Interview with Anthony Deluliis

The interview discusses the process by which high schools use the Alternative Center with Anthony DeIuliis, Principal of Fredricktown High Schoolhttps://digital.kenyon.edu/ae_interviews/1003/thumbnail.jp

Magnetic Resonance Guided Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation - Single Institution Experience Using ViewRay Technology

Background: In the recent years PBI has emerged as an alternative to WBI. This results in less normal tissue irradiated, less morbidity and late complications, greater patient convenience. The comparative efficacy and toxicity profiles of PBI compared with WBI have shown similar ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence rates and reduced acute toxicities. With the advent of dedicated magnetic resonance-guided radiation therapy systems such as the MR-Linac there is potential for further improvement in the delivery of PBI and increased safety. We present our experience of MR-guided PBI in early-stage breast cancer (08/2017 -01/2021) and compare to patients treated with brachytherapy (1/2010 - 8/2015). Objectives: 1) Assess the efficacy and toxicity of adjuvant PBI using MR-GRT in early-stage breast cancer. 2) Compare to outcomes of HDR brachytherapy patients 3) Determine situations where online adaptive RT may be beneficial. Methods: Fifty patients treated with PBI (MR-GRT) and 29 treated with HDR brachytherapy (Contoura) were evaluated. Criteria for PBI included: unifocal tumors. Results: Acute reactions were minimal with skin reactions mild to none and limited to the lumpectomy site (RTOG score 0-1). Late effects were localized mild skin hyper-pigmentation. One patient had a rib fracture. There are no recurrences to date, with a median follow up of 12 months. None of the patients qualified for online adaptive planning, but end-inhale breath hold was utilized for left-sided tumors for cardiac sparing. In the brachytherapy group one had a local recurrence (at 3 y) and 12/29 had significant persistent seroma/thickening/retraction at the treated site. Conclusions: PBI using MR-guided radiation therapy is a feasible, well tolerated regimen for early-stage breast cancer with a favorable acute and late toxicity profile and excellent cosmetic result. The follow-up is presently too short for recurrence evaluation, but so far no relapses were seen at a median follow up of 12 months. When compared with brachytherapy the acute and late morbidity are significantly lower and the cosmetic result superior

Poxviruses in bats … so what?

Poxviruses are important pathogens of man and numerous domestic and wild animal species. Cross species (including zoonotic) poxvirus infections can have drastic consequences for the recipient host. Bats are a diverse order of mammals known to carry lethal viral zoonoses such as Rabies, Hendra, Nipah, and SARS. Consequent targeted research is revealing bats to be infected with a rich diversity of novel viruses. Poxviruses were recently identified in bats and the settings in which they were found were dramatically different. Here, we review the natural history of poxviruses in bats and highlight the relationship of the viruses to each other and their context in the Poxviridae family. In addition to considering the zoonotic potential of these viruses, we reflect on the broader implications of these findings. Specifically, the potential to explore and exploit this newfound relationship to study coevolution and cross species transmission together with fundamental aspects of poxvirus host tropism as well as bat virology and immunology

Analysis of Cost at FAA’s En Route Centers: An Empirical Perspective

In this paper, an empirical framework is developed using economic theories to examine the relationships between variable costs and levels of activities at the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) en route centers. Using data for three fiscal years and employing time-series pooled cross section econometrics, we have found that the Air Traffic Organization's (ATO) service provisions in the en route centers have some economies of scale. Furthermore, we have found that while controllers' wage is important, it is not statistically significant in unit cost measured in aircraft flight operation counts. However, it is statistically significant when unit variable cost is measured and estimated in terms of aircraft flight operation hours. We have also found that degree of complexity, a measure of service attributes, does not impact cost. These findings, combined with on-going policy discussion on users' fees, imply that ATO may be well positioned to implement average cost pricing if cost is to be fully recovered for en route services. The implementation of marginal cost pricing may require external funding, perhaps from general funds of the U.S. Treasury

Patterns of drug use among a sample of drug users and injecting drug users attending a General Practice in Iran

AIM: This study aimed to examine drug use, drug treatment history and risk behaviour among a sample of Iranian drug users seeking treatment through a general practice clinic in Iran. METHODS: Review of medical records and an intake questionnaire at a large general practice in Marvdasht, Iran, with a special interest in drug dependence treatment. Records from a random sample of injecting drug users (IDU), non-injecting drug users (DU) and non-drug using patients were examined. RESULTS: 292 records were reviewed (34% IDU, 31% DU and 35% non-drug users). Eighty-three percent were males; all females were non-drug users. The mean age of the sample was 30 years. Of the IDU sample, 67% reported sharing a needle or syringe, 19% of these had done so in prison. Of those who had ever used drugs, being 'tired' of drug use was the most common reason for seeking help (34%). Mean age of first drug use was 20 years. The first drugs most commonly used were opium (72%), heroin (13%) and hashish/ other cannabinoids (13%). Three quarters reported having previously attempted to cease their drug use. IDU were more likely than DU to report having ever been imprisoned (41% vs 7%) and 41% to have used drugs in prison. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that there is a need for general practice clinics in Iran to treat drug users including those who inject and that a substantial proportion of those who inject have shared needles and syringes, placing them at risk of BBVI such as HIV and hepatitis C. The expansion of services for drug users in Iran such as needle and syringe programs and pharmacotherapies are likely to be effective in reducing the harms associated with opium use and heroin injection

Analysis of Cost at FAA’s En Route Centers: An Empirical Perspective

In this paper, an empirical framework is developed using economic theories to examine the relationships between variable costs and levels of activities at the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) en route centers. Using data for three fiscal years and employing time-series pooled cross section econometrics, we have found that the Air Traffic Organization's (ATO) service provisions in the en route centers have some economies of scale. Furthermore, we have found that while controllers' wage is important, it is not statistically significant in unit cost measured in aircraft flight operation counts. However, it is statistically significant when unit variable cost is measured and estimated in terms of aircraft flight operation hours. We have also found that degree of complexity, a measure of service attributes, does not impact cost. These findings, combined with on-going policy discussion on users' fees, imply that ATO may be well positioned to implement average cost pricing if cost is to be fully recovered for en route services. The implementation of marginal cost pricing may require external funding, perhaps from general funds of the U.S. Treasury

Heat and mass transfer for a small diameter thermosyphon with low fill ratio

Abstract Thermosyphons of smaller dimensions are more commonly sought after as electronics cooling devices. The interactions of the tube wall and working fluid become more significant as the dimension of a thermosyphon is reduced, particularly for high surface tension fluids such as water. This paper aims to experimentally investigate a water-charged, small diameter (8 mm) thermosyphon as it operates with a low (25%) filling ratio for a relatively long evaporator length of 200 mm. High speed videography provides in-situ flow pattern visualization at different heat input power. The boiling regimes for each level of heat flux are determined by analyzing the flow patterns from the high-speed video footage. The interdependence of the flow regimes and the heat and mass transfer mechanisms is evaluated using the measured wall temperature variations and derived thermosyphon performance metrics, such as the average heat transfer coefficients and thermal resistances. It was observed that the heat and mass transport was dominated by Geyser-type boiling at lower heat fluxes with associated low heat transfer coefficients in the evaporator and condenser. With increasing thermal power, less liquid was observed to return to the evaporator resulting in more aggressive boiling events which improved the heat transfer coefficients in both the evaporator and condenser. For all power levels tested, the dominant thermal resistance was found to be that associated with the condenser. The ultimate failure of the thermosyphon was a result of liquid hold-up in the condenser section and subsequent falling liquid film and evaporator dryout

Digital Government: Knowledge Management Over Time-Varying Geospatial Datasets

Spatially-related data is collected by many government agencies in various formats and for various uses. This project seeks to facilitate the integration of these data, thus providing new uses. This will require the development of a knowledge management framework to provide syntax, context, and semantics, as well as exploring the introduction of time-varying data into the framework. Education and outreach will be part of the project through the development of an on-line short courses related to data integration in the area of geographical information systems. The grantees will be working with government partners (National Imagery and Mapping Agency, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and the US Army Topographic Engineering Center), as well as an industrial organization, Base Systems, and the non-profit OpenGIS Consortium, which works closely with vendors of GIS products

HYPOalert: Designing Mobile Technology for Hypoglycemic Detection and Monitoring--Based on Human Breath

Hypoglycemia (HYPO) is characterized by low blood glucose (BG)--leading to complications such as sweating, weakness, passing-out, coma, and even death. Effective HYPO management is required to avoid complications and to increase quality of life. Recently, a noninvasive smart breathing sensor was developed for detection of HYPO in human breath (HYPOalert). The device has the ability to deliver data (via Bluetooth) to a mobile application--with the intent to support Type 1 and 2 diabetics with the self-management of their hypoglycemia. This paper presents the first two (prototype) design iterations of research and testing of HYPOalert. Twelve Type 1 and 2 diabetics were interviewed to deduce user requirements and to understand their perception and level of interest in the proposed mobile system. Outcomes informed a human-centered design process of the interactive prototype, currently under final testing. Results were positive--showing that users were very interested in HYPOalert's use of visualization, as well as its HYPO monitoring and alert system that supports diabetes patients' healthy lifestyle management