Association between pretreatment haemoglobin levels and morphometric characteristics of the tumour, response to neoadjuvant treatment and long-term outcomes in patients with locally advanced rectal cancers

Aim The study was carried out to investigate whether pretreatment haemoglobin (Hb) levels act as a biomar- ker in the management of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Method\ud We prospectively collected data on all patients within our cancer network with localized low rectal cancer treated with preoperative radiotherapy/chemora- diotherapy at Mount Vernon Centre for Cancer Treat- ment between March 1994 and July 2008. Pretreatment Hb level was assessed as an independent variable for the whole study sample and dichotomised at a value of 12 g/dl. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted on parameters that had significant association on univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and cor- relational (Kendall tau/Pearson) analyses. Kaplan – Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine significant prognostic markers. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results 463 patients (male/female 2:1; median age = 66 years, interquartile range = 56.5 – 73.0) were included in the analysis. There was significant tumour response of T stage ( P < 0.001) and N stage ( P < 0.001), with 17.6% of patients achieving a pathological complete response. Pretreatment Hb value was inversely related to the craniocaudal vertical tumour length ( P = 0.02) and pretreatment T stage of the tumour ( P = 0.01). Patients with Hb levels of < 12 g/dl and moderately differenti- ated adenocarcinoma were less responsive. Local recur- rence was more common in patients with a pretreatment Hb of < 12 g/dl (hazard ratio = 1.78) over a median follow up of 24 months, but this was not statistically significant ( P = 0.08). Conclusion The pretreatment Hb level might be used as a biomarker of rectal tumour morphology, response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation and risk of local recur- renc

Choosing the lesser of two evils, the better of two goods: Specifying the roles of ventromedial prefrontal cortex and dorsal anterior cingulate in object choice

The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortices (ACd) are considered important for reward-based decision making. However, work distinguishing their individual functional contributions has only begun. One aspect of decision making that has received little attention is that making the right choice often translates to making the better choice. Thus, response choice often occurs in situations where both options are desirable (e.g., choosing between mousse au chocolat or crème caramel cheesecake from a menu) or, alternatively, in situations where both options are undesirable. Moreover, response choice is easier when the reinforcements associated with the objects are far apart, rather than close together, in value. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to delineate the functional roles of the vmPFC and ACd by investigating these two aspects of decision making: (1) decision form (i.e., choosing between two objects to gain the greater reward or the lesser punishment), and (2) between-object reinforcement distance (i.e., the difference in reinforcements associated with the two objects). Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) responses within the ACd and vmPFC were both related to decision form but differentially. Whereas ACd showed greater responses when deciding between objects to gain the lesser punishment, vmPFC showed greater responses when deciding between objects to gain the greater reward. Moreover, vmPFC was sensitive to reinforcement expectations associated with both the chosen and the forgone choice. In contrast, BOLD responses within ACd, but not vmPFC, related to between-object reinforcement distance, increasing as the distance between the reinforcements of the two objects decreased. These data are interpreted with reference to models of ACd and vmPFC functioning

Multidirectional Power Flow Control among Double Winding Six-Phase Induction Machine Winding Sets

This paper presents an indirect rotor-field oriented control (IRFOC) algorithm for symmetrical six-phase double-winding induction machines with four three-phase sub-winding sets. The presented algorithm introduces the ability to control the power flow between different sub-winding sets. Multiple three-phase induction machines are utilised for critical applications such as more-electric aircrafts, due to their high reliability and fault tolerant capabilities. In this paper, the proposed control scheme is utilising the auxiliary currents of each six-phase sub-motor to achieve full control of the sub-winding sets current amplitudes and consequently the power flow direction for each sub-winding set. A six-phase induction machine with double winding is utilised to validate the proposed control scheme. Four isolated voltage source inverters (VSIs) are used to supply each winding set of the machine. The double-winding six-phase induction machine controlled by the proposed IRFOC algorithm is simulated using Matlab/Simulink. Presented simulation results validate the ability of the algorithm to appropriately control the power flow of each sub-winding set

Prevalence of Intestinal Helminthes among Children in Selected Communities in Monrovia, Liberia

The present study was carried out among children below 15 years in 10 communities in Monrovia. Out of the 646 children recruited in the study, 216 (33.4%) were positive for at least one intestinal helminth parasite. Children between 11 – 15 years had the highest prevalence of intestinal helminthes. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common intestinal helminth parasite encountered (79.6%), followed by Trichuris trichura (19.0%). Strongyloides stercoralis and Enterobius vermicularis were the least prevalent helminth parasites encountered among the study population (1% each). The population in these communities depended largely on poorly built latrines and buckets for faecal disposal although some (49%) used flush toilets despite their being in poor conditions. Only 23.45 of the 646 children surveyed used pipe borne water for drinking and other domestic purposes. The high prevalence rates of helminth infection obtained could be due to persistent infection and re-infection of the study population as a result of the constant seeding of the soil with parasite eggs and larvae in these communities. Keywords: Prevalence, Intestinal helminth, Children, Liberi

A functional genomic analysis of cell morphology using RNA interference

BACKGROUND: The diversity of metazoan cell shapes is influenced by the dynamic cytoskeletal network. With the advent of RNA-interference (RNAi) technology, it is now possible to screen systematically for genes controlling specific cell-biological processes, including those required to generate distinct morphologies. RESULTS: We adapted existing RNAi technology in Drosophila cell culture for use in high-throughput screens to enable a comprehensive genetic dissection of cell morphogenesis. To identify genes responsible for the characteristic shape of two morphologically distinct cell lines, we performed RNAi screens in each line with a set of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) targeting 994 predicted cell shape regulators. Using automated fluorescence microscopy to visualize actin filaments, microtubules and DNA, we detected morphological phenotypes for 160 genes, one-third of which have not been previously characterized in vivo. Genes with similar phenotypes corresponded to known components of pathways controlling cytoskeletal organization and cell shape, leading us to propose similar functions for previously uncharacterized genes. Furthermore, we were able to uncover genes acting within a specific pathway using a co-RNAi screen to identify dsRNA suppressors of a cell shape change induced by Pten dsRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Using RNAi, we identified genes that influence cytoskeletal organization and morphology in two distinct cell types. Some genes exhibited similar RNAi phenotypes in both cell types, while others appeared to have cell-type-specific functions, in part reflecting the different mechanisms used to generate a round or a flat cell morphology

Effects of spatial sensitivity on mass sensing with bulk acoustic mode resonators

The spatial sensitivity of bulk acoustic mode resonators can influence calibrations when they are implemented as accurate mass sensors of surface-bound particles. A new spatial sensitivity model based on images of the resonator surface is introduced from early principles. The adsorption of particles was studied empirically by repeatedly drying particle laden droplets on the surface of two 3.14 MHz bulk acoustic mode resonators. Theoretical and experimental results were compared to identify three scenarios over the course of consecutive droplet evaporation with varying spatial sensitivity influences. Examining different surface treatments for the resonators revealed the hydrophilic surface to have a higher rate of particle stacking and conglomeration.ATZ thanks the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Edmonton, and the Cambridge Trust for funding of the PhD degree.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2015.11.00

Synthetic Loading for Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Nine-Phase Machines

Substantial amount of research and development have been conducted in relation to multiple three-phase winding machines. This is due to their reliability and fault tolerant capabilities. Development of these machines requires a few tests in order to validate machine’s design and characteristics. The full-load test is one of the most important tests. During this test the machine’s efficiency and thermal design can be evaluated under various conditions. In this paper, a new approach of conducting the full-load test of nine-phase machine is presented. The main advantage of the proposed scheme is that there is no need for mechanical coupling of the tested machine with another one. Usually, the machine is coupled with another machine, of the same or higher power rating, which is used as a load. The proposed test utilises indirect rotor field-oriented control (IRFOC) and vector space decomposition (VSD) to achieve the desired loading and hence temperature-rise in the machine. The ability to recirculate the power among the winding sets of the nine-phase machine is an advantage of the proposed scheme. In other words, the machine is loaded using its own winding sets – hence the test is classified as synthetic loading. The proposed scheme is validated through simulation results

Neural Networks With Motivation

Animals rely on internal motivational states to make decisions. The role of motivational salience in decision making is in early stages of mathematical understanding. Here, we propose a reinforcement learning framework that relies on neural networks to learn optimal ongoing behavior for dynamically changing motivation values. First, we show that neural networks implementing Q-learning with motivational salience can navigate in environment with dynamic rewards without adjustments in synaptic strengths when the needs of an agent shift. In this setting, our networks may display elements of addictive behaviors. Second, we use a similar framework in hierarchical manager-agent system to implement a reinforcement learning algorithm with motivation that both infers motivational states and behaves. Finally, we show that, when trained in the Pavlovian conditioning setting, the responses of the neurons in our model resemble previously published neuronal recordings in the ventral pallidum, a basal ganglia structure involved in motivated behaviors. We conclude that motivation allows Q-learning networks to quickly adapt their behavior to conditions when expected reward is modulated by agent’s dynamic needs. Our approach addresses the algorithmic rationale of motivation and makes a step toward better interpretability of behavioral data via inference of motivational dynamics in the brain

Congenital cardiac surgery and parental perception of risk: a qualitative study

Introduction: The way risk is interpreted by parents of children undergoing congenital cardiac surgery is poorly documented. Literature suggests clinicians have concerns that parents may not understand the complexity of procedures. Conversely, some parents perceive an unnecessary over-emphasise of risks. Aim: To explore how risk is encountered by parents of children who are undergoing cardiac surgery, in order to deliver effective and compassionate care. Methods: A qualitative approach was adopted. Interviews were undertaken with eighteen parents (mothers n=10 fathers n=8). Recordings were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a constant comparative based approach. Findings: Three themes emerged from the data: the nature of risk, reflecting the complexity of parental perception of risk and the influence of the doctor-parent relationship; presenting risk, highlighting the way in which risk is presented to and interpreted by parents; and risk and responsibility, examining the way in which parents engaged with risk and the impact of this on their relationship. Conclusions: The way in which risk is perceived by parents is complex and multifactorial. The doctor-parent relationship is key to parental engagement. However, parents manage risk and uncertainty through a number of mechanisms, including those perceived as being not rational. This can cause tension, particularly when required to engage in informed decision-making