Measurement of neutron diffusion parameters of heavy water in spheres by the pulsed neutron source method

M.S.M. R. Haroo

OncoLog, Volume 60, Number 01, January 2015

Simultaneous Resection of Liver and Lung Metastases from Colorectal Cancer Eliminates Need for Second Surgery: Patients with colorectal cancer metastases to the liver and one or both lungs often face the unwelcome prospect of two operations and two recovery periods. But a novel surgical approach enables the liver and lung lesion resections to be performed during the same operation. Some Breast Cancer Patients May Benefit from Shorter Course of Whole-Breast Irradiation: A shorter course of radiation therapy at higher doses per fraction than the standard regimen could reduce side effects and improve quality of life for some patients with breast cancer. IMPACT2 Study Tests Benefits of Personalized Cancer Treatment based on Molecular Profiling: Molecular profiling has the potential to revolutionize cancer medicine by helping clinicians select treatments based on the genomic characteristics of each patient\u27s tumor. But for most types of cancer, this potential has yet to be verified by a randomized clinical study-in which treatment selection based on tumor molecular profiling-is now enrolling patients with metastatic solid tumors at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. HOUSE CALL: Telling Your Child About Your Cancer-Open, honest communication helps children copehttps://openworks.mdanderson.org/oncolog/1251/thumbnail.jp

An Economic Analysis of Texas Shrimp Season Closures

Management of the Texas penaeid shrimp fishery is aimed at increasing revenue from brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus, landings and decreasing the level of discards. Since 1960 Texas has closed its territorial sea for 45-60 days during peak migration of brown shrimp to the Gulf of Mexico. In 1981 the closure was extended to 200 miles to include the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Simulation modeling is used in this paper to estimate the changes in landings, revenue, costs, and economic rent attributable to the Texas closure. Four additional analyses were conducted to estimate the effects of closing the Gulf 1- to 4-fathom zone for 45 and 60 days, with and without effort redirected to inshore waters. Distributional impacts are analyzed in terms of costs, revenues, and rents, by vessel class, shrimp species, vessel owner, and crew

Male reproductive competition in the field crickets : gryllus veletis and G. pennsylvanicus

Sexual behavior in the field crickets, Gryllus veletis and G. pennsylvanicus , was studied in outdoor arenas (12 m2) at high and low levels of population density in 1983 and 1984. Crickets were weighed, individually marked, and observed from 2200 until 0800 hrs for at least 9 continuous nights. Calling was measured at 5 min intervals, and movement and matings were recorded hourly. Continuous 24 hr observations were also conducted,·and occurrences of aggressive and courtship songs were noted. The timing of males searching, calling, courting, and fighting for females should coincide with female movement and mating patterns. For most samples female movement and matings occurred at night in the 24 hr observations and were randomly distributed with time for both species in the 10 hr observations. Male movement for G. veletis high density only was enhanced at night in the 24 hr observations, however, males called more at night in both species at high and low densities. Male movement was randomly distributed with time in the 10 hr observations, and calling increased at dawn for the G. pennsylvanicus 1984 high density sample, but was randomly distributed in other samples. Most courtship and aggression songs in the 24 hr observations were too infrequent for statistical testing and generally did not coincide with matings. Assuming residual reproductive value, and costs attached to a male trait in terms of future reproductive success decline with age, males should behave in more costly ways with age; by calling and moving more with age. Consequently, mating rates should increase with age. Female behavior may not change with age. G. veletis , females moved more with age at both low density samples, however, crickets moved less with age at high density. G. pennsylvanicus females moved more with age in the 1984 low density sample, whereas crickets moved less with age in the 1983 high density sample. For both species males in the 1984 high density samples called less with age. For G. pennsylvanicus in 1983 calling and mating rates increased with age. Mating rates decreased with age for G. veletis males in the high density sample. Aging may not affect cricket behavior. As population density increases fewer calling sites become available, costs of territoriality increase, and matings resulting from non-calling behavior should increase. For both species the amount of calling and in G. veletis the distance travelled per night was not different between densities. G. pennsylvanicus males and females moved more at low density. At the same deneity levels there were no differences in calling, mating, and, movement rates in G. veletis , however, G. pennsylvanicus males moved more at high density in 1983 than 1984. There was a positive relationship between calling and mating for the G. pennsylvanicus low density sample only, and selection was acting directly to increase calling. For both species no relationships between movement and mating success was found, however, the selection gradient on movement in the G. veletis high density population was significant. The intensity of selection was not significant and was probably due to the inverse relationship between displacement and weight. Larger males should call more, mate more, and move less than smaller males. There were no correlations between calling and individual weight, and an inverse correlation between movement and size in the G. veletis high density population only. In G. pennsylvanicus , there was a positive correlation between individual weight and mating, but, some correlate of weight was under counter selection pressure and-prevented significance of the intensity of selection. In contrast, there was an inverse correlation in the G.·veletis low density B sample. Both measures of selection intensities were significant and showed that weight only was under selection pressures. An inverse correlation between calling and movement was found for G. veletis at low density only. Because males are territorial, females are predicted to move more than males, however, if movement is a mode of male-male reproductive competition then males may move more than females. G. pennsylvanicus males moved more than females in all samples, however, G. veletis males and females moved similar distances at all densities. The variation in relative mating success explained by calling scores, movement, and weight for both species and all samples were not significant In addition, for both species and all samples the intensity of selection never equalled the opportunity for selection

A Simulation Study of Path and Speed Through Double-Lane Roundabouts

This study assessed the effects of geometric curvature and lane demarcation on drivers’ selection of path and speed in double-lane roundabouts. By means of a PC-based simulator, path and speed data were collected as subjects drove twice through six roundabouts. The six roundabouts varied in terms of pavement markings and geometric curvature on the entry and exit. Seventy-five participants were tested using a fixed-base driving simulator. The results showed that drivers maintained lane position better when the roundabouts had lane demarcation than when the roundabouts had no lane demarcation. Furthermore, lane-tracking behavior for participants exposed to roundabouts with pavement markings was similar to lane-tracking behavior observed in a recent field study. Observations of speed indicated that drivers drove faster though roundabouts with a large central island radius as opposed to a roundabout with a smaller central island radiu

A Simulation Study of Path and Speed Through Double-Lane Roundabouts

This study assessed the effects of geometric curvature and lane demarcation on drivers’ selection of path and speed in double-lane roundabouts. By means of a PC-based simulator, path and speed data were collected as subjects drove twice through six roundabouts. The six roundabouts varied in terms of pavement markings and geometric curvature on the entry and exit. Seventy-five participants were tested using a fixed-base driving simulator. The results showed that drivers maintained lane position better when the roundabouts had lane demarcation than when the roundabouts had no lane demarcation. Furthermore, lane-tracking behavior for participants exposed to roundabouts with pavement markings was similar to lane-tracking behavior observed in a recent field study. Observations of speed indicated that drivers drove faster though roundabouts with a large central island radius as opposed to a roundabout with a smaller central island radiu

An assessment of the relationship between institutional planning, resource development and institutional effectiveness in selected two-year community colleges in the Southern Association region

This study focused on the variables of institutional planning, resource development and institutional effectiveness. The purpose of the study was to assess relationships among institutional planning, resource development and institutional effectiveness. The assessment addressed the following questions: (1) how is the level of commitment to institutional planning related to institutional effectiveness? (2) how is the level of commitment to resource development related to institutional effectiveness? (3) how is the level of commitment to institutional planning related to resource development? The literature regarding institutional planning, resource development and institutional effectiveness suggested positive relationships between variables. The new accreditation criteria set forth by SACS necessitates that a comprehensive planning function be implemented by institutions to achieve institutional effectiveness

Hypofibrinogenemia Following Injury in 186 Children and Adolescents: Identification of the Phenotype, Current Outcomes, and Potential for Intervention

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies evaluating fibrinogen replacement in trauma, along with newly available fibrinogen-based products, has led to an increase in debate on where products such as cryoprecipitate belong in our resuscitation strategies. We set out to define the phenotype and outcomes of those with hypofibrinogenemia and evaluate whether fibrinogen replacement should have a role in the initial administration of massive transfusion. METHODS: All patients/17-4/21 were reviewed. We then evaluated all patients who received emergency-release and massive transfusion protocol (MTP) products. Patients were defined as hypofibrinogenemic (HYPOFIB) if admission fibrinogen(r-TEG) angleHYPOFIB, the impact on outcomes, and whether early replacement improved mortality. RESULTS: 4169 patients were entered into the trauma registry, with 926 level 1 trauma activations, of which 186 patients received emergency-release blood products during this time; 1%, 3%, and 10% were HYPOFIB, respectively. Of the 186 patients of interest, 18 were HYPOFIB and 168 were non-HYPOFIB. The HYPOFIB patients were significantly younger, had lower field and arrival Glasgow Coma Scale, had higher head Abbreviated Injury Scale, arrived with worse global coagulopathy, and died from brain injury. Non-HYPOFIB patients were more likely to have (+)focused assessment for the sonography of trauma on arrival, sustained severe abdominal injuries, and die from hemorrhage. 12% of patients who received early cryoprecipitate (0-2 hours) had higher mortality by univariate analysis (55% vs 31%, p=0.045), but no difference on multivariate analysis (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.81, p=0.221). Those receiving early cryoprecipitate who survived after pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission had lower PICU fibrinogen and r-TEG alpha-angle values. CONCLUSION: In pediatric trauma, patients with hypofibrinogenemia on admission are most likely younger and to have sustained severe brain injury, with an associated mortality of over 80%. Given the absence of bleeding-related deaths in HYPOFIB patients, this study does not provide evidence for the empiric use of cryoprecipitate in the initial administration of a massive transfusion protocol. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III - Therapeutic/Care Management

Hypofibrinogenemia Following Injury in 186 Children and Adolescents: Identification of the Phenotype, Current Outcomes, and Potential for Intervention

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies evaluating fibrinogen replacement in trauma, along with newly available fibrinogen-based products, has led to an increase in debate on where products such as cryoprecipitate belong in our resuscitation strategies. We set out to define the phenotype and outcomes of those with hypofibrinogenemia and evaluate whether fibrinogen replacement should have a role in the initial administration of massive transfusion. METHODS: All patients/17-4/21 were reviewed. We then evaluated all patients who received emergency-release and massive transfusion protocol (MTP) products. Patients were defined as hypofibrinogenemic (HYPOFIB) if admission fibrinogen(r-TEG) angleHYPOFIB, the impact on outcomes, and whether early replacement improved mortality. RESULTS: 4169 patients were entered into the trauma registry, with 926 level 1 trauma activations, of which 186 patients received emergency-release blood products during this time; 1%, 3%, and 10% were HYPOFIB, respectively. Of the 186 patients of interest, 18 were HYPOFIB and 168 were non-HYPOFIB. The HYPOFIB patients were significantly younger, had lower field and arrival Glasgow Coma Scale, had higher head Abbreviated Injury Scale, arrived with worse global coagulopathy, and died from brain injury. Non-HYPOFIB patients were more likely to have (+)focused assessment for the sonography of trauma on arrival, sustained severe abdominal injuries, and die from hemorrhage. 12% of patients who received early cryoprecipitate (0-2 hours) had higher mortality by univariate analysis (55% vs 31%, p=0.045), but no difference on multivariate analysis (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.81, p=0.221). Those receiving early cryoprecipitate who survived after pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission had lower PICU fibrinogen and r-TEG alpha-angle values. CONCLUSION: In pediatric trauma, patients with hypofibrinogenemia on admission are most likely younger and to have sustained severe brain injury, with an associated mortality of over 80%. Given the absence of bleeding-related deaths in HYPOFIB patients, this study does not provide evidence for the empiric use of cryoprecipitate in the initial administration of a massive transfusion protocol. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III - Therapeutic/Care Management