Image findings of cranial nerve pathology on [18F]-2- deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography with computerized tomography (PET/CT): a pictorial essay.

This article aims to increase awareness about the utility of (18)F -FDG-PET/CT in the evaluation of cranial nerve (CN) pathology. We discuss the clinical implication of detecting perineural tumor spread, emphasize the primary and secondary (18)F -FDG-PET/CT findings of CN pathology, and illustrate the individual (18)F -FDG-PET/CT CN anatomy and pathology of 11 of the 12 CNs

Cost optimal energy retrofit strategies for public administrative buildings: A Cairo case study

The Egyptian government is currently constructing a new governmental quarter in the New Administrative Capital City, located east of Cairo. A planned relocation for all ministerial authorities to the New Capital City will leave a vacant governmental estate in Cairo. The study of the energy retrofit options provides a unique opportunity to reduce energy use and maximize the benefit from the anticipated investment in the re-use to be implemented within this stock. However, energy retrofit was found to be under-researched in the Egyptian context. This paper presents a pilot study that aims to identify cost optimal retrofit strategies for one of the soon to be vacated buildings, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). Using DesignBuilder, an energy modelling study was implemented to estimate the existing performance of the building, assess the projected performance after a change of use (to an office building), and evaluate the cost optimality and the savings associated with the application of retrofit measures. The study found that the feasibility of implementing retrofit can be significantly offset by the discount rates in Egypt. As such, maintaining economic stability and considering non-economic incentives can be key drivers to increasing the energy retrofit uptake in Egypt

The analysis of pathological findings for cervical lymph node biopsies in eastern Saudi Arabia

AbstractBackground and objectiveLymphadenopathy is a common medical problem. A lymph node biopsy may be necessary for definitive diagnosis in selected cases.MethodsThe study group included a retrospective, hospital-based series of patients who had a cervical lymph node biopsy at the Saudi Aramco Medical Services organization between 1997 and 2008.ResultsDuring the study period, there were a total of 452 cervical lymph node biopsies. Biopsies were performed on 122 (27%) children ≤18 years and 81 (18%) patients >60 years. The most common histopathological diagnosis was reactive disease (52.2%, n=236), which was followed by granulomatous disease (15.5%, n=70). We detected carcinoma in 14.6% of the patients (n=66), Hodgkin's lymphoma in 8.8% (n=40) and non-Hodgkin's disease in 8.8% (n=40). Malignancy was more common in adults than children (19.5% vs. 1.6%, respectively and reactive disease was more common in children than adults (65.3% vs. 47.3%, respectively). Metastatic disease was more likely in the older age group (17.7% vs. 0%), Hodgkin's disease was found in 12.5% of the adolescents, and non-Hodgkin's disease was present in 10.3% of the adults and elderly.ConclusionThe most common histopathological findings for cervical lymph node biopsies in eastern Saudi Arabia were reactive disease and granulomatous disease

How useful are building energy models for policy? A UK perspective

Energy demand models are central to the efforts of many governments to reduce carbon emissions from buildings. The lack of empirical research to ensure the appropriate use of predictions from the models has implications for building regulations and evaluating policy initiatives. We present three recent examples from the UK that highlight challenges: the discovery of a heat by-pass in party walls, trends in household gas consumption and the impact of condensing boilers, and inter-model variation in the non-domestic sector. We emphasise and contrast the approach of health sciences to support policy, and suggest that a far more systematic and integrated approach between empirical research, model development, and policy evaluation is needed

Small power and lighting load time series data for 27 departments across 8 UK hospitals

The electricity consumption of 27 departments was measured across 8 medium to large General Acute hospitals in England (largely by the authors, some data was donated and authorised for publication by the respective hospitals). The departments fall into 6 different categories which have been selected due to their prevalence in General Acute Hospitals (wards), their high energy intensities (theatres, laboratories, imaging and radiotherapy) or their distinct operating hours (day clinics). This data article provides floor areas and the time series of departmental power loads, mostly encompassing lighting and small power (but excluding central electricity use for ventilation, pumping and medical gas services). Comparative interpretations of the data are published in doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.02.052 [1]

Retrofit solutions for solid wall dwellings in England: the impact of uncertainty upon the energy performance gap

This study seeks to evaluate the impact of uncertainty in the pre-retrofit thermal performance of solid walls of English dwellings on post-retrofit energy use. Five dwelling archetypes, broadly representative of English solid wall properties, were modelled pre- and post-retrofit, under different wall insulation scenarios, using dynamic thermal simulation. Findings indicate that whilst solid wall insulation could result in a significant reduction of space heating demand, uncertainties in the pre-retrofit solid wall U-value could lead to a gap between the anticipated and actual energy performance. Specifically, results show that if the current U-value assumption of 2.1 W/m2K is indeed an overestimation of the in-situ U-value of solid walls, then the anticipated carbon savings could be significantly reduced by up to 65%. Practical application: The performance gap observed in this study revealed that the actual carbon savings arising from the retrofit of solid wall properties could be significantly lower than predicted. This will not only affect UK Government carbon reduction targets but it can also result in a lack of confidence amongst stakeholders who may consequently doubt the effectiveness of energy retrofit measures, thus reducing their uptake. Uncertainties regarding solid wall U-values may necessitate the re-examination of the carbon targets set for the retrofit of solid wall dwellings and the exploration of alternative ways to further reduce their carbon emissions, e.g. by specifying higher insulation thicknesses

Risk identification of residential energy demand: the case studies of Australia, Chile, the United Kingdom and the United States

A wide range of residential sector energy models have been developed in recent years to determine energy demand and CO2 emissions and to evaluate energy saving policies. However, modelling outputs are subject to significant variations due to multiple sources of uncertainty, primarily stemming from input parameters and assumptions. This study aims to assess the transferability of the Transferable Energy Model (TREM) and quantify the prediction uncertainty of residential sector energy demand until 2030 in four case study countries (Australia, Chile, United Kingdom and the United States). TREM is able to determine the future annual energy demand in the residential sector according to the area of energy use (space heating, hot water provision, cooking, electrical appliances, lighting), whilst quantifying uncertainties in the results. Significant variations (between −12% and +63%) in residential energy demand in the year 2030 with respect to 2010 were found among the case study countries, suggesting that single total energy demand estimates are associated with considerable uncertainties. This paper also presents a comprehensive database of the range of possible variations in residential energy demand related to a wide range of energy saving measures in each case study country