate in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia)

PubMed Central

Reid, Jane M.; Arcese, Peter; Sardell, Rebecca J.; Keller, Lukas F.

2011-01-01

The forces driving the evolution of extra-pair reproduction in socially monogamous animals remain widely debated and unresolved. One key hypothesis is that female extra-pair reproduction evolves through indirect genetic benefits, reflecting increased additive genetic value of extra-pair offspring. Such evolution requires that a female's propensity to produce offspring that are sired by an extra-pair male is heritable. However, additive genetic variance and heritability in female extra-pair paternity (EPP) rate have not been quantified, precluding accurate estimation of the force of indirect selection. Sixteen years of comprehensive paternity and pedigree data from socially monogamous but genetically polygynandrous song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) showed significant additive genetic variance and heritability in the proportion of a female's offspring that was sired by an extra-pair male, constituting major components of the genetic architecture required for extra-pair reproduction to evolve through indirect additive genetic benefits. However, estimated heritabilities were moderately small (0.12 and 0.18 on the observed and underlying latent scales, respectively). The force of selection on extra-pair reproduction through indirect additive genetic benefits may consequently be relatively weak. However, the additive genetic variance and non-zero heritability observed in female EPP rate allow for multiple further genetic mechanisms to drive and constrain mating system evolution. PMID:20980302

Acinetobacter Prosthetic Joint Infection Treated with Debridement and High-Dose Tigecycline.

PubMed

Vila, Andrea; Pagella, Hugo; Amadio, Claudio; Leiva, Alejandro

2016-12-01

Prosthesis retention is not recommended for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter prosthetic joint infection due to its high failure rate. Nevertheless, replacing the prosthesis implies high morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. Although tigecycline is not approved for the treatment of prosthetic joint infection due to multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, its appropriate use may preclude prosthesis exchange. Since the area under the curve divided by the minimum inhibitory concentration is the best pharmacodynamic predictor of its efficacy, we used tigecycline at high dose, in order to optimize its efficacy and achieve implant retention in 3 patients who refused prosthesis exchange. All patients with prosthetic joint infections treated at our Institution are prospectively registered in a database. Three patients with early prosthetic joint infection of total hip arthroplasty due to multidrug resistant A. baumannii were treated with debridement, antibiotics and implant retention, using a high maintenance dose of tigecycline (100 mg every 12 hours). The cases were retrospectively reviewed. All patients signed informed consent for receiving off-label use of tigecycline. Tigecycline was well tolerated, allowing its administration at high maintenance dose for a median of 40 days (range 30-60). Two patients were then switched to minocycline at standard doses for a median of 3.3 months in order to complete treatment. Currently, none of the patients showed relapse. Increasing the dose of tigecycline could be considered as a means to better attain pharmacodynamic targets in patients with severe or difficult-to-treat infections. Tigecycline at high maintenance dose might be useful when retention of the implant is attempted for treatment for prosthetic joint infections due to multidrug resistant Acinetobacter. Although this approach might be promising, off-label use of tigecycline should be interpreted cautiously until prospective data are available. Tigecycline is probably under-dosed for the treatment of implant and biofilm associated infections.

Calculation of Radiation Protection Quantities and Analysis of Astronaut Orientation Dependence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clowdsley, Martha S.; Nealy, John E.; Atwell, William; Anderson, Brooke M.; Luetke, Nathan J.; Wilson, John W.

2006-01-01

Health risk to astronauts due to exposure to ionizing radiation is a primary concern for exploration missions and may become the limiting factor for long duration missions. Methodologies for evaluating this risk in terms of radiation protection quantities such as dose, dose equivalent, gray equivalent, and effective dose are described. Environment models (galactic cosmic ray and solar particle event), vehicle/habitat geometry models, human geometry models, and transport codes are discussed and sample calculations for possible lunar and Mars missions are used as demonstrations. The dependence of astronaut health risk, in terms of dosimetric quantities, on astronaut orientation within a habitat is also examined. Previous work using a space station type module exposed to a proton spectrum modeling the October 1989 solar particle event showed that reorienting the astronaut within the module could change the calculated dose equivalent by a factor of two or more. Here the dose equivalent to various body tissues and the whole body effective dose due to both galactic cosmic rays and a solar particle event are calculated for a male astronaut in two different orientations, vertical and horizontal, in a representative lunar habitat. These calculations also show that the dose equivalent at some body locations resulting from a solar particle event can vary by a factor of two or more, but that the dose equivalent due to galactic cosmic rays has a much smaller (<15%) dependence on astronaut orientation.

Radiation dose distributions due to sudden ejection of cobalt device.

PubMed

Abdelhady, Amr

2016-09-01

The evaluation of the radiation dose during accident in a nuclear reactor is of great concern from the viewpoint of safety. One of important accident must be analyzed and may be occurred in open pool type reactor is the rejection of cobalt device. The study is evaluating the dose rate levels resulting from upset withdrawal of co device especially the radiation dose received by the operator in the control room. Study of indirect radiation exposure to the environment due to skyshine effect is also taken into consideration in order to evaluate the radiation dose levels around the reactor during the ejection trip. Microshield, SHLDUTIL, and MCSky codes were used in this study to calculate the radiation dose profiles during cobalt device ejection trip inside and outside the reactor building. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Doses from beta radiation in sensitive layers of human lung and dose conversion factors due to 222Rn/220Rn progeny.

PubMed

Markovic, V M; Stevanovic, N; Nikezic, D

2011-08-01

Great deal of work has been devoted to determine doses from alpha particles emitted by (222)Rn and (220)Rn progeny. In contrast, contribution of beta particles to total dose has been neglected by most of the authors. The present work describes a study of the detriment of (222)Rn and (220)Rn progeny to the human lung due to beta particles. The dose conversion factor (DCF) was introduced to relate effective dose and exposure to radon progeny; it is defined as effective dose per unit exposure to inhaled radon or thoron progeny. Doses and DCFs were determined for beta radiation in sensitive layers of bronchi (BB) and bronchioles (bb), taking into account inhaled (222)Rn and (220)Rn progeny deposited in mucus and cilia layer. The nuclei columnar secretory and short basal cells were considered to be sensitive target layers. For dose calculation, electron-absorbed fractions (AFs) in the sensitive layers of the BB and bb regions were used. Activities in the fast and slow mucus of the BB and bb regions were obtained using the LUNGDOSE software developed earlier. Calculated DCFs due to beta radiation were 0.21 mSv/WLM for (222)Rn and 0.06 mSv/WLM for (220)Rn progeny. In addition, the influence of Jacobi room parameters on DCFs was investigated, and it was shown that DCFs vary with these parameters by up to 50%.

A New Cross-By-Pass-Torus Architecture Based on CBP-Mesh and Torus Interconnection for On-Chip Communication.

PubMed

Gulzari, Usman Ali; Sajid, Muhammad; Anjum, Sheraz; Agha, Shahrukh; Torres, Frank Sill

2016-01-01

A Mesh topology is one of the most promising architecture due to its regular and simple structure for on-chip communication. Performance of mesh topology degraded greatly by increasing the network size due to small bisection width and large network diameter. In order to overcome this limitation, many researchers presented modified Mesh design by adding some extra links to improve its performance in terms of network latency and power consumption. The Cross-By-Pass-Mesh was presented by us as an improved version of Mesh topology by intelligent addition of extra links. This paper presents an efficient topology named Cross-By-Pass-Torus for further increase in the performance of the Cross-By-Pass-Mesh topology. The proposed design merges the best features of the Cross-By-Pass-Mesh and Torus, to reduce the network diameter, minimize the average number of hops between nodes, increase the bisection width and to enhance the overall performance of the network. In this paper, the architectural design of the topology is presented and analyzed against similar kind of 2D topologies in terms of average latency, throughput and power consumption. In order to certify the actual behavior of proposed topology, the synthetic traffic trace and five different real embedded application workloads are applied to the proposed as well as other competitor network topologies. The simulation results indicate that Cross-By-Pass-Torus is an efficient candidate among its predecessor's and competitor topologies due to its less average latency and increased throughput at a slight cost in network power and energy for on-chip communication.

The over-optimistic portrayal of life-supporting treatments in newspapers and on the Internet: a cross-sectional study using extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation as an example

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation has been introduced to clinical practice for several decades. It is unclear how internet and newspapers portray the use of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. This study were: (1) to quantify the coverage of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation use in newspapers and on the Internet; (2) to describe the characteristics of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation users presented in newspaper articles and the Internet web pages in comparison with those shown in extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation studies in Taiwan; and (3) to examine the survival rates of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation users presented in newspaper articles and the Internet web pages in comparison with those in Taiwan and in the Extracorporeal Life Support Registry Report International Summary for January 2014. Methods All issues of Taiwan’s four major newspapers from 2006 to 2010 were reviewed. In October 2011, a search of Internet web pages was performed based on the subjects of “yeh-ko-mo” (extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation in Traditional Chinese), “ECMO”, and “extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation.” All the Internet web pages and newspaper articles recounting the use of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation were reviewed. The information, such as patient characteristic and the status at hospital discharge, was collected. Results The survival rate of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation use shown on the Internet (83.97%) was significantly higher than all the survival rates reported in Taiwan’s literature (p < .01) and in the Extracorporeal Life Support Registry Report International Summary for January 2014 (p < .01). In addition, the survival rate of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation use shown in newspapers (61.54%) was significantly higher than the average survival rate (43%) reported in Taiwan’s literature, the pediatric average survival rate (51%), and the adult average survival rate (47%) in the Extracorporeal Life Support Registry Report International Summary for January 2014. Conclusions Internet and newspapers both showed over-optimistic survival to hospital discharge for patients sustained by extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. Internet was more likely to provide optimistic information for aggressive life-supporting treatments such as extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation than newspapers as indicated by survival to hospital discharge. PMID:25081491

Modification and validation of an analytical source model for external beam radiotherapy Monte Carlo dose calculations.

PubMed

Davidson, Scott E; Cui, Jing; Kry, Stephen; Deasy, Joseph O; Ibbott, Geoffrey S; Vicic, Milos; White, R Allen; Followill, David S

2016-08-01

A dose calculation tool, which combines the accuracy of the dose planning method (DPM) Monte Carlo code and the versatility of a practical analytical multisource model, which was previously reported has been improved and validated for the Varian 6 and 10 MV linear accelerators (linacs). The calculation tool can be used to calculate doses in advanced clinical application studies. One shortcoming of current clinical trials that report dose from patient plans is the lack of a standardized dose calculation methodology. Because commercial treatment planning systems (TPSs) have their own dose calculation algorithms and the clinical trial participant who uses these systems is responsible for commissioning the beam model, variation exists in the reported calculated dose distributions. Today's modern linac is manufactured to tight specifications so that variability within a linac model is quite low. The expectation is that a single dose calculation tool for a specific linac model can be used to accurately recalculate dose from patient plans that have been submitted to the clinical trial community from any institution. The calculation tool would provide for a more meaningful outcome analysis. The analytical source model was described by a primary point source, a secondary extra-focal source, and a contaminant electron source. Off-axis energy softening and fluence effects were also included. The additions of hyperbolic functions have been incorporated into the model to correct for the changes in output and in electron contamination with field size. A multileaf collimator (MLC) model is included to facilitate phantom and patient dose calculations. An offset to the MLC leaf positions was used to correct for the rudimentary assumed primary point source. Dose calculations of the depth dose and profiles for field sizes 4 × 4 to 40 × 40 cm agree with measurement within 2% of the maximum dose or 2 mm distance to agreement (DTA) for 95% of the data points tested. The model was capable of predicting the depth of the maximum dose within 1 mm. Anthropomorphic phantom benchmark testing of modulated and patterned MLCs treatment plans showed agreement to measurement within 3% in target regions using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). Using radiochromic film normalized to TLD, a gamma criteria of 3% of maximum dose and 2 mm DTA was applied with a pass rate of least 85% in the high dose, high gradient, and low dose regions. Finally, recalculations of patient plans using DPM showed good agreement relative to a commercial TPS when comparing dose volume histograms and 2D dose distributions. A unique analytical source model coupled to the dose planning method Monte Carlo dose calculation code has been modified and validated using basic beam data and anthropomorphic phantom measurement. While this tool can be applied in general use for a particular linac model, specifically it was developed to provide a singular methodology to independently assess treatment plan dose distributions from those clinical institutions participating in National Cancer Institute trials.

Viscous pressure correction in the irrotational flow outside Prandtl's boundary layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joseph, Daniel; Wang, Jing

2004-11-01

We argue that boundary layers on solid with irrotational motion outside are like a gas bubble because the shear stress vanishes at the edge of the boundary layer but the irrotational shear stress does not. This discrepancy induces a pressure correction and an additional drag which can be advertised as due to the viscous dissipation of the irrotational flow. Typically, this extra correction to the drag would be relatively small. A much more interesting implication of the extra pressure theory arises from the consideration of the effects of viscosity on the normal stress on a solid boundary which are entirely neglected in Prandtl's theory. It is very well known and easily demonstrated that as a consequence of the continuity equation the viscous normal stress must vanish on a rigid solid. It follows that all the greatly important effects of viscosity on the normal stress are buried in the pressure and the leading order effects of viscosity on the normal stress can be obtained from the viscous correction of viscous potential flow.

Accurate airway centerline extraction based on topological thinning using graph-theoretic analysis.

PubMed

Bian, Zijian; Tan, Wenjun; Yang, Jinzhu; Liu, Jiren; Zhao, Dazhe

2014-01-01

The quantitative analysis of the airway tree is of critical importance in the CT-based diagnosis and treatment of popular pulmonary diseases. The extraction of airway centerline is a precursor to identify airway hierarchical structure, measure geometrical parameters, and guide visualized detection. Traditional methods suffer from extra branches and circles due to incomplete segmentation results, which induce false analysis in applications. This paper proposed an automatic and robust centerline extraction method for airway tree. First, the centerline is located based on the topological thinning method; border voxels are deleted symmetrically to preserve topological and geometrical properties iteratively. Second, the structural information is generated using graph-theoretic analysis. Then inaccurate circles are removed with a distance weighting strategy, and extra branches are pruned according to clinical anatomic knowledge. The centerline region without false appendices is eventually determined after the described phases. Experimental results show that the proposed method identifies more than 96% branches and keep consistency across different cases and achieves superior circle-free structure and centrality.

Biosensors for monitoring the isothermal breakdown kinetics of peanut oil heated at 180°C. Comparison with results obtained for extra virgin olive oil.

PubMed

Tomassetti, M; Vecchio, S; Campanella, L; Dragone, R

2013-10-15

The present research was devoted to studying the kinetics of the artificial rancidification of peanut oil (PO) when a sample of this oil was isothermally heated at 180°C in an air stream. The formation of radical species due to heating was evaluated using a radical index whose value was determined using a biosensor method based on a superoxide dismutase (SOD), while the increasing toxicity was monitored using a suitable toxicity measuring probe based on the Clark electrode and immobilized yeast cells. An extra virgin olive oil was isothermally rancidified under the same experimental conditions and the corresponding data were used for the purpose of comparison. Both the so-called "model-fitting" and the classical kinetic methods were applied to the isothermal process biosensor data in order to obtain the kinetic constant rate value at 180°C. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis of novel 1,2,3-triazole based benzoxazolinones: their TNF-α based molecular docking with in-vivo anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive activities and ulcerogenic risk evaluation.

PubMed

Haider, Saqlain; Alam, M Sarwar; Hamid, Hinna; Shafi, Syed; Nargotra, Amit; Mahajan, Priya; Nazreen, Syed; Kalle, Arunasree M; Kharbanda, Chetna; Ali, Yakub; Alam, Aftab; Panda, Amulya K

2013-01-01

A library of novel bis-heterocycles containing benzoxazolinone based 1,2,3-triazoles has been synthesized using click chemistry approach. The compound 3f exhibited potent selective COX-2 inhibition of 59.48% in comparison to standard drug celecoxib (66.36% inhibition). The compound 3i showed significant (p < 0.001, 50.95%), TNF-α inhibitory activity as compared to indomethacin (p < 0.001, 64.01%). The results of the carrageenan induced hind paw oedema showed that compounds 3a, 3f, 3i, 3o, and 3e exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity in comparison to Indomethacin. The molecular docking studies revealed that 3i exhibits strong inhibitory effect due to the extra stability of the complex because of an extra π-π bond. The histopathology report showed that none of the compounds caused gastric ulceration. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

B-meson anomalies and Higgs physics in flavored U(1)' model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bian, Ligong; Lee, Hyun Min; Park, Chan Beom

2018-04-01

We consider a simple extension of the Standard Model with flavor-dependent U(1)', that has been proposed to explain some of B-meson anomalies recently reported at LHCb. The U(1)' charge is chosen as a linear combination of anomaly-free B_3-L_3 and L_μ -L_τ . In this model, the flavor structure in the SM is restricted due to flavor-dependent U(1)' charges, in particular, quark mixings are induced by a small vacuum expectation value of the extra Higgs doublet. As a result, it is natural to get sizable flavor-violating Yukawa couplings of heavy Higgs bosons involving the bottom quark. In this article, we focus on the phenomenology of the Higgs sector of the model including extra Higgs doublet and singlet scalars. We impose various bounds on the extended Higgs sector from Higgs and electroweak precision data, B-meson mixings and decays as well as unitarity and stability bounds, then discuss the productions and decays of heavy Higgs bosons at the LHC.

Technically natural vacuum energy at the tip of a supersymmetric teardrop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, Matthew

2014-04-01

A minimal supersymmetric braneworld model is presented which has (i) zero classical four-dimensional vacuum curvature, despite the large naive vacuum energy due to contributions from Standard Model particles and (ii) one-(bulk)-loop quantum corrections to the vacuum energy with a size set by the radius of the extra-dimensional spheroid. These corrections are technically natural because a Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield-like relation between the brane tension and R charge—which would have preserved (half of) the bulk supersymmetry—is violated by the requirement that the stabilizing R-symmetry gauge flux be quantized. The extra-dimensional geometry is similar to previous rugby-ball geometries, but is simpler in that there is only one brane and so fewer free parameters. Although the sign of the renormalized vacuum energy ends up being the unphysical one for this model (in the limit considered here, where the massive bulk loop is the leading contribution), it serves as an illustrative example of the relevant physics.

Impact of industrial hammer mill rotor speed on extraction efficiency and quality of extra virgin olive oil.

PubMed

Polari, Juan J; Garcí-Aguirre, David; Olmo-García, Lucía; Carrasco-Pancorbo, Alegría; Wang, Selina C

2018-03-01

Crushing is a key step during olive oil extraction. Among commercial crushers, the hammer mill is the most widely used due to its robustness and high throughput. In the present work, the impact of hammer mill rotor speed on extraction yield and overall quality of super-high-density Arbosana olive oils were assessed in an industrial facility. Our results show that increasing the rotor speed from 2400rpm to 3600rpm led to a rise in oil yield of 1.2%, while conserving quality parameters. Sensory analysis showed more pungency with increased rotation speed, while others attributes were unaffected. Volatile compounds showed little variation with the differences in crusher speed; however, total phenols content, two relevant secoiridoids, and triterpenoids levels increased with rotor speed. Hammer mill rotor speed is a processing variable that can be tuned to increase the extraction efficiency and modulate the chemical composition of extra virgin olive oil. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Intussusception reduction: Effect of air vs. liquid enema on radiation dose.

PubMed

Kaplan, Summer L; Magill, Dennise; Felice, Marc A; Edgar, J Christopher; Anupindi, Sudha A; Zhu, Xiaowei

2017-10-01

Both air and radiopaque liquid contrast are used to reduce ileocolic intussusception under fluoroscopy. Some suggest air lowers radiation dose due to shorter procedure times. However, air enema likely lowers radiation dose regardless of fluoroscopy time due to less density over the automatic exposure control cells. We test the hypothesis that air enema reduction of ileocolic intussusception results in lower radiation dose than liquid contrast enema independent of fluoroscopy time. We describe a role for automatic exposure control in this dose difference. We retrospectively evaluated air and liquid intussusception reductions performed on a single digital fluoroscopic unit during a 26-month period. We compared patient age, weight, gender, exam time of day and year, performing radiologist(s), radiographic image acquisitions, grid and magnification use, fluoroscopy time and dose area product. We compared categorical and continuous variables statistically using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests, respectively. The mean dose area product was 2.7-fold lower for air enema, 1.3 ± 0.9 dGy·cm 2 , than for liquid, 3.5 ± 2.5 dGy·cm 2 (P<0.005). The mean fluoroscopy time was similar between techniques. The mean dose area product/min was 2.3-fold lower for air, 0.6 ± 0.2 dGy·cm 2 /min, than for liquid, 1.4 ± 0.5 dGy·cm 2 /min (P<0.001). No group differences were identified in other measured dose parameters. Fluoroscopic intussusception reduction using air enema uses less than half the radiation dose of liquid contrast enema. Dose savings are independent of fluoroscopy time and are likely due to automatic exposure control interaction.

46 CFR Sec. 8 - Extra work and changes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Extra work and changes. Sec. 8 Section 8 Shipping... Sec. 8 Extra work and changes. (a) At any time after the award of an original job order and during the time the work thereunder is being performed, additional or extra work or changes in the work covered by...

46 CFR Sec. 8 - Extra work and changes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 8 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Extra work and changes. Sec. 8 Section 8 Shipping... Sec. 8 Extra work and changes. (a) At any time after the award of an original job order and during the time the work thereunder is being performed, additional or extra work or changes in the work covered by...

Occupational exposure due to naturally occurring radionuclide material in granite quarry industry.

PubMed

Ademola, J A

2012-02-01

The potential occupational exposure in granite quarry industry due to the presence of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) has been investigated. The activity concentrations of (40)K, (226)Ra and (232)Th were determined using gamma-ray spectroscopy method. The annual effective dose of workers through different exposure pathways was determined by model calculations. The total annual effective dose varied from 21.48 to 33.69 μSv y(-1). Inhalation dose contributes the highest to the total effective dose. The results obtained were much lower than the intervention exemption levels (1.0 mSv y(-1)) given in the International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 82.

Nonplanar wing load-line and slender wing theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deyoung, J.

1977-01-01

Nonplanar load line, slender wing, elliptic wing, and infinite aspect ratio limit loading theories are developed. These are quasi two dimensional theories but satisfy wing boundary conditions at all points along the nonplanar spanwise extent of the wing. These methods are applicable for generalized configurations such as the laterally nonplanar wing, multiple nonplanar wings, or wing with multiple winglets of arbitrary shape. Two dimensional theory infers simplicity which is practical when analyzing complicated configurations. The lateral spanwise distribution of angle of attack can be that due to winglet or control surface deflection, wing twist, or induced angles due to multiwings, multiwinglets, ground, walls, jet or fuselage. In quasi two dimensional theory the induced angles due to these extra conditions are likewise determined for two dimensional flow. Equations are developed for the normal to surface induced velocity due to a nonplanar trailing vorticity distribution. Application examples are made using these methods.

Characteristics of lesional and extra-lesional cortical grey matter in relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: A magnetisation transfer and diffusion tensor imaging study.

PubMed

Yaldizli, Özgür; Pardini, Matteo; Sethi, Varun; Muhlert, Nils; Liu, Zheng; Tozer, Daniel J; Samson, Rebecca S; Wheeler-Kingshott, Claudia Am; Yousry, Tarek A; Miller, David H; Chard, Declan T

2016-02-01

In multiple sclerosis (MS), diffusion tensor and magnetisation transfer imaging are both abnormal in lesional and extra-lesional cortical grey matter, but differences between clinical subtypes and associations with clinical outcomes have only been partly assessed. To compare mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy and magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) in cortical grey matter lesions (detected using phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) imaging) and extra-lesional cortical grey matter, and assess associations with disability in relapse-onset MS. Seventy-two people with MS (46 relapsing-remitting (RR), 26 secondary progressive (SP)) and 36 healthy controls were included in this study. MTR, mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy were measured in lesional and extra-lesional cortical grey matter. Mean fractional anisotropy was higher and MTR lower in lesional compared with extra-lesional cortical grey matter. In extra-lesional cortical grey matter mean fractional anisotropy and MTR were lower, and mean diffusivity was higher in the MS group compared with controls. Mean MTR was lower and mean diffusivity was higher in lesional and extra-lesional cortical grey matter in SPMS when compared with RRMS. These differences were independent of disease duration. In multivariate analyses, MTR in extra-lesional more so than lesional cortical grey matter was associated with disability. Magnetic resonance abnormalities in lesional and extra-lesional cortical grey matter are greater in SPMS than RRMS. Changes in extra-lesional compared with lesional cortical grey matter are more consistently associated with disability. © The Author(s), 2015.

The application of retrospective luminescence dosimetry in areas affected by fallout from the semipalatinsk nuclear test site: an evaluation of potential.

PubMed

Bailiff, I K; Stepanenko, V F; Göksu, H Y; Jungner, H; Balmukhanov, S B; Balmukhanov, T S; Khamidova, L G; Kisilev, V I; Kolyado, I B; Kolizshenkov, T V; Shoikhet, Y N; Tsyb, A F

2004-12-01

Luminescence retrospective dosimetry techniques have been applied with ceramic bricks to determine the cumulative external gamma dose due to fallout, primarily from the 1949 test, in populated regions lying NE of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site in Altai, Russia, and the Semipalatinsk region, Kazakhstan. As part of a pilot study, nine settlements were examined, three within the regions of highest predicted dose (Dolon in Kazakshstan; Laptev Log and Leshoz Topolinskiy in Russia) and the remainder of lower predicted dose (Akkol, Bolshaya Vladimrovka, Kanonerka, and Izvestka in Kazakshstan; Rubtsovsk and Kuria in Russia) within the lateral regions of the fallout trace due to the 1949 test. The settlement of Kainar, mainly affected by the 24 September 1951 nuclear test, was also examined. The bricks from this region were found to be generally suitable for use with the luminescence method. Estimates of cumulative absorbed dose in air due to fallout for Dolon and Kanonerka in Kazakshstan and Leshoz Topolinskiy were 475 +/- 110 mGy, 240 +/- 60 mGy, and 230 +/- 70 mGy, respectively. The result obtained in Dolon village is in agreement with published calculated estimates of dose normalized to Cs concentration in soil. At all the other locations (except Kainar) the experimental values of cumulative absorbed dose obtained indicated no significant dose due to fallout that could be detected within a margin of about 25 mGy. The results demonstrate the potential suitability of the luminescence method to map variations in cumulative dose within the relatively narrow corridor of fallout distribution from the 1949 test. Such work is needed to provide the basis for accurate dose reconstruction in settlements since the predominance of short-lived radionuclides in the fallout and a high degree of heterogeneity in the distribution of fallout are problematic for the application of conventional dosimetry techniques.

When mothers make sons sexy: maternal effects contribute to the increased sexual attractiveness of extra-pair offspring.

PubMed

Tschirren, Barbara; Postma, Erik; Rutstein, Alison N; Griffith, Simon C

2012-03-22

Quality differences between offspring sired by the social and by an extra-pair partner are usually assumed to have a genetic basis, reflecting genetic benefits of female extra-pair mate choice. In the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), we identified a colour ornament that is under sexual selection and appears to have a heritable basis. Hence, by engaging in extra-pair copulations with highly ornamented males, females could, in theory, obtain genes for increased offspring attractiveness. Indeed, sons sired by extra-pair partners had larger ornaments, seemingly supporting the genetic benefit hypothesis. Yet, when comparing ornament size of the social and extra-pair partners, there was no difference. Hence, the observed differences most likely had an environmental basis, mediated, for example, via differential maternal investment of resources into the eggs fertilized by extra-pair and social partners. Such maternal effects may (at least partly) be mediated by egg size, which we found to be associated with mean ornament expression in sons. Our results are consistent with the idea that maternal effects can shape sexual selection by altering the genotype-phenotype relationship for ornamentation. They also caution against automatically attributing greater offspring attractiveness or viability to an extra-pair mate's superior genetic quality, as without controlling for differential maternal investment we may significantly overestimate the role of genetic benefits in the evolution of extra-pair mating behaviour.

When mothers make sons sexy: maternal effects contribute to the increased sexual attractiveness of extra-pair offspring

PubMed Central

Tschirren, Barbara; Postma, Erik; Rutstein, Alison N.; Griffith, Simon C.

2012-01-01

Quality differences between offspring sired by the social and by an extra-pair partner are usually assumed to have a genetic basis, reflecting genetic benefits of female extra-pair mate choice. In the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), we identified a colour ornament that is under sexual selection and appears to have a heritable basis. Hence, by engaging in extra-pair copulations with highly ornamented males, females could, in theory, obtain genes for increased offspring attractiveness. Indeed, sons sired by extra-pair partners had larger ornaments, seemingly supporting the genetic benefit hypothesis. Yet, when comparing ornament size of the social and extra-pair partners, there was no difference. Hence, the observed differences most likely had an environmental basis, mediated, for example, via differential maternal investment of resources into the eggs fertilized by extra-pair and social partners. Such maternal effects may (at least partly) be mediated by egg size, which we found to be associated with mean ornament expression in sons. Our results are consistent with the idea that maternal effects can shape sexual selection by altering the genotype–phenotype relationship for ornamentation. They also caution against automatically attributing greater offspring attractiveness or viability to an extra-pair mate's superior genetic quality, as without controlling for differential maternal investment we may significantly overestimate the role of genetic benefits in the evolution of extra-pair mating behaviour. PMID:21957136

Quantifying inbreeding avoidance through extra-pair reproduction.

PubMed

Reid, Jane M; Arcese, Peter; Keller, Lukas F; Germain, Ryan R; Duthie, A Bradley; Losdat, Sylvain; Wolak, Matthew E; Nietlisbach, Pirmin

2015-01-01

Extra-pair reproduction is widely hypothesized to allow females to avoid inbreeding with related socially paired males. Consequently, numerous field studies have tested the key predictions that extra-pair offspring are less inbred than females' alternative within-pair offspring, and that the probability of extra-pair reproduction increases with a female's relatedness to her socially paired male. However, such studies rarely measure inbreeding or relatedness sufficiently precisely to detect subtle effects, or consider biases stemming from failure to observe inbred offspring that die during early development. Analyses of multigenerational song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) pedigree data showed that most females had opportunity to increase or decrease the coefficient of inbreeding of their offspring through extra-pair reproduction with neighboring males. In practice, observed extra-pair offspring had lower inbreeding coefficients than females' within-pair offspring on average, while the probability of extra-pair reproduction increased substantially with the coefficient of kinship between a female and her socially paired male. However, simulations showed that such effects could simply reflect bias stemming from inbreeding depression in early offspring survival. The null hypothesis that extra-pair reproduction is random with respect to kinship therefore cannot be definitively rejected in song sparrows, and existing general evidence that females avoid inbreeding through extra-pair reproduction requires reevaluation given such biases. © 2014 The Author(s). Evolution © 2014 The Society for the Study of Evolution.

Extra-curricular participation in sports and socio-demographic factors in Spanish adolescents: the AVENA study.

PubMed

Gracia-Marco, Luis; Tomas, Concepcion; Vicente-Rodriguez, German; Jimenez-Pavon, David; Rey-Lopez, Juan P; Ortega, Francisco B; Lanza-Saiz, Ricardo; Moreno, Luis A

2010-11-01

The aims of this study were to identify differences between the sexes in extra-curricular participation in sports and to determine its association with body fat and socio-demographic factors in Spanish adolescents. A total of 2165 adolescents (1124 males and 1041 females) aged 13.0-18.5 years from the AVENA Study participated. Participants filled in an ad hoc questionnaire for extra-curricular participation in sports, which was the dependent variable. Independent variables were: age, percent body fat, and father's and mother's educational level and occupation. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were applied. Bivariate analysis showed for male adolescents that age and father's occupation were related to extra-curricular participation in sports. In addition, body fat and mother's education and occupation (all P < 0.05) were related to extra-curricular participation of in sports for female adolescents. Logistic regression analysis showed that the likelihood of involvement in extra-curricular participation in sports was 5.3-fold (3.86-7.38) higher for males than females. Age and father's education in both males and females were independently associated with extra-curricular participation in sports. In summary, Spanish male adolescents were shown to engage in more extra-curricular sports than females. In addition, age and father's education (in both sexes) were associated with the participation of their offspring in extra-curricular sports during adolescence.

Estimation of hyper-parameters for a hierarchical model of combined cortical and extra-brain current sources in the MEG inverse problem.

PubMed

Morishige, Ken-ichi; Yoshioka, Taku; Kawawaki, Dai; Hiroe, Nobuo; Sato, Masa-aki; Kawato, Mitsuo

2014-11-01

One of the major obstacles in estimating cortical currents from MEG signals is the disturbance caused by magnetic artifacts derived from extra-cortical current sources such as heartbeats and eye movements. To remove the effect of such extra-brain sources, we improved the hybrid hierarchical variational Bayesian method (hyVBED) proposed by Fujiwara et al. (NeuroImage, 2009). hyVBED simultaneously estimates cortical and extra-brain source currents by placing dipoles on cortical surfaces as well as extra-brain sources. This method requires EOG data for an EOG forward model that describes the relationship between eye dipoles and electric potentials. In contrast, our improved approach requires no EOG and less a priori knowledge about the current variance of extra-brain sources. We propose a new method, "extra-dipole," that optimally selects hyper-parameter values regarding current variances of the cortical surface and extra-brain source dipoles. With the selected parameter values, the cortical and extra-brain dipole currents were accurately estimated from the simulated MEG data. The performance of this method was demonstrated to be better than conventional approaches, such as principal component analysis and independent component analysis, which use only statistical properties of MEG signals. Furthermore, we applied our proposed method to measured MEG data during covert pursuit of a smoothly moving target and confirmed its effectiveness. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Re-Conceptualizing Extra Help for High School Students in a High Standards Era.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balfanz, Robert; McPartland, James; Shaw, Alta

The push for higher academic standards has resulted in an increase in the numbers of high school students needing extra help. The need for extra help is most pervasive in high-poverty areas and most high school students need extra help not in traditional basic elementary skills but in reading, mathematics, and advanced reasoning skills. Most…

Radiation dose due to radon and thoron progeny inhalation in high-level natural radiation areas of Kerala, India.

PubMed

Omori, Yasutaka; Tokonami, Shinji; Sahoo, Sarata Kumar; Ishikawa, Tetsuo; Sorimachi, Atsuyuki; Hosoda, Masahiro; Kudo, Hiromi; Pornnumpa, Chanis; Nair, Raghu Ram K; Jayalekshmi, Padmavaty Amma; Sebastian, Paul; Akiba, Suminori

2017-03-20

In order to evaluate internal exposure to radon and thoron, concentrations for radon, thoron, and thoron progeny were measured for 259 dwellings located in high background radiation areas (HBRAs, outdoor external dose: 3-5 mGy y -1 ) and low background radiation areas (control areas, outdoor external dose: 1 mGy y -1 ) in Karunagappally Taluk, Kerala, India. The measurements were conducted using passive-type radon-thoron detectors and thoron progeny detectors over two six-month measurement periods from June 2010 to June 2011. The results showed no major differences in radon and thoron progeny concentrations between the HBRAs and the control areas. The geometric mean of the annual effective dose due to radon and thoron was calculated as 0.10 and 0.44 mSv, respectively. The doses were small, but not negligible compared with the external dose in the two areas.

Embryonic toxico-pathological effects of meglumine antimoniate using a chick embryo model.

PubMed

Khosravi, Ahmad; Sharifi, Iraj; Tavakkoli, Hadi; Derakhshanfar, Amin; Keyhani, Ali Reza; Salari, Zohreh; Mosallanejad, Seyedeh Saedeh; Bamorovat, Mehdi

2018-01-01

Leishmaniasis is one of the diverse and neglected tropical diseases. Embryo-toxicity of drugs has always been a major concern. Chick embryo is a preclinical model relevant in the assessment of adverse effects of drugs. The current study aimed to assess embryonic histopathological disorders and amniotic fluid biochemical changes following meglumine antimoniate treatment. The alteration of vascular branching pattern in the chick's extra-embryonic membrane and exploration of molecular cues to early embryonic vasculogenesis and angiogenesis were also quantified. Embryonated chicken eggs were treated with 75 or 150 mg/kg of meglumine antimoniate. Embryo malformations, growth retardation and haemorrhages on the external body surfaces were accompanied by histopathological lesions in the brain, kidney, liver and heart in a dose-dependent manner. Significant rise occurred in the biochemical indices of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and amylase in the amniotic fluid. Quantification of the extra-embryonic membrane vasculature showed that the anti-angiogenic and anti-vasculogenic effects of the drug were revealed by a significant decrease in fractal dimension value and mean capillary area. The relative expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 mRNA also significantly reduced. Concerns of a probable teratogenicity of meglumine antimoniate were established by data presented in this study. It is concluded that tissue lesions, amniotic fluid disturbance, altered early extra-embryonic vascular development and gene expression as well as the consecutive cascade of events, might eventually lead to developmental defects in embryo following meglumine antimoniate treatment. Therefore, the use of meglumine antimoniate during pregnancy should be considered as potentially embryo-toxic. Hence, physicians should be aware of such teratogenic effects and limit the use of this drug during the growing period of the fetus, particularly in rural communities. Further pharmaceutical investigations are crucial for planning future strategies.

Quantitative Comparison of PET and Bremsstrahlung SPECT for Imaging the In Vivo Yttrium-90 Microsphere Distribution after Liver Radioembolization

PubMed Central

Elschot, Mattijs; Vermolen, Bart J.; Lam, Marnix G. E. H.; de Keizer, Bart; van den Bosch, Maurice A. A. J.; de Jong, Hugo W. A. M.

2013-01-01

Background After yttrium-90 (90Y) microsphere radioembolization (RE), evaluation of extrahepatic activity and liver dosimetry is typically performed on 90Y Bremsstrahlung SPECT images. Since these images demonstrate a low quantitative accuracy, 90Y PET has been suggested as an alternative. The aim of this study is to quantitatively compare SPECT and state-of-the-art PET on the ability to detect small accumulations of 90Y and on the accuracy of liver dosimetry. Methodology/Principal Findings SPECT/CT and PET/CT phantom data were acquired using several acquisition and reconstruction protocols, including resolution recovery and Time-Of-Flight (TOF) PET. Image contrast and noise were compared using a torso-shaped phantom containing six hot spheres of various sizes. The ability to detect extra- and intrahepatic accumulations of activity was tested by quantitative evaluation of the visibility and unique detectability of the phantom hot spheres. Image-based dose estimates of the phantom were compared to the true dose. For clinical illustration, the SPECT and PET-based estimated liver dose distributions of five RE patients were compared. At equal noise level, PET showed higher contrast recovery coefficients than SPECT. The highest contrast recovery coefficients were obtained with TOF PET reconstruction including resolution recovery. All six spheres were consistently visible on SPECT and PET images, but PET was able to uniquely detect smaller spheres than SPECT. TOF PET-based estimates of the dose in the phantom spheres were more accurate than SPECT-based dose estimates, with underestimations ranging from 45% (10-mm sphere) to 11% (37-mm sphere) for PET, and 75% to 58% for SPECT, respectively. The differences between TOF PET and SPECT dose-estimates were supported by the patient data. Conclusions/Significance In this study we quantitatively demonstrated that the image quality of state-of-the-art PET is superior over Bremsstrahlung SPECT for the assessment of the 90Y microsphere distribution after radioembolization. PMID:23405207

Image-Guided High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy in Cervix Carcinoma Using Balloon Catheter and Belt Immobilization System.

PubMed

Fan, Qiyong; Yeung, Anamaria R; Amdur, Robert; Helmig, Richard; Park, Justin; Li, Jonathan; Kahler, Darren; Liu, Chihray; Lu, Bo

2017-06-01

The efficacy of image-guided high-dose rate brachytherapy for cervical cancer is limited by the ineffective rectal sparing devices available commercially and the potential applicator movement. We developed a novel device using a balloon catheter and a belt immobilization system, serving for rectal dose reduction and applicator immobilization purposes, respectively. The balloon catheter is constructed by gluing a short inflatable tube to a long regular open-end catheter. Contrast agent (10) cm 3 is injected into the inflatable end, which is affixed to the tandem and ring applicator, to displace the posterior vaginal wall. The belt immobilization system consists of a specially designed bracket that can hold and fix itself to the applicator, a diaper-like Velcro fastener package used for connecting the patient's pelvis to the bracket, and a buckle that holds the fasteners to stabilize the whole system. The treatment data for 21 patients with cervical cancer using both balloon catheter and belt immobilization system were retrospectively analyzed. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images, acquired about 30 minutes apart, were registered to evaluate the effectiveness of the immobilization system. In comparison with a virtual rectal blade, the balloon decreased the rectal point dose by 34% ± 4.2% (from 276 ± 57 to 182 ± 38 cGy), corresponding to an extra sparing distance of 7.9 ± 1.1 mm. The maximum sparing distance variation per patient is 1.4 ± 0.6 mm, indicating the high interfractional reproducibility for rectum sparing. With the immobilization system, the mean translational and rotational displacements of the applicator set are <3 mm and <1.5°, respectively, in all directions. The rectal balloon provides significant dose reduction to the rectum and it may potentially minimize patient discomfort. The immobilization system permits almost no movement of the applicator during treatment. This work has the potential to be promoted as a standardized solution for high-dose rate treatment of cervical cancer.

Knowledge of appropriate acetaminophen use: A survey of college-age women.

PubMed

Stumpf, Janice L; Liao, Allison C; Nguyen, Stacy; Skyles, Amy J; Alaniz, Cesar

To evaluate college-age women's knowledge of appropriate doses and potential toxicities of acetaminophen, competency in interpreting Drug Facts label dosing information, and ability to recognize products containing acetaminophen. In this cross-sectional prospective study, a 20-item written survey was provided to female college students at a University of Michigan fundraising event in March 2015. A total of 203 female college students, 18-24 years of age, participated in the study. Pain was experienced on a daily or weekly basis by 22% of the subjects over the previous 6 months, and 83% reported taking acetaminophen. The maximum 3-gram daily dose of extra-strength acetaminophen was correctly identified by 64 participants; an additional 51 subjects indicated the generally accepted 4 grams daily as the maximum dose. When provided with the Tylenol Drug Facts label, 68.5% correctly identified the maximum amount of regular-strength acetaminophen recommended for a healthy adult. Hepatotoxicity was associated with high acetaminophen doses by 63.6% of participants, significantly more than those who selected distracter responses (P < 0.001). Knowledge of liver damage as a potential toxicity was correlated with age 20 years and older (P < 0.001) but was independent from race and ethnicity and level of alcohol consumption. Although more than one-half of the subjects (58.6%) recognized that Tylenol contained acetaminophen, fewer than one-fourth correctly identified other acetaminophen-containing products. Despite ongoing educational campaigns, a large proportion of the college-age women who participated in our study did not know and could not interpret the maximum recommended daily dose from Drug Facts labeling, did not know that liver damage was a potential toxicity of acetaminophen, and could not recognize acetaminophen-containing products. These data suggest a continued role for pharmacists in educational efforts targeted to college-age women. Copyright © 2018 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evidence Theory Based Uncertainty Quantification in Radiological Risk due to Accidental Release of Radioactivity from a Nuclear Power Plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ingale, S. V.; Datta, D.

2010-10-01

Consequence of the accidental release of radioactivity from a nuclear power plant is assessed in terms of exposure or dose to the members of the public. Assessment of risk is routed through this dose computation. Dose computation basically depends on the basic dose assessment model and exposure pathways. One of the exposure pathways is the ingestion of contaminated food. The aim of the present paper is to compute the uncertainty associated with the risk to the members of the public due to the ingestion of contaminated food. The governing parameters of the ingestion dose assessment model being imprecise, we have approached evidence theory to compute the bound of the risk. The uncertainty is addressed by the belief and plausibility fuzzy measures.

Remotely Triggered Solar Blind Signaling Using Deep Ultraviolet (UV) LEDs

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-01

Setup used to measure intensity as a function of current. Due to the large difference in intensity between the LEDs of different lens types, the...duty cycle has the smaller rate of intensity drop. Even though the duration of the pulse is double that of the other current, the extra time...neutral troops. If activated, the prototype responds by emitting ten 300 ms flashes followed by a return to passive mode. The dimensions of the

Fahr's Syndrome and Secondary Hypoparathyroidism.

PubMed

Dos Santos, Vitorino Modesta; Da Mata, Ana Medeiros De Farias; Ribeiro, Kelle Regina Alves; Calvo, Isadora Cartaxo De Sousa

2016-01-01

A typical case of Fahr's syndrome is described in a 76-year-old Brazilian female who underwent a total thyroidectomy three decades ago. Six years before the current admission, she started with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Associated disorders involved extra-pyramidal, cognitive, nocturnal terror and mood changes. With suspicion of hypocalcemia due to secondary hypoparathyroidism, laboratory determinations confirmed the diagnoses. Furthermore, imaging studies of the central nervous system detected multiple calcifications, with characteristic distribution of Fahr's syndrome. Clinical management was successful.

Numerical study on turbulence modulation in gas-particle flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, F.; Lightstone, M. F.; Wood, P. E.

2007-01-01

A mathematical model is proposed based on the Eulerian/Lagrangian approach to account for both the particle crossing trajectory effect and the extra turbulence production due to particle wake effects. The resulting model, together with existing models from the literature, is applied to two different particle-laden flow configurations, namely a vertical pipe flow and axisymmetric downward jet flow. The results show that the proposed model is able to provide improved predictions of the experimental results.

Retroperitoneal Necrotizing Fasciitis Masquerading as Perianal Abscess - Rare and Perilous.

PubMed

Amaranathan, Anandhi; Sahoo, Ashok Kumar; Barathi, Deepak; Shankar, Gomathi; Sistla, Sarath Chandra

2017-01-17

Necrotizing fasciitis is one of the uncommon presentations of a rapidly spreading subcutaneous tissue infection. Although the actual cause is unclear in many cases, most of them are due to the rapid proliferation of microorganisms. Retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis is extremely rare. It is a potentially lethal infection that requires immediate and aggressive surgical care. Early diagnosis is the key to a better prognosis. The possibility of retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis should be suspected in patients with symptoms of sepsis that are disproportionate to clinical findings. The rapid deterioration of the patient also gives a clue towards the diagnosis. We report a 35-year-old male with perianal abscess who had been progressed to retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis. The patient was managed successfully with aggressive debridement and drainage after laparotomy. Appropriate antibiotics were used to combat the sepsis. The patient recovered well at follow up, three months after discharge. Another patient, a 45-year-old male with a retroperitoneal abscess, progressed to retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis, and extra peritoneal drainage and debridement was done. Antibiotics depending upon the culture and sensitivity were used to control sepsis. But the patient succumbed to death 45 days after surgery due to uncontrolled sepsis. Necrotizing fasciitis of any anatomical site needs aggressive surgical care with early intervention. But retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis needs an extra effort for diagnosis. After diagnosis, it needs timely surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotic therapy for the recovery of the patients.

Investigation of Thermal Expansion of a Glass Ceramic Material with an Extra-Low Thermal Linear Expansion Coefficient

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kompan, T. A.; Korenev, A. S.; Lukin, A. Ya.

2008-10-01

The artificial material sitall CO-115M was developed purposely as a material with an extra-low thermal expansion. The controlled crystallization of an aluminosilicate glass melt leads to the formation of a mixture of β-spodumen, β-eucryptite, and β-silica anisotropic microcrystals in a matrix of residual glass. Due to the small size of the microcrystals, the material is homogeneous and transparent. Specific lattice anharmonism of these microcrystal materials results in close to zero average thermal linear expansion coefficient (TLEC) of the sitall material. The thermal expansion coefficient of this material was measured using an interferometric method in line with the classical approach of Fizeau. To obtain the highest accuracy, the registration of light intensity of the total interference field was used. Then, the parameters of the interference pattern were calculated. Due to the large amount of information in the interference pattern, the error of the calculated fringe position was less than the size of a pixel of the optical registration system. The thermal expansion coefficient of the sitall CO-115M and its temperature dependence were measured. The TLEC value of about 3 × 10-8 K-1 to 5 × 10-8 K-1 in the temperature interval from -20 °C to +60 °C was obtained. A special investigation was carried out to show the homogeneity of the material.

Analysis of the negative inotropic effect of acetylcholine on frog atrial fibres.

PubMed

Nargeot, J; Garnier, D; Rougier, O

1981-03-01

Voltage-clamp experiments have been performed on frog atrial preparations in order to study the mechanism of the inotropic effect of acetylcholine (ACh) at various concentrations. The amplitude of the slow inward current (Is) is reduced even at low ACh concentrations; such low concentrations have little or no effect on potassium permeability. Dose-effect relationships for Is inhibition (Is/Is max) by ACh show a half amplitude dose (K0.5 around 8 X 10(-8) M ACh. The reduction of Is is attributed largely to a decrease of the maximal conductance of the slow channel (gs). Steady-state activation and inactivation parameters are not affected by ACh. Experiments in a Na-free solution (Na replaced by Li ions) or in a Ca-free solution (with EGTA) indicate that the "slow sodium current" is more sensitive to ACh than the "slow Ca current", although these two currents both seem to flow through the slow channel. The decrease of the phasic component of contraction observed in the presence of ACh is very well correlated with the decrease of Is (K0.5 = 8 X 10(-8) M ACh), while the increase of the tonic tension may be related to the outward potassium current induced by high concentrations of ACh. The significant difference between the half amplitude dose (K0.5) observed in the dose effect curves with ACh for Is inhibition (K0.5 = 8 X 10(-8) M) and for ACh-induced extra-current (K0.5 - 10(-6) M) may indicate the presence of two muscarinic receptors.

Fuel Cells: Power System Option for Space Research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaneeth, M.; Mohanty, Surajeet

2012-07-01

Fuel Cells are direct energy conversion devices and, thereby, they deliver electrical energy at very high efficiency levels. Hydrogen and Oxygen gases are electrochemically processed, producing clean electric power with water as the only by product. A typical, Fuel Cell based power system involve a Electrochemical power converter, gas storage and management systems, thermal management systems and relevant control units. While there exists different types of Fuel cells, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells are considered as the most suitable one for portable applications. Generally, Fuel Cells are considered as the primary power system option in space missions requiring high power ( > 5kW) and long durations and also where water is a consumable, such as manned missions. This is primarily due to the advantage that fuel cell based power systems offer, in terms of specific energy. Fuel cells have the potential to attain specific energy > 500Wh/kg, specific power >500W/kg, energy density > 400Whr/L and also power density > 200 W/L. This apart, a fuel cell system operate totally independent of sun light, whereas as battery based system is fully dependent on the same. This uniqueness provides added flexibility and capabilities to the missions and modularity for power system. High power requiring missions involving reusable launch vehicles, manned missions etc are expected to be richly benefited from this. Another potential application of Fuel Cell would be interplanetary exploration. Unpredictable and dusty atmospheres of heavenly bodies limits sun light significantly and there fuel cells of different types, eg, Bio-Fuel Cells, PEMFC, DMFCs would be able to work effectively. Manned or unmanned lunar out post would require continuous power even during extra long lunar nights and high power levels are expected. Regenerative Fuel Cells, a combination of Fuel Cells and Electrolysers, are identified as strong candidate. While application of Fuel Cells in high power requiring missions is well established, as exemplified in Apollo and Space Shuttles, use in low power missions for science probes/rovers form a relatively newer area. Low power small fuel cells of this class are expected to bring in lot of operational convenience and freedom on onboard / extra terrestrial environment. Technological improvisations in the area, especially with regard to miniaturisation, and extra capabilities that the system offers, make it a strong candidate. The paper outlines features of fuel cells power systems, different types and their potential application scenarios, in the present context. It elucidates the extra capabilities and advantages, due to fuel cells, for different missions. Specific case analyses are also included.

Taking side effects into account for HIV medication.

PubMed

Costanza, Vicente; Rivadeneira, Pablo S; Biafore, Federico L; D'Attellis, Carlos E

2010-09-01

A control-theoretic approach to the problem of designing "low-side-effects" therapies for HIV patients based on highly active drugs is substantiated here. The evolution of side effects during treatment is modeled by an extra differential equation coupled to the dynamics of virions, healthy T-cells, and infected ones. The new equation reflects the dependence of collateral damages on the amount of each dose administered to the patient and on the evolution of the viral load detected by periodical blood analysis. The cost objective accounts for recommended bounds on healthy cells and virions, and also penalizes the appearance of collateral morbidities caused by the medication. The optimization problem is solved by a hybrid dynamic programming scheme that adhere to discrete-time observation and control actions, but by maintaining the continuous-time setup for predicting states and side effects. The resulting optimal strategies employ less drugs than those prescribed by previous optimization studies, but maintaining high doses at the beginning and the end of each period of six months. If an inverse discount rate is applied to favor early actions, and under a mild penalization of the final viral load, then the optimal doses are found to be high at the beginning and decrease afterward, thus causing an apparent stabilization of the main variables. But in this case, the final viral load turns higher than acceptable.

Optimisation of the imaging and dosimetric characteristics of an electronic portal imaging device employing plastic scintillating fibres using Monte Carlo simulations.

PubMed

Blake, S J; McNamara, A L; Vial, P; Holloway, L; Kuncic, Z

2014-11-21

A Monte Carlo model of a novel electronic portal imaging device (EPID) has been developed using Geant4 and its performance for imaging and dosimetry applications in radiotherapy has been characterised. The EPID geometry is based on a physical prototype under ongoing investigation and comprises an array of plastic scintillating fibres in place of the metal plate/phosphor screen in standard EPIDs. Geometrical and optical transport parameters were varied to investigate their impact on imaging and dosimetry performance. Detection efficiency was most sensitive to variations in fibre length, achieving a peak value of 36% at 50 mm using 400 keV x-rays for the lengths considered. Increases in efficiency for longer fibres were partially offset by reductions in sensitivity. Removing the extra-mural absorber surrounding individual fibres severely decreased the modulation transfer function (MTF), highlighting its importance in maximising spatial resolution. Field size response and relative dose profile simulations demonstrated a water-equivalent dose response and thus the prototype's suitability for dosimetry applications. Element-to-element mismatch between scintillating fibres and underlying photodiode pixels resulted in a reduced MTF for high spatial frequencies and quasi-periodic variations in dose profile response. This effect is eliminated when fibres are precisely matched to underlying pixels. Simulations strongly suggest that with further optimisation, this prototype EPID may be capable of simultaneous imaging and dosimetry in radiotherapy.

Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of Inhaled Esketamine in Healthy Volunteers.

PubMed

Jonkman, Kelly; Duma, Andreas; Olofsen, Erik; Henthorn, Thomas; van Velzen, Monique; Mooren, René; Siebers, Liesbeth; van den Beukel, Jojanneke; Aarts, Leon; Niesters, Marieke; Dahan, Albert

2017-10-01

Esketamine is traditionally administered via intravenous or intramuscular routes. In this study we developed a pharmacokinetic model of inhalation of nebulized esketamine with special emphasis on pulmonary absorption and bioavailability. Three increasing doses of inhaled esketamine (dose escalation from 25 to 100 mg) were applied followed by a single intravenous dose (20 mg) in 19 healthy volunteers using a nebulizer system and arterial concentrations of esketamine and esnorketamine were obtained. A multicompartmental pharmacokinetic model was developed using population nonlinear mixed-effects analyses. The pharmacokinetic model consisted of three esketamine, two esnorketamine disposition and three metabolism compartments. The inhalation data were best described by adding two absorption pathways, an immediate and a slower pathway, with rate constant 0.05 ± 0.01 min (median ± SE of the estimate). The amount of esketamine inhaled was reduced due to dose-independent and dose-dependent reduced bioavailability. The former was 70% ± 5%, and the latter was described by a sigmoid EMAX model characterized by the plasma concentration at which absorption was impaired by 50% (406 ± 46 ng/ml). Over the concentration range tested, up to 50% of inhaled esketamine is lost due to the reduced dose-independent and dose-dependent bioavailability. We successfully modeled the inhalation of nebulized esketamine in healthy volunteers. Nebulized esketamine is inhaled with a substantial reduction in bioavailability. Although the reduction in dose-independent bioavailability is best explained by retention of drug and particle exhalation, the reduction in dose-dependent bioavailability is probably due to sedation-related loss of drug into the air.

Ingestion dose from 238U, 232Th, 226Ra, 40K and 137Cs in cereals, pulses and drinking water to adult population in a high background radiation area, Odisha, India.

PubMed

Lenka, Pradyumna; Sahoo, S K; Mohapatra, S; Patra, A C; Dubey, J S; Vidyasagar, D; Tripathi, R M; Puranik, V D

2013-03-01

A natural high background radiation area is located in Chhatrapur, Odisha in the eastern part of India. The inhabitants of this area are exposed to external radiation levels higher than the global average background values, due to the presence of uranium, thorium and its decay products in the monazite sands bearing placer deposits in its beaches. The concentrations of (232)Th, (238)U, (226)Ra, (40)K and (137)Cs were determined in cereals (rice and wheat), pulses and drinking water consumed by the population residing around this region and the corresponding annual ingestion dose was calculated. The annual ingestion doses from cereals, pulses and drinking water varied in the range of 109.4-936.8, 10.2-307.5 and 0.5-2.8 µSv y(-1), respectively. The estimated total annual average effective dose due to the ingestion of these radionuclides in cereals, pulses and drinking water was 530 µSv y(-1). The ingestion dose from cereals was the highest mainly due to a high consumption rate. The highest contribution of dose was found to be from (226)Ra for cereals and drinking water and (40)K was the major dose contributor from the intake of pulses. The contribution of man-made radionuclide (137)Cs to the total dose was found to be minimum. (226)Ra was found to be the largest contributor to ingestion dose from all sources.

Potent and selective inhibition of magnolol on catalytic activities of UGT1A7 and 1A9.

PubMed

Zhu, Liangliang; Ge, Guangbo; Liu, Yong; He, Guiyuan; Liang, Sicheng; Fang, Zhongze; Dong, Peipei; Cao, Yunfeng; Yang, Ling

2012-10-01

1. Human exposure to magnolol can reach a high dose in daily life. Our previous studies indicated that magnolol showed high affinities to several UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) This study was designed to examine the in vitro inhibitory effects of magnolol on UGTs, and further to evaluate the possibility of the in vivo inhibition that might happen. 2. Assays with recombinant UGTs and human liver microsomes (HLM) indicated that magnolol (10 µM) can selectively inhibit activities of UGT1A9 and extra-hepatic UGT1A7. Inhibition of magnolol on UGT1A7 followed competitive inhibition mechanism, while the inhibition on UGT1A9 obeyed either competitive or mixed inhibition mechanism, depending on substrates. The K(i) values for UGT1A7 and 1A9 are all in nanomolar ranges, lower than possible magnolol concentrations in human gut lumen and blood, indicating the in vivo inhibition on these two enzymes would likely occur. 3. In conclusion, UGT1A7 and 1A9 can be strongly inhibited by magnolol, raising the alarm for safe application of magnolol and traditional Chinese medicines containing magnolol. Additionally, given that UGT1A7 is an extra-hepatic enzyme, magnolol can serve as a selective UGT1A9 inhibitor that will act as a new useful tool in future hepatic glucuronidation phenotyping.

Irregular Periods

MedlinePlus

... have extra androgen, a hormone that can cause hair growth on the face, chin, chest, and abdomen. Extra ... You stop getting your period. You have extra hair growth on the face, chin, chest, or abdomen. You ...

Seeing beyond Tomorrow: What Really Is at Stake Here

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Lynn Nations

2010-01-01

The fundamental role of school-university partnerships has been understood by a few, misunderstood by many, and dismissed by most as an extra, something a person focuses on if he or she has keen interest along with extra time, extra cash, and extra personnel. The concept rose to prominence in the late 1980s and into the 1990s; now, 20-plus years…

Effective Dose Equivalent due to Cosmic Ray Particles and Their Secondary Particles on the Moon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayatsu, Kanako; Hareyama, Makoto; Kobayashi, Shingo; Karouji, Yuzuru; Sakurai, K.; Sihver, Lembit; Hasebe, N.

Estimation of radiation dose on and under the lunar surface is quite important for human activity on the Moon and for the future lunar bases construction. Radiation environment on the Moon is much different from that on the Earth. Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and solar energetic particles (SEPs) directly penetrate the lunar surface because of no atmosphere and no magnetic field around the Moon. Then, they generate many secondary particles such as neutrons, gamma rays and other charged particles by nuclear interactions with soils and regolith breccias under the lunar surface. Therefore, the estimation of radiation dose from them on the surface and the underground of the Moon are essential for safety human activities. In this study, the effective dose equivalents at the surface and various depths of the Moon were estimated using by the latest cosmic rays observation and developed calculation code. The largest contribution to the dose on the surface is primary charged particles in GCRs and SEPs, while in the ground, secondary neutrons are the most dominant. In particular, the dose from neutrons becomes maximal at 70-80 g/cm2 in depth of lunar soil, because fast neutrons with about 1.0 MeV are mostly produced at this depth and give the largest dose. On the lunar surface, the doses originated from large SEPs are very hazardous. We estimated the effective dose equivalents due to such large SEPs and the effects of aluminum shield for the large flare on the human body. In the presentation, we summarize and discuss the improved calculation results of radiation doses due to GCR particles and their secondary particles in the lunar subsurface. These results will provide useful data for the future exploration of the Moon.

Doses of external exposure in Jordan house due to gamma-emitting natural radionuclides in building materials.

PubMed

Al-Jundi, J; Ulanovsky, A; Pröhl, G

2009-10-01

The use of building materials containing naturally occurring radionuclides as (40)K, (232)Th, and (238)U and their progeny results in external exposures of the residents of such buildings. In the present study, indoor dose rates for a typical Jordan concrete room are calculated using Monte Carlo method. Uniform chemical composition of the walls, floor and ceiling as well as uniform mass concentrations of the radionuclides in walls, floor and ceiling are assumed. Using activity concentrations of natural radionuclides typical for the Jordan houses and assuming them to be in secular equilibrium with their progeny, the maximum annual effective doses are estimated to be 0.16, 0.12 and 0.22 mSv a(-1) for (40)K, (232)Th- and (238)U-series, respectively. In a total, the maximum annual effective indoor dose due to external gamma-radiation is 0.50 mSv a(-1). Additionally, organ dose coefficients are calculated for all organs considered in ICRP Publication 74. Breast, skin and eye lenses have the maximum equivalent dose rate values due to indoor exposures caused by the natural radionuclides, while equivalent dose rates for uterus, colon (LLI) and small intestine are found to be the smallest. More specifically, organ dose rates (nSv a(-1)per Bq kg(-1)) vary from 0.044 to 0.060 for (40)K, from 0.44 to 0.60 for radionuclides from (238)U-series and from 0.60 to 0.81 for radionuclides from (232)Th-series. The obtained organ and effective dose conversion coefficients can be conveniently used in practical dose assessment tasks for the rooms of similar geometry and varying activity concentrations and local-specific occupancy factors.

An example of problems in dose reconstruction from doses formed by electromagnetic irradiation by different energy sources.

PubMed

Kirillov, Vladimir; Kuchuro, Joseph; Tolstik, Sergey; Leonova, Tatyana

2010-02-01

Dose reconstruction for citizens of Belarus affected by the Chernobyl accident showed an unexpectedly wide range of doses. Using the EPR tooth enamel dosimetry method, it has been demonstrated that when the tooth enamel dose was formed due to x-rays with effective energy of 34 keV and the additional irradiation of enamel samples was performed by gamma radiation with mean energy of 1,250 keV, it led to a considerable increase in the reconstructed absorbed dose as compared with the applied. In the case when the dose was formed due to gamma radiation and the additional irradiation was performed by x-rays, it led to a considerable decrease in the reconstructed dose as compared with the applied. When the dose formation and the additional irradiation were carried out from external sources of electromagnetic radiation of equal energy, the reconstructed dose value was close to that of the applied. The obtained data show that for adequate reconstruction of individual absorbed doses by the EPR tooth enamel spectra, it is necessary to take into account the contribution from diagnostic x-ray examination of the teeth, jaw, and skull of some individuals who were exposed to a combined effect of the external gamma radiation and x-rays.

Emergency Meal Planning for Diabetics

MedlinePlus

... enough insulin and supplies on hand, including extra batteries for the glucometer emergency phone list with names ... unit and the local hospital radio with extra batteries flashlight with extra batteries candles and matches measuring ...

[Rathke cysts, craniopharyngioma, and colloid cysts : What are the differences between these pathologies?

PubMed

Eymann, R; Kiefer, M

2018-05-17

Headache is the most common symptom of colloid cysts, Rathke cysts, and craniopharyngioma due to their location in the midline, being extra-axial and typically presenting in the parasellar region. Although these tumors are generally considered benign, each has its typical characteristics defined by its location and histology. These individual characteristics define whether surgery is necessary at all and if so, the preferred surgical approach and resection's totality. The histopathological findings primarily indicate that embryonic malformations-at the first glance, ectodermal in nature-cause these tumors. Due to the fact that these disturbances occur at the boundary between ectodermal stomodeum and endodermal cephalogaster, however, does leave some doubts.

Physical aspects of total-body irradiation at the Middlesex Hospital (UCL group of hospitals), London 1988 - 1993: II. In vivo planning and dosimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Planskoy, B.; Tapper, P. D.; Bedford, A. M.; Davis, F. M.

1996-11-01

Part II of this paper gives the results of applying the TBI methods described in part I, to in vivo patient planning and dosimetry. Patients are planned on nine CT based body slices, five of which pass through the lungs. Planned doses are verified with ten silicon diodes applied bi-laterally to five body sites, at each treatment. LiF TLDs are applied to seven other body sites at the first treatment only. For 84 patients and at least 1016 measurements per body site with the diodes, the mean measured total doses agreed with planned doses within at most 2% except at lung levels, where the mean measured dose was 3% too low. Standard deviations of the measurements about the mean were between 2.4 and 3.1%. For the LiF TLDs, the mean measured doses for all seven body sites were within of planned doses. A separate assessment of measured entrance and transmitted doses showed that the former agreed well with planned doses, but that the latter tended to be low, especially over the lungs, and that they had a wider dispersion. Possible reasons for this are discussed. These results show measurement uncertainties similar to those for non-TBI treatments of Nilsson et al, Leunens et al and Essers et al. An analysis of the treatment plans showed a mean dose inhomogeneity in the body (75 patients, nine slices) of (1 s.d.) and in the lungs (40 patients, five slices) of (1 s.d.). The conclusions are that, overall, the methods are reasonably satisfactory but that, with an extra effort, even closer agreement between measured and planned doses and a further limited reduction in the body dose inhomogeneity could be obtained. However, if it were thought desirable to make a substantial reduction in the dose inhomogeneity in the body and lungs, this could only be achieved with the available equipment by changing from lateral to anterior - posterior irradiation and any potential advantages of this change would have to be balanced against a likely deterioration in patient comfort and an increase in treatment set-up times.

Chemical and toxicological evaluation of methanol extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. stem and Corchorus olitorius Linn. seed on hematological parameters and hepatorenal functions in mice.

PubMed

Mazumder, Upal Kanti; Gupta, Malaya; Pal, Dilipkumar; Bhattacharya, Shiladitya

2003-01-01

Methanol extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. stem (MECR) contain flavonoids (0.2%) and Corchorus olitorius Linn. seed (MECO) was found to contain steroids and cardenolide glycosides. Effects of multiple weekly dose of MECR (25, 50, 75 mg/kg, i.p.) and MECO (15, 20, 25 mg/kg, i.p.) on liver and kidney functions and hematological parameters in mice were studied. No significant alteration of RBC count and hemoglobin content was observed in all dose level of treatment in MECR and MECO treated mice whereas significant increase of clotting time was seen in moderate and high doses in both case. MECR and MECO both caused significant increase in WBC count only in high dose level of treatment. Both the extracts in medium and high dose level increased SGOT, SGPT, NPN and plasma cholesterol significantly. Serum alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin were also increased by both moderate and high dose level of treatments in MECR and MECO treated mice respectively. Low dose of both the extract did not exhibit any significant change of creatinine and serum protein level. But high dose level of MECR and MECO significantly increased creatinine level. Increase in plasma cholesterol may be due to decrease in cholesterol catabolism owing to liver dysfunction of due to the intake of MECO itself as it was found to be steroid in nature. Elevated level of SGOT, SGPT and serum alkaline phosphatase activity in moderate and high dose level of weekly treated mice may be due to improper liver function following the treatment. Increased urea, non protein nitrogen and creatinine content in blood have been observed with impaired renal function. The slightly higher toxicity in case of MECO treated mice may be due to the presence of cardenolide glycosides in the ME of C. olitorius seed. However, low doses of MECR and MECO (25 and 15 mg/kg, i.p. respectively) did not exhibit any remarkable change on liver and kidney functions and hematological parameters.

Multi-objective optimization of discrete time-cost tradeoff problem in project networks using non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahriari, Mohammadreza

2016-06-01

The time-cost tradeoff problem is one of the most important and applicable problems in project scheduling area. There are many factors that force the mangers to crash the time. This factor could be early utilization, early commissioning and operation, improving the project cash flow, avoiding unfavorable weather conditions, compensating the delays, and so on. Since there is a need to allocate extra resources to short the finishing time of project and the project managers are intended to spend the lowest possible amount of money and achieve the maximum crashing time, as a result, both direct and indirect costs will be influenced in the project, and here, we are facing into the time value of money. It means that when we crash the starting activities in a project, the extra investment will be tied in until the end date of the project; however, when we crash the final activities, the extra investment will be tied in for a much shorter period. This study is presenting a two-objective mathematical model for balancing compressing the project time with activities delay to prepare a suitable tool for decision makers caught in available facilities and due to the time of projects. Also drawing the scheduling problem to real world conditions by considering nonlinear objective function and the time value of money are considered. The presented problem was solved using NSGA-II, and the effect of time compressing reports on the non-dominant set.

Convection's enhancement in thermal micro pipes using extra fluid and shape memory material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mihai, Ioan; Sprinceana, Siviu

2016-12-01

Up to now, there have been developed various applications of thermal micro pipes[1-3], such as refrigerating systems, high heat flux electronics cooling, and biological devices etc., based on vacuum vaporization followed by a convective phenomenon that allows vapor transfer from the vaporization area to the condensation one. This article presents studies carried out on the enhancement of the convective phenomenon taking place in flat thermal micro pipes. The proposed method[4] is aimed at the cooling of power electronics components, such as microprocessors. The conducted research focused on the use of shape memory materials that allow, by a semi-active method, to bring extra fluid in the vaporization area of the thermal micro pipe. The conducted investigations analyzed the variation of the liquid layer thickness in the trapezoidal micro channels and the thermal flow change over time. The modification of liquid flow was studied in correlation with the capacity of the polysynthetic material to retain the most extra fluid in its pores. The enhancement of the convective heat transfer phenomenon in flat thermal micro pipes was investigated in correspondence to the increase of liquid quantity in the vaporization zone. The charts obtained by aid of Mathcad[5] allowed to represent the evolution during a period of time (or with the pipe's length) of the liquid film thickness, the flow and the thermal flow, as a function of the liquid supply variation due to the shape memory materials and the modification of the working temperature.

Depth discrimination in acousto-optic cerebral blood flow measurement simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsalach, A.; Schiffer, Z.; Ratner, E.; Breskin, I.; Zeitak, R.; Shechter, R.; Balberg, M.

2016-03-01

Monitoring cerebral blood flow (CBF) is crucial, as inadequate perfusion, even for relatively short periods of time, may lead to brain damage or even death. Thus, significant research efforts are directed at developing reliable monitoring tools that will enable continuous, bed side, simple and cost-effective monitoring of CBF. All existing non invasive bed side monitoring methods, which are mostly NIRS based, such as Laser Doppler or DCS, tend to underestimate CBF in adults, due to the indefinite effect of extra-cerebral tissues on the obtained signal. If those are to find place in day to day clinical practice, the contribution of extra-cerebral tissues must be eliminated and data from the depth (brain) should be extracted and discriminated. Recently, a novel technique, based on ultrasound modulation of light was developed for non-invasive, continuous CBF monitoring (termed ultrasound-tagged light (UTL or UT-NIRS)), and shown to correlate with readings of 133Xe SPECT and laser Doppler. We have assembled a comprehensive computerized simulation, modeling this acousto-optic technique in a highly scattering media. Using the combination of light and ultrasound, we show how depth information may be extracted, thus distinguishing between flow patterns taking place at different depths. Our algorithm, based on the analysis of light modulated by ultrasound, is presented and examined in a computerized simulation. Distinct depth discrimination ability is presented, suggesting that using such method one can effectively nullify the extra-cerebral tissues influence on the obtained signals, and specifically extract cerebral flow data.

A semi-active control suspension system for railway vehicles with magnetorheological fluid dampers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Xiukun; Zhu, Ming; Jia, Limin

2016-07-01

The high-speed train has achieved great progress in the last decades. It is one of the most important modes of transportation between cities. With the rapid development of the high-speed train, its safety issue is paid much more attention than ever before. To improve the stability of the vehicle with high speed, extra dampers (i.e. anti-hunting damper) are used in the traditional bogies with passive suspension system. However, the curving performance of the vehicle is undermined due to the extra lateral force generated by the dampers. The active suspension systems proposed in the last decades attempt to solve the vehicle steering issue. However, the active suspension systems need extra actuators driven by electrical power or hydraulic power. There are some implementation and even safety issues which are not easy to be overcome. In this paper, an innovative semi-active controlled lateral suspension system for railway vehicles is proposed. Four magnetorheological fluid dampers are fixed to the primary suspension system of each bogie. They are controlled by online controllers for enhancing the running stability on the straight track line on the one hand and further improving the curving performance by controlling the damper force on the other hand. Two control strategies are proposed in the light of the pure rolling concept. The effectiveness of the proposed strategies is demonstrated by SIMPACK and Matlab co-simulation for a full railway vehicle with two conventional bogies.

Heat treatment as postharvest tool for improving quality in extra-early nectarines.

PubMed

Falagán, Natalia; Artés, Francisco; Aguayo, Encarna

2018-03-01

Extra-early nectarine cultivars such as 'VioWhite 5' could present a lack of organoleptic and nutritional quality. Heat treatments (HT) can be applied to improve their primary characteristics. In this experiment, control (non-treated), HT 1 (3 h; 45 °C) and HT 2 (2 h; 50 °C) were studied. Fruit were stored (10 days; 0 ± 0.5 °C; 90-95% RH) followed by a simulated retail sale period (3 days; 15 °C; 70-75% RH). HT fruit showed higher weight loss (2.76 ± 0.06% and 3.32 ± 0.01% for HT 1 and HT 2 , respectively; vs. 2.23 ± 0.14% for control) and lower firmness than control samples (28.88% and 21.67% less for HT 1 and HT 2 , respectively). HT treatments induced an increase in soluble solids content and a decrease in total acidity, which led to a better sensory quality. These changes were positively received by consumers. Total antioxidant capacity was enhanced by HT due to an increase in phenolic compound content. A higher enzymatic activity was found in pectin methylesterase and polygaracturonase in HT nectarines when compared to control. The application of HT on extra-early nectarine cv. demonstrated a strong potential to improve consumption quality in the industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Neutron dosimetry in organs of an adult human phantom using linacs with multileaf collimator in radiotherapy treatments

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

Martinez-Ovalle, S. A.; Barquero, R.; Gomez-Ros, J. M.

Purpose: To calculate absorbed doses due to neutrons in 87 organs/tissues for anthropomorphic phantoms, irradiated in position supine (head first into the gantry) with orientations anteroposterior (AP) and right-left (RLAT) with a 18 MV accelerator. Conversion factors from monitor units to {mu}Gy per neutron in organs, equivalent doses in organs/tissues, and effective doses, which permit to quantify stochastic risks, are estimated. Methods: MAX06 and FAX06 phantoms were modeled with MCNPX and irradiated with a 18 MV Varian Clinac 2100C/D accelerator whose geometry included a multileaf collimator. Two actual fields of a pelvic treatment were simulated using electron-photon-neutron coupled transport. Absorbedmore » doses due to neutrons were estimated from kerma. Equivalent doses were estimated using the radiation weighting factor corresponding to an average incident neutron energy 0.47 MeV. Statistical uncertainties associated to absorbed doses, as calculated by MCNPX, were also obtained. Results: Largest doses were absorbed in shallowest (with respect to the neutron pathway) organs. In {mu}GyMU{sup -1}, values of 2.66 (for penis) and 2.33 (for testes) were found in MAX06, and 1.68 (for breasts), 1.05 (for lenses of eyes), and 0.94 (for sublingual salivary glands) in FAX06, in AP orientation. In RLAT, the largest doses were found for bone tissues (leg) just at the entrance of the beam in the body (right side in our case). Values, in {mu}GyMU{sup -1}, of 1.09 in upper leg bone right spongiosa, for MAX06, and 0.63 in mandible spongiosa, for FAX06, were found. Except for gonads, liver, and stomach wall, equivalent doses found for FAX06 were, in both orientations, higher than for MAX06. Equivalent doses in AP are higher than in RLAT for all organs/tissues other than brain and liver. Effective doses of 12.6 and 4.1 {mu}SvMU{sup -1} were found for AP and RLAT, respectively. The organs/tissues with larger relative contributions to the effective dose were testes and breasts, in AP, and breasts and red marrow, in RLAT. Equivalent and effective doses obtained for MAX06/FAX06 were smaller (between 2 and 20 times) than those quoted for the mathematical phantoms ADAM/EVA in ICRP-74. Conclusions: The new calculations of conversion coefficients for neutron irradiation in AP and RLAT irradiation geometries show a reduction in the values of effective dose by factors 7 (AP) and 6 (RLAT) with respect to the old data obtained with mathematical phantoms. The existence of tissues or anatomical regions with maximum absorbed doses, such as penis, lens of eyes, fascia (part of connective tissue), etc., organs/tissues that classic mathematical phantoms did not include because they were not considered for the study of stochastic effects, has been revealed. Absorbed doses due to photons, obtained following the same simulation methodology, are larger than those due to neutrons, reaching values 100 times larger as the primary beam is approached. However, for organs far from the treated volume, absorbed photon doses can be up to three times smaller than neutron ones. Calculations using voxel phantoms permitted to know the organ dose conversion coefficients per MU due to secondary neutrons in the complete anatomy of a patient.« less

The Study of Natural Radiation Distribution in Soil of Sao Bernardo do Campo

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

Matsumoto, M. M.; Silveira, M. A. G.; Medina, N. H.

2008-08-07

We have studied the distribution of natural radioactivity in the soil of five sites of the city Sao Bernardo do Campo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The main contribution of the radiation dose is due to the isotope {sup 40}K, with smaller contributions from the elements of the series of {sup 238}U and {sup 232}Th. The results indicate the dose in all of the studied areas is around the average international dose due to external exposure to gamma rays (0.48 mSv/yr) proceeding from natural terrestrial elements.

Impact of natural disaster combined with nuclear power plant accidents on local medical services: a case study of Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

PubMed

Kodama, Yuko; Oikawa, Tomoyoshi; Hayashi, Kaoru; Takano, Michiko; Nagano, Mayumi; Onoda, Katsuko; Yoshida, Toshiharu; Takada, Akemi; Hanai, Tatsuo; Shimada, Shunji; Shimada, Satoko; Nishiuchi, Yasuyuki; Onoda, Syuichi; Monma, Kazuo; Tsubokura, Masaharu; Matsumura, Tomoko; Kami, Masahiro; Kanazawa, Yukio

2014-12-01

To elucidate the impacts of nuclear plant accidents on neighboring medical centers, we investigated the operations of our hospital within the first 10 days of the Great East Japan Earthquake followed by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. Data were extracted from medical records and hospital administrative records covering 11 to 20 March 2011. Factual information on the disaster was obtained from public access media. A total of 622 outpatients and 241 inpatients were treated. Outpatients included 43 injured, 6 with cardiopulmonary arrest, and 573 with chronic diseases. Among the 241 inpatients, 5 died, 137 were discharged, and the other 99 were transferred to other hospitals. No communication methods or medical or food supplies were available for 4 days after the earthquake. Hospital directors allowed employees to leave the hospital on day 4. All 39 temporary workers were evacuated immediately, and 71 of 239 full-time employees remained. These employees handled extra tasks besides patient care and patient transfer to other hospitals. Committed effective doses indicating the magnitude of health risks due to an intake of radioactive cesium into the human body were found to be minimal according to internal radiation exposure screening carried out from July to August 2011. After the disaster, hospitals located within the evacuation zone of a 30-km radius of the nuclear power plant were isolated. Maintenance of the health care system in such an event becomes difficult.

Inhomogeneous compact extra dimensions

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

Bronnikov, K.A.; Budaev, R.I.; Grobov, A.V.

We show that an inhomogeneous compact extra space possesses two necessary features— their existence does not contradict the observable value of the cosmological constant Λ{sub 4} in pure f ( R ) theory, and the extra dimensions are stable relative to the 'radion mode' of perturbations, the only mode considered. For a two-dimensional extra space, both analytical and numerical solutions for the metric are found, able to provide a zero or arbitrarily small Λ{sub 4}. A no-go theorem has also been proved, that maximally symmetric compact extra spaces are inconsistent with 4D Minkowski space in the framework of pure fmore » ( R ) gravity.« less

Five Things Girls Want to Know about Periods

MedlinePlus

... supplies." Even better, keep extras in your backpack, locker, or gym bag. 5. What If Blood Leaks ... regularly and keep extras in your backpack or locker. For extra protection on heavy days, some girls ...

Morphine, Endogenous Opioid Peptides, and Reproduction in the Male Rhesus Monkey

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-05-18

receptors are both antagonized at high dose levels, while at low doses , naloxone antagonizes only u-receptors (Kosterlitz, 1980). Studies of a...found witli the 20 ug/kg dose . As in the case of testosterone at the same dose , the LH pretreatment levels measured were unusually low (600 ng/dl vs...concentration of the dose of an- tagonist required to reduce agonistic potency by one-half. Due to differences in affinity, naloxone at low dose levels

Switching to aripiprazole in outpatients with schizophrenia experiencing insufficient efficacy and/or safety/tolerability issues with risperidone: a randomized, multicentre, open-label study.

PubMed

Ryckmans, V; Kahn, J P; Modell, S; Werner, C; McQuade, R D; Kerselaers, W; Lissens, J; Sanchez, R

2009-05-01

This study evaluated the safety/tolerability and effectiveness of aripiprazole titrated-dose versus fixed-dose switching strategies from risperidone in patients with schizophrenia experiencing insufficient efficacy and/or safety/tolerability issues. Patients were randomized to an aripiprazole titrated-dose (starting dose 5 mg/day) or fixed-dose (dose 15 mg/day) switching strategy with risperidone down-tapering. Primary endpoint was rate of discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs) during the 12-week study. Secondary endpoints included positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS), clinical global impressions - improvement of illness scale (CGI-I), preference of medication (POM), subjective well-being under neuroleptics (SWN-K) and GEOPTE (Grupo Español para la Optimización del Tratamiento de la Esquizofrenia) scales. Rates of discontinuations due to AEs were similar between titrated-dose and fixed-dose strategies (3.5% vs. 5.0%; p=0.448). Improvements in mean PANSS total scores were similar between aripiprazole titrated-dose and fixed-dose strategies (-14.8 vs. -17.2; LOCF), as were mean CGI-I scores (2.9 vs. 2.8; p=0.425; LOCF) and SWN-K scores (+8.6 vs.+10.3; OC,+7.8 vs.+9.8; LOCF). Switching can be effectively and safely achieved through a titrated-dose or fixed-dose switching strategy for aripiprazole, with down-titration of risperidone.

Determinants of Zambian men's extra-marital sex: a multi-level analysis.

PubMed

Benefo, Kofi D

2008-08-01

Research interest in extra-marital sex has increased as scholars have become aware of its role in sustaining epidemics of STDs in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere. While most research has used the socioeconomic and demographic features of individuals as determinants of extra-marital sexual behavior, this study examined the role played by community characteristics. Using data from the 2003 Zambian Sexual Behavior Survey for a sample of 1,118 men aged 15-59 and multilevel logistic regression techniques, the study analyzed the effects of community social and demographic characteristics on involvement in extra-marital sex while controlling for the men's individual-level characteristics. Men's involvement in extra-marital sex was found to vary with the characteristics of communities. The chances of men's involvement in extra-marital sex increased with community-level ethnic heterogeneity and urbanization, decreased in commercial centers, and in communities with a demographic surplus of males, health workers active in AIDS prevention, and access to the mass media. These results show that scholars trying to understand the motivations for extra-marital sex must pay attention to the characteristics of both individuals and communities.

Editorial: Focus on Extra Space Dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agashe, Kaustubh; Pomarol, Alex

2010-07-01

Experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have just started. In addition to verifying the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics, these experiments will probe a new energy frontier and test extensions of the SM. The existence of extra dimensions is one of the most attractive possibilities for physics beyond the SM. This focus issue contains a collection of articles addressing both theoretical and phenomenological aspects of extra-dimensional models. Focus on Extra Space Dimensions Contents Minimal universal extra dimensions in CalcHEP/CompHEP AseshKrishna Datta, Kyoungchul Kong and Konstantin T Matchev Disordered extra dimensions Karim Benakli Codimension-2 brane-bulk matching: examples from six and ten dimensions Allan Bayntun, C P Burgess and Leo van Nierop Gauge threshold corrections in warped geometry Kiwoon Choi, Ian-Woo Kim and Chang Sub Shin Holographic methods and gauge-Higgs unification in flat extra dimensions Marco Serone Soft-wall stabilization Joan A Cabrer, Gero von Gersdorff and Mariano Quirós Warped five-dimensional models: phenomenological status and experimental prospects Hooman Davoudiasl, Shrihari Gopalakrishna, Eduardo Pontón and José Santiago

Treatment planning with intensity modulated particle therapy for multiple targets in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderle, Kristjan; Stroom, Joep; Vieira, Sandra; Pimentel, Nuno; Greco, Carlo; Durante, Marco; Graeff, Christian

2018-01-01

Intensity modulated particle therapy (IMPT) can produce highly conformal plans, but is limited in advanced lung cancer patients with multiple lesions due to motion and planning complexity. A 4D IMPT optimization including all motion states was expanded to include multiple targets, where each target (isocenter) is designated to specific field(s). Furthermore, to achieve stereotactic treatment planning objectives, target and OAR weights plus objective doses were automatically iteratively adapted. Finally, 4D doses were calculated for different motion scenarios. The results from our algorithm were compared to clinical stereotactic body radiation treatment (SBRT) plans. The study included eight patients with 24 lesions in total. Intended dose regimen for SBRT was 24 Gy in one fraction, but lower fractionated doses had to be delivered in three cases due to OAR constraints or failed plan quality assurance. The resulting IMPT treatment plans had no significant difference in target coverage compared to SBRT treatment plans. Average maximum point dose and dose to specific volume in OARs were on average 65% and 22% smaller with IMPT. IMPT could also deliver 24 Gy in one fraction in a patient where SBRT was limited due to the OAR vicinity. The developed algorithm shows the potential of IMPT in treatment of multiple moving targets in a complex geometry.

Modification and validation of an analytical source model for external beam radiotherapy Monte Carlo dose calculations

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

Davidson, Scott E., E-mail: sedavids@utmb.edu

Purpose: A dose calculation tool, which combines the accuracy of the dose planning method (DPM) Monte Carlo code and the versatility of a practical analytical multisource model, which was previously reported has been improved and validated for the Varian 6 and 10 MV linear accelerators (linacs). The calculation tool can be used to calculate doses in advanced clinical application studies. One shortcoming of current clinical trials that report dose from patient plans is the lack of a standardized dose calculation methodology. Because commercial treatment planning systems (TPSs) have their own dose calculation algorithms and the clinical trial participant who usesmore » these systems is responsible for commissioning the beam model, variation exists in the reported calculated dose distributions. Today’s modern linac is manufactured to tight specifications so that variability within a linac model is quite low. The expectation is that a single dose calculation tool for a specific linac model can be used to accurately recalculate dose from patient plans that have been submitted to the clinical trial community from any institution. The calculation tool would provide for a more meaningful outcome analysis. Methods: The analytical source model was described by a primary point source, a secondary extra-focal source, and a contaminant electron source. Off-axis energy softening and fluence effects were also included. The additions of hyperbolic functions have been incorporated into the model to correct for the changes in output and in electron contamination with field size. A multileaf collimator (MLC) model is included to facilitate phantom and patient dose calculations. An offset to the MLC leaf positions was used to correct for the rudimentary assumed primary point source. Results: Dose calculations of the depth dose and profiles for field sizes 4 × 4 to 40 × 40 cm agree with measurement within 2% of the maximum dose or 2 mm distance to agreement (DTA) for 95% of the data points tested. The model was capable of predicting the depth of the maximum dose within 1 mm. Anthropomorphic phantom benchmark testing of modulated and patterned MLCs treatment plans showed agreement to measurement within 3% in target regions using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). Using radiochromic film normalized to TLD, a gamma criteria of 3% of maximum dose and 2 mm DTA was applied with a pass rate of least 85% in the high dose, high gradient, and low dose regions. Finally, recalculations of patient plans using DPM showed good agreement relative to a commercial TPS when comparing dose volume histograms and 2D dose distributions. Conclusions: A unique analytical source model coupled to the dose planning method Monte Carlo dose calculation code has been modified and validated using basic beam data and anthropomorphic phantom measurement. While this tool can be applied in general use for a particular linac model, specifically it was developed to provide a singular methodology to independently assess treatment plan dose distributions from those clinical institutions participating in National Cancer Institute trials.« less

Radiation dose and magnification in pelvic X-ray: EOS™ imaging system versus plain radiographs.

PubMed

Chiron, P; Demoulin, L; Wytrykowski, K; Cavaignac, E; Reina, N; Murgier, J

2017-12-01

In plain pelvic X-ray, magnification makes measurement unreliable. The EOS™ (EOS Imaging, Paris France) imaging system is reputed to reproduce patient anatomy exactly, with a lower radiation dose. This, however, has not been assessed according to patient weight, although both magnification and irradiation are known to vary with weight. We therefore conducted a prospective comparative study, to compare: (1) image magnification and (2) radiation dose between the EOS imaging system and plain X-ray. The EOS imaging system reproduces patient anatomy exactly, regardless of weight, unlike plain X-ray. A single-center comparative study of plain pelvic X-ray and 2D EOS radiography was performed in 183 patients: 186 arthroplasties; 104 male, 81 female; mean age 61.3±13.7years (range, 24-87years). Magnification and radiation dose (dose-area product [DAP]) were compared between the two systems in 186 hips in patients with a mean body-mass index (BMI) of 27.1±5.3kg/m 2 (range, 17.6-42.3kg/m 2 ), including 7 with morbid obesity. Mean magnification was zero using the EOS system, regardless of patient weight, compared to 1.15±0.05 (range, 1-1.32) on plain X-ray (P<10 -5 ). In patients with BMI<25, mean magnification on plain X-ray was 1.15±0.05 (range, 1-1.25) and, in patients with morbid obesity, 1.22±0.06 (range, 1.18-1.32). The mean radiation dose was 8.19±2.63dGy/cm 2 (range, 1.77-14.24) with the EOS system, versus 19.38±12.37dGy/cm 2 (range, 4.77-81.75) with plain X-ray (P<10 -4 ). For BMI >40, mean radiation dose was 9.36±2.57dGy/cm 2 (range, 7.4-14.2) with the EOS system, versus 44.76±22.21 (range, 25.2-81.7) with plain X-ray. Radiation dose increased by 0.20dGy with each extra BMI point for the EOS system, versus 0.74dGy for plain X-ray. Magnification did not vary with patient weight using the EOS system, unlike plain X-ray, and radiation dose was 2.5-fold lower. 3, prospective case-control study. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Uncertainties in planned dose due to the limited voxel size of the planning CT when treating lung tumors with proton therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

España, Samuel; Paganetti, Harald

2011-07-01

Dose calculation for lung tumors can be challenging due to the low density and the fine structure of the geometry. The latter is not fully considered in the CT image resolution used in treatment planning causing the prediction of a more homogeneous tissue distribution. In proton therapy, this could result in predicting an unrealistically sharp distal dose falloff, i.e. an underestimation of the distal dose falloff degradation. The goal of this work was the quantification of such effects. Two computational phantoms resembling a two-dimensional heterogeneous random lung geometry and a swine lung were considered applying a variety of voxel sizes for dose calculation. Monte Carlo simulations were used to compare the dose distributions predicted with the voxel size typically used for the treatment planning procedure with those expected to be delivered using the finest resolution. The results show, for example, distal falloff position differences of up to 4 mm between planned and expected dose at the 90% level for the heterogeneous random lung (assuming treatment plan on a 2 × 2 × 2.5 mm3 grid). For the swine lung, differences of up to 38 mm were seen when airways are present in the beam path when the treatment plan was done on a 0.8 × 0.8 × 2.4 mm3 grid. The two-dimensional heterogeneous random lung phantom apparently does not describe the impact of the geometry adequately because of the lack of heterogeneities in the axial direction. The differences observed in the swine lung between planned and expected dose are presumably due to the poor axial resolution of the CT images used in clinical routine. In conclusion, when assigning margins for treatment planning for lung cancer, proton range uncertainties due to the heterogeneous lung geometry and CT image resolution need to be considered.

A Quantitative Analysis of Solar Flare Characteristics as Observed in the Solar Observing Optical Network and the Global Oscillation Network Group

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

due to their possible threat to operations. Because of their importance, event-level flares are given extra consideration in this report. (AFWA...In the impulsive phase (3 to 10 minutes), as this reconnection takes place, electrons and ions with large energies are accelerated and released...right, correspond to the horizontal lines with large red dashes. The flash and gradual phases are bound by the vertical dashed lines. 13 variable in

Value Focused Thinking Approach Using Multivariate Validation for Junior Enlisted Performance Reporting in the United States Air Force

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-22

consideration for enlisted airmen, has largely become a non factor due to over-inflated scores, with other factors such as specialty knowledge test scores, time...appraisal. Secondly, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) classifier will be applied to the large sample data to confirm that the values solicited to...jobs, employees make themselves vulnerable to the organization when they expend effort. If extra effort is expended to reduce errors or defects, or

Detection beyond Debye's length with an electrolyte-gated organic field-effect transistor.

PubMed

Palazzo, Gerardo; De Tullio, Donato; Magliulo, Maria; Mallardi, Antonia; Intranuovo, Francesca; Mulla, Mohammad Yusuf; Favia, Pietro; Vikholm-Lundin, Inger; Torsi, Luisa

2015-02-04

Electrolyte-gated organic field-effect transistors are successfully used as biosensors to detect binding events occurring at distances from the transistor electronic channel that are much larger than the Debye length in highly concentrated solutions. The sensing mechanism is mainly capacitive and is due to the formation of Donnan's equilibria within the protein layer, leading to an extra capacitance (CDON) in series to the gating system. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Tachyon condensation due to domain-wall annihilation in Bose-Einstein condensates.

PubMed

Takeuchi, Hiromitsu; Kasamatsu, Kenichi; Tsubota, Makoto; Nitta, Muneto

2012-12-14

We show theoretically that a domain-wall annihilation in two-component Bose-Einstein condensates causes tachyon condensation accompanied by spontaneous symmetry breaking in a two-dimensional subspace. Three-dimensional vortex formation from domain-wall annihilations is considered a kink formation in subspace. Numerical experiments reveal that the subspatial dynamics obey the dynamic scaling law of phase-ordering kinetics. This model is experimentally feasible and provides insights into how the extra dimensions influence subspatial phase transition in higher-dimensional space.

RICE bounds on cosmogenic neutrino fluxes and interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hussain, Shahid

2005-04-01

Assuming standard model interactions we calculate shower rates induced by cosmogenic neutrinos in ice, and we bound the cosmogenic neutrino fluxes using RICE 2000-2004 results. Next we assume new interactions due to extra- dimensional, low-scale gravity (i.e. black hole production and decay; graviton mediated deep inelastic scattering) and calculate enhanced shower rates induced by cosmogenic neutrinos in ice. With the help of RICE 2000-2004 results, we survey bounds on low scale gravity parameters for a range of cosmogenic neutrino flux models.

Predicting Schedule Duration for Defense Acquisition Programs: Program Initiation to Initial Operational Capability

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-24

Corporation found that increases in schedule effort tend to be the reason for increases in the cost of acquiring a new weapons system due to, at a minimum...in-depth finance and schedule data for selected programs (Brown et al., 2015). We also give extra focus on Research Development Test & Evaluation...we create and employ an entirely new database. The database we utilize for our research is a database originally built by the RAND Corporation for

[Diagnosis and management of chronic renal failure in the elderly].

PubMed

Segalen, Isabelle; Le Meur, Yannick

2016-01-01

The incidence of chronic renal failure in the elderly is rising due to the ageing of the general population. Its management, and notably nephroprotective therapies, must be adapted to the elderly person who is often frail and with multiple pathologies. The decision to start extra-renal purification does not depend on the patient's chronological age but on their physiological age and requires dialogue between the patient and their family, the geriatrician and the nephrologist. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Ewing's Sarcoma of the Adrenal Gland.

PubMed

Pal, Dilip Kumar; Chandra, Vipin; Ranjan, Kumar Rajiv; Chakrabortty, Debasis; Banerjee, Manju

2016-01-01

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) or primitive neuro-ectodermal tumor (PNET) typically occurs in long or flat bones, the chest wall, extra-skeletal soft tissue, and rarely in solid organs. Incidence of adrenal Ewing's sarcoma is very rare. Here we report a case of Ewing's sarcoma of the right adrenal gland in an 8-year-old girl who presented with an abdominal mass. The huge tumor was managed by preoperative neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection. She died due to metastasis after five months of surgery.

Association Between Left Atrial Compression And Atrial Fibrillation: A Case Presentation And A Short Review Of Literature.

PubMed

Ahmed, Niloy; Carlos, Morales-Mangual; Moshe, Gunsburg; Yitzhak, Rosen

2016-01-01

This case report describes a patient who developed palpitations and chest pain and was found to be in atrial fibrillation, which was likely due to the presence of an extra-cardiac mass. This was compressing the left atrium. The mass was related to small cell carcinoma, which decreased significantly in size after chemotherapy. Resolution of the atrial fibrillation correlated temporally with reduction in the size of the mass and alleviation of the left atrial compression.

Effects of experimental light at night on extra-pair paternity in a songbird.

PubMed

de Jong, Maaike; Lamers, Koosje P; Eugster, Mark; Ouyang, Jenny Q; Da Silva, Arnaud; Mateman, A Christa; van Grunsven, Roy H A; Visser, Marcel E; Spoelstra, Kamiel

2018-06-27

Light pollution is increasing worldwide and significantly affects animal behavior. In birds, these effects include advancement of morning activity and onset of dawn song, which may affect extra-pair paternity. Advanced dawn song of males may stimulate females to engage in extra-pair copulations, and the earlier activity onset may affect the males' mate guarding behavior. Earlier work showed an effect of light at night on extra-pair behavior, but this was in an area with other anthropogenic disturbances. Here, we present a two-year experimental study on effects of light at night on extra-pair paternity of great tits (Parus major). Previously dark natural areas were illuminated with white, red, and green LED lamps and compared to a dark control. In 2014, the proportion of extra-pair young in broods increased with distance to the red and white lamps (i.e., at lower light intensities), but decreased with distance to the poles in the dark control. In 2013, we found no effects on the proportion of extra-pair young. The total number of offspring sired by a male was unaffected by artificial light at night in both years, suggesting that potential changes in female fidelity in pairs breeding close to white and red light did not translate into fitness benefits for the males of these pairs. Artificial light at night might disrupt the natural patterns of extra-pair paternity, possibly negates potential benefits of extra-pair copulations and thus could alter sexual selection processes in wild birds. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Calculation of absorbed dose and biological effectiveness from photonuclear reactions in a bremsstrahlung beam of end point 50 MeV.

PubMed

Gudowska, I; Brahme, A; Andreo, P; Gudowski, W; Kierkegaard, J

1999-09-01

The absorbed dose due to photonuclear reactions in soft tissue, lung, breast, adipose tissue and cortical bone has been evaluated for a scanned bremsstrahlung beam of end point 50 MeV from a racetrack accelerator. The Monte Carlo code MCNP4B was used to determine the photon source spectrum from the bremsstrahlung target and to simulate the transport of photons through the treatment head and the patient. Photonuclear particle production in tissue was calculated numerically using the energy distributions of photons derived from the Monte Carlo simulations. The transport of photoneutrons in the patient and the photoneutron absorbed dose to tissue were determined using MCNP4B; the absorbed dose due to charged photonuclear particles was calculated numerically assuming total energy absorption in tissue voxels of 1 cm3. The photonuclear absorbed dose to soft tissue, lung, breast and adipose tissue is about (0.11-0.12)+/-0.05% of the maximum photon dose at a depth of 5.5 cm. The absorbed dose to cortical bone is about 45% larger than that to soft tissue. If the contributions from all photoparticles (n, p, 3He and 4He particles and recoils of the residual nuclei) produced in the soft tissue and the accelerator, and from positron radiation and gammas due to induced radioactivity and excited states of the nuclei, are taken into account the total photonuclear absorbed dose delivered to soft tissue is about 0.15+/-0.08% of the maximum photon dose. It has been estimated that the RBE of the photon beam of 50 MV acceleration potential is approximately 2% higher than that of conventional 60Co radiation.

Application of the concept of biologically effective dose (BED) to patients with Vestibular Schwannomas treated by radiosurgery

PubMed Central

Millar, William T.; Lindquist, Christer; Nordström, Håkan; Lidberg, Pär; Gårding, Jonas

2013-01-01

In the application of stereotactic radiosurgery, using the Gamma Knife, there are large variations in the overall treatment time for the same prescription dose, given in a single treatment session, for different patients. This is due to not only changes in the activity of the Cobolt-60 sources, but also to variations in the number of iso-centers used, the collimator size for a particular iso-center, and the time gap between the different iso-centers. Although frequently viewed as a single dose treatment the concept of biologically effective dose (BED), incorporating concurrent fast and a slow components of repair of sublethal damage, would imply potential variations in BED because of the influence of these different variables associated with treatment. This was investigated in 26 patients, treated for Vestibular Schwannomas, using the Series B Gamma-Knife, between 1999 and 2005. The iso-center number varied between 2 and 13, and the overall treatment time from 25.4–129.58 min. The prescription doses varied from 10–14 Gy. To obtain physical dose and dose-rates from each iso-center, in a number of locations in the region of interest, a prototype version of the Leksell GammaPlan® was used. For an individual patient, BED values varied by up to 15% for a given physical iso-dose. This was due to variation in the dose prescription at different locations on that iso-dose. Between patients there was a decline in the range of BED values as the overall treatment time increased. This increased treatment time was partly a function of the slow decline in the activity of the sources with time but predominantly due to changes in the number of iso-centers used. Thus, variations in BED values did not correlate with prescription dose but was modified by the overall treatment time. PMID:29296371

19 CFR 151.64 - Extra copy of entry summary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... TREASURY (CONTINUED) EXAMINATION, SAMPLING, AND TESTING OF MERCHANDISE Wool and Hair § 151.64 Extra copy of entry summary. One extra copy of the entry summary covering wool or hair subject to duty at a rate per...

19 CFR 151.64 - Extra copy of entry summary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... TREASURY (CONTINUED) EXAMINATION, SAMPLING, AND TESTING OF MERCHANDISE Wool and Hair § 151.64 Extra copy of entry summary. One extra copy of the entry summary covering wool or hair subject to duty at a rate per...

19 CFR 151.64 - Extra copy of entry summary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... TREASURY (CONTINUED) EXAMINATION, SAMPLING, AND TESTING OF MERCHANDISE Wool and Hair § 151.64 Extra copy of entry summary. One extra copy of the entry summary covering wool or hair subject to duty at a rate per...

19 CFR 151.64 - Extra copy of entry summary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... TREASURY (CONTINUED) EXAMINATION, SAMPLING, AND TESTING OF MERCHANDISE Wool and Hair § 151.64 Extra copy of entry summary. One extra copy of the entry summary covering wool or hair subject to duty at a rate per...

19 CFR 151.64 - Extra copy of entry summary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... TREASURY (CONTINUED) EXAMINATION, SAMPLING, AND TESTING OF MERCHANDISE Wool and Hair § 151.64 Extra copy of entry summary. One extra copy of the entry summary covering wool or hair subject to duty at a rate per...

The mechanism of folding robustness revealed by the crystal structure of extra-superfolder GFP.

PubMed

Choi, Jae Young; Jang, Tae-Ho; Park, Hyun Ho

2017-01-01

Stability of green fluorescent protein (GFP) is sometimes important for a proper practical application of this protein. Random mutagenesis and targeted mutagenesis have been used to create better-folded variants of GFP, including recently reported extra-superfolder GFP. Our aim was to determine the crystal structure of extra-superfolder GFP, which is more robustly folded and stable than GFP and superfolder GFP. The structural and structure-based mutagenesis analyses revealed that some of the mutations that created extra-superfolder GFP (F46L, E126K, N149K, and S208L) contribute to folding robustness by stabilizing extra-superfolder GFP with various noncovalent bonds. © 2016 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Determination of radon and radium concentrations in drinking water samples around the city of Kutahya.

PubMed

Sahin, Latife; Cetinkaya, Hakan; Murat Saç, Müslim; Içhedef, Mutlu

2013-08-01

The concentration of radium and radon has been determined in drinking water samples collected from various locations of Kutahya city, Turkey. The water samples are taken from public water sources and tap water, with the collector chamber method used to measure the radon and radium concentration. The radon concentration ranges between 0.1 and 48.6±1.7 Bq l(-1), while the radium concentration varies from a minimum detectable activity of <0.02-0.7±0.2 Bq l(-1) in Kutahya city. In addition to the radon and radium levels, parameters such as pH, conductivity and temperature of the water, humidity, pressure, elevation and the coordinates of the sampling points have also been measured and recorded. The annual effective dose from radon and radium due to typical water usage has been calculated. The resulting contribution to the annual effective dose due to radon ingestion varies between 0.3 and 124.2 μSv y(-1); the contribution to the annual effective dose due to radium ingestion varies between 0 and 143.3 μSv y(-1); the dose contribution to the stomach due to radon ingestion varies between 0.03 and 14.9 μSv y(-1). The dose contribution due to radon inhalation ranges between 0.3 and 122.5 μSv y(-1), assuming a typical transfer of radon in water to the air. For the overwhelming majority of the Kutahya population, it is determined that the average radiation exposure from drinking water is less than 73.6 µSv y(-1).

Social cognition and underlying cognitive mechanisms in children with an extra X chromosome: a comparison with autism spectrum disorder.

PubMed

van Rijn, S; Stockmann, L; van Buggenhout, G; van Ravenswaaij-Arts, C; Swaab, H

2014-06-01

Individuals with an extra X chromosome are at increased risk for autism symptoms. This study is the first to assess theory of mind and facial affect labeling in children with an extra X chromosome. Forty-six children with an extra X chromosome (29 boys with Klinefelter syndrome and 17 girls with Trisomy X), 56 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 88 non-clinical controls, aged 9-18 years, were included. Similar to children with ASD, children with an extra X chromosome showed significant impairments in social cognition. Regression analyses showed that different cognitive functions predicted social cognitive skills in the extra X and ASD groups. The social cognitive deficits were similar for boys and girls with an extra X chromosome, and not specific for a subgroup with high Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised autism scores. Thus, children with an extra X chromosome show social cognitive deficits, which may contribute to social dysfunction, not only in children showing a developmental pattern that is 'typical' for autism but also in those showing mild or late presenting autism symptoms. Our findings may also help explain variance in type of social deficit: children may show similar social difficulties, but these may arise as a consequence of different underlying information processing deficits. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and International Behavioural and Neural Genetics Society.

Efficacy of prokinetics with a split-dose of polyethylene glycol in bowel preparation for morning colonoscopy: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Kim, Hyoung Jun; Kim, Tae Oh; Shin, Bong Chul; Woo, Jae Gon; Seo, Eun Hee; Joo, Hee Rin; Heo, Nae-Yun; Park, Jongha; Park, Seung Ha; Yang, Sung Yeon; Moon, Young Soo; Shin, Jin-Yong; Lee, Nae Young

2012-01-01

Currently, a split-dose of polyethylene glycol (PEG) is the mainstay of bowel preparation due to its tolerability, bowel-cleansing action, and safety. However, bowel preparation with PEG is suboptimal because residual fluid reduces the polyp detection rate and requires a more thorough colon inspection. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the efficacy of a sufficient dose of prokinetics on bowel cleansing together with split-dose PEG. A prospective endoscopist-blinded study was conducted. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups: prokinetic with split-dose PEG or split-dose PEG alone. A prokinetic [100 mg itopride (Itomed)], was administered twice simultaneously with each split-dose of PEG. Bowel-cleansing efficacy was measured by endoscopists using the Ottawa scale and the segmental fluidity scale score. Each participant completed a bowel preparation survey. Mean scores from the Ottawa scale, segmental fluid scale, and rate of poor preparation were compared between both groups. Patients in the prokinetics with split-dose PEG group showed significantly lower total Ottawa and segmental fluid scores compared with patients in the split-dose of PEG alone group. A sufficient dose of prokinetics with a split-dose of PEG showed efficacy in bowel cleansing for morning colonoscopy, largely due to the reduction in colonic fluid. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Effect of repeated oral therapeutic doses of methylphenidate on food intake and growth rate in rats.

PubMed

Alam, Nausheen; Najam, Rahila

2015-01-01

Central nervous system stimulants are known to produce anorexia. Previous data suggest that methylphenidate can have variable effects on caloric intake and growth rate. A dose-response study was performed to monitor caloric intake, liquid intake and growth rate in rats following repeated administration of human oral therapeutic doses 2 mg/kg/day, 5mg/kg/day and 8mg/kg/day of methylphenidate. We found that food intake and water intake, increased in all weeks and at all doses used in the study. Growth rate increased more at higher dose (8mg/kg/day) and at low dose (2mg/kg/day) of methylphenidate in 1(st) and 2(nd) week whereas more decreased by the above doses in 3(rd) week, suggesting that food stimulation leads to initial increase in growth rate but long term administration of methylphenidate attenuate growth rate that is not due to modulation of appetite but may be due to anxiety and increased activity produce by stimulants. A possible role of DA, 5HT receptors in modulation of appetite and anxiety is discussed.

Refractory Cardiogenic Shock During Tramadol Poisoning: A Case Report.

PubMed

Belin, Nicolas; Clairet, Anne-Laure; Chocron, Sidney; Capellier, Gilles; Piton, Gaël

2017-04-01

Tramadol is a weak opioid analgesic indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. Tramadol intoxication can be lethal, and this drug is frequently involved in voluntary overdose. Classically, tramadol intoxication is associated with neurological and respiratory side effects. In contrast, cardiac effects are poorly documented in the literature. We report a case of severe tramadol intoxication, with plasma concentration 20 times the toxic threshold, complicated by refractory cardiogenic shock, successfully treated by extra corporeal life support (ECLS) with a favorable cardiac outcome and ECLS weaning at day 10. Seizure, clonus, and nonreactive mydriasis were present during 4 days, and complete awakening was delayed to day 15. Poisoning caused by high doses of tramadol can lead to refractory cardiogenic shock, and ECLS can be considered as effective rescue therapy in this context.

Angular dose anisotropy around gold nanoparticles exposed to X-rays.

PubMed

Gadoue, Sherif M; Toomeh, Dolla; Zygmanski, Piotr; Sajo, Erno

2017-07-01

Gold nanoparticle (GNP) radiotherapy has recently emerged as a promising modality in cancer treatment. The use of high atomic number nanoparticles can lead to enhanced radiation dose in tumors due to low-energy leakage electrons depositing in the vicinity of the GNP. A single metric, the dose enhancement ratio has been used in the literature, often in substantial disagreement, to quantify the GNP's capacity to increase local energy deposition. This 1D approach neglects known sources of dose anisotropy and assumes that one average value is representative of the dose enhancement. Whether this assumption is correct and within what accuracy limits it could be trusted, have not been studied due to computational difficulties at the nanoscale. Using a next-generation deterministic computational method, we show that significant dose anisotropy exists which may have radiobiological consequences, and can impact the treatment outcome as well as the development of treatment planning computational methods. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An estimation of Canadian population exposure to cosmic rays.

PubMed

Chen, Jing; Timmins, Rachel; Verdecchia, Kyle; Sato, Tatsuhiko

2009-08-01

The worldwide average exposure to cosmic rays contributes to about 16% of the annual effective dose from natural radiation sources. At ground level, doses from cosmic ray exposure depend strongly on altitude, and weakly on geographical location and solar activity. With the analytical model PARMA developed by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, annual effective doses due to cosmic ray exposure at ground level were calculated for more than 1,500 communities across Canada which cover more than 85% of the Canadian population. The annual effective doses from cosmic ray exposure in the year 2000 during solar maximum ranged from 0.27 to 0.72 mSv with the population-weighted national average of 0.30 mSv. For the year 2006 during solar minimum, the doses varied between 0.30 and 0.84 mSv, and the population-weighted national average was 0.33 mSv. Averaged over solar activity, the Canadian population-weighted average annual effective dose due to cosmic ray exposure at ground level is estimated to be 0.31 mSv.

Implementing a citizen's DWI reporting program using the Extra Eyes model

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-09-01

This manual is a guide for law enforcement agencies and community organizations in creating and implementing a citizens DWI reporting program in their communities modeling the Operation Extra Eyes program. Extra Eyes is a program that engages volu...

Guaifenesin Pharmacokinetics Following Single‐Dose Oral Administration in Children Aged 2 to 17 Years

PubMed Central

Thompson, Gary A.; Solomon, Gail; Albrecht, Helmut H.; Reitberg, Donald P.

2016-01-01

Abstract This study characterized guaifenesin pharmacokinetics in children aged 2 to 17 years (n = 40) who received a single oral dose of guaifenesin (age‐based doses of 100‐400 mg) 2 hours after breakfast. Plasma samples were obtained before and for 8 hours after dosing and analyzed for guaifenesin using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using noncompartmental methods, relationships with age were assessed using linear regression, and dose proportionality was assessed on 95% confidence intervals. Based on the upper dose recommended in the monograph (for both children and adolescents), area under the curve from time zero to infinity and maximum plasma concentration both increased with age. However, when comparing the upper dose for children aged 2 to 11 years with the lower dose for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, similar systemic exposure was observed. As expected due to increasing body size, oral clearance (CLo) and terminal volume of distribution (Vz/F) increased with age. Due to a larger increase in Vz/F than CLo, an increase in terminal exponential half‐life was also observed. Allometric scaling indicated no maturation‐related changes in CLo and Vz/F. PMID:26632082

Measurements and simulations of the radiation exposure to aircraft crew workplaces due to cosmic radiation in the atmosphere.

PubMed

Beck, P; Latocha, M; Dorman, L; Pelliccioni, M; Rollet, S

2007-01-01

As required by the European Directive 96/29/Euratom, radiation exposure due to natural ionizing radiation has to be taken into account at workplaces if the effective dose could become more than 1 mSv per year. An example of workers concerned by this directive is aircraft crew due to cosmic radiation exposure in the atmosphere. Extensive measurement campaigns on board aircrafts have been carried out to assess ambient dose equivalent. A consortium of European dosimetry institutes within EURADOS WG5 summarized experimental data and results of calculations, together with detailed descriptions of the methods for measurements and calculations. The radiation protection quantity of interest is the effective dose, E (ISO). The comparison of results by measurements and calculations is done in terms of the operational quantity ambient dose equivalent, H(10). This paper gives an overview of the EURADOS Aircraft Crew In-Flight Database and it presents a new empirical model describing fitting functions for this data. Furthermore, it describes numerical simulations performed with the Monte Carlo code FLUKA-2005 using an updated version of the cosmic radiation primary spectra. The ratio between ambient dose equivalent and effective dose at commercial flight altitudes, calculated with FLUKA-2005, is discussed. Finally, it presents the aviation dosimetry model AVIDOS based on FLUKA-2005 simulations for routine dose assessment. The code has been developed by Austrian Research Centers (ARC) for the public usage (http://avidos.healthphysics.at).

Calculated organ doses from selected prostate treatment plans using Monte Carlo simulations and an anatomically realistic computational phantom

PubMed Central

Bednarz, Bryan; Hancox, Cindy; Xu, X George

2012-01-01

There is growing concern about radiation-induced second cancers associated with radiation treatments. Particular attention has been focused on the risk to patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) due primarily to increased monitor units. To address this concern we have combined a detailed medical linear accelerator model of the Varian Clinac 2100 C with anatomically realistic computational phantoms to calculate organ doses from selected treatment plans. This paper describes the application to calculate organ-averaged equivalent doses using a computational phantom for three different treatments of prostate cancer: a 4-field box treatment, the same box treatment plus a 6-field 3D-CRT boost treatment and a 7-field IMRT treatment. The equivalent doses per MU to those organs that have shown a predilection for second cancers were compared between the different treatment techniques. In addition, the dependence of photon and neutron equivalent doses on gantry angle and energy was investigated. The results indicate that the box treatment plus 6-field boost delivered the highest intermediate- and low-level photon doses per treatment MU to the patient primarily due to the elevated patient scatter contribution as a result of an increase in integral dose delivered by this treatment. In most organs the contribution of neutron dose to the total equivalent dose for the 3D-CRT treatments was less than the contribution of photon dose, except for the lung, esophagus, thyroid and brain. The total equivalent dose per MU to each organ was calculated by summing the photon and neutron dose contributions. For all organs non-adjacent to the primary beam, the equivalent doses per MU from the IMRT treatment were less than the doses from the 3D-CRT treatments. This is due to the increase in the integral dose and the added neutron dose to these organs from the 18 MV treatments. However, depending on the application technique and optimization used, the required MU values for IMRT treatments can be two to three times greater than 3D CRT. Therefore, the total equivalent dose in most organs would be higher from the IMRT treatment compared to the box treatment and comparable to the organ doses from the box treatment plus the 6-field boost. This is the first time when organ dose data for an adult male patient of the ICRP reference anatomy have been calculated and documented. The tools presented in this paper can be used to estimate the second cancer risk to patients undergoing radiation treatment. PMID:19671968

Calculated organ doses from selected prostate treatment plans using Monte Carlo simulations and an anatomically realistic computational phantom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bednarz, Bryan; Hancox, Cindy; Xu, X. George

2009-09-01

There is growing concern about radiation-induced second cancers associated with radiation treatments. Particular attention has been focused on the risk to patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) due primarily to increased monitor units. To address this concern we have combined a detailed medical linear accelerator model of the Varian Clinac 2100 C with anatomically realistic computational phantoms to calculate organ doses from selected treatment plans. This paper describes the application to calculate organ-averaged equivalent doses using a computational phantom for three different treatments of prostate cancer: a 4-field box treatment, the same box treatment plus a 6-field 3D-CRT boost treatment and a 7-field IMRT treatment. The equivalent doses per MU to those organs that have shown a predilection for second cancers were compared between the different treatment techniques. In addition, the dependence of photon and neutron equivalent doses on gantry angle and energy was investigated. The results indicate that the box treatment plus 6-field boost delivered the highest intermediate- and low-level photon doses per treatment MU to the patient primarily due to the elevated patient scatter contribution as a result of an increase in integral dose delivered by this treatment. In most organs the contribution of neutron dose to the total equivalent dose for the 3D-CRT treatments was less than the contribution of photon dose, except for the lung, esophagus, thyroid and brain. The total equivalent dose per MU to each organ was calculated by summing the photon and neutron dose contributions. For all organs non-adjacent to the primary beam, the equivalent doses per MU from the IMRT treatment were less than the doses from the 3D-CRT treatments. This is due to the increase in the integral dose and the added neutron dose to these organs from the 18 MV treatments. However, depending on the application technique and optimization used, the required MU values for IMRT treatments can be two to three times greater than 3D CRT. Therefore, the total equivalent dose in most organs would be higher from the IMRT treatment compared to the box treatment and comparable to the organ doses from the box treatment plus the 6-field boost. This is the first time when organ dose data for an adult male patient of the ICRP reference anatomy have been calculated and documented. The tools presented in this paper can be used to estimate the second cancer risk to patients undergoing radiation treatment.

How many surgery appointments should be offered to avoid undesirable numbers of 'extras'?

PubMed

Kendrick, T; Kerry, S

1999-04-01

Patients seen as 'extras' (or 'fit-ins') are usually given less time for their problems than those in pre-booked appointments. Consequently, long queues of 'extras' should be avoided. To determine whether a predictable relationship exists between the number of available appointments at the start of the day and the number of extra patients who must be fitted in. This might be used to help plan a practice appointment system. Numbers of available appointments at the start of the day and numbers of 'extras' seen were recorded prospectively in 1995 and 1997 in one group general practice. Minimum numbers of available appointments at the start of the day, below which undesirably large numbers of extra patients could be predicted, were determined using logistic regression applied to the 1995 data. Predictive values of the minimum numbers calculated for 1995, in terms of predicting undesirable numbers of 'extras', were then determined when applied to the 1997 data. Numbers of extra patients seen correlated negatively with available appointments at the start of the day for all days of the week, with coefficients ranging from -0.66 to -0.80. Minimum numbers of available appointments below which undesirably large numbers of extras could be predicted were 26 for Mondays and four for the other week-days. When applied to 1997 data, these minimum numbers gave positive and negative predictive values of 76% and 82% respectively, similar to their values for 1995, despite increases in patient attendance and changes in the day-to-day pattern of surgery provision between the two years. A predictable relationship exists between the number of available appointments at the start of the day and the number of extras who must be fitted in, which may be used to help plan the appointment system for some years ahead, at least in this relatively stable suburban practice.

The effect of a nano-filled resin coating on the 3-year clinical performance of a conventional high-viscosity glass-ionomer cement.

PubMed

Diem, Vu Thi Kieu; Tyas, Martin J; Ngo, Hien C; Phuong, Lam Hoai; Khanh, Ngo Dong

2014-04-01

The main aim of the study was to compare the clinical performance of the conventional high-powder/liquid ratio glass-ionomer cement (GIC) Fuji IX GP Extra (F IX), Fuji IX GP Extra with a low-viscosity nano-filled resin coating, G-Coat Plus (F IX+GCP), and a resin composite, Solare (S), as a comparison material. Moderate-depth occlusal cavities in the first permanent molars of 91 11-12-year-old children (1-4 restorations per child) were restored with either F IX (87 restorations), F IX+GCP (84 restorations) or S (83 restorations). Direct clinical assessment, photographic assessment and assessment of stone casts of the restorations were carried out at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years. The colour match with the tooth of the GIC restorations improved over the 3 years of the study. Marginal staining and marginal adaptation were minimal for all restorations; three restorations exhibited secondary caries at 3 years. From the assessment of the casts, at 2 years, there was significantly less wear of the F IX GP Extra+GCP restorations than the F IX GP Extra restorations (P < 0.005). At 3 years, approximately 37 % of F IX GP Extra restorations showed wear slightly more than the adjacent enamel, compared to 28 % of F IX GP Extra+GCP restorations and 21 % of Solare restorations. Although this was not statistically significant, there was a trend that GCP can protect F IX GP Extra against wear. Although both Fuji IX GP Extra and Fuji IX GP Extra with G-Coat Plus showed acceptable clinical performance in occlusal cavities in children, the application of G-Coat Plus gave some protection against wear. The application of G-Coat Plus to Fuji IX GP Extra glass-ionomer cement may be beneficial in reducing wear in occlusal cavities.

Cushing's syndrome due to ectopic production of corticotropin-releasing hormone in an infant with ganglioneuroblastoma.

PubMed

Zangeneh, Farhad; Young, William F; Lloyd, Ricardo V; Chiang, Myra; Kurczynski, Elizabeth; Zangeneh, Fereydoun

2003-01-01

To report the first recognized case of Cushing's syndrome due to a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-secreting ganglioneuroblastoma, which was found in an 18-month-old boy with hypertensive encephalopathy. The clinical, biochemical, and immunohistochemical characteristics of this rare syndrome are described, and the relevant literature is reviewed. An 18-month-old boy with a history of recent weight gain was admitted because of sudden onset of right fixed esotropia and left facial palsy after episodes of emesis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed old left frontal lobe and right hypothalamic infarcts. The patient had generalized obesity, decelerated linear growth, hypertrichosis, hypertension (144/103 mm Hg), hypokalemia, and proteinuria. The 24-hour urinary excretion of free cortisol, catecholamines, and metanephrines was increased. The serum cortisol concentration after a 1-mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was 53.7 mg/dL (normal, <5). The serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration was 7 pg/mL (normal, 10 to 60), and the CRH level was 439 pg/mL (normal, 24 to 40). An overnight high-dose DST (8 mg) failed to suppress serum cortisol; however, both cortisol and ACTH were responsive to ovine CRH stimulation. Despite discordant dynamic endocrine testing and negative somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, computed tomography showed a right 3.6- by 3.0-cm extra-adrenal retroperitoneal mass with central calcification extending 7 cm cephalocaudally. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, followed by chemotherapy. Findings on light microscopic and immunohistochemical examination of the retroperitoneal mass were consistent with a ganglioneuroblastoma that expressed CRH, pro-opiomelanocortin, and ACTH. The evaluation of Cushing's syndrome is one of the most complex endocrine challenges. In this case, it was due to ectopic production of CRH by a ganglioneuroblastoma. Because most CRH-producing tumors also secrete ACTH, the ectopic production may represent a paracrine phenomenon in addition to an endocrine phenomenon. The ectopic CRH may also indirectly provoke pituitary ACTH secretion. This dual mechanism may explain the resistance of the tumor to feedback inhibition and a CRH-stimulation response indistinguishable from that observed in pituitary-dependent Cushing's syndrome.

Accurate condensed history Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport. II. Application to ion chamber response simulations.

PubMed

Kawrakow, I

2000-03-01

In this report the condensed history Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport and its application to the calculation of ion chamber response is discussed. It is shown that the strong step-size dependencies and lack of convergence to the correct answer previously observed are the combined effect of the following artifacts caused by the EGS4/PRESTA implementation of the condensed history technique: dose underprediction due to PRESTA'S pathlength correction and lateral correlation algorithm; dose overprediction due to the boundary crossing algorithm; dose overprediction due to the breakdown of the fictitious cross section method for sampling distances between discrete interaction and the inaccurate evaluation of energy-dependent quantities. These artifacts are now understood quantitatively and analytical expressions for their effect are given.

Natural radionuclides in cigarette tobacco from Serbian market and effective dose estimate from smoke inhalation.

PubMed

Janković Mandić, Ljiljana; Đolić, Maja; Marković, Dragana; Todorović, Dragana; Onjia, Antonije; Dragović, Snežana

2016-01-01

The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides ((40)K, (210)Pb, (210)Po, (226)Ra and (228)Ra) in 17 most frequently used cigarette brands in Serbia and corresponding effective doses due to smoke inhalation are presented. The mean annual effective doses for (210)Pb and (210)Po were estimated to be 47.3 and 724 µSv y(-1) for (210)Pb and (210)Po, respectively. Serbia currently has the highest smoking rate in the world. The results of this study indicate the high contribution of the annual effective dose due to smoke inhalation to the total inhalation dose from natural radionuclides. The more effective implementation of actions for reducing smoking prevalence in Serbia is highly needed. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Natural Radiation from Soil using Gamma-Ray Spectrometry

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

Silveira, M. A. G.; Moreira, R. H.; Paula, A. L. C. de

2009-06-03

We have studied the distribution of natural radioactivity in the soil of Interlagos, in Sao Paulo city and Billings Reservoir, in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The main contribution of the effective radiation dose is due to the elements of the {sup 238}Th decay series, with smaller contributions from {sup 40}K and the elements of the series of {sup 238}U. The results indicate the dose in all of the studied areas is around the average international dose due to external exposure to gamma rays (0.48 mSv/yr) proceeding from natural terrestrial elements.

Long-term effect on mother-infant behaviour of extra contact during the first hour post partum. III. Follow-up at one year.

PubMed

de Château, P; Wiberg, B

1984-01-01

The present prospective study examined, one year after delivery, the possible effects of early extra contact during the first hour following delivery. An extra skin-to-skin contact and suckling contact was allowed 22 primiparous mothers and their infants (P + group). One control group of 20 primiparous mothers and their infants were given routine care immediately after birth (P group). During observation of a physical examination of the infant, 'extra contact mothers' held and touched their infants more frequently and more often talked positively to their infants than did mothers given routine care. 'Extra contact mothers' had returned to their professional employment outside the home to a lesser extent than had routine care mothers. A greater proportion of 'extra contact' infants slept in a room of their own. In the P+ group, mothers who had returned to gainful employment were also able to have their babies sleep in a room of their own--no such correspondence was found in the P group. The Gesell Developmental Schedules revealed that, in four parts out of five, infants with extra contact immediately after birth, were ahead of those in the control group. On the other hand, the Vineland Social Maturity Scale and the Cesarec Marke Personality Scheme did not reveal any major differences between the two groups. Mothers with early extra skin-to-skin contact and suckling contact breast-fed their infants on an average for 2 1/2 months longer than did routine care mothers. No other differences in feeding habits were found. The influence of extra contact was more pronounced in boy-mother than in girl-mother pairs.

Modification of homogeneous and isotropic turbulence by solid particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Wontae

2005-12-01

Particle-laden flows are prevalent in natural and industrial environments. Dilute loadings of small, heavy particles have been observed to attenuate the turbulence levels of the carrier-phase flow, up to 80% in some cases. We attempt to increase the physical understanding of this complex phenomenon by studying the interaction of solid particles with the most fundamental type of turbulence, which is homogeneous and isotropic with no mean flow. A flow facility was developed that could create air turbulence in a nearly-spherical chamber by means of synthetic jet actuators mounted on the corners. Loudspeakers were used as the actuators. Stationary turbulence and natural decaying turbulence were investigated using two-dimensional particle image velocimetry for the base flow qualification. Results indicated that the turbulence was fairly homogeneous throughout the measurement domain and very isotropic, with small mean flow. The particle-laden flow experiments were conducted in two different environments, the lab and in micro-gravity, to examine the effects of particle wakes and flow structure distortion caused by settling particles. The laboratory experiments showed that glass particles with diameters on the order of the turbulence Kolmogorov length scale attenuated the fluid turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and dissipation rate with increasing particle mass loadings. The main source of fluid TKE production in the chamber was the speakers, but the loss of potential energy of the settling particles also resulted in a significant amount of production of extra TKE. The sink of TKE in the chamber was due to the ordinary fluid viscous dissipation and extra dissipation caused by particles. This extra dissipation could be divided into "unresolved" dissipation caused by local velocity disturbances in the vicinity of the small particles and dissipation caused by large-scale flow distortions from particle wakes and particle clusters. The micro-gravity experiments in NASA's KC-135 showed that the absence of particle potential energy loss and particle wakes caused greater levels of turbulence attenuation since there was no additional production due to mean particle motion. The relatively stationary dispersion of particles acted like a series of screens which produced forces opposing turbulent motions.

Probing large extra dimensions with IceCube

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

Esmaili, Arman; Peres, O.L.G.; Tabrizi, Zahra, E-mail: arman@ipm.ir, E-mail: orlando@ifi.unicamp.br, E-mail: tabrizi.physics@ipm.ir

2014-12-01

In models with Large Extra Dimensions the smallness of neutrino masses can be naturally explained by introducing gauge singlet fermions which propagate in the bulk. The Kaluza-Klein modes of these fermions appear as towers of sterile neutrino states on the brane. We study the phenomenological consequences of this picture for the high energy atmospheric neutrinos. For this purpose we construct a detailed equivalence between a model with large extra dimensions and a (3+n) scenario consisting of three active and n extra sterile neutrino states, which provides a clear intuitive understanding of Kaluza-Klein modes. Finally, we analyze the collected data ofmore » high energy atmospheric neutrinos by IceCube experiment and obtain bounds on the radius of extra dimensions.« less

Perceived organizational support and extra-role performance: which leads to which?

PubMed

Chen, Zhixia; Eisenberger, Robert; Johnson, Kelly M; Sucharski, Ivan L; Aselage, Justin

2009-02-01

L. Rhoades and R. Eisenberger (2002) reported the meta-analytic finding of a highly statistically significant relation between perceived organizational support (POS) and performance but concluded that the reviewed studies' methodology allowed no conclusion concerning the direction of the association. To investigate this issue, the authors assessed POS and extra-role performance 2 times, separated by a 3-year interval, among 199 employees of an electronic and appliance sales organization. Using a cross-lagged panel design, the authors found that POS was positively associated with a temporal change in extra-role performance. In contrast, the relation between extra-role performance and temporal change in POS was not statistically significant. These findings provide evidence that POS leads to extra-role performance.

Evaluation of contralateral breast skin doses by thermoluminescent dosimeters of patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer.

PubMed

Gorken, I B; Kentli, S; Alanyali, H; Karagüler, Z; Kinay, M

2002-01-01

It is reported that low dose radiation received by the contralateral breast (CLB) during adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is carcinogenic. This trial was planned to evaluate the CLB skin doses received during adjuvant RT of breast carcinoma. Twenty-four breast carcinoma patients treated locally or locoregionally with adjuvant RT were included. RT was performed with only tangential fields (TA) in 6 patients whereas 9 patients had an extra internal mammary (IM) field (TAIM). The remaining 9 patients received 5-field locoregional RT (5FLR). All patients were treated with wedge filters except for 3 TA patients. Of 9 5FLR patients IM fields were treated with Co60 in 5 and with electrons in the remaining 4 patients. LiF(2)-based Ribbon type thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were used for dose evaluation. An average of 10 TLD's, placed with 1 cm gaps beginning from the medial border of the treatment field along the central axis were used to obtain dose measurements. Median measure of TLD's between 2-8 cm and maximum dose point (MDP) values in the same range were used to evaluate the CLB dose. In TA patients the CLB skin received 6.3% of the total dose in patients treated with wedge filters and 7.13% with half-beam blocks. For 6 TAIM patients with IM fields treated with Co60, the CLB dose was 7.24%. In 5 of 9 5FLR patients, whose IM fields were treated with Co60 the CLB skin received 8.8% of the total dose, while for electron beam therapy the CLB dose was 5.44%. CLB median MDP values were as follows: 12.76% in TA patients treated with wedge filters and 11.45% with half-beam blocking; 11.89% in TAIM patients with IM fields treated with Co60 and 7.83% with electron beams; 12.29% in 5FLR patients of whose IM fields were treated with Co60 and 8.94% with electron beams. When compared to wedge filters, halfbeam blocks caused 13% increase in CLB doses. If IM fields were added, 27.5% and 62% increases at CLB doses were established with Co60 when compared to electron beam RT in 3-field and 5-field treatments, respectively. CLB doses increased by 15-40% with the increased number of treatment fields. MDP values were also found to be higher with IM fields treated with Co60, but the number of treatment fields and accessories used seemed to have no effect on MDP doses. We conclude that by using wedge filters instead of half-beam blocks and by increasing the number of fractions treated with electron energies for IM fields, apparent decreases in CLB doses can be obtained. Large number of cases is needed to statistically establish the significant differences between subgroups.