Multimodality Treatment for Locally Advanced and Recurrent Rectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a major problem in the western world and has a rising incidence.1,2 Approximately one third of these tumours originate in the rectum. Although colon and rectal cancer share similar features there is a distinct difference in clinical behaviour and therapeutical approach.3 The treatment of primary rectal cancer has evolved into a multidisciplinary treatment with standardized surgical, pathological and radiotherapeutical procedures.2,4-6 The introduction of preoperative short-term radiotherapy (5*5Gy) in combination with total mesorectal excision (TME) has lead to a signifi cant decreased local recurrence rate.7 Based on these benefi cial results the treatment protocol in the region of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre Rotterdam of patients with a tumour in the lower two-third of the rectum was changed.2 In chapter 2 we report the results of a registration study in the region of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre Rotterdam. The aim of this study was to identify the compliance to a new standardized treatment protocol i.e. the introduction of preoperative radiotherapy. Furthermore, the results of rectal cancer treatment in the Rotterdam region were analyzed and compared with reference values based on selected patients from randomised trials in the recent literature

On relativistic elements of reality

Several arguments have been proposed some years ago, attempting to prove the impossibility of defining Lorentz-invariant elements of reality. I find that a sufficient condition for the existence of elements of reality, introduced in these proofs, seems to be used also as a necessary condition. I argue that Lorentz-invariant elements of reality can be defined but, as Vaidman pointed out, they won't satisfy the so-called product rule. In so doing I obtain algebraic constraints on elements of reality associated with a maximal set of commuting Hermitian operators.Comment: Clarifications, reference added; published versio

Biogeomorphology in the field: bedforms and species, a mystic relationship

Fine-scale seabed mapping (Owenia fusiformis, and the razor clam Ensis directus) occur near bedload convergence zones resulting from a mutually evasive flood- and ebb-dominant channel system. Such zones are at the end of the channels, hence also fine grained sediments, food and larvae are trapped. The combination of the coarser-grained bedload with thedeposition of fines is indeed the optimum for a lot of suspension and detritus feeders. Still, highest abundances occur at the fringes of such a system where stress levels are intermediate. Hypotheses were successfully tested along the Dutch coastal zone. Those insights are important to assess changes in seafloor integrity and hydrographic conditions

The rationality and morality of connecting quantum computers

In this study, we explore the complexities and implications of connecting quantum computers. This connection is in the literature seen as an obvious and fast way forward to arrive at a large quantum computer that can deliver the promises of quantum computing. We explore this option by understanding the conditions and contexts under which different scenarios of connecting these computers are most beneficial for quantum computer owners, be it for practical gains or moral considerations. “Introduction” and “Quantum Computing” Sections introduce quantum computing, laying out the broader framework of our study. Then “Connecting Quantum Computers” Section delineates three scenarios for connecting quantum computers: no connection, a connection that is “blind” for the uses of the linked systems, and a “governed connection” in which these uses are subjected to rules. These scenarios are evaluated against five criteria: the ability of computer owners to leverage quantum strengths (quantum advantage), the benefits of cooperative efforts for owners (collaboration gain), ensuring equitable benefits between owners (equality), maintaining clarity and openness about the connection to the owners (transparency), and preserving the independence and self-direction of the computer owners (autonomy). The evaluation does not single out a scenario as the clear winner. Rather, it reveals two significant moral trade-offs, showing that no one scenario is best for all situations. As a result, the choice of which trade-offs to accept and which scenario to choose depends greatly on the context. To highlight this, “Ethical Analysis of Scenarios” Section offers a detailed example for each of the three scenarios, explaining the reasons for choosing a particular option for each trade-off given the specific situation.</p

Capacitive Electrodes for Energy Generation by Reverse Electrodialysis

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A Study of the Type II-P Supernova 2003gd in M74

We present photometric and spectroscopic data of the type II-P supernova 2003gd, which was discovered in M74 close to the end of its plateau phase. SN 2003gd is the first type II supernova to have a directly confirmed red supergiant progenitor. We compare SN 2003gd with SN 1999em, a similar type II-P supernova, and estimate an explosion date of 18th March 2003. We determine a reddening towards the supernova of E(B-V) = 0.14+/-0.06, using three different methods. We also calculate three new distances to M74 of 9.6+/-2.8 Mpc, 7.7+/-1.7 Mpc and 9.6+/-2.2 Mpc. The former was estimated using the Standardised Candle Method (SCM), for type II supernovae, and the latter two using the Brightest Supergiants Method (BSM). When combined with existing kinematic and BSM distance estimates, we derive a mean value of 9.3+/-1.8 Mpc. SN 2003gd was found to have a lower tail luminosity compared to other ``normal'' type II-P SNe bringing into question the nature of this supernova. We present a discussion concluding that this is a ``normal'' type II-P supernova which is consistent with the observed progenitor mass of 8(+4/-2) Mo.Comment: 23 pages, 24 figures to appear in MNRA

A Bioelectrochemical Approach to Characterize Extracellular Electron Transfer by Synechocystis sp. PCC6803

Biophotovoltaic devices employ photosynthetic organisms at the anode of a microbial fuel cell to generate electrical power. Although a range of cyanobacteria and algae have been shown to generate photocurrent in devices of a multitude of architectures, mechanistic understanding of extracellular electron transfer by phototrophs remains minimal. Here we describe a mediatorless bioelectrochemical device to measure the electrogenic output of a planktonically grown cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. Light dependent production of current is measured, and its magnitude is shown to scale with microbial cell concentration and light intensity. Bioelectrochemical characterization of a Synechocystis mutant lacking Photosystem II demonstrates conclusively that production of the majority of photocurrent requires a functional water splitting aparatus and electrons are likely ultimately derived from water. This shows the potential of the device to rapidly and quantitatively characterize photocurrent production by genetically modified strains, an approach that can be used in future studies to delineate the mechanisms of cyanobacterial extracellular electron transport

User-centered shape grammars for housing transformations: towards post-handover grammars

This paper presents a post-handover shape grammar for introducing inhabitants wishes in the transformation of individual houses of the Malagueira housing complex by Álvaro Siza Vieira in Évora, Portugal. The presented research includes a case study developed in the context of the workshop Gramática da Forma em estudos de habitação - análise, geração e customização at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In this paper we present the first developments of the Malagueira transformation grammar, including corpus of analysis, shape rules, and derivations, and we discuss the opportunities that shape grammar brings to user-centered design.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

User-centered shape grammars for housing transformations: towards post-handover grammars

This paper presents a post-handover shape grammar for introducing inhabitants wishes in the transformation of individual houses of the Malagueira housing complex by Álvaro Siza Vieira in Évora, Portugal. The presented research includes a case study developed in the context of the workshop Gramática da Forma em estudos de habitação - análise, geração e customização at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In this paper we present the first developments of the Malagueira transformation grammar, including corpus of analysis, shape rules, and derivations, and we discuss the opportunities that shape grammar brings to user-centered design.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The quality of designs by shape grammar systems and architects: a comparative test on refurbishing Lisbon’s Rabo-de-Bacalhau apartments

This paper compares the quality of designs generated by shape grammar systems with designs created by professional architects. It describes an experiment in which evaluators ranked the quality of preliminary designs for refurbishing Lisbon's rabo-de-bacalhau apartments. The result showed that the design quality of the grammar solutions for the task was similar to that of the designs by professional architects. Thus, this paper argues that shape grammars can be used as stand-alone design systems in architecture. The practical value is that shape grammar systems become alternative means of taking up design challenges that currently require too much effort by architects to be economically feasible, such as refurbishing all of Lisbon's rabo-de-bacalhau apartments.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio