86 research outputs found
Application of GIS and Remote Sensing in Research
No full textThe author added the ppt in the attachment. Lectures on Application of GIS and Remote Sensing in Research are available on YouTube channel.
For Bangladeshi learners: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1qZn0OvlNyUJ74bx9WLIRonhgAid2BlFE-mail: [email protected]; Website:https://researchsociety20.org/teacher-trainer/ ;
Research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Md-Miah-8
Recovery of Salivary Function: Contralateral Parotid-sparing Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy versus Bilateral Superficial Lobe Parotid-sparing Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy
No full textAbstractAimsTo establish whether there is a difference in recovery of salivary function with bilateral superficial lobe parotid-sparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (BSLPS-IMRT) versus contralateral parotid-sparing IMRT (CLPS-IMRT) in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancers.Materials and methodsA dosimetric analysis was carried out on data from two studies in which patients received BSLPS-IMRT (PARSPORT II) or CLPS-IMRT (PARSPORT). Acute (National Cancer Institute, Common Terminology Criteria for adverse events – NCI CTCAEv3.0) and late (Late Effects of Normal Tissue- subjective, objective, management analytical – LENTSOMA and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group) xerostomia scores were dichotomised: recovery (grade 0–1) versus no recovery (≥grade 2). Incidence of recovery of salivary function was compared between the two techniques and dose-response relationships were determined by fitting dose-response curves to the data using non-linear logistic regression analysis.ResultsSeventy-one patients received BSLPS-IMRT and 35 received CLPS-IMRT. Patients received 65 Gy in 30 fractions to the primary site and involved nodal levels and 54 Gy in 30 fractions to elective nodal levels. There were significant differences in mean doses to contralateral parotid gland (29.4 Gy versus 24.9 Gy, P < 0.005) and superficial lobes (26.8 Gy versus 30.5 Gy, P = 0.02) for BSLPS and CLPS-IMRT, respectively. Lower risk of long-term ≥grade 2 subjective xerostomia (LENTSOMA) was reported with BSLPS-IMRT (odds ratio 0.50; 95% confidence interval 0.29–0.86; P = 0.012). The percentage of patients who reported recovery of parotid saliva flow at 1 year was higher with BSLPS-IMRT compared with CLPS-IMRT techniques (67.1% versus 52.8%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.12). For the whole parotid gland, the tolerance doses, D50, were 25.6 Gy (95% confidence interval 20.6–30.5), k = 2.7 (0.9–4.5) (CLPS-IMRT) and 28.9 Gy (26.1–31.9), k = 2.4 (1.4–3.4) (BSLPS-IMRT). For the superficial lobe, D50 were similar: BSLPS-IMRT 23.5 Gy (19.3–27.6), k = 1.9 (0.5–3.8); CLPS-IMRT 24.0 Gy (17.7–30.1), k = 2.1 (0.1–4.1).ConclusionBSLPS-IMRT reduces the risk of developing high-grade subjective xerostomia compared with CLPS-IMRT. The D50 of the superficial lobe may be a more reliable predictor of recovery of parotid function than the whole gland mean dose
Application of GIS and Remote Sensing in Research
No full textThe author added the ppt in the attachment. Lectures on Application of GIS and Remote Sensing in Research are available on YouTube channel.
For Bangladeshi learners: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1qZn0OvlNyUwuRDcgV5IrkSzfRKlhpa7
Lecture topic
Introduction of GIS and Theoretical Concept
Concept of Geo-processing, Basic Geo-processing tools
Basic concept of Python for ArcGIS and Basic ArcPy Script
Fundamentals of Remote Sensing and Theoretical Concept
Image Processing and How to Create a study area Map
Image Processing and How to Create a study area Map
Iso Cluster Unsupervised Classification
Erosion and Accretion calculation
Model builder
Network Analysis
Hotspot Analysis
Climate data download: free data sources and how to download data by Python code
Understanding gridded data and spatial figures
Spatial data analysis with IDW technique
Spatial data analysis using NetCDF dataE-mail: [email protected]; Website:https://researchsociety20.org/teacher-trainer/ ;
Research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Md-Miah-8
Total Mucosal Irradiation with Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy in Patients with Head and Neck Carcinoma of Unknown Primary: A Pooled Analysis of Two Prospective Studies
No full textAbstractAimsTo determine the clinical outcomes of an intensity-modulated radiotherapy technique for total mucosal irradiation (TM-IMRT) in patients with head and neck carcinoma of unknown primary (HNCUP).Materials and methodsA single-centre prospective phase II trial design was used in two sequential studies to evaluate TM-IMRT for HNCUP. Patients were investigated for primary tumour site using examination under anaesthetic and biopsies, computed tomography ± magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT). Patients received IMRT to the potential primary tumour sites and elective cervical nodes. Concomitant chemotherapy was used in patients who received primary radiotherapy or those with nodal extracapsular extension.ResultsThirty-six patients with HNCUP were recruited; 72% male. Twenty-five patients (69.4%) had p16-positive disease. Two year mucosal and local nodal control rates were 97.1% (95% confidence interval 91.4–100) and 89.8% (78.4–100), respectively. One mucosal primary was detected 7.3 months after TM-IMRT and three patients died from recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Twelve patients (33%) developed grade 3 (Late Effects in Normal Tissue-Subjective, Objective, Management and Analytical; LENT-SOMA) dysphagia with a 1 year enteric tube feeding rate of 2.7%. The high-grade subjective xerostomia rate (LENT-SOMA) at 24 months after IMRT was 15%.ConclusionsAt a median follow-up of 36.1 months, the use of TM-IMRT was associated with good local control. Toxicity was comparable with previously reported TM-IMRT regimens encompassing similar mucosal volumes
Design of an experimental model for a semi-active vibration damping system on a jack-up platform
No full textJack-up platforms are off-shore structure which are more often placed in deeper water and harsher weather conditions. The consequence is that the natural frequency of the platform coincides with the wave frequency and starts to resonate in its natural frequency. The problem becomes more complicated, due to the fact that the natural frequency of the platform is not constant and varies in time due to structural properties, variable deck loading and environmental conditions. These vibrations are undesired and have to be damped. The aim of this thesis is to design an experimental model for a damping system on a jack up platform, which can optimally damp the motion of the primary structure when it is excited in the time varying natural frequency. This problem is tackled by comparing passive, semi-active and active Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) systems, regarding feasibility and robustness for installation on a jack-up platform. Hereafter the optimal tuning frequency and damping ratio are obtained by studying the work of Tsai and Lin, Connor and Den Hartog. These tuning laws are then combined with a Self-Tuning Regulator (STR), which makes it possible to continuously tune the semi-active damping system to its optimal parameters by estimating the unknown structural parameter using a Recursive Least Square Estimator. The designed experimental model is a two degree of freedom model and incorporates crucial characteristics such as mass distribution, damping ratio and natural frequency. The semi-active TMD system is able to adapt its stiffness and damping coefficient, such that is it always optimally tuned when the structural parameters of the experimental model changes. This thesis concludes that a semi-active TMD system is the most appropriate type of damping system for a jack-up platform, regarding feasibility and robustness. A semi-active TMD system in combination with optimal tuning laws and a STR is able to optimally damp the vibrations of a jack-up platform, when it is excited in time varying natural frequency. This model can be used to test and validate the performance of the damping system and controller.Control EngineeringDelft Center for Systems and ControlMechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineerin
Acquirer reputation in mergers and acquisitions
No full textReputation is a firm’s key intangible assets for shareholders’ value creation. Reputation building is a firm’s corporate strategy approach that is vital for the firm in order to sustain itself in this competitive global world. The influence of reputation on firm’s performance, decision making, employee retainment, cost reduction, and partner selection have been studied and documented by academics. Despite this, there have been insufficient studies on reputation and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. M&As are an important corporate strategy that firms use to survive and expand their global market. In the UK, both the number and value of domestic and cross-border M&As has increased significantly over the years. Drawing from the emerging popularity of reputation and the increased amount of M&A activity by UK acquirers, this thesis investigates the relation between reputation and UK acquirer M&A activity.
This thesis focuses on three main issues: (1) the impact of reputation on acquirer cross-border M&A returns; (2) the relation between reputation and UK acquirer domestic and cross-border deal completion time; and (3) the relation between UK acquirer reputation and target’s ownership nature.
Firstly, event-time and calendar-time approaches are used to examine UK acquirer cross-border M&A returns. The result reveals a significant relation between reputation and acquirer M&A returns. The author finds high reputation acquirers earned significant cross-border event-time and calendar-time returns. Secondly, this study finds a significant positive relation between acquirer reputation and domestic and cross-border deal completion time. This result implies that a high reputation acquirer takes more time to complete a deal. Lastly, the author finds a high reputation acquirer is more likely to choose a public target over a private target in domestic and cross-border M&As. However, the author finds a mixed result for subsidiaries: a high reputation acquirer is more likely to choose a subsidiary for a cross-border M&A, and less likely to for a domestic M&A
Adrenergic Agonists Bind to Adrenergic-Receptor-Like Regions of the Mu Opioid Receptor, Enhancing Morphine and Methionine-Enkephalin Binding: A New Approach to “Biased Opioids”?
No full textfirst_pageDownload PDFsettingsOrder Article ReprintsOpen AccessArticleAdrenergic Agonists Bind to Adrenergic-Receptor-Like Regions of the Mu Opioid Receptor, Enhancing Morphine and Methionine-Enkephalin Binding: A New Approach to “Biased Opioids”?by Robert Root-Bernstein1,* [ORCID] , Miah Turke1, Udaya K. Tiruttani Subhramanyam2,3, Beth Churchill1 and Joerg Labahn2,31Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, 567 Wilson Road, Room 2201 Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA2Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany3Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, ICS-6, 52425 Juelich, Germany*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(1), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010272Submission received: 8 December 2017 / Revised: 10 January 2018 / Accepted: 13 January 2018 / Published: 17 January 2018(This article belongs to the Section Bioactives and Nutraceuticals)Downloadkeyboard_arrow_downBrowse FiguresVersions NotesAbstractExtensive evidence demonstrates functional interactions between the adrenergic and opioid systems in a diversity of tissues and organs. While some effects are due to receptor and second messenger cross-talk, recent research has revealed an extracellular, allosteric opioid binding site on adrenergic receptors that enhances adrenergic activity and its duration. The present research addresses whether opioid receptors may have an equivalent extracellular, allosteric adrenergic binding site that has similar enhancing effects on opioid binding. Comparison of adrenergic and opioid receptor sequences revealed that these receptors share very significant regions of similarity, particularly in some of the extracellular and transmembrane regions associated with adrenergic binding in the adrenergic receptors. Five of these shared regions from the mu opioid receptor (muOPR) were synthesized as peptides and tested for binding to adrenergic, opioid and control compounds using ultraviolet spectroscopy. Adrenergic compounds bound to several of these muOPR peptides with low micromolar affinity while acetylcholine, histamine and various adrenergic antagonists did not. Similar studies were then conducted with purified, intact muOPR with similar results. Combinations of epinephrine with methionine enkephalin or morphine increased the binding of both by about half a log unit. These results suggest that muOPR may be allosterically enhanced by adrenergic agonists
Muslim discourses on integration and schooling
No full textSince 2001 Muslim communities in Britain have largely been governed through the educational policy framing of integration and segregation. This Manichean bio-construct sees mono-cultural ethnic schools as problematic spaces, whilst integrated schools as the liberal ideal. By drawing upon the subaltern studies approach, this study provides a space for Muslim pupils and parents to articulate their own discourses on integrated and segregated schools in Britain. In doing so, it allows Muslim communities a position of power, by giving them agency to construct their own narratives on the policy debate on integration and schooling.
This thesis attempts to make sense of Muslim discourses through a theoretic interpretation drawn from Muslim intellectual history. By using Ibn Khaldun’s (d. 1406) sociological theory of ‘asabiyya this study provides a broader theoretical context to the Muslim voice. The empirical and the theoretical perspectives contained in this study attempts to make significant contributions to the study of race, religion and Muslim studies in Britain.
Public policy discourses has often seen the concept of integration as a linear cultural process, with minority groups gradually adopting the social mores of the host society. Evidence presented in this study sees integration as an analytical process and not as a fixed cultural template. It shows how the concept of integration can often be used, by political actors, as a tool for anti-Muslim racism.
The discourses of Muslim parents and pupils have much in common with each other, especially when rejecting the idea of self-segregation, or highlighting the importance of ‘asabiyya based on religion, but they have little in common with the public policy framing of Muslim communities.
Sociological studies have often demonstrated the disjuncture between public policy and lived experience. This study confirms this observation by elucidating the disconnect between political discourse of integration and lived cultural experience of Muslim communities. The discourses of Muslim communities in this study suggest a complex, paradoxical, intersectional reading of integration, which is fundamentally rooted within social constructionism. Most importantly it dismisses the integration and segregation binary, as seen within the educational framing of Muslims, whilst recognising the importance of Muslim group solidarity, or ‘asabiyya in Muslim discourse
Sub Rosa Volume I: Bloom in Secret
No full textSome people read scholarly articles, others prefer graphic novels, and most prefer a good novel. Every novel comes uniquely designed by an author, giving readers characters, drama, and a carefully crafted plot that draws them in. For my senior honors project, I decided to create a novel filled with mystery, love, and an assortment of carefully selected flowers.Choosing to incorporate flowers into the core concept of my novel stemmed from having grown up surrounded by them; my grandma has a really green thumb. I use the secret language of flowers throughout my novel to communicate hidden messages to those who look for them, as well as my protagonist Iris. To do this, I have researched different floral arrangements, learning the inner-workings of the murder mystery genre, and allowing myself to work through the creative process. Straying away from my business administration major, writing a fictional novel has allowed me to grow creatively
The Role of End User in E-Government Application Development: A Conceptual Model in the Agricultural Context
No full textThis paper describes a new conceptual approach of e-government application development in which end users such as government managers, responsible officials and citizens at different levels can engage in effective service delivery, particularly in the agricultural sector. This approach provides end-user specific customizable provisions in which responsible government officials can design public services for the target end-user groups/local citizens such as primary producers. In the G2C (Government to Citizen) dimension, the author focuses on a hypothetical case of an e-government solution that provides various agricultural extension services such as training, awareness, consultation services, and knowledge sharing services provision, according to individual or farming requirements. This initiative reinforces a shift from the traditional information portal process to a new provision where citizens/primary producers can actively contribute in designing their useful services from the relevant government agencies. This paper presents a generic process model and identifies the critical interplaying roles between the end-user groups. The study argues that the process model may be operationalized in various other government service sectors
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