Soot volume fraction profiling of asymmetric diffusion flames through tomographic imaging

This paper presents the 3-D (three-dimensional) reconstruction of soot volume fraction of diffusion flames based on tomographic imaging and image processing techniques. Eight flexible imaging fiber bundles and two RGB (Red, Green and Blue) CCD (Charge-coupled Device) cameras are used to obtain concurrently the 2-D (two-dimensional) image projections of the flame from eight different angles of view around the burner. Algorithms which combine the tomographic and two-color pyrometric techniques are utilized to reconstruct the soot volume fraction distributions on both cross- and longitudinal-sections of the flame. A series of experiments were carried out on a gas-fired combustion rig for the determination of soot volume fraction using the algorithms proposed. Test results demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed algorithms

Karen H. Lu, MD

https://openworks.mdanderson.org/legendsandlegacieschapters/1014/thumbnail.jp

Impact of Diet on Colorectal Cancer

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosed worldwide. Modifiable risk factors such as diet have been linked to the development of CRC but results of previous research have been inconsistent. We utilized the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to determine whether the consumption of dietary variables contributed to increased diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Methods Participants from NHANES 2015-2016 database aged 16 years or older, with available two-day dietary and CRC information were included. Study exposure included dietary consumptions (salt, cholesterol, sugar, fat, and carbohydrates); the outcome was self-reported CRC. Descriptive analysis was performed with chi-square tests to elicit the relationship between dietary consumptions and CRC, and a multivariate logistic regression model, adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics age, race, sex, income, BMI, smoking status, dietary consumptions, and complex sample design. Results A total of 76,044 participants were included. Individuals with older age (66-80 years vs. \u3c65: \u3e74% vs. 26%; p$35,000: 62% vs. 38%; p Conclusions A significant association was found between income, age and self-reported CRC. Although literature supports a relationship between diet and colorectal cancer, a more extensive dietary history may be needed to elicit the relationship.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1097/thumbnail.jp

A novel radiation-induced p53 mutation is not implicated in radiation resistance via a dominant-negative effect.

Understanding the mutations that confer radiation resistance is crucial to developing mechanisms to subvert this resistance. Here we describe the creation of a radiation resistant cell line and characterization of a novel p53 mutation. Treatment with 20 Gy radiation was used to induce mutations in the H460 lung cancer cell line; radiation resistance was confirmed by clonogenic assay. Limited sequencing was performed on the resistant cells created and compared to the parent cell line, leading to the identification of a novel mutation (del) at the end of the DNA binding domain of p53. Levels of p53, phospho-p53, p21, total caspase 3 and cleaved caspase 3 in radiation resistant cells and the radiation susceptible (parent) line were compared, all of which were found to be similar. These patterns held true after analysis of p53 overexpression in H460 cells; however, H1299 cells transfected with mutant p53 did not express p21, whereas those given WT p53 produced a significant amount, as expected. A luciferase assay demonstrated the inability of mutant p53 to bind its consensus elements. An MTS assay using H460 and H1299 cells transfected with WT or mutant p53 showed that the novel mutation did not improve cell survival. In summary, functional characterization of a radiation-induced p53 mutation in the H460 lung cancer cell line does not implicate it in the development of radiation resistance

Credit Risk Management and Its Impact on Performance of Commercial Banks: In of Case Ethiopia

Credit risk management in financial institutions has become more important not only because of the financial transactions performances but also protecting crisis that the industry is experiencing in the bust and somehow in the present. Moreover, it is also a means of or a crucial concept that determine commercial performance for the success, sustainable growth, and consistent profitability. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between credit risk management and its impact on performance of commercial banks in Ethiopia. This study is primarily based on secondary data. Secondary data were collected from nine (09) commercial banks in Ethiopia. The secondary data were obtained from various sources such as Annual Reports of the selected commercial banks, National bank of Ethiopia, relevant articles, books and magazines etc. The panel data of a six year period from 2009 to 2014 from the selected banks were used to examine the relationship between credit risk and performances. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and panel data regression model by using SPSS software version 22 and the Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on equity were used as performance variables and Capital Adequacy Ratio(CAR).Non-Performing Loans to Total Loans (NPLR), Loan provision to Total Loan Ratio(LPTLR), Loan Provision to Non-Performing Loans Ratio (LPNPLR), Loan Provision to Total Assets Ratio(LPTAR) and Non-Performing Loans to Total Loans (NPLTLR) were used as variables of credit risk management. The findings reveal that there is strong relationship between credit risk management and commercial bank performance in Ethiopia. Keywords: Risk Management, Credit Risk, Credit Risk Management, Credit enhancement, CAR, NPLR, ROA, ROE

The Relationship Between Vision and Organizational Readiness for Change: The Mediating Effects of Empowerment and Trust in the Leader

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between vision and readiness for organizational change directly and through the mediating effects of empowerment and trust. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from a sample of 409 managerial and non-managerial personnel from four business organizations. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test direct and mediating effects. Findings – Analyses provided strong support for the direct effects of vision and organizational readiness for change and the effects of vision on readiness for change were mediated by empowerment and trust in the leader. Research limitations/implications – Vision is significantly associated with readiness for organizational change. However, both trust in leadership and sense of empowerment strengthen the relationship between the two variables. Practical Implications – A compelling vision can improve employees’ readiness for change by empowering them and by developing trust in the leader. Originality/value –To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the mediating effects of trust and empowerment on the relationship between vision and organizational readiness for change

Pessary Use in Urology Clinics

Introduction: Pessaries are a non-invasive treatment option for patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI). There is currently limited data regarding pessary usage among urology patients. The aim of this study is to determine the patient characteristics that predict long term pessary usage versus surgical intervention. Methods: A 10-year retrospective review of pessary usage in women with either SUI or POP was performed. Patients were stratified into pessary longevity of less than or greater than one year. Quality of life measures before and after pessary use included pads per day, incontinence symptom index (ISI) scores, and pelvic organ prolapse distress inventory-6 (POPDI-6) scores. A comparison of study groups was adjusted for the following covariates: age, body mass index (BMI), initial pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) score, race, smoking status, presence of concomitant stress urinary incontinence, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare the two groups while accounting for covariates. Results: A total of 321 women with POP and/or SUI were managed with pessaries between 2012 and 2022. The median patient age was 70 (IQR 61-79) and the most common POP-Q stage was a 2, 42.2% (n=132), with 55.5% of patients reporting SUI (n=177). Pad use was documented in 56% of patients. Median pad use pre-pessary was 2 (IQR 0-3), post-pessary was 1 (IQR 0-3). Median ISI score pre-pessary was 15 (IQR 8-24), post-pessary was 11 (IQR 6-19). Median POPDI-6 score pre-pessary was 8 (IQR 4-12), post-pessary was 4 (IOR 1-9). 116 patients (36.1%) underwent POP or SUI surgery. Older patients and individuals without SUI were more likely to keep the pessary for at least one year, OR 1.03 and 1.72, respectively. Conclusions: Pessary usage provides strong statistical improvement in pad usage, ISI scores, and POPDI-6 scores. Younger patient age and stress incontinence are strongest predictors of patient transition from pessary usage to surgical intervention. More studies are needed to determine the pessary type that predicts highest patient satisfaction

Comparison of Online 6 Degree-of-Freedom Image Registration of Varian TrueBeam Cone-Beam CT and BrainLab ExacTrac X-Ray for Intracranial Radiosurgery.

PURPOSE: The study was aimed to compare online 6 degree-of-freedom image registrations of TrueBeam cone-beam computed tomography and BrainLab ExacTrac X-ray imaging systems for intracranial radiosurgery. METHODS: Phantom and patient studies were performed on a Varian TrueBeam STx linear accelerator (version 2.5), which is integrated with a BrainLab ExacTrac imaging system (version 6.1.1). The phantom study was based on a Rando head phantom and was designed to evaluate isocenter location dependence of the image registrations. Ten isocenters at various locations representing clinical treatment sites were selected in the phantom. Cone-beam computed tomography and ExacTrac X-ray images were taken when the phantom was located at each isocenter. The patient study included 34 patients. Cone-beam computed tomography and ExacTrac X-ray images were taken at each patient\u27s treatment position. The 6 degree-of-freedom image registrations were performed on cone-beam computed tomography and ExacTrac, and residual errors calculated from cone-beam computed tomography and ExacTrac were compared. RESULTS: In the phantom study, the average residual error differences (absolute values) between cone-beam computed tomography and ExacTrac image registrations were 0.17 ± 0.11 mm, 0.36 ± 0.20 mm, and 0.25 ± 0.11 mm in the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral directions, respectively. The average residual error differences in the rotation, roll, and pitch were 0.34° ± 0.08°, 0.13° ± 0.09°, and 0.12° ± 0.10°, respectively. In the patient study, the average residual error differences in the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral directions were 0.20 ± 0.16 mm, 0.30 ± 0.18 mm, 0.21 ± 0.18 mm, respectively. The average residual error differences in the rotation, roll, and pitch were 0.40°± 0.16°, 0.17° ± 0.13°, and 0.20° ± 0.14°, respectively. Overall, the average residual error differences wer