Radiology teaching improves anatomy scores for medical students

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate if small group teaching in Radiology impacted Anatomy scores in the summative end of year examination. METHODS: Small group teaching in Radiology was incorporated into Anatomy of year one medical students during the academic years 2016/17 and 2017/18. Examination outcome for 2 years before and 1 year after the study period were compared.Question papers for end of year summative examinations were retrieved; questions relating to Anatomy were identified and anonymised scores for students were obtained. RESULTS: Student numbers ranged 238 to 290/year. Mean Anatomy scores ranged 62-74%, this compared with mean total exam score of 62-65%. No significant difference in Anatomy and Total examination scores for 2015, 2016 and 2019. Mean (SD) Anatomy scores were significantly higher than the Total examination scores for the study period of 2017 and 2018 [68.97 (17.32) vs 63.12 (11.51) and 73.77 (17.85) vs 64.99 (10.31) (p < 0.001)]. Combined Anatomy scores 2017 and 2018 were significantly higher than 2015 and 2016, difference of 5.50 (95% C.I. 3.31-7.70; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to objectively demonstrate Radiology small group teaching significantly improved Anatomy scores for medical students in the summative end of year examination. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: No evidence in the literature that Radiology teaching improves examination outcomes for medical students.This is the first study to directly link Radiology teaching with improved Anatomy examination result.Small group teaching in Radiology is a feasible way to teach Anatomy

Numerical simulation of the anodic formation of nanoporous InP

Anodic etching of n-type InP in KOH electrolytes under suitable conditions leads to the formation of a nanoporous region beneath a ~40 nm dense near-surface layer [1]. The early stages of the process involve the formation of square-based pyramidal porous domains [2] and a mechanism is proposed based on directional selectivity of pore growth along the directions. A numerical model of this mechanism is described in this paper. In the algorithm used the growth is limited to the directions and the probability of growth at any pore tip is controlled by the potential and the concentration of electrolyte at the pore tip as well as the suitability of the pore tip to support further growth. The simulated porous structures and their corresponding current versus time curves are in good agreement with experimental data. The results of the simulation also suggest that, after an initial increase in current caused by the spreading out of the porous domains from their origins, growth is limited by the diffusion rate of electrolyte along the pores with the final fall-off in current being caused by irreversible processes such as the formation of a passivating film at the tips or some other modification of the state of the pore tip

Effect of electrolyte concentration on anodic nanoporous layer growth for n-InP in aqueous KOH

The surface morphology and sub-surface porous structure of (100) n-InP following anodization in 1 - 10 mol dm-3 aqueous KOH were studied using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) in combination with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). LSV of n-InP in 10 mol dm-3 KOH showed a single anodic current peak at 0.41 V. As the concentration of electrolyte was decreased, the peak increased in current density and charge and shifted to more positive potentials; eventually individual peaks were no longer discernable. Porous layers were observed in SEM cross-sections following linear potential sweeps and the porous layer thickness increased significantly with decreasing KOH concentration, reaching a maximum value at ~2.2 mol dm-3. At concentrations less than 1.8 mol dm-3 the layer thickness decreased sharply, pore diameters became wider and pore walls became narrower until eventually, at 1.1 mol dm-2 or lower, no porous layers were observed. It was also observed that the pore width increased and the inter-pore spacing decreased with decreasing concentration. It is proposed that preferential pore propagation occurs along directions, contrary to previous suggestions, and that the resulting anoporous domains, initially formed, have triangular cross-sections when viewed in one of the {110} cleavage planes, ‘dove-tail’ crosssections viewed in the orthogonal {110} cleavage plane and square profiles when viewed in the (100) plane of the electrode surface

Nanoporous domains in n-InP anodized in KOH

A model of porous structure growth in semiconductors based on propagation of pores along the A directions has been developed. The model predicts that pores originating at a surface pit lead to porous domains with a truncated tetrahedral shape. SEM and TEM were used to examine cross- sections of n-InP electrodes in the early stages of anodization in aqueous KOH and showed that pores propagate along the A directions. Domain outlines observed in both TEM and SEM images are in excellent agreement with the model. The model is further supported by plan-view TEM and surface SEM images. Quantitative measurements of aspect ratios of the observed domains are in excellent agreement with the predicted values

Miniature Low-Noise G-Band I-Q Receiver

Weather forecasting, hurricane tracking, and atmospheric science applications depend on humidity sounding of atmosphere. Current instruments provide these measurements from groundbased, airborne, and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites by measuring radiometric temperature on the flanks of the 183-GHz water vapor line. Miniature, low-noise receivers have been designed that will enable these measurements from a geostationary, thinned array sounder, which is based on hundreds of low-noise receivers that convert the 180-GHz signal directly to baseband in-phase and in-quadrature signals for digitization and correlation. The developed receivers provide a noise temperature of 450 K from 165 to 183 GHz (NF = 4.1 dB), and have a mass of 3 g while consuming 24 mW of power. These are the most sensitive broadband I-Q receivers at this frequency range that operate at room temperature, and are significantly lower in mass and power consumption than previously reported receivers

Spatial aberrations in high-order harmonic generation

We investigate the spatial characteristics of high-order harmonic radiation generated in argon, and observe cross-like patterns in the far field. An analytical model describing harmonics from an astigmatic driving beam reveals that these patterns result from the order and generation position dependent divergence of harmonics. Even small amounts of driving field astigmatism may result in cross-like patterns, coming from the superposition of individual harmonics with spatial profiles elongated in different directions. By correcting the aberrations using a deformable mirror, we show that fine-tuning the driving wavefront is essential for optimal spatial quality of the harmonics

Portable single-beam cesium zero-field magnetometer for magnetocardiography

Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are becoming common in the realm of biomagnetic measurements. We discuss the development of a prototype zero-field cesium portable OPM and its miniaturized components. Zero-field sensors operate in a very low static magnetic field environment and exploit physical effects in this regime. OPMs of this type are extremely sensitive to small magnetic fields, but they bring specific challenges to component design, material choice, and current routing. The miniaturized cesium atomic vapor cell within this sensor has been produced through integrated microfabrication techniques. The cell must be heated to 120°C for effective sensing, while the sensor external faces must be skin safe ≤40°C making it suitable for use in biomagnetic measurements. We demonstrate a heating system that results in a stable outer package temperature of 36°C after 1.5 h of 120°C cell heating. This relatively cool package temperature enables safe operation on human subjects which is particularly important in the use of multi-sensor arrays. Biplanar printed circuit board coils are presented that produce a reliable homogeneous field along three axes, compensating residual fields and occupying only a small volume within the sensor. The performance of the prototype portable sensor is characterized through a measured sensitivity of 90 fT / Hz in the 5 to 20 Hz frequency band and demonstrated through the measurement of a cardiac magnetic signal

Strong signature of natural selection within an FHIT intron implicated in prostate cancer risk

Previously, a candidate gene linkage approach on brother pairs affected with prostate cancer identified a locus of prostate cancer susceptibility at D3S1234 within the fragile histidine triad gene (FHIT), a tumor suppressor that induces apoptosis. Subsequent association tests on 16 SNPs spanning approximately 381 kb surrounding D3S1234 in Americans of European descent revealed significant evidence of association for a single SNP within intron 5 of FHIT. In the current study, resequencing and genotyping within a 28.5 kb region surrounding this SNP further delineated the association with prostate cancer risk to a 15 kb region. Multiple SNPs in sequences under evolutionary constraint within intron 5 of FHIT defined several related haplotypes with an increased risk of prostate cancer in European-Americans. Strong associations were detected for a risk haplotype defined by SNPs 138543, 142413, and 152494 in all cases (Pearson's χ2 = 12.34, df 1, P = 0.00045) and for the homozygous risk haplotype defined by SNPs 144716, 142413, and 148444 in cases that shared 2 alleles identical by descent with their affected brothers (Pearson's χ2 = 11.50, df 1, P = 0.00070). In addition to highly conserved sequences encompassing SNPs 148444 and 152413, population studies revealed strong signatures of natural selection for a 1 kb window covering the SNP 144716 in two human populations, the European American (π = 0.0072, Tajima's D= 3.31, 14 SNPs) and the Japanese (π = 0.0049, Fay & Wu's H = 8.05, 14 SNPs), as well as in chimpanzees (Fay & Wu's H = 8.62, 12 SNPs). These results strongly support the involvement of the FHIT intronic region in an increased risk of prostate cancer. © 2008 Ding et al

An Analysis of the Cost of the Abatement of Ammonia Emissions in Irish Agriculture to 2030

peer-reviewedThis analysis quantifies the potential to abate national ammonia (NH3) emissions up to 2030. This report is an updated marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) analysis where Teagasc has quantified the abatement potential of a range of ammonia mitigation measures, as well as their associated costs/benefits (see Lanigan et al. 2015 for previous analysis). The objective of this analysis is to quantify the extent and costs associated with meeting future ammonia emission targets that were negotiated as part of the amended Clean Air Policy Package. The requirement to reduce ammonia emissions is urgent, both in terms of compliance with the National Emissions Ceilings Directive (NECD), and as a principal loss pathway for agricultural nitrogen (N). Improvement of N efficiency is a key focus for improving farm efficiency and sustainability as well as reducing the ammonia, nitrate and greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of agriculture. This is particularly relevant in the context of the national strategies on the development of the agri-food sector: Food Wise 2025, Ag-food strategy 2030 and Ag-Climatise (currently under development) and the newly unveiled EU Farm to Fork Strategy, which is a part of the European Green Deal. Under the baseline scenario (S1), agricultural ammonia emissions are projected to increase by 9% (without any mitigation) by 2030 relative to 2005 levels. While these increases are small in comparison to the targeted increase in agricultural output, they will provide a major challenge to meeting emissions targets, particularly as agriculture comprises over 99% of national emissions. The analysis presented in this report seeks to quantify the ammonia mitigation potential under likely uptake pathways. This is not an exhaustive analysis of all mitigation measures, but represents an assessment of best available techniques, based on scientific, peer-reviewed research carried out by Teagasc and associated national and international research partners. Indeed, any future changes in the sector or in the national emission inventory calculations will require further analysis of the applicability of ammonia mitigation techniques, particularly in terms of housing and storage but also in the context of other reactive N1 emissions. It should also be noted that some mitigation measures, particularly those related to nitrogen application to soils, could result in either higher greenhouse gas emissions or higher nitrate leaching. Compared to a future where no mitigation measures are deployed to address emissions, by 2030 the average technical abatement2 potential was estimated to be approximately 15.26 kt NH3 at a net cost of €10.86 million per annum. However, it should be noted that the net cost (€10.86 million) is comprised of 6 measures that are cost negative (-€22.21 million) and 7 measures that are cost positive (€33.07) and that some of the cost negative measures are predicated on efficiency gains driven by best management practice adoption (e.g. liming and clover measures with associate chemical N reductions). Amongst the thirteen mitigation measures selected for this analysis, 80% of the mitigation potential can be achieved by the full implementation of the mitigation pathways for protected urea and low emission slurry spreading (LESS) techniques for bovines. It should be stressed that this is an assessment of the maximum abatement potential and realising this level of abatement in practice will be extremely challenging. Any increase in agricultural activity beyond the baseline scenario will increase absolute emissions. The level of mitigation achievable is based on the draft AgClimatise measures any delay or reduction in the uptake of these measures will reduce the mitigation achieved. It must also be ensured that all mitigation measures should, where possible, be synergistic with reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and N loss to water

Asymmetric Dimethylarginine, Endothelial Nitric Oxide Bioavailability and Mortality in Sepsis

Background: Plasma concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxidesynthase, are raised in patients with chronic vascular disease, causing increased cardiovascular risk and endothelialdysfunction, but the role of ADMA in acute inflammatory states is less well defined.Methods and Results: In a prospective longitudinal study in 67 patients with acute sepsis and 31 controls, digitalmicrovascular reactivity was measured by peripheral arterial tonometry and blood was collected at baseline and 2&ndash;4 dayslater. Plasma ADMA and L-arginine concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Baselineplasma L-arginine: ADMA ratio was significantly lower in sepsis patients (median [IQR] 63 [45&ndash;103]) than in hospital controls(143 [123&ndash;166], p,0.0001) and correlated with microvascular reactivity (r = 0.34, R2 = 0.12, p = 0.02). Baseline plasma ADMAwas independently associated with 28-day mortality (Odds ratio [95% CI] for death in those in the highest quartile($0.66 mmol/L) = 20.8 [2.2&ndash;195.0], p = 0.008), and was independently correlated with severity of organ failure. Increase inADMA over time correlated with increase in organ failure and decrease in microvascular reactivity.Conclusions: Impaired endothelial and microvascular function due to decreased endothelial NO bioavailability is a potentialmechanism linking increased plasma ADMA with organ failure and death in sepsis