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The outcomes of five fraction stereotactic radiotherapy (hfSRT) following brain metastasectomy were evaluated and compared with published series. 30 Gy in 5 fractions HfSRT prescribed to the surgical cavity was reduced to 25 Gy if the volume of ‘brain−GTV’ receiving 20 Gy exceeded 20 cm3. Endpoints were local recurrence, nodular leptomeningeal recurrence, new brain metastases and radionecrosis. The literature was searched for reports of clinical and dosimetric outcomes following postoperative hfSRT in 3–5 fractions. 39 patients with 40 surgical cavities were analyzed. Cavity local control rate at 1 year was 33/40 (82.5%). 3 local failures followed 30 Gy/5 fractions and 4 with 25 Gy/5 fractions. The incidence of leptomeningeal disease (LMD) was 7/40 (17.5%). No grade 3–4 toxicities, particularly no radionecrosis, were reported. The incidence of distant brain metastases was 15/40 (37.5%). The median overall survival was 15 months. Across 13 published series, the weighted mean local control was 83.1% (adjusted for sample size), the mean incidence of LMD was 14.9% (7–34%) and the mean rate of radionecrosis was 10.3% (0–20.6%). Postoperative hfSRT can be delivered with 25–30 Gy in 5 fractions with efficacy in excess of 82% and no significant toxicity when the dose to ‘brain−GTV’ does not exceed 20 cm3.

Using a vapor compression cycle for cooling in microgravity environments was already suggested in the 1970s to leverage the high coefficient of performance. Since then, only a few systems have operated in microgravity with scarce documentation of these flights. The lack of measured data and detailed documentation makes identifying the necessary next steps difficult for researchers entering the field of refrigeration in space. This paper provides a review of available literature for vapor compression systems flown in microgravity by outlining the history of vapor compression devices in space and presenting performance data. Moreover, gaps in the literature are highlighted and open questions are posed based on the reviewed material. Next steps of research are suggested to support and ultimately achieve reliable vapor compression refrigeration in space. Calculating equivalent masses for a fair comparison of different microgravity cooling technologies is proposed by capturing both energy consumption and used volume.

Most school counseling site supervisors have not received training in clinical supervision despite regularly serving as supervisors for school counseling students. In this article, we describe how ...

There are numerous possible technology combinations for providing desalination using renewable energy sources. This paper presents a model that captures facets ranging from hourly availability of the renewable energy sources to economic parameters such as inflation and discount rate without relying on third-party software. The proposed approach considers different combinations of reverse osmosis and multi-stage-flash distillation driven by wind, solar PV and solar thermal with reference systems driven from the electric grid or natural gas. The levelized cost of water and the primary energy usage are presented as the main indicators for the performance of the different system architectures. Aruba is chosen as an example to show an application of the model. The project duration and the efficiency of desalination technologies is used to demonstrate the model capability for sensitivity analyses. The authors provide all used equations in the supplemental material to this paper.

An electro-optical system is developed for measuring low field strengths (100 V cm−1) of ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses using the DAST crystal. The electric field strength is measured and the spectral composition is calculated for the radiation of the experimental ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulse oscillator.

Powerful picosecond UV pulses at a wavelength of 193nm are produced using a Nd:YAG laser radiating at a wavelength of 193nm with subsequent nonlinear transformations of the radiation and amplification in an excimer gain medium to an energy of 10 mJ.

A photoemission source of directional pulsed wideband electromagnetic radiation in the microwave region is developed, and the time profile of the generated pulse is investigated. The source is a vacuum photodiode of a parabolic shape in which a Cherenkov radiation pulse is formed by an electron current wave excited by an incident laser pulse and propagating along the surface of the anode mesh with a phase velocity higher than the speed of light.

CsI, CsBr and GaAs thin films have been grown by pulsed laser deposition on glass substrates. The morphology and structure of the films have been studied using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The CsI and CsBr films were identical in stoichiometry to the respective targets and had a polycrystalline structure. Increasing the substrate temperature led to an increase in the density of the films. All the GaAs films differed in stoichiometry from the target. An explanation was proposed for this fact. The present results demonstrate that, when the congruent transport condition is not fulfilled, films identical in stoichiometry to targets can be grown by pulsed laser deposition in the case of materials with a low melting point and thermal conductivity.

A technique has been proposed for the fabrication of atmospheric corrosion resistant alkali halide UV photocathodes by pulsed laser deposition. We produced photocathodes with a highly homogeneous photoemissive layer well-adherent to the substrate. The photocathodes were mounted in a vacuum photodiode, and a tungsten grid was used as an anode. Using pulsed UV lasers, we carried out experiments aimed at evaluating the quantum efficiency of the photocathodes. With a dc voltage applied between the photocathode and anode grid, we measured a shunt signal proportional to the total charge emitted by the cathode exposed to UV laser light. The proposed deposition technique enables one to produce photocathodes with photoemissive layers highly uniform in quantum efficiency, which is its main advantage over thin film growth by resistive evaporation.

We report the initial diagnosis in a 28-year-old nulliparous woman of a primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma in late pregnancy. For several weeks the patient had had symptoms of mediastinal obstruction, such as dyspnea, cough, swelling of the face and upper limbs. However, these symptoms had been misattributed to the pregnancy and a common cold. Due to a rapid decline in the patient's cardiovascular performance, she was transferred to the closest perinatal center in the 34th week of pregnancy, whereupon a cesarean section was performed. The diagnosis of a primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma was made postpartum from a biopsy. This case emphasizes the importance of timely antenatal investigation in pregnant women with symptoms consistent with mediastinal obstruction. Thoracic ultrasonography can be a valuable tool for the detection of tumor-associated pleural and pericardial effusions., Highlights • The incidence of primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is disproportionately high in women of reproductive age. • The diagnosis is made at a median age of 35 years. • Physiological changes during pregnancy can mask mediastinal malignancies since both conditions share similar clinical signs. • Symptoms of mediastinal obstruction during pregnancy should therefore lead to immediate diagnostic workup. • Thoracic ultrasound examination can aid in the diagnosis of lymphoma-associated pleural and pericardial effusions.

A prototype PEMFC CHP-system (combined heat and power) for decentralised energy supply in domestic applications has been installed in the Fuel Cell Testing Laboratory at the Institut fur Werkstoffe der Elektrotechnik (IWE), Universitat Karlsruhe (TH). The system, which was developed at the Zentrum fur Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung ZSW, Ulm (FC-stack) and the Fraunhofer-Institut fur Solare Energiesysteme ISE, Freiburg (reformer) is operated and tested in close cooperation with the Stadtwerke Karlsruhe. The tests are carried out as part of the strategic project EDISon, which is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWA). The performance of the system is evaluated for different operating conditions. The tests include steady state measurements under different electrical and thermal loads as well as an analysis of the dynamic behaviour of the system during load changes. First results of these steady state and dynamic operation characteristics will be presented in this paper.

Background: Enteral nutrition should be restored immediately after trauma, acute lesion, or surgical intervention. Nutrition through nasogastric tubes is often not feasible in patients in the posttraumatic state in medical intensive care units because of recurrent episodes of gastroesophageal reflux and subsequent aspiration due to gastric paresis. Placement of nasojejunal tubes with available techniques is unreliable. Methods: We developed a new combined catheter system for jejunal delivery and simultaneous drainage of gastric juice (Cath-in-Cath, PreOx-RS, Germany). Conclusion: In this article, this new tube system is presented. The safety and excellent efficacy of the novel system for enteral nutrition therapy are reported in the first series of patients worldwide.

The authors compared selected aspects of the American Counseling Association's (ACA) model legislation and corresponding legislation and regulations that govern the practice of professional counsel...

This article presents reflections on an experimental project in which a South Texas school district and university partnered to open a child development center on the university campus. While exploring individual human behavior and underlying group principles, the authors offer insights and suggestions for those who desire to work effectively in collaborative joint ventures. In 1996, a small group of dedicated professionals, including the two authors, embarked on a major project with the aim of re-envisioning public education at the elementary level. After 10 years in the planning, the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) opened its "School of the Future," a partnership venture between a South Texas regional university and a neighboring public school district. The venture's planners conceptualized the ECDC as a force for early academic and social intervention, a hub for research in best practices in education and dual language instruction, and a training facility for students of education, nursing, and counseling. Partially because the South Texas region suffered from high rates of teenage pregnancy, early school drop out, gang violence, and high numbers of working poor, the planners envisioned a working model of integrated services for children and families that could be replicated in other classrooms, districts, and regions of the country. Located on the university's campus, the new $8 million ECDC housed a Teacher Resource Center; a dual language school for 88 students between the ages of three and six years; seven school district employees; 10 university faculty members in kinesiology, bilingual education, early childhood development, reading, and counseling from the College of Education; and one faculty member in nursing from the College of Science and Technology. The University furnished a full-time Research Coordinator and allotted course releases for faculty work performed in the Center. The school administrator came from the doctoral program in Educational Leadership. For its part, the school district chose the school's students by lottery to reflect its demographic make-up. The school district paid for student bus transportation to and from school; brought breakfast and lunch to the school each day; and supplied salaries for four teachers, two paraprofessionals, and the school administrator. By pulling together a wealth of talent, resources, and expertise, the ECDC planners hoped to devise and demonstrate innovative and enduring solutions to the complex problems facing children and families today. The term "collaboration" thus became part of the group's everyday speech and an integral component of the mission. The plan emphasized the respective roles of the school district and the university, the educational philosophies of university faculty vis-a-vis the elementary and early childhood teachers, and the establishment of inter-disciplinary research projects using undergraduate and graduate students. In addition, the plan considered the necessity for various levels of instruction, responsibility, and supervision; expectations for family involvement in the Center; the need for continual consultation and communication; and, the importance of appreciating and accommodating diverse perspectives on discipline, learning, and human growth and development. As members of the team, the two authors, both counselor educators, sought to participate fully in establishing a working model of integrated services within the Center and to observe and reflect on the larger processes of the organization. A counseling orientation imbued them with an understanding of systems, knowledge of the differences between content and process, and the belief that parties could come together for honest, open discussion of differences. On the other hand, the partners disagreed among themselves as they proclaimed their distinct points of view, pedagogical biases, and personal desires. Many days the authors questioned whether or not they could respect and validate divergent viewpoints and still move forward with the organizational goals. …

This article provides family counselors with an overview of the ethical considerations that enter the therapeutic realm when secrets are shared with the family’s therapist that are obscured to the rest of the family unit. Included are a review of specific ethical guidelines and recommendations for practicing helping professionals.

This article presents strategies, contributed by 140 school counselors in South Texas, that have proven to be successful in fostering greater family involvement in schools. Research suggests that forming strong school-family partnerships positively impacts both members in the relationship. Such collaborations have led to increased grade point averages and improved achievement test scores for students (U.S. Department of Education, 1995; Swap, 1991), and heightened emotional well-being and parenting skills for families (Karp, 1993). Additionally, teachers who perceive parents as being more involved, are more optimistic about their jobs (Epstein & Dauber, 1991) and feel more secure about their skills in the classroom (Hoover-Dempsey, Bassler, & Bressil, 1987). A decrease in absenteeism and discipline problems has been documented in schools that elevate family involvement (Lombana & Lombana, 1982). Current research appears to focus on methods for actively fostering family-school relationships. Usually meaningful partnerships do not happen by chance. They take a concerted effort by all involved parties. Recently 140 school counselors in South Texas were asked to contribute strategies that, in their experience, had nurtured the ties between school and home. Sixty-one suggestions were solicited as having been successful interventions on their respective campuses. The following are the strategies for fostering family involvement in schools: 1. Invite parents once a month for coffee with the counselor and principal. Encourage parents to determine dates, times and topics that they prefer. 2. Actively involve parents in site based decision making teams. 3. Seek volunteers to work on monthly birthday parties for students. 4. Call students new to the school to invite their parents for an orientation open house. 5. Counselors help parents find solutions to discipline problems at home, homework problems, etc. 6. Host "brown bag" luncheons to focus on topics suggested by parents. 7. Designate a room for parent volunteers. 8. Have a separate picnic for parents of each grade level of students. 9. Acknowledge parent volunteers at assemblies, including awards of flowers, plaques, gift certificates, etc. 10. Offer involvement opportunities to support extracurricular activities such as band, language clubs, choir, spirit club, theater arts, etc. 11. Offer an hour-long open forum one day each month. Be consistent in specific times and dates so that parents can schedule their time for meetings. 12. Ask parents to bring lunch for themselves and their child and invite them into the classroom to share their child's classroom portfolio. 13. Involve parents in a school improvement project. Plan a Saturday of painting, planting, cleaning, etc. Follow the day with a `work party. 14. Learn a second language so that parents can communicate at school utilizing their preferred language. 15. Have an open door policy and make everyone aware that parents are welcome at any time. 16. Be in the halls every morning and afternoon to meet parents who are delivering or picking up their children. 17. Form a Homeroom Advisory Group. Homeroom teachers call each student's parents in their group at the beginning of the year to introduce themselves. Phone calls are utilized to deliver personal invitations to open house, parent conference days, etc. 18. Have breakfasts or lunches for parents and offer door prizes. 19. Create opportunities to "show off" students performing or displaying particular talents. 20. Offer covered dish luncheons. 21. Offer "Donuts for Dads" and "Muffins for Moms" periodically to keep the lines of communication open between home and school. 22. Conduct an open house in the parking lot with children performing, a PTA raffle, bar-b-que pits, etc. …

Production method of alkali halides UVphotocathodes durable to environment exposure was proposed. Photocathodes with highhomogeneous and adhesion photoemission layerwere made. Quantum yield measurements results ofmanufactured photocathodes are presented.Developed method is promising for creation of highaperture electron injectors and detectors.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is increasingly used in the assessment of pulmonary diseases in children. However, reference values for cellular and non-cellular constituents of BAL fluid in children are lacking. We have studied the differential cytology of BAL fluid in 48 children aged 3-16 years (mean age +/- SD 7.9 +/- 3.5 yrs) undergoing elective surgery for nonpulmonary illnesses. A flexible bronchoscope (Pentax 3.5 or 4.9 mm) was wedged in the middle lobe or one of its segments. BAL was performed with 3x1 ml-kg-1 body weight of normal saline warmed to body temperature. The first sample was studied separately; subsequent samples were pooled for analysis. The mean recovery was 58 +/- 15%. Significantly more granulocytes and less lymphocytes were found in the first, as compared to the pooled, sample. Total cell counts were highly variable and ranged from 0.5-57.1 x 10(4) ml-1. Macrophages were the predominant cell type, with a mean percentage of 81.2 +/- 12.7%. The relative proportion of lymphocytes was higher than that reported in most studies of adult volunteers (16.1 +/- 2.4%). No age dependency was observed for either cell type. The mean percentage of granulocytes was 2.5 +/- 3.3%. Absolute granulocyte counts were significantly higher in children under 8 yrs of age. This study provides the first reference data on BAL differential cytology in children without pulmonary disease and will be the basis for future investigations of BAL in paediatric lung diseases.

Finite-difference techniques in the frequency domain (FDFD) method was used for calculation of the integrated-optical structure. As an example of the structure the signal distribution between optical waveguides linked by the ring resonator was investigated. The amplitude-frequency dependence for the structure was calculated with a spectral method. The used method allows to calculate not only exact position of spectral components, which correspond to the same one calculated analytically, but can also predict the relation between amplitudes of spectral components.

A simple but powerful active image equalization method is introduced via adaptive CNN-UM sensor-computers. The method can be used for the adaptive control of image sensing and for subsequent image enhancement. The algorithm uses intensity and contrast content as well. The method is completely executable on the adaptive cellular neural network Universal Machine (ACNN-UM) architecture. The adaptive extended cell is presented.

A group of 29 leading family therapists presenting at a regional marriage and family therapy conference were interviewed about ethnicity issues in family therapy. Questions and discussion focused on ethnicity in the family therapy process, ethnicity issues for the family therapist, ethnicity issues for the client family, therapeutic strategies when ethnicity is an issue, and recommendations for ethnicity training and supervision of future family therapists. Qualitative methods were used to analyze the transcripts of the recorded interviews to identify themes emerging from the interviews. Results reflect multiple perspectives and approaches in the field of family therapy.

The characteristics of the flow in a low-speed axial fan were investigated using Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV). Instantaneous and time-averaged velocity measurements were made at the leading-edge, trailing-wake, and suction and pressure sides of the blade by synchronizing the passage of the blade with the laser and camera system. These measurements revealed steady and unsteady flow features at several operating points and allowed a composite DPIV image around the entire fan blade to be made. This composite image was compared with a panel code solution, and the main differences found between them were attributed to local viscous effects such as flow separation and wake unsteadiness that are not included in the present panel code implementation. Nomenclature

A number of experiments were conducted with a PAH-contaminated soil in order to elucidate why the microbial degradation ceases at a certain PAH-concentration. After the addition of creosote to the soil or after dissolving the PAH from the soil and readdition to soil or sand, inoculated with the soil microflora, the degradation progressed further. The highest PAH-concentration was found in a coal-particle-fraction of the soil. These findings indicate that the reason for the decreasing microbial degradation is the low availability of PAH in the soil which is probably due to adsorption onto coal particles in this soil.