Academic literature on the topic 'Breast measurement'

Microwave approaches to breast imaging include the measurement of signals transmitted through and reflected from the breast. Prototype systems typically feature sensors separated from the breast, resulting in measurements that include the effects of the environment and system. To gain insight into transmission of microwave signals through the breast, a system that places sensors in direct contact with the breast is proposed. The system also includes a lossy immersion medium that enables measurement of the signal passing through the breast while significantly attenuating signals traveling along other paths. Collecting measurements at different separations between sensors also provides the opportunity to estimate the average electrical properties of the breast tissues. After validation through simulations and measurements, a study of 10 volunteers was performed. Results indicate symmetry between the right and left breast and demonstrate differences in attenuation, maximum frequency for reliable measurement, and average properties that likely relate to variations in breast composition.

ABSTRACT Context: Suprasternal notch-nipple distance and breast ptosis are two measurements that are often used in everyday plastic surgical clinical practice. Nonetheless, the reliability of standard breast measurements has never been tested. Aim: The aim of the present study was to test the inter-observer reliability of clinical measurement of ptosis and suprasternal notch-nipple distance. Settings and Design: Six raters measured ptosis and suprasternal notch-nipple distance in 12 breasts on the same day. Statistical Analysis Used: Intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients, the coefficient of variation (CV) and Bland-Altman plots. Results and Conclusions: The results show that there is certain variation between different raters. The ICC of average measures between raters is 0.92 for the ptosis and 0.94 for the suprasternal notch-nipple distance, that is, the agreement between different raters is high. According to the Bland—Altman plots, the overall assessment of the comparisons of measurements between the different raters shows that the direction of the mean differences is close to zero. This study shows that there is a good reliability for measurements of suprasternal notch-nipple distance and ptosis. Nonetheless, there is a slight inter-rater variability in the measurements. Even though standardised, measurement of breasts is not an exact science and care has to be taken when the measurements are performed. The surgeon should have this in mind when measurements are used in clinical practice to evaluate breasts and to choose the right surgical method, as well as when guidelines for indications for surgery are set up.

Three-dimensional Surface Imaging (3DSI) has become a valuable tool for planning and documenting surgical procedures. Although surface scanners have allowed for a better understanding of breast shape, size, and asymmetry during patient consultation, its use has not been included in intraoperative assessment so far. Validation of the reliability of the intraoperative use of a portable handheld 3DSI equipment as a tool to evaluate morphological changes during breast augmentation surgery. The patients who underwent bilateral subpectoral breast augmentation through an inframammary incision were included in this study. Intraoperative 3DSI was performed with the Artec Eva device, allowing for visualization of the surgical area before incision, after use of breast sizers and implant, and after wound closure. Intraoperatively manual measurements of breast distances and volume changes due to known sizer and implant volumes were in comparison with digital measurements calculated from 3DSI of the surgical area. Bilateral breasts of 40 patients were 3D photographed before incision and after suture successfully. A further 108 implant sizer uses were digitally documented. There was no significant difference between manual tape measurement and digital breast distance measurement. Pre- to postoperative 3D volume change showed no significant difference to the known sizer and implant volume.

We have developed a computerized breast measurement system that can quantitate both long-term (lactation cycle) and short-term (between breastfeedings) changes in breast volume. The increase in breast volume during pregnancy was not related to milk production at one month of lactation, whereas milk production from one to six months of lactation remained constant and was not controlled directly by the suckling-evoked secretion of prolactin. From the measurement of circadian changes in breast volume, it was concluded that infants rarely emptied the breasts at a single breastfeeding and that short-term variation in the rate of synthesis during the day and between the left and right breasts was closely related to the degree of breast fullness. Furthermore, differences between women in the storage capacity of the breasts dictated their flexibility in frequency of breastfeeding. These observations are consistent with the autocrine (local) control of milk synthesis during established lactation in women.

Abstract Introduction Breast volume measurement is important for oncoplastic surgery planning and measuring outcomes and side effects of both surgery and radiotherapy, including breast lymphedema. However, accurate breast volume quantification is difficult due to the shape of the breast and isolation of the breast border. Numerous techniques to quantify breast volume exist, but none have been established as a gold standard outcome measure. Three-dimensional (3D) surface imagery using VECTRA-XT can measure breast volume quickly and non-invasively. However, as measurement properties associated with quantification of breast volume using VECTRA-XT have yet to be fully determined, including extent of reliability, standard error of measurement (SEM), and smallest detectable change (SDC), the aim of this study is to determine these properties.Method A reliability study using retrospective VECTRA®-XT 3D surface images taken during clinical practice was conducted. Images from 51 women (101 breasts) before or after breast conserving surgery for breast cancer were retrieved for analysis. The breast images were taken pre-operatively in 70% of cases and following wide local excision in the remaining 30% of cases. Radiotherapy had also been performed in 20% of cases. Women were excluded if they had breast implants or mastectomy, had a breast ptosis grade of 3 (nipple was below the inferior mammary fold and close or below the lowest breast contour) or if the inferior mammary fold could not be visualised from any view of the 3D image. Three assessors trained using a standardised technique to use two software analysis programs, Vectra® 3D Analysis Module (VAM) and Breast Sculptor® software, completed the measurements. One assessor completed breast volume calculations twice (intra-rater reliability) and the remaining two assessors completed calculations once (inter-rater reliability). Results Mean breast volume for the population was 493.7cc (95%CI=469.4-517.9, range=135-1161cc) when measured by VAM and 488.7cc (95%CI= 461.2-516.2, range=104-1596cc) when measured by Breast Sculptor®. The difference in breast volume assessed using paired t-test was not statistically significant (p=0.491). Measurement of breast volume using VAM had excellent intra and inter-rater reliability with a SEM of less than 5.0% for a single rater and less than 9.0% for multiple raters. In comparison, Breast Sculptor® had excellent intra-rater reliability and substantial inter-rater reliability but the SEM was 14.3% and 20.5% for intra and inter-raters respectively (Table 1). A single rater using VAM software had the lowest SDC value indicating a change in breast volume exceeding 58.6cc would be a meaningful change in breast volume beyond measurement error. Conclusion The reliability for the assessment of breast volume using VECTRA-XT 3D surface imagery was high when a standardised approach was used. However, the SDC, i.e. the amount of change beyond error of measurement, varied depending on which program was used and whether one or more than one rater assessed the volume. A single assessor using VAM software should be considered as the ideal in. evaluation of changes in breast volume secondary to edema, as the SDC is likely too large to detect changes using the other approaches. The project was funded by a Betty Schofield and Joyce Anderson Bequest Grant. Table 1.Reliability, standard error of measurement and smallest detectable changeICC (95% CI)Standard error of measurement (cc)Standard error of measurement %Smallest detectable change (cc)VAM Inter-rater reliability0.961 (0.943-0.973)42.78.7118.4VAM Intra-rater reliability0.990 (0.986-0.993)21.14.258.6Breast Sculptor® Inter-rater reliability0.837 (0.785-0.880)100.220.5277.7Breast Sculptor® Intra-rater reliability0.915 (0.876-0.942)74.014.3205.2 Citation Format: Nicola Rachel Fearn, Farid Meybodi, Sharon Kilbreath, Elizabeth Dylke, Catalina Llanos, Kirsty Stuart. Reliability and measurement error of breast volume calculation using 3D surface imagery [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-18-15.

Abstract Mammography is one of the essential screening technologies which is helpful to save the lives of women against breast cancer. Prediction of breast cancer from mammograms is not reached on its optimal level; hence there is a constant enhancement in clinical applications for mammographic breast density measurement. Optimal results in breast density measurement can be helpful to provide better care for women who have dense breasts. The sensitivity of digital mammograms reduces significantly in case dense breast, which may lead further to hide the cancerous lesions and may be converted into high stage breast cancer. Many research innovations and clinical applications are developed to support radiologists for the second opinion and predict breast cancer risk in advance. But still, there is an unsolved research question: which one is “dense breast” and which screening modularity is suitable for the dense breast to avoid the risk of breast cancer. Hence, currently, radiologists measure mammographic breast density with the help of BI-RADS classification, which is subjective. The basic inclination of this paper is to provide an overview of different clinical applications used for breast density measurement in the past and present with their potential technologies, advantages, disadvantages and current status of all various clinical applications in the market and provides thoughts on the future of automated mammographic breast density measurement.

Radiation therapy has been shown to increase local and regional control as well as overall survival with breast cancer, but the vast majority of patients develop acute skin reactions, which are in part related to microvascular changes. These reactions vary between different skin sites. The aim of this work is to determine the absorbed dose to the skin by measurements and investigate if there is a correlation between the absorbed dose at different areas of the breast and the local changes in microcirculation in the skin after breast cancer radiotherapy. The study includes characterisation of the Gafchromic EBT3 film and Epson Perfection V600 Photo scanner which are used for absorbed dose determination. The measurements were done both on an anthropomorphic female phantom and on a patient undergoing breastcancer radiotherapy. Twenty-one pieces of film (2x1 cm2) were placed on the surface ofthe breast (both for the phantom and patient) and irradiated with a prescribed dose to the target of 2.66 Gy with two opposed fields using 6 MV beam. It was observed that mainly 45-64 % of the prescribed dose was deposited at the surface, both for the phantom and patient. Using laser speckle contrast imaging and polarised light spectroscopy, the regional changes in mean blood perfusion and in mean red blood cell concentration (RBCC) at the end of the treatment with a total prescribed dose of 42.6 Gy, compared to baseline, were measured in both the treated and untreated breast of the same patient. Although marked increases in perfusion were seen in different areas of the treated breast, there was no signicant correlation between the changes in perfusion and the absorbed dose at these areas. However, a statistical correlation was found between the changes in RBCC and the absorbed skin dose at the same areas. To further elucidate the relation between the changes in skin microcirculation and the absorbed radiation dose during breast cancer radiotherapy, future studies using a larger number of patients are needed.

La surexpression du récepteur 2 du facteur de croissance épidermique humain (HER2) et/ou l’amplification du gène HER2 sont des facteurs prédictifs du cancer du sein. Avec l’introduction du traitement ciblé au trastuzumab, l’évaluation fiable d’HER2 est devenue essentielle. Malheureusement, jusqu’à 50% des patientes HER2-positives développent une résistance envers ce médicament. Les objectifs étaient : 1) déterminer la façon la plus fiable et économique pour évaluer le statut HER2 (cohorte de 521 cas consécutifs de cancer du sein); 2) examiner l’association entre deux polymorphismes d’HER2 (Ile655Val et Ala1170Pro), la consommation de tabac et d’alcool et la réponse au trastuzumab (cohorte de 236 patientes HER2-positives traitées au trastuzumab). De plus, dans une étude pilote, nous avons examiné l’association entre les patrons de méthylation d’ADN dans la tumeur et la réponse au trastuzumab (cohorte de 12 patientes HER2-positives traitées au trastuzumab). Le statut HER2 a été évalué par immunohistochimie (IHC), hybridation fluorescente in situ (FISH) et essai TaqMan. Nous avons comparé le statut HER2 déterminé par FISH sur lame complète (LC, un tissu par lame) et par matrice tissulaire (TMA, 60 tissus par lame), ainsi que le statut HER2 évalué par IHC et FISH sur le bloc ayant servi pour le diagnostic (bloc diagnostique) et sur un bloc choisi aléatoirement (bloc aléatoire). Les informations cliniques ont été obtenues dans les dossiers médicaux, celles sur la consommation de tabac et d’alcool par des questionnaires validés. Le patron de méthylation d’ADN a été évalué en utilisant la micropuce Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. La concordance générale entre le statut HER2 déterminé par FISH sur LC et TMA était de 98,2%, et celle entre les blocs diagnostiques et aléatoires était de 98,0% au FISH et de 93,6% à l’IHC. La consommation de tabac et l’allèle Val étaient associés à une moins bonne réponse, tandis que la consommation d’alcool était associée à une meilleure réponse. Le patron de méthylation dans les tumeurs de patientes atteintes d’un cancer du sein HER2- positif qui ont développé une résistance au trastuzumab diffère de celui des patientes qui répondent au traitement. Cependant, ces résultats semblent dépendre de la méthode bioinformatique d’analyse utilisée. Nous concluons que l’évaluation d’HER2 par FISH sur TMA représente une méthode fiable et économique. Les taux de concordances obtenus par FISH, mais pas ceux observés à l’IHC, satisfont l’exigence du Collège des pathologistes américains d’au moins 95% de concordance entre les résultats obtenus avec la méthode de référence et la nouvelle méthode. Le tabagisme, la consommation d’alcool et le polymorphisme HER2 Ile655Val pourraient influencer la réponse au traitement au trastuzumab.
The overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and/or HER2 gene amplification are predictive factors in breast cancer. Following the HER2-targeted treatment with trastuzumab, the reliable evaluation of HER2 has become essential. Unfortunately, up to 50% of HER2-positive breast cancer patients develop resistance towards this drug. The objectives were: 1). To determine the most reliable and economical method to evaluate HER2 status (cohort of 521 consecutive breast cancer cases); 2). To examine the association between tobacco and alcohol consumption, and two HER2 polymorphisms (Ile655Val and Ala1170Pro), and the response to trastuzumab (cohort of 236 HER2-positive breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab). Moreover, in a pilot study, we explored the association between genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in breast cancer tissues and the response to trastuzumab (cohort of 12 breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab). HER2 status was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and TaqMan assay. We compared HER2 status determined by FISH on whole tissue (WT, one tissue per slide) section and tissue microarray (TMA, 60 tissues per slide) section, and HER2 status evaluated by IHC and FISH on the block used for diagnostic (diagnostic block) and on a randomly chosen additional block (random block). Clinicopathological information were assessed by review of medical records, tobacco and alcohol consumption by an administered validated questionnaire. DNA methylation patterns were evaluated using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Overall concordance between HER2 status determined by FISH on WT and TMA sections was 98.2% and that between diagnostic and random blocks was 98.0% for FISH and 93.6% for IHC. Tobacco consumption and the Val allele were associated with a worse response, whereas alcohol consumption was associated with a better response. Methylation pattern in tumor tissues of HER2-positive breast cancer patients who acquired resistance to trastuzumab treatment differed from that of HER2-positive breast cancer patients who responded to trastuzumab treatment. However, this observation seemed to depend upon the method of bioinformatics analysis used. We conclude that FISH performed on TMA section represents a reliable and economical method for the evaluation of HER2. Results obtained by FISH, but not those obtained by IHC, fulfill the recommendations of the College of American Pathologists of concordance greater than 95% between the reference method and the new method. Tobacco use, alcohol consumption and Ile655Val HER2 polymorphism might influence the response to trastuzumab treatment.

Mammographic density, the amount of radiodense tissue on a mammogram, is a strong risk factor for breast cancer, with properties that could be an asset in screening and prevention programmes. Its use in risk prediction contexts is currently limited, however, mainly due to di culties in measuring and interpreting density. This research investigates rstly, the properties of density as an independent marker of breast cancer risk and secondly, how density should be measured. The rst question was addressed by analysing data from a chemoprevention trial, a trial of hormonal treatment, and a cohort study of women with a family history of breast cancer . Tamoxifen-induced density reduction was observed to be a good predictor of breast cancer risk reduction in high-risk una ected subjects. Density and its changes did not predict risk or treatment outcome in subjects with a primary invasive breast tumour. Finally absolute density predicted risk better than percent density and showed a potential to improve existing risk-prediction models, even in a population at enhanced familial risk of breast cancer. The second part of thesis focuses on density measurement and in particular evaluates two fully-automated volumetric methods, Quantra and Volpara. These two methods are highly correlated and in both cases absolute density (cm3) discriminated cases from controls better than percent density. Finally, we evaluated and compared di erent measurement methods. Our ndings suggested good reliability of the Cumulus and visual assessments. Quantra volumetric estimates appeared negligibly a ected by measurement error, but were less variable than visual bi-dimensional ones, a ecting their ability to discriminate cases from controls. Overall, visual assessments showed the strongest association with breast cancer risk in comparison to computerised methods. Our research supports the hypothesis that density should have a role in personalising screening programs and risk management. Volumetric density measuring methods, though promising, could be improved.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the manifestation of pain is frequent and can occur at all stages of the disease, as well as being a consequence of various diagnostics and therapeutics approaches. Objectives: To describe if the pain is related or unrelated to breast cancer, identifying the occurrence of pain in the last 24 hours, check the intensity related or unrelated to breast cancer and report the main anatomical sites of pain. Methods: A descriptive study involving outpatient women diagnosed with breast cancer at any stage of the disease or treatment, from November 2011 to April 2012. The interviews were conducted with the oncology outpatients from Hospital João Alves Filho using a screening questionnaire elaborated by the researchers and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Results: Ninety women aged 27-80 years old were interviewed, 59 (66%) did not relate the pain with breast cancer and 73 (81%) reported no pain before the illness. Only 34 women (38%) reported pain in the last 24 hours negatively affect the ability to walk, sleep and mood. The average pain on a scale from 0 to 10 was 4.8. The major anatomical sites of pain were the upper extremities (23%), lower limbs (21%) and spine (15%). Conclusion: Fifty nine (56%) of the women interviewed did not relate the pain with breast cancer, highlighting the upper extremities as major anatomical sites of pain. The pain was present, in the last 24 hours, in 38% of women, in mild intensity and interfering with quality of life.
Introdução: O câncer de mama é a neoplasia mais comum entre as mulheres e a manifestação de dor é um evento frequente, podendo ocorrer em todas as fases da doença, bem como ser decorrente de várias abordagens diagnósticas e terapêuticas. Objetivos: Descrever se a dor está ou não relacionada com o câncer de mama, identificar a ocorrência de dor nas últimas 24 horas, verificar a intensidade da dor relacionada ou não ao câncer e descrever os principais sítios anatômicos de dor. Casuística e método: Estudo descritivo envolvendo mulheres com diagnóstico de câncer de mama e em tratamento ambulatorial, em qualquer fase da doença ou tratamento, no período de novembro de 2011 a abril de 2012. As entrevistas foram realizadas no ambulatório de oncologia do Hospital Governador João Alves Filho, utilizando um formulário elaborado pelos pesquisadores e o Inventário Breve da Dor (IBD). Resultados: Noventa mulheres com idade entre 27 a 80 anos foram entrevistadas, 59 (66%) não relacionaram a dor com o câncer de mama e 73 (81%) não relataram a presença de dor antes da doença. Apenas 34 mulheres (38%) referiram dor nas últimas 24 horas interferindo negativamente na habilidade de caminhar, no sono e no humor. A média de dor em uma escala de 0 a 10 foi de 4,8 e os principais sítios anatômicos de dor foram os membros superiores (23%), membros inferiores (21%) e coluna vertebral (15%). Conclusão: Em 59 (66%) mulheres a dor não esteve relacionada com o câncer de mama e os MMSS foram apontados como os principais sítios anatômicos de dor. A dor esteve presente, nas últimas 24 horas, em 38% das mulheres, de intensidade moderada e interferindo na qualidade de vida.

Biological tissues exhibit elastic x-ray scatter properties unique to individual tissue types. It has been suggested that these properties could be exploited in the discrimination of tissues in diagnostic radiology, particularly in mammographic imaging. The work in this thesis investigates the elastic scatter from human breast tissues with a view to moving the Diffraction Enhanced Breast Imaging (DEBI) technique towards the clinical domain. Instrumentation was considered in terms of a suitable scatter detector and its associated collimation. A phosphor coated low-light-level CCD in conjunction with a parallel hole array collimator was introduced as a possible angular dispersive diffraction detector, and conically collimated HPGe was found to be a suitable detector for energy dispersive diffraction. Diffraction imaging was achieved using both planar and tomographic imaging techniques. The planar imaging considered the spatial resolution needed for clinically useful results and showed that depth information of the order of 1 cm can easily be obtained using diffraction imaging techniques. A micro-tomographic diffraction imaging technique was used to further present knowledge of the 'scatter signatures' of human breast tissue. The tissue is naturally inhomogeneous, so precise knowledge of a sample's composition is needed in order to accurately classify its scatter signature. A total of twenty seven breast tissue samples were examined, covering a range of tissue types, with nineteen of these samples being extensively studied. The microCT produced diffraction images of the inhomogeneous tissue samples and their diffraction signatures were related to the results of conventional histopathological analysis. A correlation was observed between the predominant tissue type in a sample and the ratio of the intensity of the sample's scatter at momentum transfers of 1.1 and 1.5 nm-1. A Student's t-test performed on these results gave the probability of a null hypothesis for correlation of less than 1%.

This study was conducted to investigate the optimal MRI protocols for quantitative assessment of breast density. The research involved development of a patient-specific 3D-printed breast phantom for simulation of breast tissues and quantitative analysis of breast density based on phantom experiments and patient data analysis. Results of this research highlight the importance of standardising breast MRI protocols for the evaluation of breast density, predominantly for women at an elevated risk of developing breast cancer.

Clinical depression affects many people and is associated with several risk factors that include being diagnosed with a serious medical illness such as breast cancer. Objectives of this chapter were to elucidate the prevalence of depression in breast cancer patients, the impact of depression as it pertains to life functioning and quality of life, highlight the bidirectional relationship of breast cancer and depression, outline assessment strategies and measurement issues relevant to assessing depression, and review the treatment outcome literature addressing the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for depressed breast cancer patients. Depression is highly prevalent among breast cancer patients, significantly impacts life functioning, may be associated with cancer progression and mortality, and is bidirectionally related to breast cancer through several pathways. Many behavioral assessment strategies may be useful for recognizing depression in breast cancer patients, and, although methodological weaknesses are evident, several psychosocial interventions show substantial promise as effective treatments for depressed breast cancer patients.

Inundation modeling is often conducted for levee systems to understand current flood risks. The extent of inundation caused by a breach in the levee is highly influenced by the widening rate of the levee breach. This study presents an approach for calculating levee-breach widening rates based on average flow velocity through the breach, embankment height, and erosion characteristics of the soil. Estimates of soil erodibility are derived through an analysis of the measurements of soil erodibility presented in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 915 database. Levee-breach widening rate curves are calculated based on these erosion properties to demonstrate the approach, and default curves are presented for typical levees built from coarse-grained soils and fine-grained soils. While the most accurate approach for a site is to calculate site-specific widening rate curves based on estimates of local soil erodibility, the default curves presented provide a suitable starting point for initial inundation modeling.

Cold-recycling treatments are gaining popularity in the United States because of their economic and environmental benefits. Curing is the most critical phase for these treatments. Curing is the process where emulsion breaks and water evaporates, leaving residual binder in the treated material. In this process, the cold-recycled mix gains strength. Sufficient strength is required before opening the cold-treated layer to traffic or placing an overlay. Otherwise, premature failure, related to insufficient strength and trapped moisture, would be expected. However, some challenges arise from the lack of relevant information and specifications to monitor treatment curing. This report presents the outcomes of a research project funded by the Illinois Department for Transportation to investigate the feasibility of using the nondestructive ground-penetrating radar (GPR) for density and moisture content estimation of cold-recycled treatments. Monitoring moisture content is an indicator of curing level; treated layers must meet a threshold of maximum allowable moisture content (2% in Illinois) to be considered sufficiently cured. The methodology followed in this report included GPR numerical simulations and GPR indoor and field tests for data sources. The data were used to correlate moisture content to dielectric properties calculated from GPR measurements. Two models were developed for moisture content estimation: the first is based on numerical simulations and the second is based on electromagnetic mixing theory and called the Al-Qadi-Cao-Abufares (ACA) model. The simulation model had an average error of 0.33% for moisture prediction for five different field projects. The ACA model had an average error of 2% for density prediction and an average root-mean-square error of less than 0.5% for moisture content prediction for both indoor and field tests. The ACA model is presented as part of a developed user-friendly tool that could be used in the future to continuously monitor curing of cold-recycled treatments.

Drought stress is a major limitation to bread wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) productivity and its yield stability in arid and semi-arid regions of world including parts of Israel and the U.S. Currently, breeding for sustained yields under drought stress is totally dependent on the use of yield and several key physiological attributes as selection indices. The attempt to identify the optimal genotype by evaluating the phenotype is undermining progress in such breeding programs. Osmotic adjustment (OA) is an effective drought resistance mechanism in many crop plants. Evidence exists that there is a genetic variation for OA in wheat and that high OA capacity supports wheat yields under drought stress. The major objective of this research was to identify molecular markers (RFLPs, restriction fragment length polymorphisms; and AFLPs, amplified fragment length polymorph isms) linked to OA as a major attribute of drought resistance in wheat and thus to facilitate marker-assisted selection for drought resistance. We identified high and low OA lines of wheat and from their cross developed recombinant inbred lines (RILs) used in the molecular tagging of OA in relation to drought resistance in terms of plant production under stress. The significant positive co-segregation of OA, plant water status and yield under stress in this RIL population provided strong support for the important role of OA as a drought resistance mechanism sustaining wheat production under drought stress. This evidence was obtained in addition to the initial study of parental materials for constructing this RIL population, which also gave evidence for a strong correlation between OA and grain yield under stress. This research therefore provides conclusive evidence on the important role of OA in sustaining wheat yield under drought stress. The measurement of OA is difficult and the selection for drought resistance by the phenotypic expression of OA is practically impossible. This research provided information on the genetic basis of OA in wheat in relations to yield under stress. It provided the basic information to indicate that molecular marker assisted selection for OA in wheat is possible. The RIL population has been created by a cross between two agronomic spring wheat lines and the high OA recombinants in this population presented very high OA values, not commonly observed in wheat. These recombinants are therefore an immediate valuable genetic recourse for breeding well-adapted drought resistant wheat in Texas and Israel. We feel that this work taken as a whole eliminate the few previous speculated . doubts about the practical role of OA as an important mechanism of drought resistance in economic crop plants. As such it should open the way, in terms of both concept and the use of marker assisted selection, for improving drought resistance in wheat by deploying high osmotic adjustment.

Eminent Domain is the power of the government or quasi-government entities to take private or public property interests through condemnation. Eminent Domain has been a significant issue since 1879 when, in the case of Boom Company v. Patterson, the Supreme Court first acknowledged that the power of eminent domain may be delegated by state legislatures to agencies and non-governmental entities. Thus, the era of legal takings began. Though an important legal dispute then, more recently eminent domain has blossomed into an enduring contentious social and political problem throughout the United States. The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution states, “nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” Thus, in the wake of the now infamous decision in Kelo v. City of New London, where the Court upheld the taking of private property for purely economic benefit as a “public use,” the requirement of “just compensation” stands as the primary defender of constitutionally protected liberty under the federal constitution. In response to Kelo, many state legislatures passed a variety of eminent domain reforms specifically tailoring what qualifies as a public use and how just compensation should be calculated. Texas landowners recognize that the state’s population is growing at a rapid pace. There is an increasing need for more land and resources such as energy and transportation. But, private property rights are equally important, especially in Texas, and must be protected as well. Eminent domain and the condemnation process is not a willing buyer and willing seller transition; it is a legally forced sale. Therefore, it is necessary to consider further improvements to the laws that govern the use of eminent domain so Texas landowners can have more assurance that this process is fair and respectful of their private property rights when they are forced to relinquish their land. This report compiles statutes and information from the other forty-nine states to illustrate how they address key eminent domain issues. Further, this report endeavors to provide a neutral third voice in Texas to strike a more appropriate balance between individual’s property rights and the need for increased economic development. This report breaks down eminent domain into seven major topics that, in addition to Texas, seemed to be similar in many of the other states. These categories are: (1) Awarding of Attorneys’ Fee; (2) Compensation and Valuation; (3) Procedure Prior to Suit; (4) Condemnation Procedure; (5) What Cannot be Condemned; (6) Public Use & Authority to Condemn; and (7) Abandonment. In analyzing these seven categories, this report does not seek to advance a particular interest but only to provide information on how Texas law differs from other states. This report lays out trends seen across other states that are either similar or dissimilar to Texas, and additionally, discusses interesting and unique laws employed by other states that may be of interest to Texas policy makers. Our research found three dominant categories which tend to be major issues across the country: (1) the awarding of attorneys’ fees; (2) the valuation and measurement of just compensation; and (3) procedure prior to suit.

1.1 Macroeconomic summary Economic recovery has consistently outperformed the technical staff’s expectations following a steep decline in activity in the second quarter of 2020. At the same time, total and core inflation rates have fallen and remain at low levels, suggesting that a significant element of the reactivation of Colombia’s economy has been related to recovery in potential GDP. This would support the technical staff’s diagnosis of weak aggregate demand and ample excess capacity. The most recently available data on 2020 growth suggests a contraction in economic activity of 6.8%, lower than estimates from January’s Monetary Policy Report (-7.2%). High-frequency indicators suggest that economic performance was significantly more dynamic than expected in January, despite mobility restrictions and quarantine measures. This has also come amid declines in total and core inflation, the latter of which was below January projections if controlling for certain relative price changes. This suggests that the unexpected strength of recent growth contains elements of demand, and that excess capacity, while significant, could be lower than previously estimated. Nevertheless, uncertainty over the measurement of excess capacity continues to be unusually high and marked both by variations in the way different economic sectors and spending components have been affected by the pandemic, and by uneven price behavior. The size of excess capacity, and in particular the evolution of the pandemic in forthcoming quarters, constitute substantial risks to the macroeconomic forecast presented in this report. Despite the unexpected strength of the recovery, the technical staff continues to project ample excess capacity that is expected to remain on the forecast horizon, alongside core inflation that will likely remain below the target. Domestic demand remains below 2019 levels amid unusually significant uncertainty over the size of excess capacity in the economy. High national unemployment (14.6% for February 2021) reflects a loose labor market, while observed total and core inflation continue to be below 2%. Inflationary pressures from the exchange rate are expected to continue to be low, with relatively little pass-through on inflation. This would be compatible with a negative output gap. Excess productive capacity and the expectation of core inflation below the 3% target on the forecast horizon provide a basis for an expansive monetary policy posture. The technical staff’s assessment of certain shocks and their expected effects on the economy, as well as the presence of several sources of uncertainty and related assumptions about their potential macroeconomic impacts, remain a feature of this report. The coronavirus pandemic, in particular, continues to affect the public health environment, and the reopening of Colombia’s economy remains incomplete. The technical staff’s assessment is that the COVID-19 shock has affected both aggregate demand and supply, but that the impact on demand has been deeper and more persistent. Given this persistence, the central forecast accounts for a gradual tightening of the output gap in the absence of new waves of contagion, and as vaccination campaigns progress. The central forecast continues to include an expected increase of total and core inflation rates in the second quarter of 2021, alongside the lapse of the temporary price relief measures put in place in 2020. Additional COVID-19 outbreaks (of uncertain duration and intensity) represent a significant risk factor that could affect these projections. Additionally, the forecast continues to include an upward trend in sovereign risk premiums, reflected by higher levels of public debt that in the wake of the pandemic are likely to persist on the forecast horizon, even in the context of a fiscal adjustment. At the same time, the projection accounts for the shortterm effects on private domestic demand from a fiscal adjustment along the lines of the one currently being proposed by the national government. This would be compatible with a gradual recovery of private domestic demand in 2022. The size and characteristics of the fiscal adjustment that is ultimately implemented, as well as the corresponding market response, represent another source of forecast uncertainty. Newly available information offers evidence of the potential for significant changes to the macroeconomic scenario, though without altering the general diagnosis described above. The most recent data on inflation, growth, fiscal policy, and international financial conditions suggests a more dynamic economy than previously expected. However, a third wave of the pandemic has delayed the re-opening of Colombia’s economy and brought with it a deceleration in economic activity. Detailed descriptions of these considerations and subsequent changes to the macroeconomic forecast are presented below. The expected annual decline in GDP (-0.3%) in the first quarter of 2021 appears to have been less pronounced than projected in January (-4.8%). Partial closures in January to address a second wave of COVID-19 appear to have had a less significant negative impact on the economy than previously estimated. This is reflected in figures related to mobility, energy demand, industry and retail sales, foreign trade, commercial transactions from selected banks, and the national statistics agency’s (DANE) economic tracking indicator (ISE). Output is now expected to have declined annually in the first quarter by 0.3%. Private consumption likely continued to recover, registering levels somewhat above those from the previous year, while public consumption likely increased significantly. While a recovery in investment in both housing and in other buildings and structures is expected, overall investment levels in this case likely continued to be low, and gross fixed capital formation is expected to continue to show significant annual declines. Imports likely recovered to again outpace exports, though both are expected to register significant annual declines. Economic activity that outpaced projections, an increase in oil prices and other export products, and an expected increase in public spending this year account for the upward revision to the 2021 growth forecast (from 4.6% with a range between 2% and 6% in January, to 6.0% with a range between 3% and 7% in April). As a result, the output gap is expected to be smaller and to tighten more rapidly than projected in the previous report, though it is still expected to remain in negative territory on the forecast horizon. Wide forecast intervals reflect the fact that the future evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant source of uncertainty on these projections. The delay in the recovery of economic activity as a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in the first quarter appears to have been less significant than projected in the January report. The central forecast scenario expects this improved performance to continue in 2021 alongside increased consumer and business confidence. Low real interest rates and an active credit supply would also support this dynamic, and the overall conditions would be expected to spur a recovery in consumption and investment. Increased growth in public spending and public works based on the national government’s spending plan (Plan Financiero del Gobierno) are other factors to consider. Additionally, an expected recovery in global demand and higher projected prices for oil and coffee would further contribute to improved external revenues and would favor investment, in particular in the oil sector. Given the above, the technical staff’s 2021 growth forecast has been revised upward from 4.6% in January (range from 2% to 6%) to 6.0% in April (range from 3% to 7%). These projections account for the potential for the third wave of COVID-19 to have a larger and more persistent effect on the economy than the previous wave, while also supposing that there will not be any additional significant waves of the pandemic and that mobility restrictions will be relaxed as a result. Economic growth in 2022 is expected to be 3%, with a range between 1% and 5%. This figure would be lower than projected in the January report (3.6% with a range between 2% and 6%), due to a higher base of comparison given the upward revision to expected GDP in 2021. This forecast also takes into account the likely effects on private demand of a fiscal adjustment of the size currently being proposed by the national government, and which would come into effect in 2022. Excess in productive capacity is now expected to be lower than estimated in January but continues to be significant and affected by high levels of uncertainty, as reflected in the wide forecast intervals. The possibility of new waves of the virus (of uncertain intensity and duration) represents a significant downward risk to projected GDP growth, and is signaled by the lower limits of the ranges provided in this report. Inflation (1.51%) and inflation excluding food and regulated items (0.94%) declined in March compared to December, continuing below the 3% target. The decline in inflation in this period was below projections, explained in large part by unanticipated increases in the costs of certain foods (3.92%) and regulated items (1.52%). An increase in international food and shipping prices, increased foreign demand for beef, and specific upward pressures on perishable food supplies appear to explain a lower-than-expected deceleration in the consumer price index (CPI) for foods. An unexpected increase in regulated items prices came amid unanticipated increases in international fuel prices, on some utilities rates, and for regulated education prices. The decline in annual inflation excluding food and regulated items between December and March was in line with projections from January, though this included downward pressure from a significant reduction in telecommunications rates due to the imminent entry of a new operator. When controlling for the effects of this relative price change, inflation excluding food and regulated items exceeds levels forecast in the previous report. Within this indicator of core inflation, the CPI for goods (1.05%) accelerated due to a reversion of the effects of the VAT-free day in November, which was largely accounted for in February, and possibly by the transmission of a recent depreciation of the peso on domestic prices for certain items (electric and household appliances). For their part, services prices decelerated and showed the lowest rate of annual growth (0.89%) among the large consumer baskets in the CPI. Within the services basket, the annual change in rental prices continued to decline, while those services that continue to experience the most significant restrictions on returning to normal operations (tourism, cinemas, nightlife, etc.) continued to register significant price declines. As previously mentioned, telephone rates also fell significantly due to increased competition in the market. Total inflation is expected to continue to be affected by ample excesses in productive capacity for the remainder of 2021 and 2022, though less so than projected in January. As a result, convergence to the inflation target is now expected to be somewhat faster than estimated in the previous report, assuming the absence of significant additional outbreaks of COVID-19. The technical staff’s year-end inflation projections for 2021 and 2022 have increased, suggesting figures around 3% due largely to variation in food and regulated items prices. The projection for inflation excluding food and regulated items also increased, but remains below 3%. Price relief measures on indirect taxes implemented in 2020 are expected to lapse in the second quarter of 2021, generating a one-off effect on prices and temporarily affecting inflation excluding food and regulated items. However, indexation to low levels of past inflation, weak demand, and ample excess productive capacity are expected to keep core inflation below the target, near 2.3% at the end of 2021 (previously 2.1%). The reversion in 2021 of the effects of some price relief measures on utility rates from 2020 should lead to an increase in the CPI for regulated items in the second half of this year. Annual price changes are now expected to be higher than estimated in the January report due to an increased expected path for fuel prices and unanticipated increases in regulated education prices. The projection for the CPI for foods has increased compared to the previous report, taking into account certain factors that were not anticipated in January (a less favorable agricultural cycle, increased pressure from international prices, and transport costs). Given the above, year-end annual inflation for 2021 and 2022 is now expected to be 3% and 2.8%, respectively, which would be above projections from January (2.3% and 2,7%). For its part, expected inflation based on analyst surveys suggests year-end inflation in 2021 and 2022 of 2.8% and 3.1%, respectively. There remains significant uncertainty surrounding the inflation forecasts included in this report due to several factors: 1) the evolution of the pandemic; 2) the difficulty in evaluating the size and persistence of excess productive capacity; 3) the timing and manner in which price relief measures will lapse; and 4) the future behavior of food prices. Projected 2021 growth in foreign demand (4.4% to 5.2%) and the supposed average oil price (USD 53 to USD 61 per Brent benchmark barrel) were both revised upward. An increase in long-term international interest rates has been reflected in a depreciation of the peso and could result in relatively tighter external financial conditions for emerging market economies, including Colombia. Average growth among Colombia’s trade partners was greater than expected in the fourth quarter of 2020. This, together with a sizable fiscal stimulus approved in the United States and the onset of a massive global vaccination campaign, largely explains the projected increase in foreign demand growth in 2021. The resilience of the goods market in the face of global crisis and an expected normalization in international trade are additional factors. These considerations and the expected continuation of a gradual reduction of mobility restrictions abroad suggest that Colombia’s trade partners could grow on average by 5.2% in 2021 and around 3.4% in 2022. The improved prospects for global economic growth have led to an increase in current and expected oil prices. Production interruptions due to a heavy winter, reduced inventories, and increased supply restrictions instituted by producing countries have also contributed to the increase. Meanwhile, market forecasts and recent Federal Reserve pronouncements suggest that the benchmark interest rate in the U.S. will remain stable for the next two years. Nevertheless, a significant increase in public spending in the country has fostered expectations for greater growth and inflation, as well as increased uncertainty over the moment in which a normalization of monetary policy might begin. This has been reflected in an increase in long-term interest rates. In this context, emerging market economies in the region, including Colombia, have registered increases in sovereign risk premiums and long-term domestic interest rates, and a depreciation of local currencies against the dollar. Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in several of these economies; limits on vaccine supply and the slow pace of immunization campaigns in some countries; a significant increase in public debt; and tensions between the United States and China, among other factors, all add to a high level of uncertainty surrounding interest rate spreads, external financing conditions, and the future performance of risk premiums. The impact that this environment could have on the exchange rate and on domestic financing conditions represent risks to the macroeconomic and monetary policy forecasts. Domestic financial conditions continue to favor recovery in economic activity. The transmission of reductions to the policy interest rate on credit rates has been significant. The banking portfolio continues to recover amid circumstances that have affected both the supply and demand for loans, and in which some credit risks have materialized. Preferential and ordinary commercial interest rates have fallen to a similar degree as the benchmark interest rate. As is generally the case, this transmission has come at a slower pace for consumer credit rates, and has been further delayed in the case of mortgage rates. Commercial credit levels stabilized above pre-pandemic levels in March, following an increase resulting from significant liquidity requirements for businesses in the second quarter of 2020. The consumer credit portfolio continued to recover and has now surpassed February 2020 levels, though overall growth in the portfolio remains low. At the same time, portfolio projections and default indicators have increased, and credit establishment earnings have come down. Despite this, credit disbursements continue to recover and solvency indicators remain well above regulatory minimums. 1.2 Monetary policy decision In its meetings in March and April the BDBR left the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.75%.