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Willow flycatchers (Empidonax traillii; WIFL) nest along the Owens River and Horton Creek in the Owens Valley. Migrating WIFL visit these sites as well as many other tributaries to both the Owens River and Mono Lake. We estimate there are approximately 35 WIFL territories in the Owens valley, or 5% of territories in California. Nesting WIFL in the Owens Valley are likely the federally endangered southwestern subspecies (E. t. extimus; SWIFL). The Chalk Bluff nesting site is particularly important as large nesting areas tend to be both rare and important for SWIFL and it contains more than half (63%) of all known WIFL territories in the region, which also represents 12% of all nesting SWIFL in California. Between 2014 and 2016, WIFL territory numbers declined from 37 to 27 across the three largest breeding sites. Territory numbers may have been influenced by drought conditions or brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater; BHCO) nest parasitism. In 2015 and 2016, comprehensive nest monitoring found nest parasitism rates were >40%, and nest success was lower in parasitized nests (16%; N = 5/31) compared with non-parasitized nests (60%; N = 31/52). BHCO management could potentially improve nest success for WIFL as well as many other open-cup nesting riparian birds in the Owens Valley.

Introduction Despite the technologically intense nature of the medical radiation science (MRS) profession, literature specifically supporting the adoption of mobile learning in MRS education is scarce. To this aim, we explored student utilization of and influences for choosing MRS applications (apps, a specific type of mobile learning) within the Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science course at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Australia. Secondary objectives briefly investigated content reliability within selected chosen apps and overall student willingness to embrace this methodology prior to mainstream integration. Methods A mixed-method census survey was delivered to 415 enrolled students using the software Survey Monkey to compile responses to 28 questions. Inclusion criteria included students who owned a smartphone or tablet and who used any apps listed on the survey. Results Among the 97 students who completed the survey, 37% (36/97) freely use MRS apps at least weekly (70%, 21/30), of which anatomy atlases were reported as most popular. Peer recommendation influenced 67% (20/30) of students to choose the MRS apps used. Thirty-seven percent (11/30) of students integrated only one method to check the accuracy of app content prior to download. Students who do not use MRS apps (78%, 76/97) stated they were unaware of this resource; however, 91% (80/88) of the respondents indicated they would use MRS apps if incorporated into the curriculum. Conclusion The majority of CSU students agreed that apps offer a convenient way to engage in a variety of interactive content both in the classroom and on-the-go, using apps most pertinent to their specific curriculum and/or for revision. Students preferred to use MRS apps if integrated as supplemental study tools vetted by the lecturer.

Introduction The objective of the study was to document the distribution of mammographic parenchymal patterns (MPP) of Indigenous Australian women attending BreastScreen New South Wales (NSW) North Coast, to profile breast cancer risk as it relates to breast density and to explore the correlation between MPP, breast size as described by the posterior nipple line (PNL) and age. Methods Ethics was granted from CQUniversity Human Research Ethics Committee, NSW Population Health Services Research Ethics Committee and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council Ethics Committee. A quantitative retrospective analysis reviewed 502 screening mammograms against the Tabar I–V MPP classification system. The PNL was measured in millimetres (mm) and the age of the patient documented. Results A statistically significant variation in the distribution of MPP (P

An antigen binding fragment (BFab) derived from a tumor-associated mucin 1–sialoglycotope antigen (CA6) targeting antibody (huDS6) was engineered. We synthesized a companion diagnostic positron emission tomography (PET) tracer by radiolabeling BFab with [64Cu] to measure CA6 expression on cancer tissues prior to anti-human CA6 (huDS6-DM4 antibody-drug conjugate) therapy for ovarian and breast cancer patients. After chemotherapy, the ovarian patient received PET scan with 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose ([18F]FDG: 10 mCi), followed by [64Cu]-DOTA-BFab ([64Cu]BFab; 5.5 mCi) 1 week later for PET scanning of CA6 expression and subsequent surgery. The breast cancer patient was treated with chemotherapy before primary tumor resection and subsequent [18F]FDG-PET scan. 4 weeks later the patient received of [64Cu]BFab (11.7 mCi) for CA6 PET scan. Whole body [18F]FDG-PET of the breast cancer patient indicated FDG-avid tumor metastases to the liver, bilateral hila and thoracic spine, but no uptake was observed for the ovarian patient. Each patient was also imaged by PET/CT with [64Cu]BFab at 1 and 24 hours after tracer administration. The [64Cu]BFab tracer was well tolerated by both patients without adverse effects, and no significant tracer uptake was observed in both patients. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) data indicated CA6 expressions were weak to intermediate and matched with the [64Cu]BFab-PET signals.

Today the quest for new diagnostic and therapeutic agents is a fervent search akin to the gold miners and prospectors of the gold rush in the mid-1800s. While rejected rocks far outnumbered genuine gold nuggets, the hope of discovery despite endless time searching kept these prospectors motivated. Discovering novel diagnostic or therapeutic agents is a similar process as vast resources and time are spent synthesizing and testing tens of thousands of potential candidate molecules from preclinical discovery through the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process. It is, however, a process that can be streamlined if trialists efficiently manage and leverage all available resources at strategic stages of the clinical trial.

The rising incidence of breast cancer worldwide has prompted many improvements to current care. Routine nuclear medicine is a major contributor to a full gamut of clinical studies such as early lesion detection and stratification; guiding, monitoring, and predicting response to therapy; and monitoring progression, recurrence or metastases. Developments in instrumentation such as the high‐resolution dedicated breast device coupled with the diagnostic versatility of conventional cameras have reinserted nuclear medicine as a valuable tool in the broader clinical setting. This review outlines the role of general nuclear medicine, concluding that targeted radiopharmaceuticals and versatile instrumentation position nuclear medicine as a powerful modality for patients with breast cancer.

Advancements in molecular medicine technology have allowed the development of innovative and better radiopharmaceuticals to augment or replace the existing ones, allowing the acquisition of higher-quality and detailed diagnostic information and accuracy. They build on the strengths of the existing radiotracers or remove their shortcomings, thus bringing them closer to the ideal. Given the discovery of more novel molecules, it is now possible that processes in the human body indicative of predisease stage can be imaged, allowing for appropriate interventions earlier-preventing the development of late stage disease, preventing morbidity and mortality, and reducing the burden on the national health care system. Both positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography are developing in the fields of perfusion, metabolic, and innervation imaging of the heart. Newer radiotracers can yield higher-quality images with a greater diagnostic potential that are more convenient to use in the daily practice, and at a lower cost. In addition, tracers have been developed for imaging processes like cardiac apoptosis, angiogenesis, and the development of coronary atherosclerosis, enabling physicians to minimize the pathological changes at the reversible stage by promoting appropriate lifestyle changes and pharmaceutical interventions. In this article, we overview the most promising radiotracers that in the future have the potential to become established imaging agents in the field of cardiac nuclear medicine.

Although there have been significant advances in instrumentation and technology across the medical radiation sciences that changed practice and outcomes, higher education has also seen advances that challenged service delivery. This article provides an insight into higher education trends and collaborative efforts to afford leadership in those domains. Arguably, the greatest pressure in the current higher education environment is the ability to match student and institutional expectations against sustainable, cost-effective innovation. Mobilization of the classroom offers a powerful tool for enhancing educational outcomes of graduates and satisfies the current trend of globalization in the sector. Flexible delivery of materials and the advantages of authentic online applications allow a rich and diverse learning environment that is driven by the student. The essence of mobile learning adds value to the context of learning in our global world. Social media connects individuals and students via an online network. This environment is a large collective of socially autonomous, flexible, and active consumers. The role of social media in higher education includes responsibilities in hidden curriculum education as a deliverable. Particular advantage is seen as a framework for experiential learning in the clinical environment and the powerful process of reflection. It is well placed to provide autonomy to the current generation of students in an environment in which they are comfortable communicating. Medical radiation sciences exist in a dynamic and liquid environment and, thus, there is an underlying compatibility with change and innovation. Medical radiation sciences are well equipped to embrace advances in clinical, research, and higher education sectors to provide leadership across the broader health and science professions.

The potential role of the nuclear medicine diagnostic bone scan in identifying herniation pits of the femoral neck is yet to be adequately described. The following cases show incidental findings of subcortical cavities of the femoral neck detected on bone scans. These findings highlight the potential role of the bone scan as a useful imaging modality in identifying and stratifying herniation pits based on physiology, particularly with the addition of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography to the armamentarium.

This case study presents an incidental noting of a lingual thyroid on thyroid scintigraphy that had implications in later breast surgery. This information changed patient management and mitigated risk during intubation for breast cancer surgery.