Previous dosimetric studies during photodynamic therapy (PDT) of superficial lesions within a cavity such as the nasopharynx, demonstrated significant intra‐ and interpatient variations in fluence ...rate build‐up as a result of tissue surface re‐emitted and reflected photons, which depends on the optical properties. This scattering effect affects the response to PDT. Recently, a meta‐tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin‐mediated PDT study of malignancies in the paranasal sinuses after salvage surgery was initiated. These geometries are complex in shape, with spatially varying optical properties. Therefore, preplanning and in vivo dosimetry is required to ensure an effective fluence delivered to the tumor. For this purpose, two 3D light distribution models were developed: first, a simple empirical model that directly calculates the fluence rate at the cavity surface using a simple linear function that includes the scatter contribution as function of the light source to surface distance. And second, an analytical model based on Lambert’s cosine law assuming a global diffuse reflectance constant. The models were evaluated by means of three 3D printed optical phantoms and one porcine tissue phantom. Predictive fluence rate distributions of both models are within ± 20% accurate and have the potential to determine the optimal source location and light source output power settings.
Two independent models were developed that generate the fluence rate distribution at the surface of arbitrary complex geometry for a given light source location. Both models were validated by means of optical phantom experiments. The presented models have the potential to calculate the most optimal source location for intracavity m‐THPC–mediated photodynamic therapy of residual tumor in sinonasal defects after surgery.
The overall purpose of this study is to examine the moderating roles of gender and generation in the effects of perceived destination image on tourist attitude and visit intention among Chinese ...potential tourists to Australia. Australia is one of the preferred destinations to Chinese tourists, and the China market emerges to be increasingly important to destination marketing organizations in Australia. Echoing the call for more gender studies in the tourism literature and also based on the generation theory, this study employed a cross-sectional questionnaire survey design and used structural equation modelling in its analysis. Survey data were collected through convenience sampling in the Chinese city Harbin at various public venues where urban residents can be found. The study identified Services and Tourism Provisions, Natural Environment and Quality of Life as three destination image dimensions perceived by Chinese urban residents towards Australia. Services and Tourism Provisions and Natural Environment both positively affected tourist attitude, which in turn levered up visit intention. The study found that the effect of Services and Tourism Provisions on attitude was stronger for men than for women, while the effect of Natural Environment on attitude was stronger for women than for men; for the post-1980s/1990s generation, the effect of Natural Environment on attitude was significantly stronger than that for the post-1960s/1970s generation. Implications for tourism marketers and managers are discussed.
This study is to determine whether the volume and contact surface area (CSA) of a tumour with an adjacent prostate capsule on MRI in a three-dimensional (3D) model that can predict side-specific ...extraprostatic extension (EPE) at radical prostatectomy (RP). Patients with localised prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent robot-assisted RP between July 2015 and March 2021 were included in this retrospective study. MRI-based 3D prostate models incorporating the PCa volume and location were reconstructed. The tumour volume and surface variables were extracted. For the prostate-to-tumour and tumour-to-prostate CSAs, the areas in which the distances were ≤ 1, ≤ 2, ≤ 3, ≤ 4, and ≤ 5 mm were defined, and their surface (cm
2
) were determined. Differences in prostate sides with and without pathological EPE were analysed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis to find independent predictors of EPE. Overall, 75/302 (25%) prostate sides showed pathological EPE. Prostate sides with EPE had higher cT-stage, higher PSA density, higher percentage of positive biopsy cores, higher biopsy Gleason scores, higher radiological tumour stage, larger tumour volumes, larger prostate CSA, and larger tumour CSA (all
p
< 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the radiological tumour stage (
p
= 0.001), tumour volume (
p
< 0.001), prostate CSA (
p
< 0.001), and tumour CSA (
p
≤ 0.001) were independent predictors of pathological EPE. A 3D reconstruction of tumour locations in the prostate improves prediction of extraprostatic extension. Tumours with a higher 3D-reconstructed volume, a higher surface area of tumour in contact with the prostate capsule, and higher surface area of prostate capsule in contact with the tumour are at increased risk of side-specific extraprostatic extension.
The interpretation of conventional MRI may be limited by the two-dimensional presentation of the images. To develop patient-specific MRI prostate-based virtual and three-dimensional (3D)-printed ...models. To assess the association between 3D imaging and the pathological outcome of RARP specimen. To assess the clinical applicability of 3D models to guide nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). We created virtual 3D and 3D-printed 3D models of 20 prostate cancer patients retrospectively. A comparison was made between conventional MRI and 3D-reconstructed images. The concordance between tumour lesion location in 3D models and pathology reporting of RARP specimens was assessed. Seven urologists assessed the side-specific extent of nerve-sparing based on (1) conventional MR images, (2) virtual 3D models, and (3) 3D-printed models. Clinically relevant changes in nerve-sparing and the absolute agreement between observers was analyzed using the Chi-square test and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). The index lesion was correctly visualized in 19/20 (95%) 3D models and the expected location of extraprostatic extension was correctly visualized in all 3D models. Clinically relevant changes in the planned extent of nerve-sparing between MRI and virtual 3D models and MRI and 3D-printed models were found in 25% and 26%. The ICC of the planned extent of nerve-sparing between urologists was 0.40 (95% CI 0.28–0.55) for conventional MRI, 0.52 (95% CI 0.39–0.66) for virtual 3D models and 0.58 (95% CI 0.45–0.71) for 3D-printed models. 3D models of the MRI prostate to guide RARP could aid urologists in the planning of nerve-sparing surgery as shown by a higher inter-observer agreement.
Sleep is a frequently mentioned topic in current occupational science and occupational therapy literature, indicating an increasing interest in this occupation. However, we found a lack of ...understanding of the sleep experience in the literature. In our study, we sought to explore the experience of sleep among a sample of adults living in the Netherlands. We used a qualitative research design following descriptive phenomenology methodology. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 13 adults (two males, 10 females, one nonbinary), transcribed verbatim, and analysed according to descriptive phenomenology. Findings indicate that sleep can be understood as a personal experience on physical, mental, and emotional levels under unique temporal, spatial, and sociocultural conditions. Participants described sleep as a tripartite process: (a) approaching sleep to finish the day, (b) being asleep and dreaming, and (c) leaving sleep behind for a new day. A core element of sleep is making a transition between 2 days, during which recovery and processing occur. Fundamental to engaging in sleep are the feelings of safety and security shaped by habits, routines, and adjustments to the social and physical context. Participants expressed a personal need for and personal meaning in this occupation, describing sleep as an intertwined experience affected by and affecting other occupations.
Nations across the world and through time have used skilled migration mechanisms to boost economic growth and workforce competitiveness. However, effectively using these talents from abroad and ...transforming this collective human capital into valuable social capital is an on‐going challenge. This study applies a case study analysis of skilled migrants from China and India in South Australia and finds that there are multiple barriers to the successful integration of skilled migrants. These barriers tend to block the effective utilization of migrants’ skills and reduce the ability to advance social capital in the community. The study concludes by putting forward various policy recommendations to overcome these obstacles and outlines ideas for an effective application of a skilled migrant programme.
To many in the Netherlands it seems that basic income’s time has come, following the wide appeal of several municipal experiments. These random-control trial designs study the effects on employment, ...social participation, health and well-being of exempting social assistance claimants from the duties of seeking work and participating in training activities under the workfare-oriented Participation Act. In some treatment groups, claimants also retain a larger percentage of earnings, thereby reducing the poverty trap. These two design features resemble an unconditional basic income. I situate the experiments in the wider context of basic income and discuss their theoretical background and policy orientation. Under existing legal strictures, the experimental designs are too limited to judge the effects of replacing the conditional scheme of social assistance by an unconditional one. Yet these experiments point the way for future trials which can compare the effectiveness of basic income-oriented versus workfare-oriented treatments.
This study investigated the moderating role of tourist prior knowledge in the relationship between major destination experience components (i.e. attraction, infrastructure, restaurants and service ...performance) and tourist satisfaction. Data were collected from international tourists visiting Shiraz, Iran, via a questionnaire survey. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was applied to analyse the data, and the multi-group comparison approach was adopted to test the moderating role of prior knowledge. Findings reveal that tourist prior knowledge moderated the effects of destination experience components on tourist satisfaction in a differentiated way. The effects of service performance and restaurants on tourist satisfaction were more significantly moderated by tourist prior knowledge than the effects of attraction and infrastructure on tourist satisfaction. This study suggests that destination experiences enabled by human performance are more important in contributing to tourist satisfaction for those tourists with little knowledge about the destination. Destination marketing implications are discussed.
Persisting unemployment, poverty and social exclusion, labour market flexibility, job insecurity and higher wage inequality, changing patterns of work and family life are among the factors that exert ...pressure on welfare states in Europe. This book explores the potential of an unconditional basic income, without means test or work requirement, to meet the challenges posed by the new social question, compared to policies of subsidized insertion in work. It also assesses the political chances of basic income in various European countries. These themes are highly relevant to policy-makers in the field of labour markets and social security, economists, political philosophers, and a social science audience in general.
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