''Latest Capabilities of Pov-Ray Ricochet Flight Path Analysis & Impact Probability Prediction Software''

POV-Ray Ricochet Tracker is a freeware computer code developed to analyze high-speed fragment ricochet trajectory paths in complex 3-D areas such as explosives tiring chambers, facility equipment rooms, or shipboard Command and Control Centers. The code analyzes as many as millions of individual fragment trajectory paths in three dimensions and tracks these trajectory paths for up to four bounces through the three-dimensional model. It allows determination of the probabilities of hitting any designated areas or objects in the model. It creates renderings of any ricochet flight paths of interest in photo realistic renderings of the 3-D model. POV-Ray Ricochet Tracker is a customized version of the Persistence of Vision{trademark} Ray-Tracer (POV-Ray{trademark}) version 3.02 code for the Macintosh{trademark} Operating System (MacOS{trademark}). POV-Ray is a third generation graphics engine that creates three-dimensional, very high quality (photo-realistic) images with realistic reflections, shading, textures, perspective, and other effects using a rendering technique called ray-tracing. It reads a text tile that describes the objects, lighting, and camera location in a scene and generates an image of that scene from the viewpoint of the camera. More information about POV-Ray, including the executable and source code, may be found at http://www.povray.org. The customized code (POV-Ray Shrapnel Tracker, V3.02-Custom Build 2) generates individual fragment trajectory paths at any desired angle intervals in three dimensions. The code tracks these trajectory paths through any complex three-dimensional space, and outputs detailed data for each ray as requested by the user. The output may include trajectory source location, initial direction of each trajectory, vector data for each bounce point, and any impacts with designated model target surfaces during any trajectory segment (direct path or reflected paths). This allows determination of the three-dimensional trajectory of each simulated particle, as well as overall and individual fragment probabilities of impact with any designated target(s) in the three-dimensional model. It also allows identification of any areas of particular concern due to grouping (in discrete areas) of fragment paths that lead to hits on the target areas of concern

Contribution of unmeasured anions to acid-base disorders and its association with altered demeanor in 264 calves with neonatal diarrhea

Background The quantitative effect of strong electrolytes, unmeasured anions (UAs), pCO2, and plasma protein concentrations in determining plasma pH and bicarbonate (HCO3−) can be demonstrated using the physicochemical approach. Demeanor of calves with diarrhea is associated with acidemia, dehydration, and hyper-d-lactatemia. Hypothesis Unmeasured anions are a major factor influencing changes in plasma pH and HCO3− of calves with diarrhea and UAs and strong UAs, estimated by anion gap (AG) and strong ion gap (SIG), respectively, are more strongly associated with alteration of demeanor compared to other acid–base variables. Animals A total of 264 calves with diarrhea from two data sets (DS1 and DS2). Methods Retrospective study. Forward stepwise regression was performed to determine the relationship between measured pH or HCO3−, and physicochemical variables. A two-way ANOVA was performed to investigate the association between acid–base variables and attitude (bright, obtunded, and stuporous), posture (standing, sternal or lateral recumbency), and strength of suckling reflex (strong, weak, or absent). Results Increased strong UAs estimated by SIG was the most important contributor to changes in measured pH and HCO3− (DS1: r2 66 and 59%, DS2: 39 and 42%, P < .0001). SIG and AG were correlated to deteriorating calf demeanor for all three clinical scoring categories: attitude, posture, and suckle reflex (P < .0001). Conclusion and Clinical Relevance Elevated concentrations of strong UAs were the primary cause of acidemia and had an important influence on the demeanor of calves with diarrhea. These findings emphasize the importance of the calculation of UAs when evaluating acid–base abnormalities in calves

An international Delphi consensus for pelvic Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy re-irradiation

27siStereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) is increasingly used to treat metastatic oligorecurrence and locoregional recurrences but limited evidence/guidance exists in the setting of pelvic re-irradiation. An international Delphi study was performed to develop statements to guide practice regarding patient selection, pre-treatment investigations, treatment planning, delivery and cumulative organs at risk (OARs) constraints.nonenoneSlevin, Finbar; Aitken, Katharine; Alongi, Filippo; Arcangeli, Stefano; Chadwick, Eliot; Chang, Ah Ram; Cheung, Patrick; Crane, Christopher; Guckenberger, Matthias; Jereczek-Fossa, Barbara Alicja; Kamran, Sophia C; Kinj, Rémy; Loi, Mauro; Mahadevan, Anand; Massaccesi, Mariangela; Mendez, Lucas C; Muirhead, Rebecca; Pasquier, David; Pontoriero, Antonio; Spratt, Daniel E; Tsang, Yat Man; Zelefsky, Michael J; Lilley, John; Dickinson, Peter; Hawkins, Maria A; Henry, Ann M; Murray, Louise JSlevin, Finbar; Aitken, Katharine; Alongi, Filippo; Arcangeli, Stefano; Chadwick, Eliot; Chang, Ah Ram; Cheung, Patrick; Crane, Christopher; Guckenberger, Matthias; Jereczek-Fossa, Barbara Alicja; Kamran, Sophia C; Kinj, Rémy; Loi, Mauro; Mahadevan, Anand; Massaccesi, Mariangela; Mendez, Lucas C; Muirhead, Rebecca; Pasquier, David; Pontoriero, Antonio; Spratt, Daniel E; Tsang, Yat Man; Zelefsky, Michael J; Lilley, John; Dickinson, Peter; Hawkins, Maria A; Henry, Ann M; Murray, Louise

An international Delphi consensus for pelvic stereotactic ablative radiotherapy re-irradiation

Introduction Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) is increasingly used to treat metastatic oligorecurrence and locoregional recurrences but limited evidence/guidance exists in the setting of pelvic re-irradiation. An international Delphi study was performed to develop statements to guide practice regarding patient selection, pre-treatment investigations, treatment planning, delivery and cumulative organs at risk (OARs) constraints. Materials and methods Forty-one radiation oncologists were invited to participate in three online surveys. In Round 1, information and opinion was sought regarding participants’ practice. Guidance statements were developed using this information and in Round 2 participants were asked to indicate their level of agreement with each statement. Consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement. In Round 3, any statements without consensus were re-presented unmodified, alongside a summary of comments from Round 2. Results Twenty-three radiation oncologists participated in Round 1 and, of these, 21 (91%) and 22 (96%) completed Rounds 2 and 3 respectively. Twenty-nine of 44 statements (66%) achieved consensus in Round 2. The remaining 15 statements (34%) did not achieve further consensus in Round 3. Consensus was achieved for 10 of 17 statements (59%) regarding patient selection/pre-treatment investigations; 12 of 13 statements (92%) concerning treatment planning and delivery; and 7 of 14 statements (50%) relating to OARs. Lack of agreement remained regarding the minimum time interval between irradiation courses, the number/size of pelvic lesions that can be treated and the most appropriate cumulative OAR constraints. Conclusions This study has established consensus, where possible, in areas of patient selection, pre-treatment investigations, treatment planning and delivery for pelvic SABR re-irradiation for metastatic oligorecurrence and locoregional recurrences. Further research into this technique is required, especially regarding aspects of practice where consensus was not achieved