Microwave demonstration of Purcell effect enhanced radiation efficiency.

We experimentally demonstrate a Purcell effect-based design technique for improved impedance matching, and thus enhanced the reflection coefficient from a small microwave emitter. Using an iterative process centred on comparing the phase of the radiated field of the emitter in air with that of the emitter in a dielectric environment, we optimise the structure of a dielectric hemisphere above a ground plane surrounding a small monopolar microwave emitter in order to maximise its radiation efficiency. The optimised system shows very strong coupling between the emitter and two omnidirectional radiation modes at 1.99 GHz and 2.84 GHz, yielding Purcell enhancement factors of 1762 and 411 times increase respectively, and near perfect radiation efficiency.

Raloxifene and vitamin K2 combine to improve the femoral neck strength of ovariectomized rats.

We evaluated the skeletal effects of two osteoporosis therapies in an ovariectomized rat model, raloxifene and vitamin K2, as well as the vitamin K2 plus raloxifene (K + Ral) combination. In two studies, 6-month-old rats were ovariectomized, except for sham-ovariectomy controls (Sham), and dosed orally with vehicle, 30 mg/kg vitamin K2, 1 mg/kg raloxifene, or the combination of K + Ral for 6 weeks following surgery. Vitamin K2 had no effect on serum estrogen, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or urinary deoxypyridinoline levels, but slightly increased osteocalcin levels compared to Ovx. Raloxifene lowered total cholesterol, LDL-C, osteocalcin, and urinary deoxypyridinoline levels to below Ovx levels, while having no effect on estrogen levels. Raloxifene, but not vitamin K2, prevented ovariectomy-induced loss of bone in the distal femoral metaphysis and proximal tibial metaphysis, as did the K + Ral combination. Raloxifene, but not vitamin K2, partially prevented, loss of vertebral bone mineral density (BMD), whereas K + Ral had BMD greater than that of Ovx. Vitamin K2 increased bone formation rate to above Ovx, whereas raloxifene and K + Ral reduced bone formation rate to Sham levels. Vitamin K2 had no effect on eroded surface compared to Ovx, while raloxifene and K + Ral reduced eroded surface to Sham levels. Groups were not different in the BMD of femoral midshaft; however vitamin K2 was observed to increase periosteal mineralizing surface of the tibial shaft to above Ovx, while raloxifene reduced periosteal mineralizing surface toward Sham levels. Femoral neck strength was not different between groups, indicating no significant beneficial effect of either raloxifene or vitamin K2 at this site. However, K + Ral had reproducibly greater femoral neck strength than Ovx or Sham. Raloxifene, but not vitamin K2, partially prevented loss of lumbar vertebra strength; but K + Ral was not different from Sham or Ovx. Therefore, raloxifene and vitamin K2 had complementary effects on bone resorption and formation activities, respectively, resulting in a reproducible, significant improvement of femoral neck strength. These rat data suggest interesting therapeutic possibilities that may require clinical verification.

Cancer skills laboratories for medical students: a promising approach for cancer education.

BACKGROUND: Most medical students graduate without the skills necessary to assist patients in cancer control. To address this problem, the authors developed a cancer skills laboratory for second-year medical students. METHODS: The skills laboratory consists of two hours of training, with 15 minutes allotted per station (six to eight students assigned per station). Faculty and fellows lead the stations on prostate cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, skin cancer, counseling for smoking cessation, and a discussion of anti-tobacco advertisements. Students completed pre- and post-laboratory surveys consisting of ten brief questions. RESULTS: Overall, 94% of eligible students in 1997 and 1998 completed the surveys. Using a five-point scale, self-rated skill level increased from 2.12 to 3.83 when all modalities were averaged (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Cancer skills laboratories are a promising new means for cancer education.