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It is estimated that approximately 24% of the US population has at least one tattoo. However, tattoo ink ingredients include heavy metals (high atomic number Z) that are not regulated, which can cause skin reactions. This study investigates the dosimetric effects in surface dose due to high-Z elements in tattoo ink under electron beam irradiation. Four commercially available tattoo ink colors, black, red, yellow, and blue were chosen. The elemental composition of the tattoo ink samples was analyzed using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF). An ultrathin-window parallel plate ion chamber was used to measure the surface dose perturbation (ratio of ionizations with and without tattoo ink) for 6 − 20 MeV electron beams. The elemental concentration in the tattoo ink samples showed high-Z elements, with Z ranging from 11 to 92. The dose perturbation ranged from 1.4% up to 6% for the yellow ink for the 6 MeV electron beam, with similar values across the rest of the electron energies, whereas the black, red, and blue inks presented up to 3% dose perturbation for the same range of energies. Based on this initial study, we conclude that commercially available tattoo inks contain large amounts of high-Z metals that may contribute to dose perturbation. Therefore treatment of superficial lesions with electron beams in a tattooed area should be monitored for signs of early skin reaction during radiation therapy treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the accuracy and precision of ultrasound shear wave elasticity measurements as a function of target elasticity and acquisition depth. Materials and methods: Using five ultrasound systems (VTQ, VTIQ, EPIQ 5, Aixplorer, and Aplio 500), two operators independently measured shear wave elasticities in two phantoms containing five different target elasticities (8±3, 14±4, 25±6, 45±8, and 80±12 kPa) at depths of 15, 30, 35, and 60 mm. Accuracy was assessed by evaluating measurement errors and the proportions of outliers, while factors affecting accuracy were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Measurement errors were defined as differences between the measured values and 1) the margins of the target elasticity, and 2) the median values of the target elasticity. Outliers were defined as measured values outside the margins of the target elasticity. Precision was assessed by calculating the reproducibility of measurements using the within-subject coefficient of variation (wCV). Results: Mean measurement errors and the proportions of outliers were higher for high than for low target elasticities (p<0.001), but did not differ in relation to acquisition depth, either within an elastography system or across the different systems. Logistic regression analysis showed that target elasticity (p<0.001) significantly affected accuracy, whereas acquisition depth (p>0.05) did not. The wCV for the 80±12 kPa target (31.33%) was significantly higher than that for lower elasticity targets (6.96–10.43 kPa; p<0.001). The wCV did not differ across acquisition depths. The individual elastography systems showed consistent results. Conclusions: Targets with high elasticity showed lower accuracy and lower precision than targets with low elasticity, while acquisition depth did not show consistent patterns in either accuracy or precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate identification of estrus is crucial to achieve satisfactory reproductive performance in dairy farms. Even though several studies evaluated expression and identification of estrus at the cow level, limited data exist regarding estrus identification parameters at the herd level. The objectives of this study were to use data from large dairy farms located in Kansas to describe temporal patterns of insemination risk (IR), and to investigate associations between IR and various herd-level factors. Nine herds that housed lactating cows in dry-lots or free-stalls were used in the study. Data from 2012 to 2017 were extracted and categorized in 21-day intervals in a total of 85 cycles, which were classified by season of the year. Mean (SD) IR was 67.6% (4.0) and increased 0.067% (0.009) for each 21-day cycle during the period evaluated. Annual, semi-annual, and trimestral IR peaks were detected using autoregressive integrated moving average analysis. Most of these variations, however, were considered minimal and likely not of economic concern for commercial herds. Insemination risk was greatest during autumn, but did not differ among winter, spring, and summer. Insemination risk was not associated with herd milk yield per season, incidence risk of mastitis during first 21 days in milk, proportion of primiparous cows in the milking herd, or voluntary waiting period of multiparous cows. Herds that housed lactating dairy cows in dry-lots had IR 2.4 percentage points greater than free-stall herds. In addition, mortality during the first 60 days in milk, and category of voluntary waiting period for primiparous cows were associated with IR. In conclusion, seasonal variability in IR was minimal, with increased values observed during the autumn. Insemination risk was greater for dry-lot than free-stall herds. In addition, reduced mortality of lactating cows by 60 days in milk and longer voluntary waiting period for primiparous cows seem to favor greater IR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]