Precision medicine is a rapidly growing area of modern medical science and open source machine-learning codes promise to be a critical component for the successful development of standardized and ...automated analysis of patient data. One important goal of precision cancer medicine is the accurate prediction of optimal drug therapies from the genomic profiles of individual patient tumors. We introduce here an open source software platform that employs a highly versatile support vector machine (SVM) algorithm combined with a standard recursive feature elimination (RFE) approach to predict personalized drug responses from gene expression profiles. Drug specific models were built using gene expression and drug response data from the National Cancer Institute panel of 60 human cancer cell lines (NCI-60). The models are highly accurate in predicting the drug responsiveness of a variety of cancer cell lines including those comprising the recent NCI-DREAM Challenge. We demonstrate that predictive accuracy is optimized when the learning dataset utilizes all probe-set expression values from a diversity of cancer cell types without pre-filtering for genes generally considered to be "drivers" of cancer onset/progression. Application of our models to publically available ovarian cancer (OC) patient gene expression datasets generated predictions consistent with observed responses previously reported in the literature. By making our algorithm "open source", we hope to facilitate its testing in a variety of cancer types and contexts leading to community-driven improvements and refinements in subsequent applications.
On 25 August 2012, Voyager 1 was at 122 astronomical units when the steady intensity of low-energy ions it had observed for the previous 6 years suddenly dropped for a third time and soon completely ...disappeared as the ions streamed away into interstellar space. Although the magnetic field observations indicate that Voyager 1 remained inside the heliosphere, the intensity of cosmic ray nuclei from outside the heliosphere abruptly increased. We report the spectra of galactic cosmic rays down to ~3 × 10⁶ electron volts per nucleon, revealing H and He energy spectra with broad peaks from 10 × 10⁶ to 40 × 10⁶ electron volts per nucleon and an increasing galactic cosmic-ray electron intensity down to ~10 × 10⁶ electron volts.
Over one-third of cancer cases are attributable to modifiable risk factors. Because health-related behaviors are often established at adolescence, it is important that adolescents understand the ...risks and lifestyle decisions that may reduce their chances of developing cancer. This study aims to identify the levels of cancer awareness of adolescents in Australia.
Paper questionnaires were used to collect information about baseline levels of cancer awareness. These questionnaires included socio-demographic questions and the Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) with slight modifications to ensure their suitability for the Australian adolescent population. Students aged 11 to 19 years were recruited from 13 Australian high schools between 2016 and 2019.
A total of 766 adolescents (58% female, mean age = 14.5 years) completed the questionnaires. Adolescents' cancer awareness was low. Adolescents who knew someone with cancer recognized significantly more cancer risk factors and cancer warning signs than those who did not know someone with cancer (t (756) = 2.35, p = .019; t (747) = 5.57, p = .001). Those from high Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) schools significantly recognized more cancer risk factors than those from low ICSEA schools (t (764) = 2.42, p = .016). Females recognized significantly more warning signs than males (t (583) = 3.11, p = .002) and students from senior high school grades recognized more warning signs than those from junior grades (t (754) = 2.24, p = .02). Most adolescents (78%) were aware of skin cancer as one of the most common cancers in Australia, however half or less were aware of other common cancers. Although most adolescents would seek medical help in the presence of possible cancer symptoms as soon as possible, approximately 20% of them would not see a doctor promptly. Emotional barriers were the most common reasons to delay seeing a doctor (56%), for example "being worried about hearing bad news" (27%).
Australian adolescents show poor awareness of cancer risk factors and cancer warning signs. A number of demographic and experience factors were found to be related to lower cancer awareness. Education is essential to raise cancer awareness, promote healthy lifestyles from adolescence and avoid a preventable cancer diagnosis.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms and chronic airflow limitation, and is associated with exacerbations and comorbidities. Advances in ...the management of COPD are updated quarterly in the national COPD guidelines, the COPD-X plan, published by Lung Foundation Australia in conjunction with the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and available at http://copdx.org.au. Main recommendations: Spirometry detects persistent airflow limitation (post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 0.7) and must be used to confirm the diagnosis.Non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapies should be considered as they optimise function (ie, improve symptoms and quality of life) and prevent deterioration (ie, prevent exacerbations and reduce decline).Pulmonary rehabilitation and regular exercise are highly beneficial and should be provided to all symptomatic COPD patients.Short- and long-acting inhaled bronchodilators and, in more severe disease, anti-inflammatory agents (inhaled corticosteroids) should be considered in a stepwise approach.Given the wide range of inhaler devices available, inhaler technique and adherence should be checked regularly.Smoking cessation is essential, and influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations reduce the risk of exacerbations.A plan of care should be developed with the multidisciplinary team. COPD action plans reduce hospitalisations and are recommended as part of COPD self-management.Exacerbations should be managed promptly with bronchodilators, corticosteroids and antibiotics as appropriate to prevent hospital admission and delay COPD progression.Comorbidities of COPD require identification and appropriate management.Supportive, palliative and end-of-life care are beneficial for patients with advanced disease.Education of patients, carers and clinicians, and a strong partnership between primary and tertiary care, facilitate evidence-based management of COPD. Changes in management as result of the guideline: Spirometry remains the gold standard for diagnosing airflow obstruction and COPD. Non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment should be used in a stepwise fashion to control symptoms and reduce exacerbation risk.
Voyager 1 crossed the termination shock of the supersonic flow of the solar wind on 16 December 2004 at a distance of 94.01 astronomical units from the Sun, becoming the first spacecraft to begin ...exploring the heliosheath, the outermost layer of the heliosphere. The shock is a steady source of low-energy protons with an energy spectrum$\sim E^{-1.41 \pm 0.15}$from$0.5 to \sim 3.5 megaelectron volts$, consistent with a weak termination shock having a solar wind velocity jump ratio$r = 2.6_{-0.2}^{+0.4}$. However, in contradiction to many predictions, the intensity of anomalous cosmic ray (ACR) helium did not peak at the shock, indicating that the ACR source is not in the shock region local to Voyager 1. The intensities of ~10-megaelectron volt electrons, ACRs, and galactic cosmic rays have steadily increased since late 2004 as the effects of solar modulation have decreased.
"This volume provides evidence from many of Australia’s leading scholars from a range of social science disciplines to support policies that address challenges presented by Australia’s ageing ...population. It builds on presentations made to the 2014 Symposium of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. The material is in four parts: Perspectives on Ageing; Population Ageing: Global, regional and Australian perspectives; Improving Health and Wellbeing; Responses by Government and Families/Individuals. ‘The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia sees this volume as a major contribution to improving our understanding of Australia’s population ageing. Social science research in this area truly underpins our ability as a nation to manage such demographic change, and its consequences for the economy and society. Such knowledge helps ensure that our citizens can live even better lives.’ — Glenn Withers, President, ASSA"
The power conversion system (PCS) in the proposed small modular combined cycle nuclear gas turbine plant is based on the coupling of a non-intercooled topping helium Brayton direct closed-cycle gas ...turbine and a single-reheat supercritical steam Rankine bottoming cycle. The nuclear heat source (with a thermal rating of 350 MWt) is a helium cooled and graphite moderated very high temperature reactor (VHTR) embodying an assembly of prismatic fuel elements. Based on a reactor outlet (and gas turbine inlet) temperature of 95 °C, the module electrical power output is 180 MWe (50 and 130 MWe from the gas and steam turbines respectively) with an estimated plant efficiency of 51.5 percent. The design and development of the proposed nuclear gas turbine combined cycle (NGTCC) concept would benefit from established technology bases. With the inclusion of a process heat extraction module embodying a compact steam-to-steam re-boiler the proposed plant concept could operate in a cogeneration mode, namely generating electrical power plus providing a supply of uncontaminated process steam to various industrial users. This paper addresses projected HTR to VHTR plant evolution, thermodynamic cycle selection, plant performance, tentative arrangement of the combined cycle PCS, component design considerations and their technology bases, and major development requirements. The NGTCC is an advanced long-term helium cooled reactor concept, and a single module demonstration plant may be realizable by say circa 2030, this leading to commercial operation of multi-module plants, and paving the way for future very high temperature nuclear process heat plants in the middle decades of the 21st century.
•Nuclear plant concept with very high temperature helium cooled reactor heat source.•Helium gas turbine and supercritical steam turbine power conversion system.•Modular plant concept power 180 MWe and projected efficiency 51.5 percent.•Cogeneration option with electrical power plus steam supply for industrial users.•Existing technology bases for reactor, gas and steam turbines, and steam generator.
At the Voyager 1 (V1) spacecraft in the outer heliosphere, the intensities of both anomalous cosmic rays and galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) changed suddenly and decisively on 25 August (121.7 AU from ...the Sun). Within a matter of a few days, the intensity of 1.9–2.7 MeV protons and helium nuclei had decreased to less than 0.1 of their previous value, and eventually the intensities decreased by factors of at least 300–500. Also, on 25 August, the GCR protons, helium, and electrons increased suddenly in just 2 or 3 days by a factor of up to 2. The intensities of the GCR nuclei of all energies from 2 to 400 MeV then remained essentially constant with intensity levels and spectra that may represent the local GCR. The suddenness of these intensity changes indicates that V1 has crossed a well‐defined boundary for energetic particles at this time possibly related to the heliopause.
Key Points
Boundary of heliosphere is very sudden
Local galactic cosmic ray spectra have peak at 60 MeV
Particle layers observed near heliospheric boundary
Oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer encompasses a number of distinct clinical scenarios with a pattern of limited tumour burden on imaging. Delivering local ablative therapy to individual ...metastatic lesions may assist in disease modification and contribute to improved outcomes. We review the published randomised clinical trials that support the implementation of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy as a standard of care in certain oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer clinical scenarios, and highlight the current knowledge gaps and areas of ongoing research.
Short term orthodontics McDonald, F
Australian dental journal,
March 2017, 2017-Mar, 2017-03-00, 20170301, Letnik:
62, Številka:
S1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Short‐term orthodontics is a growing area of clinical care delivery. Many practitioners who have not experienced specialist orthodontic education are involved in the provision of that care. Limited ...orthodontic treatment can provide a level of tooth movement but the essential challenge arises from the patient's expectations and their acceptance of the possible outcomes. As with all techniques, short‐term orthodontics is not a panacea of care and the patient's motivation and the identification of specific cases which might benefit, is essential. Providers clearly use the technique in different ways and this paper highlights areas of caution
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