Dose Analysis in Boron Neutron-capture Cancer Therapy (BNCT) Neutron Generator Based for Breast Cancer

The purpose of this study is to know the concentration of boron and irradiation times which optimizes the treatment of breast cancer using the BNCT method. This research was conducted by using MCNPX simulation which outputs are flux neutron, neutron scattering dose and gamma dose. The neutron source used is the BSA D-D Neutron generator model. The independent variable of this research is the boron concentration injected into the cancer. The dependent variable is the total dose rate and irradiation time which determines the effectiveness of  BNCT therapy. The controlled variables are the output of the neutron flux, dose and gamma neutron scattering dose. The results showed that in the range of 70-150 µg/g, the dose rate received by cancer increases with increasing the concentration of boron-10. If the dose rate is increased, the irradiation time interval will be faster. The Boron dose of 70 μg/g and the dose rate of irradiation 0.00293603 Gy/sec needs an irradiation time of 409.43 minutes; the boron dose of 90 µg/g and the dose rate of irradiation 0.00241049 Gy/sec needs an irradiation time of 345.71 minutes; the boron dose of 110 µg/g and the dose rate of irradiation 0.00271236 Gy/sec needs an irradiation time of 307.24 minutes; the boron dose of 130 µg/g and the dose rate of irradiation 0.00303389 Gy/sec needs an irradiation time of 274.67 minutes; and the boron dose 150 µg/g and the dose rate of irradiation 0.00334565 Gy/sec needs an irradiation time of 249.08 minutes. The Optimum concentration of boron is 150 µg/g with irradiation time of 249.08 minutes

Routing performance of structured overlay in Distributed Hash Tables (DHT) for P2P

This paper presents a routing performance analysis of structured P2P overlay network. Due to the rapid development and hectic life, sharing data wirelessly is essential. P2P allows participating peers move freely by joining and leaving the network at any convenience time. Therefore, it exists constraint when one measuring the network performance. Moreover, the design of structured overlay networks is fragmented and with various design. P2P networks need to have a reliable routing protocol. In order to analyse the routing performance, this work simulates three structured overlay protocols-Chord, Pastry and Kademlia using OMNeT++ with INET and OverSim module. The result shows that Pastry is the best among others with 100% routing efficiency. However, Kademlia leads with 12.76% and 18.78% better than Chord and Pastry in lookup hop count and lookup success latency respectively. Hence, Pastry and Kamelia architectures will have a better choice for implementing structured overlay P2P network

The ACT-ONE trial, a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study of the anabolic/catabolic transforming agent, MT-102 in subjects with cachexia related to stage III and IV non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer: study design

Aims Cachexia, the wasting disorder associated with a wide range of serious illnesses including cancer, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. There is currently no widely approved therapeutic agent for treating or preventing cancer-associated cachexia. Colorectal cancer and nonsmall cell lung cancer have relatively high incidences of cachexia, approximately 28% and 34%, respectively. Neurohormonal overactivity has been implicated in the genesis and progression of cachexia and beta receptor antagonism has been proposed as a potential therapy. MT-102, a novel anabolic/catabolic transforming agent, has a multi-functional effect upon three potential pharmacological targets in cancer cachexia, namely reduced catabolism through non-selective β-blockade, reduced fatigue, and thermogenesis through central 5-HT1a antagonism and increased anabolism through partial β-2 receptor agonism. Methods At least 132 male and female patients, aged between 25 and 80 years with a confirmed diagnosis of late-stage non-small cell lung cancer or colorectal cancer, with cachexia will be randomised to either one of the two MT-102 doses or placebo in a 3:1:2 ratio (MT-102 10 mg BD−1/MT-102 2.5 mg BD/placebo). Patients will continue on study treatment for maximally 16 weeks. The primary endpoint, to be analysed by assigned treatment group, will be body weight change over 16 weeks. For this endpoint, the study has 85% power (0.05% significance level) to detect per 4-week period a mean change of −0.8 kg in the placebo group and 0 kg in the high-dose MT-102 arm. The first patient was randomised in February 2011 and patient recruitment is expected to continue until mid-2012. Perspective The ACT-ONE trial is designed to test whether the anabolic/catabolic transforming agent MT-102 will positively impact on the rate of change of body weight in cancer cachexia, thereby evaluating a novel therapeutic strategy in this hitherto poorly treatable condition. A separate ACT-TWO trial will recruit patients who complete the ACT-ONE trial and remain on randomised double-blind medication. Participants in ACT-TWO will be followed for an additional period with a separate primary endpoint

Pharyngeal carriage of Neisseria species in the African meningitis belt.

OBJECTIVES: Neisseria meningitidis, together with the non-pathogenic Neisseria species (NPNs), are members of the complex microbiota of the human pharynx. This paper investigates the influence of NPNs on the epidemiology of meningococcal infection. METHODS: Neisseria isolates were collected during 18 surveys conducted in six countries in the African meningitis belt between 2010 and 2012 and characterized at the rplF locus to determine species and at the variable region of the fetA antigen gene. Prevalence and risk factors for carriage were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 4694 isolates of Neisseria were obtained from 46,034 pharyngeal swabs, a carriage prevalence of 10.2% (95% CI, 9.8-10.5). Five Neisseria species were identified, the most prevalent NPN being Neisseria lactamica. Six hundred and thirty-six combinations of rplF/fetA_VR alleles were identified, each defined as a Neisseria strain type. There was an inverse relationship between carriage of N. meningitidis and of NPNs by age group, gender and season, whereas carriage of both N. meningitidis and NPNs was negatively associated with a recent history of meningococcal vaccination. CONCLUSION: Variations in the prevalence of NPNs by time, place and genetic type may contribute to the particular epidemiology of meningococcal disease in the African meningitis belt

Pharyngeal carriage of Neisseria species in the African meningitis belt.

OBJECTIVES: Neisseria meningitidis, together with the non-pathogenic Neisseria species (NPNs), are members of the complex microbiota of the human pharynx. This paper investigates the influence of NPNs on the epidemiology of meningococcal infection. METHODS: Neisseria isolates were collected during 18 surveys conducted in six countries in the African meningitis belt between 2010 and 2012 and characterized at the rplF locus to determine species and at the variable region of the fetA antigen gene. Prevalence and risk factors for carriage were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 4694 isolates of Neisseria were obtained from 46,034 pharyngeal swabs, a carriage prevalence of 10.2% (95% CI, 9.8-10.5). Five Neisseria species were identified, the most prevalent NPN being Neisseria lactamica. Six hundred and thirty-six combinations of rplF/fetA_VR alleles were identified, each defined as a Neisseria strain type. There was an inverse relationship between carriage of N. meningitidis and of NPNs by age group, gender and season, whereas carriage of both N. meningitidis and NPNs was negatively associated with a recent history of meningococcal vaccination. CONCLUSION: Variations in the prevalence of NPNs by time, place and genetic type may contribute to the particular epidemiology of meningococcal disease in the African meningitis belt.MenAfriCar was funded by the Wellcome Trust (086546/Z/08/Z) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (51251). Kanny Diallo holds a Wellcome Trust Training Fellowship in Public Health and Tropical Medicine.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Elsevier via https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2016.03.01

Upstream Supply Chain Visibility and Complexity Effect on Focal Company’s Sustainable Performance: Indian Manufacturers’ Perspective

Understanding supply chain sustainability performance is increasingly important for supply chain researchers and managers. Literature has considered supply chain sustainability and the antecedents of performance from a triple bottom line (economic, social, and environmental) perspective. However, the role of supply chain visibility and product complexity contingency in achieving sustainable supply chain performance has not been explored in depth. To address this gap, this study utilizes a contingent resource-based view theory perspective to understand the role of product complexity in shaping the relationship between upstream supply chain visibility (resources and capabilities) and the social, environmental, and economic performance dimensions. We develop and test a theoretical model using survey data gathered from 312 Indian manufacturing organizations. Our findings indicate that supply chain visibility (SCV) has significant influence on social and environmental performance under the moderation effect of product complexity. Hence, the study makes significant contribution to the extant literature by examining the impact of SCV under moderating effect of product complexity on social performance and environmental performance

Removal of red 3BS Dye from wastewater using emulsion liquid membrane process

Emulsion Liquid Membrane (ELM) is one of the process that has very high potential for industrial wastewater treatment of dyes. In this research, Red 3BS dye was extracted from simulated wastewater using Tridodecylamine as the carrier agent, sodium hydroxide as the stripping agent, kerosene as the diluent and span 80 was used as emulsifier. The important parameters affecting the Emulsion Liquid Membrane (ELM) extraction process including external phase concentration, treat ratio (emulsion/ external phase), concentration of carrier and agitation speed were investigated. The results show that the Red 3BS dye can be extracted almost 70% from simulated wastewater. The highest Red 3BS dye extraction was obtained by using 0.07 M Tridodecylamine, 5% (w/v) Span 80, 250 rpm agitation speed, 0.5 M thiourea in 1.0 M sodium hydroxide as the stripping agent, 1:3 treat ratio and kerosene as the diluent. As a conclusion, the Emulsion Liquid Membrane has a high potential in the extraction of dye from wastewater