Formulation of silver phosphate/graphene/silica nanocomposite for enhancing the photocatalytic degradation of trypan blue dye in aqueous solution.

Photocatalytic degradation of several harmful organic compounds has been presented as a potential approach to detoxify water in recent decades. Trypan Blue (TB) is an acidic azo dye used to distinguish live cells from dead ones and it's classified as a carcinogenic dye. In this study, silver phosphate (Ag3PO4) nanoparticles and novel Ag3PO4/graphene/SiO2 nanocomposite have been successfully prepared via simple precipitation method. Afterward, their physical properties, chemical composition, and morphology have been characterized using SEM, EDS, TEM, SAED, BET, XRD, FTIR and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The specific surface area of Ag3PO4 and Ag3PO4/G/SiO2 nanocomposite were reported to be 1.53 and 84.97 m2/g, respectively. The band gap energy of Ag3PO4 and Ag3PO4/G/SiO2 nanocomposite was measured to be 2.4 and 2.307 eV, respectively. Photocatalytic degradation of Trypan blue (TB) was studied at different parameters such as pH, catalyst dosage, initial concentration, and contact time. The results showed that, at initial dye concentration of 20 ppm, pH = 2, and using 0.03 g of Ag3PO4/G/SiO2 as a photocatalyst, the degradation percent of TB dye in the aqueous solution was 98.7% within 10 min of light exposure. Several adsorption isotherms such as Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin adsorption isotherms have been tested in addition to the photocatalytic degradation kinetics. Both catalysts were found to follow the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Finally, the possible photocatalytic performance mechanism of Ag3PO4/G/SiO2 was proposed.

Making minimally invasive procedures more sustainable: A systematic review comparing the environmental footprint of single-use versus multi-use instruments.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare systems contribute 5%-10% of the global carbon footprint. Given the detrimental impact of climate change on population health, health systems must seek to address this environmental responsibility. This is especially relevant in the modern era of minimally invasive procedures (MIP) where single-use instruments are increasingly popular. We compared the environmental footprint of single-use versus multi-use instruments in MIP. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review across five databases to identify relevant original studies, following the PRISMA guidelines. We extracted environmental impact data and performed a quality assessment of included studies. RESULTS: We included 13 studies published between 2005 and 2024. Eight employed Life Cycle Analysis (LCAs), which is the gold standard methodology for studies evaluating environmental impact. The instruments studied included laparoscopy systems, endoscopes, cystoscopes, bronchoscopes, duodenoscopes, and ureteroscopes. Six studies, including three high quality LCAs and one fair quality LCA, showed that single-use instruments have a significantly higher environmental footprint than their multi-use counterparts. Six studies suggested a lower environmental footprint for single-use instruments, and one study presented comparable results. However, these studies were of poor/fair quality. CONCLUSION: Although our systematic review yielded mixed results, all high quality LCAs suggested multi-use instruments may be more environmentally friendly than their single-use counterparts. Our findings are limited by inter-study heterogeneity and methodological quality. There is an urgent need for additional research employing gold standard methodologies to explore the interplay between environmental impact and operational factors such as workflow efficiency and cost-benefit ratio to allow health systems to make more informed decisions.

New classification of the penoscrotal positional anomalies.

BACKGROUND: The aspect of sexual differentiation and the mechanism controlling the position of genitalia, which represents one of the most substantial differences between the sexes, is still poorly understood. Minor cases and some variants of penoscrotal transposition (PST) are unreported, and obvious cases were classified broadly and confused with other unrelated anomalies. METHODOLOGY: Relevant literature published till 2022 were reviewed then organized, recapitulated, and presented in comparison with the findings and data of 65 child diagnosed with PST. So, an integrated comprehensive approach to this uncommon condition enabled a new classification including few unreported variant cases, which were complemented. RESULTS: PST is classified herein into a cephalic or caudal scrotal migration, the cephalic type subdivided into major and minor subtypes the latter type subdivided into bilateral, unilateral or central subtypes. Cases of caudal scrotal regression is an unreported anomaly in which the scrotum located caudally, as constant association with epispadias/exstrophy anomalies leaving a wide distance between the fixed penis and the scrotal sacs. CONCLUSION: PST is not rare as it was believed, it occurs in two directions; cephalic and caudal directions. Scrotal caudal regression anomaly was not described before, as well the PST presented as an inguinal hernia.

Anatomical Study of Bicipital Groove of Dry Adult Human Cadaveric Humerus in Bangladesh.

The bicipital groove is a groove on the anterior aspect of the proximal end of the humerus. It lies between the greater and lesser tubercles. The variations of this groove may lead to various pathologies of the biceps brachii tendon, one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. Hence, this study examines the various osteometric parameters of bicipital groove in the Bangladeshi population. This cross-sectional descriptive study was done on 100 dry adult human cadaveric humeri (43 right sides and 57 left sides) in the Department of Anatomy, Mymensingh Medical College, Bangladesh from July 2021 to June 2022. The length, maximum width and depth of the bicipital groove and the length of this groove's medial and lateral walls were measured using a digital Vernier slide caliper. Data were recorded in a predesigned data sheet separately and analyzed statistically using Microsoft Excel and SPSS. According to the present study, the mean±SD length of the bicipital groove of the right humeri was 66.646±11.563mm and the left humeri were 66.002±13.025mm. The mean±SD maximum width of the bicipital groove of the right humeri was 10.870±1.799mm and the left humeri were 11.480±1.402mm. The mean±SD depth of the bicipital groove of the right humeri was 4.242±0.655mm and the left humeri were 4.452±0.854mm. The mean±SD medial wall length of the bicipital groove of the right humeri was 60.671±12.360mm and the left humeri were 59.161±13.660mm. The mean±SD lateral wall length of the bicipital groove of the right-sided humeri was 64.996±11.611mm and the left humeri were 64.074±13.115mm. It is expected that this osteometric study of bicipital groove among the Bangladeshi population will be very helpful for clinical anatomists, orthopaedic surgeons, anthropologists and radiologists.

Gene expression profiles in COVID-19-associated tracheal stenosis indicate persistent anti-viral response and dysregulated retinol metabolism.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated tracheal stenosis (COATS) may occur as a result of prolonged intubation during COVID-19 infection. We aimed to investigate patterns of gene expression in the tracheal granulation tissue of patients with COATS, leverage gene expression data to identify dysregulated cellular pathways and processes, and discuss potential therapeutic options based on the identified gene expression profiles. METHODS: Adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) presenting to clinics for management of severe, recalcitrant COATS were included in this study. RNA sequencing and differential gene expression analysis was performed with transcriptomic data for normal tracheal tissue being used as a control. The top ten most highly upregulated and downregulated genes were identified. For each of these pathologically dysregulated genes, we identified key cellular pathways and processes they are involved in using Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) applied via Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). RESULTS: Two women, aged 36 years and 37 years, were included. The profile of dysregulated genes indicated a cellular response consistent with viral infection (CXCL11, PI15, CCL8, DEFB103A, IFI6, ACOD1, and DEFB4A) and hyperproliferation/hypergranulation (MMP3, CASP14 and HAS1), while downregulated pathways included retinol metabolism (ALDH1A2, RBP1, RBP4, CRABP1 and CRABP2). CONCLUSION: Gene expression changes consistent with persistent viral infection and dysregulated retinol metabolism may promote tracheal hypergranulation and hyperproliferation leading to COATS. Given the presence of existing literature highlighting retinoic acid's ability to favorably regulate these genes, improve cell-cell adhesion, and decrease overall disease severity in COVID-19, future studies must evaluate its utility for adjunctive management of COATS in animal models and clinical settings.

Anthropometric Study of Foot Breadth of 5-10 Years Aged Bangladeshi Children.

The present anthropometric study was designed to construct data of 5-10 years aged Bangladeshi children regarding foot breadth and an attempt has been made out to grow interest among the researchers for future study and also to compare the data with the data of the people of other races. This cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic type study was conducted among 5-10 years aged 109 Bangladeshi children (70 male and 39 female) at different areas of Mymensingh district (Fulpur, Muktagacha, Fulbaria, Trisal and Haluaghat), Bangladesh from January 2016 to December 2016. Non-random purposive sampling technique was taken for sample collection. Any kind of foot deformity due to either from congenital or physical injury was excluded to construct standard measurement. Foot breadth was measured using slide caliper. The children were asked to stand with weight distributed equally on both feet. The legs were perpendicular to the feet. The mean foot breadth of right side of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 years aged male children were 7.08±.61 cm, 7.11±.30 cm, 7.61±.45 cm, 7.44±.43 cm, 8.12±.38 cm and 8.17±.44 cm respectively and those of female children were 6.55±.64 cm, 7.17±.27 cm, 7.04±.70 cm, 7.62±.54 cm, 7.48±.88 cm and 7.85±.72 cm respectively. The mean foot breadth of left side of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 years aged male children were 7.04±.60 cm, 7.03±.30 cm, 7.52±.47 cm, 7.36±.45 cm, 8.03±.38 cm and 8.08±.43 cm respectively and those of female children were 6.46±.63 cm, 7.10±.31 cm, 6.95±.71 cm, 7.54±.52 cm, 7.37±.89 cm and 7.77±.71 cm respectively. Comparison of foot breadth between male and female children was done by Unpaired Students 't' test and the differences of means were statistically non-significant. Data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Microsoft excel and SPSS software. The results of present study would be useful in anatomy, orthopedics, forensic science, plastic surgery, radiology, podiatry, archeology, anthropology and nutrition science.

A Morphometric Study of Olecranon Fossa of Adult Human Humerus of Bangladeshi Population.

Olecranon fossa is the largest fossa among the three fossae of the humerus. It is present in the lower end of the posterior surface just above the trochlea. Osteometry of olecranon fossa is important since their fractures occur in 10.0% of upper limb fractures. The aim of this study was to measure different parameters of olecranon fossa. This study was taken from 100 (right=43 and left=57) samples were selected through the purposive sampling technique for this cross-sectional descriptive study which was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from July 2021 to June 2022. Any damaged, unossified bones or fractured bones were excluded. Data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software. The mean ±SD vertical diameter of the olecranon fossa of the right humeri was 16.858±2.623mm and the left humeri were 17.071±2.905mm. The mean ±SD width of the olecranon fossa of the right humeri was 24.239±2.520mm and the left humeri were 24.509±2.692mm. The mean ±SD maximum depth of the olecranon fossa of the right humeri was 13.442±1.688mm and the left humeri were 13.124±1.733mm. The anatomical knowledge of the olecranon fossa is beneficial for anthropologists, orthopedic surgeons and radiologists in cases of olecranon fractures of the humerus.

A Morphometric Study of Glenoid Cavity of Scapula in Bangladeshi Population.

This cross-sectional descriptive purposive study was conducted among 150 (70 right and 80 left) fully ossified dry human scapulae of Bangladeshi people from January 2019 to December 2019 in the Department of Anatomy, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh. Shape of the glenoid cavity was observed as pear, oval or inverted comma shape. Morphometric parameters such as length and breadth of glenoid cavity were measured by digital Vernier slide calipers. In this study, 19.13% cases were found inverted comma shaped, 35.65% cases were oval and 45.22% cases were pear shaped. The mean±SD length of glenoid cavity was 37.5±3.61 mm and 36.19±3.68 mm on right and left sided scapulae respectively and mean±SD breadth was 23.6±2.73 mm on right and 23.42±2.75 mm on left side respectively. Mean±SD glenoid cavity index was 62.89±4.39 on right and 64.61±4.74 on left sided scapulae. Morphometric analysis of glenoid fossa of scapula might help clinicians in shoulder and its associated diseases.

Treatment Outcomes of Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy on Extra-cranial Oligometastatic and Oligoprogressive Breast Cancer: Mature Results from a Single Institution Experience.

AIMS: Evidence shows stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is used as a non-invasive ablative therapy in the treatment of multisite oligometastatic (OM) and oligoprogressive (OP) diseases originating from metastatic breast cancer. This study aims to report the treatment outcomes and to investigate what factors that are prognostic in terms of local control, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients receiving SABR for extracranial OM and OP diseases originating from metastatic breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review on treatment records of patients with OM and OP from metastatic breast cancer who underwent SABR at a single was carried out. SABR was performed with daily image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) using a dedicated robotic SABR machine. Local control, PFS and OS were calculated using Kaplan-Meier statistics and the post-treatment toxicity data was scored following the CTCAE v4.0 protocol. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression tests were used in the subgroup analysis of prognostic factors on PFS and OS including patients' age, types of follow-up imaging (staging CT only vs whole-body MR/PET), metastases status (OM vs OP), primary breast cancer tumour grade, hormone receptors (ER/PR/HER2) status, change of systemic treatments at SABR, number of metastases, SABR treatment sites and doses. RESULTS: 56 metastatic breast cancer patients (38 patients with OM and 18 patients with OP) were involved in this retrospective review. The median follow-up was 35.6 months (range 4.0-132.9 months). The estimated local control at 1 , 2 and 5 years were 90.9%, 88.7% and 88.7%, respectively. The estimated median PFS was 19.2 months (95%CI 10.3-28.1 months); the PFS at 1, 2 and 5 years were 63.3%, 44.4% and 33.2%. The estimated OS at 1, 2 and 5 years were 98.0%, 91.9% and 74.3%, respectively with the estimated median OS of 105.1 months (95%CI 51.5-158.7 months). The vast majority of patients tolerated the treatment well with the commonest acute side effects as grade 1 fatigue. There were no statistically significant factors found in OS regression analysis. The types of follow-up imaging, metastases status, oestrogen receptor status, and number of metastases for SABR were statistically significant factors (p < 0.05) in the multivariate Cox regression analysis on PFS. CONCLUSION: There are limited studies published on the efficacy and post-treatment toxicities of metastatic breast cancer OM and OP SABR with adequate length of follow-up. This study confirmed that SABR was a safe, non-invasive treatment option for patients with extracranial OM and OP diseases originated from primary breast cancer in terms of the acceptable post-treatment toxicities.

Novel Journal Metrics in Cardiothoracic Surgery: How Different Are Contemporary Metrics From the Impact Factor?

OBJECTIVE: Despite shortcomings, impact factor (IF) remains the "gold standard" metric for journal quality. However, novel metrics including the h-index, g-index, and Altmetric Attention Score (AAS; mentions in mainstream/social media) are gaining traction. We assessed correlations between these metrics among cardiothoracic surgery journals. METHODS: For all cardiothoracic surgery journals with a 2021 Clarivate IF (N = 20), the 2-year IF (2019 to 2020) and 5-year IF (2016 to 2020), h-index, and g-index were obtained. Two-year journal-level AAS (2019 to 2020) was also calculated. Journal Twitter presence and activity was sourced from Twitter and the Twitter application programming interface. Correlations were assessed using Spearman correlation, and coefficients of determination were calculated. RESULTS: IF demonstrated a moderate-strong positive correlation with the h-index (rs = 0.48 to 0.77) and g-index (rs = 0.49 to 0.79) and a moderate correlation with AAS (rs = 0.53 to 0.58). The 2-year IF accounted for 25% to 49% of variability in the h-index, 27% to 55% of variability in the g-index, and 32% of variability in the AAS. Among journals with a Twitter account (N = 10), IF was strongly correlated with Twitter following (rs = 0.81 to 0.86), which was in turn strongly correlated with journal AAS (rs = 0.79). Article-level AAS was moderately correlated with citation count (rs = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: IF accounted for only between 25% and 55% of variability in the h-index and g-index, indicating that these newer metrics measure unique dimensions of citation-based impact. Thus, the academic community must familiarize itself with these newer journal metrics. Social media attention may be associated with scholarly impact, although further work is needed to understand these relationships.

Factors associated with safe and successful postoperative day 1 discharge after lung operations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A shorter length of stay (LOS) is associated with fewer hospital-acquired adverse conditions and decreased utilization of hospital resources. While modern perioperative care protocols have enabled some ambitious surgical teams to achieve discharge as early as within postoperative day 1 (POD1), most other teams remain cautious about such an approach due to the perceived risk of missing postoperative complications and increased readmission rates. We aimed to identify factors that would help guide surgical teams aiming for safe and successful POD1 discharge after lung resection. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and CENTRAL databases for articles comparing perioperative characteristics in patients discharged within POD1 (DWPOD1) and after POD1 (DAPOD1) following lung resection. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. RESULTS: We included eight retrospective cohort studies with a total of 216,887 patients, of which 22,250 (10.3%) patients were DWPOD1. Our meta-analysis showed that younger patients, those without cardiovascular and respiratory comorbidities, and those with better preoperative pulmonary function are more likely to qualify for DWPOD1. Certain operative factors, such as a minimally invasive approach, shorter operations, and sublobar resections, also favor DWPOD1. DWPOD1 appears to be safe, with comparable 30-day mortality and readmission rates, and significantly less postoperative morbidity than DAPOD1. CONCLUSIONS: In select patients with a favorable preoperative profile, DWPOD1 after lung resection can be achieved successfully and without increased risk of adverse outcomes such as postoperative morbidity, mortality, or readmissions.

Anatomical Study of Number, Location and Position of Nutrient Foramina of Fully Ossified Dry Human Humerus.

The nutrient foramen is the natural opening present in the shaft of the humerus. It passes the nutrient artery to the medullary cavity. The nutrient artery is the chief artery that enters the bone through a nutrient foramen to provide nutrition for its growth. It plays an important role in healing during fracture and trauma and is also important for bone grafting. This study aimed to determine the common location, position and number of nutrient foramina of fully ossified dry human humerus. One hundred samples (right- 43 and left- 57) were selected through the purposive sampling technique for this cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Mymensingh Medical College, Bangladesh from July 2021 to June 2022. Any damaged, unossified bones or fractured bones were excluded. Data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software. Among 43 right humeri, 37(75.51%) have single-nutrient foramen and 06(24.49%) have double-nutrient foramina. Among 57 left humeri, 53(92.98%) have single nutrient foramen, 03(5.27%) have double nutrient foramina and 01(1.75%) has triple nutrient foramina. In case of location of nutrient foramina, among 49 right nutrient foramina, 45(91.84%) were found on the anteromedial surface, 02(4.08%) were found on the anterolateral surface and 02(4.08%) were on the posterior surface of the shaft of the humerus. In case of 62 left nutrient foramina, 57(91.94%) were found on the anteromedial surface and 05(8.06%) were found on the posterior surface of the shaft of the humerus. Among 49 right nutrient foramina, 01(2.04%) was found on the upper third, 46(93.88%) on the middle third and 02(4.08%) on the lower third of the shaft of the humerus. In case of 62 left nutrient foramina, 01(1.60%) was on the upper third, 57(91.95%) were on the middle third and 04(6.45%) were on the lower third of the shaft of the humerus.

Variation of Acromiocoracoid and Acromioglenoid Distance in Bangladeshi People.

This cross-sectional descriptive purposive study was done on 150 (70 right and 80 left) fully ossified dry human scapulae of Bangladeshi people to find out the variation in length of acromiocoracoid and acromioglenoid distance. Sample collection was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Mymensingh Medical College, Bangladesh from January to December 2019. Any kind of damaged or broken scapulae were excluded to maintain standard measurement. Length of these distances was measured with the help of digital Vernier slide calipers. The mean±SD acromiocoracoid distance were 35.8±4.64 mm and 36.32±5.55 mm on right and left sided scapulae respectively and the mean±SD acromioglenoid distance were 27.69±3.43 mm on right sided scapulae and 28.18±3.26 mm on left sided scapulae. These data are important to compare Bangladeshi scapulae to those from various other races that could contribute to demographic studies of shoulder disease probability and management in Bangladeshi population.

Variation of Mid shaft Antero-posterior and Transverse Diameter of Femur in Bangladeshi People.

Femoral morphometric variation is a dynamic system for different region, which is influenced by geographical, physiological and environmental factors, due to the adaptation, functional and remodeling responses of bones. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 (64 right and 86 left) fully ossified dry human femur of Bangladeshi people to find out the variation of mid shaft antero-posterior and transverse diameter of femur. Sample was collected in the Department of Anatomy, Mymensingh Medical College (MMC), Bangladesh from January 2019 to December 2019. All samples were assessed to eliminate fractured, pathologically damaged and remodeled bones. The diameters were measured with the help of digital Vernier slide calipers. The mean±SD mid shaft antero-posterior diameter of right and left femur were 25.03±2.86 mm and 25.54±2.65mm respectively. The mean±SD transverse diameter of right and left femur was 24.24±2.43mm and 24.54±2.38mm respectively. The knowledge of variations in the parameters of dry femora will help the orthopedicians for the treatment and management of femoral shaft fracture. These data also provide information about mid shaft diameter of femur of Bangladeshi people and to compare these data to those from various other races. Thus it could contribute for the design of well-fitting prosthesis which suits the Bangladeshi population. This value may be considered while making a best-fit femoral prosthesis.

Neoadjuvant vs Adjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy for Stage II-IIIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: In patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), recent trials demonstrate survival benefit of chemoimmunotherapy over chemotherapy alone in both the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. To date, there is no direct comparison between neoadjuvant and adjuvant protocols. We compared neoadjuvant vs adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy for resectable stage II-IIIB NSCLC. METHODS: We queried the National Cancer Database for patients who had undergone an operation for stage II-IIIB NSCLC and who had received neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy between 2015 and 2020. We used inverse probability weighting to adjust for confounding variables and used Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression to explore the relationship between treatment groups and overall survival (OS) at 3 years postoperatively. RESULTS: The inverse probability-weighted cohort represented 2119 weighted patient cases (neoadjuvant, 1034; adjuvant, 1085). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a significant OS benefit for neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy compared with adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in the weighted cohort (3-year OS: 77% [95% CI, 71%-83%] vs 68% [95% CI, 64%-72%]; P = .035). On adjusted Cox regression, neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy was associated with a significant OS benefit (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.50-0.96; P = .027). Among patients for whom pathologic stage data were available, 25% of patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy had a pathologic complete response, with an additional 32.5% being downstaged. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy confers a significant OS benefit over adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy for patients with resectable stage II-IIIB NSCLC. Although randomized trials are needed to confirm our findings, strong consideration should be given to administering neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy to patients who are predetermined to receive systemic treatment.

From emissions to incisions and beyond: the repercussions of climate change on surgical disease in low- and-middle-income countries.

Climate change has far-reaching repercussions for surgical healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. Natural disasters cause injuries and infrastructural damage, while air pollution and global warming may increase surgical disease and predispose to worse outcomes. Socioeconomic ramifications further strain healthcare systems, highlighting the need for integrated climate and healthcare policies.

Shielding and dosimetry parameters for aluminum carbon steel.

Aluminum is lightweight durable, versatile, non-toxic, and corrosion-resistant surface, which makes aluminum a perfect material for improving the corrosion properties of aluminum-carbon steel which is important in the radiation domain. In this study, six carbon steel alloys doped with different aluminum concentrations were studied and compared with the standard austenite stainless steel AISI316L. Different parameters for shielding and dosimetry such as mass attenuation coefficient, tenth value layer, mean free path, equivalent effective atomic and electronic numbers were calculated using WinXCom, while the exposure absorption buildup factors, thermal and fast neutron removal cross-sections were calculated using MCNPX and the effective conductivity was calculated using Phy-X/PSD program. Regarding the radiation shielding performance, the addition of aluminum to the carbon alloys has a significant influence on the shielding parameters. The results suggest that the addition of aluminum to the carbon steel alloys would improve its shielding properties so that it is a good result to be used in the field of dosimetry and radiation shielding.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Cervical Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment.

Cervical Cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Treatment with chemoradiotherapy followed by brachytherapy achieves high local control, but recurrence with metastatic disease impacts survival. This highlights the need for predictive and prognostic biomarkers identifying populations at risk of poorer treatment response and survival. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is routinely used in cervical cancer and is a potential source for biomarkers. Functional MRI (fMRI) can characterise tumour beyond anatomical MRI, which is limited to the assessment of morphology. This review summarises fMRI techniques used in cervical cancer and examines the role of fMRI parameters as predictive or prognostic biomarkers. Different techniques characterise different tumour factors, which helps to explain the variation in patient outcomes. These can impact simultaneously on outcomes, making biomarker identification challenging. Most studies are small, focussing on single MRI techniques, which raises the need to investigate combined fMRI approaches for a more holistic characterisation of tumour.

Some new soliton solutions of a semi-discrete fractional complex coupled dispersionless system.

In this paper, a semi-discrete fractional derivative complex coupled dispersionless system is proposed. The properties of M-fractional derivative are utilized to convert discrete M-fractional derivative system to a classical discrete differential system. Then the invariant subspace method (ISM) is utilized to find dark, bright, kink and W-shaped soliton solutions for the proposed system.

Size-Dependent Geometrical Structures of Platinum Oxide Cluster Cations Studied by Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry.

Structures of platinum oxide cluster cations (PtnOm+) were studied by ion mobility-mass spectrometry in combination with theoretical calculations. Structures of oxygen-equivalent PtnOn+ (n = 3-7) clusters were discussed from the comparison between their collision cross sections (CCSs) obtained by mobility measurement and simulated CCSs of their structural candidates from structural optimization calculations. Assigned structures of PtnOn+ were found to be composed of Pt frameworks and bridging O atoms, which follows the previous theoretical prediction on the neutral clusters. The structures change from planar (n = 3 and 4) to three-dimensional (n = 5-7) with increasing cluster size by deforming platinum frameworks. Comparison with other group-10 metal oxide cluster cations (MnOn+; M = Ni and Pd) showed that the PtnOn+ structures have a similar tendency to PdnOn+ rather than NinOn+.