The goal of this project is to use through an intelligent, multimedia computer tutor to increase students’ interest in mathematics and their confidence in their ability to learn mathematics. Based on its student model, WhaleWatch selects problems of appropriate difficulty and provides help and instruction as needed. We present the results of a series of two studies. The first study showed that ...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined local hyperthermia and intravesical mitomycin-C (MMC) in a selected group of patients with intermediate or high-risk recurrent transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-seven patients with multiple or recurrent Ta or T1 TCC of the bladder were treated with intravesical MMC and local hy...

In the wake of deep brain stimulation (DBS) development, ablative neurosurgical procedures are seeing a comeback, although they had been discredited and nearly completely abandoned in the 1970s because of their unethical practice. Modern stereotactic ablative procedures as thermal or radiofrequency ablation, and particularly radiosurgery (e.g., Gamma Knife) are much safer than the historical pr...

The list of indications for which Variable Square Pulse (VSP) Er:YAG laser systems can be used is continuously expanding. For example, ablative fractional resurfacing treatments performed with the VSP Er:YAG laser have good clinical outcomes and significantly shorter recovery times and adverse effects compared with traditional ablative laser skin resurfacing. Recently, an Er:YAG laser operating...

In recent decades, there has been a revolution in energy-based treatment options for skin scarring, rejuvenation, and tightening. One of the most promising developments has been the introduction of fractional photothermolysis, developed by Anderson and Manstein in 2004. Fractionated systems deliver laser energy in a grid-like pattern, creating microscopic columns of ablative and/or coagulative ...

BACKGROUND Skin compromised by traumatic scars and contractures can manifest decreased resistance to shearing and other forces, while increased tension and skin fragility contribute to chronic erosions and ulcerations. Chronic wounds possess inflammatory mediator profiles and other characteristics, such as the presence of biofilms, that can inhibit healing. OBSERVATIONS Three patients with mu...

BACKGROUND Radiotherapy, administered in fractionated as well as ablative settings, is an essential treatment component for breast cancer. Besides the direct tumor cell death inducing effects, there is growing evidence that immune mechanisms contribute - at least in part - to its therapeutic success. The present study was designed to characterize the type and the extent of cell death induced by...

Patients with locally advanced cancer or distant metastasis frequently receive prolonged treatment with chemotherapy and/or fractionated radiotherapy (RT). Despite the initial clinical response, treatment resistance frequently develops and cure in these patients is uncommon. Developments in RT technology allow for the use of high-dose (or ablative) RT to target local tumors, with limited damage...

Indications for use of the Er:YAG laser are continuously expanding. In this paper, the latest Pixel Screen Technology (PST) fractional technique for minimally invasive Er:YAG skin rejuvenation is presented. The fractional technique is based on a concept of producing an array of microscopic wounds on the skin surface that are rapidly reepithelialized by the surrounding, undamaged tissue, thus sp...

Ablative fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers have been widely used for several types of cosmetic dermatosis. A number of previous studies have evaluated this technique in animals or human beings by observing morphologic changes using an invasive modality such as skin biopsy. In this study, we assessed in vivo skin changes after CO2 ablative fractional laser treatment in a mouse model using n...