quantifying segmental cardiac: Topics by WorldWideScience.org

Quantifying the accuracy of automated structure segmentation in 4D CT images using a deformable image registration algorithm

The noninvasive assessment of cardiac function is of first importance for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. Among all medical scanners only a few enables radiologists to evaluate the local cardiac...Full Text Available

2009-01-01

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Four-dimensional (4D) radiotherapy is the explicit inclusion of the temporal changes in anatomy during the imaging, planning, and delivery of radiotherapy. One key component of 4D radiotherapy planning...Full Text Available

2008-04-01

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Cardiac Malpositions

Low-level and transuranic waste transportation, disposal, and facility decommissioning cost sensitivity analysis

Cardiac Malposition refers to any position of the heart other than a left-sided heart in a situs solitus individual. Associated cardiac malformations are so complex that even angiocardiographic and autopsy studies may not afford an accurate information. Although the terms and classifications used to describe the internal cardiac anatomy and their arterial connections in cardiac malpositions differ and tend to be confusing, common agreement exists on the need for a segmental approach to diagnosis. Authors present 18 cases of cardiac malpositions in which cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography were done at the Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital between 1971 and 1979. Authors analyzed the clinical, radiographic, operative and autopsy findings with the emphasis on the angiocardiographic findings. The results are ...

1979-06-01

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Low-level and transuranic waste transportation, disposal, and facility decommissioning cost sensitivity analysis

The Systems Design Study (SDS) identified technologies available for the remediation of low-level and transuranic waste stored at the Radioactive Waste Management Complex's Subsurface Disposal Area at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. The SDS study intentionally omitted the costs of transportation and disposal of the processed waste and the cost of decommissioning the processing facility. This report provides a follow-on analysis of the SDS to explore the basis for life-cycle cost segments of transportation, disposal, and facility decommissioning; to determine the sensitivity of the cost segments; and to quantify the life-cycle costs of the 10 ex situ concepts of the Systems Design Study.

1992-05-01

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Quantification of the local glucose utilization and local blood flow in the heart of the awake rat using the /sup 14/C-2-deoxyglucose and /sup 14/C-iodoantipyrine methods

The Systems Design Study (SDS) identified technologies available for the remediation of low-level and transuranic waste stored at the Radioactive Waste Management Complex`s Subsurface Disposal Area at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. The SDS study intentionally omitted the costs of transportation and disposal of the processed waste and the cost of decommissioning the processing facility. This report provides a follow-on analysis of the SDS to explore the basis for life-cycle cost segments of transportation, disposal, and facility decommissioning; to determine the sensitivity of the cost segments; and to quantify the life-cycle costs of the 10 ex situ concepts of the Systems Design Study.

1992-05-01

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The influence of different SPECT reconstruction algorithms on cardiac ischemia with the use artificial neural networks

Local cardiac glucose utilization (LCarGU) was quantified in the rat heart according to the Sokoloff model and local cardiac blood flow (LCarBF) according to the /sup 14/C-iodoantipyrine method. For quantitative autoradiography calibration curves for heart slices were performed. They differed from the brain calibration curves by 8%. The lumped constant was 0.377 in isolated working hearts. LCarGU and LCarBF could then be quantified in awake rats. At different locations mean LCarGU of different hearts varied from 85 to 200 ..mu..moles/100g/min and mean LCarBF from 390 to 831 ml/100g/min. The ratio subendocardial/subepicardial glucose utilization or blood flow was not systematically different from 1. The results indicate that glucose can be an important fuel in the heart of the awake rat, although its contribution to overall metabolism varies from animal to animal.

1986-03-05

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Corrected transposition of the great arteries

The aim of the study was the attempt to evaluate the influence of two different methods of cardiac perfusion SPECT reconstruction (FBP and ITW) on clinical efficacy in diagnosing the coronary artery disease as well as the cardiac ischemia detection in three areas of heart vascularized by main coronary arteries: LAD, LCX and RCA with the use of artificial neural networks (ANN). The study was performed retrospectively with the use of the diagnostic image records as well as clinical dataset of 43 patients. Myocardial perfusion stress/rest SPECT study and X-ray coronarography data were evaluated for each patient. The results of coronary angiography were considered the reference method. The cardiac SPECT data were reconstructed using the two different methods: filtered backprojection (FBP) and iterative Wallis method (ITW). The local perfusion deficits denominated in stress and rest study in three main vessel ...

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Radiocardiographic measurement of minimum central transit times by means of indium-113m-DTPA and of a 8-crystal radiocardiograph (Gamma Retina VI)

The corrected transposition of the great arteries is an usual congenital cardiac malformation, which consists of transposition of great arteries and ventricular inversion, and which is caused by abnormal development of conotruncus and ventricular looping. High frequency of associated cardiac malformations makes it difficult to get accurate morphologic diagnosis. A total of 18 cases of corrected transposition of the great arteries is presented, in which cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography were done at the Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital between September 1976 and June 1981. The clinical, radiographic, and operative findings with the emphasis on the angiocardiographic findings were analyzed. The results are as follows: 1. Among 18 cases, 13 cases have normal cardiac position, 2 cases have dextrocardia with situs solitus, 2 cases have dextrocardia with situs inversus ...

1981-12-01

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Cardiac Atrophy and Diastolic Dysfunction ... - LSDA - Experiment

The minimum cardiac transit times (MTT's) at rest and following sub-maximum stresses were measured in 97 individual examinations of untrained persons and high performance athletes. It turned out that there is a strong dependence on cardiac frequency of the MTT's. This relation can be described quite satisfactorily by a hyperbolic function and in this way allows a frequency correction to be made of the MTT's. The MTT's standardized in this way (MTT.f values) represent the quotient of the end diastolic segment volume/beat volume. In the whole lesser circulatory system almost identical MTT.f values were found for the two groups under comparison at rest and following stress. In the ventricles, however, and especially so in the left ventricle, the MTT.f values were clearly higher with athletes than with untrained persons, but they strongly decreased after stresses, while the respective values remained almost constant in ordinary ...

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Cardiac Angiosarcoma-Associated Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephropathy

... and Cardiac Function test (including optional measurements of central venous pressure (CVP), via a peripherally inserted central catheter, and cardiac output ...

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Transcriptional profile of isoproterenol-induced cardiomyopathy and comparison to exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy and human cardiac failure

Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare cardiac tumor. The initial clinical course is often asymptomatic, and metastatic disease is present in a majority of affected patients at diagnosis. We present...Full Text Available

2011-01-01

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Cardiac Rehabilitation for TIA Patients

BackgroundIsoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice has been used in a number of studies to model human cardiac disease. In this study, we compared the transcriptional response...Full Text Available

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Mineral-wool industry: opportunities for natural gas technologies. Topical report, January-July 1987

TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)

2010-12-13

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MRI of congenital heart disease in childhood

To quantify the opportunities for natural gas and identify technological advances needed to capture such opportunities, the mineral-wool industry was analyzed with respect to the principal companies, their capabilities, and markets. The mineral-wool industry is stable with a slightly declining market. Of its market segments, only commercial acoustic insulation (which is currently dominant) is likely to be affected by growth in the next ten years. The principal process is based on treatment of blast-furnace slags in a cupola furnace using coke as the fuel and reducing agent. Expanded use of gas, as a substitute for coke, would eliminate environmental problems and expand the latitude of suitable raw materials. The study provides insights into the mineral-wool industry and identifies factors that may constitute bases for future usage of natural gas.

1988-05-01

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Effects of carbon monoxide on myocardial ischemia

MRI provides a non-invasive diagnostic tool complementing echocardiography on one hand, and showing advantages over echocardiography, on the other hand, especially after corrective procedures. The multiple different MRI sequences need to be adapted to examinations of children and patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), and can be used to detect morphologic changes, blood-flow in the heart and thoracic vessels and diastolic or systolic function of myocardium. Several factors determine the success of the examination of a complex congenital heart disease or a postoperative situs. Pediatric radiologists and radiologists experienced in congenital heart diseases have to work in close cooperation. Echocardiography should be performed before MRI. The results of prior examinations and the clinical history of the patients, including possible palliative or reconstructive operations, must be available before MRI to guide the planning of the examination. With a systematic ...

2004-02-01

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Point/counterpoint: dose-related issues in cardiac CT imaging

The purpose of this study was to determine whether low doses of carbon monoxide (CO) exacerbate myocardial ischemia during a progressive exercise test. The effect of CO exposure was evaluated using the objective measure of time to development of electrocardiographic changes indicative of ischemia and the subjective measure of time to onset of angina. Sixty-three male subjects (41-75 years) with well-documented coronary artery disease, who had exertional angina pectoris and ischemic ST-segment changes in their electrocardiograms, were studied. Results from three randomized, double-blind test visits (room air, low and high CO) were compared. The effect of CO exposure was determined from the percent difference in the end points obtained on exercise tests performed before and after a 1-hr exposure to room air or CO. A significant dose-response relationship was found for the individual differences in the time to ST end point and angina for the pre-versus postexposure ...

1991-02-01

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British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This manuscript reviews some of the more controversial dose-related issues in cardiac CT imaging. Discussion covers the relative merits of cardiac CT versus MR, advantages and concerns regarding gated versus nongated cardiac CT and advantages and concerns regarding the use of breast shields in girls undergoing cardiac CT imaging.

2011-01-01

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Platelet thrombosis in cardiac-valve prostheses

Ambient air pollution and congenital heart disease: a register-based study.

The contribution of platelets and clotting factors in thrombosis on cardiovascular prostheses had been quantified with several tracers. Thrombus formation in vivo could be measured semiquantitatively in animal models and patients with indium-111, Technetium-99m labeled platelets, iodine-123, iodine-131 labeled fibrinogen, and In-111 and Tc-99m labeled antibody to the fibrinogen-receptor on the platelet- membrane, or fibrin. The early studies demonstrated that certain platelet-inhibitors, e.g. sulfinpyrazone, aspirin or aspirin- persantine increased platelet survival time with mechanical valves implanted in the baboon model and patients. Thrombus localization by imaging is possible for large thrombus on thrombogenic surface of prosthesis in the acute phase. The majority of thrombus was found in the sewing ring (Dacron) in the acute phase in both the mechanical and tissue valves. The amount of retained thrombus in both mechanical and tissue valves in our one-day ...

1989-06-08

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Models of cardiac electromechanics based on individual hearts imaging data

Maternal exposure to ambient air pollution has increasingly been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. The evidence linking this exposure to congenital anomalies is still limited and controversial. This case-control study investigated the association between maternal exposure to ambient particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 ?m (PM(10)), sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide (NO), ozone (O(3)), and carbon monoxide (CO) and the occurrence of congenital heart disease in the population of Northeast England (1993-2003). Each case and control was assigned weekly average (weeks 3-8 of pregnancy) of pollutant levels measured by the closest monitor to the mother's residential postcode. Using exposure as both continuous and categorical variables, logistic regression models were constructed to quantify the adjusted odds ratios of exposure to air pollutants and the occurrence of each outcome group. We found exposure to CO and NO to be ...

2011-02-17

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British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Current multi-scale computational models of ventricular electromechanics describe the full process of cardiac contraction on both the micro- and macro- scales including: the depolarization of cardiac cells, the release of calcium from intracellular stores, tension generation by cardiac myofilaments, and mechanical contraction of the whole heart. Such models are used to reveal basic mechanisms of cardiac contraction as well as the mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction in disease conditions. In this paper, we present a methodology to construct finite element electromechanical models of ventricular contraction with anatomically accurate ventricular geometry based on magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging of the heart. The electromechanical model couples detailed repres...

2011-01-01

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Phospholemman: A Novel Cardiac Stress Protein

Cardiac arrhythmia in refrigerator repairmen exposed to fluorocarbons.

Phospholemman (PLM), a member of the FXYD family of regulators of ion transport, is a major sarcolemmal substrate for protein kinases A and C in cardiac and skeletal muscle. In the heart, PLM...Full Text Available

2010-08-01

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Cardiac Enzymes, Renal Failure and Renal Transplantation

A field study of 89 refrigerator repairmen was carried out to ascertain whether occupational exposure to fluorocarbons induces cardiac arrhythmia. The concentrations of fluorocarbons in the breathing...Full Text Available

1990-03-01

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Wasted breath: Dispatcher-assisted CPR in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest meets cardio-cerebral resuscitation.

Diagnostic accuracy of the currently available serum markers of cardiac injury, such as myoglobin, creatine kinase and its myocardial isoform, are altered in patients with renal failure. It is shown...Full Text Available

2006-03-01

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Comparison of Manual Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Versus Automatic CPR Machine During Ambulance Transport.

PMID:21864481

2011-08-22

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An In-Hospital Family Member Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Education Program

Cardiac Arrest; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

2006-03-28

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A case of cardiac dysfunction associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.

Cardiac Arrest; Coronary Disease; Cardiovascular Risk Factors

2010-12-13

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KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

2009-04-01

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The conversion model: A strategic market segmentation system based on customer commitment and potential to change

Survey design, statistical analysis, and basis for statistical inferences in coastal habitat injury assessment: Exxon Valdez oil spill

Deregulation of utilities will require providers of electric power to put the issue of competition at the top of their strategic planning agenda. The companies that will flourish in this new competitive environment are those that have strongly committed customers and potential to grow. {open_quotes}Commitment{close_quotes} is the complex psychological bond between a customer and a brand (or choice); it is critical to measure because it is the foundation of loyalty and brand equity. The Conversion Model is an established, validated strategic research tool that measures customer commitment and potential to change. It was designed to help marketers devise strategies to strengthen the commitment of current customers and to acquire new customers. The Model helps companies protect and grow their businesss by first quantifying the commitment of current customers and the potential to convert competitors` customers. Further, the Model provides managers with actionable ...

1994-11-01

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Quantification of cardiac function with multislice spiral CT using retrospective EKG-gating: comparison with MRI

The objective of the Coastal Habitat Injury Assessment study was to document and quantify injury to biota of the shallow subtidal, intertidal, and supratidal zones throughout the shoreline affected by oil or cleanup activity associated with the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The results of these studies were to be used to support the Trustee`s Type B Natural Resource Damage Assessment under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). A probability based stratified random sample of shoreline segments was selected with probability proportional to size from each of 15 strata (5 habitat types crossed with 3 levels of potential oil impact) based on those data available in July, 1989. Three study regions were used: Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet/Kenai Peninsula, and Kodiak/Alaska Peninsula. A Geographic Information System was utilized to combine oiling and habitat data and to select the probability sample of ...

1995-12-31

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Spatiotemporal intracellular calcium dynamics during cardiac alternans

Purpose: To quantify left ventricular function derived from retrospectively ECG-gated multislice spiral CT (MSCT) data sets in comparison to MRI. Materials and Methods: In 16 patients (14 males, 2 females, mean age 56.8 #+-# 11.5 years), retrospectively ECG-gated MSCT angiography of the coronary arteries and breath-hold steady state free precession cine MRI were performed. From MSCT data-sets, 20 axial image series were reconstructed every 5% of the RR interval. Multiplanar images were reformatted in the short axis orientation from axial images. End-systolic and end-diastolic images were selected. From these images end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic volume (EDV) and stroke volume (SV) as well as the ejection fraction (EF) and myocardial mass (MM) were determined using the Simpson's method and compared with MRI. Furthermore, image quality was assessed for both imaging modalities using a four point grading scale. Results: All parameters were found to have an ...

2003-01-01

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Sex modifies exercise and cardiac adaptation in mice

Cellular calcium transient alternans are beat-to-beat alternations in the peak cytosolic calcium concentration exhibited by cardiac cells during rapid electrical stimulation or under pathological conditions....Full Text Available

2009-09-01

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Platelets in Hyperacute Rejection of Heterotopic Cardiac Allografts in Presensitized Dogs

How an individual’s sex and genetic background modify cardiac adaptation to increased workload is a topic of great interest. We systematically evaluated morphological and physiological...Full Text Available

2004-12-01

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Pitfalls with the "chest compression-only" approach: the challenge of an unusual cause

Experiments were carried out to determine whether platelet aggregation plays a primary role in cardiac allograft hyperacute rejection, as has been observed in renal allograft hyperacute rejection....Full Text Available

1973-02-01

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Ordered Assembly of the Adhesive and Electrochemical Connections within Newly Formed Intercalated Disks in Primary Cultures of Adult Rat Cardiomyocytes

Chest compression-only (CC-only) is now incorporated in the Norwegian protocol for dispatch guided CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) in cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac aetiology.We present...Full Text Available

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Multi-formalism modelling and simulation: application to cardiac modelling

The intercalated disk (ID) is a complex structure that electromechanically couples adjoining cardiac myocytes into a functional syncitium. The integrity of the disk is essential for normal cardiac function,...Full Text Available

2010-01-01

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Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Receptor Signaling Is Required for Exercise-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy

Cardiovascular modelling has been a major research subject for the last decades. Different cardiac models have been developed at a cellular level as well as at the whole organ level. Most of...Full Text Available

2004-01-01

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Increased Expression and Activity of Matrix Metalloproteinases Characterize Embolic Cardiac Myxomas

The receptors for IGF-I (IGF-IR) and insulin (IR) have been implicated in physiological cardiac growth, but it is unknown whether IGF-IR or IR signaling are critically required. We generated mice with...Full Text Available

2008-11-01

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Identification of Cardiac Myosin-binding Protein C as a Candidate Biomarker of Myocardial Infarction by Proteomics Analysis*

Tumor embolism occurs in 30 to 50% of all cases of cardiac myxoma, but the causes are still uncertain. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix...Full Text Available

2005-06-01

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Hypertrophy and Heart Failure in Mice Overexpressing the Cardiac Sodium-Calcium Exchanger

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common cause of death for which effective treatments are available provided that diagnosis is rapid. The current diagnostic gold standards are circulating cardiac...Full Text Available

2009-12-01

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Elevated Cardiac Troponin I in Sepsis and Septic Shock: No Evidence for Thrombus Associated Myocardial Necrosis

Background:The cardiac sodium–calcium exchanger (NCX1) is a key sarcolemmal protein for the maintenance of calcium homeostasis in the heart. Since heart failure...Full Text Available

2007-05-01

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Effects of Naja nivea venom on nerve, cardiac and skeletal muscle activity of the frog

BackgroundElevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is frequently observed in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. However, the mechanisms underlying cTnI release in these patients...Full Text Available

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Double-Valve Libman-Sacks Endocarditis Causing Ventricular Fibrillation Cardiac Arrest

1. The effects of 1 mg/ml whole Naja nivea (Cape cobra) venom, and of three different toxins isolated from it, on spinal reflex excitability and cardiac and skeletal muscle activity...Full Text Available

1973-03-01

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Consequences of unlocking the cardiac myosin molecule in human myocarditis and cardiomyopathies

Libman-Sacks endocarditis is a well-known and rather common cardiac manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography are the definitive imaging methods...Full Text Available

2011-01-01

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Anxiety in Patients with Cardiac Disease.

Myocarditis, often initiated by viral infection, may progress to autoimmune inflammatory heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Although cardiac myosin is a dominant autoantigen...Full Text Available

2008-09-01

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Access to Cardiac Interventional Services in Alabama and Mississippi: A Geographical Information System Analysis

Anxiety may cause adverse outcomes through physiologic pathways in patients with cardiac disease. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate anxiety and its correlates in persons with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure (HF). The ...

2005-01-01

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A high-speed network for cardiac image review.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the contribution of distance to hospitals with cardiac interventional services (CIS) to county age-adjusted myocardial infarction...Full Text Available

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A Conserved Role for Phosphoinositide-3-Kinase but Not Akt Signaling in Mitochondrial Adaptations that Accompany Physiological Cardiac Hypertrophy

A high-speed fiber-based network for the transmission and display of digitized full-motion cardiac images has been developed. Based on Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), the network is scaleable, meaning...Full Text Available

1994-01-01

48

Kenneth M. Baldwin - Astrobiology - NASA

Physiological cardiac hypertrophy is associated with mitochondrial adaptations that are characterized by activation of PGC-1α and increased fatty acid oxidative (FAO) capacity. It is...Full Text Available

2007-10-01

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Electrical Resistances of Corn Root Segments ¹²

Feb 11, 1997 ... Dr. Baldwin's research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of skeletal and cardiac muscle adaptations to hormonal and activity ...

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Unsolved Problems in Visibility Graphs of Points, Segments and Polygons

Longitudinal electrical resistances have been measured on 2-centimeter segments of corn (Zea mays L.) roots, cut at varying distances from the root apex. The segment resistances vary...Full Text Available

1976-02-01

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@ work' video segment features Robotic Software Engineer

In this survey paper, we present open problems and conjectures on visibility graphs of points, segments and polygons along with necessary backgrounds for understanding them.

2010-01-01

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ScienceCinema

@ work highlights Idaho National Laboratory employees and the jobs they perform.This segment features Robotic Software Engineer Miles Walton.

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Usefulness of routine laboratory parameters in the decision to treat refractory cardiac arrest with extracorporeal life support

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Aim: To evaluate the usefulness of routine laboratory parameters in the decision to treat refractory cardiac arrest patients with extracorporeal life support (ECLS). Methods: Sixty-six adults with witnessed cardiac arrest of cardiac origin unrelated to poisoning or hypothermia undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation without return of spontaneous circulation (duration: 155min [120-180], median, [25-75%-percentiles]) were included in a prospective cohort-study. ECLS was implemented under cardiac massage, using a centrifugal pump connected to a hollow-fiber membrane-oxygenator, aiming to maintain ECLS flow >=2.5l/min and mean arterial pressure >=60mmHg. Results: Forty-seven of 66 patients died within 24h from multiorgan failure and massive capillary leak. Of 19/66 patients who survived >=24h...

2011-01-01

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The effect of aqueous composition on diffusion coefficient in bentonite

Employing Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) in the Estimation of the Biomechanical Body Segment Parameters of Korean Adults

The diffusion coefficients (De) in bentonite were measured to understand and quantify the influence of groundwater chemistry such as ionic strength and to quantify the alteration of smectite mineralogical transformations. (author)

2009-12-01

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KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

2002-04-01

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Background Segmentation in Color Image Using Self-Organizing Feature Selection

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

2008-10-01

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Assessment of flow quantification in coronary bypass grafts and coronary arteries with velocity-encoded cine MR imaging; Flussquantifizierung in Koronar- und Bypassgefaessen mit der MR-Phasenkontrasttechnik

Three-dimensional rotational angiography of the carotid arteries with high-flow injection from the aortic arch. Preliminary experience

Materials and methods: 12 patients with 22 coronary bypass grafts underwent intraoperative flow quantification using the transit time ultrasound method. These values were compared to postoperative MR phase shift measurements. Flow measurements were performed preoperatively in 28 coronary arteries of 20 patients. For flow measurement, we used a velocity-encoded k-space segmented gradient echo sequence with a temporal resolution of 110 or 125 ms, respectively. 6-8 pase shift images could be acquired during one cardiac cycle. Results: There was a significant correlation between intraoperative and flow measurements using velocity-encoded MR imaging (r=0.76, p<0.0001, t-test). Flow volumes determined by MR imaging were systematically larger than those determined by the transit time ultrasound method. Mean flow in coronary arteries was reduced in severely stenosed vessels (>70%) compared to normal vessels. Intra- and interobserver ...

2000-02-01

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Transurethral Ultrasound Diffraction Tomography

Purpose: Three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) is a new technique based on a rotational angiographic acquisition able to display arterial vessels in a 3D rendering mode. The system was mainly developed for neuroradiological evaluations but preliminary extracranial experiences have also been reported. The aim of our work was to compare the results of three-dimensional angiography of the carotid arteries done with high-flow injection of contrast medium from the aortic arch with the results of selective angiography. Materials and methods: Twenty patients underwent digital angiography of the supra-aortic vessels in order to quantify a stenosis of the carotid bifurcations previously detected at Doppler Ultrasound. Examinations were performed with the Philips Integris Allura system provided with the rotational angiography (RA) tool connected to a workstation for three-dimensional reconstruction able to display vessels in a 3D fashion (Volume Rendering, Shaded ...

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Repair of a Complex Congenital Cardiac Defect

... [5] GT Gullberg, RH Huesman, DNG Roy, J. Qi and BW Reutter, Esti- mation of the parameter covariance matrix for a one-compartment cardiac ...

2007-03-01

60

Medline Plus

... stenosis. It looks from the transesophageal and the 3-D echo that most of the problem is really ... posterior leaflet, which you can see on the 3-D echo image is a major source. The anterior ...

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Refilling Intracellular Calcium Stores

Perioperative Care of a Child with Transposition of the Great Arteries

Within the cardiac cell, the movements of calcium ions are tightly regulated by a number of regulatory proteins including pumps, and channels. The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is in large part...Full Text Available

2010-01-01

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British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Opinion statement Because a minority of patients with D-transposition of the great arteries are diagnosed in utero by ultrasound, most present after delivery with cyanosis. In the absence of apparent lung disease, cyanotic neonates suspected of having a cardiac lesion should be immediately transferred to an intensive care unit at a pediatric tertiary care center for monitoring, resuscitation, and to define the cardiac anatomy and physiology. A prostaglandin E-1 infusion is usually initiated to maintain ductal patency and promote intra-cardiac mixing. In the past, balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) was routinely performed to enlarge the atrial septal defect and improve intra-cardiac mixing while the infants awaited surgery. Recent literature has reported an increase risk of stroke in neonates ...

2011-01-01

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Metronome to Coordinate the Breaths and Cardiac Compressions Delivered by Minimally-Trained Caregivers During Two-Person CPR

Ion channels, transporters, and pumps as targets for heart failure

Astronaut crew medical officers (CMO) aboard the International Space Station (ISS) receive 40 hours

2005-01-01

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FoxO, Autophagy, and Cardiac Remodeling

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. CHF is marked by atrial and ventricular enlargement and reduced cardiac contractility, as well as an association...Full Text Available

2009-10-01

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SEGMENTING CT PROSTATE IMAGES USING POPULATION AND PATIENT-SPECIFIC STATISTICS FOR RADIOTHERAPY

In response to changes in workload, the heart grows or shrinks. Indeed, the myocardium is capable of robust and rapid structural remodeling. In the setting of normal, physiological demand, the...Full Text Available

2010-08-01

66

Rapid, sensitive detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in simulated clinical specimens by DNA amplification.

This paper presents a new deformable model using both population and patient-specific statistics to segment the prostate from CT images. There are two novelties in the proposed method. First,...Full Text Available

2009-08-07

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Novel therapies for resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FONT) phase II clinical trial: study design

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was investigated as a means of diagnosing Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. The target DNA sequence was a 375-bp segment of the P1 virulence protein. This DNA segment...Full Text Available

1992-12-01

68

Mutational Analysis of cis-Acting RNA Signals in Segment 7 of Influenza A Virus?

BackgroundThe lack of adequate randomized clinical trials (RCT) has hindered identification of new therapies that are safe and effective for patients with primary focal segmental...Full Text Available

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Middle segment pancreatectomy can be safely incorporated into a pancreatic surgeon's clinical practice1

The genomic viral RNA (vRNA) segments of influenza A virus contain specific packaging signals at their termini that overlap the coding regions. To further characterize cis-acting signals...Full Text Available

2008-12-01

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A caGRID-ENABLED, LEARNING BASED IMAGE SEGMENTATION METHOD FOR HISTOPATHOLOGY SPECIMENS

Middle segment pancreatectomy (MSP) is a new operation where the advantages of parenchymal preservation are counterbalanced by a high postoperative complication rate and unease among surgeons with adopting...Full Text Available

2008-12-01

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Superoxide production by NAD(P)H oxidase and mitochondria is increased in genetically obese and hyperglycemic rat heart and aorta before the development of cardiac dysfunction. The role of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-derived NADPH

Accurate segmentation of tissue microarrays is a challenging topic because of some of the similarities exhibited by normal tissue and tumor regions. Processing speed is another consideration...Full Text Available

2009-07-01

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Right-sided invasive metastatic thymoma of the heart

Increased oxidative stress is a known cause of cardiac dysfunction in animals and patients with diabetes, but the sources of reactive oxygen species [e.g., superoxide anion (O₂⁻)]...Full Text Available

2009-07-01

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British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Cardiac tumours may display diverse symptoms through potential involvement of any structure of the heart. We describe a case of a highly malignant thymoma with involvement of different cardiac structures with important haemodynamic compromise. With the high sensitivity of transthoracic echocardiography for detection of intracardiac masses, computed tomography and magnetic resonance add essential structural preoperative information on the tumour and surrounding tissue as vessels, pleura, lung and mediastinum.

2011-01-01

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Radiation doses and somatic risk to patients during cardiac radiological procedures

New insights in LV torsion for the selection of cardiac resynchronisation therapy candidates

The radiation dose to a series of adult and paediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterisations and adults having percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has been measured/determined directly using lithium fluoride thermoluminescent dosemeters and indirectly using an air ionisation chamber which indicated exposure-area product. Somatic and genetic risks are estimated from the dosimetry results. It is suggested that the magnitude of the radiation hazard is negligible compared with other clinical hazards associated with these procedures. (author).

1986-01-01

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British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Recent literature indicates that torsion of the left ventricle (LV) is a promising predictor for response to cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT). Among patients with severe heart failure, 45 to 75% of patients show rigid body rotation, where the base and apex rotate in the same direction, instead of normal, opposite rotation. The occurrence of this phenomenon seems to be a good indicator for response to CRT. From this review, it can be concluded that LV torsion might be a welcome addition to current selection criteria.

2011-01-01

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Changes in cardiac glycoside receptor sites, 86rubidium uptake and intracellular sodium concentrations in the erythrocytes of patients receiving digoxin during the early phases of treatment of cardiac failure in regular rhythm and of atrial fibrillation.

Podcast: Viruses and Cooking

1 Measurements of the binding of 12-alpha-[3H]-digoxin to the membranes of intact erythrocytes, erythrocytic 86rubidium uptake and intraerythrocytic sodium concentrations have been made in the red cells...Full Text Available

1979-08-01

77

An integrated Tomographic Gamma Scanning system for non-destructive assay of radioactive waste

The Podcast: Viruses and Cooking is a segment of the Web Seminar: Teaching Science with Food Safety , April 27 2010. The podcast is 14 minutes 11

1900-01-01

78

An integrated Tomographic Gamma Scanning system for non-destructive assay of radioactive waste

The Tomographic Gamma Scanning (TGS) technique is a relatively new method in the field of non-destructive assay (NDA) of radioactive waste. The TGS technique combines High Resolution Gamma Spectrometry (HRGS) with Three-Dimensional (3-D) low spatial resolution transmission and emission image reconstruction techniques to achieve assay goals. When compared to the traditional methods such as Segmented Gamma Scanning (SGS), the TGS technique can yield better accuracies for cases where the radionuclide is distributed non-uniformly in a heterogeneous matrix. The TGS technique is ideally suited for low-to-moderate density waste matrices, say 1.0 g cm{sup -3} or below for 55 US gal. drums, although it can be extended to higher densities by using alternative approaches to the design or analyses. Recently Canberra Industries designed, built and characterized four such TGS systems for nuclear power plant applications. Many of the design features and the end application itself ...

2007-08-21

79

Calculating Radiation Exposures during Use of ¹⁴C-Labeled Nutrients, Food Components, and Biopharmaceuticals To Quantify Metabolic Behavior in Humans

The Tomographic Gamma Scanning (TGS) technique is a relatively new method in the field of non-destructive assay (NDA) of radioactive waste. The TGS technique combines High Resolution Gamma Spectrometry (HRGS) with Three-Dimensional (3-D) low spatial resolution transmission and emission image reconstruction techniques to achieve assay goals. When compared to the traditional methods such as Segmented Gamma Scanning (SGS), the TGS technique can yield better accuracies for cases where the radionuclide is distributed non-uniformly in a heterogeneous matrix. The TGS technique is ideally suited for low-to-moderate density waste matrices, say 1.0 g cm"-"3 or below for 55 US gal. drums, although it can be extended to higher densities by using alternative approaches to the design or analyses. Recently Canberra Industries designed, built and characterized four such TGS systems for nuclear power plant applications. Many of the design features and the end application itself set ...

2007-08-21

80

MRI of congenital heart disease in childhood; MR-Tomographie kongenitaler Herzvitien im Kindesalter

¹⁴C has long been used as a tracer for quantifying the in...Full Text Available

2010-04-28

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81

Effects of timber extraction on herb diversity in the Little Tennessee watershed.

MRI provides a non-invasive diagnostic tool complementing echocardiography on one hand, and showing advantages over echocardiography, on the other hand, especially after corrective procedures. The multiple different MRI sequences need to be adapted to examinations of children and patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), and can be used to detect morphologic changes, blood-flow in the heart and thoracic vessels and diastolic or systolic function of myocardium. Several factors determine the success of the examination of a complex congenital heart disease or a postoperative situs. Pediatric radiologists and radiologists experienced in congenital heart diseases have to work in close cooperation. Echocardiography should be performed before MRI. The results of prior examinations and the clinical history of the patients, including possible palliative or reconstructive operations, must be available before MRI to guide the planning of the examination. With a systematic ...

2004-02-01

82

Effects of chronic swimming training on cardiac sarcolemmal function and composition.

... study is to collect data in previously harvested timber stands to quantify the differences in herbaceous diversity ... ...

83

The value of cardiac catheterization and cineangiography in infantile lobar emphysema

Cardiac contractile function is dependent on the integrity and function of the sarcolemmal membrane. Swimming exercise training is known to increase cardiac contractile performance. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether a swimming exercise program would alter sarcolemmal enzyme activity, ion flux, and composition in rat hearts. After approximately 11 wk of exercise training, cardiac myosin and actomyosin Ca2+-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activity was significantly higher in exercised rat hearts than in sedentary control rat hearts. Glycogen content was increased in plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles from exercised animals as was succinic dehydrogenase activity in gastrocnemius muscle of exercised rats in comparison to sedentary rat preparations. Sarcolemmal vesicles were isolated from hearts of exercise-trained and control rats. Sarcolemmal Na+-K+-ATPase and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase activities, ...

1989-04-01

84

Infant well-being following neonatal cardiac surgery

Lobar emphysema is an uncommon cause of respiratory distress in infancy. Congenital heart disease is seen in about 20% of the patients with infantile (congenital) lobar emphysema. We described six infants with lobar emphysema. In three of them a congenital heart disease was demonstrated by cardiac catheterization and cineangiography; two had a tetralogy of Fallot with right aortic arch and the third infant a ventricular septal defect. The pulmonary angiography showed stretching of the arteries with very poor filling of the peripheral arteries and a characteristic smaller pulmonary vein in the affected lobe. In all the six patients the pulmonary artery pressure was normal. All the patients underwent lobectomy with good results. We feel that a preoperative cardiac catheterization and cineangiography is of value in this very sick group of infants. (orig.).

85

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Aims and objectives.- To investigate infant well-being as measured by feeding and sleeping and parental support following discharge from the NICU in infants following major cardiac surgery. Background.- Infant feeding and sleeping have been identified as two of the most important concerns reported by parents. These concerns have been reported anecdotally for infants who have undergone cardiac surgery in the neonatal period. Design.- A prospective study using questionnaires and phone interviews followed a cohort of parents of neonates who underwent surgery in the neonatal period for congenital heart disease. Methods.- The study was conducted using validated questionnaires and phone interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaires were administered prior to discharge from ...

2011-01-01

86

Fluorocarbons and cardiac arrhythmia: does difluorodichloromethane (FC 12) inhibit cardiac metabolism

Cardiac Channelopathies and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Certain fluorocarbons, such as difluorodichloromethane (FC 12), depress the cardiovascular system by diminution of all the transmembrane ionic conductances in cardiac tissues. Does FC 12 also inhibit active transport and thus enzymatic activity and cellular energy. We measured phosphocreatine (PC), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMPc) in rat hearts. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups; 2 control groups: one breathing a mixture of oxygen (21%) and nitrogen (79%) (group C) and the other breathing the same mixture but simultaneously perfused with 1 microgram/kg/min. epinephrine (groupe E-C); 2 trial groups T and E-T where nitrogen was replaced by FC 12. The maximal FC 12 concentration of 720 micrograms/ml in arterial blood produced no significant difference in the concentrations of these three metabolites compared with controls.

1986-01-01

87

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is always a devastating and unexpected occurrence. SIDS is the leading cause of death in the first 6 months after birth in the industrialized world. Since the discovery in 1998 of long QT syndrome as an underlying substrate for SIDS, around 10-20% of SIDS cases have been proposed as being caused by genetic variants in either ion channel or ion channel-associated proteins. Until now, 10 cardiac channelopathy susceptibility genes have been found to be implicated in the pathogenesis of SIDS. Four of the genes encode cardiac ion channel a-subunits, 3 genes encode ion channel b-subunits, and 3 genes encode other channel-interacting proteins. All 10 genes have been associated with primary electrical heart diseases. SIDS may hereby be the initial sympt...

2011-01-01

88

Regional spinal cord blood flow during local cooling

Optimization of segment weight using simulated dynamics algorithm for beamlet-based IMRT

We used the tissue distribution of ({sup 14}C)butanol to quantitate regional blood flow in the spinal cord (RSCBF) of pentobarbital-anesthetized, normothermic rats in which segmental local cooling pentobarbital-anesthetized, normothermic rats in which segmental local cooling of the spinal cord (to 25-28{degrees}C) at vertebral levels C4-C6 (n = 6) or T13-L1 (n = 6) was induced. Thirty minutes later, blood flow measurements were made at seven levels of the spinal cord and in the sciatic nerve trunks and biceps femoris muscles. Sham-cooled rats served as controls (n = 12). In control rats, RSCBF varied between 41.5 +/- 2.4 and 65.1 +/- 3.2 ml.min-1.100 g-1. Local cooling of the C4-C6 cord segment reduced RSCBF by 32%, from 65.1 +/- 3.2 to 44.4 +/- 3.5 ml.min-1.100 g-1 (P less than 0.01). Tissue vascular resistance (R) in the cooled C4-C6 segment was elevated versus control. There were no other changes in ...

1990-06-01

89

Dosimetry limitations and a dose correction methodology for step-and-shoot IMRT

With accurate calculation algorithms in inverse planning for beamlet-based intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), it takes time to calculate the dose matrix, which represents the dose distribution of each beamlet element to each voxel for unit fluence. To reduce the calculation time, coarse or approximate algorithms are often a choice, but this results in a final dose distribution that cannot reflect the real value. In addition, it is necessary to test if a coarse algorithm is capable of calculating the dose matrix of beamlets. In this work, simulated dynamics optimization algorithm was applied to optimize the segment weight to minish the dose error from the dose matrix calculation. After calculating the dose matrix by ray-tracing algorithm which takes into account just the primary component of absorbed dose, the original beam profile intensity distribution was optimized by using the simulated dynamics algorithm. Before segmentation, the ...

2007-08-01

90

p53 Regulates Oxidative Stress-Mediated Retrograde Signaling: A Novel Mechanism for Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiac Injury

For the step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technique, the combination of high dose rate, multiple beam segments and low dose per segment can lead to significant differences between the planned dose and the dose delivered to the patient. In this technique, a dose delivery inaccuracy known as the 'overshoot' effect is caused by the dose servo control system. This typically occurs in the first and last beam segments and causes an over- and underdose, respectively. Some dose positional error in the segment sequence is also possible there. Commercial ionization chambers (RK-type) and radiographic Kodak films were used for the measurements. The reported results were obtained using the Pinnacle{sup 3}-V6.2 treatment planning system and a Varian Clinac 21 EX linear accelerator equipped with a 120-leaf Millennium MLC. The dose inaccuracy measurements were based on the ...

2006-02-07

91

Validity of Cardiac Markers as Diagnostic and Prognostic Indicators of Complications in Patients undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The side effects of cancer therapy on normal tissues limit the success of therapy. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated for numerous chemotherapeutic agents including doxorubicin...Full Text Available

92

Total prosthetic replacement of atrioventricular valves in the dog

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in elective percutaneous coronary intervention...Full Text Available

2010-04-01

93

Sternal plate fixation for sternal wound reconstruction: initial experience (Retrospective study)

The metal parts of cardiac valve prostheses cause reactions in the surrounding tissues of the heart. In some dogs rather abnormal reactions were found, and were attributed to corrosion of the stainless...Full Text Available

1972-01-01

94

Real-Time Assessment of Cardiac Perfusion, Coronary Angiography, and Acute Intravascular Thrombi Using Dual-Channel Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging

BackgroundMedian sternotomy infection and bony nonunion are two commonly described complications which occur in 0.4 - 5.1% of cardiac procedures. Although relatively infrequent,...Full Text Available

95

Radionuclide angiocardiography in the diagnosis of congenital heart disorders.

ObjectivesWe have developed an image-guided surgery system based on invisible near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent light. Presently, the only clinically-available NIR...Full Text Available

2009-07-01

96

Predicting outcome of rethoracotomy for suspected pericardial tamponade following cardio-thoracic surgery in the intensive care unit

Radionuclide angiocardiography provides a noninvasive assessment of cardiac function and blood flow through the heart and lungs. During the past three years, this procedure has been used at the Duke...Full Text Available

1981-06-01

97

Physical activity and physiological cardiac remodelling in a community setting: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

ObjectivesPericardial tamponade after cardiac surgery is difficult to diagnose, thereby rendering timing of rethoracotomy hard. We aimed at identifying factors predicting the outcome...Full Text Available

98

Pericardial tamponade in a newborn following umbilical catheter insertion.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association of physical activity with left ventricular structure and function in the general population in a community setting.Full Text Available

2010-01-01

99

Matching ATP Supply and Demand in Mammalian Heart: In Vivo, In Vitro and In Silico Perspectives

We present a case of cardiac tamponade following umbilical venous catheterization in a neonate, an uncommon, yet potentially fatal complication. Timely diagnosis by echocardiography and urgent pericardiocentesis proved lifesaving. PMID:21654008

2011-05-01

100

Lipotoxic heart disease in obese rats: Implications for human obesity

Although the heart rapidly adapts cardiac output to match the body’s circulatory demands, the regulatory mechanisms ensuring that sufficient ATP is available to perform the required...Full Text Available

2010-02-01

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101

JAMA Patient Page: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

To determine the mechanism of the cardiac dilatation and reduced contractility of obese Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats, myocardial triacylglycerol (TG) was assayed chemically and morphologically. TG was...Full Text Available

2000-02-15

102

Force enhancement without changes in cross-bridge turnover kinetics: the effect of EMD 57033.

... of the American Medical Association JAMA PATIENT PAGE Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation W hen the heart stops beating (cardiac arrest), ... circulation (blood flow) returns or is restored. Providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation ( CPR ) is a way to keep some circulation ...

103

Evaluation of a diagnostic algorithm for heart disease in neonates.

The thiadiazinon derivative EMD 57033 has been found previously in cardiac muscle to increase isometric force generation without a proportional increase in fiber ATPase, thus causing a reduction in...Full Text Available

1997-01-01

104

Correlation between N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Doppler Echocardiographic Parameters of Left Ventricular Filling Pressure in Atrial Fibrillation

OBJECTIVE--To develop, test, and validate an algorithm for diagnosing disease in neonates during an over the telephone referral to a specialist cardiac centre. DESIGN--A draft algorithm requiring only...Full Text Available

1991-04-20

105

Clinical efficacy of the use of information technology in cardiology: initial results of angiographic teleconsultation in the Netherlands

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia with a population prevalence of about 1%. Natriuretic peptide level is elevated in patients with AF with...Full Text Available

2011-03-01

106

Chylopericardium after cardiac surgery can be treated successfully by oral dietary manipulation: a case report

Background With the increasing use of cineless diagnostic angiography laboratories, modern telecommunication networks provide an excellent opportunity to transfer dynamic cardiac...Full Text Available

2001-12-01

107

Carney-Complex: Multiple resections of recurrent cardiac myxoma

We report a case of chylopericardium after ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement, which presented as late tamponade. We discuss the various treatment options in this rare condition which can...Full Text Available

108

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance guided electrophysiology studies

We report a case of a female patient who was operated at the third relapse of an atrial myxoma caused by Carney complex. The difficult operation was performed without any complications despite extensive...Full Text Available

109

Cardiac Myosin Is a Substrate for Zipper-interacting Protein Kinase (ZIPK)*

Catheter ablation is a first line treatment for many cardiac arrhythmias and is generally performed under x-ray fluoroscopy guidance. However, current techniques for ablating complex arrhythmias such...Full Text Available

110

Automaticity and conduction properties of bio-artificial pacemakers assessed in an in vitro monolayer model of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes

Zipper-interacting protein kinase (ZIPK) is a member of the death-associated protein kinase family associated with apoptosis in nonmuscle cells where it phosphorylates myosin regulatory light chain...Full Text Available

2010-02-19

111

Annular subvalvular left ventricular aneurysm in Bahia, Brazil.

AimsA better understanding of the ionic mechanisms for cardiac automaticity can lead to better strategies for engineering bio-artificial pacemakers. Here, we attempted to better...Full Text Available

2010-08-01

112

Angina with a normal coronary angiogram caused by amyloidosis

Two cases of left ventricular aneurysm, a 16-year-old black boy and a 23-year-old white girl, from Bahia, Brazil, are presented. In both patients there was enlargement of the cardiac silhouette and...Full Text Available

1976-10-01

113

An Integrated System for Total Cardiac Monitoring of the Critically Ill

A case of severe intractable angina pectoris with normal angiography is presented. Following video assisted thoracic sympathectomy the patient died of heart failure. Microvascular cardiac amyloidosis...Full Text Available

2004-09-01

114

A PDA-Based ECG Beat Detector for Home Cardiac Care.

An integrated system of micro-and mini-computers is described to acquire, analyze, store and report data on the total activity of the heart of a critically ill patient. Real-time beat and rhythm diagnoses...Full Text Available

1977-10-05

115

Solar energy receiver for a Stirling engine

Recent rapid growth in mobile computing technologies enables telemedicine applications to operate on mobile devices. Our focus is on the design of an integrated electrocardiogram (ECG) beat detector on a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) platform for the health screening process. The ECG beat detector module will be supported by the PDA version of Personal Health Information Management System (PHIMS) and Facilitated Accurate Referral Management System (FARMS) through wireless network infrastructure as a home-based mobile cardiac monitoring solution. PMID:17282192

2005-01-01

116

The Prevention of Periodontal Bone Loss at the Osteotomy Site After Anterior Segmental and Dento-Osseous Osteotomy

A solar energy receiver is described including a separable endless wall formed of a ceramic material having defined therein a cavity of a substantially cylindrical configuration for entrapping solar flux, and an acceptance aperture adapted to admit to the cavity a concentrated beam of solar energy, said wall being characterized by at least a pair of contiguously related segments separated by lines of cleavage intercepting said aperture, at least one of the segments being supported for pivotal displacement, and a thermal responsive actuator adapted to respond to excessive temperatures within the cavity for initiating pivotal displacement of said one segment, whereby thermal flux is permitted to escape from the cavity.

1980-12-02

117

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose Degeneration of the gingival margin and periodontal bone loss between segments can occur in various segmental osteotomies. However, treatment and management of these problems have not yet been resolved; improvement of the conventional method is necessary. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the usefulness and advantage of orthodontic devices in osteotomies. Patients and Methods Forty Japanese adults presented with jaw deformities diagnosed as mandibular prognathism with maxillary protrusion, bimaxillary protrusion, and anterior crowding. Of these 40 patients, 20 (group 1) underwent anterior segmental osteotomy or dento-osseous osteotomy along with our original orthodontic periodontal management. The remaining 20 (group 2) patients underwent conventional procedure...

2006-01-01

118

Simultaneous recognition and segmentation of cells: application in C.elegans

Segmented focal plane detector for light and heavy ions

Motivation: Automatic recognition of cell identities is critical for quantitative measurement, targeting and manipulation of cells of model animals at single-cell resolution. It has been...Full Text Available

2011-10-15

119

Orthognathic treatment with maxillary and mandibular anterior segmental osteotomy

A segmented focal plane detector for an Enge split-pole spectrograph has been developed for the study of breakup reactions at very low relative energies. It consists of a 61 cm long segmented position-sensitive parallel plate avalanche counter backed by a large Bragg curve detector. A segmented plastic scintillator is mounted behind the anode of the Bragg curve detector and is used for particle identification of low-ionizing particles. The dead space between the two sections of the focal plane detector is 2.5 mm. The intrinsic position resolution of the detector is 1 mm. The intrinsic energy resolution depends on the energy of the incident ion and can be as good as 0.55%. The nuclear charge and mass resolutions are 0.3 e and 0.3 u, respectively. (orig.).

1992-06-15

120

Revision Knee Surgery

Medline Plus

... flex to LCCK components, to even a rotating hinge knee arthroplasty, and finally, to the segmental system. ... it also allows you to convert to the hinge immediately too, you know, especially in these bigger ...

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121

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This case report presents a case that underwent orthognathic treatment with anterior segmental osteotomies on both jaws. The patient was a 26-year-old female with maxillary protrusion, lip incompetence with an everted vermilion border. The overbite was +1.0mm, overjet +1.0mm. The pre-surgical orthodontic treatment included the extraction of the four first premolars and a multi-bracket treatment was started. After 12 months of pre-surgical orthodontic treatment, both the anterior maxillary and the anterior mandibular segments were retracted surgically by 5.5mm. The total treatment period was 18 months. An anterior segmental osteotomy can induce the remarkable structural changes for bimaxillary lip protrusion patients.

2009-01-01

122

Multi-domain, higher order level set scheme for 3D image segmentation on the GPU

Joint Airspace Management and Deconfliction (JASMAD)

Level set method based segmentation provides an efficient tool for topological and geometrical shape handling. Conventional level set surfaces are only $C^0$ continuous since the level set evolution involves linear interpolation to compute derivatives. Bajaj et al. present a higher order method to evaluate level set surfaces that are $C^2$ continuous, but are slow due to high computational burden. In this paper, we provide a higher order GPU based solver for fast and efficient segmentation of large volumetric images. We also extend the higher order method to multi-domain segmentation. Our streaming solver is efficient in memory usage.

2010-01-01

123

In vivo chicken model for peripheral intravascular human fibrin clot detection

... problems by isolating them. 4 LAN Segmentation, http://netcert.tripod.com/ ccna/internetworking/lanseg.html, Jan 2005 Destination ...

2009-01-01

124

Quantifying Risk Factors for Human Brucellosis in Rural Northern Tanzania

A chicken model was prepared that provides a simple and economical method of evaluating the use of fibrin-specific monoclonal antibody 64C5 in the detection of peripheral vascular thrombi. Human fibrin was clotted in segments of a chicken's femoral artery and vein prior to intravenous injection of radioiodinated antibody 64C5. After a 3-hr perfusion time, the thrombosed and contralateral control segments of the vessels were excised and counted for radioactivity. The radiolabeled 64C5 uptake ratio of the thrombosed segment to the control segment was 5.4 +/- 1.2 (p less than 0.007) in the femoral artery, and 3.8 +/- 1.1 (p less than 0.02) in the femoral vein. This in vivo chicken model may also find application in studies of targeting agents for human fibrin.

1988-08-01

125

Particle-Gas Dynamics and Primary Accretion - Space Science and ...

BackgroundBrucellosis is a zoonosis of veterinary, public health and economic significance in most developing countries. Human brucellosis is a severely debilitating disease that...Full Text Available

126

In vivo range of motion of the lumbar spinous processes

the revealed stage of T Tauri star evolution, is only a mere shadow of its former self. Once primary accretion starts, one has the (poorly quantified) ...

127

A Caution Against Interpreting and Quantifying Oyster Habitat Loss from Historical Surveys

The study design included an in vivo laboratory study. The objective of the study is to quantify the kinematics of the lumbar spinous processes in asymptomatic patients during un-restricted functional...Full Text Available

2009-09-01

128

Use of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in diabetics undergoing PCI for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: impact of clinical status and procedural characteristics

... surveys, and increasing interest in both developing an oyster aquaculture industry and scaling up restoration efforts by federal, ... ...

129

The Primary Patency and Fracture Rates of Self-Expandable Nitinol Stents Placed in the Popliteal Arteries, Especially in the P2 and P3 Segments, in Korean Patients

BackgroundThe most recent ESC guidelines for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) recommend the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) in high risk patients with non-ST-segment...Full Text Available

2010-06-01

130

Operation of an 18-fold segmented n-type HPGe detector in liquid nitrogen

ObjectiveWe wanted to evaluate the status of self-expandable nitinol stents implanted in the P2 and P3 segments of the popliteal artery in Korean patients.Materials...Full Text Available

2011-03-01

131

Gamma scanning of FBTR fuel pins

For the first time a segmented n-type HPGe detector was operated directly submerged in liquid nitrogen over a long period. As this kind of detector is envisioned to be used in GERDA phase II, it was operated with a low mass signal cable with snap-contacts and mounted in a low-mass copper holder. The detector performance was stable over 146 days, indicating that neither detector nor contacts deteriorated.

2009-11-01

132

A large-acceptance Bragg curve spectrometer with a longitudinal electric field and a segmented anode

This paper presents the results obtained in the gamma scanning of two fuel pins from the bent subassembly of the fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) using a segmented gamma scanning system employing segment correlation developed for the assay of glove box solid waste. In addition to the actinide profiles, the paper also discusses the fission products and clad activation product profiles and tries to correlate the experimental values of the latter with computed values. (author). 4 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.

133

Track clustering and vertexing algorithm for L1 trigger

A large-acceptance Bragg curve spectrometer with a longitudinal electron collection field and a segmented anode has been constructed and tested. The effects on the charge resolution of the entrance angle and entrance position of the incident particle have been studied. Simulations have been done in order to isolate the contribution to the overall detector performance of the signal-shaping electronics from that of the intrinsic design of the detector. ((orig.))

1994-07-15

134

Hemodynamic characterization of chronic bile duct-ligated rats: effect of pentobarbital sodium

One of the keystones of the canceled BTeV experiment (proposed at Fermilab's Tevatron) was its sophisticated three-level trigger. The trigger was designed to reject 99.9% of light-quark background events and retain a large number of B decays. The BTeV Pixel Detector provided a 3-dimensional, high resolution tracking system to detect B signatures. The Level 1 pixel detector trigger was proposed as a two stage process, a track-segment finder and a vertex finder which analyzed every accelerator crossing. In simulations the track-segment finder stage outputs an average of 200 track-segments per accelerator crossing (2.5MHz). The vertexing stage finds vertices and associates track-segments with the vertices found. This paper proposes a novel adaptive pattern recognition model to find the number and the estimated location of vertices, and to cluster track-segments around those ...

2005-10-01

135

Duration-controlled swimming exercise training induces cardiac hypertrophy in mice.

Systemic and splanchnic hemodynamics of the chronic bile duct-ligated rat were characterized by radioactive microspheres. Conscious and pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized, bile duct-ligated and sham-operated rats had cardiac output and regional organ blood flows determined. The conscious bile duct-ligated rat compared with the sham-operated showed a hyperdynamic circulation with an increased cardiac output and portal tributary blood flow. Pentobarbital sodium anesthesia induced marked hemodynamic changes in both sham-operated and bile duct-ligated rats. The latter group was especially sensitive to its effects; thus, comparison of cardiac output and portal tributary blood flow between anesthetized bile duct-ligated and sham-operated rats showed no significant differences. The authors conclude that the rat with cirrhosis due to chronic bile duct ligation is an excellent model for hemodynamic investigations but should be ...

136

A comparative evaluation of electrical velocimetry and inert gas rebreathing for the non-invasive assessment of cardiac output

Exercise training associated with robust conditioning can be useful for the study of molecular mechanisms underlying exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy. A swimming apparatus is described to control training regimens in terms of duration, load, and frequency of exercise. Mice were submitted to 60- vs 90-min session/day, once vs twice a day, with 2 or 4% of the weight of the mouse or no workload attached to the tail, for 4 vs 6 weeks of exercise training. Blood pressure was unchanged in all groups while resting heart rate decreased in the trained groups (8-18%). Skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity, measured spectrophotometrically, increased (45-58%) only as a result of duration and frequency-controlled exercise training, indicating that endurance conditioning was obtained. In groups which received duration and endurance conditioning, cardiac weight (14-25%) and myocyte dimension (13-20%) increased. The best conditioning protocol to ...

2003-11-17

137

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background When assessing the function of the cardiovascular system, cardiac output (CO) is a substantial parameter. For its determination, numerous non-invasive techniques have been proposed in the recent years including inert gas rebreathing (IGR) and impedance cardiography (ICG). The aim of our study was to evaluate whether a novel ICG algorithm (electrical velocimetry) and IGR can be used interchangeably in the clinical setting. Methods A total of 120 consecutive stable patients were included resulting in two pairs of repeated non-invasive cardiac output measurements. Results The mean CO was 5.0???1.2?l/min (range 2.6?8.6?l/min) using IGR and 4.4???1.1?l/min (1.7?7.4?l/min) using ICG, respectively. Bland?Altman analysis revealed an acceptable agreement with a mean bias of 0.6???1.2?l/m...

2011-01-01

138

Quaternary tilt of Death Valley determined from landform modelling of alluvial fans

The chance finding of an aneurysm of the right sinus of Valsalva in an 11-year-old child with a ventricular septal defect and a pericardial effusion

Alluvial fans along the east side of central Death Valley are being actively back-tilted along the Death Valley fault zone. Initial modelling of the Copper Canyon and Furnace Creek fans led to recognition of distinct segments. Field reconnaissance and aerial photo mapping were conducted to check model results and improve segment discrimination. Surface roughness, relative position, vegetation distribution, and drainage patterns provided independent evidence for segment discrimination. Subsequent modelling of individual segments produced a range of tilt values from 0.275[degree] to 0.559[degree] down to the northeast. Continued analysis of these fan segments is concentrated on: (1) assigning confidence and error values to the tilt values; and (2) dating individual segments. Further work will compare the tilt rates of east-side fans with those from the west. The ...

1993-04-01

139

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Ventricular septal defects can occur as part of other congenital cardiac malformations or as an isolated finding. Aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are rare, most commonly involving the right or noncoronary sinuses. They can be congenital or acquired through infection, trauma, or degenerative diseases. They frequently co-exist with ventricular septal defects, aortic valve dysfunction, or other cardiac abnormalities. More commonly, sinus of Valsalva aneurysms are diagnosed after the clinical sequelae of rupture. Several etiologic factors may lead to the development of pathologic pericardial effusion and the detection of pericardial effusion was one of the first applications of echocardiography to gain widespread acceptance. We present a case of a chance finding of an aneurysm of the right ...

2011-01-01

140

Small heat shock protein 20 (HspB6) in cardiac hypertrophy and failure

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Hsp20, referred to as HspB6, is constitutively expressed in various tissues. Specifically, HspB6 is most highly expressed in different types of muscle including vascular, airway, colonic, bladder, and uterine smooth muscle; cardiac muscle; and skeletal muscle. It can be phosphorylated at Ser-16 by both cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKA/PKG). Recently, Hsp20 and its phosphorylation have been implicated in multiple physiological and pathophysiological processes including smooth muscle relaxation, platelet aggregation, exercise training, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease. In the heart, key advances have been made in elucidating the significance of Hsp20 in contractile function and cardioprotection over the last decade. This mini-rev...

2011-01-01

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141

Safety, Efficacy, and Performance of Implanted Recycled Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices in Underprivileged Patients

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Introduction: Patients in underdeveloped nations have limited access to life-saving medical technology including cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices. We evaluated alternative means to provide such technology to this patient population while assessing the safety and efficacy of such a practice. Methods: Patients in the United States with clinical indications for extraction of CRM devices were consented. Antemortem CRM devices were cleaned and sterilized following a protocol established at our institution. Surveillance in vitro cultures were performed for quality assurance. The functional status of pulse generators was tested with a pacing system analyzer to confirm at least 70% battery life. Most generators were transported, in person, to an implanting institution in Nicaragua. Recipien...

2011-01-01

142

RIFLE Criteria for Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury: Risk Factors and Outcomes

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The aims of this study were to identify risk factors and evaluate the association with clinical outcomes of postoperative cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI). Data from 2488 consecutive adult patients were analyzed. Patients were classified as having CSA-AKI based on the risk, injury, failure, loss of kidney function, and end-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) criteria using peak postoperative creatinine in the postoperative intensive care unit (ICU). Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for CSA-AKI. CSA-AKI occurred in 584 patients (23.5%). CSA-AKI patients had significantly longer aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times. Furthermore, CSA-AKI patients had higher hospital mortality (5.5% vs 1.5%, PCopyright2...

2010-01-01

143

PET and MRI in cardiac imaging: from validation studies to integrated applications

Extraction of Cs-137 by alcohol-water solvents from plants containing cardiac glycosides

Positron emission tomography (PET) is the gold standard for non-invasive assessment of myocardial viability and allows accurate detection of coronary artery disease by assessment of myocardial perfusion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides high resolution anatomical images that allow accurate evaluation of ventricular structure and function together with detection of myocardial infarction. Potential hybrid PET/MR tomography may potentially facilitate the combination of information from these imaging modalities in cardiology. Furthermore, the combination of anatomical MRI images with the high sensitivity of PET for detecting molecular targets may extent the application of these modalities to the characterization of atherosclerotic plaques and to the evaluation of angiogenetic or stem cell therapies, for example. This article reviews studies using MRI and PET in parallel to compare their performance in cardiac applications together with the potential benefits ...

2009-03-01

144

Drug detection in breath: effects of pulmonary blood flow and cardiac output on propofol exhalation

As a result of nuclear power plant accidents, large areas receive radioactive inputs of Cs-137. This cesium accumulates in herbs growing in such territories. The problem is whether the herbs contaminated by radiocesium may be used as a raw material for medicine. The answer depends on the amount of Cs-137 transfered from the contaminated raw material to the medicine. We have presented new results of the transfer of Cs-137 from contaminated Digitalis grandiflora Mill. and Convallaria majalis L. to medicine. We found that the extraction of Cs-137 depends strongly on the hydrophilicity of the solvent. For example 96.5%(vol.) ethyl alcohol extracts less Cs-137 (11.6%) than 40%(vol.) ethyl alcohol or pure water (66.2%). The solubility of the cardiac glycosides is inverse to the solubility of cesium, which may be of use in the technological processes for manufacturing ecologically pure herbal medicine.

2001-01-01

145

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Breath analysis could offer a non-invasive means of intravenous drug monitoring if robust correlations between drug concentrations in breath and blood can be established. In this study, propofol blood and breath concentrations were determined in an animal model under varying physiological conditions. Propofol concentrations in breath were determined by means of two independently calibrated analytical methods: continuous, real-time proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) and discontinuous solid-phase micro-extraction coupled with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). Blood concentrations were determined by means of SPME-GC-MS. Effects of changes in pulmonary blood flow resulting in a decreased cardiac output (CO) and effects of dobutamine administration resulting in...

2011-01-01

146

Chronic sympathetic activation promotes downregulation of ?-adrenoceptor-mediated effects in the guinea pig heart independently of structural remodeling and systolic dysfunction

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

It is uncertain if downregulation of ?-adrenoceptor signaling pathway is promoted by an enhanced adrenergic tone at an early stage of cardiac disease, or it develops secondary to detrimental local myocardial changes in advanced heart failure. We examined the integrity of ?-adrenoceptor signaling pathway upon chronic infusion of isoproterenol, a ?-adrenoceptor agonist, at a dose producing no structural left ventricular (LV) remodeling and systolic dysfunction. Subcutaneous isoproterenol infusion (400??g?kg?1?h?1 over 16?days) to guinea pigs using osmotic minipumps produced no change in cardiac weights, LV internal dimensions, myocyte cross-sectional area, extent of interstitial fibrosis, and basal contractile function. Isolated, perfused heart preparations from isoproterenol-treated guinea ...

2011-01-01

147

Challenges in presenting high dimensional data to aid in triage in the DARPA virtual soldier project.

Cardiac transplantation. Value of computed tomography

One of the goals of the DARPA Virtual Soldier Project is to aid the field medic in the triage of a casualty. In Phase I, we are currently collecting 12 baseline experimental physiological variables and a cardiac gated Computed Tomography (CT) imagery for use in an prototyping a futuristic electronic medical record, the "Holomer". We are using physiological models and Kalman filtering to aid in diagnosis and predict outcomes in relation to cardiac injury. The physiological modeling introduces another few hundred variables. Reducing the complexity of the above into easy-to-read text to aid in the triage by the field medic is the challenge with multiple display solutions. A description of the possible techniques follows. PMID:15718701

2005-01-01

148

Cardiac Pacing: Memories of a Bygone Era

In 9 over 12 patients who underwent cardiac transplantation computed tomography was performed. In 5 of them CT was obtained also before the surgical treatment. In all patients angio-CT technique was performed, while the ECG-gated technique was employed only before surgery. CT shows changes in morphology of both atria but over all of the right one, and rotation of the heart on the longitudinal axis. The conditions of the pericardium are particulary well demonstrated: in 5 cases pericardial effusion was observed, 3 times localized and 2 times diffuse. Only in 1 patient a small thrombus in the right atrium was demonstrated. CT allows the possibility to obtain simultaneously information on mediastinum, lung and pleura. Pleural effusion, pulmonary infections and mediastinal complications are easily demonstrated.

1986-01-01

149

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The first cardiac pacemaker implants occurred in the late 1950s and involved insertion of epicardial or epimyocardial leads and abdominal pulse generators. By the mid 1960s, cardiologists were making attempts to insert transvenous leads into the right ventricle. These early unipolar leads had large, polished, high polarization electrodes, no fixation device, and no lumen in which to place a stylet for lead positioning. The lead implantation procedures were usually long and the irradiation to both patient and operator excessive. Pulse generators were powered by zinc-mercury cells, which were large, unreliable, and prone to sudden output failure. Postoperative complications such as lead dislodgement, exit block, and premature power source failure were very common with most patients requiring...

2008-01-01

150

Alumnium phosphide fatalities at mild exertion in asymptomatic children: A clue to understand the variations of the autopsy findings

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Fatalities resulted from aluminium phosphide (ALP) intoxication in completely healthy children with no preceded clinical sings or symptoms were presented. Data regarding circumstances, autopsy reports, histopathological examination, toxicological investigation, and police enquiries were also collected and evaluated. The affected children were females, and 6-16 years old. They were completely healthy and died suddenly in relation to some physical activities such as running, walking, and bathing, without any prior complain. The viscera showed intense congestion with moderate to severe pulmonary edema. The cause of the sudden termination of life in the reported cases is mostly cardiac ones. Physical exertion may precipitate death due to increased cardiac stress, increased oxygen demand, and b...

2009-01-01

151

A patient specific electro-mechanical model of the heart

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper presents a patient specific deformable heart model that involves the known electrical and mechanical properties of the cardiac cells and tissue. The whole heart model comprises ten Tusscher's ventricular and Nygren's atrial cell models, the anatomical and electrophysiological model descriptions of the atria (introduced by Harrild et al.) and ventricle (given by Winslow et al.), and the mechanical model of the periodical cardiac contraction and resting phenomena proposed by Moireau et al. During the propagation of the depolarization wave, the kinetic, compositional and rotational anisotropy is handled by the tissue, organ and torso model. The applied patient specific parameters were determined by an evolutionary computation method. An intensive parameter reduction was performed u...

2011-01-01

152

The VOISE Algorithm: a Versatile Tool for Automatic Segmentation of Astronomical Images

ST-segment changes after direct current external cardioversion for atrial fibrillation. Incidence, characteristics and predictive factors

The auroras on Jupiter and Saturn can be studied with a high sensitivity and resolution by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) ultraviolet (UV) and far-ultraviolet (FUV) Space Telescope spectrograph (STIS) and Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) instruments. We present results of automatic detection and segmentation of Jupiter's auroral emissions as observed by HST ACS instrument with VOronoi Image SEgmentation (VOISE). VOISE is a dynamic algorithm for partitioning the underlying pixel grid of an image into regions according to a prescribed homogeneity criterion. The algorithm consists of an iterative procedure that dynamically constructs a tessellation of the image plane based on a Voronoi Diagram, until the intensity of the underlying image within each region is classified as homogeneous. The computed tessellations allow the extraction of quantitative information about the auroral features such as mean intensity, latitudinal and longitudinal ...

2009-01-01

153

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background: Incidence, characteristics and predictive factors of transient ST-segment changes after DC shock are poorly known. Methods: 91 consecutive pts referred for external cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) (61 men, 69+/-10yo) were prospectively included. The presence of ST elevation or depression was assessed on 12 lead-ECG immediately after the first DC shock. Correlations with DC shock characteristics (monophasic/biphasic and energy), clinical variables, echocardiographic parameters, biological parameters, medications, anesthesic drugs as well with morphological features were made. Results: 18 and 20 pts underwent 200J or 300J monophasic and 53 pts 200J biphasic DC shocks. We found an incidence of 48% for ST-segment changes: 35% for ST elevation and 13% for ST depression. ST...

2011-01-01

154

Range-resolved gas concentration measurements using tunable semiconductor lasers

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A method for range-resolved gas sensing using path-integrated optical systems is presented. The method involves dividing an absorption path into several measurement segments and extracting the gas concentration in each segment from two path-integrated measurements. We implemented the method with tunable lasers (a 1389-nm VCSEL and a 10.9-?m pulsed quantum cascade laser) and a group of retro reflectors (RRs) distributed along absorption paths. Using a rotating mirror with the VCSEL configuration, we could scan a group of seven tape RRs spaced by 10?cm in ??9?ms to extract an H2O concentration profile. Reduced H2O concentrations were recorded in the segments purged with dry air. Hollow corner cube RRs were used in the quantum cascade laser configuration at distances up to 1.1?km from the las...

2008-01-01

155

Les traces fossiles de mollusques Ptychoplasma Fenton et Fenton, 1937 et Oravaichnium Plicka et Uhrova, 1990 : materiel type et ichnoespeces

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Ichnogenera belonging to cleft-foot and wedge-foot bivalves can in most cases be distinguished. This paper addresses the taxonomy of locomotion traces made by wedge-foot bivalves. Ichnogenera Ptychoplasma Fenton and Fenton and Oravaichnium Plicka and Uhrova are reviewed together with related ichnotaxa. Both are interpreted as the locomotion traces of non-cleft, wedge-foot bivalves. Both are usually preserved as hypichnial ridges that include a distinctive bioprint of amygdaloid segments. Ptychoplasma is dominated by amygdaloid segments whereas Oravaichnium is wall-like with only sporadic amygdaloid segments. Ichnospecies of Ptychoplasma are distinguished on the basis of their continuity: P. excelsum Fenton and Fenton (the type) is a relatively continuous trace fossil consisting largely of ...

2011-01-01

156

Facial soft tissue response to anterior segmental osteotomies: A systematic review

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Bimaxillary protrusion is prevalent among Asians and anterior segmental osteotomies are commonly used for its surgical correction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the soft tissue changes resulting from anterior segmental osteotomies. The electronic databases PubMed, Scopus and ISI Web of knowledge were searched for potentially eligible studies using a set of predetermined keywords. Full texts meeting the inclusion criteria were retrieved and their references were manually searched for additional relevant articles. The study details and outcome data of these reports were extracted using spreadsheets for comparison. The methodological quality of each study was assessed. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Lateral cephalometry was used in all studies. A reduction of the lab...

2010-01-01

157

Evaluation of the Soft and Hard Tissue Changes After Anterior Segmental Osteotomy on the Maxilla and Mandible

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the changes of soft and hard tissues after modified anterior segmental osteotomy on the maxilla and mandible and to evaluate unintended facial changes using cephalometric and photometric analyses.Materials and MethodsThe subjects included 29 women and 1 man (22 to 50 years of age) who were diagnosed as bialveolar or bimaxillary protrusion and underwent modified anterior segmental osteotomy on the maxilla and mandible. Lateral cephalograms and lateral and frontal photographs taken preoperatively and postoperatively were analyzed.ResultsThere was a significant change in all soft and hard tissue parameters except the labiomental angle. The ratio of upper lip to maxillary incisor retraction was 0.67:1 and the ratio of l...

2008-01-01

158

Engineering TCP transmission and retransmission mechanisms for wireless networks

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) provides mechanisms for reliable data communications. Although it works well in wired networks, it fails to offer satisfactory performance in lossy and wireless environments. And in the multi-hop wireless infrastructure, packet delivery suffers high cumulative loss rate if traveling over multiple wireless hops. The Selective acknowledgment (SACK) is one header option that might be used to combat segment corruptions in air channels. In this paper, an alternative set of flow control mechanisms is proposed to handle high packet loss rate in a wireless medium. Using a measurement-based mechanism, sustainable segment delivery is achievable through a novel size-reduction method. Multiple segment retransmission mechanisms are introduced to reduce successive tim...

2011-01-01

159

Document image retrieval with morphology-based segmentation and features combination

misty somites, a maternal effect gene identified by transposon-mediated insertional mutagenesis in zebrafish that is essential for the somite boundary maintenance

Digital libraries need more than just a retrieval based on keywords, which can be inefficient for some applications. Thus, a document retrieval based on content of the digitized image version of the document can be a more appropriated approach. This paper discusses the retrieval of document images by means of identifying a variety of elements present in the document's image body. We propose a new strategy to identify and combine features extracted from a document image. We also consider the task of constructing an optimized feature set to improve the retrieval performance and to validate our experiments on an assorted database. Experimental results show that the proposed segmentation together with a wisely feature combination increase the overall retrieval performance. Moreover the retrieved images demonstrate the generality and effectiveness of our approach for an efficient segmentation and classification of document images.

2011-01-01

160

Water Relations of Growing Maize Coleoptiles ¹

Somite boundary formation is crucial for segmentation of vertebrate somites and vertebrae and skeletal muscle morphogenesis. Previously, we developed a Tol2 transposon-mediated...Full Text Available

2008-04-15

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161

Utilization of Tc-99m-TBI as a myocardial perfusion agent in exercise studies: Comparison with Tl-201 thallous chloride and examination of its biodistribution in humans

Water relations of growing segments of maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles were investigated with osmotic methods using either mannitol (MAN) or polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) as external...Full Text Available

1991-03-01

162

Understanding Skill in EVA Mass Handling - NASA Technical Report ...

Twenty-four patients were studied with both /sup 201/Tl-thallus chloride and /sup 99m/Tc-TBI scintigraphy following exercise. Comparison of the two agents in detecting segmental myocardial ischemia and scar was made in 18 patients with evidence of coronary artery disease on /sup 201/Tl-thallous chloride scintigraphy. Agreement between the two studies was observed in 77% (125 of 162) of left ventricular segments, suggesting that /sup 99m/Tc-TBI can be used as a myocardial perfusion agent. Limitations were related to early high background activity from lungs and liver. The high lung activity and early myocardial redistribution within the 1st hour contributed to the failure of /sup 99m/Tc-TBI to detect 16 segmental defects seen in the immediate post-exercise thallous chloride scan. Persistently high liver activity additionally affected accurate interpretation in the left ventricular segments close to the ...

1986-10-01

163

Stereocomplexed PLA-PEG Nanoparticles with Dual-Emissive Boron Dyes for Tumor Accumulation

pedel supl3od" surfcoe. U => ut::_oer (torso segment or shoulder. 13oint),. L => lower. (legs]. m-I. => mediolatercl a_is re. Doo_,. s-i => ...

164

Specific Residues of the Influenza A Virus Hemagglutinin Viral RNA Are Important for Efficient Packaging into Budding Virions?

Responsive biomaterials play important roles in imaging, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) containing hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments are one class of biomaterial...Full Text Available

2010-09-28

165

Sex and Hormonal Variations in the Development of At-level Allodynia In a Rat Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Model

A final step in the influenza virus replication cycle is the assembly of the viral structural proteins and the packaging of the eight segments of viral RNA (vRNA) into a fully infectious virion. The...Full Text Available

2007-09-01

166

Segmentation and fragmentation of melt jets due to generation of large-scale structures. Observation in low subcooling conditions

The development of central neuropathic pain varies among patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The factors contributing to the development and perpetuation of segmental pain (at-level allodynia)...Full Text Available

2010-06-25

167

Rapid in situ hybridization technique using 16S rRNA segments for detecting and differentiating the closely related gram-positive organisms Bacillus polymyxa and Bacillus macerans

In order to clarify a mechanism of melt-jet breakup and fragmentation entirely different from the mechanism of stripping, a series of experiments were carried out by using molten tin jets of 100 grams with initial temperatures from 250degC to 900degC. Molten tin jets with a small kinematic viscosity and a large thermal diffusivity were used to observe breakup and fragmentation of melt jets enhanced thermally and hydrodynamically. We observed jet columns with second-stage large-scale structures generated by the coalescence of large-scale structures recognized in the field of fluid mechanics. At a greater depth, the segmentation of jet columns between second-stage large-scale structures and the fragmentation of the segmented jet columns were observed. It is reasonable to consider that the segmentation and the fragmentation of jet columns are caused by the boiling of water hydrodynamically entrained within second-stage ...

1999-07-01

168

Phytochrome-induced Increase of Fluorescein Translocation in Mung Bean Hypocotyls

A rapid, sensitive, inexpensive in situ hybridization technique, using 30-mer 16S rRNA probes, can

1992-01-01

169

Phytochrome-controlled Hydrogen Ion Excretion by Avena Coleoptiles ¹

Moderate doses of red (660 nanometer) irradiation cause a rapid increase in the translocation of fluorescein in dark-grown mung bean hypocotyl (Vigna radiata L.) segments. The increase...Full Text Available

1978-07-01

170

Phylogenetic Network for European mtDNA

A red light-induced, far red reversible stimulation of proton efflux from apical segments of etiolated Avena sativa L. cv. Victory coleoptiles was observed. The acidification...Full Text Available

1977-04-01

171

Photosynthesis by sugar-cane leaves

The sequence in the first hypervariable segment (HVS-I) of the control region has been used as a source of evolutionary information in most phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA. Population genetic inference...Full Text Available

2001-06-01

172

Performance evaluation of an automatic anatomy segmentation algorithm on repeat or four-dimensional CT images using a deformable image registration method

1. Radioactive products in detached leaf segments were examined after periods of steady-state photosynthesis in ¹⁴CO₂. 2. After exposure to ¹⁴CO₂ for approx....Full Text Available

1966-10-01

173

Left ventricular volumetry by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging: the interest of the phased array antenna and of the segmented gradient echo sequences; Volumetrie ventriculaire gauche en IRM: interet des sequences d`echo de gradient segmentees et de l`antenne phased array

PurposeAuto-propagation of anatomical region-of-interests (ROIs) from the planning CT to daily CT is an essential step in image-guided adaptive radiotherapy. The...Full Text Available

2008-09-01

174

Isolation, Purification, and Characterization of an Endogenous Root-promoting Factor Obtained from Basal Sections of Pear Hardwood Cuttings

Short communication

1995-10-01

175

Intra- and extracellular calcium modulates stereocilia stiffness on chick cochlear hair cells.

Basal segments taken from Old Home and Bartlett pear hardwood cuttings collected at intervals during the rooting period in September were extracted with ethanol and fractionated by paper chromatography...Full Text Available

1967-04-01

176

Further Studies of the Ability of Xyloglucan Oligosaccharides to Inhibit Auxin-Stimulated Growth 1

Segments of the chick basilar papilla were isolated and maintained in culture medium. The sensory hair bundle of individual hair cells was observed with light microscopy and stimulated with a water...Full Text Available

1994-02-01

177

Epicuticular Wax Accumulation and Fatty Acid Elongation Activities Are Induced during Leaf Development of Leeks1

The structural features required for xyloglucan oligosaccharides to inhibit 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid-stimulated elongation of pea stem segments have been investigated. A nonasaccharide (XG9)...Full Text Available

1992-05-01

178

Dobutamine stress test and beta-agonist - a potential concern for nuclear cardiology testing: a case report

Epicuticular wax production was evaluated along the length of expanding leek (Allium porrum L.) leaves to gain insight into the regulation of wax production. Leaf segments from the...Full Text Available

1998-03-01

179

Control of wrist position and muscle relaxation by shifting spatial frames of reference for motoneuronal recruitment: possible involvement of corticospinal pathways

IntroductionChest pain with ST-segment elevation is a rare clinical problem during dobutamine stress testing. Although beta-agonists treatment prior to dobutamine stress testing...Full Text Available

180

Anatomical Reasons for the Discrepancies in Atrioventricular Block after Inferior Myocardial Infarction with and without Right Ventricular Involvement

It has previously been established that muscles become active in response to deviations from a threshold (referent) position of the body or its segments, and that intentional motor actions result from...Full Text Available

2010-05-01

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181

Adaptive Image Processing A Computational Intelligence Perspective

The incidence of arrhythmias after acute myocardial infarction of the inferior wall varies with the affected segment and increases when there is right ventricular involvement. This paper provides a...Full Text Available

2009-01-01

182

AEROSPACE MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY - NASA Technical Reports Server

Adaptive image processing is one of the most important techniques in visual information processing, especially in early vision such as image restoration, filtering, enhancement, and segmentation. This work focuses on applications of advanced CI techniques in image processing applications

2009-01-01

183

A prospective randomised study on the long-term effect of lumbar fusion on adjacent disc degeneration

Learning curve models have gained widespread acceptance as a technique for analyzing and ...... flight segment in F4 pilots p 163 A91-30966. WILSON, JOHN W . ...

184

A cytosine methyltransferase homologue is essential for repeat-induced point mutation in Neurospora crassa

The existence and importance of an accelerated adjacent segment disc degeneration (ASD) after lumbar fusion have previously not been demonstrated by RCTs. The objectives of this study were, to determine...Full Text Available

2009-08-01

185

Safety calculation for an underground repository for radioactive waste: the first objective of the alliances calculation software platform

During sexual development, Neurospora crassa inactivates genes in duplicated DNA segments by a hypermutation process, repeat-induced point mutation (RIP). RIP introduces C:G to T:A...Full Text Available

2002-06-25

186

Efficient methodologies for sensitive HIV-1 RNA quantitation from plasma and vaginal secretions

The aim of the safety calculation is to quantify through numerical modelling the radiological impact (molar flow, human dose) of a potential repository for radioactive waste on the Meuse/Haute Marne site at Bure. A selection process is underway for safety scenarios and their phenomenological and numerical conceptual models upstream from the safety calculation. This involves defining and quantifying the geometric and dimensional representations of the repository for each scenario plus the physical, mathematical and numerical models that reflect its behaviour and the uncertainties associated with all the parameters required to quantify the impact. A summary will be given of these various aspects. The numerical simulations are then performed on the Alliances platform which integrates the various computer codes required for the physical representation of the system. (authors)

2005-03-14

187

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background: Quantifying HIV levels in mucosal secretions is essential to study compartmentalized expression of HIV and facilitate development of intervention strategies to prevent disease progression and transmission. Objectives: To develop a sensitive, reliable, and cost-effective technique to quantify HIV from blood and vaginal secretions that is compatible with efficient implementation in clinical research environments. Study design: A sensitive, reliable, internally-controlled real-time reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR assay, which uses the HIV-1 pol gene as a target (Hpol assay) was developed to quantify HIV levels in plasma and genital secretions, and compared to the widely used Roche Amplicor(TM) HIV-1 Monitor assay. In addition, a simplified method of sample collection and processing...

2009-01-01

188

Characterization and uncertainty analysis of VOCs emissions from industrial wastewater treatment plants

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Air toxics from the industrial wastewater treatment plants (IWTPs) impose serious health concerns on its surrounding residential neighborhoods. To address such health concerns, one of the key challenges is to quantify the air emissions from the IWTPs. The objective here is to characterize the air emissions from the IWTPs and quantify its associated uncertainty. An IWTP receiving the wastewaters from an airplane maintenance facility is used for illustration with focus on the quantification of air emissions for benzyl alcohol, phenol, methylene chloride, 2-butanone, and acetone. Two general fate models, i.e., WATER9 and TOXCHEM+V3.0 were used to model the IWTP and quantify the air emissions. Monte Carlo and Bootstrap simulation were used for uncertainty analysis. On average, air emissions fr...

2010-01-01

189

Automatic segmentation of thoracic and pelvic CT images for radiotherapy planning using implicit anatomic knowledge and organ-specific segmentation strategies

[Heart injuries: diagnosis and therapy].

Automatic segmentation of anatomical structures in medical images is a valuable tool for efficient computer-aided radiotherapy and surgery planning and an enabling technology for dynamic adaptive radiotherapy. This paper presents the design, algorithms and validation of new software for the automatic segmentation of CT images used for radiotherapy treatment planning. A coarse to fine approach is followed that consists of presegmentation, anatomic orientation and structure segmentation. No user input or a priori information about the image content is required. In presegmentation, the body outline, the bones and lung equivalent tissue are detected. Anatomic orientation recognizes the patient's position, orientation and gender and creates an elastic mapping of the slice positions to a reference scale. Structure segmentation is divided into localization, outlining and refinement, performed by ...

2008-03-21

190

The Significance of Clopidogrel Low-Responsiveness on Stent Thrombosis and Cardiac Death Assessed by the Verifynow P₂Y₁₂ Assay in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Within 6 Months After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation

The clinical manifestation of wounds of the heart is determined by the mode, site and size of the injury as well as the structure of the pericardial and myocardial lesion. Diagnosis can be confirmed by ECG and echocardiography. Only 20% of the patients with penetrating wounds of the heart live for more than 30 minutes. Pericardio-centesis should be used only to gain time for a safe sternotomy, cardiac decompression and suture of the wound of the heart. An aggressive surgical approach is mandatory. Cardiopulmonary bypass is necessary only to correct of concomitant lesions. PMID:1983618

1990-01-01

191

Telemetry system for monitoring the ECG for patients with high cardiovascular risk. Main design requirements and technical solutions

Background and ObjectivesClopidogrel resistance or low-responsiveness may be associated with recurrent atherothrombotic events after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. We prospectively...Full Text Available

2009-12-01

192

Photolysis of the novel inotropes EMD 57033 and EMD 57439: evidence that Ca2+ sensitization and phosphodiesterase inhibition depend upon the same enantiomeric site.

In this paper the main design requirements concerning the setting up of a telemetry ECG monitoring system are presented. The design's most important technical solutions as well as some details are also discussed. This system is intended to provide skilled medical assistance during the cardiac rehabilitation of both asymptomatic and high risk coronary patients

2005-01-01

193

Phospholamban and its Phosphorylated Form Interact Differently with Lipid Bilayers: A ³¹P, ²H and ¹³C Solid-State NMR Spectroscopic Study

1. We studied the effects of flash photolysis on the novel enantiomeric cardiac inotropes EMD 57033 (a calcium sensitizer) and EMD 57439 (a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor) in rat isolated ventricular...Full Text Available

1996-08-01

194

Pericardio-peritoneal drainage using a subcostal approach.

Phospholamban (PLB) is a 52-amino acid integral membrane protein that helps to regulate the flow of Ca²⁺ ions in cardiac muscle cells. Recent structural studies on the PLB pentamer...Full Text Available

2006-11-07

195

Lyme myocarditis diagnosed by indium-111-antimyosin antibody scintigraphy

A 56-year-old man admitted to our hospital for cardiac tamponade due to dilated cardiomyopathy did not respond to treatment by usual medical means or surgery. Pericardio-peritoneal drainage was conducted using a subcostal approach. Seven months later, the patient remains well and free of signs of pericardial tamponade. This method has proved to be safe and effective in patients with persistent massive pericardial effusion. PMID:10496067

1999-08-01

196

Long- but not short-term heat acclimation produces an apoptosis-resistant cardiac phenotype: a lesson from heat stress and ischemic/reperfusion insults

We report a new case of Lyme disease with cardiac manifestations, which has been possible to follow during the long period of 12 years. We have detected the usual ECG abnormalities, and concentric hypertrophic myocardiopathy, by echocardiography. The acute myocarditis was demonstrated by /sup 111/In-antimyosin scintigraphy, which showed global myocardial uptake of the tracer, constituting the first report, to our knowledge, of Lyme myocarditis diagnosed by this method.

1989-06-01

197

Kv1.1 potassium channel deficiency reveals brain-driven cardiac dysfunction as a candidate mechanism for sudden unexplained death in epilepsy(SUDEP)

Long-term heat acclimation (AC, 30d/34°C) is a phenotypic adaptation leading to increased thermotolerance during heat stress (HS, 2 h 41°C). AC also renders protection against...Full Text Available

2010-09-01

198

Homocysteine effects classical pathway of GPCR down regulation: G?_q/11, G?_12/13, G_i/o

Mice lacking Kv1.1 Shaker-like potassium channels encoded by the Kcna1 gene exhibit severe seizures and die prematurely. The channel is widely expressed in...Full Text Available

2010-04-14

199

Fatal left cardiac failure caused by external compression of left internal mammary artery graft in an accident: a case report

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are known to modulate intracellular effectors involved in cardiac function. We recently reported homocysteine (Hcy)-induced ERK-phosphorylation was suppressed...Full Text Available

2009-01-01

200

Detection of acute myocardial infarction in spontaneously hypertensive rats by /sup 99m/Tc-Pyrrolidino methyl tetracycline

We report for the first time a case of a 54 years old man with a fatal motorcycle accident due to an external bleeding compression of left internal mammary artery graft to the left anterior descending...Full Text Available

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201

Computed tomography - old ideas and new technology

The myocardial infarct induced by isoproterenol in spontaneously hypertensive rats accumulates higher activities of /sup 99/sup(m)Tc-PM tetracycline compared with the cardiac infarct in normotensive rats caused by the same method. The isoproterenol model of the myocardial necrosis was induced in intact rats without opening the thorax and is a convenient method for experimental radioisotope studies.

1983-01-01

202

Blood EPA and DHA Independently Predict All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Stable Coronary Heart Disease. The Heart and Soul Study

Several recently introduced 'new' techniques in computed tomography - iterative reconstruction, gated cardiac CT, multiple-source, and dual-energy CT - actually date back to the early days of CT. We review the historic origins and evolution of these techniques, which may provide some insight into the latest innovations in commercial CT systems. (orig.)

2011-03-01

203

In-beam #gamma#-ray spectroscopy of fast beams at the NSCL

BackgroundOmega-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) blood levels and intakes have been inversely associated with risk for sudden cardiac death, but their relationship with all-cause...Full Text Available

2010-07-01

204

Computer tomographic demonstration of so-called azygos continuation in the absence of the hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava

With the development of an array of highly-segmented germanium detectors, it now becomes possible to perform in-flight #gamma#-ray spectroscopy experiments on intermediate energy beams with unprecedented #gamma#-ray energy resolution. Presented in this report are examples of two techniques in which SeGA, the most highly-segmented operational germanium array for in-flight spectroscopy with fast beams, was used for the detection of #gamma# rays. SeGA used in conjunction with a high-resolution magnetic spectrograph (S800) to detect the reaction residues in coincidence represents a powerful combination for in-beam #gamma#-ray studies.

2004-04-05

205

Semi-automated segmentation of the sigmoid and descending colon for radiotherapy planning using the fast marching method

Dilatation of the azygos vein is usually due to increased pressure or flow, rarely is it diopathic. Another cause is so-called continuation of the azygos in cases of absence of the hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava. The method of choice for the investigation of azygos dilatation nowadays is computer tomotgraphy. Anomalies of the inferior vena cava can be recognised in this way unequivocally by a non-invasive method. Computer tomography frequently shows important additional abnormalities (e.g. situs inversus, polysplenia), since it demonstrates all organs situated in the plane of section. (orig.).

206

Effect of chlordecone (kepone) on calcium transport mechanisms in rat heart sarcoplasmic reticulum

A fast and accurate segmentation of organs at risk, such as the healthy colon, would be of benefit for planning of radiotherapy, in particular in an adaptive scenario. For the treatment of pelvic tumours, a great challenge is the segmentation of the most adjacent and sensitive parts of the gastrointestinal tract, the sigmoid and descending colon. We propose a semi-automated method to segment these bowel parts using the fast marching (FM) method. Standard 3D computed tomography (CT) image data obtained from routine radiotherapy planning were used. Our pre-processing steps distinguish the intestine, muscles and air from connective tissue. The core part of our method separates the sigmoid and descending colon from the muscles and other segments of the intestine. This is done by utilizing the ability of the FM method to compute a specified minimal energy functional integrated along a path, and thereby ...

2010-09-21

207

Xylem Embolism in Response to Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Water Stress in Ring-Porous, Diffuse-Porous, and Conifer Species ¹

Since chlordecone (Kepone, CD) interferes with cardiac Na{sup +} ion translocases, we have studied CD effects on cardiac SR calcium pump activity. SR was isolated from heart ventricles of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Cardiac SR Ca{sup 2+}-ATPase, {sup 45}Ca-uptake and cAMP as well as calmodulin (CaM) dependent protein phosphorylation were measured. Ca{sup 2+}-ATPase was differentiated into low affinity and high affinity forms by measuring the activity using 50 and 0.7 {mu}M free Ca{sup 2+} respectively. CD in vitro inhibited {sup 45}Ca-uptake by SR in a concentration dependent manner with an IC50 value of 7 {mu}M and SR {sup 45}Ca-uptake was totally inhibited at 20-30 {mu}M CD. In agreement with this, both high affinity and low affinity Ca{sup 2+}-ATPases, which are involved in Ca{sup 2+} transport across membranes, were also inhibited by CD in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 0.7 and 3.2 {mu}M ...

1990-01-01

208

Variability In Motor Learning: Relocating, Channeling and Reducing Noise

Vulnerability to xylem embolism by freeze-thaw cycles and water stress was quantified in ring-porous (Quercus gambelii Nutt.), diffuse-porous (Populus tremuloides Michx.,...Full Text Available

1992-10-01

209

Transcription induces strand-specific mutations at the 5? end of human genes

Variability in motor performance decreases with practice but is never entirely eliminated, due in part to inherent motor noise. The present study develops a method that quantifies how performers...Full Text Available

2009-02-01

210

Three-Dimensional Traction Force Microscopy: A New Tool for Quantifying Cell-Matrix Interactions

A regional analysis of nucleotide substitution rates along human genes and their flanking regions allows us to quantify the effect of mutational mechanisms associated with transcription in germ line...Full Text Available

2008-08-01

211

The effect of maternal anthropometric characteristics and social factors on gestational age and birth weight in Sudanese newborn infants

The interactions between biochemical processes and mechanical signaling play important roles during various cellular processes such as wound healing, embryogenesis, metastasis, and cell migration. While...Full Text Available

212

The Trade-Off between Costs and Outcomes: The Case of Acute Myocardial Infarction

BackgroundIn Africa low birth weight (LBW) (<2500 g), is the strongest determinant of infant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of...Full Text Available

213

Quantifiable Biomarkers of Normal Aging in the Japanese Medaka Fish (Oryzias latipes)

ObjectiveTo investigate and to quantify the relationship between hospital costs and health outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Veterans Health Administration...Full Text Available

2010-12-01

214

Proteome-wide Anti-HCV and Anti-HIV Antibody Profiling for Predicting and Monitoring Response to HCV Treatment in HIV Co-infected Patients

BackgroundSmall laboratory fish share many anatomical and histological characteristics with other vertebrates, yet can be maintained in large numbers at low cost for lifetime studies....Full Text Available

215

Prevalence and trends of selected urologic conditions for VA healthcare users

We quantified antibody responses to the HCV proteome that are associated with sustained virologic response (SVR) in HIV/HCV co-infected patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin....Full Text Available

2010-09-15

216

Predictive Value of Kushida Index and Acoustic Pharyngometry for the Evaluation of Upper Airway in Subjects With or Without Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BackgroundConducted as part of the Urologic Diseases in America project whose aim was to quantify the burden of urologic diseases on the American public, this study focuses on Veterans...Full Text Available

217

Predicting Airborne Particle Levels Aboard Washington State School Buses

Acoustic pharyngometry is a relatively new noninvasive method that quantifies geometrically complexed pharyngeal dimensions. Our study aimed to investigate the predictability and usefulness of acoustic...Full Text Available

2004-10-01

218

Physical fitness and occupational demands of the Belfast ambulance service.

School buses contribute substantially to childhood air pollution exposures yet they are rarely quantified in epidemiology studies. This paper characterizes fine particulate matter (PM_2.5)...Full Text Available

2008-10-01

219

Physical Morphology and Quantitative Characterization of Chemical Changes of Weathered PVC/Pine Composites.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the current fitness of an area ambulance service based in Belfast and to quantify the physiological demands of accident and emergency work. From a total...Full Text Available

1991-09-01

220

Online quasi-continuous measurement of organic acids in the atmosphere

This study investigated weathering effects on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based wood plastic composites (WPC), with a focus on the color and structure that is attributed to the material composition. It is directed towards quantifying the main chemical modifi...

2009-01-01

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221

Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI

The concentration of some organic acids in the atmosphere was determined using a wet effluent diffusion denuder-aerosol collector coupled with Ion Chromatography. Three organic acids and four inorganic anions were identified and quantified in the air sample, taken from the backyard of PSI. (author)

2002-03-01

222

In situ nanoindentation in a transmission electron microscope

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating disorder, which produces profound deficits in volitional motor control. Following medical stabilization, recovery from SCI typically involves long term rehabilitation....Full Text Available

223

Heritability of Lumbar Trabecular Bone Mechanical Properties in Baboons

This dissertation presents the development of the novel mechanical testing technique of in situ nanoindentation in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). This technique makes it possible to simultaneously observe and quantify the mechanical behavior of nano-scale volumes of solids.

2002-12-02

224

Evaluation of patients' assessment of day hospital care.

Genetic effects on mechanical properties have been demonstrated in rodents, but not confirmed in primates. Our aim was to quantify the proportion of variation in vertebral trabecular bone mechanical...Full Text Available

2010-03-01

225

Evaluating the Nickel Content in Metal Alloys and the Threshold for Nickel-Induced Allergic Contact Dermatitis

The method of linear analogue self-assessment (LASA) was used to quantify the views concerning day care which were held by patients attending a geriatric day hospital. The results suggest that day hospitals...Full Text Available

1977-09-01

226

Elevated Levels of Volatile Organic Carcinogen and Toxicant Biomarkers in Chinese Women Who Regularly Cook at Home

Many patients are currently suffering from nickel (Ni)-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). There have been few Korean studies dealing with the threshold of Ni-induced ACD and quantifying the...Full Text Available

2008-04-01

227

Effect of pH and Temperature on Denitrification Gene Expression and Activity in Pseudomonas mandelii?

BackgroundEpidemiologic studies associate lung cancer in non-smoking Chinese women with Chinese-style wok cooking. Our goal was to quantify carcinogen and toxicant...Full Text Available

2010-05-01

228

Effect of Breast Milk Lead on Infant Blood Lead Levels at 1 Month of Age

Pseudomonas mandelii liquid cultures were studied to determine the effect of pH and temperature on denitrification gene expression, which was quantified by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR....Full Text Available

2009-06-01

229

Detection and Analysis of Tumor Fluorescence Using a Two-Photon Optical Fiber Probe

Nursing infants may be exposed to lead from breast milk, but relatively few data exist with which to evaluate and quantify this relationship. This route of exposure constitutes a potential infant hazard...Full Text Available

2004-10-01

230

Comparison of Optical and SEM BSE Imaging Techniques for Quantifying Alpha-Beta Titanium Alloy Microstructures (Preprint).

The utility of a two-photon optical fiber fluorescence probe (TPOFF) for sensing and quantifying tumor fluorescent signals was tested in vivo. Xenograft tumors were developed in athymic mice using MCA207...Full Text Available

2004-06-01

231

Deploying Flowbee Tripod

USGS Gallery

As part of an investigation of the mechanisms of coastal change in the Carolinas (http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/cccp/index.html), instrumented tripods were deployed on Diamond Shoals near Cape Hatteras, NC. These tripods recorded data quantifying the currents, waves, turbidity, temperat...

2010-01-26

232

Community-based incidence of acute renal failure

Quantitative metallography is often used to confirm the proper processing of aerospace metallic materials. A microstructural feature of great importance for titanium alloys processed in the alpha-beta phase field is the volume fraction of primary alpha. S...

2006-01-01

233

Augmenting Clinical Evaluation of Hemiparetic Arm Movement With a Laboratory-Based Quantitative Measurement of Kinematics as a Function of Limb Loading

There is limited information about the true incidence of acute renal failure (ARF). Most studies could not quantify disease frequency in the general population as they are hospital-based and...Full Text Available

2007-07-01

234

Alcohol-folate interactions in women's oral cancer risk: A prospective cohort study

BackgroundKinematic and kinetic measurements used in laboratory settings can quantify upper extremity movement impairment following stroke, but their relationship...Full Text Available

2008-01-01

235

A field study on the effects of dietary monensin on milk production and milk composition in dairy cows

BackgroundThe aim of this cohort study was to quantify the effect of alcohol in the risk of oral cancer in different strata of folate intake, controlling for known...Full Text Available

2010-10-01

236

Seismic and Rockphysics Diagnostics fo Multiscale Reservoir Textures

The objectives of this study were to quantify the effect of 16 ppm of dietary monensin on milk production and composition of dairy cows, and to investigate factors having a potential impact on this...Full Text Available

2010-04-01

237

Correlations in Werner States

We have continued to finish up our work on analyzing relationships between elastic properties and rock microstructure. We have worked on theoretical models for the effects of sorting and packing on elastic moduli and seismic velocities. After analyzing the scanning acoustic images of shales to quantify textures at different scales, we are now using theoretical inclusion models to quantify the elastic property variation with texture. In the closing phases of this project most of our efforts are now focused on writing up the results and preparing the final reports.

2005-02-01

238

A framework for the financial evaluation of household biogas plants in India

Werner states are paradigmatic examples of quantum states and play an innovative role in quantum information theory. In investigating the correlating capability of Werner states, we find the curious phenomenon that quantum correlations, as quantified by the entanglement of formation, may exceed the total correlations, as measured by the quantum mutual information. Consequently, though the entanglement of formation is so widely used in quantifying entanglement, it cannot be interpreted as a consistent measure of quantum correlations per se if we accept the folklore that total correlations are measured (or rather upper bounded) by the quantum mutual information.

2008-02-15

239

Optimizing bowel preparation for multidetector row CT colonography: Effect of Citramag and Picolax

A generalised procedure for quantifying the benefits of household biogas plants is presented. The sensitivity of the procedure to the uncertainty in input prices is reduced through the assumption of incremental benefits from the biogas plant. These benefits are quantified in terms of the quantity of fuelwood for which the biogas substitutes in cooking, the quantity of kerosene replaced through the use of biogas for lighting and the diesel fuel displaced through the use of a biogas fuelled dual-fuel engine for motive power. Sensitivity of the monetary benefits for these parameters is examined in order to identify variables which influence the viability of the technology to the end user. (author).

1990-01-01

240

Convolution/superposition using the Monte Carlo method

AIM: To compare the adequacy and acceptability of Picolax and Citramag bowel cleansing agents for CT colonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multidetector row CT colonography was performed in 124 subjects; 43 had been prepared with Picolax and 81 with Citramag. Datasets were assessed for retained fluid and solid residue, and overall adequacy of segmental visualization. Preparation acceptability was also assessed. RESULTS: There was significantly less retained fluid with Picolax. The odds of being in the next higher category for retained fluid when using Picolax were 0.33 (CI: 0.22-0.50, p<0.0001) when compared with Citramag, for all segments combined. However there was significantly more retained solid residue with Picolax. The odds of being in the next higher category for retained residue when using Picolax were 2.44 (CI: 1.41-4.24, p=0.002) when compared with Citramag, for all segments combined. There was no ...

2003-09-01

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241

Computer vision algorithms in DNA ploidy image analysis

The convolution/superposition calculations for radiotherapy dose distributions are traditionally performed by convolving polyenergetic energy deposition kernels with TERMA (total energy released per unit mass) precomputed in each voxel of the irradiated phantom. We propose an alternative method in which the TERMA calculation is replaced by random sampling of photon energy, direction and interaction point. Then, a direction is randomly sampled from the angular distribution of the monoenergetic kernel corresponding to the photon energy. The kernel ray is propagated across the phantom, and energy is deposited in each voxel traversed. An important advantage of the explicit sampling of energy is that spectral changes with depth are automatically accounted for. No spectral or kernel hardening corrections are needed. Furthermore, the continuous sampling of photon direction allows us to model sharp changes in fluence, such as those due to collimator tongue-and-groove. The use of explicit ...

2003-07-21

242

Subcellular distribution of ryanodine receptors in the cardiac muscle of carp (Cyprinus carpio).

The high incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer have stimulated research for prevention, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. DNA ploidy status of tumour cells is an important parameter with diagnostic and prognostic significance. In the current study, DNA ploidy analysis was performed using image cytometry technique and digital image processing and analysis. Tissue samples from prostate patients were stained using the Feulgen method. Images were acquired using a digital imaging microscopy system consisting of an Olympus BX-50 microscope equipped with a color CCD camera. Segmentation of such images is not a trivial problem because of the uneven background, intensity variations within the nuclei and cell clustering. In this study specific algorithms were developed in Matlab based on the most prominent image segmentation approaches that emanate from the field of Mathematical Morphology, focusing on region-based watershed ...

2006-03-01

243

Identification, characterization, and chromosomal localization of the human homolog (hES) of ES/130

We examined the subcellular localization of ryanodine receptors (RyR) in the cardiac muscle of carp using biochemical, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic methods and compared it with those of rats and guinea pigs. To achieve this goal, an anti-RyR antibody was newly raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to an amino acid sequence that was conserved among all sequenced RyRs. Western blot analysis using this antibody detected a single RyR band following the SDS-PAGE of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes from carp atrium and ventricle as well as from mammalian hearts and skeletal muscles. The carp heart band had slightly greater mobility than those of mammalian hearts. Although immunohistochemical staining showed evident striations corresponding to the Z lines in longitudinal sections of mammalian hearts, clusters of punctate staining, in contrast, were distributed ubiquitously throughout carp atrium and ventricle. Electron microscopic images ...

2003-06-12

244

Benzyl carbamyl analogue of lignocaine: vasodepressor mechanism of action.

The chicken extracellular matrix glycoprotein ES/130 is necessary for epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in the developing hear and is also expressed in noncardiac chicken tissues such as limb and notochord. We have identified hES, the human homology of chicken ES/130. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis (FISH) localizes hES to human chromosome 20p11.2-p12. FISH analyses of individuals with 20p12 deletions and affected by Alagille syndrome exclude hES as a candidate gene for this disorder. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction studies reveal that hES is expressed in both fetal and adult human tissues and that hES expression in the left ventricle is increased in the failing adult heart. Further studies will evaluate how hES mutations may relate to congenital human cardiac and skeletal anomalies as well as cardiac remodeling in the adult. 16 refs., 2 figs.

1996-08-01

245

Visualization of right atrial appendix by Thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy: concise communication

1. The benzyl carbamyl analogue of lignocaine [2-(diethylaminoacetamido)-3-carbamyl-4-methyl-5-benzylpyrrole] at an intravenous dose of 4 mg/kg caused a blood pressure decrease of 54 mmHg. 2. A greater hypotensive effect was observed in hypertensive compared to normotensive animals. Anaesthesia magnified the vasodepressor effect in both groups. 3. The analogue did not possess centrally-mediated effects on blood pressure but exerted its hypotensive effect via a peripheral mechanism. 4. The analogue produced a relaxant effect on intestinal and vascular smooth muscle while exerting minimal effects on muscarinic, sympathetic, or ganglionic nicotinic receptors. 5. The analogue exhibited less cardiac depressant action on left ventricular rate (dp/dt) and force of contraction than lignocaine. 6. Lethal effects for the analogue were first observed at 16 mg/kg following intravenous administration and at 500 mg/kg following intraperitoneal administration. 7. In conclusion, ...

246

Probable role of trace elements of some medicinal plants in cardio-vascular diseases

The atrial myocardium has been barely visible with thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy. This is probably related to the difference in size, distance from anterior chest wall, and small coronary blood flow of the atrium, compared with the ventricle. We have encountered eight cases of visualization of the right atrial appendix (RAA). The RAA was identified from multiple projections in all cases and sometimes confirmed by radionuclide angiocardiography. Evidence derived from ECG, chest radiographs, and cardiac catheterization, indicated that the most important factor in the visualization might be the displacement of the RAA to a more anterior position.

1980-10-01

247

MRI in postoperative assessment of univentricular heart disease: correlation with echocardiography and angiography; MRT in der postoperativen Diagnostik bei funktionell univentrikulaerem Herz: Korrelation zu Echokardiographie und Kardangiographie

A number of herbal drugs are used in the Unani (Greco-Arab) System of Medicine for cardiovascular diseases. The herbs were analyzed by flame AAS and ICP-AES to determine if their therapeutic actions can be associated with the elements present in them. Cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, nickel, phosphorus, lead and zinc were some of the elements which play various roles in cardiovascular affections. An effort was made to correlate the role of these elements in cardiac diseases. (Auth.). 2 tabs., 32 refs.

248

Isolated laevocardia and corrected transposition of the great vessels with total situs inversus

Purpose: To determine the value of MRI in the postoperativ evaluation of a singular ventricle compared to echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Materials and methods: Thirty-one patients (range: 6 months to 30 years) with a functional single ventricle following palliative corrective operations. Five patients had a Blalock-Taussig-Shunt, 8 patients a Glenn-Anastomosis and 18 a cavopulmonary shunt (6 with classic Fontan-Circulation, 12 with modified cavopulmonary anastomosis). The results in terms of postoperative morphologic changes were compared to percutaneous echocardiography (31/31) and cardiac catheterization (6/31). Results: Echocardiography, which was performed on all patients, could not visualize the entire length of the tunnel, the Glenn-Anastomosis or the central pulmonary arteries in 70% of the patients due to an inadequate acoustic window. MRI was able to show the entire tunnel in 11/12 patients and the central pulmonary ...

2002-12-01

249

Hypersersensitivity and Kounis syndrome due to a viper bite

Isolated laevocardia combined with corrected transposition of the great arteries and complete situs inversus is rare. Due to discordant interrelationships between atria and ventricles and between ventricles and great arteries, both anomalies result in a normal circulation. In the presented case no associated cardiac malformations were present and the 55-year-old woman remained symptom-free for a long time until she developed an acquired valve disease. A systematic approach to chamber localisation in complex morphologic lesions of the heart is reviewed, and the value of CT, which can be applied successfully in older children and adults is demonstrated. (orig.).

250

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A 60-year-old male was bitten by a venomous snake (Vipera ammodytes) and gradually developed signs of an allergic reaction including generalized itching, generalized rash, and chest discomfort. This was followed by severe retrosternal pain with electrocardiographic evidence of an inferior myocardial ischemia progressing to acute myocardial infarction. Cardiac enzymes and troponin, serum tryptase, and histamine were elevated. Coronary arteriography showed normal coronary arteries. This is a characteristic type I variant of Kounis syndrome, which is the concurrence of acute coronary syndromes with conditions associated with mast cell activation including allergic or hypersensitivity reactions as well as anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions. This is the first report to show that viper bite...

2006-01-01

251

Functionalized luminescent oxide nanoparticles for sodium channel imaging at the single molecule level

Visualization and volumetric structures from MR images of the brain

Lanthanide-ion doped oxide nanoparticles were functionalized for use as fluorescent biological labels. These nanoparticles are synthesized directly in water which facilitates their functionalization, and are very photostable without emission intermittency. Nanoparticles functionalized with guanidinium groups act as artificial toxins and specifically target sodium channels. They are individually detectable in cardiac myocytes, revealing a heterogeneous distribution of sodium channels. Functionalized oxide nanoparticles appear as a novel tool particularly well adapted to long-term single-molecule tracking.

2005-04-01

252

Sphincter-saving procedure for radiation-injuried rectum. A report of four cases with special reference to pull-through procedure

Pinta is a system for segmentation and visualization of anatomical structures obtained from serial sections reconstructed from magnetic resonance imaging. The system approaches the segmentation problem by assigning each volumetric region to an anatomical structure. This is accomplished by satisfying constraints at the pixel level, slice level, and volumetric level. Each slice is represented by an attributed graph, where nodes correspond to regions and links correspond to the relations between regions. These regions are obtained by grouping pixels based on similarity and proximity. The slice level attributed graphs are then coerced to form a volumetric attributed graph, where volumetric consistency can be verified. The main novelty of our approach is in the use of the volumetric graph to ensure consistency from symbolic representations obtained from individual slices. In this fashion, the system allows errors to be made at the slice level, yet ...

1994-03-01

253

Robust Recovery of Subspace Structures by Low-Rank Representation

Up to this time the sigmoid colostomy has been widely accepted and conventional treatment for radiation-injured rectum, but patients without residual malignancy strongly desire to live without colostomy. We have tried to remove the involved rectal segments by sphincter-saving procedures. Four patients underwent these procedures, pull-through procedure in three and low anterior resection in one. Among sphincter-saving procedures, pull-through procedure was most adequate. Provided the following five conditions are fulfilled, pull-through procedure should be considered for severe radiation-injured rectum. (1) No recurrence of initial malignancy in the pelvis. (2) More than 2 cm intact rectal segment above dentate line may be preserved. (3) No radiation-injured segment in upper sigmoid. (4) No severe radiation damage in small intestine. (5) Patients under 70 year-old, with normal tonus of anal sphincter.

1982-09-01

254

Representation of uncertainty in computer vision using fuzzy sets

Data that arises from computer vision and image processing is often characterized by a mixture of multiple linear (or affine) subspaces, leading to the challenging problem of subspace segmentation. We observe that the heart of segmentation is to deal with the data that may not strictly follow subspace structures, i.e., to handle the data corrupted by noise. In this work we therefore address the subspace recovery problem. Given a set of data samples approximately drawn from a union of multiple subspaces, our goal is to segment the samples into their respective subspaces and correct the possible noise as well, i.e., our goal is to recover the subspace structures from corrupted data. To this end, we propose low-rank representation (LRR) for recovering a low-rank data matrix from corrupted observations. The recovery is performed by seeking the lowest-rank representation among all the candidates that can represent the data ...

2010-01-01

255

Proton exchange membrane materials for the advancement of direct methanol fuel-cell technology

Uncertainty in computer vision can arise at various levels. It can occur in the low level in the raw sensor input, and extends all the way through intermediate and higher levels. Ideally, at any level where decisions are being made on the basis of previous processing steps, a computer vision system must have sufficient flexibility for representation of uncertainty in any of these levels. The input cue representation portion of a computer vision system should maintain the information content of the original input images, while at the same time allowing for uncertainty in the identification of attributes required by other parts of the system for decision making. Processes such as edge detection, segmentation, and shape matching yield results which could bias higher level decision making, unless some framework is defined for the representation of uncertainty in the context of fuzzy set theory where membership values associated with the fuzzy sets contain a consistent ...

1986-02-01

256

Precision Measurement of the Undulator K Parameter using Spontaneous Radiation

A new class of hybrid organic-inorganic materials, and methods of synthesis, that can be used as a proton exchange membrane in a direct methanol fuel cell. In contrast with Nafion.RTM. PEM materials, which have random sulfonation, the new class of materials have ordered sulfonation achieved through self-assembly of alternating polyimide segments of different molecular weights comprising, for example, highly sulfonated hydrophilic PDA-DASA polyimide segment alternating with an unsulfonated hydrophobic 6FDA-DAS polyimide segment. An inorganic phase, e.g., 0.5 5 wt % TEOS, can be incorporated in the sulfonated polyimide copolymer to further improve its properties. The new materials exhibit reduced swelling when exposed to water, increased thermal stability, and decreased O.sub.2 and H.sub.2 gas permeability, while retaining proton conductivities similar to Nafion.RTM.. These improved properties may allow direct methanol fuel ...

2006-04-04

257

Nuclear Targeting of Methyl-Recycling Enzymes in Arabidopsis thaliana Is Mediated by Specific Protein Interactions.

Obtaining precise values of the undulator parameter, K, is critical for producing high-gain FEL radiation. At the LCLS [1], where the FEL wavelength reaches down to 1.5 {angstrom}, the relative precision of K must satisfy ({Delta}K/K){sub rms} {approx}< 0.015% over the full length of the undulator. Transverse misalignments, construction errors, radiation damage, and temperature variations all contribute to errors in the mean K values among the undulator segments. It is therefore important to develop some means to measure relative K values, after installation and alignment. We propose a method using the angle-integrated spontaneous radiation spectrum of two nearby undulator segments, and the natural shot-to-shot energy jitter of the electron beam. Simulation of this scheme is presented using both ideal and measured undulator fields. By ''leap-frogging'' to different pairs of ...

2007-04-17

258

Frame Selected Approach for Hiding Data within MPEG Video Using Bit Plane Complexity Segmentation

Numerous transmethylation reactions are required for normal plant growth and development. S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) and adenosine kinase (ADK) act coordinately to recycle the by-product of these reactions, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) that would otherwise competitively inhibit methyltransferase (MT) activities. Here, we report on investigations to understand how the SAH produced in the nucleus is metabolized by SAHH and ADK. Localization analyses using green fluorescent fusion proteins demonstrated that both enzymes are capable of localizing to the cytoplasm and the nucleus, although no obvious nuclear localization signal was found in their sequences. Deletion analysis revealed that a 41-amino-acid segment of SAHH (Gly(150)-Lys(190)) is required for nuclear targeting of this enzyme. This segment is surface exposed, shows unique sequence conservation patterns in plant SAHHs, and possesses additional features of protein-protein ...

2011-10-01

259

A computer-assisted method for 3D subtraction angiography based on spiral CT

Bit Plane Complexity Segmentation (BPCS) digital picture steganography is a technique to hide data inside an image file. BPCS achieves high embedding rates with low distortion based on the theory that noise-like regions in an image's bit-planes can be replaced with noise-like secret data without significant loss in image quality. . In this framework we will propose a collaborate approach for select frame for Hiding Data within MPEG Video Using Bit Plane Complexity Segmentation. This approach will invent high secure data hidden using select frame form MPEG Video and furthermore we will assign the well-built of the approach; during this review the author will answer the question why they used select frame steganography. In additional to the security issues we will use the digital video as a cover to the data hidden. The reason behind opt the video cover in this approach is the huge amount of single frames image per sec which in turn overcome the ...

2009-01-01

260

A Polyhydroxybutyrate Biodegradable Stent: Preliminary Experience in the Rabbit

The objective of this study was to develop a method for 3D subtraction CT angiography and to optimize the visualization after semiautomatic segmentation. Ten patients with aneurysms of the abdominal aorta were examined using spiral CT. To reconstruct the vessels, as well as adjacent organs such as the liver and kidneys, one image data volume was acquired before and after injection of the contrast agent. The CT scans were obtained with a Siemens Somatom Plus 4. To improve the results of automatic segmentation, as well as visualization by maximum intensity projection (i.e. removal of bony structures), subtraction of both image volumes is necessary. However, small translation shifts disturb the subtraction process and produce artificial contours. To calculate the disparities along the three coordinate axes of two corresponding image volumes, a cepstrum filter is applied to a pair of image volumes. After detection of the disparities, which manifest ...

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261

[sup 123]I-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy in diabetic patients. Relationship with [sup 201]Tl uptake and cardiac autonomic function

Purpose: The lifelong persistence of foreign bodies within the arteries may contribute to restenosis. Thus,biodegradable devices might decrease recurrence rates. Methods: Eleven polyhydroxybutyrate biodegradable stents and 13 tantalum stents were implanted into the iliac arteries of New Zealand white rabbits for up to 30 weeks. After killing the animals,the specimens were harvested, fixed in formalin, processed in paraffin,and stained. Results: Polyhydroxybutyrate instigated intense inflammatory and proliferative reactions with an increase in collagen (2.4- to 8-fold vs native segments), thrombosis and in-stentlumen narrowing (375.5-606.6 mm vs 655.6 #+-# 268.8 mm in native segments). The elastic membranes were destroyed in all specimens. The tantalum stents increased the in-stent lumen progressively (769.7 #+-# 366.6 mm vs 1309.9 #+-# 695.3 mm),penetrated the external elastic membrane, and increased mural collagen content (6- to 8.6-fold vs ...

2002-03-01

262

Improved detection of myocardial infarction with technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate and serum MB creatine phosphokinase

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of diabetic myocardial damage (suspected myocardial damage; SMD) diagnosed by [sup 201]Tl-SPECT and diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy (AN) on myocardial MIBG uptake in patients with NIDDM. Eighty-seven diabetic patients divided into four subgroups: 23 with SMD (+) AN (+); 19 with SMD (+) AN (-); 27 with SMD (-) AN (+); 18 with SMD (-) AN (-), and 10 controls were studied. Both planar and SPECT images were taken at 30 minutes (early) and 3 hours (delayed) after [sup 123]I-MIBG injection. The heart to mediastinum uptake ratio (H/M) and washout ratio of [sup 123]I-MIBG (WR) were obtained from both planar images. Similarly, the difference between the [sup 201]Tl image and the [sup 123]I-MIBG image in the total uptake score (TUS) was taken as the difference in the total uptake score ([Delta]TUS) representing cardiac sympathetic denervation without SMD. On both early and delayed planar ...

1998-12-01

263

Estimation of the parameter covariance matrix for aone-compartment cardiac perfusion model estimated from a dynamic sequencereconstructed using map iterative reconstruction algorithms

The relative sensitivity and combined value of myocardial technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate imaging and determinations of serum MB creatine phosphokinase (the ''myocardial'' CPK isoenzyme) in detecting acute myocardial infarction were evaluated in 41 patients with suspected infarction and 23 patients recovering from cardiac surgery. In the patients with suspected infarction, myocardial infarction was confirmed in 25 and was consistently associated with increased serum MB CPK. Abnormal radionuclide images were obtained in 23 of 25 patients (92%)) with definite myocardial infarction and in 2 of 16 patients without confirmed infarction. Although the localization of infarction by imaging correlated well with the localization by electrocardiogram, infarct size estimated by imaging did not correlate well with estimates based on peak total serum CPK activity or serial changes in CPK activity. Serum MB CPK activity increased after cardiac surgery ...

264

Video object segmentation using color-component-selectable learning for self-organizing maps

In dynamic cardiac SPECT estimates of kinetic parameters ofa one-compartment perfusion model are usually obtained in a two stepprocess: 1) first a MAP iterative algorithm, which properly models thePoisson statistics and the physics of the data acquisition, reconstructsa sequence of dynamic reconstructions, 2) then kinetic parameters areestimated from time activity curves generated from the dynamicreconstructions. This paper provides a method for calculating thecovariance matrix of the kinetic parameters, which are determined usingweighted least squares fitting that incorporates the estimated varianceand covariance of the dynamic reconstructions. For each transaxial slicesets of sequential tomographic projections are reconstructed into asequence of transaxial reconstructions usingfor each reconstruction inthe time sequence an iterative MAP reconstruction to calculate themaximum a priori reconstructed estimate. Time-activity curves for a sumof activity in a blood ...

2004-01-01

265

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this article, self-organizing-map-based video object segmentation is proposed, assuming that either Y-quantification or HSV-quantification can be systematically selected. Given a video sequence, the value of the probability density function for each component value is calculated according to a kernel estimation at the first frame. Some areas randomly chosen from the background are then examined, using each component value, to judge whether or not they include the target object. The quantification is determined so that the frequency of occurrence of false extractions can be reduced. The data presented to the maps are generated based on the selected quantification. Experimental results show that the proposed method recognizes the target object well.

2011-01-01

266

The segmental gastrocnemius muscles' flap: A cadaveric study

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of splitting each head of the gastrocnemius muscle into two segments. This prospective study was conducted on 35 fresh cadavers with injection of radio-opaque contrast material in the popliteal artery. Seventy medial gastrocnemius and 70 lateral gastrocnemius muscle specimens were obtained. Gastrocnemius intramuscular arterial anatomy was analysed by using the digital X-ray technique. The most common vascular pattern found in this study was both bellies supplied by individual sural arteries, which shows distal bifurcation. The medial sural artery always showed bifurcation in the medial gastrocnemius muscle in both lower limbs, whereas this bifurcation of the lateral sural artery was present in only 87% cases and 13% of cases showed a si...

2011-01-01

267

The Kevlar story - an advanced materials case study

Postoperative pressure-induced alopecia after segmental osteotomy at the upper and lower frontal edentulous areas for distraction osteogenesis

Limited space permits description of only two examples of Kevlar applications research. There are numerous others. In the eraly product development there were some indications that Kevlar would go mainly into tire reinforcement. This has turned out not to be true. In the mid-seventies Kevlar was participating in only ten market segments and less than fifty specific applications, but today, it is in more than twenty market segments, serving more than two hundred applications, and continued growth is anticipated. Kevlar is produced in a 45 million pound plant in Richmond, VA, USA. In 1988, a second plant was started up in Northern Ireland and plans for a third plant in Japan were announced. The Kevlar innovation story exemplifies the kind of obstacles, interdisciplinary skills and systems approach involved in bringing a laboratory discovery to commercial reality. The story is still unfolding and applications currently not envisioned will ...

1989-05-01

268

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Introduction Postoperative alopecia is a relatively rare event, and therefore both patients and surgeons are puzzled once it develops even though it is said to improve spontaneously with time in most cases. We report a parieto-occipital pressure-induced alopecia firstly developed in a patient who had undergone repeated surgery for 10?years after a traffic accident. Case report A 29-year-old male underwent segmental osteotomy at the upper and lower frontal edentulous areas for distraction osteogenesis. Throughout the operation, he was in the supine position with the hair covered with a paper cap and the head on a plastic vinyl chloride-covered soft foam horseshoe-shaped urethane sponge placed on the horseshoe-shaped headrest. About 2?weeks after the surgery, two patches of parieto-occipital...

2011-01-01

269

Photoreceptor Inner and Outer Segment Defects in Myopic Foveoschisis

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

PurposeTo evaluate pathologic features of the photoreceptors in myopic foveoschisis with the Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT).DesignObservational case series.MethodsSeventeen eyes of 15 patients with myopic foveoschisis (foveal detachment type, six eyes; foveoschisis type, 11 eyes) were included. We observed the photoreceptor inner and outer segments (IS/OS) and evaluated the morphologic status using FD-OCT. Fundus photographs and time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) images also were obtained.ResultsIS/OS defects, which are uncommon in retinal detachments in eyes with myopia, were seen clearly in five eyes (three eyes [50%] with the foveal detachment type; two eyes [18%] with the foveal schisis type). Fundus photographs showed myopic chorioretinal atrophy in eight study eyes (47%),...

2008-01-01

270

Orthognathic treatment case after severe root resorption in the early treatment stage

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This article presents an orthognathic treatment case after severe apical root resorption of maxillary anterior teeth using anterior segmental osteotomy. This case involved a 20-year-old female with the chief complaint of maxillary protruding and irregularly aligned mandibular anterior teeth. Her medical history showed no allergies or medical problems. The overbite was +3.0mm, and the overjet +3.0mm. After extraction of the four first premolars, a multi-bracket treatment was started. A severe root resorption of the maxillary anterior teeth was found 12 months after active treatment. The maxillary anterior segmental osteotomy was chosen as the compensatory treatment. The total treatment period was 2 years and 7 months. The post-retention panoramic radiograph showed no developmental root reso...

2009-01-01

271

Noninvasive prediction of vertebral body compressive strength using nonlinear finite element method and an image based technique

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Noninvasive prediction of vertebral body strength under compressive loading condition is a valuable tool for the assessment of clinical fractures. This paper presents an effective specimen-specific approach for noninvasive prediction of human vertebral strength using a nonlinear finite element (FE) model and an image based parameter based on the quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Nine thoracolumbar vertebrae excised from three cadavers with an average age of 42 years old were used as the samples. The samples were scanned using the QCT. Then, a segmentation technique was performed on each QCT sectional image. The segmented images were then converted into three-dimensional FE models for linear and nonlinear analyses. A new material model was implemented in our nonlinear model being more...

2010-01-01

272

Innovative and sustainable energy technologies: the role of venture capital

Environmental quality assessment in estuarine ecosystems: Use of biometric measurements and fecundity of the ragworm Nereis diversicolor (Polychaeta, Nereididae)

This paper provides an overview of a multi-year research project being conducted at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. The objective of the research is to evaluate the role of financial structure in promoting the development of innovative and sustainable energy technologies and its current relationship to innovation and entrepreneurial activity in this important economic sector. In this paper, emphasis is placed on the venture capital segment of the capital market and the electricity segment of the energy industry. We first provide a short overview of the electricity sector. We then briefly discuss the concept of innovation and entrepreneurship and its relationship to our research effort. Finally, the bulk of the paper outlines the conceptual framework for the venture capital element of the research project. We conclude the paper with a summary of our preliminary observations. (Author)

2004-07-01

273

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The ability to cope with environmental stress may be expensive in terms of energy and this cost of tolerance is suspected to have negative counterparts such as reduced growth and fecundity. To date, condition indices based on biometric measurements are currently used in bivalves or fish but do not exist in endobenthic worms, despite their interest as bioindicators for the sedimentary compartment in which the major part of pollutants is stored in aquatic environments. In the present work, several biometric variables (jaw and total body length, number of segments, the length of the first three segments L3, wet or dry weight) were measured in the ragworm Nereis diversicolor originating from clean (Authie) and polluted (Seine) estuaries (France) to study size-weight relationships. The producti...

2008-01-01

274

Development of the FFTF and N-fuel rotary shear fuel segmentation

Development of a greenhouse-type solar dryer for medicinal plants and herbs

Development testing has been conducted by Rockwell Hanford Operations (Rockwell) with simulated Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) Reactor fuel and unirradiated N-Reactor fuel, to identify the various problems associated with rotary shearing these fuels. This report discusses the results of tests segmenting FFTF and N-Reactor fuels using electrically driven slow-speed rotary shredders. From these tests, it has been determined that slow-speed rotary shredding of both fuels can be accomplished. Final equipment arrangements and operating parameters have been established for definitive design of the FFTF Rotary Shear. Development testing is continuing on the N-fuel rotary shear. However, it has been established that two-stage shearing is necessary and the outer N-fuel elements pose few problems, while the smaller inner elements have created numerous problems, which are being addressed.

275

Development of a Full Body CAD Dataset for Computational Modeling: A Multi-modality Approach

The economy of medicinal plant production is burdened considerably by the energy costs of drying. To substitute fossil energy, a solar heated dryer was developed, taking a plastic film greenhouse as superstructure to lower the initial costs. The solar air heaters, being incorporated into the roof, consist of a black absorber tissue, which is placed between the transparent cover of the greenhouse and an insulating air-bubble foil. To obtain a modular design, the system is structured along the ridge into segments of 2 m width. Each segment forms an independent solar air heater/batch dryer unit and is operated by a fan with a power consumption of 500 W. A prototype was tested in Yugoslavia, drying mint, sage and hops. (author).

1989-01-01

276

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The objective of this study was to develop full body CAD geometry of a seated 50th percentile male. Model development was based on medical image data acquired for this study, in conjunction with extensive data from the open literature. An individual (height, 174.9?cm, weight, 78.6???0.77?kg, and age 26?years) was enrolled in the study for a period of 4?months. 72 scans across three imaging modalities (CT, MRI, and upright MRI) were collected. The whole-body dataset contains 15,622 images. Over 300 individual components representing human anatomy were generated through segmentation. While the enrolled individual served as a template, segmented data were verified against, or augmented with, data from over 75 literature sources on the average morphology of the human body. Non-Uniform Rational...

2011-01-01

277

Customer and service profitability

Subclinical interstitial lung involvement in rheumatic diseases. Correlations of high-resolution Computed Tomography patterns with functional and cytologic findings

The rapid pace of competitive change in the generation sector has pushed electric utilities to rethink the concept of being obligated to serve all customers and with this change, the notion of measuring customer profitability is also being redefined. Traditionally, uniform services were provided to all customers. Rates were based on each customer classes` contribution to average costs, and consequently return was equally allocated across all customer segments. Profitability was defined strictly on an aggregate basis. The increasing demand for choice by electric customers will require electricity providers to redefine if not who they serve, than certainly how they provide differentiated services tailored to specific customer segments. Utilities are beginning to analyze the value, or profitability, of offering these services. Aggregate data no longer provides an accurate assessment of how resources should be allocated most efficiently. As ...

1996-03-01

278

Quantifying the thermal flowering rates of eighteen species of annual bedding plants

The aims of this study were to quantify the severity and extent of subclinical interstitial lung disease as depicted on HRCT and to study the relationship between the patterns of lung disease quantified by HRCT and the functional parameters and bronchoalveolar lavage findings in patients with rheumatic diseases. The results confirm that HRCT is a sensitive tool in detecting interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatic diseases with no signs and symptoms of pulmonary involvement. The relationship between the different HRCT patterns and bronchoalveolar lavage cell profiles can identify patients at higher risk of developing irreversible lung fibrosis. A long-term, prospective follow-up study is needed to determine whether these patients will develop over pulmonary disease.

1999-01-01

279

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The effect of mean daily air temperature (MDT) on flowering rate (the reciprocal of days to flower) was quantified for 18 species of annual bedding plants. Plants were grown in environmental growth chambers at constant air temperature set points of 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 25, or 30^oC and under an irradiance of 160-180mmolm^-^2s^-^1, with a 16-h photoperiod. Nonlinear mathematical equations were developed to predict the effect of MDT on flowering rate and to estimate the base, optimum, and maximum temperatures (Tmin, Topt, and Tmax), which are the temperatures at which flowering rates are zero (low temperature), maximal, and zero once again (high temperature), respectively. The estimated Tmin varied among species and ranged from 1.1^oC in French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) to 9.9^oC in angelonia ...

2011-01-01

280

Methods for proving the equivalency of detonator performance

Mapping burned areas and burn severity patterns in SW Australian eucalypt forest using remotely-sensed changes in leaf area index

One of the challenges facing engineers is developing newer, safer detonators that are equivalent to devices currently in use. There is no clear consensus on an exact method for drawing equivalence of detonators. This paper summarizes our current efforts to develop diagnostics addressing various aspects of detonator design to better quantify and prove equivalency. We consider various optical techniques to quantify the output pressure and output wave shape. The development of a unique interpretation of streak camera breakouts, known as the apparent center of initiation, will be discussed as a metric for detonation wave shape. Specific examples apply these techniques to the comparison of a new laser-driven detonator with an existing exploding bridgewire (EBW) detonator. Successes and short-comings of the techniques will be discussed.

2009-01-01

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281

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Remote sensing is the most practical method available to managers of fire-prone forests for quantifying and mapping fire impacts. Differenced Normalised Burn Ratio (?NBR) is among the most widely used spectral indices for the mapping of burn severity but is difficult to interpret in terms of fire-related changes in key biophysical attributes and processes. We propose to quantify burn severity as a change in the leaf area index (?LAI) of a stand. LAI is a key biophysical attribute of forests, and is central to understanding their water and carbon cycles. Previous studies have suggested that changes in canopy LAI may be a major contributor to ?NBR and to the composite burn index (CBI) that is frequently used in combination with the NBR to assess burn severity on the ground. We applied remote...

2008-01-01

282

Language morphology offset: Text classification on a Croatian-English parallel corpus

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We investigate how, and to what extent, morphological complexity of the language influences text classification using support vector machines (SVM). The Croatian-English parallel corpus provides the basis for direct comparison of two languages of radically different morphological complexity. We quantified, compared, and statistically tested the effects of morphological normalisation on SVM classifier performance based on a series of parallel experiments on both languages, carried over a large scale of different feature subset sizes obtained by different feature selection methods, and applying different levels of morphological normalisation. We also quantified the trade-off between feature space size and performance for different levels of morphological normalisation, and compared the resul...

2008-01-01

283

Example of second-law efficiency of solar-thermal cavity receivers

Environmental costs and benefits case study: nuclear power plant. Quantification and economic valuation of selected environmental impacts/effects. Final report

Properly quantified performance of a solar-thermal cavity receiver must not only account for the energy gains and losses as dictated by the First Law of thermodynamics, but it must also account for the quality of that energy. Energy quality can only be determined from the Second Law. In this paper, an equation developed for the Second-Law efficiency of a cavity receiver is presented as an evolution from the definition of available energy or ''availability'' (occasionally called exergy). The variables required are all either known or readily determined. The importance of considering the Second-Law is emphasized by a comparison of the First- and Second-Law efficiencies around an example of data collected from two receivers that were designed for different purposes, where the attempt was made to demonstrate that a Second-Law approach to quantifying the performance of a solarthermal cavity receiver lends more ...

1986-02-01

284

Dialysis membrane for separation on microchips

This case study is an application, to a nuclear power plant, of the methodology for quantifying environmental costs and benefits, contained in the regional energy plan, adopted in April, 1983, by the Northwest Power Planning Council, pursuant to Public Law 96-501.The study is based on plant number 2 of the Washington Public Power Supply System (WNP-2), currently nearing completion on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in eastern Washington State. This report describes and documents efforts to quantify and estimate monetary values for the following seven areas of environmental effects: radiation/health effects, socioeconomic/infrastructure effects, consumptive use of water, psychological/health effects (fear/stress), waste management, nuclear power plant accidents, and decommissioning costs. 103 references.

285

Blood flow quantification with MRI using the phase mapping method. Moeglichkeiten und Grenzen der Blutflussquantifizierung peripherer arterieller Gefaesse mit der MRT unter Anwendung des Phase-Mapping-Verfahrens

Laser-induced phase-separation polymerization of a porous acrylate polymer is used for in-situ fabrication of dialysis membranes inside glass microchannels. A shaped 355 nm laser beam is used to produce a porous polymer membrane with a thickness of about 15 .mu.m, which bonds to the glass microchannel and forms a semi-permeable membrane. Differential permeation through a membrane formed with pentaerythritol triacrylate was observed and quantified by comparing the response of the membrane to fluorescein and fluorescently tagging 200 nm latex microspheres. Differential permeation was observed and quantified by comparing the response to rhodamine 560 and lactalbumin protein in a membrane formed with SPE-methylene bisacrylamide. The porous membranes illustrate the capability for the present technique to integrate sample cleanup into chip-based analysis systems.

2010-07-13

286

A novel method for quantifying scanner instability in fMRI

MRT is able to demonstrate arteries while MR angiography can quantify blood flow by a non-invasive method. In the present paper blood flow measurements were carried out in four selected cases on the basis of phase mapping. In 3 patients with lesions in the pelvis or thigh, angiography was performed in order to localise the stenosis or occlusion and this was followed by qantitative blood flow measurements. The results showed that angiography may not always provide all necessary information concerning a haemodynamically significant stenosis. The method may also be used for quantifying blood flow in the renal arteries and that it has significant advantages over the colour Doppler method. (orig.).

1992-08-01

287

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract A method was developed to quantify the effect of scanner instability on functional MRI data by comparing the instability noise to endogenous noise present when scanning a human. The instability noise was computed from agar phantom data collected with two flip angles, allowing for a separation of the instability from the background noise. This method was used on human data collected at four 3 T scanners, allowing the physiological noise level to be extracted from the data. In a -well-operating- scanner, the instability noise is generally less than 10% of physiological noise in white matter and only about 2% of physiological noise in cortex. This indicates that instability in a well-operating scanner adds very little noise to functional MRI results. This new method allows researcher...

2011-01-01

288

A new method for quantifiable and controlled dosage of particulate matter for in vitro studies: The electrostatic particulate dosage and exposure system (EPDExS)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

An exposure chamber is described for the quantifiable addition of fine and ultrafine aerosol particulate matter directly to cells and used to demonstrate the in vitro cytotoxicity of fine 1,4-naphthoquinone particles to murine lung epithelial cells. The electrostatic particulate dosage and exposure system (EPDExS) operates on the principle of electrostatic precipitation and is shown to deposit fine and ultrafine aerosol particles directly to cells with 100% efficiency for particle diameters in the range of 40-530nm. This range is not limited by the EPDExS, but rather by the aerosolization method used for this study. Numbers of particles deposited onto the cells are counted with a condensation particle counter, negating any need to calculate or estimate particle exposure. The process of par...

2008-01-01

289

Understanding profitability: Why some customers are hot and others are not

The normal developmental regulation of a cloned sgs3 'glue' gene chromosomally integrated in Drosophila melanogaster by P element transformation.

Gone are the days when utilities would boast how many new customers were being added to their system annually-regardless of whether they were in fact profitable to serve or not-as if bigger was always better. In a not too distant future, and with the liberalization of the business environment, some utilities may no longer wish to serve certain customers on their systems, while at the same time aggressively wooing other customers. With the anticipated arrival of competition and erosion of utility franchise service areas, the electric power industry will gradually evolve into a mode where customers will be segmented into finer groups and evaluated based on their expected profit margins-theoretically the difference between the revenues expected from them and the cost of serving them. Understanding this basic concept, and the mastery of the art of arriving at the correct profit margin for each market segment, will be essential to overall business ...

1996-03-01

290

The Primary Patency and Fracture Rates of Self-Expandable Nitinol Stents Placed in the Popliteal Arteries, Especially in the P2 and P3 Segments, in Korean Patients

A 7-kb genomic segment containing the coding sequence for the Drosophila melanogaster Formosa variant of salivary gland secretion protein 3 (sgs3) has been inserted into the snw y, bw, st strain of...Full Text Available

1983-01-01

291

Shuttle Showcase: STS-124

We wanted to evaluate the status of self-expandable nitinol stents implanted in the P2 and P3 segments of the popliteal artery in Korean patients. We retrospectively analyzed 189 consecutive patients who underwent endovascular treatment for steno occlusive lesions in the femoropopliteal artery from July 2003 to March 2009, and 18 patients who underwent stent placement in popliteal arterial P2 and P3 segments were finally enrolled. Lesion patency was evaluated by ultrasound or CT angiography, and stent fracture was assessed by plain X-rays at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and annually thereafter. At the 1-month follow-up, stent fracture (Type 2) was seen in one limb (up to P3, 1 of 18, 6%) and it was identified in seven limbs at the 3-month follow-up (Type 2, Type 3, Type 4) (n = 1: up to P2: n = 6: P3). At the 6-month follow-up, one more fracture (Type 1) (up to P3) was noted. At the 1-year follow-up, there were no additional stent fractures. Just four ...

2011-04-15

292

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

The second in a series of flights to assemble the Japanese segment of the International Space Station saw the mammoth Kibo module delivered to the complex complements of Discovery and its crew on the STS-124 mission. Kibo, the Japanese word for u201chopeu201d would house dozens of experiments and serve as a platform for external payloads brought to the complex on subsequent Shuttle flights and the Japanese u201cKounotoriu201d H-2 Transfer Vehicle cargo ship.

2011-07-10

293

Segmental Neuropathic Pain Does Not Develop in Male Rats with Complete Spinal Transections

SERAPHIM: A propulsion technology for fast trains

AbstractIn a previous study using male rats, a correlation was found between the development of “at-level” allodynia in T6-7 dermatomes following severe T8 spinal contusion...Full Text Available

2008-10-01

294

Radwaste Drum Assay Technology by Segmented Gamma Scanning System

The Segmented Rail Phased Induction Motor (SERAPHIM) is a compact, pulsed linear induction motor (LIM) offering a unique capability for very high speed train propulsion. It uses technology developed for the Sandia coilgun, an electromagnetic launcher designed to accelerate projectiles to several kilometers per second. Both aluminum cylinders and plates were accelerated to a kilometer per second (Mach 3) by passing through a sequence of coils which were energized at the appropriate time. Although this technology was developed for ultra-high velocity, it can be readily adapted to train propulsion for which, at sea level, the power required to overcome air resistance limits the operational speed to a more modest 300 mph. Here, the geometry is reversed. The coils are on the vehicle and the ``projectiles`` are fixed along the roadbed. SERAPHIM operates not by embedding flux in a conductor, but by excluding it. In this propulsion scheme, pairs of closely spaced coils on ...

1995-06-01

295

Klippel-feil syndrome with situs inversus. A rare association

Nuclear Act of Korea requires the manifest of low and intermediate level radioactive waste generated from nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities prior to deliver to a disposal sites. Individual history records of the radioactive waste should be described the information about the activity of nuclides in the drum, total activity, weight, the type of waste. So a fully automated nuclide analysis assay system(non-destructive) of a radwaste drum was developed. For the nuclides that could not be analysed directly by MCA, the activities of the representative {gamma}-emitters(Cs-137, Co-60) contained in the drum were measured by using that system. Then the scaling factors were used to calculate the activities of {alpha} - and {beta}-emitters. This assay system divided a drum into 8 segments, a segment into 8 sectors to minimize analysis error, and used several methods(transmission ratio, differential peak absorption, mean density ...

2009-01-15

296

Intragenic rearrangements of a mycoreovirus induced by the multifunctional protein p29 encoded by the prototypic hypovirus CHV1-EP713

Klippel-Feil Syndrome (KFS) is a congenital anomaly characterized by a defect in the formation or segmentation of the cervical vertebrae. The clinical triad consists of short neck, low posterior hairline and limited neck movement. Multiple congenital anomalies have been associated with this disease. This is a case of KFS in a young girl along with situs inversus, which is an extremely rare association. Various systemic associations occurring in this multi-system disorder are also discussed. (author)

2008-04-01

297

Interaction of Extracellular Domain 2 of the Human Retina-specific ATP-binding Cassette Transporter (ABCA4) with All-trans-retinal*

Mycoreovirus 1 (MyRV1), a member of the Reoviridae family possessing a genome consisting of 11 dsRNA segments (S1–S11), and the prototype hypovirus (CHV1-EP713)...Full Text Available

2008-12-01

298

In-beam conversion electron spectroscopy using the SACRED array

The retina-specific ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, ABCA4, is essential for transport of all-trans-retinal from the rod outer segment discs in the retina and is associated with...Full Text Available

2010-06-18

299

Huge Psoas Muscle Hematoma due to Lumbar Segmental Vessel Injury Following Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy

Conversion electron studies of medium-heavy to heavy nuclear mass systems are important where the internal conversion process begins to dominate over gamma-ray emission. The use of a segmented detector array sensitive to conversion electrons has been used to study multiple conversion electron cascades from nuclear transitions. The application of the silicon array for conversion electron detection (SACRED) for in-beam measurements has successfully been implemented. (orig.). With 2 figs.

300

Face recognition based on color model

We present a case of an acute psoas muscle hematoma following percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy. A 60-year-old female who presented with far lateral lumbar disc herniation underwent endoscopic...Full Text Available

2009-03-01

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301

Effect of Lanthanum on Ion Absorption in Corn Roots ¹

Over the past ten years face segmentation has developed rapidly and various algorithms have been proposed. In this paper we will demonstrate a face detection system based on skin color and the spaces RGB, normalized RGB, HSV and YCbCr are concentrated here. Through combing them the more accurate face region will be detected.

2011-04-01

302

Early Dynamic Risk Stratification with Baseline Troponin Levels and 90-minute ST Segment Resolution to Predict 30 Day Cardiovascular Mortality in STEMI: Analysis from CLARITY TIMI-28

Short term (10 min) influx of ⁸⁶Rb-labeled potassium into corn (Zea mays L. WF9 × M14) root segments was inhibited by La (NO₃)₃ or LaCl₃....Full Text Available

1975-03-01

303

Disposition of "8"5Kr in gravid rats

BackgroundTroponin is the preferred biomarker for risk stratification in non-ST-elevation ACS. The incremental prognostic utility of the initial magnitude of troponin...Full Text Available

2010-06-01

304

Development document for proposed effluent limitations guidelines and new source performance standards for the wet storage, sawmills, particleboard and insulation board segment of the timber products processing point source category

Pregnant rats were exposed to "8"5Kr for 4-6 hr and sacrificed immediately thereafter. The "8"5Kr concentration in the fetoplacental unit (FPU) was approximately the same at all gestation stages for intact FPU, isolated fetuses or fetal segments, as well as placentas and associated membranes. Maternal tissue concentrations varied over a wide range and only liver and intestine concentrations were relatively similar in both 20-day-gestation (dg) fetuses and adults.

1977-05-01

305

Dermatan sulphate and mucin glycopeptides from the human uterine cervix

A study was made of the timber products processing point source category, for the purpose of developing information to assist the EPA in establishing effluent limitations guidelines and standards to implement sections 301, 304, 306, and 307 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. The document is the result of that study.

1974-08-01

306

DOE Manpower Assessment Brief. No. 37: Nuclear-related employment declines in 1995

High molecular weight glycopeptides and glycosaminoglycans were isolated from the human uterine cervix. The major part of the material (82%) was derived from cervical mucins. The remainder contained hyaluronic acid (3%), heparan sulphate (2%) and dermatan sulphate (13%). Chondroitin sulphate and keratan sulphate were not present, but chondroitin sulphate-like segments were included in the dermatan sulphate. The composition of the cervix apart from the mucus-filled crypts is similar to that of other fibrous connective tissues.

1983-01-01

307

Cost-effectiveness analysis of final effluent limitations guidelines and standards of performance for the offshore oil and gas industry

The 1993-1995 period represents a time of significant transition for workers engages in nuclear-related activities. Total nuclear-related employment fell markedly from about 300,000 workers in 1993 to 265, 000 in 1995, a 12% decline. This is the lowest level since the 1970s. In 1995, a third of all nuclear-related employment was in the reactor operation and maintenance segment. 6 figs, 1 table.

1996-05-01

308

Continuous intensity map optimization (CIMO): A novel approach to leaf sequencing in step and shoot IMRT

The EPA proposed effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the offshore segment of the oil and gas industry on August 26, 1985. On November 26, 1990, and March 13, 1991, the Agency reproposed effluent limitations guidelines and standards for both drilling and production wastes. The report is primarily concerned with the total annualized cost incurred by the offshore oil and gas industry in complying with the regulations.

1993-01-01

309

Complete Dissection of a Hepatic Segment after Blunt Abdominal Injury Successfully Treated by Anatomical Hepatic Lobectomy: Report of a Case

A new leaf-sequencing approach has been developed that is designed to reduce the number of required beam segments for step-and-shoot intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). This approach to leaf sequencing is called continuous-intensity-map-optimization (CIMO). Using a simulated annealing algorithm, CIMO seeks to minimize differences between the optimized and sequenced intensity maps. Two distinguishing features of the CIMO algorithm are (1) CIMO does not require that each optimized intensity map be clustered into discrete levels and (2) CIMO is not rule-based but rather simultaneously optimizes both the aperture shapes and weights. To test the CIMO algorithm, ten IMRT patient cases were selected (four head-and-neck, two pancreas, two prostate, one brain, and one pelvis). For each case, the optimized intensity maps were extracted from the Pinnacle"3 treatment planning system. The CIMO algorithm was applied, and the optimized aperture shapes and weights were ...

2006-04-01

310

Direct aperture optimization of breast IMRT and the dosimetric impact of respiration motion

A 21-year-old male patient was transferred to the emergency room of our hospital after suffering seat belt abdominal injury in a traffic accident. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a massive hematoma...Full Text Available

311

Summary of Omega West Reactor, Level 1, probabilistic risk assessment

We have studied the application of direct aperture optimization (DAO) as an inverse planning tool for breast IMRT. Additionally, we have analysed the impact of respiratory motion on the quality of the delivered dose distribution. From this analysis, we have developed guidelines for balancing the desire for a high-quality optimized plan with the need to create a plan that will not degrade significantly in the presence of respiratory motion. For a DAO optimized breast IMRT plan, the tangential fields incorporate a flash field to cover the range of respiratory motion. The inverse planning algorithm then optimizes the shapes and weights of additional segments that are delivered in combination with the open fields. IMRT plans were generated using DAO with the relative weights of the open segments varied from 0% to 95%. To assess the impact of breathing motion, the dose distribution for the optimized IMRT plan was recalculated with the isocentre ...

2006-10-21

312

Secondary co-refining of petroleum and coal distillates, and the evaluation of coal cleaning in coal liquefaction

This paper reports on a Level 1 PRA performed on the Omega West Reactor at Los Alamos National Laboratory. A Master Logic Diagram was used to identify possible initiating events. A chi-square distribution was used to quantify initiating event frequencies given that no initiating events have occurred in 30 years of OWR operation. The PRA results are presented as both probability density function and cumulative distribution function curves.

1990-10-04

313

Quantifying octahedral rotations in strained perovskite oxide films.

This paper describes a research and development project to quantify the effects of cleaning the coal feed on the yield patterns and processing rates for the Liquid Solvent Extraction (LSE) direct coal liquefaction process and to obtain information on the effect of the co-refining of coal-derived and petroleum distillates to premium transport fuels. 6 refs., 25 figs., 40 tabs.

1992-12-31

314

Petroleum waxes in solvent systems

We have measured the oxygen positions in LaNiO{sub 3} films to elucidate the coupling between epitaxial strain and oxygen octahedral rotations. The oxygen positions are determined by comparing the measured and calculated intensities of half-order Bragg peaks, arising from the octahedral rotations. Combining ab initio density-functional calculations with these experimental results, we show how strain systematically modifies both bond angles and lengths in this functional perovskite oxide.

2010-07-20

315

PIXE analysis of trace elements in relation to chlorophyll concentration in Plantago ovata Forsk

Wax appearance temperature (WAT) of three petroleum waxes in different solvent systems under varying thermal conditions has been determined. It is observed that this temperature mainly is a function of the concentration of the wax and the solubility parameter ([delta]) of the solvent taken. This dependence of WAT has been quantified in terms of these variables in the form of mathematical equation and nomographs. (orig.)

1994-01-01

316

Measurement and apportionment of radon source terms for modeling indoor environments

Plantago ovata Forsk - an economically important medicinal plant - was analyzed for trace elements and chlorophyll in a study of the effects of gamma radiation on physiological responses of the seedlings. Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique was used to quantify trace elements in unirradiated and gamma-irradiated plants at the seedling stage. The experiments revealed radiation-induced changes in the trace element and chlorophyll concentrations.

2010-03-15

317

Levels and distribution of BCNU in GBM tumors following intratumoral injection of DTI-015 (BCNU-ethanol)

This research has two main goals; (1) to quantify mechanisms for radon entry into homes of different types and to determine the fraction of indoor radon attributable to each source and (2) to model and calculate the dose (and therefore alpha particle fluence) to cells in the human and animal tracheobronchial tree that is pertinent to induction of bronchogenic carcinoma from inhaled radon daughters.

1990-01-01

318

Experts' discussion on the possibility of quantification of the radiation hazard

The alkylation products formed by in vitro treatment of DNA with tritium-labeled 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (³H-BCNU) were identified and quantified. Twelve adducts were resolved...Full Text Available

2007-01-01

319

Effects of 2 commercially-available 9-way killed vaccines on milk production and rectal temperature in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows.

Due to the intensity and vast number of subjects, this Bremen experts' discussion, too, could discuss only part of the problem of the possibilitiy to quantify the radiation hazard. One preliminary result is that there is no scientific proof of the harmlessness of radiation exposure during normal operation of a nuclear power plant, either within the plant or in its vicinity. Other results are that some important questions can not be answered yet, and that there are important hints on the dangers even of low radiation doses. (GL).

1978-01-01

320

Effectiveness of information provision in reducing risks to the environment

Veterinarians and farmers employing multivalent killed vaccines in lactating dairy cows have reported transient losses in milk production. Few studies have quantified this loss. In this report, effects...Full Text Available

2001-10-01

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

321

Environmental Research Database

DescriptionAs part of a wider effort to develop new approaches to evaluating and quantifying the benefits of chemicals regulation, this project will review the effectiveness of existing information provision tools (such as classification and labelling for hazardous properties) in terms of affecting user behaviour. As some EC legislation relating to regulation of chemicals has been in place for some time, an assumption is made that the information provided by it is leading to an improvement in the way chem [continued...

2005-01-30

322

Complex fractal dimensions describe the hierarchical structure of diffusion-limited-aggregate clusters

Clinical helical tomotherapy commissioning dosimetry

We analyze large diffusion-limited aggregates and uncover a {ital discrete} scaling invariance in their inner structure, which can be quantified by the introduction of a set of {ital complex} fractal dimensions. We provide a theoretical framework and prediction of their values based on renormalization group theory and a previous wavelet analysis. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

1996-01-01

323

Role of nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging in cardiac diagnostics; Rolle der nuklearmedizinischen Verfahren und der Magnetresonanztomographie in der kardialen Diagnostik

Helical tomotherapy presented many unique dosimetric challenges and solutions during the initial commissioning process, and some of them are presented. The dose calculation algorithm is convolution/superposition based. This requires that the energy fluence spectrum and magnitude be quantified. The methodology for doing so is described. Aspects of the energy fluence characterization that are unique to tomotherapy are highlighted. Many beam characteristics can be measured automatically by an included megavoltage computed tomography imaging system. This greatly improves data collection efficiency.

2003-12-01

324

[Pulmonary vascular manifestations in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia].

Nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are widely used in cardiac diagnostics. Both techniques have been carefully evaluated and are equivalent for the assessment of regional and global wall motion as well as the evaluation of ejection fraction and cardiac volumes, though MRI is herein currently seen as gold standard. For evaluation of myocardial perfusion, extensive data exist for nuclear imaging, that, next to high diagnostic accuracy for evaluation of coronary artery disease, show incremental prognostic information and allow for independent risk stratification. Because of rapid technical advance, myocardial perfusion imaging has also become feasible with cardiac MRI. Results of recent studies are promising, but the data are few compared to perfusion scintigraphy. For viability assessment in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, positron emission tomography (PET) with FDG is currently seen as gold ...

2003-12-01

325

Transplantation of progenitor cells and regeneration enhancement in acute myocardial infarction (TOPCARE-AMI): final 5-year results suggest long-term safety and efficacy

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Rendu-Weber disease) is a genetic disorder with autosomal dominance, variable penetrance, and an estimated prevalence of 1/10,000 inhabitants in France. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria including epistaxis, telangiectasia, visceral manifestations, and familial occurrence. Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, present in 15-33% of patients, are its primary visceral complications. The disease may be revealed by infectious and ischemic neurological manifestations due to paradoxical embolism. The high frequency of neurologic complications even in asymptomatic patients justifies systematic screening for pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Treatment of these malformations is based on percutaneous transcatheter coil embolization of the feeding artery. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is rare in this disease. It may be due to systemic arteriovenous shunting in the liver, which increases cardiac output, or be similar to ...

2005-11-01

326

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background Limited data is available for investigating the long-term safety and effects of intracoronary progenitor cell therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Objective To assess the clinical course, NT-proBNP and MRI data as objective markers of cardiac function of the TOPCARE-AMI patients at 5-year follow-up. Design The TOPCARE-AMI trial was the first randomized study investigating the effects of intracoronary infusion of circulating (CPC) or bone marrow-derived progenitor cells (BMC) in 59 patients with successfully reperfused AMI. Results Five-year follow-up data were completed in 55 patients, 3 patients were lost to follow-up. None of the patients showed any signs of intramyocardial calcification or tumors at 5?years. One patient died during the initial hospitali...

2011-01-01

327

Reduction in incidence of deep sternal wound infections: Random or real?

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Objective Comorbidities predisposing cardiac surgical patients toward deep sternal wound infection, such as diabetes and obesity, are rising in the United States. Longitudinal analysis of risk factors, morbidity, and mortality was performed to assessed effects of these health trends on deep sternal wound infection rates. Methods In this retrospective analysis of all median sternotomies performed at a single institution from 1991 through 2006, demographic and surgical characteristics were identified from a prospective database. The cohort was separated into periods from 1992 through 2001 and 2002 through 2006 to identify longitudinal trends in risk factors for deep sternal wound infection. Univariate and matched multivariable analyses were performed. Results Overall, study population had in...

2010-01-01

328

Random walk function in the analysis of time-activity curves from dynamic radionuclide studies

Radio cellular phones and health: Up-to-date research on human health; Radiotelephones cellulaires et sante: mise au point des recherches portant sur la sante chez l'homme

The random walk function is a mathematical function derived from studies of the mass transport and flow of diffusible materials through tubes. Approximations to the function were first used some time ago in the field of cardiac tracer dilution curves, but in the absence of rapid and reproducible curve fitting the method never became commonplace. The current study uses the latest curve-fitting techniques and shows how the method may be used with precision in the analysis of time-activity curves from dynamic oesophageal and blood flow studies. The physiological basis of the method is given and parameters obtained which relate to both the rate of flow and the local dispersion of the bolus.

1987-04-01

329

Prognostic value of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with severe cardiotoxic drug poisoning

Cellular telephones emit a radiofrequency electromagnetic field, part of which is absorbed in the user's head. Many studies have been conducted to look for their possible health hazard to human, at the experimental, epidemiological or clinical level. After a short recall on dosimetry, the author describes the state-of-the art about harmful and irreversible effects, up to now not confirmed, and about some benign symptoms which look absolutely actual. A causal relationship of the electromagnetic field on these benign symptoms is however not proven; other, studies are running to evaluate their possible long-term consequences. Interferences with cardiac pacemakers can easily be avoided by holding the telephone handset farther than 10 cm. (author)

1999-12-01

330

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background/Objectives: Cardiotoxic drug poisoning can lead to severe cardiac shock (CS) and death. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a well-established diagnostic and prognostic marker in heart failure but has never been assessed in patients with cardiotoxic drug poisoning. The aim of the study was to determine whether BNP could be useful for early stratification of patients admitted to intensive care unit. Methods: 30 consecutive patients experiencing shock and cardiotoxic drug exposure were enrolled in a prospective monocentric study and underwent at least two BNP measurements within the first 24 h after admission. Results: While BNP values on admission were poorly informative, subsequent BNP measurements (11 +- 6 h after admission) were significantly increased in patients with CS comp...

2011-01-01

331

Mother and infant coordinate heart rhythms through episodes of interaction synchrony

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Animal studies demonstrated the powerful impact of maternal-infant social contact on the infant's physiological systems, yet the online effects of social interactions on the human infant's physiology remain poorly understood. Mothers and their 3-month old infants were observed during face-to-face interactions while cardiac output was collected from mother and child. Micro-analysis of the partners' behavior marked episodes of gaze, affect, and vocal synchrony. Time-series analysis showed that mother and infant coordinate heart rhythms within lags of less than 1s. Bootstrapping analysis indicated that the concordance between maternal and infant biological rhythms increased significantly during episodes of affect and vocal synchrony compared to non-synchronous moments. Humans, like other mamm...

2011-01-01

332

Improving surgical outcome following the Norwood procedure

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background The Norwood procedure consists of three palliative operations, performed in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Especially the first stage (Norwood I) is associated with the highest mortality rates in paediatric cardiac surgery (up to 25%). During surgery, the aorta is reconstructed and a systemic-to-pulmonary shunt is applied. Originally the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was used, but recently the right-ventricle-to-pulmonary-artery shunt is increasingly being employed. We reviewed the results of our operative strategy, where an individualised choice of shunt is made. Furthermore, attempts to reduce interstage mortality (between Norwood I and II) were assessed. Methods All neonates who underwent Norwood stage I palliation from August 2004 until November 2010 were in...

2011-01-01

333

Human brain development in infants with PET and FDG

Evaluation of Neonatal Membrane Oxygenators With Respect to Gaseous Microemboli Capture and Transmembrane Pressure Gradients

The authors used studies of local cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (LCMRGlc) to examine development of cerebral organization in 5 days to 1 year old children. A group (n=8) of infants with diverse pediatric disorders allowed investigation of developmental changes in LCMRGlc, while also providing relevant clinical management information. Patients consisted of questionable and definite neonatal seizures, cerebral embolism from cardiac sources, and otherwise normal infants with facial nevi with consideration of Sturge-Weber. Gradual increase in cortical LCMRGlc coincides with suppression of intrinsic subcortical reflexes present in all newborns. Two retarded children (2 years old) showed LCMRGlc developmental patterns of a few days old, which corresponded to their functional and mental status. These studies illustrate great potential of PET to study normal and altered states of human brain development.

1985-06-02

334

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract A series of studies performed at our center demonstrates that gaseous microemboli (GME) remain a challenge in cardiac surgical procedures. Evaluation of novel oxygenators must address hemodynamic parameters and microemboli capture capability. The objective of this study is to compare two neonatal membrane oxygenators, the Quadrox i (MAQUET Cardiopulmonary AG, Hirrlingen, Germany) and the Capiox RX05 (Terumo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), with respect to GME capture and hemodynamic energy delivery. The experimental circuit included a Maquet HL 20 heart lung machine, a Heater Cooler Unit HCU 30 (MAQUET Cardiopulmonary AG), a membrane oxygenator (Quadrox i Neonatal or Capiox RX05), and inch tubing from the COBE Heart/Lung Perfusion Pack (COBE Cardiovascular, Inc., Arvada, CO, USA). A Ca...

2010-01-01

335

Electrophysiological mechanisms of sophocarpine as a potential antiarrhythmic agent

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Aim:To examine the electrophysiological effects of sophocarpine on action potentials (AP) and ionic currents of cardiac myocytes and to compare some of these effects with those of amiodarone.Methods:Langendorff perfusion set-up was used in isolated guinea pig heart, and responses to sophocarpine were monitored using electrocardiograph. Conventional microelectrode, voltage clamp technique and perforated patch were employed to record fast response AP (fAP), slow response AP (sAP) and ionic currents in guinea pig papillary muscle or rabbit sinus node cells.Results:Tachyarrhythmia produced by isoprenaline (15 ?mol/L) could be reversed by sophocarpine (300 ?mol/L). Sophocarpine (10 ?mol/L) decreased the amplitude by 4.0%, maximal depolarization velocity (Vmax) of the fAP by 24.4%...

2011-01-01

336

Effects of rosiglitazone on the configuration of action potentials and ion currents in canine ventricular cells

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In spite of its widespread clinical application, there is little information on the cellular cardiac effects of the antidiabetic drug rosiglitazone in larger experimental animals. In the present study therefore concentration-dependent effects of rosiglitazone on action potential morphology and the underlying ion currents were studied in dog hearts. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Standard microelectrode techniques, conventional whole cell patch clamp and action potential voltage clamp techniques were applied in enzymatically dispersed ventricular cells from dog hearts. KEY RESULTS At concentrations -10-M rosiglitazone decreased the amplitude of phase-1 repolarization, reduced the maximum velocity of depolarization and caused depression of the plateau potential. These effects d...

2011-01-01

337

Danger: high voltage

A model of a self-oscillatory process involving elements discretely distributed in space

Electric utilities have been surprised by recent opposition to the construction of very-high-voltage transmission lines, which met with little resistance in the past. Concerns over health and safety factors are associated with the increase in the number of such lines, although their presence has always been an inconvenience and a hazard for those living and working in the immediate vicinity. The new lines present additional hazards due to the continuous flow of small electric currents and the charges that build up in the area of the towers and lines. The lines are also a threat to persons wearing cardiac pacemakers. There is experimental evidence from the Soviet Union and the U.S. that electric and magnetic fields at the frequencies of such power lines can have serious biological effects on growth rates and the functioning of the central nervous system. Full disclosure that possible risks are involved and the opportunity to avoid these risks is a public ...

1978-05-01

338

Telephone marketing - the fastest way to the customer. Experience report by Maingas AG; Telefonmarketing - der schnellste Weg zum Kunden. Erfahrungsbericht der Maingas AG

Self-excited oscillations of a distributed medium can be investigated in terms of discrete physical models described by multidimensional systems of nonlinear equations which transform into equations of self-oscillating distributed media as the number of dimensions goes to infinity. Differential equations of such a self-oscillating system are set up and investigated. Coupling between elements of the medium, conditions under which the system constitutes an open system, internal impedance between the energy source and the system elements, and boundary conditions defining open and closed systems are discussed. The Gunn effect, eolian noise, self-oscillations of DNA molecules and of cardiac muscle, and wave processes in the cerebral cortex are mentioned as examples of self-oscillatory processes in question.

1975-01-01

339

Reconstruction of the activity of point sources for the accurate characterization of nuclear waste drums by segmented gamma scanning

In two pilot projects Maingas AG has complemented an existing marketing mix with a telephone marketing segment. One of these telephone marketing campaigns was conducted for the purpose of `Intensification`, the other for `Activation of Unused Mains Connections`. The aim was to provide professional support to canvassing campaigns in their various phases in order to minimise diffusion losses and increase the probability of winning new customers. The slogan chosen for the drive was therefore: `Its no good being present unless one`s efficient in the preparation, execution, and revision of a campaign`. (orig.) [Deutsch] Die Maingas AG hat in zwei Pilotprojekten das bestehende Marketing-Mix durch das Segment Telefonmarketing ergaenzt. Es wurde eine Telefonmarketing-Aktion im Bereich `Verdichtung` und eine Telefonmarketing-Aktion im Bereich `Aktivierung Inaktive Hausanschluesse` durchgefuehrt. Ziel war es, durch einen professionellen flankierenden ...

1994-11-01

340

Molecular resemblance of an AIDS-associated lymphoma and endemic Burkitt lymphomas: Implications for their pathogenesis

This work improves the reliability and accuracy in the reconstruction of the total isotope activity content in heterogeneous nuclear waste drums containing point sources. The method is based on #chi#"2-fits of the angular dependent count rate distribution measured during a drum rotation in segmented gamma scanning. A new description of the analytical calculation of the angular count rate distribution is introduced based on a more precise model of the collimated detector. The new description is validated and compared to the old description using MCNP5 simulations of angular dependent count rate distributions of Co-60 and Cs-137 point sources. It is shown that the new model describes the angular dependent count rate distribution significantly more accurate compared to the old model. Hence, the reconstruction of the activity is more accurate and the errors are considerably reduced that lead to more reliable results. Furthermore, the results are compared to the ...

2011-06-01

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

341

Metastatic tumor of thoracic and lumbar spine: prospective study comparing the surgery and radiotherapy vs external immobilization with radiotherapy; Metastases do segmento toracico e lombar da coluna vertebral: estudo prospectivo comparativo entre o tratamento cirurgico e radioterapico com a imobilizacao externa e radioterapia

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a common feature of AIDS. Approximately 30-40% of these tumors exhibit clinical features suggestive of endemic Burkitt lymphoma: they are aggressive malignancies that occur in association with Epstein-Barr virus infection, they arise in the setting of immunosuppression, and they carry t(8;14) translocations without detectable rearrangement of the MYC oncogene. To understand the molecular basis of these parallels, the authors analyzed a case of Epstein-Barr-positive AIDS-associated undifferentiated lymphoma. Southern blots show that the tumor exhibits immunoglobulin joining segment rearrangement but no rearrangement of the MYC oncogene. Cloning of the rearranged joining segment allowed the isolation of recombinant clones encompassing the translocation breakpoint, and sequencing of the translocation junction disclosed that the breakpoint is situated 7 base pairs from the chromosome 14 site involved in a previously ...

342

Hawaii demand-side management resource assessment. Final report, Reference Volume 2: Final residential and commercial building prototypes and DOE-2.1E developed UECs and EUIs; Part 3

Bone metastases at the thoracic and lumbar segment of the spine are usually presented with painful sensation and medullar compression. The treatment is based on the clinical and neurological conditions of the patient and the degree of tumor invasion. In the present study, 32 patients with spinal metastasis of thoracic and lumbar segment were prospectively analyzed. These patients were treated by decompression and internal stabilization followed by radiotherapy or irradiation with external immobilization. The election of the groups was in accordance with the tumor radiotherapy sensitivity, clinical conditions, spinal stability, medullar or nerve compression and patient's decision. The Frankel scale and pain visual test were applied at the moment of diagnosis and after 1 and 6 months. The surgical group had better results with preserving the ambulation longer and significant reduction of pain.(author)

2007-09-15

343

Hawaii demand-side management resource assessment. Final report, Reference Volume 2: Final residential and commercial building prototypes and DOE-2.1E developed UECs and EUIs; Part 2

This section contains the detailed measured impact results and market segment data for each DSM case examined for this building type. A complete index of all base and measure cases defined for this building type is shown first. This index represents an expansion of the base and measure matrix presented in Table 1 (residential) or Table 2 (commercial) for the applicable sector. Following this index, a summary report sheet is provided for each DSM measure case in the order shown in the index. The summary report sheet contains a host of information and selected graphs which define and depict the measure impacts and outline the market segment data assumptions utilized for each case in the DBEDT DSM Forecasting models. The variables and figures included in the summary report sheet are described. Numerous tables and figures are included.

1995-04-01

344

This section contains the detailed measured impact results and market segment data for each DSM case examined for this building type. A complete index of all base and measure cases defined for this building type is shown first. This index represents an expansion of the base and measure matrix presented in Table 1 (residential) or Table 2 (commercial) for the applicable sector. Following this index, a summary report sheet is provided for each DSM measure case in the order shown in the index. The summary report sheet contains a host of information and selected graphs which define and depict the measure impacts and outline the market segment data assumptions utilized for each case in the DBEDT DSM Forecasting models. The variables and figures included in the summary report sheet are described. Numerous tables and figures are included.

1995-04-01

345

Geometric optimization

Genomic cloning and chromosomal localization of HRY, the human homolog to the Drosophila segmentation gene, hairy

An algorithm is presented which describes an application independent method for reducing the number of polygonal primitives required to faithfully represent an object. Reducing polygon count without a corresponding reduction in object detail is important for: achieving interactive frame rates in scientific visualization, reducing mass storage requirements, and facilitating the transmission of large, multi-timestep geometric data sets. This paper shows how coplanar and nearly coplanar polygons can be merged into larger complex polygons and re-triangulated into fewer simple polygons than originally required. The notable contributions of this paper are: (1) a method for quickly grouping polygons into nearly coplanar sets, (2) a fast approach for merging coplanar polygon sets and, (3) a simple, robust triangulation method for polygons created by 1 and 2. The central idea of the algorithm is the notion of treating polygonal data as a collection of segments and removing ...

1993-09-01

346

Display unit of speedometer for automobile

The Drosophila hairy gene encodes a basic helix- loop-helix protein that functions in at least two steps during Drosophila development: (1) during embryogenesis, when it partakes in the establishment of segments, and (2) during the larval stage, when it functions negatively in determining the pattern of sensory bristles on the adult fly. In the rat, a structurally homologous gene (RHL) behaves as an immediate-early gene in its response to growth factors and can, like that in Drosophila, suppress neuronal differentiation events. Here, the authors report the genomic cloning of the human hairy gene homolog (HRY). The coding region of the gene is contained within four exons. The predicted amino acid sequence reveals only four amino acid differences between the human and rat genes. Analysis of the DNA sequence 5[prime] to the coding region reveals a putatitve untranslated exon. To increase the value of the HRY gene as a genetic marker and to assess its potential ...

1994-03-01

347

Calculating ac/dc resistance ratios for high-pressure oil-filled cable Designs. Volume 1. Designer's guide. Final report

This patent describes a display unit of a speedometer for an automobile, comprising: a constant speed running circuit capable of producing output signals indicative of a desired car speed; an actual car speed operational circuit capable of producing output signals indicative of actual car speed; a comparing circuit for comparing the amplitudes of the output signals of the constant speed running operational circuit and the actual car speed operational circuit; bar graph decoders receiving the output signals from the constant speed running operational circuit and the actual car speed operational circuit; an EX-OR circuit having inputs coupled to respective bar graph decoders and having an output; and OR circuit having inputs coupled to respective bar graph decoders and having an output; selector means coupled to the output of the EX-OR circuit and the output of the OR circuit and controlled by an output of the comparing means for connecting a selected of the outputs of the EX-OR and OR ...

1987-03-03

348

Automated segmentation and quantitative characterization of radiodense tissue in digitized mammograms

Using electromatic field theory, a new method is developed for calculating alternating current in power cables installed in pipes of carbon steel (magnetic pipes). The technique for evaluating these losses is based on the method of images which replaces complicated distribution of currents in the system with a sequence of thin conductors. The method not only gives a mathematical framework for the solution of alternating current losses, but it also gives the underlying physical picture of effects contributing to these losses. Skin effect, proximity effect and losses due to the pipe are calculated separately. For the first time, the increase of losses in the conductors, when the cables are placed in a magetic pipe, are analyzed mathematically. Good agreement is obtained between the result of calculations and the experimentally determined ac-dc resistance ratios for pipe-type cables with concentric stranded copper conductors and also for cables with aluminum or copper ...

1985-04-01

349

Assay of the uranium and plutonium content in process residues and wastes using the correction for sample self attenuation in segmented gamma scanning system

Mammography has emerged as a reliable non-invasive technique for the early detection of breast cancer--the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among American women. The radiographic appearance of the female breast consists of radiolucent (dark) regions due to fat and radiodense (light) regions due to connective and epithelial tissue. The amount of radiodense tissue can be used as a marker for predicting breast cancer risk. This paper presents the development of an algorithm for estimating the percentage of radiodense tissue in a digitized mammogram. The technique involves determining a dynamic threshold for segmenting radiodense indications in mammograms. Both the mammographic image and the threshold are modeled as Gaussian random variables. This work is intended to support a concurrent study at the Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) exploring the association between dietary patterns and breast cancer risk. Mammograms have been obtained from an existing ...

2002-05-25

350

An evaluation of low-dose single-slice helical CT in pulmonary CT scan

A method of the correction for sample self attenuation used in segmented gamma scanner (SGS) is described. The method of calibration for assaying the uranium and plutonium contents of each category of heterogeneous process residues and wastes in nuclear facilities is studied. The effect of variable measurement parameter on measurement results is also studied. The measurement results of SGS assay is compared with that of the destructive assay (DA), which is aimed at evaluating SGS method for assaying uranium and plutonium content in process residues and wastes. The deviation of two assay results is 3.6%. The SGS assay results and DA assay results both are coincided well in error limits. Four category of heterogeneous process residues and wastes in nuclear facilities have assayed successfully in physical inventory. The uncertainty of measurement results for uranium and plutonium content in process residues and wastes is 5% with 68.3% of confidence level

1998-09-01

351

A multi-marker model for detecting chromosomal segments displaying QTL activity

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of low-dose single-slice helical CT in pulmonary CT scan and evaluate the clinical application. Methods: Thirteen cases were selected out of 132 cases, in which low-dose (50mAs) single-slice helical CT scan of chest was performed. This set of cases included 7 cases of multiple metastatic nodules; 3 of solitary pulmonary, nodule; and 3 of pulmonary patchy lesions. Regular dose (170mAs) CT scan was also performed on all those patients. The regular dose and low dose CT scan were compared on sensitivity of detecting the lesions; the performance in demonstrating the details of the abnormalities; and the capability of revealing the segmental bronchi as well. Results: The same number and size of the pulmonary nodules were revealed with scan modalities loaded with different doses. No significant difference in demonstrating the details of the nodules and the segmental bronchi was found between both modalities ...

2006-04-01

352

The Future of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Cardiac Therapy and Drug Development.

A statistical method is presented for detecting quantitative trait loci (QTLs), based on the linear model. Unlike methods able to detect a few well separated QTLs and to estimate their effects and positions, this method considers the genome as a whole and enables the detection of chromosomal segments involved in the differences between two homozygous lines, and their backcross, doubled haploid, or F[sub 2] progenies, for a quantitative trait. Genetic markers must be codominant, but missing markers are accepted, provided they are missing independently from the experiment. Asymptotic properties, which are of practical use, are developed. This method does not rely on strong genetic hypotheses, and thus does not permit any precise genetic analysis of the trait under study, but it does assess which regions of the genome are involved, whatever the complexity of the genetic determinism (number, effects and interactions among QTLs). Simultaneous use of several methods, ...

1993-08-01

353

Swimming exercise training prior to acute myocardial infarction attenuates left ventricular remodeling and improves left ventricular function in rats.

The field of stem cell research was revolutionized with the advent of induced pluripotent stem cells. By reprogramming somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells, most ethical concerns associated with the use of embryonic stem cells are overcome, such that many hopes from the stem cell field now seem a step closer to reality. Several methods and cell sources have been described to create induced pluripotent stem cells and we discuss their characteristics in terms of feasibility and efficiency. From these cells, cardiac progenitors and cardiomyocytes can be derived by several protocols and most recent advances as well as remaining limitations are being discussed. However in the short time period this technology has been around, evidence emerges that induced pluripotent stem cells may be more prone to genetic defects and maintain an epigenetic memory and thus may not be entirely the same as embryonic stem cells. Despite the lack of a complete fundamental understanding ...

2011-09-15

354

Effects of exogenous norepinephrine on the spatial distribution of cardiac MIBG accumulation. Comparison with myocardial blood flow

The effect of exercise training prior to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on left ventricular (LV) remodeling is poorly understood. This study investigated the protective effect of 3 weeks of swimming exercise training prior to AMI on cardiac morphology and function. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 35) were randomly assigned to 3 groups: swimming training (n = 14, 90 min, 5 days/wk, 3 wk), sedentary (n =14), and controls (n = 7, no exercise, no MI). At the end of the training/sedentary period, rats were subjected to AMI (ExMI and SedMI) induced by surgical ligation of the left coronary artery. Thereafter, the rats remained sedentary for a 4-wk recovery period. Trans-thoracic echocardiography was performed in each group at the end of the exercise/sedentary period (pre-AMI), 24 hr after AMI, and following recovery (4 wk after AMI). No differences were observed in LV dimensions and function pre-AMI among the 3 groups; however, LV-end systolic diameter (LVESD) and ...

2005-01-01

355

Abnormal cardiovascular responses induced by localized high power microwave exposure

Male rats were injected intravenously for 15 min with physiological saline (as control) (0.05 #mu#g/kg/min) or norepinephrine (NE) (0.1 #mu#g/kg/min) followed by 740 kBq of MIBG. Rats were injected for more 30 min (early stage group) and for more 4 hr (late stage group) with physiological saline or NE. Five MBq of "9"9"mTc-tetrofosmin (TF) was administered instead of MIBG in another group. The heart was isolated and uptake of MIBG or TF of right ventricle, apex, and left ventricle (divided into 8 parts) was measured. In control group, MIBG uptake of apex was significantly lower than that of lateral wall in both early and late groups. In NE group, MIBG uptake showed a tendency to decrease in both early and late groups. Compared with control group, the uptake of anterior wall in late group decreased significantly at NE 0.1 #mu#/kg/min. The TF uptake in control group was not different in each part. In NE group, the TF uptake of right ventricle decreased significantly compared with that of ...

1998-06-01

356

Torsion of moderately thick hollow tubes with polygonal shapes

A hypothesis of microwave-induced circulatory under perfusion was tested in ketamine anesthetized rats whose heart rate, mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure, respiration rate, and body temperatures were monitored continuously. Fifty-eight ventral head and neck exposures in a waveguide consisted of sham-exposure and exposure to continuous wave (CW) and pulsed 1.25 GHz microwaves for 5 min. The 0.5 Hz and 16 Hz pulsemodulated microwaves were delivered at 400 kW peak power. The CW microwaves were 2 and 6.4 W. The average specific absorption rate was 4.75 W/kg per watt transmitted in the brain and 17.15 W/kg per watt transmitted in the neck. Respiration rate and mean arterial pressure were not altered. Changes in heart rate and pulse pressure were observed in rats exposed to higher power but not to the lower average power microwaves. Depression of pulse pressure, an indication of a decrease in stroke volume, and increased or decreased heart rate were noted in presence of whole-body ...

1992-05-01

357

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A simple formulation is presented for torsion analysis of hollow tubes with polygonal shapes. Thicknesses of segments of cross section can be different. Governing equations in term of Prandtl's stress function are used to derive the formulas. The derived formulas are so simple that computations can be carried out with a pocket calculator. Several examples are presented to show the accuracy and efficiency of the formulation. The obtained results are verified by accurate finite element solutions. It will be seen that the derived formulas can be useful for analysis of thin-walled and moderately thick-walled hollow tubes.

2007-01-01

358

Thermally cleavable surfactants

Thermally cleavable surfactants

Two new surfactant molecules are reported which contain thermally labile Diels-Alder adducts connecting the polar and non-polar sections of each molecule. The two surfactants possess identical non-polar dodecyl tail segments but exhibit different polar headgroups. The surfactants become soluble in water when anionic salts are formed through the deprotonation of the surfactant headgroups by the addition of potassium hydroxide. When either surfactant is exposed to temperature above about 60.degree. C., the retro Diels-Alder reaction occurs, yielding hydrophilic and hydrophobic fragments or the aqueous solutions of the surfactants subsequently exhibit loss of all surface-active behavior.

2009-09-29

359

Thermally cleavable surfactants

Two new surfactant molecules are reported which contain thermally labile Diels-Alder adducts connecting the polar and non-polar sections of each molecule. The two surfactants possess identical non-polar dodecyl tail segments but exhibit different polar headgroups. The surfactants become soluble in water when anionic salts are formed through the deprotonation of the surfactant headgroups by the addition of potassium hydroxide. When either surfactant is exposed to temperature above about 60.degree. C., the retro Diels-Alder reaction occurs, yielding hydrophilic and hydrophobic fragments or the aqueous solutions of the surfactants subsequently exhibit loss of all surface-active behavior.

2009-11-24

360

The law of one price: an examination of price integration between Europe and regional markets in Africa

Two new surfactant molecules are reported which contain thermally labile Diels-Alder adducts connecting the polar and non-polar sections of each molecule. The two surfactants possess identical non-polar dodecyl tail segments but exhibit different polar headgroups. The surfactants become soluble in water when anionic salts are formed through the deprotonation of the surfactant headgroups by the addition of potassium hydroxide. When either surfactant is exposed to temperature above about 60.degree. C., the retro Diels-Alder reaction occurs, yielding hydrophilic and hydrophobic fragments and the aqueous solutions of the surfactants subsequently exhibit loss of all surface-active behavior.

2006-04-04

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

361

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study examines the degree of price-integration of equity indices between the major markets of Africa, namely Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Namibia and South Africa with the European markets of London and Paris. Vector Autoregressive and Autoregressive Distributed Lag methods reveal that African markets are largely price-segmented. The only markets that are price-integrated have shared economic and financial institutions, such as Namibia and South Africa, and Egypt, Tunisia and France. The evidence suggests that development policy should be focussed on enhancing existing institutions rather than embarking prematurely on regional integration.

2012-01-01

362

Semantic network array processor and its applications to image understanding

Rapid Tools for Joint Inversion and Imaging. Final report

The problems in computer vision range from edge detection and segmentation at the lowest level to the problem of cognition at the highest level. This correspondence describes the organization and operation of a semantic network array processor (SNAP) as applicable to high level computer vision problems. The architecture consists of an array of identical cells each containing a content addressable memory, microprogram control, and a communication unit. The applications discussed in this paper are the two general techniques, discrete relaxation and dynamic programming. While the discrete relaxation is discussed with reference to scene labeling and edge interpretation, the dynamic programming is tuned for stereo.

1987-01-01

363

Quantitative bone scintigraphy in the evaluation of angular deformity of the lower extremity

The activities and results of a Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project entitled ''Rapid Tools for Joint Inversion and Imaging'' are presented. Research and development on three-dimensional methods to recover distributions of material property values from sparse data are reported. Innovations using artificial neural networks and extended Kalman filtering are described. The report also covers investigations on upscaling and downscaling, segmentation for data processing, and applications to ground penetrating radar and geohydraulic tomography.

2000-08-02

364

Phase diagram and effective shape of semi-flexible colloidal rods and biopolymers

A technique for quantitative analysis of growth plates in varus or valgus deformity about the knee has been developed. Computer-generated regions of interest are placed on magnification scintigraphs to divide distal femoral and proximal tibial physes into four equal segments. The ratio of counts in the medial half to counts in the lateral half was studied in 31 children (22 normal, 9 with angular deformity). Normal ratios were 0.74 to 0.98 for femora and 0.98 to 1.20 for tibias. In eight of nine patients with deformity, the ratio was abnormal; in two patients the ratio returned to normal when the deformity ceased to progress.

365

New focal plane detector system for the broad range spectrometer

We study suspensions of semi-flexible colloidal rods and biopolymers using an Onsager-type second-virial functional for a segmented-chain model. For suspensions of thin and thick fd virus particles we calculate phase diagrams in quantitative agreement with experimental observations, and we find their effective state-point dependent shape to be much shorter and thicker than the actual shape. We also calculate the stretching of worm-like micelles in a host fd virus solution, again finding agreement with experiments. For both systems, our results show that the fd virus stiffness can play a key role in system behavior.

2011-01-01

366

Method of fusing segments of armored logging cables

A focal plane detector system consisting of a vertical drift chamber, parallel plate avalanche counters, and an ionization chamber with segmented anodes has been installed in the Broad Range Spectrometer at the Holifield Facility at Oak Ridge. The system, which has been designed for use with light-heavy ions with energies ranging from 10 to 25 MeV/amu, has a position resolution of approx. 0.1 mm, a scattering angle resolution of approx. 3 mrad, and a mass resolution of approx. 1/60.

1984-01-01

367

Mega-components from steel casting for power plant technology; Megakomponenten aus Stahlguss fuer die Kraftwerkstechnik

The method is used for repairing armored logging cables. It consists of preparing armor, subsequent connection of current-conducting strands and wires of the armor, and laying of the armor. Sections of connecting the wires of the armor of the lower and upper layers are scattered over the length of the fused section of the cable. In order to improve the fault strength of the cable, the junctions of connection of the armor wires are scattered among themselves at a distance determined by the Euler formula, and thermal tempering of the wire sections is carried out near these junctions, and then the fused section of the cable is reinforced.

1982-01-01

368

Market segmentation and targeting for real time pricing

Voestalpine AG (Linz, Austria) produces heavy steel for steam turbines, compressors for the promotion of oil and gas as well as for the chemical industry, mechanical engineering and for the offshore technology. A weight range between 1 and 200 tons can be covered. The author of the contribution under consideration is limited to characteristics which have to be managed by a large steel foundry within the range of the steam power plants. This is described on the basis of produced steam turbines for power stations in the highest performance segment (1,600 MW).

2010-07-01

369

Interaction of water with epoxy.

While there is growing interest in Real Time Pricing as a competitive tool, its adoption to date has been constrained by wariness on the part of many utilities and many of their customers. That wariness is not misplaced, for Real Time Pricing is not for everyone. In order for both utilities and their customers to benefit, the pricing system must be properly tailored for, and offered to, the appropriate audience. This paper discusses needs for identifying targets, implications of targeting of Real Time Pricing to various types of customers, and implications for design and marketing of such pricing systems. Examples from utility experiences are provided, and recommendations are offered for development of improved targeting of Real Time Pricing.

1996-03-01

370

In vivo recovery of glycogen metabolism in hemolymph and tissues of a freshwater field crab Barytelphusa guerini on exposure to hexavalent chromium

The chemistries of reactants, plasticizers, solvents and additives in an epoxy paint are discussed. Polyamide additives may play an important role in the absorption of molecular iodine by epoxy paints. It is recommended that the unsaturation of the polyamide additive in the epoxy cure be determined. Experimental studies of water absorption by epoxy resins are discussed. These studies show that absorption can disrupt hydrogen bonds among segments of the polymers and cause swelling of the polymer. The water absorption increases the diffusion coefficient of water within the polymer. Permanent damage to the polymer can result if water causes hydrolysis of ether linkages. Water desorption studies are recommended to ascertain how water absorption affects epoxy paint.

2009-07-01

371

Improvement of muscle strenght independently of analgesic effect following spinal cord stimulation. A case report.

The in vivo toxic effects of hexavalent chromium (20 mg/liter) on hemolymph glucose, tissue glycogen, total free sugars, and active and total phosphorylases of an edible, freshwater crab Barytelphusa guerini were studied. In a 15-day exposure span followed by a 15-day postexposure recovery, the time-course alterations in these constituent segments of the glycogen metabolism indicate an inconsistent depletion in metabolite levels and elevated enzyme activities during exposure period as well as hyperglycemia. An insignificant recovery was observed in these parameters on the 15th day of the postexposure phase.

1990-08-01

372

Fabrication of the 320-CM-OD all-ceramic ZT-40 torus

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is frequently used for relief of chronic benign pain resistant to conservative therapies. Clinical practice suggests, at least in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), the possibility that SCS significantly improves motor performances. We present here the case of a 41-years-old female patient with FBSS, who showed a clear improvement in muscle strength after SCS, persisting at 6-months follow-up. We speculate that the electrical stimulation of posterior columns could potentiate the caudal, segmental spinal reflexes resulting in a facilitation of motoneurons activation. PMID:16175150

2004-12-01

373

Dynamic programming and graph algorithms in computer vision.

The fabrication of the ZT-40 torus, a large complex all-ceramic toroidal plasma containment vessel, is described. Several glass sealants covering the temperature range of 500 to 1300"0C, were developed and used to ''braze'' segments of the torus together, sapphire windows to the torus and the required pump-out and diagnostic parts to the ceramic vacuum vessel. Designs of window seals were developed that allowed sealing of the sapphire windows in a vertical position with minimum sealing glass flow.

374

Computer vision approaches to medical image analysis. Revised papers

Optimization is a powerful paradigm for expressing and solving problems in a wide range of areas, and has been successfully applied to many vision problems. Discrete optimization techniques are especially interesting since, by carefully exploiting problem structure, they often provide nontrivial guarantees concerning solution quality. In this paper, we review dynamic programming and graph algorithms, and discuss representative examples of how these discrete optimization techniques have been applied to some classical vision problems. We focus on the low-level vision problem of stereo, the mid-level problem of interactive object segmentation, and the high-level problem of model-based recognition. PMID:20660950

2011-04-01

375

Coming together, moving apart: a history of the term allied health in education, accreditation, and practice.

This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post proceedings of the international workshop Computer Vision Approaches to Medical Image Analysis, CVAMIA 2006, held in Graz, Austria in May 2006 as a satellite event of the 9th European Conference on Computer Vision, EECV 2006. The 10 revised full papers and 11 revised poster papers presented together with 1 invited talk were carefully reviewed and selected from 38 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on clinical applications, image registration, image segmentation and analysis, and the poster session. (orig.)

2006-07-01

376

Broadband Local Area Network security monitoring--Magnovox CATV Systems Inc. Digital System Sentry product evaluation

In recent years, several groups, including the physician assistant, health information management, ophthalmic medical technician/technologist, and athletic training review committees, have left the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) system to form their own, profession-specific accrediting bodies. Their motivation was typically a desire for greater professional visibility and autonomy. Combined, these professions represented one third of the CAAHEP's programs. This article reviews the history of allied health and examines current attempts to bring cohesion and identity to this increasingly fractured segment of the U.S. health care system. PMID:18444439

2008-01-01

377

Avascular necrosis associated with nailing of femoral neck fracture

Use of a broadband Local Area Network (LAN) for transmission of classified and secure unclassified information requires monitoring capabilities which are sensitive to discrete segments of the network frequency spectrum. A viable monitoring system must be capable of detecting possible intrusion attempts or network malfunctions and alerting operating and security personnel. This report documents the results of an evaluation of the Magnavox CATV Systems Inc. Digital System Sentry software for network monitoring. Recommendations are made on its possible future role in broadband LAN security monitoring throughout the Nuclear Weapons Complex.

1991-01-01

378

Avascular necrosis associated with nailing of femoral neck fracture

Two patients with femoral neck fractures, one displaced and one undisplaced, are presented. Preoperative intravital staining with tetracycline and Tc-MDP scintimetry both showed intact femoral head circulation while Tc-MDP-scintimetry 1 week after operation showed pronounced circulatory deficiency. Sr/sup 85/-scintimetry performed at the same time was inconclusive. Segmental collapse was observed radiographically, 8 and 12 months postoperatively. The major vascular injury resulting in avascularity most probably occured during the procedure of osteosynthesis, and Tc-MDP-scintimetry was found suitable for early postoperative recognition of avascular necrosis in both fractures.

1983-01-01

379

Structural determinants of alpha-bungarotoxin binding to the sequence segment 181-200 of the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor #alpha# subunit: Effects of cysteine/cystine modification and species-specific amino acid substitution

Two patients with femoral neck fractures, one displaced and one undisplaced, are presented. Preoperative intravital staining with tetracycline and Tc-MDP scintimetry both showed intact femoral head circulation while Tc-MDP-scintimetry 1 week after operation showed pronounced circulatory deficiency. SR"8"5-scintimetry performed at the same time was inconclusive. Segmental collapse was observed radiographically, 8 and 12 months postoperatively. The major vascular injury resulting in avascularity most probably occured during the procedure of osteosynthesis, and Tc-MDP-scintimetry was found suitable for early postoperative recognition of avascular necrosis in both fractures. (author).

380

Structural constraints for proposed Fort Hancock low-level radioactive waste disposal site (NTP-S34), southern Hudspeth County, Texas

The sequence segment 181-200 of the Torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) #alpha#subunit forms a binding site for #alpha#-bungarotoxin (#alpha#-BTX). Synthetic peptides corresponding to the homologous sequences of human, calf, mouse, chicken, frog, and cobra muscle nAChR #alpha#1 subunits were tested for their ability to bind "1"2"5I-#alpha#-BTX, and differences in #alpha#-BTX affinity were determined by using solution (IC_5_0s) and solid-phase (K_ds) assays. Panels of overlapping peptides corresponding to the complete #alpha#1 subunit of mouse and human were also tested for #alpha#-BTX binding, but other sequence segments forming the #alpha#-BTX site were not consistently detectable. The role of a putative vicinal disulfide bound between Cys-192 and -193, relative to the Torpedo sequence, was determined by modifying the peptides with sulfhydryl reagents. Reduction and alkylation of the peptides decreased #alpha#-BTX binding, whereas ...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

381

NPOESS Interface Data Processing Segment (IDPS) Hardware

Structural complexities reduce the homogeneity necessary for a site characterization model to an unacceptable level for performance assessment for radioactive waste disposal sites. The proposed site lies between the northern, stable Diablo platform and the southern, mobile Mesozoic Chihuahua tectonic belt. Structural movement along this interface has been active for the past 14,000 years. In addition, the area lies along the northern margin of the Permian Marfa basin and the northeastern margin of the deeply faulted Hueco bolson segment of the late Cenozoic Rio Grande rift system. Recent seismic activity with extensive surface rupture in Quitman Canyon (30 mi southeast of the site) is also documented from the 1931 Valentine, Texas, earthquake (6.4 Richter scale). The site is underlain by either a thrust fault or the complex terminus of a Mesozoic thrust fault. This fault is a segment of the continuous thrust sheet extending from exposures in ...

1989-03-01

382

Late Quaternary high resolution sequence stratigraphy of an active rift, the Sperchios Basin, Greece: An analogue for subtle stratigraphic plays

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Defense (DoD), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are jointly acquiring the next-generation weather and environmental satellite system; the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). NPOESS replaces the current Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) managed by NOAA and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) managed by the DoD. The NPOESS satellites carry a suite of sensors that collect meteorological, oceanographic, climatological, and solar-geophysical observations of the earth, atmosphere, and space. The NPOESS design allows centralized mission management and delivers high quality environmental products to military, civil and scientific users. The ground data processing segment for NPOESS is the Interface Data Processing Segment (IDPS), developed by Raytheon Intelligence and ...

2008-12-01

383

Late Quaternary high resolution sequence stratigraphy of an active rift, the Sperchios Basin, Greece: An analogue for subtle stratigraphic plays

The Sperchios Basin is an active asymmetric graben, bounded to the south by a major border fault system with major fault segments typically 20-30 km long. The basin is dominated by a major axial fluvio-deltaic system which enters the partially enclosed Maliakos Gulf to the east. Lateral sourced depositional systems within the basin comprise hanging-wall and footwall-derived alluvial fans and a narrow coastal plain along the footwall scarp bordering the Maliakos Gulf. High resolution seismic data from the Maliakos Gulf reveals three late Quaternary progradational parasequences sourced from axial and lateral depositional systems, with a regional late-Pleistocene transgressive surface dated at circa. 10 ka BP within the Maliakos Gulf. Differential subsidence of the late Pleistocene transgressive surface indicates marked variation in subsidence from 2.4 m ka[sup -1] at fault segment centers to 0.8 m ka[sup -1] at segment ...

1996-01-01

384

Intestinal circulation during inhalation anesthesia

The Sperchios Basin is an active asymmetric graben, bounded to the south by a major border fault system with major fault segments typically 20-30 km long. The basin is dominated by a major axial fluvio-deltaic system which enters the partially enclosed Maliakos Gulf to the east. Lateral sourced depositional systems within the basin comprise hanging-wall and footwall-derived alluvial fans and a narrow coastal plain along the footwall scarp bordering the Maliakos Gulf. High resolution seismic data from the Maliakos Gulf reveals three late Quaternary progradational parasequences sourced from axial and lateral depositional systems, with a regional late-Pleistocene transgressive surface dated at circa. 10 ka BP within the Maliakos Gulf. Differential subsidence of the late Pleistocene transgressive surface indicates marked variation in subsidence from 2.4 m ka{sup -1} at fault segment centers to 0.8 m ka{sup -1} at segment ...

1996-12-31

385

Intestinal circulation during inhalation anesthesia

This study was designed to evaluate the influence of inhalational agents on the intestinal circulation in an isolated loop preparation. Sixty dogs were studied, using three intestinal segments from each dog. Selected intestinal segments were pumped with aortic blood at a constant pressure of 100 mmHg. A mixture of /sub 86/Rb and 9-microns spheres labeled with /sup 141/Ce was injected into the arterial cannula supplying the intestinal loop, while mesenteric venous blood was collected for activity counting. A very strong and significant correlation was found between rubidium clearance and microsphere entrapment (r = 0.97, P less than 0.0001). Nitrous oxide anesthesia was accompanied by a higher vascular resistance (VR), lower flow (F), rubidium clearance (Cl-Rb), and microspheres entrapment (Cl-Sph) than pentobarbital anesthesia, indicating that the vascular bed in the intestinal segment was constricted and flow (total and ...

1985-04-01

386

Considering uncertainties in the reservoir interpretation of geophysical data. Application to segmentation; Prise en compte des incertitudes dans l'interpretation reservoir des donnees geophysiques. Application a la segmentation

This study was designed to evaluate the influence of inhalational agents on the intestinal circulation in an isolated loop preparation. Sixty dogs were studied, using three intestinal segments from each dog. Selected intestinal segments were pumped with aortic blood at a constant pressure of 100 mmHg. A mixture of _8_6Rb and 9-microns spheres labeled with "1"4"1Ce was injected into the arterial cannula supplying the intestinal loop, while mesenteric venous blood was collected for activity counting. A very strong and significant correlation was found between rubidium clearance and microsphere entrapment (r = 0.97, P less than 0.0001). Nitrous oxide anesthesia was accompanied by a higher vascular resistance (VR), lower flow (F), rubidium clearance (Cl-Rb), and microspheres entrapment (Cl-Sph) than pentobarbital anesthesia, indicating that the vascular bed in the intestinal segment was constricted and flow (total and ...

387

CT colonography with minimal bowel preparation: evaluation of tagging quality, patient acceptance and diagnostic accuracy in two iodine-based preparation schemes

Qualitative interpretation of data of different nature and sources, based on segmentation techniques such as discriminant analysis, is useful to characterize and monitor hydrocarbon reservoirs. In order to make this interpretation more reliable, it is necessary to characterize uncertainties attached to data and then, to propagate them in the interpretation work-flow. In this thesis, uncertainties are represented by intervals, because usually, little is known about input data errors. The uncertainty characterization issue is dealt with specifically for each case study. The uncertainty propagation issue is treated by a new technique, based on interval analysis, which consists in extending to intervals various popular approaches (non parametric, quadratic and linear) to discriminant analysis: Firstly, a learning phase allows calibrating an imprecise classifying model on the basis of pre-interpreted data. If the quality of this model is good enough, it is used to ...

2001-10-01

388

Assessment of left ventricular wall motion by optional multiple long-axial gated blood pool SPECT

The aim of this study was to compare a 1-day with a 2-day iodine bowel preparation for CT colonography in a positive faecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening population. One hundred consecutive patients underwent CT colonography and colonoscopy with segmental unblinding. The first 50 patients (group 1) ingested 7*50 ml iodinated contrast starting 2 days before CT colonography. The latter 50 patients (group 2) ingested 4*50 ml iodinated contrast starting 1 day before CT colonography. Per colonic segment measurements of residual stool attenuation and homogeneity were performed, and a subjective evaluation of tagging quality (grade 1-5) was done. Independently, two reviewers performed polyp and carcinoma detection. The tagging density was 638 and 618 HU (p = 0.458) and homogeneity 91 and 86 HU for groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.145). The tagging quality was graded 5 (excellent) in 90% of all segments in group 1 and 91% ...

2010-02-15

389

The effects of surface damage on RF cavity operation

Optional multiple long-axial gated blood pool SPECT images were prepared for the purpose of stereoscopic and quantitative imaging of left ventricular wall motion (LVWM). Sixteen patients with ischemic heart disease and 8 healthy subjects were imaged in 32 views in the 360 degrees position after iv injection of 740 MBq of Tc-99m-labeled human serum albumin D. The R-R interval was divided into 16. After preparing conventional oblique images, long-axial images were prepared. Shortening rate of left ventricular wall was calculated in 5 segments of the apex and base of the left ventricle. An average shortening rate in each segment was graded with a score from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 40% or more. In the normal group, shortening rate in each segment, except for the base of the septal region, exceeded 40%. In the group of ischemic heart disease, radial shortening was capable of visualizing the degree and extent of the whole ...

1991-01-01

390

The effect of welding parameters on hydrogen distribution in pipeline welds

We describe a model of damage in rf cavities and show how this damage can limit cavity operation. We first present a review of mechanisms that may or may not affect the ultimate fields that can be obtained in rf cavities, assuming that mechanical stress explains the triggers of rf breakdown events. We present a method of quantifying the surface damage caused by breakdown events in terms of the spectrum of field enhancement factors, Beta, for asperities on the surface. We then model an equilibrium that can develop between damage and conditioning effects, and show how this equilibrium can determine cavity performance and show experimental evidence for this mechanism. We define three functions that quantify damage, and explain how the parameters that determine this performance can be factored out and measured. We then show how this model can quantitatively explain the dependence of cavity performance on material, frequency, pulse length, gas, ...

2006-04-14

391

The Effects of Exurbanization on Bird and Macro invertebrate Communities in Deciduous Forests on the Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee

There is currently considerable interest in identifying and quantifying the effects of welding procedure parameters and steel composition factors on the risk of cracking in pipeline girth welds that may be experienced during winter construction. Although low ambient temperatures, that may be experienced during winter construction, are generally assumed to increase the risk of cracking there has been little work to quantify the effects and to suggest how welding procedures should be modified for winter conditions. The present work was undertaken to calculate the effects of changes in welding parameters on the thermal cycle and the diffusion of hydrogen for a typical pipeline girth weld. A simple analytical method and the finite element method (FEM) were used. Both methods gave similar results but the simple method was very sensitive to the value of heat transfer coefficient. The results showed that the relation between the hydrogen diffusion ...

1990-03-01

392

Second-law efficiency of solar-thermal cavity receivers

To investigate the potential causes of changes to bird communities in exurban areas, we examined the relationship between bird and macro invertebrate communities in exurbanized forest. We randomly located sampling points across a gradient of exurbanization. We used point counts to quantify bird communities and sweep netting, soil cores, pitfalls, and frass collectors to quantify macro invertebrates. Bird communities had higher richness and abundance in exurban areas compared to undeveloped forests, and lost some species of conservation concern but gained others. The macro invertebrate community was slightly more abundant in exurban areas, with a slight shift in taxonomic composition. The abundance of macro invertebrates in soil cores (but not pitfalls) predicted the abundance of ground-foraging birds. The abundance of macro invertebrates in sweep nets was not associated with the abundance of aerial insectivore birds. Exurbanization therefore ...

393

Data report of BWR post-CHF tests. Transient core thermal-hydraulic test program. Contract research

Properly quantified performance of a solar-thermal cavity receiver must not only account for the energy gains and losses as dictated by the First Law of thermodynamics, but it must also account for the quality of that energy. However, energy quality can only be determined from the Second Law. In this paper an equation for the Second-Law efficiency of a cavity receiver is derived from the definition of available energy or availability (occassionally called exergy), which is a thermodynamic property that measures the maximum amount of work obtainable when a system is allowed to come into unrestrained equilibrium with the surrounding environment. The fundamental concepts of the entropy and availability of radiation are explored from which a convenient relationship among the reflected cone half angle, the insolation, and the concentrator geometric characteristics is developed as part of the derivation of the Second-Law efficiency. A comparison is made between First- ...

1983-10-01

394

An objective indicator for two-phase flow pattern transition

JAERI has been performing transient core thermal-hydraulic test program. In the program, authors performed BWR/ABWR DBE simulation tests with a test facility, which can simulate BWR/ABWR transients. The test facility has a 4 x 4 bundle core simulator with 15-rod heaters and one non-heated rod. Through the tests, authors quantified the thermal safety margin for core cooling. In order to quantify the thermal safety margin, authors collected experimental data on post-CHF. The data are essential for the evaluation of clad temperature transient when core heat-up occurs during DBEs. In comparison with previous post-CHF tests, present experiments were performed in much wider experimental condition, covering high clad temperature, low to high pressure and low to high mass flux. Further, data at wider elevation (lower to higher elevation of core) were obtained in the present experiments, which make possible to discuss the effect of axial position on ...

2001-03-01

395

An objective indicator for two-phase flow pattern transition

This work concerns the development of a methodology the objective of which is to characterize and diagnose two-phase flow regime transitions. The approach is based on the fundamental assumption that a transition flow is less stationary than a flow with an established regime. During the first time, the efforts focused on: (1) the design and construction of an experimental loop, allowing to reproduce the main horizontal two-phase flow patterns, in a stable and controlled way; (2) the design and construction of an electrical impedance probe, providing an imaged information of the spatial phase distribution in the pipe; and (3) the systematic study of the joint time-frequency and time-scale analysis methods, which permitted to define an adequate parameter quantifying the unstationarity degree. During the second time, in order to verify the fundamental assumption, a series of experiments were conducted, the objective of which was to demonstrate the correlation between ...

1998-08-01

396

A new method for quantifiable and controlled dosage of particulate matter for in vitro studies: the electrostatic particulate dosage and exposure system (EPDExS).

This work concerns the development of a methodology the objective of which is to characterize and diagnose two-phase flow regime transitions. The approach is based on the fundamental assumption that a transition flow is less stationary than a flow with an established regime. During the first time, the efforts focused on: (1) the design and construction of an experimental loop, allowing to reproduce the main horizontal two-phase flow patterns, in a stable and controlled way; (2) the design and construction of an electrical impedance probe, providing an imaged information of the spatial phase distribution in the pipe; and (3) the systematic study of the joint time-frequency and time-scale analysis methods, which permitted to define an adequate parameter quantifying the unstationarity degree. During the second time, in order to verify the fundamental assumption, a series of experiments were conducted, the objective of which was to demonstrate the correlation between ...

1998-08-01

397

A carbon monoxide passive sampler: Research and development needs

An exposure chamber is described for the quantifiable addition of fine and ultrafine aerosol particulate matter directly to cells and used to demonstrate the in vitro cytotoxicity of fine 1,4-naphthoquinone particles to murine lung epithelial cells. The electrostatic particulate dosage and exposure system (EPDExS) operates on the principle of electrostatic precipitation and is shown to deposit fine and ultrafine aerosol particles directly to cells with 100% efficiency for particle diameters in the range of 40-530nm. This range is not limited by the EPDExS, but rather by the aerosolization method used for this study. Numbers of particles deposited onto the cells are counted with a condensation particle counter, negating any need to calculate or estimate particle exposure. The process of particle introduction, assessed using Trypan blue dye exclusion, had no effect on cell viability. In combination with a differential mobility classifier, the EPDExS can deliver ...

2008-06-08

398

Visible and near-infrared spectral signatures for adulteration assessment of extra virgin olive oil

In rare instances, carbon monoxide (CO) levels in houses can reach dangerously high concentrations, causing adverse health effects ranging from mild headaches to, under extreme conditions, death. Hundreds of fatal accidental carbon monoxide poisonings occur each year primarily due to the indoor operation of motor vehicles, the indoor use of charcoal for cooking, the operation of malfunctioning vented and unvented combustion appliances, and the misuse combustion appliances. Because there is a lack of simple, inexpensive, and accurate field sampling instrumentation, it is difficult for gas utilities and researchers to conduct field research studies designed to quantify the concentrations of CO in residences. Determining the concentration of CO in residences is the first step towards identifying the high risk appliances and high-CO environments which pose health risks. Thus, there exists an urgent need to develop and field-validate a ...

1991-11-01

399

Use of activated charcoal for the purification of neon in the CLEAN experiment

Because of its high price, the extra virgin olive oil is frequently target for adulteration with lower quality oils. This paper presents an innovative optical technique capable of quantifying the adulteration of extra virgin olive oil caused by lowergrade olive oils. It relies on spectral fingerprinting the test liquid by means of diffuse-light absorption spectroscopy carried out by optical fiber technology in the wide 400-1700 nm spectral range. Then, a smart multivariate processing of spectroscopic data is applied for immediate prediction of adulterant concentration.

2010-04-01

400

Upgraded coal interest group. Quarterly report, July 1, 1995--September 30, 1995

Passage of neon gas through activated charcoal is planned to be the primary method of removing impurities from the liquid neon scintillator in the CLEAN experiment. In order to quantify this technique, the breakout curves for hydrogen, nitrogen, argon and krypton impurities in neon-saturated activated charcoal were measured. Adsorption coefficients and the number of theoretical stages were measured for hydrogen in the temperature range between 300 and 80 K, nitrogen between 300 and 200 K, and argon between 300 and 190 K. The adsorption coefficient for krypton was measured at 300 K.

2007-01-21

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

401

Towards an understanding of the light scalar mesons

The objectives of the Upgraded Coal Interest Group (UCIG) are as follows: Review and update the status of various coal upgrading technologies and developments and critically assess the results. Perform engineering screening analyses on various coal upgrading approaches. Perform commercialization analyses that will promote the availability and use of upgraded coal products by quantifying the benefits of using them. Identify market opportunities for introduction of upgraded coals. Perform critical analyses on a variety of coals and technologies in areas important to users but not readily available. Perform critical experiments which will show the differences between technologies.

1995-12-31

402

The new thermal comfort equation to qualify air in buildings. De nieuwe behaaglijkheidsbalans voor de kwaliteit van de lucht in gebouwen

Although studied for many years the nature of the light scalar mesons remains controversial. Here we shall present a method, applicable for s-wave states located close to a threshold, that allows one to quantify the molecular part of a given state. When applied to the f{sub 0}(980) a dominance of the molecular component is found. In the second part, we show that requirements of field-theoretic consistency and chiral symmetry, when applied to the scattering of light pseudo-scalars, naturally lead to the appearance of dynamical poles in the scalar sector. A program is proposed on how to further investigate experimentally the mixing between these dynamical states and possible genuine quark states. (orig.)

2007-03-15

403

Solid-state ozone synthesis by energetic ions

In the 1988 February issue of this magazine the units olf and decipol were introduced. Olf is a measure for the pollution load and decipol for the indoor air quality. This article discusses a new ventilation theory which is quantified by the new indoor air quality thermal comfort balance based on the units olf and decipol. This balance requires more ventilation air than for the present regulations. It takes into account all pollution sources. 2 figs., 9 refs., 3 tabs.

1990-05-01

404

Radiation risk in diagnostic radiology

We have synthesized ozone by irradiating thin solid films of oxygen and oxygen-water mixtures with 100 keV protons, motivated by recent reports of condensed O_3 on icy satellites in the outer Solar system. We measured the depth of the Hartley absorption band in the ultraviolet by reflectance spectroscopy and used it to quantify the column density of ozone. We analyzed the results using a three-component (O, O_2 and O_3) model that successfully explains the fluence dependence of ozone production.

1999-08-02

405

Quantification of uranium transport away from firing sites at Los Alamos National Laboratory: A mass balance approach

An attempt was made to quantify the radiation risk of diagnostic radiology. After a general introduction of terms as radiation damage, radiation risk and effective dose equivalent, based on publications of the ICRP, somatic dose indexes were computed for several radiologic investigations, that comprise organ doses committed to red bone marrow, lung, female breast and thyroid with and without considering the rest of the body. The dose for the rest of the body was assumed to be equal to the dose received by the red bone marrow, that is also distributed over the whole body. Neglecting the exposure of the rest of the body resulted in an insignificant increase in the estimated somatic risk, with its experimental determination not being necessary. (author).

1984-01-01

406

Intergranular corrosion of Alloy 800 by the electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation method

Investigations were conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory to quantify the extent of migration of depleted uranium away from firing sites. Extensive sampling of air particles, soil, sediment, and water was conducted to establish the magnitude of uranium contamination throughout one watershed. The uranium source term was estimated, and mass balance calculations were performed to compare the percentage of migrated uranium with original expenditures. Mass balance calculations can be powerful in identification of the extent of waste migration and used as an aid in planning future waste investigations.

1992-02-01

407

Hideout return testing from support crevices

The 'Electrochemical Potentiokinetic Reactivation' method has been employed to quantify the degree of intergranular corrosion of Alloy 800, with different Ti + Al content, aged in the range 500-650/sup 0/C for times up to 5000 hours. The results were compared with the classical Rollason's curves obtained by means of the Strauss' test and a satisfactory agreement was found. An explanation of the slight differences between both methods has been proposed on the basis of the passivity film morphology.

1981-08-01

408

Experimental Uncertainty for the Thermal Expansion of a Simulated Fuel

The objectives of the project were to develop operational techniques for promoting contaminant hideout return from tube support crevices and to identify the effect of chemical inhibitor application on corrodent transport. The implementation of routine procedures for promoting the return of sequestered corrodents could retard the progression of denting or other corrosion processes and improve steam generator availability. Tests also quantified the effect of inhibitor application on crevice hideout and hideout return processes, with the intention of developing a better understanding of the inhibition mechanism. By carefully monitoring the hideout and hideout return inventories, the program also has provided the opportunity to study steam generator concentration processes in general.

1985-03-01

409

Entangled quantum currents in distant mesoscopic Josephson junctions

Thermal expansions of a simulated fuel (SS-1) were measured by using a Dilatometer (DIL402C) from room temperature to 1900 K. The main procedure of an uncertainty evaluation followed the strategy of the UO{sub 2} fuel. Referring to the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) guide, the uncertainties of the thermal expansion were quantified in three parts - the initial length, the length variation, and the system calibration factor. The uncertainty of the thermal expansion for a simulated fuel was also compared with those of UO{sub 2} fuel.

2006-07-01

410

Electron Beam and Gamma Radiolysis of Solid-State Metoclopramide

Two mesoscopic SQUID rings which are far from each other are considered. A source of two-mode nonclassical microwaves irradiates the two rings with correlated photons. The Josephson currents are in this case quantum mechanical operators, and their expectation values with respect to the density matrix of the microwaves yield the experimentally observed currents. Classically correlated (separable) and quantum mechanically correlated (entangled) microwaves are considered, and their effect on the Josephson currents is quantified. Results for two different examples that involve microwaves in number states and coherent states are derived. It is shown that the quantum statistics of the tunnelling electron pairs through the Josephson junctions in the two rings are correlated.

2004-12-22

411

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose Study the radiolysis of solid-state metoclopramide hydrochloride at various absorbed doses. Elucidate the structure of the degradation products to gain information on the radiolysis mechanisms. Methods Solid-state metoclopramide samples were irradiated at several doses with gamma rays and high-energy electrons to evaluate the influence of the dose rate. High-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector was used to measure the chemical potency as a function of the absorbed dose and to quantify the degradation products. The characterization of degradation products was performed by liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/tandem mass spectrometry. Results The degradation of solid-state metoclopramide after irradiation was negligible. No qualitati...

2006-01-01

412

Comparison of the TESLA, NLC and CLIC Beam-Collimation System Performance

Commercial Credit Value Evaluation and Illustration Analysis on Internet

This report describes studies performed in the framework of the Collimation Task Force organized to support the work of the second International Linear Collider Technical Review Committee. The post-linac beam-collimation systems in the TESLA, JLC/NLC and CLIC linear-collider designs are compared using the same computer code under the same assumptions. Their performance is quantified in terms of beam-halo and synchrotron-radiation collimation efficiency. The performance of the current designs varies across projects, and does not always meet the original design goals. But these comparisons suggest that achieving the required performance in a future linear collider is feasible.

2004-01-01

413

Climate change - the contribution from air travel

Taobao website online transaction evaluation has been well accepted, but its value has not been measured. This paper quantifies the value of commercial credit of salers in bringing sale purchase on Taobao website through three aspects of data as credit score buyer to saler, number of comments and rate of bad comments. The illustration results on Taobao online transaction credit evaluation show that number of comments, credit score and rate of bad comments have significant impact on sale revenue.

2011-01-01

414

Characterization of Mixed Wettability at Different Scales and its Impact on Oil Recovery Efficiency

The paper discusses the Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on Aviation and the Global Atmosphere (published in 1999). It was considered necessary to treat air transport on its own since aircraft are unique in delivering emissions into the upper atmosphere rather than at ground level. The study was commissioned at the request of the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the Montreal Protocol. More than 300 experts contributed and the report has quantified the effect of aviation on the atmosphere on a world wide basis and highlighted areas where improved data are required. (UK)

2000-04-01

415

Chandler Slavin | Greener Package

The objectives of this project was to: (1) quantify the pore scale mechanisms that determine the wettability state of a reservoir, (2) study the effect of crude oil, brine and mineral compositions in the establishment of mixed wet states, (3) clarify the effect of mixed - wettability on oil displacement efficiency in waterfloods, (4) develop a new tracer technique to measure wettability, fluid distributions, residual saturation's and relative permeabilities, and (5) develop methods for properly incorporating wettability in up-scaling from pore to core to reservoir scales.

2002-01-28

416

Wastenet

...it only highlights the different feedstocks used in the production of fiber-based packaging materials or fossil-fuel ones; what about the energy required to convert ...feedstock, is unacceptable in trying to quantify the overall burden a specific packaging material has on the environment. As an aside, the point ... Consequentially, it is difficult to speculate on how much packaging material a company diverts from the landfill by switching from one material to another ...without specifying what geographical region said packaging material resides in. In addition, there is a lot of interest in diverting PET thermoforms from ...

417

AFS Cupola Model Verification--Initial Investigations

A quantitative method to detect explosives and selected semivolatiles in soil samples by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

The cupola furnace is used to melt scrap steel, pig iron, foundry returns, and alloying additives to a prescribed tapping chemistry and temperature for iron casting applications. The melting process within the cupola is highly complex and not well quantified. The American Foundrymen's Society is developing a mathematical model to aid in the understanding of these processes. This model is reaching maturity, and has been successful in estimating a number of melting parameters. This paper details the results of efforts to verify the model in a controlled system, equipped wit the appropriate sensors, for model verification. The work was performed on a research-scale cupola furnace located at the Department of Energy's Albany Research Center.

1998-01-01

418

A mathematical model for simulating shallow solar ponds for treatment of industrial wastewater

This paper describes a novel Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic method that can be used to rapidly screen soil samples from potentially hazardous waste sites. Samples are heated in a thermal desorption unit and the resultant vapors are collected and analyzed in a long-path gas cell mounted in a FTIR. Laboratory analysis of a soil sample by FTIR takes approximately 10 minutes. This method has been developed to identify and quantify microgram concentrations of explosives in soil samples and is directly applicable to the detection of selected volatile organics, semivolatile organics, and pesticides.

1995-06-01

419

A Virtual Young's Double Slit Experiment for Hard X-ray Photons

This paper presents a mathematical model to analyze the solar evaporation in a shallow pond in steady state, when the inlet flow rate, concentration, surface area and solar radiation are given. The simultaneous heat and mass transfer mechanisms are considered for quantifying the amount of evaporated water to the atmosphere and the actual absorbed heat by wastewater is calculated to obtain the bottom temperature of water pond. The heat losses to air by radiation and convection mechanisms are considered and the heat transmission across the water film is evaluated by the forced convection mechanism. 6 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.

1996-12-31

420

Spent fuel sabotage aerosol ratio program : FY 2004 test and data summary

We have implemented a virtual Young's double slit experiment for hard X-ray photons with micro-fabricated bi-prisms. We observe fringe patterns with a scintillator, and quantify interferograms by detecting X-ray fluorescence from a scanned 30nm Cr metal film. The observed intensities are best modeled with a near-field, Fresnel analysis. The maximum fringe number in the overlap region is proportional to the ratio of real to imaginary parts refractive index of the prism material. The horizontal and vertical transverse coherence lengths at beamline APS 8-ID are measured.

2009-01-01

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

421

Quantifying regenerator thermal shorting; Bestimmung des thermischen Kurzschlusses von Regeneratorgeweben

This multinational, multi-phase spent fuel sabotage test program is quantifying the aerosol particles produced when the products of a high energy density device (HEDD) interact with and explosively particulate test rodlets that contain pellets of either surrogate materials or actual spent fuel. This program has been underway for several years. This program provides data that are relevant to some sabotage scenarios in relation to spent fuel transport and storage casks, and associated risk assessments. The program also provides significant technical and political benefits in international cooperation. We are quantifying the Spent Fuel Ratio (SFR), the ratio of the aerosol particles released from HEDD-impacted actual spent fuel to the aerosol particles produced from surrogate materials, measured under closely matched test conditions, in a contained test chamber. In addition, we are measuring the amounts, nuclide content, size distribution of the ...

422

{sup 99m}TC tetrofosmin cardiac tomography after nitrate administration in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction; Tomografia cardiaca {sup 99m}Tc tetrofosmina dopo somministrazione di nitrati in pazienti con cardiopatia ischemica e disfunzione ventricolare sinistra

The regenerator of Stirling cycle machines has an relatively unknown potential for thermal shorting, because the thermal flow path within the solid of a randomly stacked wire mesh, which is defined by its 'connectivity', is unknown. Earlier publications have shown two principles of experimental techniques to quantify connectivity. One quantifies connectivity as a function of axial pressure using the electric current analogy, the other measures connectivity via the temperature gradients along a regenerator and a series-connected reference body of known conductivity. Both papers offer preliminary results of reduced usefulness related to the testing method or setup. This contribution describes a new setup and its technique, which results from the practical knowledge and experience of the first two attempts, and aims for an improved determination of connectivity of the original representative Stirling regenerators with and without ...

2000-07-01

423

The effect of swimming exercise on spontaneous ventricular defibrillation and ventricular fibrillation threshold in the isolated perfused rat heart.

The work examines twenty-two patients with coronary artery disease, previous myocardial infarction and LV dysfunction, using the technetium-99m ({sup 99m}Tc) tetrofosmin (SPECT) associated with nitrate administration in the detection of hypoperfused but still viable myocardium. The method allows the detection of this disease. [Italian] Il lavoro analizza i risultati degli esami condotti su 22 pazienti con cardiopatia ischemica cronica e ridotta funzione ventricolare sinistra sottoposti a tomografia computerizzata con emissione di fotone singolo (SPECT) cardiaca con tecnezio-99m ({sup 99m}Tc) tetrofosmina associata alla somministrazione di nitrati nella differenziazione tra tessuto miocardico ipoperfuso ma ancora vitale e tessuto miocardico necrotico. La metodologia usata consente di identificare la presenza di tessuto miocardico vitale in territori vascolari severamente ipoperfusi.

2000-04-01

424

Spatial distribution of disease: three case studies

Effects of swimming exercise training on left ventricular contraction and relaxation, the incidence of spontaneous defibrillation and the ventricular fibrillation threshold were studied in the isolated, perfused rat heart. The heart/body weight ratio was 4.8 +/- 0.4 x 10(-3) in swimmers compared with 3.9 +/- 0.6 x 10(-3) in sedentary controls (p less than 0.0005). The spontaneous heart rate was lower in isolated hearts of trained animals (222 +/- 18 bpm compared with 244 +/- 28, p less than 0.05). Left ventricular systolic pressure was higher in trained hearts and the rate of ventricular relaxation enhanced (p less than 0.05). The ventricular fibrillation threshold was 7.2 +/- 5.2 and 10.8 +/- 6.1 mamp in hearts of swimmers and controls, respectively, the difference not being significant. The incidence of spontaneous defibrillation was not significantly different between the two groups. It is concluded that, while swimming induces cardiac hypertrophy and ...

1990-12-01

425

Simultaneous assessment of left ventricular function from gated myocardial perfusion SPECT. Utility of QGS (Quantitative Gated SPECT) program

Maps transformed so as to have constant density of residential population were used to analyze the spatial distribution of disease in three specific areas. Each area had received recent attention because of suspected environmental pollution. The area adjacent to the Rocky Flats Facility (CO) was examined to identify any association between possible plutonium releases and increases in lung cancer or leukemia incidence. The industrial area of northern Contra Costa County (CA) was studied to explore a relationship between petrochemical industrial emissions and histologic-specific lung cancers. Finally, a suspected increase in the risk of congenital cardiac defects possibly related to pollution of the Santa Clara County (CA) water supply was investigated. No evidence of elevated risk of disease was found to be associated with either the Rocky Flats Facility or the polluted water of Santa Clara County. An increase in lung cancer, found by other investigators in earlier ...

426

Relationships of valve histology and mitochondrial and myofibril volume densities to hypertrophy of copper-deficient rat hearts

Quantitative gated SPECT (QGS) was evaluated in 7 normal volunteers and 31 patients with cardiac diseases. Adequate cut off value of a prefilter was 0.45. In phantom, the left ventricular volume value was 93.9% of determined value by 180-degree projection in L type and 98.8% by 360-degree projection in opposed type. In normal volunteers, LVEF measured by QGS program related to value by first pass method. As for functional map, regional EF and wall motion decreased at the septum side, and wall thickening at base side of heart. Good correlation was recognized (p<0.0001) between blood flow image and functional map (regional EF and wall thickening). In 20 cases of acute myocardial infarction, lesion was detected conspicuously in regional EF and wall motion. The accuracy of coronary arterial stenosis improved in functional map (regional EF 92%, wall motion 92% and wall thickening 88%). In particular, the accuracy of 3 rami lesion was 100% in functional map and higher ...

1998-08-01

427

Radiant{trademark} Liquid Radioisotope Intravascular Radiation Therapy System

Twenty-four male weanling rats were fed either copper-adequate or -deficient diets until 9 or 11 weeks of age. Deficient rat hearts had increased mitochondria: myofibril compared to adequate rats. Eleven week old deficient rat hearts had decreased mitochondria: myofibril as the hearts increased in weight, but the larger hearts had greater myofibril volume densities. Cardiac mitochondria of deficient rats appeared vacuolated with fragmented cristae and translucent matrix. Valves from copper deficient rats appeared to have less connective tissue and were fragmented in areas. For deficient rats, heart:body weights of 9 wk old rats were negatively correlated with bicuspid valve pathology scores, whereas tricuspid valve scores from 11 wk old rats were negatively correlated with myofibril volume densities. These data suggest that the enlargement of the copper-deficient rat heart is due to: larger (1) mitochondria and (2) myofibril volume densities.

1991-03-15

428

Prevention and Treatment of Functional and Structural Radiation Injury in the Rat Heart by Pentoxifylline and Alpha-Tocopherol

RADIANT{trademark} is manufactured by United States Surgical Corporation, Vascular Therapies Division, (formerly Progressive Angioplasty Systems). The system comprises a liquid {beta}-radiation source, a shielded isolation/transfer device (ISAT), modified over-the-wire or rapid exchange delivery balloons, and accessory kits. The liquid {beta}-source is Rhenium-188 in the form of sodium perrhenate (NaReO{sub 4}), Rhenium-188 is primarily a {beta}-emitter with a physical half-life of 17.0 hours. The maximum energy of the {beta}-particles is 2.1 MeV. The source is produced daily in the nuclear pharmacy hot lab by eluting a Tungsten-188/Rhenium-188 generator manufactured by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Using anion exchange columns and Millipore filters the effluent is concentrated to approximately 100 mCi/ml, calibrated, and loaded into the (ISAT) which is subsequently transported to the cardiac catheterization laboratory. The delivery catheters are modified ...

1998-01-16

429

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose Radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) is a severe side effect of thoracic radiotherapy. This study examined the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) and a-tocopherol on cardiac injury in a rat model of RIHD. Methods and Materials Male Sprague-Dawley rats received fractionated local heart irradiation with a daily dose of 9 Gy for 5 days and were observed for 6 months after irradiation. Rats were treated with a combination of PTX, 100 mg/kg/day, and a-tocopherol (20 IU/kg/day) and received these compounds either from 1 week before until 6 months after irradiation or starting 3 months after irradiation, a time point at which histopathologic changes become apparent in our model of RIHD. Results Radiation-induced increases in left ventricular diastolic pressure (in mm Hg: 35 +- 6 after sham...

2008-01-01

430

Non-white noise in fMRI: does modelling have an impact?

Non-white noise in fMRI: Does modelling have an impact?

The sources of non-white noise in Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are many. Familiar sources include low-frequency drift due to hardware imperfections, oscillatory noise due to respiration and cardiac pulsation and residual movement artefacts not accounted for by rigid body registration. These contributions give rise to temporal autocorrelation in the residuals of the fMRI signal and invalidate the statistical analysis as the errors are no longer independent. The low-frequency drift is often removed by high-pass filtering, and other effects are typically modelled as an autoregressive (AR) process. In this paper, we propose an alternative approach: Nuisance Variable Regression (NVR). By inclusion of confounding effects in a general linear model (GLM), we first confirm that the spatial distribution of the various fMRI noise sources is similar to what has already been described in the literature. Subsequently, we ...

2005-01-01

431

Natriuretic peptides in the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure.

The sources of non-white noise in Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are many. Familiar sources include low-frequency drift due to hardware imperfections, oscillatory noise due to respiration and cardiac pulsation and residual movement artefacts not accounted for by rigid body registration. These contributions give rise to temporal autocorrelation in the residuals of the fMRI signal and invalidate the statistical analysis as the errors are no longer independent. The low-frequency drift is often removed by high-pass filtering, and other effects are typically modelled as an autoregressive (AR) process. In this paper, we propose an alternative approach: Nuisance Variable Regression (NVR). By inclusion of confounding effects in a general linear model (GLM), we first confirm that the spatial distribution of the various fMRI noise sources is similar to what has already been described in the literature. Subsequently, we ...

2006-01-01

432

Metallic implants and exposure to radiofrequency radiation

A hallmark of congestive heart failure (CHF) is the activation of the cardiac endocrine system, in particular atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The natriuretic peptides are a group of structurally similar but genetically distinct peptides that have diverse actions in cardiovascular, renal, and endocrine homeostasis. ANP and BNP are of myocardial cell origin and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is of endothelial origin. ANP and BNP bind to the natriuretic peptide-A receptor (NPR-A), which, via 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), mediates natriuresis, vasodilatation, renin inhibition, antimitogenesis, and lusitropic properties. CNP lacks natriuretic actions but possesses vasodilating and growth inhibiting actions via the guanylyl cyclase-linked natriuretic peptide-B receptor. All three peptides are cleared by the natriuretic peptide-C receptor and degraded by the ectoenzyme neutral endopeptidase 24.11, both of which are ...

2000-05-01

433

Management of pitfalls for the successful clinical use of hypothermia treatment.

There is increasing use of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) in industry for communications, welding, security, radio, medicine, navigation etc. It has been recognised for some years that RFR may interact with cardiac pacemakers and steps have been taken to prevent this interference. It is less well recognised that other metallic implants may also act as antennas in an RFR field and possibly cause adverse health effects by heating local tissues. There are a large and increasing number of implants having metal components which may be found in RFR workers. These implants include artificial joints, rods and plates used in orthopaedics, rings in heart valves, wires in sutures, bionic ears, subcutaneous infusion systems and (external) transdermal drug delivery patches"1. The physician concerned with job placement of such persons requires information on the likelihood of an implant interacting with RFR so as to impair health. The following outlines the approach developed in ...

434

Macroscopic consequences of calcium signaling in microdomains: A first passage time approach

Therapeutic hypothermia is a promising method for controlling intracranial pressure (ICP) in severely brain-injured patients. However, clinical data regarding the effect of brain hypothermia on overall outcome of these patients is limited. This may be because there are specific pitfalls associated with the clinical management of induced hypothermia in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). These pitfalls may be avoided by preventing specific risk factors when cooling is induced and with rewarming. However, these risk factors have not been well systematically discussed in the literature. In this paper, three categories of clinical issues regarding the management of brain hypothermia are discussed: (1) stress-induced secondary brain injury mechanisms; (2) technical aspects of intensive care unit (ICU) cooling management; and (3) rewarming rates and methods. For patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of less than 8, management of stress-induced insulin-resistant ...

2009-03-01

435

Influence of iron deficiency in the radiopharmaceutical behavior of red blood cells labeled with "9"9"mTc("9"9"mTC-RBC)

Calcium (Ca) plays an important role in regulating various cellular processes. In a variety of cell types, Ca signaling occurs within microdomains where channels deliver localized pulses of Ca which activate a nearby collection of Ca-sensitive receptors. The small number of channels involved ensures that the signaling process is stochastic. The aggregate response of several thousand of these microdomains yields a whole-cell response which dictates the cell behavior. Here, we study analytically the statistical properties of a population of these microdomains in response to a trigger signal. We apply these results to understand the relationship between Ca influx and Ca release in cardiac cells. In this context, we use a first passage time approach to show analytically how Ca release in the whole cell depends on the single channel kinetics of Ca channels and the properties of microdomains. Using these results, we explain the underlying mechanism for the graded ...

2007-01-01

436

Immunolocalization of endothelin-B receptor in mouse intestinal tract.

Full text: Red blood cells (RBCs) labeled with "9"9"mTc are commonly used in the evaluation of cardiac function, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, red blood cell volume or splenic sequestration. Generally stannous ion is used as reducing agent. A proposed mechanism is that once the stannous ion (Sn) and the pertechnetate ("9"9"mTc) reach the interior of the RBC, the radionuclide is mainly house in the #beta#-chain of hemoglobin. The aim of this study was to determine if hemoglobin content reduction, an indicator of iron deficiency anemia, could affect the efficiency of RBC labeling and the biological distribution of this radiopharmaceutical. We studied 30 rats fed for 3 weeks after weaning with diets with iron contents of 6.5 ppm (group A), 18 ppm (group B) and 100 ppm (control). For all groups, the labeling yields were always higher than 97%; the percentage of radioactivity was mostly founded in blood with almost negligible radioactivity the rest of the studied ...

2005-11-09

437

The endothelin-B (ETB) receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor that binds endothelin ligands and is essential for the development of epidermal melanocytes and enteric neurons. Recent reports indicate that ETB is localized to nuclei in cardiac ventricular myocytes, although it has been thought that ETB is localized mainly on the plasma membrane. It remains unknown, however, whether this unique distribution of ETB occurs in other tissues. To elucidate the subcellular distribution of ETB in the intestine, we performed immunofluorescence of ETB in mouse intestine using a specific antibody. ETB-like immunoreactivity was detected in both the mucosal and muscle layers. In the mucosal layer, villous epithelial cells, stromal cells of the lamina propria, and cryptic cells were immunostained. Subcellularly, ETB is localized mainly to the nuclei of villous epithelial cells. In the muscle layer, immunoreactivity of ETB was localized to the myenteric plexus. These findings ...

2004-11-01

438

Effect of a reminder video using a mobile phone on the retention of CPR and AED skills in lay responders.

This study was performed to assess the possibility that patient age may independently affect improvements in health-related quality of life following percutaneous coronary intervention. One hundred five patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention at a single tertiary referral center between January 10, 2001 and January 6, 2002 were enrolled and prospectively evaluated. Health-related quality of life was assessed before and 1 year following percutaneous coronary intervention using Short Form-12 and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire. For the purpose of analysis, patients were divided according to age (younger than 60, 60-70, and older than 70 years). One hundred patients (95%) completed both questionnaires. Baseline characteristics among the age groups were similar in terms of gender, cardiac risk factors, and procedural details. All health-related quality-of-life indices demonstrated improvements with at least four variables in each group ...

439

Carvedilol targets human K2P3.1 (TASK1) K+ leak channels

BACKGROUND: : Skills related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use by lay responders decay rapidly after training, and efforts are required to maintain competence among trainees. We examined whether repeated viewing of a reminder video on a mobile phone would be an effective means of maintaining CPR and AED skills in lay responders. METHODS: : In a single-blind case-control study, 75 male students received training in CPR and AED use. They were allocated either to the control or to the video-reminded group, who received a memory card containing a video clip about CPR and AED use for their mobile phone, which they were repeatedly encouraged to watch by SMS text message. CPR and AED skills were assessed in scenario format by examiners immediately and 3 months after initial training. RESULTS: : Three months after initial training, the video-reminded group showed more accurate airway opening (PCPR after defibrillation (PCPR confidence scores ...

2011-09-26

440

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Human K2P3.1 (TASK1) channels represent potential targets for pharmacological management of atrial fibrillation. K2P channels control excitability by stabilizing membrane potential and by expediting repolarization. In the heart, inhibition of K2P currents by class III antiarrhythmic drugs results in action potential prolongation and suppression of electrical automaticity. Carvedilol exerts antiarrhythmic activity and suppresses atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery or cardioversion. The objective of this study was to investigate acute effects of carvedilol on human K2P3.1 (hK2P3.1) channels. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Two-electrode voltage clamp and whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology was used to record hK2P3.1 currents from Xenopus oocytes, Chinese hamster o...

2011-01-01

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

441

Assessment of PET and MRI Polar Map using Gaussian Mixture Model

Clinically silent heterotaxy with polysplenia syndrome and IVC azygous continuation draining to SVC: CT findings. Case report

Cardiac disease research relies increasingly on small animal models and non-invasive imaging methods such as positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) using gadolinium-based contrast agents appear to be a visualizing infracted myocardium with high spatial resolution. Polar map (or bull's-eye image) was used to determination of the myocardial infarction area. Polar map is a comprehensive interpretation of the left ventricle. The infarct size was computed as the fraction of the total polar map areas. The threshold was computed as the percentage of mean intensity of the normal region. In other study, 50% predefined threshold value in varying range (30?70%) was most commonly use. However, predefined threshold value isn't acceptance in all case. The purpose of this study was to investigate methodological approach for automatic measurement of rat myocardial infarct size using PET and ...

2010-10-01

442

VAWT stochastic wind simulator

Patients with heterotaxy syndrome often have complex cardiac and extracardiac anomalies requiring further detailed diagnostic evaluation. They often present severe cardiac failure early in life. Newer radiological modalities in the form of spiral computed tomography (CT) and three-dimensional reconstruction of spiral CT allow clear definition of the anatomy of these anomalies. A 59-year-old woman was diagnosed with polysplenia and multiple anomalies in an abdominal ultrasonography (US) during a control medical examination due to a trivial dietary mistake. She was then referred to our institution for further examination of these anomalies and an additional thoraco-abdominal computed tomography (CT) examination. The patient was totally asymptomatic at the time of admission. There was no significant past history and no abnormal laboratory data. We performed abdominal, pelvic and thoracic CT examinations using Somatom Siemens Emotion scanner. ...

2007-01-01

443

Uranium Mass and Isotopic Analysis. A new drum tomographic gamma scanning system

A stochastic wind simulation for VAWTs (VSTOC) has been developed which yields turbulent wind-velocity fluctuations for rotationally sampled points. This allows three-component wind-velocity fluctuations to be simulated at specified nodal points on the wind-turbine rotor. A first-order convection scheme is used which accounts for the decrease in streamwise velocity as the flow passes through the wind-turbine rotor. The VSTOC simulation is independent of the particular analytical technique used to predict the aerodynamic and performance characteristics of the turbine. The VSTOC subroutine may be used simply as a subroutine in a particular VAWT prediction code or it may be used as a subroutine in an independent processor. The independent processor is used to interact with a version of the VAWT prediction code which is segmented into deterministic and stochastic modules. Using VSTOC in this fashion is very efficient with regard to decreasing computer time for the ...

1987-04-01

444

The optimal path of piston motion for Otto cycle with linear phenomenological heat transfer law

The NIS-6 group at Los Alamos National Laboratory pioneered the development of Tomographic Gamma Scanning and continue to improve its utility in real measurement situations. Building on this experience we report the development of a state of the art TGS system suitable for industrial applications. The image reconstruction and visualization software has been integrated into the familiar Canberra NDA2000 software suite which also handles all other aspects of the data acquisition and management. In this paper we describe the salient design and performance parameters of the system. The application of gamma-ray tomography to safeguards for improved assay accuracy and knowledge confirmation is discussed. In particular we compare and contrast the relative merits of this TGS and a traditional Segmented Gamma Scanner and illustrate how the 3-D visualization of the TGS image can provide valuable additional information.

2003-05-01

445

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

An Otto cycle engine with internal and external irreversibilities of friction and heat leakage, in which the heat transfer between the working fluid and the environment obeys linear phenomenological heat transfer law [q ?? ?(T ?1)], is studied in this paper. The optimal piston motion trajectory for maximizing the work output per cycle is derived for the fixed total cycle time and fuel consumed per cycle. Optimal control theory is applied to determine the optimal piston trajectories for the cases of with and without piston acceleration constraint on each stroke and the optimal distribution of the total cycle time among the strokes. The optimal piston motion with acceleration constraint for each stroke consists of three segments, including initial maximum acceleration and final maximum decel...

2009-01-01

446

The endophytic fungi from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In order to study the species composition of endophytes from wheat healthy plants in Buenos Aires Province (Argentina) and to determine their infection frequencies from leaves, stems, glumes and grains, wheat plants were collected from five cultivars at five growth stages from crop emergence to harvest. A total of 1,750 plant segments (leaves, stems, glumes and grains) were processed from the five wheat cultivars at five growth stages, and 722 isolates of endophytic fungi recovered were identified as 30 fungal genera. Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium herbarum, Epicoccum nigrum, Cryptococcus sp., Rhodotorula rubra, Penicillium sp. and Fusarium graminearum were the fungi that showed the highest colonization frequency (CF%) in all the tissues and organs analysed. The number of taxa isolated...

2007-01-01

447

The effects of sedative music, arousal music, and silence on electrocardiography signals

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Introduction: Research indicates that music can affect heart rate, blood pressure, and skin conductance. Music can stimulate central emotions in the brain and release biochemical materials that change the physiologic state. We sought to compare changes in the electrical function of the heart in response to music. Method: Subjects were asked to listen to 2 types of music, namely, sedative and arousal music, in conjunction with two 30-second periods of complete silence. The experiment was conducted in 4 segments: the first and third parts were silence, and the second and fourth parts were music. First, the response to each type of music was compared with that to the preceding period of silence. Next, the responses to both types of music were compared. Finally, the response to music regardles...

2011-01-01

448

Targeting mid-size customers through innovative pricing strategies: An approach to assessing customer contestability

Surge pressure behavior in reduced diameter segments of shipping terminals; Comportamento de pulsos de pressao em trechos de diametro reduzido de dutos de terminais maritimos

This paper outlines an approach to develop estimates of individual customer contestability using a combined statistical and engineering analysis. The approach is targeted for use for mid-size commercial and industrial customers who are not being considered for individual flexible pricing contracts. Contestability is defined as the potential lost revenue associated with customers leaving the utility or significantly reducing electricity purchases. Contestability is modeled from the customer`s perspective using a two-stage decision process. In the first stage, the customer decides if he will continue to purchase electricity from the utility (referred to as customer retention), and in the second stage, the customer determines the amount of electricity purchased (referred to as load retention). Measures of individual customer contestability will be key factors in developing market segments and new rate offerings in future energy markets.

1996-03-01

449

Soft cooling with concrete: A simple system ensures a comfortable room climate; Sanfte Kuehlung aus Beton: Behagliches Raumklima mit einfachem System

In a shipping terminal, the pipeline in the pier usually has a diameter smaller than the main pipeline diameter. This diameter reduction amplifies the effects caused by hydraulic transients. It was noticed during simulations that check valves placed in the pier may introduce some error in the maximum pressure when it was modeled in a conventional fashion. The dynamic check valve model had been added to a commercial pipeline simulation software and the results was compared with a similar model using the method of characteristics. Considering a real state shipping terminal case, it was proved even a pipeline that works with low pressure and smooth elevation profile needs a detailed valve modeling to prevent the calculation of unreal pressure values in the region with diameter reduction. (author)

2004-07-01

450

Serial Intravascular Ultrasound Analysis of the Impact of Myocardial Bridge on Neointimal Proliferation After Coronary Stenting in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

After cooling ceilings and source ventilation, simple air conditioning systems like thermal activation of concrete cores are gaining general acceptance. Parallel to this, ground source cooling systems are reducing the need for cold generation. Air conditioning systems of this type are favoured by producers of floor heating systems looking for a new market segment. [German] Nach Kuehldecken und Quellueftung gewinnen jetzt einfach aufgebaute Raumklimaanlagen, wie die thermische Betonkernaktivierung, immer mehr Anhaenger. Parallel dazu werden Verfahren zur Erdkaeltenutzung entwickelt, die den Anteil kuenstlich erzeugter Kaelte weiter zurueckdraengen. Forciert wird diese Art der Klimatisierung insbesondere durch die Hersteller von Fussbodenheizungen, fuer die sich hier ein neues Marktsegment eroeffnet. (orig.)

1999-10-01

451

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background: Mechanisms underlying the association between myocardial bridge (MB)-stenting and in-stent restenosis (ISR) are still unclear. Objective: To assess the impact of MB on ISR using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Methods: In the Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (HORIZONS-AMI) trial, 100 left anterior descending artery (LAD) culprit lesions (79 treated with paclitaxel-eluting stents [PES] and 21 treated with bare metal stents) were imaged with serial IVUS immediately postprocedure and at 13 months. Results: At baseline the LAD stent extended into the MB segment beyond the culprit lesion in seven patients (MB-stent group). In the remaining 93 patients the LAD stent was implanted only in the culprit lesion without extending into t...

2010-01-01

452

Sequential scintimetry after femoral neck fracture. Methodologic aspects and prediction of healing complications

Reversing flow catalytic converter for a natural gas/diesel dual fuel engine

Forty-five patients with recent cervical hip fractures were included in a prospective, clinical, radiographic and sequential scintimetric study. Striking changes in radionuclide uptake over the entire hip region on the fracture side were found during the first 5 postoperative months. Fractures that healed without complications showed the highest relative femoral head uptake at 1 week and a peak value at 6 weeks, followed by a gradual decline at the subsequent examinations. Fractures with complications (redisplacement, nonunion, or late segmental collapse) showed a lower initial uptake and a more gradual increase and only a slight tendency towards increased uptake after 3 months. The accuracy in predicting nonunion with scintimetric examination alone is high both at 1 and at 6 weeks, and the accuracy is almost equally high with combined scintimetric, radiographic, and clinical assessment 3-5 months postoperatively.

1987-01-01

453

Pickup and delivery network segmentation using contiguous geographic clustering

An experimental and modelling study was performed for a reverse flow catalytic converter attached to a natural gas/diesel dual fuel engine. The catalytic converter had a segmented ceramic monolith honeycomb substrate and a catalytic washcoat containing a predominantly palladium catalyst. A one-dimensional single channel model was used to simulate the operation of the converter. The kinetics of the CO and methane oxidation followed first-order behaviour. The activation energy for the oxidation of methane showed a change with temperature, dropping from a value of 129 to 35 kJ/mol at a temperature of 874 K. The reverse flow converter was able to achieve high reactor temperature under conditions of low inlet gas temperature, provided that the initial reactor temperature was sufficiently high. (author)

2001-07-01

454

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper addresses the problem of partitioning a local service region into nonoverlapping work areas in which pickups and deliveries are made throughout the day. For a fleet of homogeneous vehicles, a given set of customers, and expected demand for service, the objective is to find the least number of work areas or clusters that satisfy a variety of geometric and capacity constraints. Using rectangles as the basic shape, each cluster must have an aspect ratio that falls within certain bounds, as well as meet load and time requirements dictated by the capacity of a vehicle and the working hours in a day, respectively. The latter requirement presents a unique hurdle because travel times are a function of the actual routes followed by the drivers, and are not known, even in a probabilistic ...

2011-01-01

455

Perceived service quality and self-concept influences on consumer attitude and purchase process: A comparison between physical and internet channels

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study aimed to explore the impact of perceived service quality and self-concept on consumer attitude and purchase process using channel type (physical and Internet) as a segmentation variable. From the perspective of consumer behaviour, this study attempted to estimate a relational model and perform an empirical validation using female cosmetics and skincare products as an example. It was discovered that the influence of perceived service quality and self-concept on consumer attitude, purchase intention and behaviour, satisfaction, and loyalty varied with channel type. The analysis result revealed that physical stores presented higher levels of agreement with all research perspectives than Internet stores. However, only two relational paths have a higher influencing effect in physical...

2011-01-01

456

Numerical simulation of conformational variability in biopolymer translocation through wide nanopores

Normalized noise power spectrum of full field digital mammography detector system

Numerical results on the translocation of long biopolymers through mid-sized and wide pores are presented. The simulations are based on a novel methodology which couples molecular motion to a mesoscopic fluid solvent. Thousands of events of long polymers (up to 8000 monomers) are monitored as they pass through nanopores. Comparison between the different pore sizes shows that wide pores can host a larger number of multiple biopolymer segments, as compared to smaller pores. The simulations provide clear evidence of folding quantization in the translocation process as the biopolymers undertake multi-folded configurations, characterized by a well-defined integer number of folds. Accordingly, the translocation time is no longer represented by a single-exponent power law dependence on the length, as it is the case for single-file translocation through narrow pores. The folding quantization increases with the biopolymer length, while the rate of translocated beads at each ...

2009-01-01

457

Normalized Noise Power Spectrum of Full Field Digital Mammography System

Full text: A method to measure noise power spectrum of a full field digital mammography system is presented. The effect of X-ray radiation dose, size and configuration of region of interest on normalized noise power spectrum (NNPS) was investigated. Flat field images were acquired using RQA-M2 beam quality technique (Mo/Mo anode-filter, 28 kV, 2 mm Al) with different clinical radiation doses. The images were cropped at about 4 cm from the edge of the breast wall and then divided into different size of non-overlapping or overlapping segments. NNPS was determined through de trending, 2-D fast Fourier transformation and normalization. Our measurement shows that high radiation dose gave lower NNPS at a specific beam quality. (author)

458

Modular Traffic Sign Recognition applied to on-vehicle real-time visual detection of American and European speed limit signs

A method to measure noise power spectrum of a full field digital mammography system is presented. The effect of X-ray radiation dose, size and configuration of region of interest on normalized noise power spectrum (NNPS) was investigated. Flat field images were acquired using RQA-M2 beam quality technique (Mo/Mo anode-filter, 28 kV, 2 mm Al) with different clinical radiation doses. The images were cropped at about 4 cm from the edge of the breast wall and then divided into different size of non-overlapping or overlapping segments. NNPS was determined through detrending, 2-D fast Fourier transformation and normalization. Our measurement shows that high radiation dose gave lower NNPS at a specific beam quality.

2010-01-05

459

Medical management of motility disorders in patients with intestinal failure: a focus on necrotizing enterocolitis, gastroschisis, and intestinal atresia

We present a new modular traffic signs recognition system, successfully applied to both American and European speed limit signs. Our sign detection step is based only on shape-detection (rectangles or circles). This enables it to work on grayscale images, contrary to most European competitors, which eases robustness to illumination conditions (notably night operation). Speed sign candidates are classified (or rejected) by segmenting potential digits inside them (which is rather original and has several advantages), and then applying a neural digit recognition. The global detection rate is ~90% for both (standard) U.S. and E.U. speed signs, with a misclassification rate 150 minutes of video. The system processes in real-time ~20 frames/s on a standard high-end laptop.

2009-01-01

460

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background: Intestinal failure (IF) is the dependence upon parenteral nutrition to maintain minimal energy requirements for growth and development. It may occur secondary to a loss of bowel length, disorders of motility, or both. Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a malabsorptive state resulting from surgical resection, congenital defect, or diseases associated with loss of absorptive surface area. A particularly vexing problem is associated with whole bowel and/or segmental intestinal dysmotility. Motility disorders within the context of SBS and IF may relate to rapid intestinal transit secondary to loss of intestinal length, dysmotility associated with loss or poor antegrade peristalsis, or gastroparesis. Therapy may be classified into medical (prokinetic and antidiarrheal agents) and surgica...

2011-01-01

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461

Mechanical stability of the diamond-like carbon film on nitinol vascular stents under cyclic loading

Marine Flatworms, Leslie Newman and Lester Cannon, 9780643101197

The mechanical stability of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films coated on nitinol vascular stents was investigated under cyclic loading condition by employing a stent crimping system. DLC films were coated on the vascular stent of a three dimensional structure by using a hybrid ion beam system with rotating jig. The cracking or delamination of the DLC coating occurred dominantly near the hinge connecting the V-shaped segments of the stent where the maximum strain was induced by a cyclic loading of contraction and extension. However the failures were significantly suppressed as the amorphous Si (a-Si) buffer layer thickness increased. Interfacial adhesion strength was estimated from the spalled crack size in the DLC coating for various values of the a-Si buffer layer thickness.

2008-12-01

462

Wastenet

...Marine Flatworms provides a fascinating introduction to the intriguing world of polyclad flatworms, a group of large, free-living marine Platyhelminthes, which are found throughout the world but are most colourful in tropical waters. Although not related to molluscs, they are often mistaken for sea slugs ...com Marine Flatworms provides a fascinating introduction to the intriguing world of polyclad flatworms, a group of large, free-living marine Platyhelminthes, which are found throughout the world but are most colourful in tropical waters. Although not related to molluscs, they are often mistaken for sea ...the world Over 300 stunning full colour photographs Brings together polyclads worldwide Newly developed key to polyclad families Introduction The world of worms Flatworms (Phylum:Platyhelminthes) Segmented Worms (Phylum: Annelida) Round worms (Nematoda) Other worms The polyclad body Habitat and lifestyle Colours and ...

463

Mapping subcortical diffusivity. Application to brain development. Presidential award proceeding

Mannose-specific interaction of Lactobacillus plantarum with porcine jejunal epithelium

We studied age-related microstructural changes in the subcortical white matter from adolescence to middle age in 16 healthy male subjects (age range: 12 to 47 years) using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (DWI). Mean diffusivity (MD) of subcortical white matter was mapped onto the overlying cortical surface using our original method. The mean MD values within 76 cortical regions were measured using atlas-based gray matter segmentation and then correlated with age. A significant negative correlation with age was observed in subcortical MD values in several cortical regions, primarily over the bilateral temporal and occipital lobes. Our results demonstrated subcortical microstructural change in postadolescence that may reflect continuing myelination. (author)

2007-01-01

464

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Host-microorganism interactions in the intestinal tract are complex, and little is known about specific nonpathogenic microbial factors triggering host responses in the gut. In this study, mannose-specific interactions of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v with jejunal epithelium were investigated using an in situ pig Small Intestinal Segment Perfusion model. The effects of L. plantarum 299v wild-type strain were compared with those of two corresponding mutant strains either lacking the gene encoding for the mannose-specific adhesin (msa) or sortase (srtA; responsible for anchoring of cell surface proteins like Msa to the cell wall). A slight enrichment of the wild-type strain associated with the intestinal surface could be observed after 8 h of perfusion when a mixture of wild-type and...

2008-01-01

465

Isotope labeling strategies for NMR studies of RNA

Investigation by physical methods of the possible role of telomeres in DNA in aging process

The known biological functions of RNA have expanded in recent years and now include gene regulation, maintenance of sub-cellular structure, and catalysis, in addition to propagation of genetic information. As for proteins, RNA function is tightly correlated with structure. Unlike proteins, structural information for larger, biologically functional RNAs is relatively limited. NMR signal degeneracy, relaxation problems, and a paucity of long-range {sup 1}H-{sup 1}H dipolar contacts have limited the utility of traditional NMR approaches. Selective isotope labeling, including nucleotide-specific and segmental labeling strategies, may provide the best opportunities for obtaining structural information by NMR. Here we review methods that have been developed for preparing and purifying isotopically labeled RNAs, as well as NMR strategies that have been employed for signal assignment and structure determination.

2010-01-15

466

Intervention device, especially for control, inspection and maintenance of heat exchangers. Dispositif d'intervention, notamment pour le controle, l'inspection et la maintenance des echangeurs de chaleur

The interaction energies between the different types of bases of a single strand of DNA molecule have been calculated. Using these original values of energies the harmonic behavior of a number of base patterns of DNA has been studied. In view of the great interest aroused by the discovery of the role of the telomere segment of the DNA in the replication process and its possible link with the aging process, we have investigated, with simple models, the harmonic behavior of the telomeric pattern of bases as well as the thermodynamic response in the biological system. With these results a conclusion on the probable role of the telomeric pattern on aging has also been drawn. Here the calculated values of harmonic frequencies of the telomeric pattern of bases and of other possible patterns show that the telomeric pattern is associated with the highest vibrational frequency among all patterns of base combinations at the replication end of DNA. This seems to suggest that ...

2003-01-01

467

Hybrid Camera Surveillance System Using Robust Human Detection

The steam generator inspection and maintenance device has an articulated arm formed at least by two rigid segments connected by a pivot and two plates on the ends of the arms by articulated joints which enable them to rotate about two orthogonal axis. One of the axis is parralel to the axis of the pivot between the arm sections while the other is perpendicular to the surface of the corresponding plate. Each of the plates carries coupling elements which are able to engage with the perforations of the heat exchanger tube plates and also a support for a maintenance tool.

1990-09-21

468

Groundtruth approach to accurate quantitation of fluorescence microarrays

We propose a novel surveillance system that uses hybrid camera network. The system contains a panorama camera and PTZ cameras to take the wide range images and face images at high enough resolution for identification tasks. The robust human detection methods include robust background subtraction method (RRC), skin color segmentation and face tracking method. First, the system detects persons from a panorama image, and then the detailed face images are obtained with the PTZ cameras. The PTZ cameras can track the faces using the four directional features and the relaxation matching. In addition, the system has automatic camera position calibration feature. Thus, the user can use the system without any troublesome settings.

2007-01-01

469

Gastrointestinal transit after transverse colostomy: study of solid radiopaque markers progression and others clinical and radiological events - analysis of 20 cases; Transito gastrintestinal apos fechamento de transversostomia: estudo atraves da progressao de marcadores solidos radiopacos e de outros eventos clinicos e radiologicos - analise de 20 casos

To more accurately measure fluorescent signals from microarrays, we calibrated our acquisition and analysis systems by using groundtruth samples comprised of known quantities of red and green gene-specific DNA probes hybridized to cDNA targets. We imaged the slides with a full-field, white light CCD imager and analyzed them with our custom analysis software. Here we compare, for multiple genes, results obtained with and without preprocessing (alignment, color crosstalk compensation, dark field subtraction, and integration time). We also evaluate the accuracy of various image processing and analysis techniques (background subtraction, segmentation, quantitation and normalization). This methodology calibrates and validates our system for accurate quantitative measurement of microarrays. Specifically, we show that preprocessing the images produces results significantly closer to the known ground-truth for these samples.

2000-12-01

470

Ewing's sarcoma of the vertebral column

The gastrointestinal transit was studied in 20 patients with loop transverse colostomies and previously normal colons. This analysis was performed through radiological observation of progression of 20 radiopaque pellets and measurements of its transit time in the various segments of the digestive tract. An evaluation of other related clinical and radiological events was carried out sentimentality's. In order to better understand the influence of the surgical procedure, the study was performed under similar dietary and supportive care conditions and standard radiological studies before and after the re-establishment of transit, thus enabling a comparison with the same individual. (author)

1988-07-01

471

Eddy currents signal processing for steam generator inspection in PWR nuclear power plants

Twenty-two patients with vertebral primaries were registered in the Intergroup Ewing's Sarcoma Study between 1973 and 1977. The radiation doses to the primary tumors ranged between 3800 and 6200 rad. All patients received intensive combination chemotherapy. After a followup ranging between 14 and 62 months, 14 patients remained disease-free. All patients with primary tumor of the cervical and dorsal spine remained disease-free. Of eight patients with lesions in the distal spine, (sacrococcygeal region) six developed recurrence, in three a local recurrence was observed despite doses of 6000 rad or higher. Doses of 5000 rad or less (in addition to combination chemotherapy as used in the Intergroup Ewing's Study) appear adequate in controlling the primary tumors of the proximal segments of the spinal column.

472

Development of flexible joint for 500kV Al-sheathed O. F. cable

Steam generator tubes in nuclear power plants are periodically checked by means of eddy current probes. The output of a probe is composed of three types of signals: known events (rolling zone, support plates, U-bend part), noise (mainly metallurgical noise) and possible flaws. The latter are random transients, both in arrival time and in shape: they have to be detected and then estimated, before to be fed to the high level stages of a diagnostic system. The objective of the study presented is to develop a semi-automatic system, which could manage and process more than 1 M-bytes of data per tube and provide an operator with reliable diagnostics proposals within a few minutes. This can be achieved only by cooperation of several digital signal processing techniques: detection, segmentation, estimation, noise subtraction, adaptive filtering, modelization, pattern recognition. The paper describes some of these items.

1992-01-01

473

Computed Tomography of the spine in multiple myeloma

This paper reports on a flexible dimensionaly flush joint for 500kV aluminum-sheathed oil-filled cables capable of being assembled, pulled an installed in a similar manner to cables at site which has been developed. This joint is intended for use at intermediate points on long bridges or tunnels where local assembly and installation of conventional joints would be difficult. In developing the joint various novel and original techniques have been employed, including the flexible flush jointing of segmental conductors, the flexible jointing of paper insulation by a combination of wrapping-back and stepping methods, plus on-site aluminum sheath corrugating and sealing methods.

1992-10-01

474

Comparison of skeletal and bone marrow radionuclide scintimetry of femoral neck fracture

Computed Tomography (CT) of the spine was performed on 17 patients with myeloma in order to assess the role of the technique in recognizing and evaluating the extent of the lesions. Myelomatous lesions followed two patterns at CT: first of all, multiple focal lesions, whose density is either solid, liquid, or fatty; second, an extensive pattern involving the spongiosa of the vertebra, including the posterior arch. CT detected more lesions than conventional radiology; furthermore, the extent of the lesions was much better demonstrated by CT. CT should thus be performed: a) in case of pain and/or neurological findings in negative radiological examinations; b) to evaluate the extent of myelomatous lesions (mainly in the spine); c) in solitary myeloma CT may be performed on different bone segments with clinical symptomatology but normal X-ray findings.

1988-01-01

475

Comparison of skeletal and bone marrow radionuclide scintimetry of femoral neck fracture

Twenty-six patients with late complications following femoral neck fracture were examined with both skeletal and bone marrow radionuclide scintimetry. There was no correlation between the methods with respect to the quantitative assessment of femoral head vascularity based on different uptake ratios comparing the fractured and the intact side. Skeletal scintimetry always had good image quality and permitted reliable differentation between nonunion of the fracture and late segmental collapse, in contrast to bone marrow scintimetry which gave poor image quality. Skeletal scintimetry thus seems superior to bone marrow scintimetry for assessment and differential diagnosis of late complications following femoral neck fracture. It is emphasized that the physiological mechanisms for radionuclide uptake must be taken into account when comparing scintimetric studies using different tracers.

1984-01-01

476

Comparison of 25- and 23-gauge sutureless microincision vitrectomy surgery in the treatment of various vitreoretinal diseases

Twenty-six patients with late complications following femoral neck fracture were examined with both skeletal and bone marrow radionuclide scintimetry. There was no correlation between the methods with respect to the quantitative assessment of femoral head vascularity based on different uptake ratios comparing the fractured and the intact side. Skeletal scintimetry always had good image quality and permitted reliable differentation between nonunion of the fracture and late segmental collapse, in contrast to bone marrow scintimetry which gave poor image quality. Skeletal scintimetry thus seems superior to bone marrow scintimetry for assessment and differential diagnosis of late complications following femoral neck fracture. It is emphasized that the physiological mechanisms for radionuclide uptake must be taken into account when comparing scintimetric studies using different tracers. (author).

477

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

PurposeTo compare the effectiveness and safety of 25- and 23-gauge sutureless microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) in the management of various vitreoretinal diseases.MethodsEighty-five consecutive patients undergoing sutureless vitrectomy during January to April 2008 were randomized to either 25- or 23-gauge MIVS. Data collected prospectively included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), operation time, postoperative visual recovery, postoperative anterior segment change, and complications.ResultsThe most common indications for MIVS were macular hole, macular pucker, vitreous haemorrhage, and diabetic traction retinal detachment. Mean operation times of the 25-gauge (n=38) and 23-gauge groups (n=47) were 33.68 and 34.47?min, respectively (P=0.942). Mean BCVA improved significantl...

2010-01-01

478

Cleantech: an opportunity in the crisis. Financing clean technologies; Cleantech: Chance in der Krise. Finanzierungsoptionen fuer Umwelttechnologien und neue Energien

Behaviour of different artificial weak zones in superconducting elements working in inductive fault current limiters

Despite the current global economic crisis, the Cleantech industry has excellent growth prospects. Especially technologies for water treatment, energy efficiency in buildings and combined heat and power will face high demand and high growth rates in the coming years, just like the suppliers for the wind and solar industry. Today German companies are market leaders in these segments. However, there is a threat that they will lose this competitive position as international competition increases. Besides attractive incentive schemes and regulatory framework, access to venture capital and the fast expansion to international markets is an important factor to secure the leading market position of German Cleantech companies. (orig.)

2009-07-01

479

BR-100 spent fuel shipping cask development

The thermal recovery of superconducting elements working as secondaries in fault current limiters can be enhanced by taking advantage of the removal of heat by conduction from an array of artificial weak zones (AWZ) distributed along the superconductor perimeter (hot parts) to the non-weak segments (cold parts). These results were obtained by studying samples with weak parts in the shape of grooves, all identical in size. In this paper we consider the case in which one of the AWZ is slightly different from the rest. Our results show that a change in its length has a negligible effect. On the contrary, a groove which is slightly deeper can be overheated and hence can strongly determine the recovery time of the whole limiter.

2010-06-01

480

Automatic Extraction of Open Space Area from High Resolution Urban Satellite Imagery

Continued public acceptance of commercial nuclear power is contingent to a large degree on the US Department of Energy (DOE) establishing an integrated waste management system for spent nuclear fuel. As part of the from-reactor transportation segment of this system, the B W Fuel Company (BWFC) is under contract to the DOE to develop a spent-fuel cask that is compatible with both rail and barge modes of transportation. Innovative design approaches were the keys to achieving a cask design that maximizes payload capacity and cask performance. The result is the BR-100, a 100-ton rail/barge cask with a capacity of 21 PWR or 52 BWR ten-year cooled, intact fuel assemblies. 3 figs.

1990-01-01

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481

Anomalous properties of the local dynamics in polymer glasses

In the 21st century, Aerial and satellite images are information rich. They are also complex to analyze. For GIS systems, many features require fast and reliable extraction of open space area from high resolution satellite imagery. In this paper we will study efficient and reliable automatic extraction algorithm to find out the open space area from the high resolution urban satellite imagery. This automatic extraction algorithm uses some filters and segmentations and grouping is applying on satellite images. And the result images may use to calculate the total available open space area and the built up area. It may also use to compare the difference between present and past open space area using historical urban satellite images of that same projection

2011-01-01

482

Anomalous activity of nonbasal dislocations in AZ31 Mg alloys at room temperature

The emergence of nanoscience has increased the importance of experiments able to probe the very local structure of materials, especially for disordered and heterogeneous systems. This is technologically important; for example, the nanoscale structure of glassy polymers has a direct correlation with their macroscopic physical properties. We have discovered how a local, high frequency dynamic process can be used to monitor and even predict macroscopic behavior in glassy polymers. Polyvinylethylenes vitrified by different chemical and thermodynamic pathways exhibit different densities in the glassy state. We find that the rate and amplitude of a high frequency relaxation mode (the Johari-Goldstein process involving local motion of segments of the chain backbone) can either correlate or anti-correlate with the density. This implies that neither the unoccupied (free) volume nor the configurational entropy governs the local dynamics in any general sense. Rather it is the ...

2008-01-01

483

Age determination of large live trees with inner cavities: radiocarbon dating of Platland tree, a giant African baobab

AZ31 Mg alloy samples were extruded by an equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) process and subsequently annealed to obtain fine-grained material with a low dislocation density. Tensile tests at room temperature exhibited an apparent steady-state deformation region and a large tensile elongation of 47%. The deformed microstructure at an elongation of 2% indicated a substantial cross-slip to nonbasal planes possibly induced by grain-boundary compatibility effects. The nonbasal segments of dislocations were found to consist of 40% of the total dislocation density at a yield anisotropy factor of only 1.1 instead of an expected value of 100 from single-crystal experiments. (orig.)

2003-07-01

484

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

? Introduction For large trees without a continuous sequence of growth rings in their trunk, such as the African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.), the only accurate method for age determination is radiocarbon dating. As of today, this method was limited to dating samples collected from the remains of dead specimens. ? Methods Our research extends significantly the dating of such trees to large live specimens with inner cavities. The new approach is based on collecting samples from the cavities and their subsequent radiocarbon dating. ? Results The giant two-stemmed Platland tree, also known as Sunland baobab, was investigated by using this new approach. AMS radiocarbon dates of the oldest sample segments originating from the two inner cavities indicate that the large stem I (364.5?m3) is 750...

2011-01-01

485

A cementless elastic monoblock socket in young patients: a ten to 18-year clinical and radiological follow-up

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The survival of acetabular components depends on several factors: wear, osteolysis and septic or aseptic loosening. Osteolysis seems to be the main cause for concern in cementless arthroplasties. Acetabular osteolysis results from particle debris and segmental unloading of acetabular bone by rigid sockets. We investigated a cementless elastic monoblock socket with regard to acetabular osteolysis and aseptic loosening in a cohort of young patients. We evaluated 158 hip arthroplasties with a minimum follow-up of ten?years (ten to 18) and a mean age of 42?years (18?50). The overall revision rate at 14?years was 80% with a 98% survival rate for aseptic loosening. The mean polyethylene wear rate was 0.11?mm/year. Progressive acetabular osteolysis was seen in 3% of patients evaluated. In conclus...

2011-01-01

486

2010 power generation sector restructuring in Romania-A critical assessment

The influence of Cu contamination on Nereis diversicolor bioturbation

In the spring of 2009, the Romanian government has proposed a restructuring of the national power generation sector segment that is still owned by the state. As most of the power generation capacity is still state-owned, this restructuring will dramatically alter the competitive landscape of this sector. This paper is analyzing the rationale and principles of the restructuring as stated by government documents and officials, the assessment methodology and criteria proposed by the government, as well as the proposed final outcome of the restructuring initiative. Based on this critical assessment and the early results of the restructuring's implementation, we are able to make recommendations that can be considered for a revised restructuring approach. - Research highlights: #-># Power generation sector restructuring is proposed in 2009 by the Romanian government. #-># We assess the objectives, methodology and proposed outcome of the restructuring. #-># ...

2011-03-01

487

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Aquatic sediments feature a two-way interaction between contaminants and benthic macrofauna. The effect of the macrofauna community on the transport of contaminants in sediment has received considerable attention. Yet, few studies have investigated the reverse effect, i.e., the influence of contaminants on bioturbation activity. To this end, we performed laboratory experiments to investigate the effect of copper contamination on sediment reworking activity of the ragworm Nereis diversicolor. A density of 570 ind m2 was introduced in mesocosms containing natural and copper spiked (2.99 nmol Cu g?1) cohesive intertidal sediments from Ponta da Erva (Tejo estuary, Portugal). Luminophore tracers were used to quantify sediment reworking activity over time (2, 7, 14 and 21 days). Bioturbation was...

2006-01-01

488

Radiosterilization of drugs in aqueous solutions may be achieved by the use of radioprotective excipients

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of radiosterilization of drugs aqueous solutions and to evaluate the effects of some additives, such as mannitol, nicotinamide and pyridoxine, which might protect the drug from degradation. Metoclopramide was selected as a model drug. The structures of the degradation products were determined to gain insight on the radiolysis mechanisms in aqueous solution in order to design strategies to lower the drug degradation.Metoclopramide hydrochloride aqueous solutions with and without excipients were irradiated either with gamma rays or high-energy electrons. HPLC-DAD was used to measure the loss of chemical potency and to quantify the degradation products which were also characterized by LC-APCI-MS-MS. Metoclopramide recovery for gamma and elec...

2008-01-01

489

Pesticide residue level in tea ecosystems of Hill and Dooars regions of West Bengal, India

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In the present study we quantified the residues of organophosphorus (e.g. ethion and chlorpyrifos), organochlorine (e.g. heptachlor, dicofol, ?-endosulfan, ?-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate) and synthetic pyrethroid (e.g. cypermethrin and deltamethrin) pesticides in made tea, fresh tea leaves, soils and water bodies from selected tea gardens in the Dooars and Hill regions of West Bengal, India during April and November, 2006. The organophosphorus (OP) pesticide residues were detected in 100% substrate samples of made tea, fresh tea leaves and soil in the Dooars region. In the Hill region, 20% to 40% of the substrate samples contained residues of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides. The organochlorine (OC) pesticide residues were detected in 33% to 100% of the substrate samples, excluding the w...

2009-01-01

490

PKH26 as a fluorescent label for live human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

To determine whether PKH26 labeling affects the morphologies, phenotypes, proliferation, and secretion abilities of human umbilical mesenchymal stromal cells (HUMSCs) were investigated. Isolated HUMSCs were labeled with PKH26, and cell morphology was observed under microscope. Cell cycle, apoptotic cell death, expression of PKH26, and the proliferation rate were evaluated. Additionally, fluorescence intensity of PKH26 labeling at different passage times was quantified. There were no detectable differences in cell morphology, cell growth, and proliferation rate after PKH26 labeling. In addition, fluorescence intensity of PKH26 labeling was gradually reduced with increase of the passage times. The PKH26 labeling disappeared after passage six times. In summary, PKH26 labeling is a safe and ef...

2011-01-01

491

Ocean teleconnections between Antarctica and the Equatorial Pacific and Atlantic.

Environmental Research Database

Objectives(i) Investigate the correlation between Antarctic sea-ice and equatorial sea-surface temperature anomalies in a realistically forced ocean model simulation of the last 50 years. (ii) Determine whether and how the enormous seasonal change in distribution of sea-ice modifies the seasonal cycle at the Equator. (iii) Determine the detailed pathways of wave propagation both in a historically-forced simulation and in response to realistic perturbations. (iv) Quantify the amplitude of the response i [continued...]DescriptionIt is well known that the equatorial ocean-atmosphere system plays a key role in global climate events such as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. There is now compelling evidence that changes in the Antarctic can strongly and quickly affect the equatorial ocean and the ENSO cycle. Observations demonstrate statistically significant correlations (teleconnections) between the Antarctic and the Equator with leads and lags of ...

2009-01-31

492

Newtonian photorealistic ray tracing of grating cloaks and correlation-function-based cloaking-quality assessment

Modelling the reworking effects of bioturbation on the incorporation of radionuclides into the sediment column: implications for the fate of particle-reactive radionuclides in Irish Sea sediments

Grating cloaks are a variation of dielectric carpet (or ground- plane) cloaks. The latter were introduced by Li and Pendry. In contrast to the numerical work involved in the quasi-conformal carpet cloak, the refractive-index profile of a conformal grating cloak follows a closed and exact analytical form. We have previously mentioned that finite-size conformal grating cloaks may exhibit better cloaking than usual finite-size carpet cloaks. In this letter, we directly visualize their performance using photorealistic ray-tracing simulations. We employ a Newtonian approach that is advantageous compared to conventional ray tracing based on Snell's law. Furthermore, we quantify the achieved cloaking quality by computing the cross-correlations of rendered images. The cross-correlations for the grating cloak are much closer to 100% (i.e., ideal) than those for the Gaussian carpet cloak.

2010-01-01

493

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A microcosm laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the impact of biological reworking by the ragworm Nereis diversicolor on the redistribution of particle-bound radionuclides deposited at the sediment-water interface. Over the course of the 40-day experiment, as much as 35% of a 137Cs-labelled particulate tracer deposited on the sediment surface was redistributed to depths of up to 11 cm by the polychaete. Three different reworking models were employed to model the profiles and quantify the biodiffusion and biotransport coefficients: a gallery-diffuser model, a continuous sub-surface egestion model and a biodiffusion model. Although the biodiffusion coefficients obtained for each model were quite similar, the continuous sub-surface egestion model provided the best fit to the data...

2010-01-01

494

Health risks arising from ionizing radiation and chemical pollutants

Development of an internet based system for modeling biotin metabolism using Bayesian networks

In quantifying health risks arising from radiation exposure and synergistic effects promoted by radiation the dose-effect relationship must be used as a basis. Special problems arise in the extrapolation of experimental results or in the treatment of data in the region of low doses administered over long periods of time. For radiation protection purposes, especially manifestations of cancer and genetic effects are significant. The International Commission on Radiation Protection has published binding guiding values on the basis of which to assess the risk of cancer. The cancer risk and genetic risks are estimated for relevant dose ranges and compared with other factors of civilization. For the most important chemical pollutants emitted into the environment the possibilities of impacts arising from synergistic effects are discussed on the basis of the rules and regulations specified in German antipollution legislation. (orig.) 891 HP/orig. 892 MKO.

1979-10-03

495

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Biotin is an essential water-soluble vitamin crucial for maintaining normal body functions. The importance of biotin for human health has been under-appreciated but there is plenty of opportunity for future research with great importance for human health. Currently, carrying out predictions of biotin metabolism involves tedious manual manipulations. In this paper, we report the development of BiotinNet, an internet based program that uses Bayesian networks to integrate published data on various aspects of biotin metabolism. Users can provide a combination of values on the levels of biotin related metabolites to obtain the predictions on other metabolites that are not specified. As an inherent feature of Bayesian networks, the uncertainty of the prediction is also quantified and reported to...

2011-01-01

496

Cryo-irradiation as a terminal method for the sterilization of drug aqueous solutions

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The aim of this study is to evaluate the specificities of the irradiation of drugs in frozen aqueous solution. The structures of the degradation products were determined to gain insight into the radiolysis mechanisms occurring in frozen aqueous solutions. Metoclopramide hydrochloride and metoprolol tartrate were chosen as models. The frozen solutions were irradiated at dry ice temperature by high energy electrons at various doses. The drug purity (chemical potency) and the radiolysis products were quantified by HPLC-DAD. Characterization of the degradation products was performed by LC-APCI-MS-MS. The structures of the radiolysis products detected in irradiated frozen aqueous solutions were compared to those detected in solid-state and aqueous solutions (previous studies). For both metoclop...

2008-01-01

497

Cosmological Information from Lensed CMB Power Spectra

Correlation, hierarchies, and networks in financial markets

Gravitational lensing distorts the cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature and polarization fields and encodes valuable information on distances and growth rates at intermediate redshifts into the lensed power spectra. The non-Gaussian bandpower covariance induced by the lenses is negligible to l=2000 for all but the B polarization field where it increases the net variance by up to a factor of 10 and favors an observing strategy with 3 times more area than if it were Gaussian. To quantify the cosmological information, we introduce two lensing observables, characterizing nearly all of the information, which simplify the study of non-Gaussian impact, parameter degeneracies, dark energy models, and complementarity with other cosmological probes. Information on the intermediate redshift parameters rapidly becomes limited by constraints on the cold dark matter density and initial amplitude of fluctuations as observations improve. Extraction of this information ...

2006-01-01

498