170 research outputs found
SAMKARI FORTRESS
No full texthttps://geohistory.humanities.tsu.ge/ge/procedings/83-shromebi/169-shromebi-12.htmlSamkari Fortress is situated in Narman ilçe of Erzurum Vilayet (Republic
of Turkey). The name of contemporary village is Samikale (Geo. “sami” means
three; Turk. “kale” denotes fortress). Old name of Samikale attested in historical
sources is the Georgian term “Samkari” (Samikari). “Samkari/Samikari” lit.
means three (sami) gate (kari); term “kari” (gate, entrance) in this case indicates
the gateway that locks three roads, as three roads are merging each other at this
place. Hence the old name of the village as well as the fortress that is attested by
numerous historical sources is Samkari.
Tao (south-western part of historical Georgia, now in Republic of Turkey)
is divided in two parts: Amiertao and Imiertao. Samkari was the part of
Imiertao and was closely linked with Mamirvan, they both are situated in
Oltisistskali gorge (Oltu Brook Valley, a tributary of Çoruh River). This gorge
was the Georgian frontier with southern neighbors. This valley as well as the
fortresses that are located there played important role in the defense of Oltisi
(Oltu), political center of Imiertao. Thus this part of Tao became significant for
the defense of city of Oltisi from the 10th century.
Samkari Fortress was probably constructed in the second half of the 13th
century, or in the 14th century. Accounts of Abū-Bakr Ṭihrānī (1st half of 15th
c.-1480s) lead us to this conclusion. Samkari Fortress was considered to be inaccessible
from Muslim rulers. Abū-Bakr Ṭihrānī mentions Timur the
Lame’s incursion and his failure to capture Samkari Fortress. The date is not
mentioned, but most probably the attempt from Chagatai troops to conquer the
fortress took place in 1402. The next invasion was led by Qara Qoyunlu ruler
Iskander. We have assumed 1430-1431 as the possible date for this invasion
when Iskander had tried to capture Samkari, but again, that attempt proved to be
failure. Once again, according to the same author, another Turkomans, Aq
Quyunlu leader Uzun Hassan and his army besieged Samkari Fortress in 1458
and now Muslims managed to seize it. They also captured five other fortresses
in Meskheti, most probably, in Oltisisthkali gorge and in adjacent areas. The Georgians recaptured all conquered territories of Aq Quyunlu in
1478, when Uzun Hassan died. Samkari Fortress was secured from Muslim invasions
before the appearance of Ottomans. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in
1548-1549 sent his army against Samtskhe-Saatabago and the Ottomans seized
Samkari as well as the other strongholds of Meskheti. After that Samkari was
united in Mamirvan nahiye of Oltisi (Oltu) sanjak. Later this sanjak became part
of Akhaltsikhe Vilayet (also known as Childir Eyalet). Fortress lost its importance
and only village Samkari appears in Ottoman defters (Census Books)
Rare bleeding disorders: Advances in management
No full textInherited factor coagulation deficiencies and vascular bleeding disorders, associated with bleeding of various severity, are often classified as rare bleeding disorders (RBDs). These include inherited fibrinogen disorders, inherited platelet function disorders (IPFD) and hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). In the last decades, there have been large increases in knowledge on the epidemiology, genetics, physiopathology, clinical features, and diagnosis of RBDs, but improvements in management have been more limited and remain challenging. The treatment mainstay of RBDs is based only on replacement of a few available coagulation factor concentrates or cryoprecipitates. There is growing interest in therapeutic agents that enhance coagulation or inhibiting anticoagulant pathways in RBDs. In severe IPFD, the optimal platelet transfusion strategy is not yet established. Moreover, data is scarce on the effectiveness and safety of desmopressin and/or antifibrinolytic drugs often used for milder IPFD treatment. The best fibrinogen replacement strategy (prophylaxis vs. on demand) in afibrinogenemia is still debated. Similarly, the optimal trough fibrinogen target level for treatment of acute bleeding, and the role of fibrinogen replacement during pregnancy in mild hypofibrinogenemia and dysfibrinogenemia, have not been properly evaluated. The therapeutic arsenal in HHT includes antifibrinolytics and a series of antiangiogenic agents whose potential efficacy has been tested in small studies or are under investigation for treatment of bleeding. However, there is need to address several issues, including the optimal dosing strategies, the potential emergent toxicity of longer-term use, and the impact of systemic antiangiogenic treatment on visceral arteriovenous malformations
Abstract P1-09-19: Tumor RNA disruption index as a tool to predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer: Optimizing timing of biopsy
No full textAbstract
BACKGROUND. Early detection of tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) could be used to tailor therapy and lower toxicity from ineffective treatments. The CCTG MA.22 trial has shown that RNA disruption is associated with breast cancer response to NAT when measured by image guided core biopsy mid-treatment. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the optimal time to measure the tumor RNA Disruption Index (RDI) after initiation of NAT when assessed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) in an office setting and 2) to determine if RDI could predict response to a second chemotherapy agent in patients that had a suboptimal response.
METHODOLOGY. We performed a prospective pilot study including patients with palpable biopsy-proven breast cancer eligible for NAT. Chemotherapy and surgery were at the discretion of the treating physician. Two FNAs after cycles 1, 2, 3 and after initiation of a new chemotherapy agent were collected in RNA Protect Cell Reagent and sent to Rna Diagnostics Inc. to assess RDI. Prospectively recorded clinical tumor measurements and surgical pathology reports were obtained. Tumor pathological response (pR) after NAT was measured by pathological complete response (pCR: no invasive disease in breast) and residual cancer burden index (RCBI).
RESULTS. 30 patients were accrued to the study. One patient withdrew consent, one patient was found to have metastatic disease and did not undergo surgery, and one patient had bilateral breast cancer (n= 29 evaluable tumors). ER+HER2-: 38% (11/29), ER-Her2-: 28% (8/29) and HER2+: 34% (10/29). 89% (25/28) of patients received taxane and anthracycline containing regimens. All HER2+ received trastuzumab. Our pCR and RCBI 0-1 rates were 24% (7/29) & 38% (11/29) respectively. At cycles 1, 2 and 3, RDI could be evaluated in 72% (21/29), 73% (16/22) and 44% (7/16) of palpable tumors. After the switch to a new agent, RDI could only be evaluated in 30% (3/10) of patients with palpable tumors. Using a tumor RDA cutoff at 5 (non-responder RDI < 5 (NR) and responder RDI ≥ 5 (R)), responder status between cycle 1 and 2 was concordant in 73% (11/15). After 1 cycle, NR vs. R was associated with numerically lower pCR (13% (2/15) vs. 33% (2/6), p=0.54) and RCBI 0-1 at surgery (20% (3/15) vs. 33% (2/6), p=0.60). These findings were similar after cycle 2. Non-analyzable samples (NAS) because of absence of RNA were associated with high pR (pCR: 38% (3/8) and RBCI 0-1: 75% (6/8)). The 3 NR at cycle 1 that achieved a significant pR had either non-palpable tumors or NAS after switching to a new chemotherapy agent.
CONCLUSION. RDI can be measured by FNA in an office setting and could be helpful to identify early non-responders to NAT. The optimal time to perform RDI is after 1 or 2 cycles of treatment, which should be considered in ongoing and future trials. This study was underpowered to detect a statistically significant correlation between RDI and pR. NAS is associated with high pR and could represent responders to treatment. This early data suggests that RDI is unlikely to be helpful in assessing response to a second chemotherapy agent after receiving 4 cycles of standard chemotherapy. The use of RDI to tailor NAT needs to be evaluated in larger prospective trials.
Citation Format: Samkari A, Chung W, Parissenti A, Pritzker L, Trabulsi N, Basik M, Boileau J-F. Tumor RNA disruption index as a tool to predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer: Optimizing timing of biopsy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-19.</jats:p
Evaluation and Simulation of Reif’s Concentrated Solar Collector
No full textWater and electricity are one of the highest demanding elements within the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. There are several effective systems are accessible on the area. The most common
issue that these systems face a difficult way to generate power. Another important issue that these
systems face is a way to deliver the water or electricity to neighborhoods.
The main objective of this thesis is to exploit the current knowledge of the power systems
in different fields and contribute with a novel approach for the concentrated solar power system
capable to generate the required energy by different power systems.
The main approach adopts the scientific method that includes the comparative analysis of
related literature results to the specification of the research problem. Then the justification for a
Reif’s system simulation for concentrated solar collector is provided. The work concludes with the
main findings that prove the capacity of the new approach to provide a sound solution to the well-
defined research problem.
The added value of the approach is anchored around two pillars:
• The development of the system is using immobile primary concentrators and a
mobile secondary concentrator. This system is specialized for practical uses in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• The key deliverables of the scientific methods represent a strong action towards the
improvement of the sustainable energy through the vision of the Kingdom to
replace the consumption of the oil with the clean and renewable resources to
generate power in different places in the kingdom that have difficulties in accessing
electricity and water
The Impact of Authentic Leadership on Staff Engagement: A Study Conducted in Private Schools in Dubai
No full textThis study aims to identify the role of authentic leadership in driving staff performance in the UAE, with a specific context to Dubai schools. The study has some crucial objectives involving the investigation of the significance of authentic leadership in the educational context and also examines the interrelationship between authentic leadership and staff engagement. The study also seeks to analyse the impact of authentic leadership on staff engagement regarding Dubai schools and explore the key benefits and challenges of adopting authentic leadership on staff engagement as experienced by the head teachers in Dubai schools. In this way, the study directs to determine suitable and relevant measures to enhance the effectiveness of the authentic leadership in Dubai schools. To address these objectives, the study has utilized quantitative methodology and collected the study data with the help of survey data collection method. A sample size of head-teachers and teachers from across 4 private schools in Dubai has been selected considering the scope and nature of this study topic. The data gathered was analysed with the help of graphical data analysis method. The study concluded that authentic leadership plays a crucial role in increasing staff engagement in schools in Dubai. The study has also concluded that there is a need for effective measures such as the school leaders need to be a part of the leadership training program so that they can develop self-awareness among staff members and practice collecting regular feedbacks of school staffs in the development of school curriculum and thereby, improve staff engagement in Dubai schools and this will have both direct and indirect impact on improving the learning process in General
Modeling and Simulation the Impacts of STATCOMs on Distance Protection and Developing a Microgrid Energy Management Scheme for a Pacific Northwest City
No full textThis thesis has two research topics. The large focus of this thesis is the development of a microgrid model. However, the first topic studies the impact of a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) on distance protection in a transmission line. The power system and a STATCOM device are modeled and simulated by using an emtp-type program. In addition, a distance relay model is used in order to calculate the effective impedance seen by the relay with and without the presence of the STATCOM. The results show that the distance relay performance is affected by the fault location relative to the location of the STATCOM. During a capacitive current injection by the STATCOM, the simulation results show that the mho relay underreaches for faults applied beyond the STATCOM location on the line.
The second topic is the development of a microgrid energy management scheme for a Pacific Northwest City. An emtp-type model is used to represent the power system and the control systems of the microgrid. The microgrid model includes hydroelectric generators, a photovoltaic (PV) system, a storage system, and variable loads. Several cases examine the microgrid during both seasonal and hourly variation. Generation and load profiles are compared with a storage system profile in order to characterize the shortage during islanded mode. Simulation results are presented. Suggested solutions and planning considerations are discussed for managing the power and energy inside the microgrid.Thesis (M.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering) -- University of Idaho, 201
Romiplostim in chemotherapy‐induced thrombocytopenia: A review of the literature
No full textAbstract Chemotherapy‐induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) is a common challenge of cancer therapy and can lead to chemotherapy dose reduction, delay, and/or discontinuation, affecting relative dose intensity, and possibly adversely impacting cancer care. Besides changing anticancer regimens, standard management of CIT has been limited to platelet transfusions and supportive care. Use of the thrombopoietin receptor agonist romiplostim, already approved for use in immune thrombocytopenia, has shown promising signs of efficacy in CIT. In a phase 2 prospective randomized study of solid tumor patients with platelet counts 100 × 109/L in 93% (14/15) of patients within 3 weeks versus 12.5% (1/8) of untreated patients (p < 0.001). Including patients treated with romiplostim in an additional single‐arm cohort, 85% (44/52) of all romiplostim‐treated patients responded with platelet count correction within 3 weeks. Several retrospective studies of CIT have also shown responses to weekly romiplostim, with the largest study finding that poor response to romiplostim was predicted by tumor invasion of the bone marrow (odds ratio, 0.029; 95% CI: 0.0046–0.18; p < 0.001), prior pelvic irradiation (odds ratio, 0.078; 95% CI: 0.0062–0.98; p = 0.048), and prior temozolomide treatment (odds ratio 0.24; 95% CI: 0.061–0.96; p = 0.043). Elsewhere, lower baseline TPO levels were predictive of romiplostim response (p = 0.036). No new safety signals have emerged from romiplostim CIT studies. Recent treatment guidelines, including those from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, now support consideration of romiplostim use in CIT. Data are expected from two ongoing phase 3 romiplostim CIT trials
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Clinical challenges and promising therapies for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia
No full textIntroduction: Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytop enia (CIT) is a common complication of cancer treatment causing chemotherapy delays, dose reductions, and treatment discontinuation, negatively impacting treatment outcomes and putting patients at risk for bleeding complications. There is no FDA-approved agent available to manage CIT.
Areas covered: This article covers the diagnosis, definitions, and clinical challenges of CIT, and then focuses on the therapeutics developed to manage CIT. The first-generation thrombopoietic agents (oprelvekin and recombinant human thrombopoietins) are reviewed for critical background and context, followed by a detailed discussion of the data for the thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) to manage CIT. Efficacy of TPO-RAs in treatment and prevention of CIT, as well as safety concerns such as the risk of thromboembolic complications, are reviewed in detail. For this review, a PubMed/MEDLINE literature search was undertaken for relevant articles published from 1995-2021.
Expert opinion: After over two decades of drug development for CIT, multiple clinical trials and observational studies have found TPO-RAs, in particular romiplostim, to be safe and effective agents to manage patients with CIT, although no agent is yet FDA-approved for this indication. Active management of CIT with TPO-RAs is likely to improve oncologic outcomes, although additional data are needed. Phase 3 trials are ongoing
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