301 research outputs found
RE 1265A C.J. Torno
Series 4.2, Box 30, Folder 329
Sale No. 339, File No. 1265a, C.J. Torno, Lexington, Texashttps://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/johnshary/1103/thumbnail.jp
Braggoriton--Excitation in Photonic Crystal Infiltrated with Polarizable Medium
Light propagation in a photonic crystal infiltrated with polarizable
molecules is considered. We demonstrate that the interplay between the spatial
dispersion caused by Bragg diffraction and polaritonic frequency dispersion
gives rise to novel propagating excitations, or braggoritons, with intragap
frequencies. We derive the braggoriton dispersion relation and show that it is
governed by two parameters, namely, the strength of light-matter interaction
and detuning between the Bragg frequency and that of the infiltrated molecules.
We also study defect-induced states when the photonic band gap is divided into
two subgaps by the braggoritonic branches and find that each defect creates two
intragap localized states inside each subgap.Comment: LaTeX, 8 pages, 5 figure
PCA-based lung motion model
Organ motion induced by respiration may cause clinically significant
targeting errors and greatly degrade the effectiveness of conformal
radiotherapy. It is therefore crucial to be able to model respiratory motion
accurately. A recently proposed lung motion model based on principal component
analysis (PCA) has been shown to be promising on a few patients. However, there
is still a need to understand the underlying reason why it works. In this
paper, we present a much deeper and detailed analysis of the PCA-based lung
motion model. We provide the theoretical justification of the effectiveness of
PCA in modeling lung motion. We also prove that under certain conditions, the
PCA motion model is equivalent to 5D motion model, which is based on physiology
and anatomy of the lung. The modeling power of PCA model was tested on clinical
data and the average 3D error was found to be below 1 mm.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. submitted to International Conference on the use
of Computers in Radiation Therapy 201
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Error, reproducibility and sensitivity : a pipeline for data processing of Agilent oligonucleotide expression arrays
Background
Expression microarrays are increasingly used to obtain large scale transcriptomic information on a wide range of biological samples. Nevertheless, there is still much debate on the best ways to process data, to design experiments and analyse the output. Furthermore, many of the more sophisticated mathematical approaches to data analysis in the literature remain inaccessible to much of the biological research community. In this study we examine ways of extracting and analysing a large data set obtained using the Agilent long oligonucleotide transcriptomics platform, applied to a set of human macrophage and dendritic cell samples.
Results
We describe and validate a series of data extraction, transformation and normalisation steps which are implemented via a new R function. Analysis of replicate normalised reference data demonstrate that intrarray variability is small (only around 2% of the mean log signal), while interarray variability from replicate array measurements has a standard deviation (SD) of around 0.5 log2 units ( 6% of mean). The common practise of working with ratios of Cy5/Cy3 signal offers little further improvement in terms of reducing error. Comparison to expression data obtained using Arabidopsis samples demonstrates that the large number of genes in each sample showing a low level of transcription reflect the real complexity of the cellular transcriptome. Multidimensional scaling is used to show that the processed data identifies an underlying structure which reflect some of the key biological variables which define the data set. This structure is robust, allowing reliable comparison of samples collected over a number of years and collected by a variety of operators.
Conclusions
This study outlines a robust and easily implemented pipeline for extracting, transforming normalising and visualising transcriptomic array data from Agilent expression platform. The analysis is used to obtain quantitative estimates of the SD arising from experimental (non biological) intra- and interarray variability, and for a lower threshold for determining whether an individual gene is expressed. The study provides a reliable basis for further more extensive studies of the systems biology of eukaryotic cells
Localization of electromagnetic waves in a two dimensional random medium
Motivated by previous investigations on the radiative effects of the electric
dipoles embedded in structured cavities, localization of electromagnetic waves
in two dimensions is studied {\it ab initio} for a system consisting of many
randomly distributed two dimensional dipoles. A set of self-consistent
equations, incorporating all orders of multiple scattering of the
electromagnetic waves, is derived from first principles and then solved
numerically for the total electromagnetic field. The results show that
spatially localized electromagnetic waves are possible in such a simple but
realistic disordered system. When localization occurs, a coherent behavior
appears and is revealed as a unique property differentiating localization from
either the residual absorption or the attenuation effects
Short-term effects of salpingectomy during laparoscopic hysterectomy on ovarian reserve: a pilot randomized controlled trial
OBJECTIVE: To examine the short-term effects of salpingectomy during laparoscopic hysterectomy on ovarian reserve when ovarian preservation is planned in view of determining the feasibility of conducting the study on a larger scale.
DESIGN: Pilot randomized controlled trial.
SETTING: Tertiary care, academic medical center.
PATIENT(S): Thirty premenopausal women aged 18 to 45 years undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy with ovarian preservation for benign indications from April 2012 to September 2012.
INTERVENTION(S): Bilateral salpingectomy (n = 15) versus no salpingectomy (n = 15) at the time of laparoscopic hysterectomy with ovarian preservation.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): AntimĂŒllerian hormone (AMH) measured preoperatively, at 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, and at 3 months postoperatively, with operative time and estimated blood loss abstracted from the medical records.
RESULT(S): The mean AMH levels were not statistically significantly different at baseline (2.26 vs. 2.25 ng/ml), 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively (1.03 vs. 1.25 ng/ml), or 3 months postoperatively (1.86 vs. 1.82 ng/ml) among women with salpingectomy versus no salpingectomy, respectively. There was also no statistically significant temporal change in the mean AMH level from baseline to 3 months postoperatively (-0.07 vs. -0.08 ng/ml) between the two groups. No difference in operative time (116 vs. 115 minutes) or estimated blood loss (70 vs. 91 mL) was observed.
CONCLUSION(S): Salpingectomy at the time of laparoscopic hysterectomy with ovarian preservation is a safe procedure that does not appear to have any short-term deleterious effects on ovarian reserve, as measured by AMH level. Conducting a trial of this nature that is adequately powered with long-term follow-up evaluation would be feasible and is required to definitively confirm these results
Impact of noncardiac findings in patients undergoing CT coronary angiography:a substudy of the Scottish computed tomography of the heart (SCOT-HEART) trial
Objectives Noncardiac findings are common on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). We assessed the clinical impact of noncardiac findings, and potential changes to surveillance scans with the application of new lung nodule guidelines. Methods This substudy of the SCOT-HEART randomized controlled trial assessed noncardiac findings identified on CCTA. Clinically significant noncardiac findings were those causing symptoms or requiring further investigation, follow-up or treatment. Lung nodule follow-up was undertaken following the 2005 Fleischner guidelines. The potential impact of the 2015 British Thoracic Society (BTS) and the 2017 Fleischner guidelines was assessed. Results CCTA was performed in 1,778 patients and noncardiac findings were identified in 677 (38%). In 173 patients (10%) the abnormal findings were clinically significant and in 55 patients (3%) the findings were the cause of symptoms. Follow-up imaging was recommended in 136 patients (7.6%) and additional clinic consultations were organized in 46 patients (2.6%). Malignancy was diagnosed in 7 patients (0.4%). Application of the new lung nodule guidelines would have reduced the number of patients undergoing a follow-up CT scan: 68 fewer with the 2015 BTS guidelines and 78 fewer with the 2017 Fleischner guidelines; none of these patients subsequently developed malignancy. Conclusions Clinically significant noncardiac findings are identified in 10% of patients undergoing CCTA. Application of new lung nodule guidelines will reduce the cost of surveillance, without the risk of missing malignancy
Diffusive and localization behavior of electromagnetic waves in a two-dimensional random medium
In this paper, we discuss the transport phenomena of electromagnetic waves in
a two-dimensional random system which is composed of arrays of electrical
dipoles, following the model presented earlier by Erdogan, et al. (J. Opt. Soc.
Am. B {\bf 10}, 391 (1993)). A set of self-consistent equations is presented,
accounting for the multiple scattering in the system, and is then solved
numerically. A strong localization regime is discovered in the frequency
domain. The transport properties within, near the edge of and nearly outside
the localization regime are investigated for different parameters such as
filling factor and system size. The results show that within the localization
regime, waves are trapped near the transmitting source. Meanwhile, the
diffusive waves follow an intuitive but expected picture. That is, they
increase with travelling path as more and more random scattering incurs,
followed by a saturation, then start to decay exponentially when the travelling
path is large enough, signifying the localization effect. For the cases that
the frequencies are near the boundary of or outside the localization regime,
the results of diffusive waves are compared with the diffusion approximation,
showing less encouraging agreement as in other systems (Asatryan, et al., Phys.
Rev. E {\bf 67}, 036605 (2003).)Comment: 8 pages 9 figure
County and Demographic Differences in Drug Arrests and Controlled Substance Use in Maine
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Introduction: The Diversion Alert Program (DAP) was established to curb misuse of drugs and help identify people who may need treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). Law enforcement compiled arrest data into a database accessible by health care providers. Our objectives were to identify regional and demographic differences in drug use and misuse in Maine.
Methods: All arrests (N = 11â234) reported to the DAP from 2013 to 2018 were examined by county and arrestee demographics, and classified into families (opioids, stimulants, sedatives). The Drug Enforcement Administrationâs Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) tracks the distribution of controlled pharmaceuticals (Schedule II-III). Opioids were converted to oral morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs). County and zip-code maps were constructed.
Results: The most arrests per capita occurred in Androscoggin, Knox, and Cumberland Counties. Opioids were the most common drug class in arrests in all counties except Aroostook County, where stimulants were most common. Medical distribution of opioids varied. Although buprenorphine doubled, many prescription opioids (eg, hydrocodone, fentanyl, oxymorphone) exhibited large (\u3e 50%) reductions in distribution. Methadone was the predominant opioid statewide (56.4% of total MMEs), although there were sizable differences between regions (Presque Isle = 8.6%, Bangor = 78.9%). Amphetamine distribution increased by 67.9%.
Discussion: The DAP, a unique pharmacoepidemiological resource, revealed a 6-fold difference in drug arrests by county. Regional differences in methadone may be due to heterogeneities in methadone clinic distribution.
Conclusions: The decrease in most prescription opioids, but increase in prescription stimulants, may warrant continued monitoring to improve public health
'Working outâ identity: distance runners and the management of disrupted identity
This article contributes fresh perspectives to the empirical literature on the sociology of the body, and of leisure and identity, by analysing the impact of long-term injury on the identities of two amateur but serious middle/long-distance runners. Employing a symbolic interactionist framework,and utilising data derived from a collaborative autoethnographic project, it explores the role
of âidentity workâ in providing continuity of identity during the liminality of long-term injury and
rehabilitation, which poses a fundamental challenge to athletic identity. Specifically, the analysis
applies Snow and Andersonâs (1995) and Perinbanayagamâs (2000) theoretical conceptualisations
in order to examine the various forms of identity work undertaken by the injured participants, along
the dimensions of materialistic, associative and vocabularic identifications. Such identity work was
found to be crucial in sustaining a credible sporting identity in the face of disruption to the running
self, and in generating momentum towards the goal of restitution to full running fitness and reengagement
with a cherished form of leisure.
KEYWORDS: identity work, symbolic interactionism, distance running, disrupted identit
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