Imaging techniques for ocular neoplasia

Background: Novel ocular imaging modalities have greatly impacted the diagnosis and management of different types of ocular neoplasia. In this narrative review, we summarize the practical features of popular and novel imaging modalities for ocular tumors. Methods: Four databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were searched from January 1, 2000 to August 31, 2022. Articles reporting different imaging modalities for diagnosing or monitoring treatment responses of ocular tumors were extracted using various combinations of the following keywords: ocular neoplasia, positron emission tomography or PET, single-photon emission computed tomography or SPECT, optical coherence tomography or OCT, OCT angiography or OCTA, computed tomography or CT, ultrasonography or US, ultrasound biomicroscopy or UBM, and magnetic resonance imaging or MRI. Results: Various ocular imaging modalities had different accuracies as adjunctive tools for detecting or managing ocular tumors. Anterior ultra-high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) could be used to evaluate images with < 5-µm resolution. OCT angiography provided deeper insight into retinal vascular changes associated with the malignant transformation of choroidal melanoma. OCT in children altered the diagnosis of suspicious retinoblastoma in 3% of the cases and treatment plan in 11% of the cases. While positron-emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) allowed the detection of metastatic lesions of choroidal melanoma by full-body scanning, single-photon emission CT was more sensitive compared to PET in detecting choroidal melanoma. Ultrasound biomicroscopy, with an accuracy exceeding 92.5%, could detect retinal calcification in lesions measuring 2–3 mm. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) had better contrast compared to ultrasound biomicroscopy and higher sensitivity compared to CT in detecting post-laminar optic nerve invasion. However, MRI had a lower spatial resolution compared to OCT. Further development of imaging modalities and their application in drug development would improve the treatment of ocular tumors. Conclusions: Although diagnosing ocular tumors depend on clinical characteristics, innovations in ocular imaging have enabled early diagnosis and timely, appropriate management of ocular neoplasia, which are conducive to favorable visual outcomes and increased life expectancy. Further systematic reviews and meta-analyses of primary studies focusing on a specific imaging modality in ocular neoplasia could precisely determine the diagnostic accuracy of each imaging modality to better guide eye practitioners with efficient diagnostic or therapeutic approaches for these sight- or life-threatening entities. Imaging modalities may play a major role in drug development in the future

Dual-wavelength thulium fluoride fiber laser based on SMF-TMSIF-SMF interferometer as potential source for microwave generationin 100-GHz region

A dual-wavelength thulium-doped fluoride fiber (TDFF) laser is presented. The generation of the TDFF laser is achieved with the incorporation of a single modemultimode- single mode (SMS) interferometer in the laser cavity. The simple SMS interferometer is fabricated using the combination of two-mode step index fiber and single-mode fiber. With this proposed design, as many as eight stable laser lines are experimentally demonstrated. Moreover, when a tunable bandpass filter is inserted in the laser cavity, a dual-wavelength TDFF laser can be achieved in a 1.5-μm region. By heterodyning the dual-wavelength laser, simulation results suggest that the generated microwave signals can be tuned from 105.678 to 106.524 GHz with a constant step of �0.14 GHz. The presented photonics-based microwave generation method could provide alternative solution for 5G signal sources in 100-GHz region

Investigation of the development obstacles of the informational literacy of faculty members in Region 1 Universities, Iran

The present research investigates the development of obstacles to the informational literacy of faculty member in Islamic Azad Universities, and presents the proposed methods to improve this skill. The present research appraises the technological, economic, cultural, structural and human obstacles in university environments. The present research is survey-descriptive and Statistical population consists of 2131 faculty members of region1 Islamic Azad Universities in 2011-2012. The sample consists of 325 professors based on Morgan’s table. We selected them using cluster random sampling, so we selected several universities and appraised their professors. The data collected by a questionnaire that is made by researcher based on liker’s spectrum. This questionnaire was used after the determination of its validity by specialists and its stability was conformed using Cronbach Alpha coefficient (Alpha: 0.941). The analysis of data carried out using descriptive statistics methods (frequency, the percent of frequency, mean and standard deviation) and SPSS software. The results of research show that economic and technological obstacles are the most important obstacles of the informational literacy of faculty members

Proposing an optimal integral-based intensity measure for seismic collapse capacity assessment of structures under pulse-like near-fault ground motions

Pulse-like near-fault ground motions, which are characterized by the presence of a velocity pulse, can impose large demands in structures, and hence can potentially increase seismic collapse risk. One of the most important parameters affecting the structural demands under near-fault ground motions is the pulse period. The commonly used scalar intensity measure (IM), spectral acceleration at the fundamental period of the structure, Sa(T1), is demonstrated to be deficient, and also insufficient with respect to the pulse period, for predicting the structural collapse capacity under pulse-like ground motions. Furthermore, it is shown that the recently proposed IM, named INp, is not able to fully account for the effect of the pulse period. This study proposes an optimal integral-based IM, named ISa, for reliable seismic collapse assessment of structures subjected to pulse-like near-fault ground motions. ISa is the integral of the pseudo acceleration response spectrum over an optimal period range that is a function of the fundamental period and ductility of the structure. To propose the new IM, 15 generic frame structures with different fundamental periods and ductility classes were employed. The results indicate that ISa is significantly efficient, which causes reduction in the dispersion of structural collapse capacity, and also sufficient with respect to the pulse period and other ground motion characteristics for seismic collapse capacity assessment

Investigation of the development obstacles of the informational literacy of faculty members in Region 1 Universities, Iran

The present research investigates the development of obstacles to the informational literacy of faculty member in Islamic Azad Universities, and presents the proposed methods to improve this skill. The present research appraises the technological, economic, cultural, structural and human obstacles in university environments. The present research is survey-descriptive and Statistical population consists of 2131 faculty members of region1 Islamic Azad Universities in 2011-2012. The sample consists of 325 professors based on Morgan’s table. We selected them using cluster random sampling, so we selected several universities and appraised their professors. The data collected by a questionnaire that is made by researcher based on liker’s spectrum. This questionnaire was used after the determination of its validity by specialists and its stability was conformed using Cronbach Alpha coefficient (Alpha: 0.941). The analysis of data carried out using descriptive statistics methods (frequency, the percent of frequency, mean and standard deviation) and SPSS software. The results of research show that economic and technological obstacles are the most important obstacles of the informational literacy of faculty members

A Comparison between Ultrasonic GuidedWave Leakage and Half-Cell Potential Methods in Detection of Corrosion in Reinforced Concrete Decks

This article presents the advantages and limitations of a recently developed Ultrasonic Guided Wave Leakage (UGWL) method in comparison to the well-known Half-Cell Potential (HCP) method in their ability to detect corrosion in reinforced concrete (RC) bridge decks. This research also establishes a correlation between UGWL data and chloride content in concrete RC slabs. Concrete slabs submerged in a 10% NaCl solution were monitored using both methods over a period of six months. The chloride content from the three cores (0.84, 0.55, and 0.18%) extracted from the slab after the 6-month long process all exceeded the chloride threshold values suggested in ACI 318, which is 0.05 to 0.1% by weight of concrete. Further, the UGWL method detected changes due to corrosion approximately 21 days earlier than the HCP method

Factors Influencing Patient Satisfaction in Shahroud Hospitals in 2018

Background: Patient satisfaction is one of important indicators of quality of service measurement. This study aimed at measuring patient satisfaction and factors which influence it in hospitals in Shahroud.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 800 patients selected through random sampling were studied in public and private hospitals in 2018. The collected data were entered into SPSS 16 and analyzed using t-test and chi-square. The level of significance in all tests is 0.05.Results: Most of the inpatients were women and married people. The average score of satisfaction in the public hospitals affiliated to the University was 22.45 ± 6.02 and in the private sector, it was 21.56 ± 5, which is deemed moderate. Patients were the most dissatisfied with the daily change of patient dresses and bed covers (38.3%), hospital food quality (35.3%), room facilities (31.1%), and were the most satisfied with nursing behaviors (87.7%). Chi-square test showed a significant relationship between the type of hospital (P = 0.002), patients’ age (P = 0.037), education (P = 0.013), and residence (P = 0.012) with their satisfaction.Conclusion: Patients' satisfaction was moderate. Paying more attention to the domains such as daily change of clothes and bed covers, the quality of hospital food, and facilities of the patient's room can play a role in improving the satisfaction of patients

Prototype System for Implementing the Ultrasonic Guided Wave Method on the Field

This report presents the latest improvements in a recently developed nondestructive testing (NDT) technique for early detection of various flaws such as corrosion, delamination, and concrete cracking in reinforced concrete (RC) bridge decks. The method, named Ultrasonic Guided Wave Leakage (UGWL) method by the developing authors, involves use of internal steel reinforcement (rebar) as a wave guide for transmitting ultrasonic waves through the system and the measurement of leaked energy at the surface of the concrete. This report builds upon the progress made in the previously published phases of the project (M029 and M066), and aims to further explore the capabilities and practicality of the proposed NDT method. Specifically, efficient coupling of the sensors to the reinforcement and to concrete, durable embedment of sensors in field conditions, detection of corrosion development, benchmarking with half-cell potential (HCP) and chloride level tests, and suggestions for optimal sensor arrays are explored via laboratory and field testing. Results show that with careful placement of sensors and data interpretation, onset and progression of localized corrosion can be detected, which will be useful in developing deterioration models for RC bridge decks in the future. Results show that the UGWL results match well with chloride level tests and HCP testing predictions for potential for corrosion. For field applications, an angled seat made of fast-setting Hydrocal gypsum cement is recommended and it is projected that the optimal angle of attachment is 33 degrees or less from the vertical axis