In this sample of patients with cancer undergoing contrast-enhanced CT, very few adverse symptoms were reported regardless of preparative fasting. These results support the idea that preparation for contrast-enhanced CT can be simplified, decreasing the discomfort and inconvenience experienced by patients.

ObjectiveTo evaluate positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and conventional imaging tests for the detection of distant metastases in patients with locally advanced breast cancer.Materials and methodsWe included 81 patients with breast cancer who had undergone 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT before treatment. Conventional imaging included the following: bone scintigraphy; chest X-ray (in 14.5%) or CT (in 85.5%); and abdominal ultrasound (in 10.8%), CT (in 87.8%), or magnetic resonance imaging (in 1.4%). Histopathology and clinical/imaging follow-up served as reference.ResultsDistant metastases were observed in nine patients (11.1%). On patient-based analysis, conventional imaging identified distant metastases in all 9 patients. In one patient, the initial 18F-FDG PET/CT failed to demonstrate bone metastases that was evident on bone scintigraphy. In two patients, the CT scan failed to show extra-axillary lymph node metastases that were identified on 18F-FDG PET/CT. There was no significant difference between 18F-FDG PET/CT and conventional imaging in terms of their sensitivity for the detection of distant metastases in patients with locally advanced breast cancer.ConclusionThis study showed that 18F-FDG PET/CT and conventional imaging with CT scans had similar sensitivity for the diagnosis of distant metastases in patients with locally advanced breast cancer. 18F-FDG PET/CT can add information about extra-axillary lymph node involvements.

The characterization of steel fiber reinforced concrete with dry consistency require greater inspection the account of the particularities in the process of mixing, molding and densification, thus this paper aims to propose a methodology combined of densification by manual and mechanical means and the mechanical characterization by the three-point flexural testin prismatic dry cast steel fiber-reinforced concrete specimen. In a qualitative way, the densification-combined methodology provided a smooth surface on the specimen appearance and a reduction of voids due to trapped air. In the flexural test we verified slip-softening and slip-hardening, respectively, to lower and higher reinforcement indexes and theoretical volumes. By the analysis of variance of the results and the database we found out that there was no significant statistical difference to the analyzed residual strength for the combination of the test method (RILEM), consistency (plastic), type (hooked end) and form (glued), when the comparison is made by quadruple association.

RESUMOOs aditivos para concreto foram desenvolvidos e produzidos com a função de melhorar certas características do concreto, tanto no estado fresco quanto endurecido e muitos já o consideram como o quarto elemento do concreto. Este estudo compara e analisa o desempenho mecânico e operacional entre aditivos redutores de água para serem utilizados na produção de concretos bombeáveis de uma central dosadora na região metropolitana de Belém do Pará. Foram utilizados 4 diferentes aditivos presentes no mercado brasileiro denominados respectivamente de aditivos A, B, C e D, sendo o aditivo A de referência, pois é atualmente o utilizado na produção do concreto da central. Utilizouse um mesmo traço para todas as amostras e dosagem fixa de aditivo, em 0,7 % em relação ao peso do cimento. Verificou-se o abatimento inicial de acordo com o estudo da dosagem, verificou-se a perda de abatimento após o concreto voltar a ser misturado durante 15 minutos e reajustou-se o traço para o abatimento inicial com a inclusão de toda a água retida no traço para fixar a relação água/cimento. Os ensaios mecânicos de compressão axial foram realizados nas idades de 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 e 56 dias. Com análise dos resultados, o concreto com uso do aditivo D apresentou melhor desempenho mecânico e operacional em relação ao uso dos outros aditivos.

this research aimed to evaluate the sensibility of maximal non-erosive flow rate, which was first proposed by Walker & Skogerboe (1987), to furrow shape empirical parameters, 1 (rho1) varying from 0.170 to 0.800 incremented in 0.063, and 2 (rho2) varying from 2.60 to 3.00 incremented in 0.04 for an open furrow irrigation system with continuous flux and silty clay loam soil. The sensibility analysis was obtained by simulations through the SASIS software (software specifically developed for superficial irrigation simulation), developed by Pordeus & Azevedo (2005). Input data was obtained from four experimental areas under distinct field conditions. When 2 was maintained constant and 1 increased, it was observed a reduction for the maximum flow rate, opposite results was found for constant 1 and increased 2. It was also observed that an increase in 2 contributes to a reduction in the percentage variation between the maximum flow rates obtained for highest and lowest 1 values. The inverse occurs when 1 is increased, leading to an increment in the percentage variation between the maximum flow rates generated for the highest and lowest 2 values. The analysis of sensibility for maximal non-erosive flow rates could identify combinations of soil superficial rugosities and slope which resulted in non-practicable flow rates, thus, demonstrating their effects when combined. KEYWORDS: PALAVRAS-CHAVE:Irrigação, sulco aberto, software de irrigação.