THERMODYNAMIC TABLES FOR NUCLEAR WASTE ISOLATION, V.1: AQUEOUSSOLUTIONS DATABASE

Tables of consistent thermodynamic property values for nuclear waste isolation are given. The tables include critically assessed values for Gibbs energy of formation. enthalpy of formation, entropy and heat capacity for minerals; solids; aqueous ions; ion pairs and complex ions of selected actinide and fission decay products at 25{sup o}C and zero ionic strength. These intrinsic data are used to calculate equilibrium constants and standard potentials which are compared with typical experimental measurements and other work. Recommendations for additional research are given

An adaptive variable order quadrature strategy

In this article we propose a new adaptive numerical quadrature procedure which includes both local subdivision of the integration domain, as well as local variation of the number of quadrature points employed on each subinterval. In this way we aim to account for local smoothness properties of the function to be integrated as effectively as possible, and thereby achieve highly accurate results in a very efficient manner. Indeed, this idea originates from so-called hp-version finite element methods which are known to deliver high-order convergence rates, even for nonsmooth functions

Computerised mirror therapy with Augmented Reflection Technology for early stroke rehabilitation: Clinical feasibility and integration as an adjunct therapy

Purpose: New rehabilitation strategies for post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation employing visual stimulation show promising results, however, cost-efficient and clinically feasible ways to provide these interventions are still lacking. An integral step is to translate recent technological advances, such as in virtual and augmented reality, into therapeutic practice to improve outcomes for patients. This requires research on the adaptation of the technology for clinical use as well as on the appropriate guidelines and protocols for sustainable integration into therapeutic routines. Here, we present and evaluate a novel and affordable augmented reality system (Augmented Reflection Technology, ART) in combination with a validated mirror therapy protocol for upper limb rehabilitation after stroke. Method: We evaluated components of the therapeutic intervention, from the patients' and the therapists' points of view in a clinical feasibility study at a rehabilitation centre. We also assessed the integration of ART as an adjunct therapy for the clinical rehabilitation of subacute patients at two different hospitals. Results: The results showed that the combination and application of the Berlin Protocol for Mirror Therapy together with ART was feasible for clinical use. This combination was integrated into the therapeutic plan of subacute stroke patients at the two clinical locations where the second part of this research was conducted. Conclusions: Our findings pave the way for using technology to provide mirror therapy in clinical settings and show potential for the more effective use of inpatient time and enhanced recoveries for patients

Incidental bladder cancers found on multiparametric MRI of the prostate gland: A single center experience

© Turkish Society of Radiology 2018. PURPOSE In the era of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate gland, incidental findings are occasionally discovered on imaging. We aimed to report our experience of detecting incidental bladder cancers on mpMRI of the prostate in asymptomatic patients without irritative voiding symptoms or microscopic or gross hematuria. METHODS A retrospective review was performed on a prospectively maintained database of all men who underwent prostate mpMRI at our institution from 2012 to 2018. Patients who were found to have incidental bladder lesions were identified and baseline demographics, imaging and histopathologic data were recorded. All patients with incidental bladder lesion detection on mpMRI, not attributable to extension of prostate cancer, underwent cystoscopy in addition to a biopsy and/or transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) if warranted on cystoscopy. RESULTS There were 3147 prostate mpMRIs performed during this period and 25 cases (0.8%) of incidental bladder lesions were detected. These patients did not have any presenting symptoms such as gross or microscopic hematuria to prompt bladder lesion workup. The largest diameter of incidentally discovered bladder lesions ranged from 0.4 cm to 1.7 cm. Of the 25 cases of incidental bladder lesions, five were suspected to be due to prostate cancer invasion into the bladder. Only two of these five patients underwent biopsy, which confirmed prostate adenocarcinoma in both cases. Of the 20 patients without suspected prostate cancer invasion of the bladder, four had no suspicious lesions on cystoscopy to warrant a biopsy. The remaining 16 patients had bladder lesions seen on cystoscopy and underwent a biopsy and/or TURBT. Three of these patients had benign features on pathology (urachal remnant, amyloidosis and inflammation) and the remaining 13 had stage Ta urothelial carcinoma. Seven of these patients had low-grade Ta tumors and six had high-grade Ta tumors. All patients were treated with standard management of TURBT with or without intravesical BCG. There have been no reported cases of recurrence or progression in any of the patients in our cohort at the median follow-up of 26 months (interquartile range,19-40 months). CONCLUSION mpMRI of the prostate may yield incidental findings, such as small bladder tumors. Awareness of the possibility of incidental bladder lesions is important as 65% of lesions reported in the bladder, not attributable to extension of prostate cancer, proved to be bladder cancer. This may allow for early intervention for asymptomatic patients with undetected bladder cancer prior to disease progression