Fluorescence X pour l'exploration et l'exploitation lunaire

peer reviewedX-ray Fluorescence (XRF) is a spectroscopic method that allows detection and measurements of the amount of any atoms heavier than Na. XRF spectrometers are used in wide range of application and are paramount instruments for planetary science since the beginning of space exploration. Improvements of detectors and electronics allowed to improve capabilities of such planetary instruments. Up to now, all the XRF space instruments have used radioisotopes sources as excitation sources. The only exception is the very last PIXL instrument sent on Mars by NASA on-board Perseverance, which uses an X-ray tube. We propose to use XRF for three different instruments for the exploration and exploitation of the Moon. The first instrument will be placed on a rover for geological survey; this instrument will used pyroelectric X-ray generator as an excitation source. We reached an energy resolution of 121.17 eV using a Silicon Drift Detector and we have reduced measurement fluctuation from 25.2% to 3.7% thanks to renormalization process. The current development of this first instrument has reached a Technology Readiness Level of 6 (full-scale model demonstration in relevant environment). The second instrument will be used by astronauts in a handheld version and will use a miniature X-ray tube. The device will allow rapid sampling of rocks to allow the best choice of samples for earth return. The device will use machine learning and will present results on simple way to tell astronauts if a sample is worth collecting. The current Technology Readiness Level of this second instrument is 4 (Functional verification). The third instrument will be used to monitor the Oxygen production unit from lunar regolith. Oxygen extraction is taking place using a method called molten salt electrolysis, involving placing regolith in a metal basket with molten calcium chloride salt to serve as an electrolyte, heated to 950°C. At this temperature, the regolith remains solid. But passing a current through it causes the oxygen to be extracted from the regolith and migrate across the salt to be collected at an anode. As a bonus, this process also converts the regolith into usable metal alloys. XRF will be used to follow the concentration of atoms involved in the process and therefore to monitor the oxygen production. The current TRL level of this third instrument is 3 (Proof of concept).ALEXI

The State of the Region: Hampton Roads 2000

Those who know and love the region of Hampton Roads wish to make it an even better place to live than it is currently. In order for us to achieve that end, we must know literally where we are in critical areas. This first State of the Region Report is designed to provide citizens with a detailed, though not burdensome, look at several critical aspects of the lives we live in Hampton Roads. The Report focuses on topics such as the regional economy (including the tourist and military sectors), the workforce, K-12 education, technology, and of course, government and regional cooperation.https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/economics_books/1018/thumbnail.jp

Adding 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy to postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of short-course versus no androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised controlled trial

Background Previous evidence indicates that adjuvant, short-course androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves metastasis-free survival when given with primary radiotherapy for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the value of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy is unclear. Methods RADICALS-HD was an international randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of ADT used in combination with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to radiotherapy alone (no ADT) or radiotherapy with 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT), using monthly subcutaneous gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue injections, daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as distant metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. Standard survival analysis methods were used, accounting for randomisation stratification factors. The trial had 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 80% to 86% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·67). Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00541047. Findings Between Nov 22, 2007, and June 29, 2015, 1480 patients (median age 66 years [IQR 61–69]) were randomly assigned to receive no ADT (n=737) or short-course ADT (n=743) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 121 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 9·0 years (IQR 7·1–10·1), metastasis-free survival events were reported for 268 participants (142 in the no ADT group and 126 in the short-course ADT group; HR 0·886 [95% CI 0·688–1·140], p=0·35). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 79·2% (95% CI 75·4–82·5) in the no ADT group and 80·4% (76·6–83·6) in the short-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 121 (17%) of 737 participants in the no ADT group and 100 (14%) of 743 in the short-course ADT group (p=0·15), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Metastatic disease is uncommon following postoperative bed radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy. Adding 6 months of ADT to this radiotherapy did not improve metastasis-free survival compared with no ADT. These findings do not support the use of short-course ADT with postoperative radiotherapy in this patient population

Duration of androgen deprivation therapy with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of long-course versus short-course androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised trial

Background Previous evidence supports androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with primary radiotherapy as initial treatment for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the use and optimal duration of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy remains uncertain. Methods RADICALS-HD was a randomised controlled trial of ADT duration within the RADICALS protocol. Here, we report on the comparison of short-course versus long-course ADT. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after previous radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to add 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT) or 24 months of ADT (long-course ADT) to radiotherapy, using subcutaneous gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (monthly in the short-course ADT group and 3-monthly in the long-course ADT group), daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. The comparison had more than 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 75% to 81% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·72). Standard time-to-event analyses were used. Analyses followed intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT00541047 . Findings Between Jan 30, 2008, and July 7, 2015, 1523 patients (median age 65 years, IQR 60–69) were randomly assigned to receive short-course ADT (n=761) or long-course ADT (n=762) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 138 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 8·9 years (7·0–10·0), 313 metastasis-free survival events were reported overall (174 in the short-course ADT group and 139 in the long-course ADT group; HR 0·773 [95% CI 0·612–0·975]; p=0·029). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 71·9% (95% CI 67·6–75·7) in the short-course ADT group and 78·1% (74·2–81·5) in the long-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 105 (14%) of 753 participants in the short-course ADT group and 142 (19%) of 757 participants in the long-course ADT group (p=0·025), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Compared with adding 6 months of ADT, adding 24 months of ADT improved metastasis-free survival in people receiving postoperative radiotherapy. For individuals who can accept the additional duration of adverse effects, long-course ADT should be offered with postoperative radiotherapy. Funding Cancer Research UK, UK Research and Innovation (formerly Medical Research Council), and Canadian Cancer Society

Higher education base funding review: final report

This report defines enduring principles to underpin the long-term funding of Australian higher education as well as specific recommendations and options for a reformed funding model. Australia’s future social and economic development depends on having an educated and highly skilled community, delivering creativity, innovation and improved productivity. Australian universities contribute to society by leading public debate, enhancing civic and cultural life and enriching our self-awareness by the expansion of knowledge. In addition, universities contribute to the economy by supporting the development of effective graduates, driving regional economies and improving the national accounts by virtue of their research and development as well as their onshore and offshore education activities. Their regional success and global impact enhances our national standing and assists in globalising the national economy. An effective and highly performing university sector is essential to achieving these goals and base funding to universities from the Australian Government and student contributions provides the largest source of revenue to universities. Australian universities are institutions with highly complex goals and operations. They demonstrate strong international links but are also responsive to national and regional priorities. The sector is diverse but needs to operate in a legislatively controlled framework; it must focus on excellence yet also have a wide reach. Australian universities are accountable to Government but receive much of their funding from non-government sources and are autonomous institutions. To ensure they contribute to innovation, productivity and a civil society, our universities undertake teaching that is informed by scholarship, as well as research which is collaborative and global in its significance and often capable of commercialisation. The evidence available to the Higher Education Base Funding Review Panel (the Panel) showed that the Australian university sector was well managed and had adapted to changing circumstances to become more efficient and productive, such that it is now able to use any additional funding effectively. The trust of the community and government investment over many decades has been and continues to be justified. Australia’s higher education system has been responsive to government initiatives and has diversified its income sources. The diverse system includes areas of research excellence, high-quality and innovative teaching, and a widespread focus on equity. Our national system is well regarded at home, respected internationally and a source of national pride. Nevertheless, specific local issues, changing policy settings and rapid global changes have the potential to pose significant risks to the quality and effectiveness of Australian universities. The Government has acted swiftly in response to the Knight Review of the Student Visa Program to support international enrolments in universities. However, the Panel noted ongoing concern in the sector about the potential for emerging international issues to erode Australia’s competitive advantage in the international higher education market. There are pressures on operating costs and infrastructure, reflecting the dramatic changes in the sector over the last two decades; a period marked by far more than just expansion. Across the sector the stresses were seen to be largely similar, reflecting changes in student and employer expectations, technological change, teaching reforms including online delivery and an increasing emphasis on work-integrated learning. Put simply, despite productivity gains and allowing for institutional decisions about priorities, the costs have not just risen, but also the nature of the institutions has changed during the decades on either side of the millennium

Stepping Responses of Infants With Myelomeningocele When Supported on a Motorized Treadmill

Background and Purpose: Infants with myelomeningocele (MMC) have difficulty with, and show delays in, acquiring functional skills, such as walking. This study examined whether infants with MMC will respond to treadmill practice by producing stepping patterns or at least motor activity during the first year after birth. This study also compared the stepping trajectories of infants with MMC across age with those of infants with typical development (TD) to analyze the characteristics of the development of stepping patterns in infants with MMC early in life