150 research outputs found
Augmented Reality-Based Mobile Learning: Enhancing Student Spatial Intelligence
Mobile learning is highly recommended for teachers in implementing virtual learning during the COVID- 19 pandemic as a substitute for face-to-face learning. This study aims to provide an overview of the development of Augmented Reality (AR)-based Learning Mediums in improving students’ spatial intelligence on the basics of Mapping, Remote Sensing, and Geographic Information Systems in SMA in West Sumatra. The results showed that there was an increase in the spatial ability of students in the Basics of Mapping, Remote Sensing, and Geographic Information Systems in Class X’ s odd semester using augmented reality-based mobile learning
The Extended Blue Continuum and Line Emission around the Central Radio Galaxy in Abell 2597
We present results from detailed imaging of the centrally dominant radio
elliptical galaxy in the cooling flow cluster Abell 2597, using data obtained
with the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) on the Hubble Space
Telescope (HST). This object is one of the archetypal "blue-lobed" cooling flow
radio elliptical galaxies, also displaying a luminous emission-line nebula, a
compact radio source, and a significant dust lane and evidence of molecular gas
in its center. We show that the radio source is surrounded by a complex network
of emission-line filaments, some of which display a close spatial association
with the outer boundary of the radio lobes. We present a detailed analysis of
the physical properties of ionized and neutral gas associated with the radio
lobes, and show that their properties are strongly suggestive of direct
interactions between the radio plasma and ambient gas. We resolve the blue
continuum emission into a series of knots and clumps, and present evidence that
these are most likely due to regions of recent star formation. We investigate
several possible triggering mechanisms for the star formation, including direct
interactions with the radio source, filaments condensing from the cooling flow,
or the result of an interaction with a gas-rich galaxy, which may also have
been responsible for fueling the active nucleus. We propose that the properties
of the source are plausibly explained in terms of accretion of gas by the cD
during an interaction with a gas-rich galaxy, which combined with the fact that
this object is located at the center of a dense, high-pressure ICM can account
for the high rates of star formation and the strong confinement of the radio
source.Comment: Astrophysical Journal, in press, 34 pages, includes 6 PostScript
figures. Latex format, uses aaspp4.sty and epsf.sty file
Combining the quantitative faecal immunochemical test and full blood count reliably rules out colorectal cancer in a symptomatic patient referral pathway
Purpose:
Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) has proven utility for Colorectal Cancer (CRC) detection in symptomatic patients. Most studies have examined FIT in symptomatic patients subsequently referred from primary care. We investigated associations between CRC and FIT in both referred and non-referred symptomatic patients.
Methods:
A retrospective, observational study of all patients with a FIT submitted Aug 2018 to Jan 2019 in NHS GG&C was performed. Referral to colorectal/gastroenterology and decision to perform colonoscopy were recorded. FIT results were grouped as f-Hb < 10/10–149/150–399/ ≥ 400 μg/g. The MCN cancer registry identified new cases of CRC. Covariables were compared using the χ2 test. Multivariate binary logistic regression identified independent predictors of CRC.
Results:
A total of 4968 patients were included. Raised FIT correlated with decision to refer (p < 0.001) and scope (p < 0.001). With 23-month median follow-up, 61 patients were diagnosed with CRC. These patients were older (median 69 vs 59 years, cancer and no cancer respectively, p = 0.001), more likely to be male (55.7% vs 42.1%, p = 0.033), and to report rectal bleeding (51.7% vs 36.1%, p = 0.013). FIT (< 10 µg/g 8.2% vs 76.7% and ≥ 400 µg/g 55.7% vs 3.8%, p < 0.001) and anaemia (45.9% vs 19.7%, p < 0.001) were associated with CRC. On multivariate analysis, age (p = 0.023), male sex (p = 0.04), FIT (≥ 400 OR 54.256 (95% CI:20.683–142.325; p < 0.001)), and anaemia (OR 1.956 (1.071–3.574; p = 0.029)) independently predicted CRC. One patient (0.04%) with a negative FIT and normal haemoglobin had CRC.
Conclusion:
GP referral and secondary care investigation patterns were influenced by FIT. The combination of normal Hb and f-Hb excluded CRC in 99.96% of cases, providing excellent reassurance to those prioritising access to endoscopy services
Lung cancer stage-shift following a symptom awareness campaign
Background: Lung cancer outcomes in the UK are worse than in many other developed nations. Symptom awareness campaigns aim to diagnose patients at an earlier stage to improve cancer outcomes.
Methods: An early diagnosis campaign for lung cancer commenced in Leeds, UK in 2011 comprising public and primary-care facing components. Rates of community referral for chest X-ray and lung cancer stage (TNM seventh edition) at presentation were collected from 2008 to 2015. Linear trends were assessed by χ2 test for trend in proportions. Headline figures are presented for the 3 years pre-campaign (2008–2010) and the three most recent years for which data are available during the campaign (2013–2015).
Findings: Community-ordered chest X-ray rates per year increased from 18 909 in 2008–2010 to 34 194 in 2013–2015 (80.8% increase). A significant stage shift towards earlier stage lung cancer was seen (χ2(1)=32.2, p<0.0001). There was an 8.8 percentage point increase in the proportion of patients diagnosed with stage I/II lung cancer (26.5% pre-campaign vs 35.3% during campaign) and a 9.3% reduction in the absolute number of patients diagnosed with stage III/IV disease (1254 pre-campaign vs 1137 during campaign).
Interpretation: This is the largest described lung cancer stage-shift in association with a symptom awareness campaign. A causal link between the campaign and stage-shift cannot be proven but appears plausible. Limitations of the analysis include a lack of contemporary control population
Alternative diagnoses and demographics associated with a raised quantitative faecal immunochemical test in symptomatic patients
Background The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) has proven utility for colorectal cancer detection in symptomatic patients. However, most patients with a raised faecal haemoglobin (f-Hb) do not have colorectal cancer. We investigated alternative diagnoses and demographics associated with a raised f-Hb in symptomatic patients. Methods A retrospective, observational study was performed of patients with FIT submitted between August 2018 to January 2019 in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde followed by colonoscopy. Colonoscopy/ pathology reports were searched for alternative diagnoses. Covariables were compared using the χ2 test. Multivariate binary logistic regression identified independent predictors of a raised f-Hb. Results 1272 patients were included. In addition to colorectal cancer (odds ratio (OR) 9.27 (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.61-23.83;p<0.001)), older age (OR 1.52 (95% CI: 1.00-2.32;p=0.05)), deprivation (OR 1.54 (95% CI: 1.21-1.94;p<0.001)), oral anticoagulants (OR 1.78 (95% CI: 1.01-3.15;p=0.046)), rectal bleeding (OR 1.47 (95% CI: 1.15-1.88;p=0.002)), advanced adenoma (OR 7.52 (95% CI: 3.90-14.49;p<0.001)), non-advanced polyps (OR 1.78 (95% CI: 1.33-2.38;p<0.001)) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (OR 4.19 (95% CI: 2.17-8.07;p<0.001)) independently predicted raised f-Hb. Deprivation (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 1-2: OR 2.13 (95% CI: 1.38-3.29; p=0.001)) independently predicted a raised f-Hb in patients with no pathology found at colonoscopy. Conclusions An elevated f-Hb is independently associated with older age, deprivation, anticoagulants, rectal bleeding, advanced adenoma, non-advanced polyps and IBD in symptomatic patients. Deprivation is associated with a raised f-Hb in the absence of pathology. This must be considered when utilising FIT in symptomatic patients
Second primary cancers after radiation for prostate cancer: A systematic review of the clinical data and impact of treatment technique
The development of a radiation induced second primary cancer (SPC) is one the most serious long term consequences of successful cancer treatment. This review aims to evaluate SPC in prostate cancer (PCa) patients treated with radiotherapy, and assess whether radiation technique influences SPC. A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify studies examining SPC in irradiated PCa patients. This identified 19 registry publications, 21 institutional series and 7 other studies. There is marked heterogeneity in published studies. An increased risk of radiation-induced SPC has been identified in several studies, particularly those with longer durations of follow-up. The risk of radiation-induced SPC appears small, in the range of 1 in 220 to 1 in 290 over all durations of follow-up, and may increase to 1 in 70 for patients followed up for more than 10 years, based on studies which include patients treated with older radiation techniques (i.e. non-conformal, large field). To date there are insufficient clinical data to draw firm conclusions about the impact of more modern techniques such as IMRT and brachytherapy on SPC risk, although limited evidence is encouraging. In conclusion, despite heterogeneity between studies, an increased risk of SPC following radiation for PCa has been identified in several studies, and this risk appears to increase over time. This must be borne in mind when considering which patients to irradiate and which techniques to employ
The Artist in the Library
Through the course of this paper I seek to intertwine a story of my own creative relationship with libraries with accounts of artists’ work, including the work of my students. My goal is to articulate the ways in which artists work with, in, and on libraries and in doing this to define features of a library aesthetic. It is impossible, writing in London in 2016, to ignore the dire context for UK public libraries. Reductions in local government funding have resulted in widespread disregard by local authorities to their responsibilities under the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act – their statutory duty to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons to make use thereof’. (Culture, Media and Sport Committee 2012, online) Cuts to library services continue apace [{note}]1. Writers, poets, artists and authors add their pleas to the protests against closures [{note}]2, but go largely unheeded. The idea of defining a library aesthetic might seem futile in the face of this austerity drive, but through my analysis of such an aesthetic, I hope to explore the potential of artworks to highlight and extend our understanding of its possibilities
The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe
The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the
dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for
life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront
of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early
evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The
Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed
plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE
is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity
neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi
National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream
of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed
as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research
Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in
Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at
Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino
charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet
cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can
accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional
combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and
potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility
for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around
the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program
of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of
LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics
worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will
possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for
LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a
comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the
landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate
and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure
Does student loan debt deter higher education participation? New evidence from England
Research among prospective UK undergraduates in 2002 found that some students, especially from low social classes, were deterred from applying to university because of fear of debt. This paper investigates whether this is still the case today in England despite the changing higher education landscape since 2002. The paper describes findings from a 2015 survey of prospective undergraduates and compares them with those from the 2002 study. We find that students’ attitudes to taking on student loan debt are more favorable in 2015 than in 2002. Debt averse attitudes remain much stronger among lower-class students than among upper-class students, and more so than in 2002. However, lower-class students did not have stronger debt averse attitudes than middle-class students. Debt averse attitudes seem more likely to deter planned higher education participation among lower-class students in 2015 than in 2002
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