Phase space polarization and the topological string: a case study

We review and elaborate on our discussion in hep-th/0606112 on the interplay between the target space and the worldsheet description of the open topological string partition function, for the example of the conifold. We discuss the appropriate phase space and canonical form for the system. We find a map between choices of polarization and the worldsheet description, based on which we study the behavior of the partition function under canonical transformations.Comment: 18 pages, invited review for MPL

Comparison of efficacy Ephedrine and phenylephrine in Postoperative Vomiting in Cesarean section

Introduce: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) still is the most big problem event encountered in the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit), despite advances in prevention and treatment. The incidence of PONV has remained high and has a major negative impact on patient satisfaction about the overall surgical experience. Method: In double-blind, clinical trial, 104 patients were undergoing cesarean section was randomizing into two groups: Group P (100μg Phenylephrine) and Group E (6μg Ephedrine). We compared the Vomiting parameters between the two groups. Result: Patients in the recovery were compared in 2 groups regarding occurrence of vomiting that no statistical difference between two group (P >0.05). The results show that vomiting was seen in ASA1, and in ASA2 no vomiting was observed. The incidence of vomiting was 2 patients in young group and 1 patient in middle-aged group. The incidence of vomiting was 2 patients in slim group, 1 in moderate group and no sign of vomiting has been seen in the obese group. Conclusion: We conclude that ephedrine is the best drug for antiemetic prophylaxis before cesarean surgery based on cost and lack of side effects

Engineered antibody and neuropeptide mediated radionuclide targeting in prostate cancer

PhDProstate cancer (PC) is the most common cancer type in men in the western world and to date no definitive stratergy to image PC is avaliable. This thesis explores the possibility of using Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) and Gastrin Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRP-R) as biomarkers for the targeting and imaging of PC. The development of an imaging radiopharmaceutical to image all stages of PC growth would improve diagnosis, staging and personalised treatment, as present imaging modalities for PC rely largely on anatomical changes to allow visualisation and have limited sensitivity for imaging metastatic spread of the disease. PSMA was selected due to its up-regulation in advanced carcinoma and metastatic disease and GRP-R due to its high levels of expression in the early stages of PC. The hypothesis is that PC can be imaged by a suitably designed radioligand directed against an appropriate molecular target, such as PSMA and GRP-R. Both of these targets were believed to be appropriate as both are present preferntially in prostate tissue and they both internalise when bound by their ligand. To target PSMA, phage libraries were screened for scFv against both cell-expressed PSMA and recombinant PSMA and diabodies were also generated from high binding clones. Several promising candidates were produced which selectively bound to LNCaP cells and PSMA protein in both FACS and ELISA. Diabodies showed improved binding over corresponding scFv’s. In vivo analysis of tumour-bearing mice failed to reveal tumour uptake of either the scFv or the diabody. In vitro analysis suggested that the affinity of the antibody fragments were not sufficiently high. [99mTc]-Demobesin 4 (DB 4), a radiolabelled GRP-R binding peptide was synthesised. Radioligand binding assays performed on a range of androgen-independent and androgen-dependent PC cell lines showed high GRP-R expression in the androgen dependent LNCaP line but also in the androgen-independent cell lines PC3 and DU145. GRP-R expression, measured by RT-PCR to determine the amount of GRP-R RNA, was similar to that seen using radioligand binding assays and similar patterns were observed in autoradiographic studies. In vivo studies on mice bearing the PC xenografts showed tumour uptake and localisation of [99mTc]-DB 4 within one hour. A limited correlation was observed between results obtained in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, the results were partly consistant with the hypothesis, whereby initial aims for the PSMA project were successfully achieved with generation of scFv and diabodies that specifically bound, however they proved unsuitable as potential imaging agents, perhaps owing to low binding affinity. GRP-R was shown to be an effective candidate for radioimmaging PC which has the potential to descrininate [99mTc]-DB4 uptake between androgen-independent/dependent cells. Thus this radiopharmaceutical may prove a useful imaging agent for early prostate cancer but that further studies are required to assess its usefulness in the androgen-independent stages of the disease

Standartization of OCT Angiography Nomenclature in Retinal Vascular Diseases: First Survey Results

Purpose. To develop a consensus nomenclature for OCT angiography (OCTA) findings in retinal vascular diseases. Design. Online survey using the Delphi Method. Participants. Members of The Retina Society, the European Society of Retina Specialists, and the Japanese Retina and Vitreous Society. Methods. An online questionnaire on OCTA terminology in retinal vascular diseases was sent to members of The Retina Society, the European Society of Retina Specialists, and the Japanese Retina and Vitreous Society. The respondents were divided into 2 groups (“experts” vs. “users”) according to the number of their publications in this field. The respondents who had more than 5 publications in the field of OCTA and retinal vascular diseases were considered the OCTA “experts” group. Main Outcome Measures Consensus and near consensus on OCTA nomenclature. Results. The complete responses of 85 retina specialists were included in the analysis. Thirty-one were categorized as “experts.” There was a consensus in both groups that OCTA parameters such as foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters, areas of nonperfusion, and presence of neovascularization (NV) should be implemented in the identification and staging of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and that OCTA can be applied to differentiate between ischemic and nonischemic retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Diabetic macular ischemia (DMI) also can be assessed via OCTA. Further, there was consensus that the terminology should differ on the basis of the underlying causes of decreased vascular flow signal. There was disagreement in other areas, such as which terms should be applied to describe decreased OCTA signal from different causes, the definition of wide-field OCTA, and how to quantify DMI and area of decreased flow signal. These discrepancies form the basis for the upcoming expert Delphi rounds that aim to develop a standardized OCTA nomenclature. Conclusions. Although there was agreement in some areas, significant differences were found in many areas of OCTA terminology among all respondents, but also between the expert and user groups. This indicates the need for standardization of the nomenclature among all specialists in the field of retinal vascular diseases

Potential for cogeneration of heat and electricity in California industry, phase 2

The nontechnical issues of industrial cogeneration for 12 California firms were analyzed under three categories of institutional settings: (1) industrial ownership without firm sales of power; (2) industrial ownership with firm sales of power; and (3) utility or third party ownership. Institutional issues were analyzed from the independent viewpoints of the primary parties of interest: the industrial firms, the electric utilities and the California Public utilities Commission. Air quality regulations and the agencies responsible for their promulgation were examined, and a life cycle costing model was used to evaluate the economic merits of representative conceptual cogeneration systems at these sites. Specific recommendations were made for mitigating measures and regulatory action relevant to industrial cogeneration in California

Ovulation induced in brood fishes of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix by using LHRH-A hormone and its combination with dopamine antagonists

In this study in order to investigate the effects of LHRH-A and its combination with dopamine antagonist, Metaclopramid (MET), Dopeidon (Dom), 21 females of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix were studied in Shaid Ansari fish rearing and propagation center during June 2001. The results showed that LHRH-A+MET treatment group with 2g+15µmg/kg dose, indicate high response (100%) in brood fishes, and other factors have significant differences (p<0.05) compared to other treatment groups. Also, investigation on the degree-hour of sexual maturity in different treatment groups show that the groups with introduced Dom (in suspension from) as dopamine antagonist combined with LHRH-A, indicated higher degree-hour (288,366 degree-hour) and has significant difference compared to other treatment groups. In addition this study indicates that MET as suitable dopamine antagonist can strengthen LHRH-A for final sexual maturity, also can decrease LHRH-A dose for injection, but Dom has not the mentioned effects in artificial propagation of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and this can be due to applying suspension form of anti dopamine in hormone solution of this research