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Objective: Managing endometrial cancer with suspected or gross cervical involvement lacks a standard approach. This study evaluated outcomes in patients with cervical and/or parametrial involvement treated with neoadjuvant radiation followed by hysterectomy. Methods: Fourteen patients from 2007 to 2022 with locally advanced endometrial cancer and cervical and/or parametrial involvement were retrospectively analyzed. They received neoadjuvant external beam radiotherapy (45–50.4 Gy in 25–30 fractions) and high-dose rate brachytherapy (5.5–7.0 Gy per fraction in 3–4 fractions), followed by extrafascial hysterectomy. Clinical data, pathologic response, and survival outcomes were assessed, along with factors associated with pathologic response. Results: Most patients (86%) had stage III disease with cervical extension, 93% had parametrial involvement, and 14% had nodal involvement. Chemotherapy was given to 86% either concurrently or adjuvantly. Post-surgery, 86% had no pathologic cervical involvement, and 93% had negative surgical margins. Pathologic complete response was seen in 43%. Locoregional recurrence occurred in 14%. Median follow-up was 30 months, with recurrence-free survival and overall survival rates of 86% and 100%, respectively. Lower grade tumors significantly correlated with pathologic complete response (Φ = 0.72, p = 0.026). No significant correlation was found between pathologic complete response and other factors. No late grade 3–4 toxicities were reported. Conclusion: Neoadjuvant radiation followed by hysterectomy, with or without chemotherapy, is a viable strategy for managing endometrial cancer with cervical and/or parametrial involvement. This approach enhances resectability, yielding high rates of pathologic complete response and negative resection margins, showing promise for this challenging patient group.

Ag-based solid solutions have gained significant attention in the electronic packaging field due to their remarkable plasticity. In this work, the generalized planar fault energy (GPFE), critical strength and stresses, and electronic properties after adding solutes with different types and size misfits were studied for Ag-based solid solutions. Furthermore, we explored the underlying mechanism behind the impact of solutes on the plasticity of Ag and confirmed it through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) analyses. Importantly, we introduced the novel concepts of size and chemical misfit factors, electronic factors, and twinning factor into the plasticity enhancement mechanism of Ag-based solution systems. The predictions based on these factors were in agreement with experimental observations using TEM and HRTEM. Remarkably, the (Ag)–Bi system exhibited the lowest critical resolved shear stress for slip and twinning, as well as the most superior plasticity, positioning it as a crucial candidate for future development. This study presents a scientific framework for designing and developing Ag-based solid solutions with excellent plasticity, encompassing size/chemical factors, electronic factors, and twinning factor.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Quantitative metrics of the dural sac such as the cross-sectional area are commonly used to evaluate central canal stenosis. The aim of this study was to analyze 2 new metrics to measure spinal stenosis on the basis of the ratio between the dural sac and disc cross-sectional areas (DDRCA) and the dural sac and disc anterior-posterior diameters (DDRDIA) and compare them with established quantitative metrics of the dural sac. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T2-weighted axial MR images (n = 260 patients) were retrospectively evaluated, graded for central canal stenosis as normal (no stenosis), mild, moderate, or severe from L1/L2 through L5/S1 with 1 grade per spinal level and annotated to measure the DDRCA and DDRDIA. Thresholds were obtained using a decision tree classifier on a subset of patients (n = 130) and evaluated on the remaining patients (n = 130) for accuracy and consistency across demographics, anatomic variation, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: DDRCA and DDRDIA had areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 98.6 (97.4-99.3) and 98.0 (96.7-98.9) compared with dural sac cross-sectional area at 96.5 (95.0-97.7) for binary classification. DDRDIA and DDRCA had κ scores of 0.75 (0.71-0.79) and 0.80 (0.75-0.83) compared with dural sac cross-sectional area at 0.62 (0.57-0.66) for multigrade classification. No significant differences (P > .1) in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were observed for the DDRDIA across variations in the body mass index. The DDRDIA also had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve among symptomatic patients (visual analog scale ≥ 7) or patients who underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Ratio-based metrics (DDRDIA and DDRCA) are accurate and robust to anatomic and demographic variability compared with quantitative metrics of the dural sac and better correlated with symptomatology and surgical outcomes.

Antioxidant therapies are of interest in the prevention and management of ocular disorders such as cataracts. Although an active area of interest, topical therapy with antioxidants for the treatment of cataracts is complicated by multiple ocular anatomical barriers, product stability, and solubility. Entrapment and delivery of antioxidants with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles is a possible solution to these challenges, however, little is known regarding their effects in vitro or in vivo. Our first aim was to investigate the impact of blank and lutein loaded PLGA nanoparticles on viability and development of reactive oxygen species in lens epithelial cells in vitro. Photo-oxidative stress was induced by ultraviolet light exposure with cell viability and reactive oxygen species monitored. Next, an in vivo, selenite model was utilized to induce cataract formation in rodents. Eyes were treated topically with both free lutein and lutein loaded nanoparticles (LNP) at varying concentrations. Eyes were monitored for the development of anterior segment changes and cataract formation. The ability of nanodelivered lutein to reach the anterior segment of the eye was evaluated by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry of aqueous humor samples and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (targeted LC-MS/MS) of lenses. LNP had a minimal impact on the viability of lens epithelial cells during the short exposure timeframe (24 h) and at concentrations < 0.2 μg LNP/μl. A significant reduction in the development of reactive oxygen species was also noted. Animals treated with LNPs at an equivalent lutein concentration of 1,278 μg /mL showed the greatest reduction in cataract scores. Lutein delivery to the anterior segment was confirmed through evaluation of aqueous humor and lens sample evaluation. Topical treatment was not associated with the development of secondary keratitis or anterior uveitis when applied once daily for one week. LNPs may be an effective in the treatment of cataracts.

Silver-indium solid solution is the key material in advancing low-temperature/pressure solid-state technology for electronics packaging, due to its rare solid solution softening (SSS) phenomenon. In this work, the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) for slip, ideal shear strength and critical twinning stress of silver-indium disordered solid solutions were systematically evaluated by the generalized planar fault energy (GPFE) analysis, using first-principles modelling. Compared with others, Ag-based metals have much lower ideal shear strength and critical twinning stress, whereas the CRSS for slip of silver-indium solid solutions decreases with the increases of indium content, therefore exhibiting a general trend of softening behaviors. For the first time, the electronic origin of silver-indium SSS mechanism has been unveiled, where the modification of its GPFE structure was the fundamental cause for the reduction of CRSS for slip, critical twinning stress and the corresponding SSS phenomenon. As confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, this work presents a new design criterion for the next-generation solid-state bonding materials development.

The Calculus for Kids project was deliberately designed to use computers in the transformation of curriculum. The intervention used multi-media learning materials to assist teachers and Year 6 (aged 11-12 years) students understand the principles of integral calculus. They used Maple mathematics software to solve real-world problems using these principles and by employing conventional mathematics notation on their individual computers. Between June 2010 and April 2016, it was implemented in 23 classes at 19 schools involving 434 students. Two methods were used to calculate effect sizes of 22.19 (pre-test/post-test Cohen's d) and 1.17 (age-maturation). Positive gains were also found in students' attitudes, particularly in Technology confidence. This article discusses methods for calculating effect sizes for transformational education with computers and recommends further research in the field.

Giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors have been shown to be among the most sensitive biosensors reported. While high-density and scalable sensor arrays are desirable for achieving multiplex detection, scalability remains challenging because of long data acquisition time using conventional readout methods. In this paper, we present a scalable magnetoresistive biosensor array with an on-chip magnetic field generator and a high-speed data acquisition method. The on-chip field generators enable magnetic correlated double sampling (MCDS) and global chopper stabilization to suppress 1/f noise and offset. A measurement with the proposed system takes only 20 ms, approximately 50× faster than conventional frequency domain analysis. A corresponding time domain temperature correction technique is also presented and shown to be able to remove temperature dependence from the measured signal without extra measurements or reference sensors. Measurements demonstrate detection of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) at a signal level as low as 6.92 ppm. The small form factor enables the proposed platform to be portable as well as having high sensitivity and rapid readout, desirable features for next generation diagnostic systems, especially in point-of-care (POC) settings.

PurposeThe purpose of this research was to develop a new process to bond silicon (Si) chips to low carbon steel substrates using pure tin (Sn) without any flux.Design/methodology/approachIron (Fe) substrates were first electroplated with a Sn layer, followed by a thin silver (Ag) layer that inhibits Sn oxidation thereafter. It is this Ag capping layer that makes the fluxless feature possible. Fluxless processes are more environmentally friendly and more likely to produce joints without voids. The Si chips were deposited with Cr/Au dual layer structure. The bonding process was performed at 240°C in vacuum. The Sn joint thickness was controlled by spacers during the bonding. Scanning electron microscopy images on cross sections exhibited quality joints without visible voids. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis was used to detect joint compositions.FindingsIt was revealed that the Sn layer was bonded to a Si chip at the Cr–Sn interface and to the Fe substrate by forming an FeSn2 intermetallic compound (IMC). The IMC is only 1.1 to 1.5 µm in thickness. Thin IMC is highly preferred because IMC deforms a little in accommodating the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between Si and Fe. Shear test results showed that the fracture forces of the samples passed the military criteria by a wide margin.Originality/valueThis new fluxless bonding process on Fe should make Fe or low carbon steel a more likely choice of materials in optical modules and electronic packages.

Growth behavior of the intermetallic compound (IMC), FeSn2, was investigated in the liquid Sn/solid Fe reaction couple over the annealing temperatures from 250 °C to 400 °C. Low-carbon steel AISI 1018 was chosen to make Fe samples. The morphology and thickness of the IMC formed between Sn and Fe were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to confirm that the IMC is FeSn2. The growth kinetics of FeSn2 was modeled by parabolic law and empirical power law. Based on the models, the growth constants, the activation energy, and the time exponents were established at different annealing temperatures. It was found that the time exponent values obtained by fitting with empirical power law deviate from 0.5, meaning that volume (bulk) diffusion is not the only rate-controlling process in the liquid Sn/solid Fe reaction couple. Also, a variation in the time exponent values is indicative that the growth behavior is correlated with grain size growth and irregular grain morphology at different annealing stages. The results of this research show that AISI 1018 steel can readily react with Sn to form IMC on the interface. This is an essential requirement of soldering action using Sn-rich solders.

Antioxidant therapies are of interest in the prevention and management of ocular disorders such as cataracts. Although an active area of interest, topical therapy with antioxidants for the treatment of cataracts is complicated by multiple ocular anatomical barriers, product stability, and solubility. Entrapment and delivery of antioxidants with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles is a possible solution to these challenges, however, little is known regarding their effects in vitro or in vivo. Our first aim was to investigate the impact of blank and lutein loaded PLGA nanoparticles on viability and development of reactive oxygen species in lens epithelial cells in vitro. Photo-oxidative stress was induced by ultraviolet light exposure with cell viability and reactive oxygen species monitored. Next, an in vivo, selenite model was utilized to induce cataract formation in rodents. Eyes were treated topically with both free lutein and lutein loaded nanoparticles (LNP) at varying concentrations. Eyes were monitored for the development of anterior segment changes and cataract formation. The ability of nanodelivered lutein to reach the anterior segment of the eye was evaluated by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry of aqueous humor samples and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (targeted LC-MS/MS) of lenses. LNP had a minimal impact on the viability of lens epithelial cells during the short exposure timeframe (24 h) and at concentrations < 0.2 μg LNP/μl. A significant reduction in the development of reactive oxygen species was also noted. Animals treated with LNPs at an equivalent lutein concentration of 1,278 μg /mL showed the greatest reduction in cataract scores. Lutein delivery to the anterior segment was confirmed through evaluation of aqueous humor and lens sample evaluation. Topical treatment was not associated with the development of secondary keratitis or anterior uveitis when applied once daily for one week. LNPs may be an effective in the treatment of cataracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]