Treatment planning and dosimetric verification of cyberknife prostate SBRT (stereotactic body radiation therapy) on an MR-based 3D prostate model imaging insert in a pelvis phantom

Purpose of this study was to validate a novel CyberKnife stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) treatment planning on an MRI-based 3D prostate model insert in an anthropomorphic pelvis phantom using Gafchromic EBT3 films to perform dosimetric measurements. The methodology of this study is based on a pelvis phantom and a physical printed 3D model of the prostate with dominant intra-prostatic-lesion and surrounding organs at risk segmented from a patient MR images. Cyberknife prostate treatment planning was performed to have at least 95% the planning target volumes (PTV: prostate expanded with margins of 5 mm in all directions except 3 mm posteriorly) covered by 3625 cGy (725x5) and a simultaneous dose escalation to 4750 cGy on the dominant intra-prostatic-lesion. Plan dosimetry verification was performed using Gafchromic EBT3 films on a Stereotactic Dose Verification Phantom. First, film calibration was done on Gafchromic EBT3 films exposed to various doses of 0-2500 cGy based on a LINAC (Trilogy) and CyberKnife monthly quality assurance (QA) for machine output calibration. Second, absolute dose measurements were taken by using films within the dose range 0-2250 cGy. Third, Gafchromic EBT3 films were placed in coronal and sagittal planes on the standard “blue phantom” or Stereotactic Dose Verification Phantom (SDVP) on which one fraction of the treatment plan is delivered for verification measurements. Then, on the prostate-pelvis phantom, a dosimetry inserts were used with films through the DIL region. After the calibration, the accuracy of absolute dose measurements with EBT3 was verified to be ≤ 1% in the dose range of interest (500-1500 cGy). On the SDVP phantom, comparison of films vs. plan for the coronal plane yielded ≥ 99.7% passing rates while for sagittal plane yielded ≥ 95.3% passing rates under the gamma criteria of ≤ 2% in dose and ≤ 2mm in distance to agreement (DTA). This study demonstrated that it is feasible to plan and deliver a SBRT treatment to prostate with a simultaneous dose escalation to the dominant intra-prostatic lesion

Performance differences between Islamic and conventional banking forms

This paper strives to recognize the possible performance differences between the two popular banking forms in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Applying different methodologies on the data that span the period 2003–2015, this study docu¬ments significant differences with respect to the period, countries, and performance measures. Specifically, conventional banks in GCC countries outperform their Islamic counterparts in profitability. Also, bank specific factors such as liquidity, capital ad¬equacy, bank size and growth all affect the profitability. In addition, GCC conventional and Islamic banks were isolated from the 2008 subprime crisis even though their prof¬itability seems to be decayed differently over the period of the economic downturn

Moment Approximation of a Money Return Model Employing a Birth and Death Diffusion Process with General External Effect

This paper derives moment approximation as well as the mean and the variance of a money return model within an important diffusion return process by considering the stochastic analogs of classical differences and differential equations. This is accomplished by employing an interest rate process that follows a birth and death diffusion process with general external effect process and represented as a solution to a stochastic differential equation. The analysis introduces a generalization of a widely applied statistical distribution, the exponential distribution. In particular, the moment approximation for some external effect distributions of Beta and Exponential distributions, as well as for the case of no external effects are generated. Numerical examples for a sample path of such a money return process are also considered for the case of fixed annualized interest rate and for the case of no jumps as well as the case of the occurrence of jump process that follow a uniform and exponential distribution. The results are useful in studying the behavior of the process and in statistical inference problems. The model generalization should attract wider applicability

Synthesis and optical properties of polyvinylidene difluoride nanocomposites comprising MoO3/g-C3N4

The present study describes the optical properties for prepared polymer nanocomposites of PVDF at different content of MoO3/g-C3N4. The structural properties of polymer films were analysed via XRD, FTIR and ESEM techniques. The XRD diffraction patterns of PVDF with different concentrations of MoO3/g-C3N4 have two characteristic peaks at 2 θ = 18.4° and 20.3° where first peak was assigned to α-phase, while last peak was attributed to β-phase. The ESEM micrographs of PVDF-MoO3/g-C3N4 nanocomposites have shown smooth surface topography. According to the UV–visible absorption spectra, the UV absorption of PVDF was increased when adding MoO3/g-C3N4 nanoparticles where distinct peak was appeared in the UV region at 310 nm and its edges become more intense and moved towards higher wavelength after MoO3/g-C3N4 incorporation. The optical values of (Edir) and (Eind) energies have decreased with increasing the nanoparticle composites content. The optical band gap energy (Eopt) was decreasing from 5.66 eV to 4.56 eV as increasing the content of MoO3/g-C3N4. The refractive index (n) was increased with increasing the concentration of MoO3/g-C3N4 in nanocomposites samples, except for the sample with 0.25 wt%. The distinctive optical characteristics of PVDF-MoO3/g-C3N4 qualify such polymer nanocomposites for optoelectronic applications

Linear and nonlinear optical investigations of polyvinyl chloride modified La2O3 nanocomposite films

In the present work, we report the effect and improvement of PVC polymer blend nanocomposites performance with addition of lanthanum oxide (La2O3) nanofiller. The structural properties of the samples were studied using different characterization techniques such as XRD, FTIR, Ramman and SEM. The X-ray diffraction peaks of La2O3 are with agreement with the pure hexagonal phase. The La2O3 sample was found to have crystallites size with an average about 15 nm. XRD, FTIR and SEM analysis confirmed the interaction of PVC/La2O3 polymer nanocomposites. The obtained band gaps of PVC/La2O3 polymer nanocomposites decreased (5.72 – 5.0 eV) upon increasing the nanofiller content. The obtained values of single oscillator energy (E0) showed a decrease (5.88 – 3.28 eV) while dispersion energy (Ed) increases (5.64 – 7.20 eV) upon increasing the concentration of La2O3. The estimated values of static refractive index (n0) showed an increase (1.40 – 1.79) upon increasing the percentage of La2O3. Moreover, the nonlinear refractive index (n2) value was changed from 1.56 10−13 to 33.56 x 10−13 esu. Finally, the addition of La2O3 nanofillers increase the polarizability of the polymer molecules and hence the nonlinear refractive index

TRUE LEFT SIDED GALL BLADDER: A SURGICAL SURPRISE

INTRODUCTION: Left sided gallbladder is a rare anomaly & several variants exist. The condition cannot be diagnosed pre-operatively by most of the radiological modalities and it can take the operating surgeon, by surprise. CASE PRESENTATION: A young lady with symptomatic gallstones was unexpectedly found to have a left sided gallbladder during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Though, her routine preoperative work up did not show anything abnormal, as is usual in such anatomical variation. She was successfully managed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy by modifying the camera angle & the dissection technique.  CONCLUSION: The anatomical knowledge of the various structures & to timely recognize the variations is very important to avoid injury in such cases. The operating technique may need to be modified for a safe & successful outcome

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) and the Risk Factors in the Conversion to Open Cholecystectomy (OC) Surgery: Jordan Statistical Review

This study aimed at exploring the risk factors in the conversion from laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) to open cholecystectomy (OC) Surgery, and overview the Jordanian statistics for patients over the year 2016 in the Jordanian hospitals. Results show that male gender with symptomatic cholelithiasis was associated with higher conversion rates. And results also showed that the age (>65 years) to be a risk factor for increased perioperative morbidity and conversion rates because of associated acute cholecystitis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure in patients, with no increased risk of complications compared with the open procedure. The recovery is faster and the hospital stay, shorter

Risk and diagnostic factors and therapy outcome of neonatal early onset sepsis in ICU patients of Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta analysis

BackgroundNeonatal early onset sepsis (NEOS) is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition affecting newborns within the first few days of life. While the diagnosis of NEOS was based on clinical signs and symptoms in the past, recent years have seen growing interest in identifying specific diagnostic factors and optimizing therapy outcomes. This study aims to investigate the diagnostic and risk factors and therapy outcomes of neonatal EOS in ICU patients in Saudi Arabia, with the goal of improving the management of neonatal EOS in the country.MethodsThis method outlines the protocol development, search strategy, study selection, and data collection process for a systematic review on neonatal early onset sepsis in Saudi Arabian ICU patients, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) is a well-established guideline that provides a framework for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses in a transparent and standardized manner. It aims to improve the quality and reporting of such research by ensuring clear and comprehensive reporting of study methods, results, and interpretations. The search strategy included electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library) and manual search of relevant studies, and data were extracted using a standardized form.ResultsThe systematic review included 21 studies on neonatal sepsis in Saudi Arabia, with varying study designs, sample sizes, and prevalence rates of sepsis. Group B streptococcus and E. coli were the most commonly isolated pathogens. Various diagnostic factors and risk factors were reported, including hematological parameters, biomarkers, and blood cultures. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Joanna Briggs Institute critical checklist.ConclusionsThe review identified a number of risk and diagnostic factors and therapy outcomes for neonatal sepsis. However, most of the studies were having small scale cohort groups. Further research with controlled study designs is needed to develop effective prevention and management strategies for neonatal sepsis in Saudi Arabia

SPARC 2017 retrospect & prospects : Salford postgraduate annual research conference book of abstracts

Welcome to the Book of Abstracts for the 2017 SPARC conference. This year we not only celebrate the work of our PGRs but also the 50th anniversary of Salford as a University, which makes this year’s conference extra special. Once again we have received a tremendous contribution from our postgraduate research community; with over 130 presenters, the conference truly showcases a vibrant PGR community at Salford. These abstracts provide a taster of the research strengths of their works, and provide delegates with a reference point for networking and initiating critical debate. With such wide-ranging topics being showcased, we encourage you to exploit this great opportunity to engage with researchers working in different subject areas to your own. To meet global challenges, high impact research inevitably requires interdisciplinary collaboration. This is recognised by all major research funders. Therefore engaging with the work of others and forging collaborations across subject areas is an essential skill for the next generation of researchers