Recruiting children into cancer trials–role of the United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG)

The UK Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG), established in 1977, provides a highly organised structure for both service provision and research, and represents the model to which the adult cancer community is currently aspiring. Since childhood cancer is so rare, it is both essential and feasible for the vast majority of children to be referred into the network of specialist centres, and also for the maximum number of children to be recruited into national and international clinical trials. Over the last 30–40 years there have been major advances in treatment, such that now approximately 70% of children diagnosed with cancer will be cured of their disease. The conduct of clinical trials in this patient population does, however, raise a number of specific issues and these are discussed in the paper. Copyright 2003 Cancer Research UK All rights reserved

RESILIENCE AND RESISTANCE, A NATO MODEL FOR TAIWAN

Reissued 14 Feb. 2022 to update text on page 48.Nowhere in the world exemplifies Great Power Competition as strongly as simmering conflict over Taiwan. Spanning over seven decades, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have sparred over the status of the island. Despite the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) protests, over the last three presidential administrations, the U.S. has strengthened its support for Taiwan’s vibrant democracy. In addition to the U.S., the European Union and several countries in the Asia-Pacific region also strongly support an autonomous Taiwan. In response to what the CCP sees as foreign meddling in Chinese domestic affairs, the PRC has increased its hostilities against Taiwan while also attempting to reduce international support for the island's democracy. How can Taiwan maintain its autonomy despite the ever-increasing pressure from the much stronger PRC? Through analysis of Arreguin-Toft’s “How the Weak Wins Wars,” Fiala’s “Resistance Operating Concept,” NATO’s “Comprehensive Defense Handbook,” and Taiwan’s recent efforts to create an all-out defense, this thesis offers findings and recommendations based on employing irregular warfare to increase the population's resiliency and deter or repel a PRC invasion.Chief Warrant Officer Three, United States ArmyMajor, United States ArmyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Small and beautiful? The programme of activities and the least developed countries

Most carbon abatement projects under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) have been implemented in rapidly industrializing countries, notably China and India. To support small carbon abatement projects and to promote decarbonization in the least developed countries, the Programme of Activities (PoA) modality was introduced. Are the determinants of project implementation different under the PoA from those of conventional CDM projects? To answer this question, we conduct a statistical analysis of the global distribution of CDM projects and PoAs during the years 2007–2012. In regard to country size, large countries clearly dominate both the CDM and PoA, suggesting that the PoA may do only little to facilitate project implementation in small countries. However, the number of PoAs has a strong negative association with a country's corruption level, while the importance of corruption for the CDM is much smaller. Moreover, per capita income has no effect on PoA implementation, while high wealth levels have a weak positive effect on CDM projects. Thus, the PoA modality seems to promote sustainable development in poor countries that have exceeded a certain threshold of good governance. In this regard, PoAs are directing carbon credits to new areas, as many had initially hoped

Laser surface colouring of titanium for contemporary jewellery

This paper describes work which emerged through a need to understand more about the potential of laser surface engineering for use in the creative industries. The method of creation of contemporary jewellery pieces and the resultant 'Ocular' jewellery series are described from the creative point of view. The work demonstrates how laser controlled oxide growth on Ti–6Al–4V alloy under ambient conditions can be used as an artistic tool by producing precisely defined colours. Use of the method to produce regular areas of even colour and to reproduce freehand drawings on a titanium alloy surface is described. Analysis highlights interference as the main colouring mechanism and suggests a graded surface layer, progressing from an outer layer of TiO2 to lower layers rich in TiO and Ti2O. The model of research by practice presented in this paper offers a contribution to the current debate on partnerships between art and science and engineering

Size-Dependent Deposition, Translocation, and Microglial Activation of Inhaled Silver Nanoparticles in the Rodent Nose and Brain.

BackgroundSilver nanoparticles (AgNP) are present in personal, commercial, and industrial products, which are often aerosolized. Current understanding of the deposition, translocation, and health-related impacts of AgNP inhalation is limited.ObjectivesWe determined a) the deposition and retention of inhaled Ag in the nasal cavity from nose-only exposure; b) the timing for Ag translocation to and retention/clearance in the olfactory bulb (OB); and c) whether the presence of Ag in the OB affects microglial activity.MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed nose-only to citrate-buffered 20- or 110-nm AgNP (C20 or C110, respectively) or citrate buffer alone for 6 hr. The nasal cavity and OB were examined for the presence of Ag and for biological responses up to 56 days post-exposure (8 weeks).ResultsThe highest nasal Ag deposition was observed on Day 0 for both AgNP sizes. Inhalation of aerosolized C20 resulted in rapid translocation of Ag to the OB and in microglial activation at Days 0, 1, and 7. In contrast, inhalation of C110 resulted in a gradual but progressive transport of Ag to and retention in the OB, with a trend for microglial activation to variably be above control.ConclusionsThe results of this study show that after rats experienced a 6-hr inhalation exposure to 20- and 110-nm AgNP at a single point in time, Ag deposition in the nose, the rate of translocation to the brain, and subsequent microglial activation in the OB differed depending on AgNP size and time since exposure. Citation: Patchin ES, Anderson DS, Silva RM, Uyeminami DL, Scott GM, Guo T, Van Winkle LS, Pinkerton KE. 2016. Size-dependent deposition, translocation, and microglial activation of inhaled silver nanoparticles in the rodent nose and brain. Environ Health Perspect 124:1870-1875; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP234

Short versus long silver nanowires: a comparison of in vivo pulmonary effects post instillation.

BackgroundSilver nanowires (Ag NWs) are increasingly being used to produce touchscreens for smart phones and computers. When applied in a thin film over a plastic substrate, Ag NWs create a transparent, highly-conductive network of fibers enabling the touch interface between consumers and their electronics. Large-scale application methods utilize techniques whereby Ag NW suspensions are deposited onto substrates via droplets. Aerosolized droplets increase risk of occupational Ag NW exposure. Currently, there are few published studies on Ag NW exposure-related health effects. Concerns have risen about the potential for greater toxicity from exposure to high-aspect ratio nanomaterials compared to their non-fibrous counterparts. This study examines whether Ag NWs of varying lengths affect biological responses and silver distribution within the lungs at different time-points.MethodsTwo different sizes of Ag NWs (2 μm [S-Ag NWs] and 20 μm [L-Ag NWs]) were tested. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats were intratracheally instilled with Ag NWs (0, 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/kg). Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were obtained at 1, 7, and 21 days post exposure for analysis of BAL total cells, cell differentials, and total protein as well as tissue pathology and silver distribution.Results and conclusionsThe two highest doses produced significant increases in BAL endpoints. At Day 1, Ag NWs increased total cells, inflammatory polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs), and total protein. PMNs persisted for both Ag NW types at Day 7, though not significantly so, and by Day 21, PMNs appeared in line with sham control values. Striking histopathological features associated with Ag NWs included 1) a strong influx of eosinophils at Days 1 and 7; and 2) formation of Langhans and foreign body giant cells at Days 7 and 21. Epithelial sloughing in the terminal bronchioles (TB) and cellular exudate in alveolar regions were also common. By Day 21, Ag NWs were primarily enclosed in granulomas or surrounded by numerous macrophages in the TB-alveolar duct junction. These findings suggest short and long Ag NWs produce pulmonary toxicity; thus, further research into exposure-related health effects and possible exposure scenarios are necessary to ensure human safety as Ag NW demand increases

From the Workplace to Home: The Impact of an Email Intervention Targeting the Family

Background and Purpose: Improved employee health contributes to improved employer outcomes in productivity, attendance and workplace satisfaction. Wellness programs focus on the employee to improve these outcomes, but fail to offer opportunities that include the family. A focus on the employee and their child may yield greater health improvements. This pilot study explored the impact of an e-mail intervention targeting the employee and his/her child on their physical activity level, self-efficacy and social control (SC). Methods: Parent and child dyads were recruited from faculty and staff at a university and were subsequently randomized into an intervention group (family-focused activities) or a control group (employee-focused activities). Both parents and children (ndyads = 19) completed a baseline and follow-up (10 weeks later) online questionnaire that measured physical activity, self-efficacy, and SC. Results: Significant differences in parents were found in task efficacy, scheduling efficacy, and collaborative SC, where the intervention group reported higher changes for these outcomes compared to the control group (p<0.10). Changes in collaborative SC reported by children in the intervention group approached significance (p = 0.13). Conclusion: Findings provide initial support for an e-mail based wellness programs’ targeting family-based activities compared to an intervention targeting the employee alone

Phishing as a new information threat: a crime or mischief?

Bailov A. Phishing as a new information threat: a crime or mischief? / Bailov Anton, Pinkerton Ron, Wihelm Schwebel // Теоретичні та практичні проблеми реалізації норм права : матеріали ІІ Всеукр. наук.-практ. конф. (з міжнар. участю) (м. Кременчук, 4–5 груд. 2015 р.). – Кременчук : Видавець ПП Щербатих О. В., 2015. – C. 20-22.У доповіді розглядається кіберзлочинність - одне з найскладніших негативних явищ, яке вимагає більш глибокого, всебічного та комплексного вивчення для забезпечення ефективної боротьби зі шахрайством у мережі Інтернет. Відзначено, необхідність серйозного опрацюваня законодавчої бази, яка не відповідає темпам кіберзлочинності, необхідність синхронізації міжнародного права, важливість підготовки професіоналів - слідчих та суддів до особливостей кіберзлочинів.The report deals with the cybercrime – one of the most complex negative phenomena, which requires deeper, more integrated, comprehensive study for ensuring effective combating Internet fraud. It is noted that the necessity of serious elaboration of the legislative framework, which does not correspond to the pace of cybercrime, the need for synchronization of international law, the importance of training of professionals - investigators and judges to the peculiarities of cybercrime.В докладе рассматривается киберпреступность - одно из самых сложных негативных явлений, которое требует более глубокого и комплексного всестороннего изучения для обеспечения эффективной борьбы с интернет-мошенничеством. Отмечается необходимость серьезной разработки законодательной базы, которая не соответствует темпам киберпреступности, необходимости синхронизации международного права, важности подготовки специалистов - следователей и судей к особенностям киберпреступности

The value of twins in dental research

The document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association. An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.Due to recent advances in molecular genetics, studies of twins will continue to provide important insights into how genetic and environmental factors contribute to variation in human physical and behavioural traits and disorders. This review emphasizes that biometrical genetic studies of twins are particularly valuable in complementing and directing molecular approaches to facilitate the detection of quantitative trait loci. It also describes several other research models involving twins, apart from the traditional comparison of similarities in monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (nonidentical) pairs, that have the potential to provide new information in the future. Current knowledge about the genetic bases of common dental problems is summarized and future directions in dental research involving twins are outlined.GC Townsend, L Richards, T Hughes, S Pinkerton, W Schwerd