Brain Linac-Based Radiation Therapy: “Test Drive” of New Immobilization Solution and Surface Guided Radiation Therapy

Aim: To test inter-fraction reproducibility, intrafraction stability, technician aspects, and patient/physician’s comfort of a dedicated immobilization solution for Brain Linac-based radiation therapy (RT). Methods: A pitch-enabled head positioner with an open-face mask were used and, to evaluate inter- and intrafraction variations, 1–3 Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) were performed. Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) was used to evaluate intrafraction variations at 3 time points: initial (i), final (f), and monitoring (m) (before, end, and during RT). Data regarding technician mask aspect were collected. Results: Between October 2019 and April 2020, 69 patients with brain disease were treated: 45 received stereotactic RT and 24 conventional RT; 556 treatment sessions and 863 CBCT’s were performed. Inter-fraction CBCT mean values were longitudinally 0.9 mm, laterally 0.8 mm, vertically 1.1 mm, roll 0.58°, pitch 0.59°, yaw 0.67°. Intrafraction CBCT mean values were longitudinally 0.3 mm, laterally 0.3 mm, vertically 0.4 mm, roll 0.22°, pitch 0.33°, yaw 0.24°. SGRT intrafraction mean values were: i_, m_, f_ longitudinally 0.09 mm, 0.45 mm, 0.31 mm; i_, m_, f_ laterally 0.07 mm, 0.36 mm, 0.20 mm; i_, m_, f_ vertically 0.06 mm, 0.31 mm, 0.22 mm; i_, m_, f_ roll 0.025°, 0.208°, 0.118°; i_, m_, f_ pitch 0.036°, 0.307°, 0.194°; i_, m_, f_ yaw 0.039°, 0.274°, 0.189°. Conclusions: This immobilization solution is reproducible and stable. Combining CBCT and SGRT data confirm that 1 mm CTV-PTV margin for Linac-based SRT was adequate. Using open-face mask and SGRT, for conventional RT, radiological imaging could be omitted.

EDUKASI PERILAKU HIDUP SEHAT PADA LINGKUNGAN SEKOLAH

The situation and conditions with the COVID-19 pandemic have made students to Learn From Home (BDR). This situation has been going on for more than 1 year since March 2020, the government, in this case, the Ministry of Education and Culture has given directions to open Face-to-face Learning (PTM) in the even semester of 2020. From the studies conducted, many schools (>80%) in Indonesia are ready for PTM. The directives from the government have been stated in the Joint Decree (SKB 4 ministers dated June 15, 2020 and revised on August 7, 2020 and March 30, 2021. The school authorities must improve the schools to prepare for the opening of this PTM after a long BDR, especially SMAN 96 West Jakarta which is a partner in this Community Service. Preparation must be made in accordance with the government's directive in the SKB. How are students preparing to do PTM? What should be done? To help the schools keep the PTM running well and safely, it is necessary to make education about healthy living behaviors for students in the school environment. This education includes :1. Education on preparation for school (while still at home),2. Education when students arrive in the school area, 3. Education during learning activities,4. Education on leaving the classroom when the lesson is finished, 5.Education when arriving at home after school and start doing activities at home. The results of this community service are in the form of pocket books and behavioral education presentation materials on how to live a healthy life in the school environment for students.Situasi dan kondisi dengan adanya pandemi covid 19 membuat pelajar atau siswa sekolah Belajar Dari Rumah (BDR). Keadaan ini sudah berlangsung lebih dari 1 tahun sejak Maret 2020, pemerintah dalam hal ini kemdikbud sudah memberi pengarahan untuk membuka Pembelajaran Tatap Muka (PTM) pada semester genap 2020. Dari penelitian-penelitian yang dilakukan, banyak sekolah (>80%) di Indonesia siap untuk PTM. Arahan dari pemerintah sudah tertuang dalam Surat Keputusan Bersama (SKB 4 menteri pada tertanggal 15 Juni 2020 dan revisi pada tanggal 7 Agustus 2020 serta 30 Maret 2021. Pihak sekolah harus berbenah untuk mempersiapkan sekolah dalam pembukaan PTM ini setelah sekian lama BDR, khususnya SMAN 96 Jakarta Barat yang menjadi mitra dalam Pengabdian pada Masyarakat ini. Persiapan yang dilakukan harus sesuai dengan arahan pemerintah dalam SKB tersebut. Bagaimana persiapan siswa dalam menghadapai PTM? Apa yang harus dilakukan? Untuk membantu pihak sekolah agar PTM berjalan baik dan lancar serta aman, maka perlu dibuat edukasi perilaku hidup sehat bagi siswa dalam lingkungan sekolah. Adapun edukasi ini melingkupi:1. Edukasi persiapan ke sekolah (saat masih di rumah), 2. Edukasi saat siswa melangkah masuk pekarangan sekolah, 3. Edukasi selama kegiatan belajar, 4. Edukasi saat pembelajaran selesai dan keluar ruang kelas lalu pulang, 5. Edukasi saat sampai di rumah dan mulai berkegiatan di rumah. Hasil dari pengabdian pada masyarakat berupa buku saku dan materi presentasi edukasi perilaku hidup sehat bagi siswa di lingkungan sekolah.

Implementasi Belajar Dari Rumah dan Kesiapan Pembelajaran Tatap Muka di Madrasah

During the pandemic, the government issued the policy to learning from home, followed by the other policy to open face-to-face learning in the New Normal era. This study aims to determine the implementation of learning from home policy and the readiness of madrasas to conduct face-to-face learning in the New Normal era. This research was conducted using an online survey method in 2021. The results showed that 85% of madrasas carried out the learning process online, of which 86.8% were carried out through the assignment method from the teacher. In the learning process at home, only 28.7% of students were accompanied, reminded, supervised, and assisted by their parents. It means that the role of parents in learning from home is minimal. However, 86.5% provide internet access. Regarding the readiness of madrasas in face-to-face learning, 62.24% were not ready to carry out face-to-face learning. This unreadiness relates to the difficulties in fulfillment of aspects that are required for face-to-face learning.AbstrakPada masa pandemi, pemerintah mengeluarkan kebijakan belajar dari rumah, lalu disusul dengan kebijakan untuk membuka pembelajaran tatap muka di era New normal. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui implementasi kebijakan belajar dari rumah dan kesiapan madrasah untuk melakukan pembelajaran tatap muka di era New normal. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan metode survei dalam jaringan (daring) pada tahun 2021. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sebanyak 85,0% madrasah melakukan proses pembelajaran dalam bentuk daring, di mana 86,8% dilakukan melalui metode penugasan dari guru. Dalam proses pembelajaran di rumah, hanya 28,7% siswa yang didampingi, diingatkan, diawasi, dan dibantu oleh orang tuanya. Hal ini mengindikasikan peran orang tua dalam pembelajaran dari rumah terlihat minim. Namun demikian sebesar 86,5% menyediakan akses internet. Terkait dengan kesiapan madrasah dalam pembelajaran tatap muka, dari 2040 madrasah yang disurvei sebesar 62,2% tidak siap melaksanakan pembelajaran tatap muka). Ketidaksiapan tersebut berkaitan dengan pemenuhan aspek yang menjadi syarat pembelajaran tatap muka.

A Nested Eight-Channel Transmit Array With Open-Face Concept for Human Brain Imaging at 7 Tesla

Purpose: Parallel transmit technology for MRI at 7 tesla will significantly benefit from high performance transmit arrays that offer high transmit efficiency and low mutual coupling between the individual array elements. A novel dual-mode transmit array with nested array elements has been developed to support imaging the human brain in both the single-channel (sTx) and parallel-transmit (pTx) excitation modes of a 7 tesla MRI scanner. In this work, the design, implementation, validation, specific absorption rate (SAR) management, and performance of the head coil is presented.Methods: The transmit array consisted of a nested arrangement to improve decoupling between the second-neighboring elements. Two large cut-outs were introduced in the RF shield for an open-face design to reduce claustrophobia and to allow patient monitoring. A hardware interface allows the coil to be used in both the sTx and pTx modes. SAR monitoring is done with virtual observation points (VOP) derived from human body models. The transmit efficiency and coverage is compared with the commercial single-channel and parallel-transmit head coils.Results: Decoupling inductors between the second-neighboring coil elements reduced the coupling to less than −20 dB. Local SAR estimates from the electromagnetic (EM) simulations were always less than the EM-based VOPs, which in turn were always less than scanner predictions and measurements for static and dynamic pTx waveforms. In sTx mode, we demonstrate improved coverage of the brain compared to the commercial sTx coil. The transmit efficiency is within 10% of the commercial pTx coil despite the two large cut-outs in the RF shield. In pTx mode, improved signal homogeneity was shown when the Universal Pulse was used for acquisition in vivo.Conclusion: A novel head coil which includes a nested eight-channel transmit array has been presented. The large cut-outs improve patient monitoring and reduce claustrophobia. For pTx mode, the EM simulation and VOP-based SAR management provided greater flexibility to apply pTx methods without the limitations of SAR constraints. For scanning in vivo, the coil was shown to provide an improved coverage in sTx mode compared to a standard commercial head coil.

Crystal Structure of 9-Dibenzylsulfide-7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborane 9-Bn2S-7,8-C2B9H11

The crystal structure of 9-dibenzylsulfide-7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborane 9-Bn2S-7,8-C2B9H11 was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction. One of the benzyl groups is located above the open face of the carborane cage with a short H···H distance (2.29 and 2.71 Å for two symmetrically independent molecules) between the BHB-bridging hydrogen atom of the carborane fragment and the ortho-CH group of the aromatic ring. Topological analysis has revealed the existence of a critical bond point with a calculated energy of −0.8 kcal/mol in accordance with an X-ray diffraction molecular geometry. The crystal packing analysis revealed that this benzyl group is also involved in π-stacking interactions, while another benzyl group participates in numerous weak H···π, H···H and van der Waals interactions.

Development and validation of a patient face-mounted, negative-pressure antechamber for reducing exposure of healthcare workers to aerosolized particles during endonasal surgery

OBJECTIVE The authors developed a negative-pressure, patient face-mounted antechamber and tested its efficacy as a tool for sequestering aerated particles and improving the safety of endonasal surgical procedures. METHODS Antechamber prototyping was performed with 3D printing and silicone-elastomer molding. The lowest vacuum settings needed to meet specifications for class I biosafety cabinets (flow rate ≥ 0.38 m/sec) were determined using an anemometer. A cross-validation approach with two different techniques, optical particle sizing and high-speed videography/shadowgraphy, was used to identify the minimum pressures required to sequester aerosolized materials. At the minimum vacuum settings identified, physical parameters were quantified, including flow rate, antechamber pressure, and time to clearance. RESULTS The minimum tube pressures needed to meet specifications for class I biosafety cabinets were −1.0 and −14.5 mm Hg for the surgical chambers with (“closed face”) and without (“open face”) the silicone diaphragm covering the operative port, respectively. Optical particle sizing did not detect aerosol generation from surgical drilling at these vacuum settings; however, videography estimated higher thresholds required to contain aerosols, at −6 and −35 mm Hg. Simulation of surgical movement disrupted aerosol containment visualized by shadowgraphy in the open-faced but not the closed-faced version of the mask; however, the closed-face version of the mask required increased negative pressure (−15 mm Hg) to contain aerosols during surgical simulation. CONCLUSIONS Portable, negative-pressure surgical compartments can contain aerosols from surgical drilling with pressures attainable by standard hospital and clinic vacuums. Future studies are needed to carefully consider the reliability of different techniques for detecting aerosols.

Enhancing Students’ Performances by Integrating Social Media in Undergraduate Learning

Use of social media among youth is growing rapidly around the world. This is more common among the young undergraduates. As a consequence of high usage of social media, ability to support learners via social constructed learning has increased. This study focuses on enhancing undergraduate’s academic performance via social media intervention. This was an action research and used mix methods inquiry employed quantitative and qualitative studies. Open face to face interviews, semi structured and structured questionnaires were conducted among 94 (n=94) undergraduates at the Faculty of Information Technology, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Findings of the study will incorporate the new insights of learner on social media adaption in academic work in meaningful ways. The results of open-ended face to face interviews, semi structured and structured questionnaire demonstrate multiple contextual relationships exist in adaption of social media in formal academic setup. Furthermore, perceptions of undergraduates on social media intervention illustrate the prominent relationship between peer groups, instructors, and learning content. Results of the study indicate that the learners are reluctant to adapt to the traditional learning setups and communication modes, but they appreciate the use of state of art social media connections in learning. Findings will further offer better and important information for both learners and academics to uplift communication, collaboration, and development of conducive learning environments.