Remote measurements of volcanic gases : applications of open-path Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (OP-FTIR) and Correlation spectroscopy (COSPEC)

The composition of volcanic gas plumes depends largely on the chemistry of the degassing magma, the depth of volatile exsolution, and the level of volcanic activity. The ratios between the most common volcanic gases: CO2, H2O, SO2, HCl and HF, as measured at the surface, can be used to provide information on the evolution of the magma body. My research on volcanic gases has centred on the use of open-path Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (Op_FTIR) and correlation spectroscopy (COSPEC). I have also used data collected using other direct and remote-sensing techniques. Remote-sensing techniques rely on the characteristic IR or UV absorbances of natural and/or artificial radiation by different gases. The longer range of these techniques enables the analysis of gases in inaccessible plumes; thus reducing the need for operators to enter hazardous areas. As the instruments do not interact with the analysed gases there is no contamination, condensation or secondary reactions. However, the instruments tend to be heavy, expensive, and complex. Environmental factors can complicate analyses; clouds can dissolve and remove analyte rapidly, and variations in wind speed can result in gas fluxes having high errors. It is also much more difficult to analyse specific gas sources remotely as mixing of gases from different sources can occur. Direct-sampling techniques rely on gases being trapped, dissolved or adsorbed before being analysed by traditional methods, e. g. wet-chemistry, colourimetry, and gas chromatography. The capture of gases is best achieved as close to the source as possible, thus increasing the risk to the operator, and may only be possible during periods of low activity. The physical interaction of gases with instrument and collection vessels can lead to contamination and initiation of secondary reactions. Direct-sampling techniques are labour intensive and thus are capable of only generating a relatively small amount of data compared to the more automated remote-sensing techniques. The suitability of an individual technique therefore depends greatly on: the type of gas to be measured; the location of vent or fumamle; the level of volcanic activity; and the environment in which data are collected. I used OP-FTIR on La Fossa di Vulcano to measure the SO2: HCL mass ratios of gases emitted from the rim and central crater fumaroles, -4.3 - 6.1 and 0.9 - 2.6 respectively. I attributed the higher crater rim gas ratios to the interaction of the gases with shallow hydrothermal reservoirs, causing scrubbing of the more soluble HCl- At Mt. Etna, my OP-FTIR analysis of gases emitted from the central craters showed that, in 1994, SO2: HCl mass ratios were ~4.9 - 5.8. These values lie between those reported for eruptive degassing, >10, and background degassing, 2 fluxes for the 1991 - 1993 Etna eruption showed that variations were generally synchronous; small scale differences relating to the drainage of degassed magma from beneath the summit craters into the eruptive fissure. I also conducted OP-FTIR and COSPEC analyses on Montserrat in June 1996 to show the gas plume to be relatively SO2 poor, with SO2: HCl mass ratios of 4 in volcanic plumes to be made. I have also used HF-SiF4 ratios to estimate gas equilibrium temperatures at La Fossa and Mt. Etna to be ~200°C and ~250 - 290°C respectively. I have also investigated the structural evolution of the Masaya Volcanic Complex. The visible complex has formed over ~1000 years; with average rates of effusion of -0.2 x 106 m3/y, much lower than those required to provide the estimated volume of caldera infill, -2 x 106 m3/y. Historic activity has centred on the twin massifs of Volcán Masaya and Volcán Santiago and is dominated by pit-crater collapses. I propose that the degassing episodes, which occur with no increase in eruptive activity, are related to the convective overturn of magma beneath the craters

False-positive radioiodine whole-body scan due to a renal cyst

Patients affected by differentiated thyroid cancer are treated surgically and by ablative radioiodine therapy. A post-therapy whole-body scan allows detection of thyroid remnants or local and distant metastases, although false-positive findings may be observed. We report a case of a 75-year-old woman with follicular thyroid cancer, who underwent ablative radioiodine treatment. On post-therapy wholebody scan, abnormal uptake in the left upper abdomen was found, although stimulated thyroglobulin level was not suggestive for distant metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Additional SPECT/CT acquisition revealed focal 131I uptake located at the posterolateral wall of the left kidney corresponding to a round lesion 47 mm in maximal diameter. In order to verify this finding abdominal ultrasound and abdominal contrast-enhanced CT were performed, confirming multiple renal cysts in the left kidney; the largest one was the site of abnormal radioiodine accumulation. Despite the high incidence of renal cysts, especially in the elderly, radioiodine uptake in renal cystsis extremely rare. Different hypotheses on the mechanism of radioiodine uptake in the cyst were proposed, among them active secretion by sodium-iodide symporter or other transporting proteins. We conclude that abnormal radioiodine uptake in renal cysts can be an exceptional finding mimicking a metastasis

Does the type of a centre in which the resection of extensive tumours of the limbs and truck is performed, affect the patients’ survival?

Nowoczesna chirurgia rekonstrukcyjna opiera się na odpowiednim wykorzystaniu dostępnych metod rekonstrukcyjnych, w tym mikronaczyniowych. Zaplanowanie odpowiedniej operacji rekonstrukcyjnej daje możliwość wykonania maksymalnie szerokiej resekcji, co dodatkowo zwiększa radykalność zabiegu. Ostatnimi czasy zaznacza się tendencja do wykonywania rozległych resekcji nowotworów w ośrodkach nie dysponujących bogatym doświadczeniem w tego rodzaju procedurach. Istnieje obawa, że, z uwagi na brak możliwości wykonania jednoczasowej rekonstrukcji, zakres resekcji może być niewystarczający do uzyskania pełnej radykalności zabiegu. W oparciu o wyniki badań 71 chorych leczonych w Klinice Chirurgii Onkologicznej i Rekonstrukcyjnej w latach 2006 – 2017 z powodu rozległych zmian nowotworowych tułowia i kończyn wykazano, że chorzy leczeni pierwotnie (zabieg resekcyjny) poza Instytutem charakteryzowali się znacząco krótszym czasem przeżycia do wznowy. Powyższe wyniki stanowią głos potwierdzający zasadność przeprowadzania rozległych zabiegów resekcyjno – rekonstrukcyjnych w przypadku zaawansowanych zmian nowotworowych, w ośrodkach o bogatym doświadczeniu w tym zakresie

Individually personalized radiotherapy vs. evidence (trials) based standards – paradigms and dilemmas

This paper opens up to discussion whether some questions, points of view, and doubts counterbalance the belief and dogmas that randomized clinical trials (mainly in radiotherapy) should be considered as the only source of guidelines to design novel therapeutic standards in radiotherapy. A number of the physics, radiotherapy, clinical radiobiology and genetic and molecular tumor’s characteristics suggest that radiotherapy protocols based on the “evidence based trials” seem to be antonymous to individually personalized therapy. The major goal of this paper is to consider and discuss whether individually personalized radiotherapy is already attainable and reliable or still remains the exception

Classical nonintegrability of a quantum chaotic SU(3) Hamiltonian system

We prove nonintegrability of a model Hamiltonian system defined on the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{su}_3$ suitable for investigation of connections between classical and quantum characteristics of chaos.Comment: 17 page

Adjuvant radiotherapy post microvascular reconstructive surgery (MRS) for patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer – when and how?

For many decades palliation (radiotherapy, chemotherapy or symptomatic treatment) was the only therapeutic solu­tion for locally very advanced head and neck cancer. In the mid 70s, H. Buncke carried out pioneering microvascular reconstructive surgery (MRS) as a radical treatment. Since that time, the MRS has been accepted around the world as a successful radical therapy, not only for head and neck (H&N) cancers. A part of the H&N cancers need however post­-MRS radiotherapy (RT). Based on the 20 year experience of the Institute of Oncology in Gliwice with MRS (about 2500 patients), D. Bula has defined local recurrence risk factors. Dutch studies convincingly documented the prognostic value of the estimated molecular profiles of the resected margins as additional risk factors. The use of conventional 2.0 Gy/ fraction post-MRS-RT result in a high risk of the inserted reconstructive flap necrosis or rejection. Therefore, a novel IMRT­-VMAT technique with 50 Gy given in 1.5–1.6 Gy/fraction has been designed which allows to almost eliminate the flap from the irradiated volume and therefore minimizes recurrence and/or flap rejection to almost zero. The present paper shows objectively selected a cluster of patients being the candidate to post-MRS safe and effective VMAT radiotherapy

Axillary lymph node and early breast cancer diagnostics. A case report

Understanding of the anatomy of the axillary lymph nodes is important in diagnostic and treatment procedures for breast cancer. An interesting case is presented here of breast cancer without a breast tumour. The first symptom of the disease was lymphadenopathy of the axillary region. This kind of case is extremely rare in clinical practise (one case per 1-5 years) and constitutes a great problem for specialists, since in many cases the primary neoplasm source is unknown. The anatomical and clinical implications of such a situation are discussed

Adjuvant radiotherapy post microvascular reconstructive surgery (MRS) for patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer – when and how?

For many decades palliation (radiotherapy, chemotherapy or symptomatic treatment) was the only therapeutic solu­tion for locally very advanced head and neck cancer. In the mid 70s, H. Buncke carried out pioneering microvascular reconstructive surgery (MRS) as a radical treatment. Since that time, the MRS has been accepted around the world as a successful radical therapy, not only for head and neck (H&N) cancers. A part of the H&N cancers need however post­-MRS radiotherapy (RT). Based on the 20 year experience of the Institute of Oncology in Gliwice with MRS (about 2500 patients), D. Bula has defined local recurrence risk factors. Dutch studies convincingly documented the prognostic value of the estimated molecular profiles of the resected margins as additional risk factors. The use of conventional 2.0 Gy/ fraction post-MRS-RT result in a high risk of the inserted reconstructive flap necrosis or rejection. Therefore, a novel IMRT­-VMAT technique with 50 Gy given in 1.5–1.6 Gy/fraction has been designed which allows to almost eliminate the flap from the irradiated volume and therefore minimizes recurrence and/or flap rejection to almost zero. The present paper shows objectively selected a cluster of patients being the candidate to post-MRS safe and effective VMAT radiotherapy