Comparison of dosimetry in head and neck cancer patients treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy and helical tomotherapy

Background: This study was conducted to compare dosimetric parameters and dose to specific organs at risk (spinal cord and parotids) between intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and helical tomotherapy (HT) in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).Methods: Thirty patients with histologically proven HNSCC were treated with chemo radiotherapy, to a dose of 60-70 Gray in 30-35 fractions. This study consists of two arms; IMRT arm and tomotherapy arm. Fifteen consecutive patients treated under IMRT and 15 patients were treated under helical tomotherapy, along with concurrent chemotherapy. PTV1 encompasses low risk planning target volume (PTV) which receives 50 Gy; PTV2 encompasses intermediate risk PTV which receives 54-60 Gy and PTV3 encompasses high risk PTV which receives 66-70 Gy. After completion of planning, dose to the organs at risk (OARs) and targets, homogeneity index and conformity index were evaluated, and tabulated.Results: On evaluation of plans we found that V95% in PTV1, PTV2 and PTV3 were 91.82%, 96.85% and 90.67% respectively for IMRT and 99.25%, 99.68% and 99.73% respectively for tomotherapy. For PTV3, V110% was 0.11% for IMRT and 0.01% for tomotherapy. Homogeneity index in IMRT arm was 0.285 and it was 0.206 in tomotherapy arm. Conformity index was found to be 1.04 for IMRT plans and 1.06 for tomotherapy plans. When mean dose to contra lateral parotids was evaluated, it was 26.91 Gy in IMRT arm and 25.97 Gy in tomotherapy arm. Max dose to spinal cord was better in tomotherapy (43.07 Gy in IMRT and 34.41 Gy in tomotherapy).Conclusions: There was statistically significant reduction in spinal cord maximum dose and point doses in tomotherapy plans compared to IMRT plans. The decrease in spinal cord dose can increase the tolerance reserve which can be useful in dose escalation or re-irradiation if required. There was also decrease in contra lateral parotid doses (not statistically significant). There was significant improvement in V95% in tomotherapy arm compared to IMRT arm, indicating the significantly superior coverage of target volumes in helical tomotherapy plans compared to IMRT plans. V110% (hot spots) inside the target was very minimal in tomotherapy arm compared to IMRT arm. Conformity index, homogeneity index between two arms were comparable

Augmented Reality Based 3D Furniture Shopping

The main aim of the paper is to present an Augmented Reality application for 3D furniture, with a particular emphasis on the development of an android application that provides a realistic view of an augmented reality 3D furniture target object in the real-world. This app for Android would overlay a virtual environment on top of the user's real world.  AR makes real-world data and presents it in an immersive manner, making the virtual section feel like it belongs in the real world. AR is commonly used in online shopping, and the 3D visualization allows any furniture piece to be configured. Results shows that, users can customize and combine their favorite furniture products, enhancing their shopping experience. This elevates the shopping experience to a new level. This application allows users to see and experience the object in their current environment before buying from a shop, and customers can visualize the furniture model in a real-world setting

Effect of pre-harvest sprays of growth regulators and chemicals on storage life of garlic (Allium sativum L.)

The effect of pre-harvest treatments involving combinations of different chemicals and growth regulators viz., maleic hydrazide (MH), MH + carbendazim, MH + dithane M-45, cycocel (CCC), CCC + carbendazim, CCC + dithane M- 45, borax, borax + carbendazim on storage life of garlic was studied. Among the treatments, minimum physiological loss in weight (30.67%) was recorded with the pre-harvest spray of MH (2500 ppm) + carbendazim (1000 ppm), three weeks prior to harvest followed by MH (2500 ppm) three weeks prior to harvest. Application of CCC (1000) ppm + dithane M- 45 (1000 ppm) showed maximum recovery of healthy cloves (41.04%) at the end of 180 days of storage. &nbsp

Research productivity on COVID-19: A Bibliometric approach

The study aimed to explore the perspective of COVID-19 publications across the globe. Further, attempts were also made to find out the most productive country, author, and institute in publishing literature on COVID-19. The data related study was retrieved from SCOPUS database. Various search strategies were used to retrieve publications on COVID-19 published between 1st December 2019 and 22nd June 2020. A total of 19,991 publications on COVID-19 were retrieved from the Scopus database. Further, it was found that Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China has produced 422 publications and received 5624 citations with an average citation of 13.327 per publication. BMJ Clinical Research Ed published 534 (1.61%) articles. Among the most productive authors, Wiwanitkit, Viroj from Hainan Medical University, China stands in the first place with 73 publications followed by Mahase, E. from the British Medical Journal, UK (52 publications) and Iacobucci, Gareth (48 publications). The study provided a relatively objective reference for peer scientists, national regimes, and the global health system. The findings of the study will definitely help the institutions as well as authors to get an opportunity to collaborate with regional, national and international research institutions and scientists

Search in weighted complex networks

We study trade-offs presented by local search algorithms in complex networks which are heterogeneous in edge weights and node degree. We show that search based on a network measure, local betweenness centrality (LBC), utilizes the heterogeneity of both node degrees and edge weights to perform the best in scale-free weighted networks. The search based on LBC is universal and performs well in a large class of complex networks.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables, minor changes, added a referenc

Characterization the Gem Bearing Sediment Deposits Using GIS Technique in Kalu-Ganaga River Basin, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka iswell known for supply of most valuable of gemstones in the world,and dominated by varieties of corundum; spinel, garnet, beryl, tourmaline, topaz, andzircon. The most popular and main gem mining fields fall in Rathnapura and Elaheraareas. In most localities, gem minerals are recovered from residual alluvial and eluvialdeposits, though deposits of hybrid origin are also common.The gem deposits arepredominantly associated with river flood plains and paddy fields. There are masses ofgravel and other residual or detrital materials that have been concentrated by weatheringand mechanical processes. The gem bearing beds in the Rathnapura areas are mostlyalluvial in origin and thesequaternary gravelsbeds are inter-layered with site, claysandand lateritic beds. Angular rock Fragments are also present in the gravel and in residualdeposits. The gem deposits of Sri Lanka have been studied by many previous workers(Adams, 1929; Coates, 1935; Wadia and Fernando, 1945; wells, 1956; Cooray andKumarapeli; 1960; Cooray; 1967; Katz, 1969, 1972 a ; Silva; 1976; Dahanayakeetal.,1980). Most of these studies were mainly focused on to determine mode of occurrenceand sedimentary environment. But the present study was mainly aimed to characterizedgem bearing beds with respect to source and distribution within the basin. In this study,present gem deposits/ beds were mapped and collected data on characteristics of gembearing gravel layers, their association and gem potentiality etc. Finally spatial data basewas formed using GIS tools and model the distribution and characteristics of gembearing layers. The results show number to layers have gem bearing layers. Mainlyconfined to Pelmadulla area gem bearing layers are located in special variation pattern.Key words: Gem beds, Alluvial gem deposits, spatial data base, Modelin

One Digital Platform to Seek Quality Education for Everyone

The primary goal of this digital educational platform is to deliver high-quality educational possibilities to people looking for a degree or similar graded programs, tuition classes, and postgraduate programs provided by universities internationally and nationally. Furthermore, by advertising on our web platform, educational institutions will be able to improve the popularity of their courses and services.  There will also be the opportunity to donate financial contributions to campaigns or organizations that will help persons in need of educational assistance. In addition, our development team proposed an idea about a component called volunteer support, which allows users to join up as volunteers for specific organizational initiatives that promote educational campaigns. There will also be several account types for system administrators, users searching for services, and organizations promoting educational programs and volunteer opportunities. The account's capabilities differ depending on the type of user account. The primary objectives of this thesis are to provide the concept of a system that simplifies the process of locating and advertising educational needs, opportunities, and services while providing a way to help people in need of a helping hand

INVESTIGATION OF VASE LIFE PACKAGE ON Codiaeum Variegatum CUT DECORATIVE SHOOTS

Croton is one of the exportable type foliage species in Sri Lanka. However,wilting of the leaves is a major problem raised in the export of these foliagespecies. In order to full fill the demand in world market, it is essential toovercome such problems.In this study, seven experiments were conducted at Green Farms (Pvt) Ltd.Marawila, to maintain the vase life of Codiaeum varigatum cv. 'Batik','Pictum', and 'gold star' cut decorative shoots and to retain their exportquality characters. Sugar (0, 1, 2, 4 & 5%), NiCh (250, 500, 750 &1000ppm), combination of sugar (2%) + KMn04 2ppm and glycerol (1, 5 and10%) were tested as treatments (vase solutions) in separate experiments.Treatments were arranged in complete randomized design with 3 replicateseach. Data were analyzed using SAS statistical method with analysis ofvariances. Mean separation was done using LSD on parametric procedures.Croton had ability to maintain vase life up to 3 weeks in preliminary studies.To comparison of different packing methods for vase life of croton, wetpaper packing showed higher vase life and higher leaf freshness for croton.Sugar treatments applied to "Pictum" and "Gold star" were maintained 21days of vase life. "Batik" showed only 17 days vase life (C.V. =7.750323).NiCh gave 18 days of vase life for "Batik" (CV = 11.04419) however it isharmful to human. According to the re-cutting & water changes, 4 dayscutting interval and 2 days water change was the best. Combination ofsucrose & KMn04 was maintained vase life vase life up to 14 days.Combination of Sucrose 2% + KMn04 2 ppm & Cotton plug was bestamong all sugar concentrations (C.V. = 10.90617). For this could maintainexport quality up to 19 days. "Pictum" & "Gold Star" were tolerant cultivars.Pure glycerol gave negative effects. All dilute glycerol concentrations (1, 5and 10%) were good post harvest treatments. Among those, 5% couldmaintain export quality of "Batik" cuttings up to 20 days. Combination ofwax + KMn04 + sucrose treatment gave negative effect. Pure wax withcommercial preservatives did not enhance the quality.

ES11MA110N OF GLOBAL WARMING DAMAGE COST DUE TO THE FOREST RRES IN THE IMBULPE DIVISIONAL SECRETARIAT DIVISION, 2003 IN SRI LANKA

The objective of the study was to estimate the global warming damage costs caused byman made catastrophic forest fires in the Imbulpe divisional secretariat division (23140ha), Balangoda electorate in the Ratnapura district in Sri Lanka in 2003. The climaticforest fires occur every year during the period June to mid October in this area, creatingnumerous environmental and socio-economic problems such as declining of water table,extinction of endemic flora and fauna species, loss of bio diversity and pollution of air,water, and land and occasionally rendering people homeless. Even though the gravity ofthose forest fires in this region every year was devastating, the majority of the researchersdid not take this aspect into their consideration.Hence to combat this menace the Sabaragamuwa University Centre for Environment andSustainable Development (SUCEDS) had launched a number of projects since 2000 andthe current study is one such project. To accomplish this task primary data (forest fireaffected land areas and types of forests) were collected by means of household surveysand land surveying techniques. In addition to that maps and previous reports pertainingto the area were used to obtain secondary data (land use types, population of that area,endemic plant species). Determination of the extent of burnt land of diverse types and theconsideration of catastrophic forest fires caused in the Imbulpe area were identified using1:50000 map. The estimation of the global warming damage cost of the burnt area wascarried out by carbon Sequestration value of the burnt forest in the Imbulpe area by theTurner's (1994) value of $20. This value has been suggested as the financial damagecaused by every ton of carbon released from burning tropical rain forests, whichcontributes the global warming. The estimated global warming damage costs based onlost carbon sequestration function was Rs. 126.5 millionFurther this research disclosed that the main reasons for such fires were fires set out forunknown reasons, fires to prepare fresh grazing land for cattle feeding, hunters also setfire to forests for poaching of wild animals, fires caused by butt-ends of cigarettes andfires set to clear virgin forests for agricultural purposes.