Nonlinear spin-orbit coupling in optical thin films.

Tunable generation of vortex beams holds relevance in various fields, including communications and sensing. In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of nonlinear spin-orbit interactions in thin films of materials with second-order nonlinear susceptibility. Remarkably, the nonlinear tensor can mix the longitudinal and transverse components of the pump field. We observe experimentally our theoretical predictions in the process of second-harmonic generation from a thin film of aluminum gallium arsenide, a material platform widely spread for its role in the advancement of active, nonlinear, and quantum photonic devices. In particular, we prove that a nonlinear thin film can be used to produce vector vortex beams of second-harmonic light when excited by circularly-polarized Gaussian beams.

Trans-mastoid plugging of superior semicircular canal dehiscence: long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of trans-mastoid plugging of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), focusing on complicated cases. METHODS: In this cohort study, we included all patients who underwent trans-mastoid plugging of SSCD between 2009 and 2019. We evaluated the symptoms (autophony, sound-/pressure-induced vertigo, disequilibrium, aural fullness and pulsatile tinnitus) before and 1 year after surgery in the medical records. We systematically assessed the current symptoms 6.2 ± 3 years postoperative (range 2.2-12.3 years) using questionnaires sent by post and validated by telephone interviews. We also documented any complications and the need for further procedures. We compared pure tone and speech audiometry before and 1 year after surgery. Finally, the degree of mastoid pneumatisation and mastoid tegmen anatomy were reviewed on preoperative CT scans. RESULTS: We included 24 ears in 23 patients. No complications were recorded, and none required a second procedure for SSCD. Following surgery, oscillopsia and Tullio phenomena resolved in all patients. Hyperacusis, autophony, and aural fullness were also settled in all patients except one. Balance impairment persisted to some degree in 35% of patients. No deterioration over the years was reported regarding the above symptoms. On average, bone conduction pure tone average pre- and 1 year postoperative were 13.7 ± 17 and 20.5 ± 18 dB, respectively (P = 0.002). Air bone gaps were reduced from 12.7 ± 8 to 5.9 ± 6 (P = 0.001). Two patients had a significant sclerotic mastoid, three had a prominent low-lying mastoid tegmen, and two had both. Anatomy had no effect on outcome. CONCLUSION: Trans-mastoid plugging of SSCD is a reliable and effective technique which achieves long-lasting symptom control, even in cases with sclerotic mastoid or low-lying mastoid tegmen.

International Validation of the Immunoscore Biopsy in Patients With Rectal Cancer Managed by a Watch-and-Wait Strategy.

PURPOSE: No biomarker capable of improving selection and monitoring of patients with rectal cancer managed by watch-and-wait (W&W) strategy is currently available. Prognostic performance of the Immunoscore biopsy (ISB) was recently suggested in a preliminary study. METHODS: This international validation study included 249 patients with clinical complete response (cCR) managed by W&W strategy. Intratumoral CD3+ and CD8+ T cells were quantified on pretreatment rectal biopsies by digital pathology and converted to ISB. The primary end point was time to recurrence (TTR; the time from the end of neoadjuvant treatment to the date of local regrowth or distant metastasis). Associations between ISB and outcomes were analyzed by stratified Cox regression adjusted for confounders. Immune status of tumor-draining lymph nodes (n = 161) of 17 additional patients treated by neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery was investigated by 3'RNA-Seq and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Recurrence-free rates at 5 years were 91.3% (82.4%-100.0%), 62.5% (53.2%-73.3%), and 53.1% (42.4%-66.5%) with ISB High, ISB Intermediate, and ISB Low, respectively (hazard ratio [HR; Low v High], 6.51; 95% CI, 1.99 to 21.28; log-rank P = .0004). ISB was also significantly associated with disease-free survival (log-rank P = .0002), and predicted both local regrowth and distant metastasis. In multivariate analysis, ISB was independent of patient age, sex, tumor location, cT stage (T, primary tumor; c, clinical), cN stage (N, regional lymph node; c, clinical), and was the strongest predictor for TTR (HR [ISB High v Low], 6.93; 95% CI, 2.08 to 23.15; P = .0017). The addition of ISB to a clinical-based model significantly improved the prediction of recurrence. Finally, B-cell proliferation and memory in draining lymph nodes was evidenced in the draining lymph nodes of patients with cCR. CONCLUSION: The ISB is validated as a biomarker to predict both local regrowth and distant metastasis, with a gradual scaling of the risk of pejorative outcome.

The safety and efficacy of total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery following dose-escalation: Surgical outcomes from the organ preservation in early rectal adenocarcinoma (OPERA) trial, a European multicentre phase 3 randomised trial (NCT02505750).

AIM: Nonsurgical treatment with chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer is gaining interest as it avoids total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery and stoma. The OPERA trial aims to evaluate whether dose escalation with contact X-ray brachytherapy (CXB) boost improves organ preservation compared to external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) boost. It has been suggested that dose escalation adversely affects surgical outcomes and therefore we report outcomes following TME in OPERA at 36 months. METHODS: OPERA is a European multicentre phase 3 trial (NCT02505750) which randomises patients with cT2-3a-b, cN0-1, M0 to EBCRT (45 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks with oral capecitabine 825 mg/m2 ) followed by EBRT boost (9 Gy in 5 fractions over 5 days) versus EBCRT followed by CXB boost (90 Gy in 3 fractions over 4 weeks). Patients were assessed at 14, 20 and 24 weeks from the start of treatment. Watch and wait management was adopted for patients who achieved a clinical complete response (cCR) at 24 weeks following treatment. Either local excision (LE) or TME surgery was offered for residual disease or local regrowth, according to patient and surgeon preference. Surgical morbidity and mortality were recorded prospectively. RESULTS: Between July 2015 and June 2020, 148 patients were randomised of which 141 were evaluable in March 2022. At median follow-up of 38.2 months (range: 34.2-42.5), surgery was performed for 66 (47%) patients. A total of 27 (20%) patients had local excision and 39 (29%) had TME surgery, 22/39 (56%) underwent anterior resection and 17/39 (44%) underwent abdominoperineal excision of the rectum. The R0 resection rate was 87%. There were no deaths, and six patients (15%) had Clavien-Dindo IIIb complications. Whilst there was a statistically significant decrease in the TME rate following CXB boost (HR 0.38, 95% CI: 0.19-0.74, p = 0.00419) there was no difference in surgical outcomes between patients who received EBRT and CXB boost. CONCLUSION: Dose escalation can facilitate nonsurgical treatment for cT2-3 rectal cancer patients who are fit but wish to avoid TME surgery and stoma. If TME surgery is required, then it can be performed safely and effectively.

Jupiter Science Enabled by ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer.

ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) will provide a detailed investigation of the Jovian system in the 2030s, combining a suite of state-of-the-art instruments with an orbital tour tailored to maximise observing opportunities. We review the Jupiter science enabled by the JUICE mission, building on the legacy of discoveries from the Galileo, Cassini, and Juno missions, alongside ground- and space-based observatories. We focus on remote sensing of the climate, meteorology, and chemistry of the atmosphere and auroras from the cloud-forming weather layer, through the upper troposphere, into the stratosphere and ionosphere. The Jupiter orbital tour provides a wealth of opportunities for atmospheric and auroral science: global perspectives with its near-equatorial and inclined phases, sampling all phase angles from dayside to nightside, and investigating phenomena evolving on timescales from minutes to months. The remote sensing payload spans far-UV spectroscopy (50-210 nm), visible imaging (340-1080 nm), visible/near-infrared spectroscopy (0.49-5.56 µm), and sub-millimetre sounding (near 530-625 GHz and 1067-1275 GHz). This is coupled to radio, stellar, and solar occultation opportunities to explore the atmosphere at high vertical resolution; and radio and plasma wave measurements of electric discharges in the Jovian atmosphere and auroras. Cross-disciplinary scientific investigations enable JUICE to explore coupling processes in giant planet atmospheres, to show how the atmosphere is connected to (i) the deep circulation and composition of the hydrogen-dominated interior; and (ii) to the currents and charged particle environments of the external magnetosphere. JUICE will provide a comprehensive characterisation of the atmosphere and auroras of this archetypal giant planet.

Dispersion of Cellulose Nanofibers in Methacrylate-Based Nanocomposites.

Poly(methylmethacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (PMMA-co-MAA) polymers were prepared via cobalt-mediated free radical copolymerization and were characterized after synthesis. The synthesis led to a 98.5% conversion and a final ratio between the two units, MMA/MAA, was equal to 63:37 mol%. PMMA-co-MAA was then used as a matrix for cellulose-based nanocomposites to tailor filler compatibility, thanks to the presence of carboxylic groups capable of generating strong H-bonds with the cellulose surface. Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were dispersed using a solution with a mixture of two solvents to tailor compatibility of both the components. For this purpose, CNFs were successfully re-dispersed in methanol using the solvent exchange method and tetrahydrofuran/methanol mixtures at different ratios were used for the preparation of the films. Fully transparent films of PMMA-co-MAA + CNF were prepared up to 15 wt% of CNF with a good dispersion in the matrix. This dispersion state leads to the reinforcement of the polymethacrylate matrix, increasing its tensile strength whilst preserving optical transparency.

The Ionospheric Connection Explorer - Prime Mission Review.

The two-year prime mission of the NASA Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) is complete. The baseline operational and scientific objectives have been met and exceeded, as detailed in this report. In October of 2019, ICON was launched into an orbit that provides its instruments the capability to deliver near-continuous measurements of the densest plasma in Earth's space environment. Through collection of a key set of in-situ and remote sensing measurements that are, by virtue of a detailed mission design, uniquely synergistic, ICON enables completely new investigations of the mechanisms that control the behavior of the ionosphere-thermosphere system under both geomagnetically quiet and active conditions. In a two-year period that included a deep solar minimum, ICON has elucidated a number of remarkable effects in the ionosphere attributable to energetic inputs from the lower and middle atmosphere, and shown how these are transmitted from the edge of space to the peak of plasma density above. The observatory operated in a period of low activity for 2 years and then for a year with increasing solar activity, observing the changing balance of the impacts of lower and upper atmospheric drivers on the ionosphere.

pCR and 2-Year Disease-Free Survival: A Combination of the Two Endpoints as a New Classification for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients-An Updated Pooled Analysis of Eleven International Randomized Trials.

LARC is managed by multimodal treatments whose intensity can be highly modulated. In this context, we need surrogate endpoints to help predict long-term outcomes and better personalize treatments. A previous study identified 2yDFS as a stronger predictor of OS than pCR in LARC patients undergoing neoadjuvant RT. The aim of this pooled analysis was to assess the role of pCR and 2yDFS as surrogate endpoints for OS in a larger cohort. The pooled and subgroup analyses were performed on large rectal cancer randomized trial cohorts who received long-course RT. Our analysis focused on the evaluation of OS in relation to the pCR and 2-year disease status. A total of 4600 patients were analyzed. Four groups were identified according to intermediate outcomes: 12% had both pCR and 2yDFS (the better); 67% achieved 2yDFS but not pCR (the good); 1% had pCR but not 2yDFS; and 20% had neither pCR nor 2yDFS (the bad). The pCR and 2yDFS were favorably associated with OS in the univariate analysis, and 2yDFS maintained a statistically significant association in the multivariate analysis independently of the pCR status. The combination of the pCR and 2yDFS results in a strong predictor of OS, whereas failure to achieve 2yDFS carries a poor prognosis regardless of the pCR status. This new stratification of LARC patients could help design predictive models where the combination of 2yDFS and pCR should be employed as the primary outcome.

On-Chip Electrostatic Actuation of a Photonic Wire Antenna Embedding Quantum Dots.

A photonic wire antenna embedding individual quantum dots (QDs) constitutes a promising platform for both quantum photonics and hybrid nanomechanics. We demonstrate here an integrated device in which on-chip electrodes can apply a static or oscillating bending force to the upper part of the wire. In the static regime, we achieve control over the bending direction and apply at will tensile or compressive mechanical stress on any QD. This results in a blue shift or red shift of their emission, with direct application to the realization of broadly tunable sources of quantum light. As a first illustration of operation in the dynamic regime, we excite the wire fundamental flexural mode and use the QD emission to detect the mechanical vibration. With an estimated operation bandwidth in the GHz range, electrostatic actuation opens appealing perspectives for the exploration of QD-nanowire hybrid mechanics with high-frequency vibrational modes.

MRI restaging of rectal cancer: The RAC (Response-Anal canal-CRM) analysis joint consensus guidelines of the GRERCAR and GRECCAR groups.

PURPOSE: To develop guidelines by international experts to standardize data acquisition, image interpretation, and reporting in rectal cancer restaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Evidence-based data and experts' opinions were combined using the RAND-UCLA Appropriateness Method to attain consensus guidelines. Experts provided recommendations for reporting template and protocol for data acquisition were collected; responses were analysed and classified as "RECOMMENDED" versus "NOT RECOMMENDED" (if ≥ 80% consensus among experts) or uncertain (if < 80% consensus among experts). RESULTS: Consensus regarding patient preparation, MRI sequences, staging and reporting was attained using the RAND-UCLA Appropriateness Method. A consensus was reached for each reporting template item among the experts. Tailored MRI protocol and standardized report were proposed. CONCLUSION: These consensus recommendations should be used as a guide for rectal cancer restaging with MRI.

Performance of the nanopost single-photon source: beyond the single-mode model.

We present a detailed analysis of the physics governing the collection efficiency and the Purcell enhancement of the nanopost single-photon source. We show that a standard single-mode Fabry-Pérot model is insufficient to describe the device performance, which benefits significantly from scattering from the fundamental mode to radiation modes. We show how the scattering mechanism decouples the collection efficiency from the Purcell enhancement, such that maximum collection efficiency is obtained off-resonance. Finally, we discuss how this scattering mechanism can be beneficial for future single-photon source designs.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with radiation dose escalation with contact x-ray brachytherapy boost or external beam radiotherapy boost for organ preservation in early cT2-cT3 rectal adenocarcinoma (OPERA): a phase 3, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Organ preservation after reaching clinical complete response on neoadjuvant therapy is gaining interest for rectal cancers, although the role of radiation dose escalation is still not known. We aimed to determine whether a contact x-ray brachytherapy boost, following or preceding neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, increases the probability of 3-year organ preservation for patients with early rectal cancers. METHODS: OPERA was a multicentre, open-label, phase 3 randomised controlled trial done at 17 cancer centres that included operable patients, aged 18 years or older, with cT2, cT3a, or cT3b adenocarcinoma of low-mid rectum, tumours of less than 5 cm in diameter, and cN0 or cN1 smaller than 8 mm. All patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and 45 Gy external beam radiotherapy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks with concurrent oral capecitabine (825 mg/m2 twice a day). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive a boost of external beam radiotherapy at 9 Gy in five fractions (group A) or a boost with contact x-ray brachytherapy (90 Gy in three fractions; group B). Randomisation was done centrally using an independent web-based system and stratified by trial centre, tumour classification (cT2 vs cT3a or cT3b), tumour distance from rectum (<6 cm from anal verge vs ≥6 cm), and tumour diameter (<3 cm vs ≥3 cm). Treatment in group B was stratified by tumour diameter, with the contact x-ray brachytherapy boost given before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with tumours smaller than 3 cm. The primary outcome was organ preservation at 3 years, analysed in the modified intention-to-treat population. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02505750, and is ongoing. FINDINGS: Between June 14, 2015, and June 26, 2020, 148 patients were assessed for eligibility and were randomly assigned to group A (n=74) or group B (n=74). Seven patients withdrew their consent (five in group A and two in group B). 141 patients were included in the primary efficacy analysis, including 69 assigned to group A (29 with tumours <3 cm in diameter and 40 with tumours ≥3 cm) and 72 assigned to group B (32 with tumours <3 cm and 40 with tumours ≥3 cm). After a median follow-up of 38·2 months (IQR 34·2-42·5), the 3-year organ preservation rate was 59% (95% CI 48-72) in group A versus 81% (72-91) in group B (hazard ratio [HR] 0·36, 95% CI 0·19-0·70; p=0·0026). For patients with tumours less than 3 cm in diameter, 3-year organ preservation rates were 63% (95% CI 47-84) in group A versus 97% (91-100) in group B (HR 0·07, 95% CI 0·01-0·57; p=0·012). For patients with tumours of 3 cm or larger, 3-year organ preservation rates were 55% (95% CI 41-74) in group A versus 68% (54-85) in group B (HR 0·54, 95% CI 0·26-1·10; p=0·11). 21 (30%) patients in group A and 30 (42%) in group B had an early grade 2-3 adverse event (p=1·0). The most common early grade 2-3 adverse events were proctitis (four [6%] in group A, nine [13%] in group B) and radiation dermatitis (seven [10%] in group A, two [3%] in group B). The main late side-effect was grade 1-2 rectal bleeding due to telangiectasia, which was more frequent in group B (37 [63%] of 59) than in group A (five [12%] of 43; p<0·0001) and subsided after 3 years. INTERPRETATION: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with a contact x-ray brachytherapy boost significantly improved the 3-year organ preservation rate, particularly for patients with tumours smaller than 3 cm who were treated with contact x-ray brachytherapy first, compared with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with a boost via external beam radiotherapy. This approach could be discussed and offered to operable patients with early cT2-cT3 disease who are keen to avoid surgery and seek organ preservation. FUNDING: The French Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Cinique.

LIonomers-New Generation of Ionomer: Understanding of Their Interaction and Structuration as a Function of the Tunability of Cation and Anion.

In this work, by combining maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (PPgMA) and three different ionic liquids (ILs), i.e., tributyl (ethyl) phosphonium diethyl phosphate (denoted P+DEP), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethyl phosphate (denoted EMIM DEP), and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (denoted EMIM Ac), new ionic PP/IL polymer materials are generated and denoted as LIonomers. The structuration of ILs in LIonomers occurs from a nano/microphase separation process proved by TEM. NMR analyses reveal the existence of ionic-ionic and ionic-dipolar interactions between PPgMA and ILs within LIonomers. The rheological behavior of such IL/polymer combinations interpret the existence of interactions between maleic anhydride group and cation or anion composing the ionic liquid. These interactions can be tuned by the nature of cation (P+DEP vs. EMIM DEP) and anion (EMIM DEP vs. EMIM Ac) but also depend on the IL content. Thermal analyses demonstrate that IL could affect the crystallization process according to different pathways. Thanks to the maleic anhydride/IL interactions, an excellent compromise between stiffness and stretchability is obtained paving the way for processing new polyolefin-based materials.

Developing an Evidence-Based Surgical Curriculum: Learning from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Surgical Rehearsal in Virtual Reality.

BACKGROUND: Surgical rehearsal - patient-specific preoperative surgical practice - can be provided by virtual reality simulation. This study investigated the effect of surgical rehearsal on cortical mastoidectomy performance and procedure duration. METHODS: University students (n=40) were randomized evenly into a rehearsal and control group. After watching a video tutorial on cortical mastoidectomy, participants completed the procedure on a virtual reality simulator as a pre-test. Participants completed a further 8 cortical mastoidectomies on the virtual reality simulator as training before drilling two 3-dimensional (3D) printed temporal bones. The rehearsal group received 3D printed bones they had previously operated on in virtual reality, while the control group received 2 new bones. Cortical mastoidectomy was assessed by 3 blinded graders using the Melbourne Mastoidectomy Scale. RESULTS: There was high interrater reliability between the 3 graders (intraclass correlation coefficient, r=0.8533, P < .0001). There was no difference in the mean surgical performance on the two 3D printed bones between the control and rehearsal groups (P=.2791). There was no significant difference in the mean procedure duration between the control and rehearsal groups for both 3D printed bones (P=.8709). However, there was a significant decrease in procedure duration between the first and second 3D printed bones (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: In this study, patient-specific virtual reality rehearsal provided no additional advantage to cortical mastoidectomy performance by novice operators compared to generic practice on a virtual reality simulator. Further, virtual reality training did not improve cortical mastoidectomy performance on 3D printed bones, highlighting the impact of anatomical diversity and changing operating modalities on the acquisition of new surgical skills.

Feasibility and early toxicity of intraoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer using the papillon + system: First results.

Background and Purpose: Breast intra operative radiation therapy has been evaluated with different systems delivering 20-21 Gy with treatment times around 30 min. Papillon + TM Contact X-ray machine was designed to produce a 50 kVp beam with a high dose rate ≥ 15 Gy/minute. A pilot study with the first prototype was conducted in Nice. Materials and methods: The inclusion criteria were age ≥ 60 years, unifocal ductal breast adenocarcinoma ≤ 2.5 cm, grade 1-2. Surgical local excision with sentinel node dissection was performed and the applicator was placed in the tumor bed after excision with a prescribed dose of 20 Gy. The main end point of the study was the doses measured with the Gafchromic films; two were located at the skin surface and two in the excision cavity. Secondary endpoints were early toxicity and relapse free survival. Results: Between 10/2018 and 09/2019, 26 patients were included. Mean Gafchromic doses were 18.8 Gy ± 2 Gy at the south pole, 15.6 Gy ± 2.81 Gy at the equator and 2.5 Gy ± 1.67 Gy at the skin. With a median follow-up time of 12 months, no skin or subcutaneous toxicity > grade 2, no local relapse and no metastasis were observed. Conclusion: This is the first phase II study testing the Papillon + tm system for breast IORT with in vivo dosimetry measurements and reassuring clinical data.

Electrocochleographic Patterns Predicting Increased Impedances and Hearing Loss after Cochlear Implantation.

OBJECTIVES: Different patterns of electrocochleographic responses along the electrode array after insertion of the cochlear implant electrode array have been described. However, the implications of these patterns remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of the study was to correlate different peri- and postoperative electrocochleographic patterns with four-point impedance measurements and preservation of residual hearing. DESIGN: Thirty-nine subjects with residual low-frequency hearing which were implanted with a slim-straight electrode array could prospectively be included. Intracochlear electrocochleographic recordings and four-point impedance measurements along the 22 electrodes of the array (EL, most apical EL22) were conducted immediately after complete insertion and 3 months after surgery. Hearing preservation was assessed after 3 months. RESULTS: In perioperative electrocochleographic recordings, 22 subjects (56%) showed the largest amplitude around the tip of the electrode array (apical-peak, AP, EL20 or EL22), whereas 17 subjects (44%) exhibited a maximum amplitude in more basal regions (mid-peak, MP, EL18 or lower). At 3 months, in six subjects with an AP pattern perioperatively, the location of the largest electrocochleographic response had shifted basally (apical-to-mid-peak, AP-MP). Latency was analyzed along the electrode array when this could be discerned. This was the case in 68 peri- and postoperative recordings (87% of all recordings, n = 78). The latency increased with increasing insertion depth in AP recordings (n = 38, median of EL with maximum latency shift = EL21). In MP recordings (n = 30), the maximum latency shift was detectable more basally (median EL12, p < 0.001). Four-point impedance measurements were available at both time points in 90% (n = 35) of all subjects. At the 3-month time point, recordings revealed lower impedances in the AP group (n = 15, mean = 222 Ω, SD = 63) than in the MP (n = 14, mean = 295 Ω, SD= 7 6) and AP-MP groups (n = 6, mean = 234 Ω, SD = 129; AP versus MP p = 0.026, AP versus AP-MP p = 0.023, MP versus AP-MP p > 0.999). The amplitudes of perioperative AP recordings showed a correlation with preoperative hearing thresholds ( r2 =0.351, p = 0.004). No such correlation was detectable in MP recordings ( r2 = 0.033, p = 0.484). Audiograms were available at both time points in 97% (n = 38) of all subjects. The mean postoperative hearing loss in the AP group was 13 dB (n = 16, SD = 9). A significantly larger hearing loss was detectable in the MP and AP-MP groups with 28 (n = 17, SD = 10) and 35 dB (n = 6, SD = 13), respectively (AP versus MP p = 0.002, AP versus AP-MP p = 0.002, MP versus AP-MP p = 0.926). CONCLUSION: MP and AP-MP response patterns of the electrocochleographic responses along the electrode array after cochlear implantation are correlated with higher four-point impedances and poorer postoperative hearing compared to AP response patterns. The higher impedances suggest that MP and AP-MP patterns are associated with increased intracochlear fibrosis.

Research on the Dynamic Response Properties of Nonlethal Projectiles for Injury Risk Assessment.

Based on the models already on the market, we have manufactured six types of nonlethal projectiles. We have made convex heads out of polyurethane foam (PUR) filled with mineral fillers like alumina (Al2O3) and montmorillonite (MMT). We chose a suitable holder for nonlethal projectiles. Also, we made a custom industrial model and used CAD modeling in SolidWorks to simulate the deformation of the nonlethal projectiles. The polymeric nonlethal projectile holders were then 3D-printed. We performed a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and discussed the results. Likewise, we conducted ballistic impact experiments on nonlethal projectiles (XM1006) and nonlethal projectiles manufactured that were evaluated using a rigid wall and a pneumatic launcher. Furthermore, we looked at cell structure, the spread of the mean pore diameter, and the particle size distributions of the mineral fillers using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We evaluated and discussed injury risks from nonlethal impacts. Data on nonlethal projectile lethality and safe impact speed are collected. This study explains how lab studies and real-world practice coexist through nonlethal projectile properties.

Young Adolescent Perceptions of School Climate and Self-Efficacy: The Intersectionality of Race and Gender.

The researchers investigated adolescent perceptions of school climate and academic self-efficacy over time for a group of Grade 7 through Grade 9 students. We followed 717 students in an ethnically diverse school district in a small town in northern Ohio from fall 2009 to spring 2011. Four waves of data collected in surveys each fall and spring included measures of perceptions of school climate and academic self-efficacy. Compared to the original cohort of middle school students, the Grade 9 cohort demonstrated the most consistent school climate scores over time, but the Grade 7 students demonstrated the greatest change over two years. White girls exhibited the most consistent level of self-efficacy over time, but ethnically minoritized girls demonstrated the lowest level of self-efficacy (most often) when compared to White girls or ethnically minoritized boys. Results illustrate the importance of intersectional analyses of adolescents' perceptions of their schools and of themselves so as not to make assumptions about all students within certain gender or ethnic/racial identities.

The importance of measuring baseline tumour volume (or alternatively tumour length along with its rectal circumferential extent) in the watch-and-wait strategy in rectal cancer: a review.

BACKGROUND: The impact of the tumour volume or size on achieving clinical complete response (cCR) after radio(chemo)therapy is poorly understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed to gather data on the predictive value of baseline tumour volume or size in achieving cCR. RESULTS: In total, nine reports were identified. In two of three studies evaluating the baseline tumour volumetry, the tumour volume was the most powerful predictor for cCR. In four of six studies evaluating baseline tumour size without volumetry, tumour dimension was significantly associated with cCR, in one study reached borderline significance and in one report was insignificant. In three of four studies where a multivariable analysis was performed, the cT category did not show an independent predictive value for cCR. Because the tumour shape is often (semi)annular, its circumferential rectal extent along with the tumour length probably impact the tumour volume most, and thus, could be considered an acceptable alternative for time-consuming volumetry. CONCLUSIONS: Our review suggests that baseline tumour volume (or alternatively, tumour length along with its circumferential rectal extent) is the most relevant clinical predictor of cCR. Therefore, we postulate assessing and reporting these parameters in studies on the watch-and-wait strategy.

Imidazolium Salt for Enhanced Interfacial Shear Strength in Polyphenylene Sulfide/Ex-PAN Carbon Fiber Composites.

Processing structural or semi-structural thermoplastic-based composites is a promising solution to solve the environmental issues of the aeronautic industry. However, these composites must withstand high standard specification to ensure safety during transportation. For this reason, there is a real need to develop strong interactions between thermoplastic polymers and reinforcement fibers. This paper investigates relationships between the surface chemistry, microstructure and micromechanical properties between polyphenylene sulfide and ex-PAN carbon fibers. The incorporation of ionic salt such as 1,3-Bis(4-carboxyphenyl)imidazolium chloride into neat polyphenylene sulfide was able to significantly increase the interfacial shear strength measured by microbond micromechanical test combined with different carbon fiber surfaces treatment.