SpaceOAR to improve dosimetric outcomes for monotherapy high-dose-rate prostate implantation in a patient with ulcerative colitis.

High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is an attractive option for patients receiving definitive radiation therapy for prostate cancer with decreased overall dose to the pelvis. However, ulcerative colitis increases rectal toxicity risk and may be a contraindication. A synthetic hydrogel, SpaceOAR (Augmentix Inc., Waltham, MA, USA), can facilitate the use of HDR brachytherapy for patients where rectal toxicity is a limiting factor. SpaceOAR gel (13.19 cc) was utilized in a monotherapy HDR prostate treatment with Ir-192 under transrectal ultrasound guidance, with the intention of decreasing rectal dose. SpaceOAR gel was inserted transperineally into the patient 18 days prior to the procedure. The HDR brachytherapy procedure was tolerated without incident. All planning constraints were met, and the following dosimetry was achieved: Prostate – V100% = 97.3%, V150% = 35%, V200% = 14.5%; Urethra – V118% = 0%; Rectum – D2 cc = 51.6%, V75% = 0 cc. The rectum-catheter spacing was on average between 6-8 mm. Average spacing for our 10 most recent patients without SpaceOAR was 3 mm. SpaceOAR did not hinder or distort ultrasound imaging or increase treatment time. SpaceOAR successfully increases catheter-rectal wall spacing and decreases rectal dose due to improved planning capabilities, while decreasing the likelihood of rectal perforation. One application of this tool is presented to mitigate potential toxicities associated with ulcerative colitis. At five months, one week, and one day follow-up, the patient reported no bowel issues following HDR brachytherapy. © 2018 Termedia Publishing House Ltd. All Rights Reserved

The Effects of Scenic and Environmental Amenities on Agricultural Land Values

Ascribing land value solely to productive capacity does not accurately capture the impact environmental amenities provide on western land prices. Agricultural land prices in Wyoming are estimated using a hedonic price model and Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) data. These GIS measurements include on-parcel wildlife and fish habitat, viewscape attributes and distance to protected federal lands. A feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) approach is used to address both spatial autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity. The estimation is robust and highly significant. Results indicate that amenities as well as productivity are significant in explaining land values for the sample analyzed. Such information is useful for landscape management in the face of amenity threatening parcel fragmentation.Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use,

One-Litter Outdoor Farrowing System by using Artificial Insemination and Hoop Structures

The one−litter outdoor system of pork production may be improved with advanced technology. Artificial insemination and low cost gestation housing allow replacement gilts to be produced at a lower cost. Electric fencers, all terrain vehicles, and improved management all provide the hog producer an opportunity to raise more hogs at lower cost and with reduced labor. This article provides a budget for a one-litter system in which three groups of 100 sows each are farrowed annually. Seven hundred-fifty pigs are raised to 50 lb from each farrowing. Then, 300 pigs per group are saved from the maternal cross as well as six terminal boars and are finished in hoop structures. Of 900 pigs finished, 390 (130 per group) are kept for replacement gilts (using the hoops for gestation). The remaining are sold as market hogs. Of 130 gilts, 30 are assumed to be non breeders and are sold as open gilts. The remaining 100 gilts are farrowed the following year and sold immediately after weaning. This system farrows 300 litters and markets 2,250 feeder pigs, 500 market hogs, 90 cull gilts, and 300 cull sows per year. Based on current prices (1997) and 7.5 pigs weaned per litter, the cost of production was $41 per 50 lb–pig for all costs; or$32 per 50 lb–pig excluding labor. The system budget is competitive with more capital-intensive confinement systems

The Librarian’s Copyright Companion

The transition from print to digital continues. The Copyright Act has changed a little, but not for the better. This book begins with the premise that copyright exists to promote the dissemination of information, and while creators have certain rights, so do users. This new edition updates every chapter and adds a new chapter on the library as a publisher. Also included is information on recent developments such as Creative Common licenses and the use of digital video (e.g. YouTube) in the classroom