Development of ball surface acoustic wave gas chromatograph for environmental monitoring in spacecraft and its application on the ground

For on-site analysis of surface materials on the moon, planets, and small bodies and for the monitoring of air quality in crewed spacecraft, we have developed a portable gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with a ball surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor. In this study, we fabricated a 10 cm cube GC that implements the forward flush method using two metal micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) columns coated with different stationary phases in microchannels fabricated by wet etching and diffusion bonding of stainless-steel plates. Using this GC, we succeeded in analyzing 10 kinds of gas within 10 min. In addition, for the application of the ball SAW GC on the ground, we also developed a palm-sized GC with a single metal capillary column and used it in the analysis of the headspace gas of sake. We showed that the ratio of peak areas differed among odorants depending on the brand and brewing process of sake.

Lung stereotactic body radiation therapy: personalized PTV margins according to tumor location and number of four-dimensional CT scans

Objectives To characterise the motion of pulmonary tumours during stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and to evaluate different margins when creating the planning target volume (PTV) on a single 4D CT scan (4DCT). Methods We conducted a retrospective single-site analysis on 30 patients undergoing lung SBRT. Two 4DCTs (4DCT1 and 4DCT2) were performed on all patients. First, motion was recorded for each 4DCT in anterior–posterior (AP), superior-inferior (SI) and rightleft (RL) directions. Then, we used 3 different margins (3,4 and 5 mm) to create the PTV, from the internal target volume (ITV) of 4DCT1 only (PTV D1 + 3, PTV D1 + 4, PTV D1 + 5). We compared, using the Dice coefficient, the volumes of these 3 PTVs, to the PTV actually used for the treatment (PTVttt). Finally, new treatment plans were calculated using only these 3 PTVs. We studied the ratio of the D2%, D50% and D98% between each new plan and the plan actually used for the treatment (D2% PTVttt, D50% PTVttt, D50% ITVttt D98% PTVttt). Results 30 lesions were studied. The greatest motion was observed in the SI axis (8.8 ± 6.6 [0.4–25.8] mm). The Dice index was higher when comparing PTVttt to PTV D1 + 4 mm (0.89 ± 0.04 [0.82–0.98]). Large differences were observed when comparing plans relative to PTVttt and PTV D1 + 3 for D98% PTVttt (0.85 ± 0.24 [0.19–1.00]). and also for D98% ITVttt (0.93 ± 0.12 [0.4–1.0]).D98% PTVttt (0.85 ± 0.24 [0.19–1.00], p value = 0.003) was statistically different when comparing plans relative to PTVttt and PTV D1 + 3. No stastistically differences were observed when comparing plans relative to PTVttt and PTV D1 + 4. A difference greater than 10% relative to D98% PTVttt was found for only in one UL lesion, located under the carina. Conclusion A single 4DCT appears feasible for upper lobe lesions located above the carina, using a 4-mm margin to generate the PTV. Advance in knowledge Propostion of a personalized SBRT treatment (number of 4DCT, margins) according to tumor location (above or under the carina).

Saponins as a Potential PFN2 Inhibitor: In silico Approach

Colorectal cancer (CRC) disease has a high mortality rate and has recently involved human profilin II (Pfn2), an actin-binding protein, as a promoter of its invasiveness and progression. This work evaluated the binding affinity of oleanolic acid saponin over Pfn2 and its structural stability. QM and MM techniques were applied to perform geometrical optimization and calculation of the reactive sites from oleanolic acid, whereas molecular docking and MD simulations for protein-ligand interaction under physiological conditions. Oleanolic acid saponin showed a high binding affinity to the Pfn2 PLPbinding site. Analysis of the protein-ligand structure suggests saponin as a molecule with high potential for developing new drugs against Pfn2 in colorectal cancer cells.

Clinical Trial on the Usefulness of On-Site Evaluation of Canine Fetal Fluids by Reagent Test Strip in Puppies at Elective Caesarean Section

The reagent urinary test strips (TS) marketed for urines represent the first-line diagnostic tool in many instances. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of TS for the on-field evaluation of fetal fluids’ composition in newborn dogs at elective caesarean section. Of a total of 137 puppies born at term, 127 survived and 10 did not survive. One hundred and thirteen amniotic and 107 allantoic samples from surviving newborns were collected, and 8 amniotic and allantoic fluids were collected from the non-surviving newborns and assessed by strips. Significantly lower amounts of amniotic glucose and higher amounts of amniotic and allantoic nitrites, amniotic protein, allantoic urobilinogen, and amniotic bilirubin concentrations were found in non-surviving when compared to surviving newborns. In the surviving ones, higher specific gravity and bilirubin concentrations, and lower pH, were found in allantoic than in amniotic fluids. Higher amniotic and allantoic glucose concentrations, higher amniotic and allantoic pH, and lower amniotic and allantoic protein concentrations were found in medium/large- than in small-sized puppies. The TS allowed the quick evaluation of fetal fluids in puppies at birth. The differences between surviving and non-surviving puppies seem to suggest that the on-site analysis of fetal fluids’ composition by TS could represent a first-line diagnostic tool in the field of canine neonatology, allowing the quick recognition of puppies needing assistance as a complementary tool for clinical evaluation.

Improving Calibration Strategy for LIBS Heavy Metals Analysis in Agriculture Applications

A new calibration procedure, known as mapping conditional-calibration laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), has been suggested to improve analysis results for heterogeneous samples. The procedure is based on LIBS elemental mapping, followed by signal conditioning in every sampling spot to skip signal outliers, then by finalizing the calibration curve construction. The suggested mapping conditional calibration procedure was verified for zinc analysis in soybean grist samples. The laser parameters correspond to those of the hand-held LIBS instrument in order to estimate the influence of sample surface heterogeneity under on-site analysis conditions. The laser spot (60 μm) was equal to or smaller than the typical size of grist particles (40–500 μm) but laser crater dimensions were significantly greater and varied widely (150–450 μm). The LIBS mapping of different spectral signals (atomic and ionic lines for major and minor components) was achieved. Elemental maps were normalized to achieve signal maps that were conditionally spotted to skip signal outliers. It was demonstrated that the suggested mapping conditional-calibration LIBS provided 15 ppm RMSECV for zinc determination in heterogeneous samples, which is typical for agricultural products.

A Place in Nowhere: Architectural Placemaking in the Tararua Ranges

<p>The resulting thesis asks, ‘how can architecture curate our experience of site to facilitate placemaking’. It finds that architecture can create distinctive and diverse ‘places’ in large landscapes by enabling new ways for people to engage with the site. These places result in a deeply felt experience and, when positioned in a series, they highlight the significance of the landscape. The thesis examines a significant route within the Tararua Forest Park known as the Southern Crossing. The thesis explores how architecture can curate this experience to better connect us to place. This is facilitated by a series of nine architectural interventions that test and refine methods for situating, orientating, temporalising and contextualising one’s experience of space. Starting with site analysis, the thesis finds that subjectivity can provide deeper insights and more powerful concepts when related to experience. It finds that narrative methodologies enable the study of actuality and this is accompanied with the ability to interpret spatial elements which affect this experience. This is opposed to contemporary approaches which are focused on objectivity and fact. Through evolving narrative techniques, a way for the architecture to curate one’s experience of each site is discovered. The design methodology does away with contemporary abstract views. Instead, the process focuses on understanding how the architectonic elements influence the spatial experience to better connect us to place.</p>

A Place in Nowhere: Architectural Placemaking in the Tararua Ranges

<p>The resulting thesis asks, ‘how can architecture curate our experience of site to facilitate placemaking’. It finds that architecture can create distinctive and diverse ‘places’ in large landscapes by enabling new ways for people to engage with the site. These places result in a deeply felt experience and, when positioned in a series, they highlight the significance of the landscape. The thesis examines a significant route within the Tararua Forest Park known as the Southern Crossing. The thesis explores how architecture can curate this experience to better connect us to place. This is facilitated by a series of nine architectural interventions that test and refine methods for situating, orientating, temporalising and contextualising one’s experience of space. Starting with site analysis, the thesis finds that subjectivity can provide deeper insights and more powerful concepts when related to experience. It finds that narrative methodologies enable the study of actuality and this is accompanied with the ability to interpret spatial elements which affect this experience. This is opposed to contemporary approaches which are focused on objectivity and fact. Through evolving narrative techniques, a way for the architecture to curate one’s experience of each site is discovered. The design methodology does away with contemporary abstract views. Instead, the process focuses on understanding how the architectonic elements influence the spatial experience to better connect us to place.</p>