Context: Because ectopic ACTH-secreting (EAS) tumors are often occult, improved imaging is needed.
Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the utility of 111In-DTPA-d-Phepentetreotide scintigraphy ...octreotide (OCT) imaging at 6 mCi low OCT (LOCT) and 18 mCi high OCT (HOCT), 18Ffluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) and 18Fl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (F-DOPA)-PET scans, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Design and Setting: The study was a prospective evaluation at a clinical research center.
Patients: Forty-one subjects participated, 30 (17 female) with resected EAS tumors and 11 (three female) with occult EAS, based on inferior petrosal sinus sampling results and imaging studies.
Intervention: Intervention included CT and MRI of neck, chest, abdomen, LOCT (with or without HOCT) and FDG- or F-DOPA-PET without CT every 6–12 months.
Main Outcome Measure: Tumor identification was the main outcome measure.
Results: Most recent results were analyzed. Eighteen patients had tumor resected on the first visit; otherwise, surgery occurred 33 ± 25 (9–99) months later. Tumor size was 1.9 ± 1.7 (0.8–8.0) cm; 83% were intrathoracic. CT, MRI, LOCT, HOCT, FDG-PET, and F-DOPA-PET had sensitivities per patient of 93% 95% confidence interval (CI) = 79–98%, 90% (95% CI = 74–96%), 57% (95% CI = 39–73%), 50% (95% CI = 25–75%), 64% (95% CI = 35–85%), and 55% (95% CI = 28–79%) and positive predictive values (PPV) per lesion of 66, 74, 79, 89, 53, and 100%, respectively. LOCT and PET detected only lesions seen by CT/MRI; abnormal LOCT or F-DOPA-PET improved PPV of CT/MRI. By modality, the fraction of patients with one or more false-positive findings was 50% by CT, 31% by MRI, 18% by L/HOCT, and 18% by FDG-PET. Eight occult EAS patients had 64 ± 58 (9–198) months follow-up; others had none.
Conclusions: High sensitivity and PPV suggest thoracic CT/MRI plus LOCT scans for initial imaging, with lesion confirmation by two modalities.
The initial imaging of patients with presumed ectopic ACTH-secreting tumors should include thoracic CT and MRI followed by LOCT.
We analyzed advantages of the liposomal form of Xymedon (50 and 100 mg/kg) over free Xymedon (in the corresponding doses) in leukopoiesis restoration in rats with Walker-256 carcinoma treated with ...liposomal combination of doxorubicin (4 mg/kg) and cyclophosphamide (45 mg/kg) (single intravenous injection on day 11 after transplantation of tumor cells). Liposomal and free Xymedon were injected intravenously over 5 days starting from day 11 of the experiment. Changes in leukopoiesis in peripheral blood and myelograms were assessed on days 3 and 7 after chemotherapy. Liposomal Xymedon in both doses (unlike its free form) 2-fold increased the number of lymphocytes on day 3 after chemotherapy in comparison with the level observed after administration of liposomal cytostatics alone. Liposomal Xymedon in a dose of 50 mg/kg (but not 100 mg/kg) promoted the maintenance of monocyte count at the level of intact control on days 3 and 7 after chemotherapy. Liposomal Xymedon in a dose of 50 mg/kg and free Xymedon in a dose of 100 mg/kg equally stimulated the increase in myelocytes content in the bone marrow to the level of intact control on day 3 after chemotherapy, thus promoting restoration of granulocytopoiesis.
A new method of momentum measurement of charged particles through multiple Coulomb scattering (MCS) in the OPERA lead-emulsion target is presented. It is based on precise measurements of track ...angular deviations carried out thanks to the very high resolution of nuclear emulsions. The algorithm has been tested with Monte Carlo pions. The results are found to describe within the expected uncertainties the data obtained from test beams. We also present a comparison of muon momenta evaluated through MCS in the OPERA lead-emulsion target with those determined by the electronic detectors for neutrino-charged current interaction events. The two independent measurements agree within the experimental uncertainties, and the results validate the algorithm developed for the emulsion detector of OPERA.
In the context of the global digital transformation, the most important factors determining socio-economic progress are the specific properties of human capital that are inherent only in the digital ...economy. In the new conditions, the role of integratively distributed network interaction of participants of global, national, corporate and social networks in the training of highly qualified specialists with new information and network skills and competencies is growing, a new form of human capital is emerging - network education capital (network education capital). On the basis of an interdisciplinary approach (economics, sociology, psychology, pedagogy, etc.), positive externalities are described that arise as a result of the inclusion of education in network communication processes. One of the main specific features of modern education is the departure from its linearity and verticality. It is shown that the network formation capital acquires the properties of a specific asset that brings a quasi-rent, and acts as a social elevator only if the involvement of more entities in the network increases
The OPERA experiment is based on a hybrid technology combining electronic detectors and nuclear emulsions. OPERA collected muon-neutrino interactions during the 2008 and 2009 physics runs of the CNGS ...neutrino beam, produced at CERN with an energy range of about 5-35 GeV. A total of $5.3 \times 10^{19}$ protons on target equivalent luminosity has been analysed with the OPERA electronic detectors: scintillator strips target trackers and magnetic muon spectrometers equipped with resistive plate gas chambers and drift tubes, allowing a detailed reconstruction of muon-neutrino interactions. Charged Current (CC) and Neutral Current (NC) interactions are identified, using the measurements in the electronic detectors, and the NC/CC ratio is computed. The momentum distribution and the charge of the muon tracks produced in CC interactions are analysed. Calorimetric measurements of the visible energy are performed for both the CC and NC samples. For CC events the Bjorken-$y$ distribution and the hadronic shower profile are computed. The results are compared to a detailed Monte Carlo simulation of the electronic detectors' response.
This article explores the factors that influence consumer behavior under the conditions of technological changes and the accompanying social and economic externalities. The research goals were to ...develop a theory of consumer behavior and, based on such a theory, to consider a conceptual model of a digital consumer behavior during digital transformation. The authors systematized the theoretical approaches to understanding the models of consumer behavior and proposed to supplement the existing groups of models with incremental factors, which are caused by the impact of digitalization on society. Within this approach, network interaction algorithms can accurately predict the needs of each individual and suggest the most optimal way of meeting them. The authors developed a conceptual model of consumer behavior. In this model, on the one hand, the digital consumers are at the center of their own digital ecosystems tailored to their specific needs. On the other hand, using certain elements of the digital environment, they create digital footprints that are useful for other participants in the socioeconomic system. Considering this phenomenon allowed the authors to formulate and describe the social and economic externalities generated by the digitalization of consumption and include these in the proposed conceptual model of consumer behavior. Moreover, the authors studied the relationship between the use of digital technology and the socioeconomic development of countries. These countries were divided into clusters with different relationships between particular social parameters and varying levels of digital consumption. Having examined the dynamics of consumer price indices for certain groups of goods in the Russian Federation, the authors propose the hypothesis about the specifics of the digital consumption culture, which reduce both the transactional and direct costs for the consumer. KCI Citation Count: 0
The tracking capabilities of the OPERA detector allow to reconstruct τ-leptons and electrons. It gives a possibility to observe ν{sub μ} → ν{sub τ} oscillations in the appearance mode and to study ...ν{sub μ} → ν{sub e} oscillations in the ν{sub μ} CNGS beam. Current results on ν{sub μ} → ν{sub e} channel in the three-flavour mixing model are presented. The same data allow to constrain the presence of additional sterile neutrino states. The analysis of the full 2008–2012 OPERA data set and work on its improvement are going on. Details of the achievements are presented.
The tracking capabilities of the OPERA detector allow to reconstruct τ-leptons and electrons. It gives a possibility to observe ν
μ
→ ν
τ
oscillations in the appearance mode and to study ν
μ
→ ν
e
...oscillations in the ν
μ
CNGS beam. Current results on ν
μ
→ ν
e
channel in the three-flavour mixing model are presented. The same data allow to constrain the presence of additional sterile neutrino states. The analysis of the full 2008–2012 OPERA data set and work on its improvement are going on. Details of the achievements are presented.
The paper suggests considering neo-industrial development that is represented as alternative to post-industrialism from the perspective of provision of innovation and investment safety of the ...country. Authors make an effort to determine economic and institutional backgrounds and criteria of safety of innovation and investment activities. Specification of categorical framework used in researched sphere was conducted; in particular, it was suggested to consider innovation and investment safety the key part of national economic safety. On the basis of regression analysis the appraisal of relation between the size of internal expenditures for research and development and living standards in the country was held--it has demonstrated rather weak relation between researched variables during a short period of time. In addition, the work formulates the key problems in the sphere of innovation and investment safety in Russia and suggests proposals on their solution.
Silicon nitride ceramic vanes coated with chemical vapor‐deposited (CVD) mullite, CVD alumina, and plasma‐sprayed tantalum oxide were exposed to field tests in an industrial gas turbine engine. ...Results varied due to expected non‐uniformities in the CVD coating microstructures, but dense CVD mullite/alumina showed excellent stability and protective capacity after 1148 h of engine testing. Surfaces without CVD coatings experienced massive intragranular subsurface oxidation and/or rapid recession of the ceramic substrate due to volatilization of silica species formed by oxidation. These results suggest that thin (<5 μm), dense, high‐purity CVD mullite and CVD alumina are viable components for an environmental barrier coating system to protect structural ceramics in combustion environments.
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