Background: In linear accelerators, the treatment field’s uniform intensity is achieved by including a flattening filter in the beam. However, to produce more conformal dose distributions, contemporary radiotherapy p...Background: In linear accelerators, the treatment field’s uniform intensity is achieved by including a flattening filter in the beam. However, to produce more conformal dose distributions, contemporary radiotherapy practice now frequently uses fluence and aperture modifying techniques, such as volumetric modulated arc therapy. In these circumstances, the flattening filter in the beam manufacturing process is no longer required. It is therefore necessary to compare the monitor units of 6 MV and flattening filter free plans and how it influences the gamma pass rates to determine which is best for treating cervical cancer with pelvic lymph node metastasis. Methods: VMAT plans for fifteen patients with cervical cancer with pathological pelvic lymph node metastasis were included in this study. Each patient had two VMAT plans using conventional 6 MV beam with flattening filter and one with flattening filter free beam (FFF). The VMAT plans were made using two arcs, and then recalculated to give the planned dose distribution to the detectors in a Delta4 phantom. The VMAT plans were irradiated on the Delta4 phantom using an Elekta linear accelerator (6 MV). Results: The mean monitor unit for the 6 MV plans was 506.3 MU and a standard deviation of 48.6 while that of the FFF plans had a mean MU of 701.5 with a standard deviation of 87.6. The total monitor units (MUs) for the FFF plans were significantly greater than the 6 MV plans (p = 6.1 × 10<sup>-5</sup>). Conclusion: Flattening filter free (FFF) plans require more numbers of monitor units in comparison to conventional 6 MV filtered beams for external radiation of cervical cancer with pelvic lymph nodes involvement.展开更多
This research examines the CPA exam pass rates for higher education institutions in Texas. An investigation related to the top schools and AACSB accreditation is conducted as well as analyses related to public vs. pri...This research examines the CPA exam pass rates for higher education institutions in Texas. An investigation related to the top schools and AACSB accreditation is conducted as well as analyses related to public vs. private schools, area of the state where the institution is located, and University Systems. The results reflect impressive pass rates by University of Texas at Austin and Texas A＆M University at College Station in terms of both number of students taking the exam and the percentage passing it. There was a significant CPA rate lead with private universities only when the two outstanding public universities were omitted from the analysis. The research also found significant differences in terms of areas of the state as well as university systems. The analysis and the findings are very important to students with CPA exam success as their academic primary goal with their university education, the educational institutions preparing the students, and society as a whole. The fmdings may help guide both the universities and the students to better success with the exam as well as perhaps help taxpayers and legislators know how well tax money is being spent in this area.展开更多
Introduction: To compare the measured dose distributions to calculated ones in dose-to-water (Dw) and dose-to-medium (Dm) reporting modes for simple plans and patient-specific intensity modulated radiation therapy (IM...Introduction: To compare the measured dose distributions to calculated ones in dose-to-water (Dw) and dose-to-medium (Dm) reporting modes for simple plans and patient-specific intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans using ArcCHECK with a fixed phantom density. Methods: The recommended density value of 1.18 g/cm3 for Acuros XB and X-ray voxel Monte Carlo was assigned to ArcCHECK on CT images. A total of 45 simple plans, including a 1-field plan, a 3-field plan, a 4-field plan, a half-arc plan from 270° to 90°, and a full-arc plan, were assessed. Subsequently, the patient-specific 96 IMRT and VMAT plans were evaluated. Gamma analysis with a 3% normalized global dose error and a 3 mm distance-to-agreement criteria (γ3%G/3mm) was performed in the Dw and Dm. The change in γ3%G/3mm between Dw and Dm were statistically analyzed using JMPPro11 software. Results: The median values of γ3%G/3mm for all simple plans for Dw and Dm were 98.1% (range, 75.2% - 100%) and 95.5% (range, 23.7% - 100%), respectively (p 0.01). In the patient-specific IMRT and VMAT plans, the median values of γ3%G/3mm for Dw and Dm were 98.6% (range, 90.1% - 100%) and 90.5% (range, 38.5% - 97.2%), respectively (p 0.01). Conclusion: Our results showed that the calculated and measured dose distributions were in good agreement for Dw, but were not for Dm. From the viewpoint of the rationale of dosimetry, Dw shows better agreement with measured dose distribution when using the fixedphantom density recommended by the vendor.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the application value of a refined quality control management model for a sterilization supply center.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the work situation of the sterilization sup...Objective:To evaluate the application value of a refined quality control management model for a sterilization supply center.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the work situation of the sterilization supply center from January 2021 to January 2023.The work situation before January 31,2022,was classified as the control group;a routine quality control management model was implemented,and the work situation after January 31,2022,was classified as the observation group.The quality of medical device management and department satisfaction between the two groups were compared.Results:The timely recovery and supply rate,classification and cleaning pass rate,disinfection pass rate,packaging pass rate,sterilization pass rate,and department satisfaction score in the observation group were all higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Implementing a refined quality control management model in the sterilization supply center can improve the quality management level of medical devices and department satisfaction and is worthy of promotion.展开更多
Fine scalability can provide not only precise rate control for constant bitrate (CBR) traffic, but also accurate quality control for variable bitrate (VBR) traffic. Motion JPEG2000 is a codec that can provide fine sca...Fine scalability can provide not only precise rate control for constant bitrate (CBR) traffic, but also accurate quality control for variable bitrate (VBR) traffic. Motion JPEG2000 is a codec that can provide fine scalability with bitstreams. An efficient rate control approach utilizing a single buffer and two kinds of threshold for Motion JPEG2000 under resource constraint was proposed, which can offer good result in the constant quality video.展开更多
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) has been the standard by which all undergraduate nursing programs are judged for program effectiveness. Consistent patterns of low pass rates...The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) has been the standard by which all undergraduate nursing programs are judged for program effectiveness. Consistent patterns of low pass rates can have serious implications for the academic institution, the nursing program, the nursing faculty, the program graduates, and the community at large. Preparing undergraduate nursing students for licensure is a major concern for undergraduate nursing faculty. Present pass rates for the graduate nursing baccalaureate students at a state university are currently below the national average. To address this problem, these researchers have identified interventions that predict success on the NCLEX-RN examination. The implementation of a five week online NCLEX-RN review course in conjunction with three workshops taught and designed by these researchers is used to increase the pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. The goal of the implementation of this assessment project is to provide the nursing student with the necessary tools to be successful on the NCLEX-RN. Furthermore, findings from this project have the potential to identify areas for the improvement in the nursing curriculum as well as the increase of the nursing program’s NCLEX-RN pass rate.展开更多
文摘Background: In linear accelerators, the treatment field’s uniform intensity is achieved by including a flattening filter in the beam. However, to produce more conformal dose distributions, contemporary radiotherapy practice now frequently uses fluence and aperture modifying techniques, such as volumetric modulated arc therapy. In these circumstances, the flattening filter in the beam manufacturing process is no longer required. It is therefore necessary to compare the monitor units of 6 MV and flattening filter free plans and how it influences the gamma pass rates to determine which is best for treating cervical cancer with pelvic lymph node metastasis. Methods: VMAT plans for fifteen patients with cervical cancer with pathological pelvic lymph node metastasis were included in this study. Each patient had two VMAT plans using conventional 6 MV beam with flattening filter and one with flattening filter free beam (FFF). The VMAT plans were made using two arcs, and then recalculated to give the planned dose distribution to the detectors in a Delta4 phantom. The VMAT plans were irradiated on the Delta4 phantom using an Elekta linear accelerator (6 MV). Results: The mean monitor unit for the 6 MV plans was 506.3 MU and a standard deviation of 48.6 while that of the FFF plans had a mean MU of 701.5 with a standard deviation of 87.6. The total monitor units (MUs) for the FFF plans were significantly greater than the 6 MV plans (p = 6.1 × 10<sup>-5</sup>). Conclusion: Flattening filter free (FFF) plans require more numbers of monitor units in comparison to conventional 6 MV filtered beams for external radiation of cervical cancer with pelvic lymph nodes involvement.
文摘This research examines the CPA exam pass rates for higher education institutions in Texas. An investigation related to the top schools and AACSB accreditation is conducted as well as analyses related to public vs. private schools, area of the state where the institution is located, and University Systems. The results reflect impressive pass rates by University of Texas at Austin and Texas A＆M University at College Station in terms of both number of students taking the exam and the percentage passing it. There was a significant CPA rate lead with private universities only when the two outstanding public universities were omitted from the analysis. The research also found significant differences in terms of areas of the state as well as university systems. The analysis and the findings are very important to students with CPA exam success as their academic primary goal with their university education, the educational institutions preparing the students, and society as a whole. The fmdings may help guide both the universities and the students to better success with the exam as well as perhaps help taxpayers and legislators know how well tax money is being spent in this area.
文摘Introduction: To compare the measured dose distributions to calculated ones in dose-to-water (Dw) and dose-to-medium (Dm) reporting modes for simple plans and patient-specific intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans using ArcCHECK with a fixed phantom density. Methods: The recommended density value of 1.18 g/cm3 for Acuros XB and X-ray voxel Monte Carlo was assigned to ArcCHECK on CT images. A total of 45 simple plans, including a 1-field plan, a 3-field plan, a 4-field plan, a half-arc plan from 270° to 90°, and a full-arc plan, were assessed. Subsequently, the patient-specific 96 IMRT and VMAT plans were evaluated. Gamma analysis with a 3% normalized global dose error and a 3 mm distance-to-agreement criteria (γ3%G/3mm) was performed in the Dw and Dm. The change in γ3%G/3mm between Dw and Dm were statistically analyzed using JMPPro11 software. Results: The median values of γ3%G/3mm for all simple plans for Dw and Dm were 98.1% (range, 75.2% - 100%) and 95.5% (range, 23.7% - 100%), respectively (p 0.01). In the patient-specific IMRT and VMAT plans, the median values of γ3%G/3mm for Dw and Dm were 98.6% (range, 90.1% - 100%) and 90.5% (range, 38.5% - 97.2%), respectively (p 0.01). Conclusion: Our results showed that the calculated and measured dose distributions were in good agreement for Dw, but were not for Dm. From the viewpoint of the rationale of dosimetry, Dw shows better agreement with measured dose distribution when using the fixedphantom density recommended by the vendor.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the application value of a refined quality control management model for a sterilization supply center.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the work situation of the sterilization supply center from January 2021 to January 2023.The work situation before January 31,2022,was classified as the control group;a routine quality control management model was implemented,and the work situation after January 31,2022,was classified as the observation group.The quality of medical device management and department satisfaction between the two groups were compared.Results:The timely recovery and supply rate,classification and cleaning pass rate,disinfection pass rate,packaging pass rate,sterilization pass rate,and department satisfaction score in the observation group were all higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Implementing a refined quality control management model in the sterilization supply center can improve the quality management level of medical devices and department satisfaction and is worthy of promotion.
文摘Fine scalability can provide not only precise rate control for constant bitrate (CBR) traffic, but also accurate quality control for variable bitrate (VBR) traffic. Motion JPEG2000 is a codec that can provide fine scalability with bitstreams. An efficient rate control approach utilizing a single buffer and two kinds of threshold for Motion JPEG2000 under resource constraint was proposed, which can offer good result in the constant quality video.
文摘The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) has been the standard by which all undergraduate nursing programs are judged for program effectiveness. Consistent patterns of low pass rates can have serious implications for the academic institution, the nursing program, the nursing faculty, the program graduates, and the community at large. Preparing undergraduate nursing students for licensure is a major concern for undergraduate nursing faculty. Present pass rates for the graduate nursing baccalaureate students at a state university are currently below the national average. To address this problem, these researchers have identified interventions that predict success on the NCLEX-RN examination. The implementation of a five week online NCLEX-RN review course in conjunction with three workshops taught and designed by these researchers is used to increase the pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. The goal of the implementation of this assessment project is to provide the nursing student with the necessary tools to be successful on the NCLEX-RN. Furthermore, findings from this project have the potential to identify areas for the improvement in the nursing curriculum as well as the increase of the nursing program’s NCLEX-RN pass rate.
