A multidisciplinary consensus on the morphological and functional responses to immunotherapy treatment

The implementation of immunotherapy has radically changed the treatment of oncological patients. Currently, immunotherapy is indicated in the treatment of patients with head and neck tumors, melanoma, lung cancer, bladder tumors, colon cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, liver cancer, leukemia and lymphomas. However, its efficacy is restricted to a limited number of cases. The challenge is, therefore, to identify which subset of patients would benefit from immunotherapy. To this end, the establishment of immunotherapy response criteria and predictive and prognostic biomarkers is of paramount interest. In this report, a group of experts of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), the Spanish Society of Medical Radiology (SERAM), and Spanish Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SEMNIM) provide an up-to-date review and a consensus guide on these issues

A Low-Cost Easy-Operation Hexapod Walking Machine

This paper presents the mechanical design of an hybrid hexapod walking machine that has been designed and built at LARM: Laboratory of Robotics and Mechatronics in Cassino. Basic characteristics are investigated in order to design a leg system with suitable low-cost modular components. Moreover, special care has been addressed in proposing an architecture that can be easily operated by a PLC with on-off logic. Experimental tests are reported in order to show feasibility and operational capability of proposed design

Modelling of the dynamic behaviour of hard-to-machine alloys

Machining of titanium alloys and nickel based superalloys can be difficult due to their excellent mechanical properties combining high strength, ductility, and excellent overall high temperature performance. Machining of these alloys can, however, be improved by simulating the processes and by optimizing the machining parameters. The simulations, however, need accurate material models that predict the material behaviour in the range of strains and strain rates that occur in the machining processes. In this work, the behaviour of titanium 15-3-3-3 alloy and nickel based superalloy 625 were characterized in compression, and Johnson-Cook material model parameters were obtained from the results. For the titanium alloy, the adiabatic Johnson-Cook model predicts softening of the material adequately, but the high strain hardening rate of Alloy 625 in the model prevents the localization of strain and no shear bands were formed when using this model. For Alloy 625, the Johnson-Cook model was therefore modified to decrease the strain hardening rate at large strains. The models were used in the simulations of orthogonal cutting of the material. For both materials, the models are able to predict the serrated chip formation, frequently observed in the machining of these alloys. The machining forces also match relatively well, but some differences can be seen in the details of the experimentally obtained and simulated chip shapes

Modelling of the dynamic behaviour of hard-to-machine alloys

Machining of titanium alloys and nickel based superalloys can be difficult due to their excellent mechanical properties combining high strength, ductility, and excellent overall high temperature performance. Machining of these alloys can, however, be improved by simulating the processes and by optimizing the machining parameters. The simulations, however, need accurate material models that predict the material behaviour in the range of strains and strain rates that occur in the machining processes. In this work, the behaviour of titanium 15-3-3-3 alloy and nickel based superalloy 625 were characterized in compression, and Johnson-Cook material model parameters were obtained from the results. For the titanium alloy, the adiabatic Johnson-Cook model predicts softening of the material adequately, but the high strain hardening rate of Alloy 625 in the model prevents the localization of strain and no shear bands were formed when using this model. For Alloy 625, the Johnson-Cook model was therefore modified to decrease the strain hardening rate at large strains. The models were used in the simulations of orthogonal cutting of the material. For both materials, the models are able to predict the serrated chip formation, frequently observed in the machining of these alloys. The machining forces also match relatively well, but some differences can be seen in the details of the experimentally obtained and simulated chip shapes

“Shim pulses” for NMR spectroscopy and imaging

A way to use adiabatic radiofrequency pulses and modulated magnetic-field gradient pulses, together constituting a “shim pulse,” for NMR spectroscopy and imaging is demonstrated. These pulses capitalize on phase shifts derived from probe gradient coils to compensate for nonlinear intrinsic main magnetic field homogeneity for spectroscopy, as well as for deviations from linear gradients for imaging. This approach opens up the possibility of exploiting cheaper, less-than-perfect magnets and gradient coils for NMR applications