Printing a Pacinian Corpuscle: Modeling and Performance.

The Pacinian corpuscle is a highly sensitive mammalian sensor cell that exhibits a unique band-pass sensitivity to vibrations. The cell achieves this band-pass response through the use of 20 to 70 elastic layers entrapping layers of viscous fluid. This paper develops and explores a scalable mechanical model of the Pacinian corpuscle and uses the model to predict the response of synthetic corpuscles, which could be the basis for future vibration sensors.

Vibration sensing the mammalian way: an artificial Pacinian corpuscle.

A vibration sensor is presented mimicking the structure of the Pacinian corpuscle. A multi-step casting process is used to create a 5 mm diameter sensor with a liquid metal core, elastomer dielectric, and graphite counter electrode creating a spherical capacitive sensing element with sensitivities on the order of 10 Δ pF/mm. A model for the capacitance change of the spherical capacitor as it is formed is developed and its findings support the sensitivities observed.

Cross-beam coherence of infrasonic signals at local and regional ranges.

Signals collected by infrasound arrays require continuous analysis by skilled personnel or by automatic algorithms in order to extract useable information. Typical pieces of information gained by analysis of infrasonic signals collected by multiple sensor arrays are arrival time, line of bearing, amplitude, and duration. These can all be used, often with significant accuracy, to locate sources.

Evaluation of a solid matrix for collection and ambient storage of RNA from whole blood.

Background: Whole blood gene expression-based molecular diagnostic tests are becoming increasingly available. Conventional tube-based methods for obtaining RNA from whole blood can be limited by phlebotomy, volume requirements, and RNA stability during transport and storage. A dried blood spot matrix for collecting high-quality RNA, called RNA Stabilizing Matrix (RSM), was evaluated against PAXgene® blood collection tubes.

Lung cancer screening: advantages, controversies, and applications.

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Results from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) have shown that low-dose computed tomography (CT) is capable of detecting lung neoplasms in individuals at high risk. However, whether it is advantageous to perform lung cancer screening on these patients is a significant concern, as are the potential adverse outcomes from screening.

Deduction of the acoustic impedance of the ground via a simulated three-dimensional microphone array.

While commonly used ground impedance deduction methods often utilize pairs of vertically separated microphones, deployed arrays rarely have this configuration, which increases the difficulty in automatically deducing local ground impedance from these arrays. The ability to deduce ground impedance using random sounds incident on a three-dimensional array would increase, for example, the accuracy of estimated elevation angles. The methods described by the American National Standards Institute Method for Determining the Acoustic Impedance of Ground Surfaces are extended to simulate deducing ground impedance by a three-dimensional array.

Sound propagation in the vicinity of an isolated building: an experimental investigation.

Recently, the study of acoustics in urban terrain has been concerned with the propagation of sound through street canyons typical of residential areas in large cities, while sparsely built suburban and rural areas have received little attention. An isolated building's effect on propagating sound is a fundamental case of suburban acoustics and urban acoustics in general. Its study is a necessity in order to determine the processes that might be required to model the sound field in the building's vicinity, e.

Pulmonary manifestations of the Churg-Strauss syndrome and related idiopathic small vessel vasculitis syndromes.

Purpose Of Review: Pulmonary vascular involvement and the resulting clinical manifestations are prominent in several of the idiopathic systemic small vessel vasculitis syndromes. This group of syndromes, often referred to as the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vaculitis syndromes, is composed of the Churg-Strauss syndrome, Wegener's granulomatosis, microscopic polyangiitis, and several organ specific subsets of the latter. The former three syndromes form the basis of this review.

Methodology for lung cancer evidence review and guideline development: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd Edition).

Background: To assemble a geographically diverse panel of experts in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, representative of multiple clinical specialties, with the intention of developing clinically relevant practice guidelines for chest medicine and primary care physicians, including recommendations covering the full spectrum of care of the patient with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Methods: The Duke University Center for Clinical Health Policy Research was selected to review and summarize the current evidence in the treatment of NSCLC. The BlueCross BlueShield Association Technology Evaluation Center was chosen and funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to review and synthesize the current evidence on treatment of SCLC.

Follow up and surveillance of the patient with lung cancer: what do you do after surgery?

Of the new cases of lung cancer discovered each year, it has been estimated that 50-55% have localized disease and are thus candidates for potentially curative treatment. Some of these patients will refuse surgery or will have co-morbidities that preclude surgery. The remainder will undergo an attempted curative resection.

Eosinophilic interstitial lung disease.

Purpose Of Review: Although rare, the eosinophilic lung diseases are being increasingly identified as distinct clinical entities. These disorders are a heterogeneous group of disorders in which there is an increased number of eosinophils in the airways and/or lung parenchyma. These disease entities may be broadly separated into airway disorders (asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis, eosinophilic bronchitis, and bronchocentric granulomatosis) and parenchymal (interstitial) disorders.

Improved survival in never-smokers vs current smokers with primary adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Study Objectives: Adenocarcinoma of the lung is now the most common histologic subtype of lung cancer in the United States. To determine if there are survival differences in never-smokers and current smokers with adenocarcinoma, we conducted an analysis of lung adenocarcinomas seen at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, and looked for demographic and survival differences in the two groups.

Why it is advisable to keep wR = 1 and Q = 1 for photons and electrons.

It has been well known for a long time that the biological effectiveness of photons and electrons depends on the mean linear energy transfer (LET) of the radiation considered, e.g. (60)Co gamma rays are less effective than soft or hard X rays.

Lung cancer. Practice organization.

The management of patients with suspected or known lung cancer is becoming increasingly complex. State-of-the-art care often requires input from many sources, including pulmonology, thoracic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and radiology. Valuable contributions to care also come from nursing, social work, psychology, psychiatry, pastoral care, and palliative care, among others.

Overview of methodology for lung cancer evidence review and guideline development.

A multidisciplinary panel was convened by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) to develop clinical practice guidelines for lung cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The ACCP Expert Panel on Lung Cancer Guidelines produced 20 guidelines, each related to a distinct set of management decisions. This article describes the approach used to develop the guidelines, including identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing evidence, assessing the strength of evidence pertinent to individual guidelines, and grading guideline recommendations.

Development of electronic personal neutron dosemeters: a European cooperation.

The European Commission recently sponsored an international research and development project, in which three 'active' personal neutron dosemeters were developed. Comparative irradiation experiments showed good results with respect to sensitivity and energy dependence of the response.