The field-induced first-order transition was observed in the as-annealed ribbons, leading to the large magnetic entropy changes. The maximum magnetic entropy changes under a magnetic field of 5 T were about 14.3, 19.2, and 19 J/kg K for the ribbons with x=0, 0.1, and 0.2, respectively. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3359807]“
“Purpose: To evaluate the effects of total scanning time (TST), interscan delay (ISD), inclusion of image at peak vascular enhancement
(IPVE), and selection of the input function vessel on the accuracy of tumor blood flow (BF) calculation with computed tomography (CT) in an animal model.
Materials and Methods: AZD7762 cost All animal protocols and experiments were approved by the institutional animal care and use committee prior to study initiation. After injection of 0.2 or 0.4 mL of iodinated contrast material, six rats with mammary adenocarcinoma (three tumors each) were scanned in the axial mode for 5 minutes with 1-second ISD (reference scan), 2.5-mm section thickness, 2.5-mm interval, selleck inhibitor pitch of 1.3, 120 kV, 240 mA, and 0.5-second rotation time. A total of 126 dynamic data sets were created with commercial software by varying TST and ISD, including or excluding the IPVE, and using the aorta or inferior vena cava (IVC) as the input function. Comparative
analyses were used to test for significant differences (t test, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between attenuation of the input function vessel and BF.
Results: No significant difference was observed (P > .05) when TST was as short as 30 seconds (range, 20-23 mL/100 QNZ g). In sequences performed with an ISD longer than 8 seconds, BF was significantly elevated (P < .01). Inclusion of the IPVE eliminated this difference (P < .10). Use of the IVC as the input function resulted in significantly higher BF (P < .02), with a correlation between peak attenuation and BF (R(2) = 0.43).
Conclusion:
To reduce radiation dose in tumor perfusion with CT, TST can be reduced without causing significant changes in BF calculation in an animal model. Scanning the aortic reference with peak contrast enhancement reduces variability sufficiently to allow for longer ISDs. (C) RSNA, 2009″
“ObjectivesSuicide rates are elevated in individuals with cancer, although suicidal intention is not typically assessed in cancer centers. We evaluated in a large comprehensive cancer center the utility of an electronic Distress Assessment and Response Tool (DART), in which suicidal intention is assessed with a single item.
MethodsPatients attending cancer clinics completed DART as part of routine care. DART includes measures of physical symptoms, depression, anxiety, social difficulties, and practical concerns. Medical variables were obtained from the Princess Margaret Cancer Registry, the data warehouse of cancer patient statistics.