Experimentación en arqueología: Los conos de perfume. De la pared al laboratorio

En algunas manifestaciones iconográficas del Antiguo Egipto se pueden ver sobre el cabello de hombres y mujeres unos adornos que tradicionalmente se han interpretado como conos de perfume. Existen algunos argumentos en contra de esta lectura. En este estudio se han llevado a cabo varias réplicas con diversos materiales para comprobar su eficacia y su comportamiento. Los resultados obtenidos apoyándose en las representaciones murales consolidan las teorías sobre una perfumería asociada al peinado y sin embargo la experiencia levanta sudas sobre la forma en la que se aplicaban. El trabajo ha dado lugar a dos propuestas de sujeción de los conos de perfume a las pelucas y abre la puerta a futuras investigacionesIn some images of the Ancient Egypt iconography several ornaments over the male and female hair can be appreciated which have been traditionally interpreted as perfume cones. Nowadays there are arguments against this interpretation. In this work several replicas have been made with different materials in order to confirm their effectiveness and performance. The results added to the known iconography strengthen the idea of some kind of perfume associated to the hair, although it weakens the ones of how they were done. This work also offers two different proposals of the attachment of the cones to the wigs, and it opens the door for future investigation

Brainstem metastases treated with Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery: the Indiana University Health experience

Brainstem metastases offer a unique challenge in cancer treatment, yet stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has proven to be an effective modality in treating these tumors. This report discusses the clinical outcomes of patients with brainstem metastases treated at Indiana University with Gamma Knife (GK) radiosurgery from 2008 to 2016. 19 brainstem metastases from 14 patients who had follow-up brain imaging were identified. Median tumor volume was 0.04 cc (range: 0.01-2.0 cc). Median prescribed dose was 17.5 Gy to the 50% isodose line (range: 14-22 Gy). Median survival after GK SRS treatment to brainstem lesion was 17.2 months (range: 2.8-45.6 months). The experience at Indiana University confirms the safety and efficacy of range of GK SRS prescription doses (14-22 Gy) to brainstem metastases

Madrid, villa para la Corte. Arqueología y Edad Moderna: transformación de la ciudad entre los siglos XVI-XVII

La elección de Madrid como capital responde a nuevas necesidades de Felipe II. La Villa se postula como la mejor opción y en 1561 la Corte se instala en Madrid, que debe adaptarse a la nueva situación transformándose por completo en un proceso que se prolonga durante muchos años. Durante los siglos XVI-XVII la ciudad crece hacia el Este, creando y destruyendo espacios, y habilitando infraestructuras para el abastecimiento y la vida: viajes de agua, caminos, lugares de culto, de ceremonia... Todos esos cambios, resumidos en este artículo, son visibles en los restos arqueológicos que hoy en día se descubren gracias a trabajos de gestión y los pocos que hay de investigación. La protección de esos restos y su contenido social se han incrementado conforme se han multiplicado las intervenciones a lo largo de las últimas décadas. Actualmente, la ciudad de Madrid cuenta con un rico patrimonio de la Edad Moderna que permite entender su evolución a través del tiempoBecause of Philip II new needs, Madrid is seen as the best option to become the new capital. In 1561 the Court arrives to Madrid, which has to adapt to its new condition during many years. During the 16th and 17th centuries the city expands to the East, destroying old spaces and creating new ones for the growing population. The city changes to protect new settlements, new underground water canals, commonly called “viajes de agua”, which are dug to providenecessary water. Addiotionally worship places, new ways and spaces to help the commercials exchanges are built. These changes, summarised in this article, are visible in archaeological remainings today because of discoveries, and few pieces of research carried out about the old city. During the last decades, society is becoming aware of the importance of these pieces of researches, and archaeological works are multiplying, while increasing the protection and social content of the discoveries. This effort brings up now a rich heritage from the modern age that helps to understand the evolution of the city across the tim

Effects of Proton Center Closure on Pediatric Case Volume and Resident Education at an Academic Cancer Center

Purpose To analyze effects of closure of an academic proton treatment center (PTC) on pediatric case volume, distribution, and resident education. Methods and Materials This was a review of 412 consecutive pediatric (age ≤18 years) cases treated at a single institution from 2012 to 2016. Residents' Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case logs for the same years were also analyzed. Characteristics of the patient population and resident case volumes before and after closure of the PTC are reported. Results Overall pediatric new starts declined by approximately 50%, from 35 to 70 per 6 months in 2012 to 2014 to 22 to 30 per 6 months in 2015 to 2016. Central nervous system (CNS) case volume declined sharply, from 121 patients treated in 2012 to 2015 to 18 patients in 2015 to 2016. In 2012 to 2014 our institution treated 36, 24, and 17 patients for medulloblastoma/intracranial primitive neuroectodermal tumor, ependymoma, and low-grade glioma, respectively, compared with 0, 1, and 1 patient(s) in 2015 to 2016. Forty-nine patients were treated with craniospinal radiation (CSI) from 2012 to 2014, whereas only 2 patients underwent CSI between 2015 and 2016. Hematologic malignancy patient volume and use of total body irradiation remained relatively stable. Patients treated when the PTC was open were significantly younger (9.1 vs 10.7 years, P=.010) and their radiation courses were longer (35.4 vs 20.9 days, P<.0001) than those treated after its closure. Resident case logs showed only a small decline in total pediatric cases, because the percentage of pediatric cases covered by residents increased after PTC closure; however, residents logged fewer CNS cases after PTC closure versus before. Conclusions Overall pediatric case volume decreased after PTC closure, as did the number of patients treated for potentially curable CNS tumors. Our findings raise important questions regarding resident training in pediatric radiation oncology as these cases become increasingly concentrated at specialized centers

Absences within and surrounding light-to-sound translations

Within the material-immaterial dichotomy structuring the creation of media artworks and its inherent informational aesthetic, one may observe fractures or continuities. Considering media artworks through the notion of translation of materialities, the aim of this paper is to analyse some of the multiple roles that absence play within and surround this sort of aesthetic experimentation. The discussion is unfolded through the articulation of Vilém Flusser’s media theory – namely considering the zero-dimensionality of electronic and digital media and the concept of Mediumsprünge. These concepts are exemplified through historical and contemporary media devices and artworks technically based on light-to-sound translations. The discussed examples were partially selected from references and methodological tools used in a cross-disciplinary practice-based PhD research on photosensitivity in relation to media history and media art history conducted between 2014 and 2018. The methodology combines a historical and analytical approach, through new materialism, media archaeology, cultural techniques and second-order cybernetics. The significance of the discussion is exposing both the artistic freedom (or emancipation) and the arbitrariness (and responsibility) implied in bridging the gaps involved in media artworks

Cell compliance: cytoskeletal origin and importance for cellular function.

This thesis was released from embargo in July 2012Mechanical properties of cells, mainly defined by their cytoskeleton, are closely related to cell function and can be measured with a dual-beam laser trap (optical stretcher). Functional changes, which go hand in hand with changes of the cytoskeleton, also occur during differentiation of stem cells. This suggests monitoring differentiation by the changing compliance of the cells. During the course of my PhD I measured the compliance of three different types of stem cells before and after differentiation and was able to detect differences in some of the cell types. In order to relate rheological experiments to cell migration as a further example of functional change I investigated the migration behavior of cells that showed different compliance and found differences in migration. I was additionally able to show an altered migration behavior after I actively changed the mechanical behavior of one cell type using cytoskeletal drugs. These migration experiments have been carried out in 2D and 3D migration assays. Furthermore, the influence of the stiffness of the surrounding material on the migration behavior has been investigated. After relating functional changes to changes in compliance, I studied which mechanisms can be used to actually influence cell compliance and investigated the effect of cytoskeletal stabilizers or destabilizers as well as drugs acting on molecular motors. The effect of the surrounding temperature has been considered as well. Finally, I developed a new version of the optical stretcher measurement tool, which enables cell sorting and drug screening using a monolithic glass chip. With the results presented in this thesis I relate mechanical compliance to the cytoskeleton and specific cellular functions. I deliver insights how mechanical changes in cells can be used to identify and follow functional changes and how this knowledge can help to interfere with such functions, specifically in pathologies correlated to these functions. My modified optical stretcher would be developed to screen the effects of drugs on cell compliance and to sort cells with different mechanical properties. Such drug screening and cell sorting will offer diagnostic treatment options for various pathologies.This work was supported by the Gates Scholarship Cambridge