A discrete electromechanical model for human cardiac tissue: effects of stretch-activated currents and stretch conditions on restitution properties and spiral wave dynamics.

PubMed

Weise, Louis D; Panfilov, Alexander V

2013-01-01

We introduce an electromechanical model for human cardiac tissue which couples a biophysical model of cardiac excitation (Tusscher, Noble, Noble, Panfilov, 2006) and tension development (adjusted Niederer, Hunter, Smith, 2006 model) with a discrete elastic mass-lattice model. The equations for the excitation processes are solved with a finite difference approach, and the equations of the mass-lattice model are solved using Verlet integration. This allows the coupled problem to be solved with high numerical resolution. Passive mechanical properties of the mass-lattice model are described by a generalized Hooke's law for finite deformations (Seth material). Active mechanical contraction is initiated by changes of the intracellular calcium concentration, which is a variable of the electrical model. Mechanical deformation feeds back on the electrophysiology via stretch-activated ion channels whose conductivity is controlled by the local stretch of the medium. We apply the model to study how stretch-activated currents affect the action potential shape, restitution properties, and dynamics of spiral waves, under constant stretch, and dynamic stretch caused by active mechanical contraction. We find that stretch conditions substantially affect these properties via stretch-activated currents. In constantly stretched medium, we observe a substantial decrease in conduction velocity, and an increase of action potential duration; whereas, with dynamic stretch, action potential duration is increased only slightly, and the conduction velocity restitution curve becomes biphasic. Moreover, in constantly stretched medium, we find an increase of the core size and period of a spiral wave, but no change in rotation dynamics; in contrast, in the dynamically stretching medium, we observe spiral drift. Our results may be important to understand how altered stretch conditions affect the heart's functioning.

Do we need gadolinium-based contrast medium for brain magnetic resonance imaging in children?

PubMed

Dünger, Dennis; Krause, Matthias; Gräfe, Daniel; Merkenschlager, Andreas; Roth, Christian; Sorge, Ina

2018-06-01

Brain imaging is the most common examination in pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), often combined with the use of a gadolinium-based contrast medium. The application of gadolinium-based contrast medium poses some risk. There is limited evidence of the benefits of contrast medium in pediatric brain imaging. To assess the diagnostic gain of contrast-enhanced sequences in brain MRI when the unenhanced sequences are normal. We retrospectively assessed 6,683 brain MR examinations using contrast medium in children younger than 16 years in the pediatric radiology department of the University Hospital Leipzig to determine whether contrast-enhanced sequences delivered additional, clinically relevant information to pre-contrast sequences. All examinations were executed using a 1.5-T or a 3-T system. In 8 of 3,003 (95% confidence interval 0.12-0.52%) unenhanced normal brain examinations, a relevant additional finding was detected when contrast medium was administered. Contrast enhancement led to a change in diagnosis in only one of these cases. Children with a normal pre-contrast brain MRI rarely benefit from contrast medium application. Comparing these results to the risks and disadvantages of a routine gadolinium application, there is substantiated numerical evidence for avoiding routine administration of gadolinium in a pre-contrast normal MRI examination.

Liver enhancement in healthy dogs after gadoxetic acid administration during dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Borusewicz, P; Stańczyk, E; Kubiak, K; Spużak, J; Glińska-Suchocka, K; Jankowski, M; Nicpoń, J; Podgórski, P

2018-05-01

Dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) consists of acquisition of native baseline images, followed by a series of acquisitions performed during and after administration of a contrast medium. DCE-MRI, in conjunction with hepatobiliary-specific contrast media, such as gadoxetic acid (GD-EOB-DTPA), allows for precise characterisation of the enhancement pattern of the hepatic parenchyma following administration of the contrast agent. The aim of the study was to assess the pattern of temporal resolution contrast enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma following administration of GD-EOB-DTPA and to determine the optimal time window for post-contrast assessment of the liver. The study was carried out on eight healthy beagle dogs. MRI was performed using a 1.5T scanner. The imaging protocol included T1 weighted (T1-W) gradient echo (GRE), T2 weighted (T2-W) turbo spin echo (TSE) and dynamic T1-W GRE sequences. The dynamic T1-W sequence was performed using single 10mm thick slices. Regions of interest (ROIs) were chosen and the signal intensity curves were calculated for quantitative image analysis. The mean time to peak for all dogs was 26min. The plateau phase lasted on average 21min. A gradual decrease in the signal intensity of the hepatic parenchyma was observed in all dogs. A DCE-MRI enhancement pattern of the hepatic parenchyma was evident in dogs following the administration of a GD-EOB-DTPA, establishing baseline data for an optimal time window between 26 and 41min after administration of the contrast agent. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Objective appraisal of tolerance to ventriculography with various radiocontrast media (according to electronystagmography data)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blagoveshchenskaya, N. S.; Puchkov, V. L.

1980-01-01

The vestibulo oculomotor reflex (nystagmus) was recorded by means of electronystagmography in 33 neurosurgical patients in dynamics prior to and after ventriculography. For contrasting the ventricular system a water soluble medium (Conrey, dimer X or Amipak) was used in 18 patients and contrast mixtures of water soluble agents in combination with Myodil emulsion in 15. It was established that after ventriculography with water soluble media the trunk vestibular reactions in all types of nystagmus grew frequently and sharply and the vestibulovegetative reactions increased markedly.

Multi-scale dynamics and relaxation of a tethered membrane in a solvent by Monte Carlo simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandey, Ras; Anderson, Kelly; Farmer, Barry

2006-03-01

A tethered membrane modeled by a flexible sheet dissipates entropy as it wrinkles and crumples. Nodes of a coarse grained membrane are connected via multiple pathways for dynamical modes to propagate. We consider a sheet with nodes connected by fluctuating bonds on a cubic lattice. The empty lattice sites constitute an effective solvent medium via node-solvent interaction. Each node execute its stochastic motion with the Metropolis algorithm subject to bond fluctuations, excluded volume constraints, and interaction energy. Dynamics and conformation of the sheet are examined at a low and a high temperature with attractive and repulsive node-node interactions for the contrast in an attractive solvent medium. Variations of the mean square displacement of the center node of the sheet and that of its center of mass with the time steps are examined in detail which show different power-law motion from short to long time regimes. Relaxation of the gyration radius and scaling of its asymptotic value with the molecular weight are examined.

Design and testing of artifact-suppressed adaptive histogram equalization: a contrast-enhancement technique for display of digital chest radiographs.

PubMed

Rehm, K; Seeley, G W; Dallas, W J; Ovitt, T W; Seeger, J F

1990-01-01

One of the goals of our research in the field of digital radiography has been to develop contrast-enhancement algorithms for eventual use in the display of chest images on video devices with the aim of preserving the diagnostic information presently available with film, some of which would normally be lost because of the smaller dynamic range of video monitors. The ASAHE algorithm discussed in this article has been tested by investigating observer performance in a difficult detection task involving phantoms and simulated lung nodules, using film as the output medium. The results of the experiment showed that the algorithm is successful in providing contrast-enhanced, natural-looking chest images while maintaining diagnostic information. The algorithm did not effect an increase in nodule detectability, but this was not unexpected because film is a medium capable of displaying a wide range of gray levels. It is sufficient at this stage to show that there is no degradation in observer performance. Future tests will evaluate the performance of the ASAHE algorithm in preparing chest images for video display.

Linear solutions to metamaterial volume hologram design using a variational approach.

PubMed

Marks, Daniel L; Smith, David R

2018-04-01

Multiplex volume holograms are conventionally constructed by the repeated exposure of a photosensitive medium to a sequence of external fields, each field typically being the superposition of a reference wave that reconstructs the hologram and the other being a desired signal wave. Because there are no sources of radiation internal to the hologram, the pattern of material modulation is limited to the solutions to Helmholtz's equation in the medium. If the three-dimensional structure of the medium could be engineered at each point rather than limited to the patterns produced by standing waves, more versatile structures may result that can overcome the typical limitations to hologram dynamic range imposed by sequentially superimposing holograms. Metamaterial structures and other synthetic electromagnetic materials offer the possibility of achieving high medium contrast engineered at the subwavelength scale. By posing the multiplex volume holography problem as a linear medium design problem, we explore the potential improvements that such engineered synthetic media may provide over conventional multiplex volume holograms.

[Embolic complications by ink clots removed from syringes during cerebral angiography].

PubMed

Kohyama, Shinya; Ishihara, Shoichiro; Yamane, Fumitaka; Ishihara, Hideaki; Kanazawa, Ryuzaburo; Suzuki, Masanori; Neki, Hiroaki; Ohkawara, Mai

2009-01-01

We noted, during cerebral angiography, that the contrast medium was contaminated with numerous small black ink clots from gradation marks on syringes. In this report, we show that ink can be removed from syringes in solid form, and that they may result in embolic complications during cerebral angiography. To demonstrate that the ink from gradation marks on syringes can come off in a solid form and attach itself to the gloves during cerebral angiography, syringes were gripped many times (just as in an angiographic procedure) after immersion in contrast medium or 0.9% saline for 10 minutes. To see if difference of contrast medium and syringes could affect the removing of ink, five types of nonangiographic syringes and one type of angiographic syringe were rubbed with gauze after certain time periods after immersing them in four kinds of contrast medium or 0.9% saline. Ink attached itself to the gloves in a solid form by repeated gripping due to adherence of contrast medium. Ink was removed from all nonangiographic syringes by rubbing after immersion in any type of contrast medium for two hours. Gradation marks on angiographic syringes were stable with all types of contrast medium. Thus, ink for gradation marks on nonangiographic syringes, which is easily removed in a solid form due to contrast medium, can be the source of embolic complication during cerebral angiography.

Power port contrast medium flushing and trapping: impact of temperature, an in vitro experimental study.

PubMed

Guiffant, Gérard; Durussel, Jean Jacques; Flaud, Patrice; Royon, Laurent; Marcy, Pierre Yves; Merckx, Jacques

2013-01-01

The use of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) certified as "high pressure resistant" or "power port" has begun to spread worldwide as a safe procedure for power contrast injection. Owing to the thermo-rheological properties of the contrast media, the primary aim of this work is to present an in vitro experimental impact study concerning the impact of the temperature level on flushing efficiency after contrast medium injection. Moreover, we report experimental data that confirms the role of needle bevel orientation. The secondary aim is to answer the following questions: Is there significant device contrast medium trapping after contrast medium injection? Is saline flushing efficient? And, finally, is it safe to inject contrast medium through an indwelled port catheter? The experimental results show that in addition to hydrodynamics, temperature is a key parameter for the efficiency of device flushing after contrast medium injection. It appears that this is the case when the cavity is incompletely rinsed after three calibrated flushing volumes of 10 mL saline solution, even by using the Huber needle bevel opposite to the port exit. This leads to a potentially important trapped volume of contrast medium in the port, and consequently to the possibility of subsequent salt precipitates and long term trisubstituted benzene nuclei delivery that might impair the solute properties, which may be further injected via the power port later on. We thus suggest, in TIVADS patients, the use of a temporary supplementary intravenous line rather than the port to perform contrast medium injections in daily radiology routine practice.

Power port contrast medium flushing and trapping: impact of temperature, an in vitro experimental study

PubMed Central

Guiffant, Gérard; Durussel, Jean Jacques; Flaud, Patrice; Royon, Laurent; Marcy, Pierre Yves; Merckx, Jacques

2013-01-01

Purpose The use of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) certified as “high pressure resistant” or “power port” has begun to spread worldwide as a safe procedure for power contrast injection. Owing to the thermo-rheological properties of the contrast media, the primary aim of this work is to present an in vitro experimental impact study concerning the impact of the temperature level on flushing efficiency after contrast medium injection. Moreover, we report experimental data that confirms the role of needle bevel orientation. The secondary aim is to answer the following questions: Is there significant device contrast medium trapping after contrast medium injection? Is saline flushing efficient? And, finally, is it safe to inject contrast medium through an indwelled port catheter? Results The experimental results show that in addition to hydrodynamics, temperature is a key parameter for the efficiency of device flushing after contrast medium injection. It appears that this is the case when the cavity is incompletely rinsed after three calibrated flushing volumes of 10 mL saline solution, even by using the Huber needle bevel opposite to the port exit. This leads to a potentially important trapped volume of contrast medium in the port, and consequently to the possibility of subsequent salt precipitates and long term trisubstituted benzene nuclei delivery that might impair the solute properties, which may be further injected via the power port later on. Conclusion We thus suggest, in TIVADS patients, the use of a temporary supplementary intravenous line rather than the port to perform contrast medium injections in daily radiology routine practice. PMID:24043959

Incompatibility of Contrast Medium and Trisodium Citrate

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Delcour, Christian, E-mail: christian.delcour@chu-charleroi.be; Bruninx, Guy

2013-02-15

To test the compatibility of trisodium citrate, a catheter lock solution, with iodinated contrast medium. Iohexol, iobitridol, iodixanol, ioxaglate, ioxithalamate, iomeprol, and iopromide were tested. In all tests, 2 ml of contrast medium were mixed with 2 ml of trisodium citrate solution. Iodixanol and ioxaglate provoked a highly viscous gluelike precipitation when mixed with trisodium citrate. A brief transient precipitate was observed with iohexol, iomeprol, and ioxithalamate. Permanent precipitation occurred with iobitridol and iopromide. One must be aware of the potential for precipitation when contrast medium is mixed with trisodium citrate solution. Before trisodium citrate solution is injected, the cathetermore » should be thoroughly flushed with saline if a contrast medium has previously been injected through it.« less

Enhancement of temporal contrast of high-power laser pulses in an anisotropic medium with cubic nonlinearity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuz'mina, M. S.; Khazanov, E. A.

2015-05-01

We consider the methods for enhancing the temporal contrast of super-high-power laser pulses, based on the conversion of radiation polarisation in a medium with cubic nonlinearity. For a medium with weak birefringence and isotropic nonlinearity, we propose a new scheme to enhance the temporal contrast. For a medium with anisotropic nonlinearity, the efficiency of the temporal contrast optimisation is shown to depend not only on the spatial orientation of the crystal and B-integral, but also on the type of the crystal lattice symmetry.

Motile bacteria in a critical fluid mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koumakis, Nick; Devailly, Clémence; Poon, Wilson C. K.

2018-06-01

We studied the swimming of Escherichia coli bacteria in the vicinity of the critical point in a solution of the nonionic surfactant C12E5 in buffer solution. In phase-contrast microscopy, each swimming cell produces a transient trail behind itself lasting several seconds. Comparing quantitative image analysis with simulations show that these trails are due to local phase reorganization triggered by differential adsorption. This contrasts with similar trails seen in bacteria swimming in liquid crystals, which are due to shear effects. We show how our trails are controlled, and use them to probe the structure and dynamics of critical fluctuations in the fluid medium.

MRI contrast agent concentration and tumor interstitial fluid pressure.

PubMed

Liu, L J; Schlesinger, M

2016-10-07

The present work describes the relationship between tumor interstitial fluid pressure (TIFP) and the concentration of contrast agent for dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). We predict the spatial distribution of TIFP based on that of contrast agent concentration. We also discuss the cases for estimating tumor interstitial volume fraction (void fraction or porosity of porous medium), ve, and contrast volume transfer constant, K(trans), by measuring the ratio of contrast agent concentration in tissue to that in plasma. A linear fluid velocity distribution may reflect a quadratic function of TIFP distribution and lead to a practical method for TIFP estimation. To calculate TIFP, the parameters or variables should preferably be measured along the direction of the linear fluid velocity (this is in the same direction as the gray value distribution of the image, which is also linear). This method may simplify the calculation for estimating TIFP. Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nonequilibrium Precondensation of Classical Waves in Two Dimensions Propagating through Atomic Vapors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šantić, Neven; Fusaro, Adrien; Salem, Sabeur; Garnier, Josselin; Picozzi, Antonio; Kaiser, Robin

2018-02-01

The nonlinear Schrödinger equation, used to describe the dynamics of quantum fluids, is known to be valid not only for massive particles but also for the propagation of light in a nonlinear medium, predicting condensation of classical waves. Here we report on the initial evolution of random waves with Gaussian statistics using atomic vapors as an efficient two dimensional nonlinear medium. Experimental and theoretical analysis of near field images reveal a phenomenon of nonequilibrium precondensation, characterized by a fast relaxation towards a precondensate fraction of up to 75%. Such precondensation is in contrast to complete thermalization to the Rayleigh-Jeans equilibrium distribution, requiring prohibitive long interaction lengths.

Apparatus for separating particles utilizing engineered acoustic contrast capture particles

DOEpatents

Kaduchak, Gregory; Ward, Michael D

2014-10-21

An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.

Apparatus for separating particles utilizing engineered acoustic contrast capture particles

DOEpatents

Kaduchak, Gregory [Los Alamos, NM; Ward, Michael D [Los Alamos, NM

2011-12-27

An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.

[Contrast medium enhanced magnetic resonance tomography of liver metastases: positive versus negative contrast media].

PubMed

Hammerstingl, R M; Schwarz, W; Hochmuth, K; Staib-Sebler, E; Lorenz, M; Vogl, T J

2001-01-01

The development in oncologic liver surgery as well as modified interventional therapy strategies of the liver have resulted in improved diagnostic imaging. The evolution of contrast agents for MR imaging of the liver has proceeded along several different paths with the common goal of improving liver-lesion contrast. In MRI contrast agents act indirectly by their effects on relaxation times. Contrast agents used for hepatic MR imaging can be categorized in those that target the extracellular space, the hepatobiliary system, and the reticuloendothelial system. The first two result in a positive enhancement, the last one in a negative enhancement. Positive enhancers allow a better characterization of liver metastases using dynamic sequence protocols. Detection rate of liver metastases is increased using hepatobiliary contrast-enhanced MRI compared to unenhanced MRI. Negative enhancers, iron oxide particles, significantly increase tumor-to-liver contrast and allow detection of more lesions than other diagnostic methods. Iron-oxide enhanced MRI enables differential diagnosis of liver metastases comparing morphologic features using T2 and T1-weighted sequences.

Laser speckle imaging based on photothermally driven convection.

PubMed

Regan, Caitlin; Choi, Bernard

2016-02-01

Laser speckle imaging (LSI) is an interferometric technique that provides information about the relative speed of moving scatterers in a sample. Photothermal LSI overcomes limitations in depth resolution faced by conventional LSI by incorporating an excitation pulse to target absorption by hemoglobin within the vascular network. Here we present results from experiments designed to determine the mechanism by which photothermal LSI decreases speckle contrast. We measured the impact of mechanical properties on speckle contrast, as well as the spatiotemporal temperature dynamics and bulk convective motion occurring during photothermal LSI. Our collective data strongly support the hypothesis that photothermal LSI achieves a transient reduction in speckle contrast due to bulk motion associated with thermally driven convection. The ability of photothermal LSI to image structures below a scattering medium may have important preclinical and clinical applications.

Experimental investigation of clogging dynamics in homogeneous porous medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Jikang; Ni, Rui

2017-03-01

A 3-D refractive-index matching Lagrangian particle tracking (3D-RIM-LPT) system was developed to study the filtration and the clogging process inside a homogeneous porous medium. A small subset of particles flowing through the porous medium was dyed and tracked. As this subset was randomly chosen, its dynamics is representative of all the rest. The statistics of particle locations, number, and velocity were obtained as functions of different volumetric concentrations. It is found that in our system the clogging time decays with the particle concentration following a power law relationship. As the concentration increases, there is a transition from depth filtration to cake filtration. At high concentration, more clogged pores lead to frequent flow redirections and more transverse migrations of particles. In addition, the velocity distribution in the transverse direction is symmetrical around zero, and it is slightly more intermittent than the random Gaussian curve due to particle-particle and particle-grain interactions. In contrast, as clogging develops, the longitudinal velocity of particles along the mean flow direction peaks near zero because of many trapped particles. But at the same time, the remaining open pores will experience larger pressure and, as a result, particles through those pores tend to have larger longitudinal velocities.

Post-contrast acute kidney injury. Part 2: risk stratification, role of hydration and other prophylactic measures, patients taking metformin and chronic dialysis patients : Recommendations for updated ESUR Contrast Medium Safety Committee guidelines.

PubMed

van der Molen, Aart J; Reimer, Peter; Dekkers, Ilona A; Bongartz, Georg; Bellin, Marie-France; Bertolotto, Michele; Clement, Olivier; Heinz-Peer, Gertraud; Stacul, Fulvio; Webb, Judith A W; Thomsen, Henrik S

2018-07-01

The Contrast Media Safety Committee (CMSC) of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) has updated its 2011 guidelines on the prevention of post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI). The results of the literature review and the recommendations based on it, which were used to prepare the new guidelines, are presented in two papers. AREAS COVERED IN PART 2: Topics reviewed include stratification of PC-AKI risk, the need to withdraw nephrotoxic medication, PC-AKI prophylaxis with hydration or drugs, the use of metformin in diabetic patients receiving contrast medium and the need to alter dialysis schedules in patients receiving contrast medium. • In CKD, hydration reduces the PC-AKI risk • Intravenous normal saline and intravenous sodium bicarbonate provide equally effective prophylaxis • No drugs have been consistently shown to reduce the risk of PC-AKI • Stop metformin from the time of contrast medium administration if eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73 m 2 • Dialysis schedules need not change when intravascular contrast medium is given.

Contrast medium usage reduction in abdominal computed tomography by using high-iodinated concentration contrast medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suwannasri, A.; Kaewlai, R.; Asavaphatiboon, S.

2016-03-01

This study was to determine if administration of a low volume high-concentration iodinated contrast medium can preserve image quality in comparison with regular-concentration intravenous contrast medium in patient undergoing contrast-enhancement abdominal computed tomography (CT). Eighty-four patients were randomly divided into 3 groups of similar iodine delivery rate; A: 1.2 cc/kg of iomeprol-400, B: 1.0 cc/kg of iomeprol-400 and C: 1.5 cc/kg of ioversol-350. Contrast enhancement of the liver parenchyma, pancreas and aorta was quantitatively measured in Hounsfield units and qualitative assessed by a radiologist. T-test was used to evaluate contrast enhancement, and Chi-square test was used to evaluate qualitative image assessment, at significance level of 0.05 with 95% confidence intervals. There were no statistically significant differences in contrast enhancement of liver parenchyma and pancreas between group A and group C in both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Group C showed superior vascular enhancement to group A and B on quantitative analysis.

Systems and methods for separating particles utilizing engineered acoustic contrast capture particles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kaduchak, Gregory; Ward, Michael D.

An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minimamore » for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.« less

Apparatus for separating particles utilizing engineered acoustic contrast capture particles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kaduchak, Gregory; Ward, Michael D

An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minimamore » for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.« less

Validation of Perfusion Quantification with 3D Gradient Echo Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using a Blood Pool Contrast Agent in Skeletal Swine Muscle

PubMed Central

Hindel, Stefan; Sauerbrey, Anika; Maaß, Marc; Maderwald, Stefan; Schlamann, Marc; Lüdemann, Lutz

2015-01-01

The purpose of our study was to validate perfusion quantification in a low-perfused tissue by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) with shared k-space sampling using a blood pool contrast agent. Perfusion measurements were performed in a total of seven female pigs. An ultrasonic Doppler probe was attached to the right femoral artery to determine total flow in the hind leg musculature. The femoral artery was catheterized for continuous local administration of adenosine to increase blood flow up to four times the baseline level. Three different stable perfusion levels were induced. The MR protocol included a 3D gradient-echo sequence with a temporal resolution of approximately 1.5 seconds. Before each dynamic sequence, static MR images were acquired with flip angles of 5°, 10°, 20°, and 30°. Both static and dynamic images were used to generate relaxation rate and baseline magnetization maps with a flip angle method. 0.1 mL/kg body weight of blood pool contrast medium was injected via a central venous catheter at a flow rate of 5 mL/s. The right hind leg was segmented in 3D into medial, cranial, lateral, and pelvic thigh muscles, lower leg, bones, skin, and fat. The arterial input function (AIF) was measured in the aorta. Perfusion of the different anatomic regions was calculated using a one- and a two-compartment model with delay- and dispersion-corrected AIFs. The F-test for model comparison was used to decide whether to use the results of the one- or two-compartment model fit. Total flow was calculated by integrating volume-weighted perfusion values over the whole measured region. The resulting values of delay, dispersion, blood volume, mean transit time, and flow were all in physiologically and physically reasonable ranges. In 107 of 160 ROIs, the blood signal was separated, using a two-compartment model, into a capillary and an arteriolar signal contribution, decided by the F-test. Overall flow in hind leg muscles, as measured by the ultrasound probe, highly correlated with total flow determined by MRI, R = 0.89 and P = 10−7. Linear regression yielded a slope of 1.2 and a y-axis intercept of 259 mL/min. The mean total volume of the investigated muscle tissue corresponds to an offset perfusion of 4.7mL/(min ⋅ 100cm3). The DCE-MRI technique presented here uses a blood pool contrast medium in combination with a two-compartment tracer kinetic model and allows absolute quantification of low-perfused non-cerebral organs such as muscles. PMID:26061498

Emergent dynamics of spatio-temporal chaos in a heterogeneous excitable medium.

PubMed

Bittihn, Philip; Berg, Sebastian; Parlitz, Ulrich; Luther, Stefan

2017-09-01

Self-organized activation patterns in excitable media such as spiral waves and spatio-temporal chaos underlie dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. While the interaction of single spiral waves with different types of heterogeneity has been studied extensively, the effect of heterogeneity on fully developed spatio-temporal chaos remains poorly understood. We investigate how the complexity and stability properties of spatio-temporal chaos in the Bär-Eiswirth model of excitable media depend on the heterogeneity of the underlying medium. We employ different measures characterizing the chaoticity of the system and find that the spatial arrangement of multiple discrete lower excitability regions has a strong impact on the complexity of the dynamics. Varying the number, shape, and spatial arrangement of the heterogeneities, we observe strong emergent effects ranging from increases in chaoticity to the complete cessation of chaos, contrasting the expectation from the homogeneous behavior. The implications of our findings for the development and treatment of arrhythmias in the heterogeneous cardiac muscle are discussed.

Emergent dynamics of spatio-temporal chaos in a heterogeneous excitable medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bittihn, Philip; Berg, Sebastian; Parlitz, Ulrich; Luther, Stefan

2017-09-01

Self-organized activation patterns in excitable media such as spiral waves and spatio-temporal chaos underlie dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. While the interaction of single spiral waves with different types of heterogeneity has been studied extensively, the effect of heterogeneity on fully developed spatio-temporal chaos remains poorly understood. We investigate how the complexity and stability properties of spatio-temporal chaos in the Bär-Eiswirth model of excitable media depend on the heterogeneity of the underlying medium. We employ different measures characterizing the chaoticity of the system and find that the spatial arrangement of multiple discrete lower excitability regions has a strong impact on the complexity of the dynamics. Varying the number, shape, and spatial arrangement of the heterogeneities, we observe strong emergent effects ranging from increases in chaoticity to the complete cessation of chaos, contrasting the expectation from the homogeneous behavior. The implications of our findings for the development and treatment of arrhythmias in the heterogeneous cardiac muscle are discussed.

Unveiling the structural arrangements responsible for the atomic dynamics in metallic glasses during physical aging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giordano, V. M.; Ruta, B.

2016-01-01

Understanding and controlling physical aging, that is, the spontaneous temporal evolution of out-of-equilibrium systems, represents one of the greatest tasks in material science. Recent studies have revealed the existence of a complex atomic motion in metallic glasses, with different aging regimes in contrast with the typical continuous aging observed in macroscopic quantities. By combining dynamical and structural synchrotron techniques, here for the first time we directly connect previously identified microscopic structural mechanisms with the peculiar atomic motion, providing a broader unique view of their complexity. We show that the atomic scale is dominated by the interplay between two processes: rearrangements releasing residual stresses related to a cascade mechanism of relaxation, and medium range ordering processes, which do not affect the local density, likely due to localized relaxations of liquid-like regions. As temperature increases, a surprising additional secondary relaxation process sets in, together with a faster medium range ordering, likely precursors of crystallization.

Role of medium heterogeneity and viscosity contrast in miscible flow regimes and mixing zone growth: A computational pore-scale approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afshari, Saied; Hejazi, S. Hossein; Kantzas, Apostolos

2018-05-01

Miscible displacement of fluids in porous media is often characterized by the scaling of the mixing zone length with displacement time. Depending on the viscosity contrast of fluids, the scaling law varies between the square root relationship, a sign for dispersive transport regime during stable displacement, and the linear relationship, which represents the viscous fingering regime during an unstable displacement. The presence of heterogeneities in a porous medium significantly affects the scaling behavior of the mixing length as it interacts with the viscosity contrast to control the mixing of fluids in the pore space. In this study, the dynamics of the flow and transport during both unit and adverse viscosity ratio miscible displacements are investigated in heterogeneous packings of circular grains using pore-scale numerical simulations. The pore-scale heterogeneity level is characterized by the variations of the grain diameter and velocity field. The growth of mixing length is employed to identify the nature of the miscible transport regime at different viscosity ratios and heterogeneity levels. It is shown that as the viscosity ratio increases to higher adverse values, the scaling law of mixing length gradually shifts from dispersive to fingering nature up to a certain viscosity ratio and remains almost the same afterwards. In heterogeneous media, the mixing length scaling law is observed to be generally governed by the variations of the velocity field rather than the grain size. Furthermore, the normalization of mixing length temporal plots with respect to the governing parameters of viscosity ratio, heterogeneity, medium length, and medium aspect ratio is performed. The results indicate that mixing length scales exponentially with log-viscosity ratio and grain size standard deviation while the impact of aspect ratio is insignificant. For stable flows, mixing length scales with the square root of medium length, whereas it changes linearly with length during unstable flows. This scaling procedure allows us to describe the temporal variation of mixing length using a generalized curve for various combinations of the flow conditions and porous medium properties.

Phase contrast microscopy of living cells within the whole lens: spatial correlations and morphological dynamics

PubMed Central

Kong, Zhiying; Zhu, Xiangjia; Zhang, Shenghai; Wu, Jihong

2012-01-01

Purpose Images from cultured lens cells do not convey enough spatial information, and imaging of fixed lens specimens cannot reveal dynamic changes in the cells. As such, a real-time, convenient approach for monitoring label-free imaging of dynamic processes of living cells within the whole lens is urgently needed. Methods Female Wistar rat lenses were kept in organ culture. Insulin-like growth factor-I was added to the culture medium to induce cell mitosis. A novel method of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was used to induce cell apoptosis and fiber damage. The cellular morphological dynamics within the whole lens were monitored by inverted phase contrast microscopy. Apoptosis was assessed using a commercial kit with Hoechst 33342/YO-PRO®-1/propidium iodide (PI). Results The intrinsic transparency and low-light scattering property of the rat lens permitted direct imaging of the lens epithelial cells (LECs) and the superficial fiber cells. We visualized the processes of mitosis and apoptosis of the LECs, and we obtained dynamic images of posterior fiber cells following UVA irradiation. Conclusions This method opens a new window for observing lens cells in their physiologic location, and it can be readily applied in studies on lens physiology and pathology. PMID:22879736

Dynamics of Ultrasound Contrast Agents and Nonlinear Acoustic Waves: Experiments, Modeling, and Theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Lang

Bubbles occur in many natural and biological flows as well as in numerous industrial phenomena, such as pumps, propellers, turbines, and chemical processing plants. They have been widely studied in the past leading to a large body of literature. However, bubbles appearing in different situations differ significantly in their physical characteristics and behaviors. Recently, bubbles of diameter less than 10 micrometers have found applications in diagnostic ultrasound imaging. These microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) are intravenously administered in patients before ultrasound imaging. Due to the compressive gas core, they generate substantial ultrasound echoes leading to significant enhancement of image quality and contrast. Free bubbles of a micrometer diameter experience a large surface tension induced Laplace pressure leading to their quick dissolution in milliseconds. UCAs are stabilized by coating them with a shell of lipids, polymers, proteins, and other surface-active materials and changing the gas content from air to a high molecular weight low solubility gas such as perfluorocarbon. The past literature of bubble dynamics are mostly restricted to free bubbles. The stabilizing shell of UCAs, however, critically affects their dynamics. In this thesis, we performed acoustic characterization of several UCAs coated with polymer and lipids. We experimentally measured their acoustic attenuation and scattering, of which the data were used in mathematical models to determine shell properties and nonlinear dynamics. Several different interfacial rheological models were employed. Experimental acoustic characterization was also extended to a novel type of nanoparticle suspension--polymersomes, vesicles encapsulated by amphiphilic polymers. The later part of the thesis is devoted to modeling the effects of the presence of coated microbubbles to the overall effective bulk properties of bubbly liquids. Introduction of microbubbles in the liquids does not only modify the bulk properties of the medium (bubbly liquids) but also significantly changes the natures of the propagating waves (e.g., the sound velocity in bubble suspension was found to be as low as 20 m/s). We investigate the nonlinear nature of the acoustic wave in bubbly liquids. Specifically, we theoretically show that microbubbles could change the nonlinearity of the medium, characterized by quantity B/A.

SU-E-T-56: Brain Metastasis Treatment Plans for Contrast-Enhanced Synchrotron Radiation Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Obeid, L; Adam, J; Tessier, A

2014-06-01

Purpose: Iodine-enhanced radiotherapy is an innovative treatment combining the selective accumulation of an iodinated contrast agent in brain tumors with irradiations using monochromatic medium energy x-rays. The aim of this study is to compare dynamic stereotactic arc-therapy and iodineenhanced SSRT. Methods: Five patients bearing brain metastasis received a standard helical 3D-scan without iodine. A second scan was acquired 13 min after an 80 g iodine infusion. Two SSRT treatment plans (with/without iodine) were performed for each patient using a dedicated Monte Carlo (MC) treatment planning system (TPS) based on the ISOgray TPS. Ten coplanar beams (6×6 cm2, shaped with collimator)more » were simulated. MC statistical error objective was less than 5% in the 50% isodose. The dynamic arc-therapy plan was achieved on the Iplan Brainlab TPS. The treatment plan validation criteria were fixed such that 100% of the prescribed dose is delivered at the beam isocentre and the 70% isodose contains the whole target volume. The comparison elements were the 70% isodose volume, the average and maximum doses delivered to organs at risk (OAR): brainstem, optical nerves, chiasma, eyes, skull bone and healthy brain parenchyma. Results: The stereotactic dynamic arc-therapy remains the best technique in terms of dose conformation. Iodine-enhanced SSRT presents similar performances to dynamic arc-therapy with increased brainstem and brain parenchyma sparing. One disadvantage of SSRT is the high dose to the skull bone. Iodine accumulation in metastasis may increase the dose by 20–30%, allowing a normal tissue sparing effect at constant prescribed dose. Treatment without any iodine enhancement (medium-energy stereotactic radiotherapy) is not relevant with degraded HDVs (brain, parenchyma and skull bone) comparing to stereotactic dynamic arc-therapy. Conclusion: Iodine-enhanced SSRT exhibits a good potential for brain metastasis treatment regarding the dose distribution and OAR criteria.« less

Equilibrium-phase MR angiography: Comparison of unspecific extracellular and protein-binding gadolinium-based contrast media with respect to image quality.

PubMed

Erb-Eigner, Katharina; Taupitz, Matthias; Asbach, Patrick

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to compare contrast and image quality of whole-body equilibrium-phase high-spatial-resolution MR angiography using a non-protein-binding unspecific extracellular gadolinium-based contrast medium with that of two contrast media with different protein-binding properties. 45 patients were examined using either 15 mL of gadobutrol (non-protein-binding, n = 15), 32 mL of gadobenate dimeglumine (weakly protein binding, n = 15) or 11 mL gadofosveset trisodium (protein binding, n = 15) followed by equilibrium-phase high-spatial-resolution MR-angiography of four consecutive anatomic regions. The time elapsed between the contrast injection and the beginning of the equilibrium-phase image acquisition in the respective region was measured and was up to 21 min. Signal intensity was measured in two vessels per region and in muscle tissue. Relative contrast (RC) values were calculated. Vessel contrast, artifacts and image quality were rated by two radiologists in consensus on a five-point scale. Compared with gadobutrol, gadofosveset trisodium revealed significantly higher RC values only when acquired later than 15 min after bolus injection. Otherwise, no significant differences between the three contrast media were found regarding vascular contrast and image quality. Equilibrium-phase high-spatial-resolution MR-angiography using a weakly protein-binding or even non-protein-binding contrast medium is equivalent to using a stronger protein-binding contrast medium when image acquisition is within the first 15 min after contrast injection, and allows depiction of the vasculature with high contrast and image quality. The protein-binding contrast medium was superior for imaging only later than 15 min after contrast medium injection. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Laser speckle imaging based on photothermally driven convection

PubMed Central

Regan, Caitlin; Choi, Bernard

2016-01-01

Abstract. Laser speckle imaging (LSI) is an interferometric technique that provides information about the relative speed of moving scatterers in a sample. Photothermal LSI overcomes limitations in depth resolution faced by conventional LSI by incorporating an excitation pulse to target absorption by hemoglobin within the vascular network. Here we present results from experiments designed to determine the mechanism by which photothermal LSI decreases speckle contrast. We measured the impact of mechanical properties on speckle contrast, as well as the spatiotemporal temperature dynamics and bulk convective motion occurring during photothermal LSI. Our collective data strongly support the hypothesis that photothermal LSI achieves a transient reduction in speckle contrast due to bulk motion associated with thermally driven convection. The ability of photothermal LSI to image structures below a scattering medium may have important preclinical and clinical applications. PMID:26927221

Soft-tissue tumor differentiation using 3D power Doppler ultrasonography with echo-contrast medium injection.

PubMed

Chiou, Hong-Jen; Chou, Yi-Hong; Chen, Wei-Ming; Chen, Winby; Wang, Hsin-Kai; Chang, Cheng-Yen

2010-12-01

We aimed to evaluate the ability of 3-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography to differentiate soft-tissue masses from blood flow and vascularization with contrast medium. Twenty-five patients (mean age, 44.1 years; range, 12-77 years) with a palpable mass were enrolled in this study. Volume data were acquired using linear and convex 3-dimensional probes and contrast medium injected manually by bolus. Data were stored and traced slice by slice for 12 slices. All patients were scanned by the same senior sonologist. The vascular index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascular-flow index (VFI) were automatically calculated after the tumor was completely traced. All tumors were later confirmed by pathology. The study included 8 benign (mean, 36.5 mL; range, 2.4-124 mL) and 17 malignant (mean, 319.4 mL; range, 9.9-1,179.6 mL) tumors. Before contrast medium injection, mean VI, FI and VFI were, respectively, 3.22, 32.26 and 1.07 in benign tumors, and 1.97, 29.33 and 0.67 in malignant tumors. After contrast medium injection, they were, respectively, 20.85, 37.33 and 8.52 in benign tumors, and 40.12, 41.21 and 17.77 in malignant tumors. The mean differences between with and without contrast injection for VI, FI and VFI were, respectively, 17.63, 5.07 and 7.45 in benign tumors, and 38.15, 11.88 and 16.55 in malignant tumors. Tumor volume, VI, FI and VFI were not significantly different between benign and malignant tumors before and after echo-contrast medium injection. However, VI, FI and VFI under self-differentiation (differences between with and without contrast injection) were significantly different between malignant and benign tumors. Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound is a valuable tool for differential diagnosis of soft-tissue tumors, especially with the injection of an echo-contrast medium. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Transport and mixing in strongly coupled dusty plasma medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dharodi, Vikram; Das, Amita; Patel, Bhavesh

2016-10-01

The generalized hydrodynamic (GHD) fluid model has been employed to study the transport and mixing properties of Dusty plasma medium in strong coupling limit. The response of lighter electron and ion species to the dust motion is taken to be instantaneous i.e. inertia-less. Thus the electron and ion density are presumed to follow the Boltzman relation. In the incompressible limit (i-GHD) the model supports Transverse Shear wave in contrast to the Hydrodynamic fluids. It has been shown that the presence of these waves leads to a better mixing of fluid in this case. Several cases of flow configuration have been considered for the study. The transport and mixing attributes have been quantified by studying the dynamical evolution of tracer particles in the system. The diffusion and clustering of these test particles are directly linked to the mixing characteristic of a medium. The displacement of these particles provides for a quantitative estimate of the diffusion coefficient of the medium. It is shown that these test particles often organize themselves in spatially inhomogeneous pattern leading to the phenomena of clustering.

Duplex-assisted carotid artery stenting without administration of contrast medium for patients with chronic kidney disease or allergic reaction.

PubMed

Mizowaki, Takashi; Fujita, Atsushi; Imahori, Taichiro; Uyama, Atsushi; Inoue, Satoshi; Kohta, Masaaki; Hamaguchi, Hirotoshi; Sasayama, Takashi; Hosoda, Kohkichi; Kohmura, Eiji

2016-07-01

We aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of duplex-assisted carotid artery stenting (CAS) without administration of contrast medium for the prevention of adverse reactions. Fifteen patients (9 % of all CASs) with severe carotid stenosis (≥70 %) associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (stage ≥3) or allergy to contrast medium underwent duplex-assisted CAS without administration of contrast medium over 4 years. The procedural success rate and perioperative complication rates were compared between the duplex-assisted CAS (n = 15) and conventional CAS (n = 153) groups. The technical success rate was 100 % in both groups. Combined stroke or death rates during the post-procedural period did not differ significantly between the duplex-assisted CAS group (0/15, 0 %) and conventional CAS group (4/153, 2.6 %). None of the 14 patients with CKD in the duplex-assisted CAS group experienced further deterioration of renal function. The mean surface radiation dose of participants in the duplex-assisted CAS group (n = 13, 312 ± 131 mGy) was significantly lower than that of the conventional CAS group (n = 31, 1036 ± 571 mGy) (p < 0.001). The mean duration of CAS procedure was not significantly different between the duplex-assisted CAS group (156 ± 39.7 min) and the conventional CAS group (156 ± 37.4 min). Duplex-assisted CAS without administration of contrast medium could be an alternative option in selected patients deemed to be at high risk for renal failure from nephrotoxic contrast medium or who have an allergy to contrast medium.

Efficiency of the Self Adjusting File, WaveOne, Reciproc, ProTaper and hand files in root canal debridement.

PubMed

Topcu, K Meltem; Karatas, Ertugrul; Ozsu, Damla; Ersoy, Ibrahim

2014-07-01

The aim of this study was to compare the canal debridement capabilities of three single file systems, ProTaper, and K-files in oval-shaped canals. Seventy-five extracted human mandibular central incisors with oval-shaped root canals were selected. A radiopaque contrast medium (Metapex; Meta Biomed Co. Ltd., Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea) was introduced into the canal systems and the self-adjusting file (SAF), WaveOne, Reciproc, ProTaper, and K-files were used for the instrumentation of the canals. The percentage of removed contrast medium was calculated using pre- and post-operative radiographs. An overall comparison between the groups revealed that the hand file (HF) and SAF groups presented the lowest percentage of removed contrast medium, whereas the WaveOne group showed the highest percentage (P < 0.001). The ProTaper group removed more contrast medium than the SAF and HF groups (P < 0.05). None of the instruments was able to remove the contrast medium completely. WaveOne performed significantly better than other groups.

Efficiency of the Self Adjusting File, WaveOne, Reciproc, ProTaper and hand files in root canal debridement

PubMed Central

Topcu, K. Meltem; Karatas, Ertugrul; Ozsu, Damla; Ersoy, Ibrahim

2014-01-01

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the canal debridement capabilities of three single file systems, ProTaper, and K-files in oval-shaped canals. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five extracted human mandibular central incisors with oval-shaped root canals were selected. A radiopaque contrast medium (Metapex; Meta Biomed Co. Ltd., Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea) was introduced into the canal systems and the self-adjusting file (SAF), WaveOne, Reciproc, ProTaper, and K-files were used for the instrumentation of the canals. The percentage of removed contrast medium was calculated using pre- and post-operative radiographs. Results: An overall comparison between the groups revealed that the hand file (HF) and SAF groups presented the lowest percentage of removed contrast medium, whereas the WaveOne group showed the highest percentage (P < 0.001). The ProTaper group removed more contrast medium than the SAF and HF groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: None of the instruments was able to remove the contrast medium completely. WaveOne performed significantly better than other groups. PMID:25202211

[Interest and feasibility of local anesthesia in the management of massive extravasation of contrast medium].

PubMed

Ho Quoc, C; Chaput, B; Grolleau, J-L

2013-04-01

Radiographic contrast medium extravasation in the upper extremity is not rare. It can be responsible for functional (compartment syndrome) and cosmetic sequelae. It is very difficult to predict the degree of final tissue injury in emergency. Currently, there is no consensus of emergency treatment. However, liposuction and saline washout as described by Gault is the usual treatment. We report the case of 42 year-old woman with radiographic contrast medium extravasation in the arm (120 cm(3)) with neurologic complications involving median nerve and medial cutaneous nerves of arm and forearm. Emergency conservative surgical washout with saline solution was performed under local anaesthesia. Drainage was realised by lipoaspiration cannula and arm massages. Clinical and radiological results were estimated. Ultimately, the patient has retained no sequela. Contrast medium extravasation in the arm with tissue complications is exceptional. We think that saline washout and lipoaspiration cannula drainage are an emergency useful treatment for radiographic contrast medium extravasation with tissue complications. Tolerance of the management was quite good. Postoperative X-rays are useful to assess treatment efficacy. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Distribution of radiodense contrast medium after perineural injection of the palmar and palmar metacarpal nerves (low 4-point nerve block): an in vivo and ex vivo study in horses.

PubMed

Nagy, A; Bodò, G; Dyson, S J; Compostella, F; Barr, A R S

2010-09-01

Evidence-based information is limited on distribution of local anaesthetic solution following perineural analgesia of the palmar (Pa) and palmar metacarpal (PaM) nerves in the distal aspect of the metacarpal (Mc) region ('low 4-point nerve block'). To demonstrate the potential distribution of local anaesthetic solution after a low 4-point nerve block using a radiographic contrast model. A radiodense contrast medium was injected subcutaneously over the medial or the lateral Pa nerve at the junction of the proximal three-quarters and distal quarter of the Mc region (Pa injection) and over the ipsilateral PaM nerve immediately distal to the distal aspect of the second or fourth Mc bones (PaM injection) in both forelimbs of 10 mature horses free from lameness. Radiographs were obtained 0, 10 and 20 min after injection and analysed subjectively and objectively. Methylene blue and a radiodense contrast medium were injected in 20 cadaver limbs using the same techniques. Radiographs were obtained and the limbs dissected. After 31/40 (77.5%) Pa injections, the pattern of the contrast medium suggested distribution in the neurovascular bundle. There was significant proximal diffusion with time, but the main contrast medium patch never progressed proximal to the mid-Mc region. The radiological appearance of 2 limbs suggested that contrast medium was present in the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS). After PaM injections, the contrast medium was distributed diffusely around the injection site in the majority of the limbs. In cadaver limbs, after Pa injections, the contrast medium and the dye were distributed in the neurovascular bundle in 8/20 (40%) limbs and in the DFTS in 6/20 (30%) of limbs. After PaM injections, the contrast and dye were distributed diffusely around the injection site in 9/20 (45%) limbs and showed diffuse and tubular distribution in 11/20 (55%) limbs. Proximal diffusion of local anaesthetic solution after a low 4-point nerve block is unlikely to be responsible for decreasing lameness caused by pain in the proximal Mc region. The DFTS may be penetrated inadvertently when performing a low 4-point nerve block.

Aggravation of pre-existing atrioventricular block, Wenckebach type, provoked by application of X-ray contrast medium.

PubMed

Brodmann, Marianne; Seinost, Gerald; Stark, Gerhard; Pilger, Ernst

2006-01-01

Significant bradycardia followed by cardiac arrest related to single bolus administration of X-ray contrast medium into a peripheral artery has not, to our knowledge, been described in the literature. While performing a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the left superficial femoral artery in a 68-year old patient with a pre-existing atrioventricular (AV) block, Wenckebach type, he developed an AV block III after a single bolus injection of intra-arterial X-ray contrast medium. We believe that application of contrast medium causes a transitory ischemia in the obstructed vessel and therefore elevation of endogenous adenosine. In the case of a previously damaged AV node this elevation of endogenous adenosine may be responsible for the development of a short period of third-degree AV block.

Scaling Limit of Symmetric Random Walk in High-Contrast Periodic Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piatnitski, A.; Zhizhina, E.

2017-11-01

The paper deals with the asymptotic properties of a symmetric random walk in a high contrast periodic medium in Z^d, d≥1. From the existing homogenization results it follows that under diffusive scaling the limit behaviour of this random walk need not be Markovian. The goal of this work is to show that if in addition to the coordinate of the random walk in Z^d we introduce an extra variable that characterizes the position of the random walk inside the period then the limit dynamics of this two-component process is Markov. We describe the limit process and observe that the components of the limit process are coupled. We also prove the convergence in the path space for the said random walk.

Contrast Medium Exposure During Computed Tomography and Risk of Development of End-Stage Renal Disease in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

PubMed Central

Hsieh, Ming-Shun; Chiu, Chien-Shan; How, Chorng-Kuang; Chiang, Jen-Huai; Sheu, Meei-Ling; Chen, Wen-Chi; Lin, Hsuan-Jen; Hsieh, Vivian Chia-Rong; Hu, Sung-Yuan

2016-01-01

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate the long-term association between contrast medium exposure during computed tomography (CT) and the subsequent development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We conducted a population-based cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. A total of 7100 patients with nonadvanced CKD who underwent contrast medium-enhanced CT were identified and served as the study cohort. To avoid selection bias, we used the propensity score to match 7100 nonadvanced CKD patients, who underwent noncontrast medium-enhanced CT to serve as the comparison cohort. The age, sex, index year, and frequency of undergoing CTs were also matched between the study and comparison cohorts. Participants were followed until a new diagnosis of ESRD or December 31, 2011. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards regression. Contrast medium exposure was not identified as a risk factor for developing ESRD in nonadvanced CKD patients after confounders adjustment (adjusted HR = 0.91; 95% CI, 0.66–1.26; P = 0.580). We further divided the patients who underwent CTs with contrast medium use into ≤1 exposure per year on average, >1 and <2 exposure per year on average, and ≥2 exposure per year on average. After adjusting for confounders, we identified a much higher risk for developing ESRD in the 2 groups of >1 and <2 exposure per year on average and ≥2 exposure per year on average (adjusted HR = 8.13; 95% CI, 5.57–11.87 and adjusted HR = 12.08; 95% CI, 7.39–19.75, respectively) compared with the patients who underwent CTs without contrast medium use. This long-term follow-up study demonstrated that contrast medium exposure was not associated with an increased risk of ESRD development in nonadvanced CKD patients. PMID:27100424

Animal imaging using immersion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalogerakis, Konstantinos S.; Kotz, Kenneth T.; Rand, Kendra; Faris, Gregory W.

2003-07-01

We are using rodent animal models to study and compare contrast mechanisms for detection of breast cancer. These measurements are performed with the animals immersed in a matching scattering medium. The matching scattering medium or liquid tissue phantom comprises a mixture of Ropaque (hollow acrylic/styrene microspheres) and ink. We have previously applied matched imaging to imaging in humans. Surrounding the imaged region with a matched tissue phantom compensates for variations in tissue thickness and geometry, provides more uniform illumination, and allows better use of the dynamic range of the imaging system. If the match is good, the boundaries of the imaged region should almost vanish, enhancing the contrast from internal structure as compared to contrast from the boundaries and surface topography. For our measurements in animals, the immersion plays two additional roles. First, we can readily study tumors through tissue thickness similar to that of a human breast. Although the heterogeneity of the breast is lost, this is a practical method to study the detection of small tumors and monitor changes as they grow. Second, the immersion enhances our ability to quantify the contrast mechanisms for peripheral tumors on the animal because the boundary effects on photon migration are eliminated. We are currently developing two systems for these measurements. One is a continuous-wave (CW) system based on near-infrared LED illumination and a CCD (charge-coupled device) camera. The second system, a frequency domain system, can help quantify the changes observed with the CW system.

Optical imaging through dynamic turbid media using the Fourier-domain shower-curtain effect

PubMed Central

Edrei, Eitan; Scarcelli, Giuliano

2016-01-01

Several phenomena have been recently exploited to circumvent scattering and have succeeded in imaging or focusing light through turbid layers. However, the requirement for the turbid medium to be steady during the imaging process remains a fundamental limitation of these methods. Here we introduce an optical imaging modality that overcomes this challenge by taking advantage of the so-called shower-curtain effect, adapted to the spatial-frequency domain via speckle correlography. We present high resolution imaging of objects hidden behind millimeter-thick tissue or dense lens cataracts. We demonstrate our imaging technique to be insensitive to rapid medium movements (> 5 m/s) beyond any biologically-relevant motion. Furthermore, we show this method can be extended to several contrast mechanisms and imaging configurations. PMID:27347498

Dynamic Electrorheological Effects of Rotating Particles:

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, K. W.; Gu, G. Q.; Huang, J. P.; Xiao, J. J.

Particle rotation leads to a steady-state which is different from the equilibrium state in the absence of rotational motion. The change of the polarization of the particle due to the rotational motion is called the dynamic electrorheological effect (DER). There are three cases to be considered: rotating particles in a dc field, particle rotation due to a rotating field and spontaneous rotation of particle in dc field (Quincke rotation). In the DER of rotating particles, the particle rotational motion generally reduces the interparticle force between the particles. The effect becomes pronounced when the frequency is on the order of the relaxation rate of the surface charges. In the electrorotation of particles, the mutual interaction between approaching particles will change the electrorotation spectrum significantly. The electrorotation spectrum depends strongly on the medium conductivity as well as the conductivity contrast between the particle and the medium. In the collective behaviors of Quincke rotors, the mutual interactions between the individual rotors lead to the assembly of chain-like structures which make an angle with the applied field. This has an implication of a new class of material.

Aggravation of Pre-Existing Atrioventricular Block, Wenckebach Type, Provoked by Application of X-Ray Contrast Medium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brodmann, Marianne, E-mail: marianne.brodmann@meduni-graz.at; Seinost, Gerald; Stark, Gerhard

2006-12-15

Background. Significant bradycardia followed by cardiac arrest related to single bolus administration of X-ray contrast medium into a peripheral artery has not, to our knowledge, been described in the literature. Methods and Results. While performing a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the left superficial femoral artery in a 68-year old patient with a pre-existing atrioventricular (AV) block, Wenckebach type, he developed an AV block III after a single bolus injection of intra-arterial X-ray contrast medium. Conclusion. We believe that application of contrast medium causes a transitory ischemia in the obstructed vessel and therefore elevation of endogenous adenosine. In the case ofmore » a previously damaged AV node this elevation of endogenous adenosine may be responsible for the development of a short period of third-degree AV block.« less

Dacryocystography using cone beam CT in patients with lacrimal drainage system obstruction.

PubMed

Tschopp, Markus; Bornstein, Michael M; Sendi, Pedram; Jacobs, Reinhilde; Goldblum, David

2014-01-01

To assess the usefulness of cone beam CT (CBCT) for dacryocystography (DCG) using either direct syringing or passive application of contrast medium. Ten consecutive patients with epiphora who had CBCT-DCG in a sitting position were retrospectively analyzed. CBCT-DCGs were performed using 2 techniques: direct syringing with contrast medium or using the passive technique, where patients received 3 drops of contrast medium into the conjunctival sac before CBCT-DCG. Clinical and radiologic diagnoses were compared for both groups. The 10 patients (men = 3) had a mean age of 63.2 years. Both techniques proved to be simple procedures with good delineation of the bone, soft tissue, and the contrast medium in the lacrimal system. No side effects were noted. CBCT-DCG is a useful alternative to determine the localization of stenosis in patients with chronic epiphora.

Effects of age and brightness contrast on perception of the Wundt-Hering illusion.

PubMed

Astor-Stetson, E; Purnell, T G

1990-10-01

Susceptibility to the Wundt-Hering illusion was studied as a function of age and contrast. Preschoolers, third-graders and college students were shown light-grey, medium-grey, and black Wundt-Hering figures on white ground. Pre-schoolers were most susceptible to the illusion, differing from third graders in the medium and high contrast conditions and from college students in all contrast conditions. Low contrast figures resulted in significantly less distortion than did high contrast figures for the preschoolers. The significant interaction of age and contrast effects highlights the importance of a developmental approach to the study of illusions.

Saphenous Venous Ablation with Hot Contrast in a Canine Model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prasad, Amit; Qian Zhong; Kirsch, David

2008-01-15

Purpose. To determine the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of thermal ablation of the saphenous vein with hot contrast medium. Methods. Twelve saphenous veins of 6 dogs were percutaneously ablated with hot contrast medium. In all animals, ablation was performed in the vein of one leg, followed by ablation in the contralateral side 1 month later. An occlusion balloon catheter was placed in the infragenicular segment of the saphenous vein via a jugular access to prevent unwanted thermal effects on the non-target segment of the saphenous vein. After inflation of the balloon, 10 ml of hot contrast medium was injected undermore » fluoroscopic control through a sheath placed in the saphenous vein above the ankle. A second 10 ml injection of hot contrast medium was made after 5 min in each vessel. Venographic follow-up of the ablated veins was performed at 1 month (n = 12) and 2 months (n = 6). Results. Follow-up venograms showed that all ablated venous segments were occluded at 1 month. In 6 veins which were followed up to 2 months, 4 (66%) remained occluded, 1 (16%) was partially patent, and the remaining vein (16%) was completely patent. In these latter 2 cases, an inadequate amount of hot contrast was delivered to the lumen due to a closed balloon catheter downstream which did not allow contrast to displace blood within the vessel. Discussion. Hot contrast medium thermal ablation of the saphenous vein appears feasible, safe, and effective in the canine model, provided an adequate amount of embolization agent is used.« less

Multiphase contrast medium injection for optimization of computed tomographic coronary angiography.

PubMed

Budoff, Matthew Jay; Shinbane, Jerold S; Child, Janis; Carson, Sivi; Chau, Alex; Liu, Stephen H; Mao, SongShou

2006-02-01

Electron beam angiography is a minimally invasive imaging technique. Adequate vascular opacification throughout the study remains a critical issue for image quality. We hypothesized that vascular image opacification and uniformity of vascular enhancement between slices can be improved using multiphase contrast medium injection protocols. We enrolled 244 consecutive patients who were randomized to three different injection protocols: single-phase contrast medium injection (Group 1), dual-phase contrast medium injection with each phase at a different injection rate (Group 2), and a three-phase injection with two phases of contrast medium injection followed by a saline injection phase (Group 3). Parameters measured were aortic opacification based on Hounsfield units and uniformity of aortic enhancement at predetermined slices (locations from top [level 1] to base [level 60]). In Group 1, contrast opacification differed across seven predetermined locations (scan levels: 1st versus 60th, P < .05), demonstrating significant nonuniformity. In Group 2, there was more uniform vascular enhancement, with no significant differences between the first 50 slices (P > .05). In Group 3, there was greater uniformity of vascular enhancement and higher mean Hounsfield units value across all 60 images, from the aortic root to the base of the heart (P < .05). The three-phase injection protocol improved vascular opacification at the base of the heart, as well as uniformity of arterial enhancement throughout the study.

Azimuthal-angle dependence of charged-pion-interferometry measurements with respect to second- and third-order event planes in Au+Au collisions at √[S(NN)]=200  GeV.

PubMed

Adare, A; Afanasiev, S; Aidala, C; Ajitanand, N N; Akiba, Y; Al-Bataineh, H; Alexander, J; Aoki, K; Aramaki, Y; Atomssa, E T; Averbeck, R; Awes, T C; Azmoun, B; Babintsev, V; Bai, M; Baksay, G; Baksay, L; Barish, K N; Bassalleck, B; Basye, A T; Bathe, S; Baublis, V; Baumann, C; Bazilevsky, A; Belikov, S; Belmont, R; Bennett, R; Berdnikov, A; Berdnikov, Y; Bickley, A A; Bok, J S; Boyle, K; Brooks, M L; Buesching, H; Bumazhnov, V; Bunce, G; Butsyk, S; Camacho, C M; Campbell, S; Chen, C-H; Chi, C Y; Chiu, M; Choi, I J; Choudhury, R K; Christiansen, P; Chujo, T; Chung, P; Chvala, O; Cianciolo, V; Citron, Z; Cole, B A; Connors, M; Constantin, P; Csanád, M; Csörgő, T; Dahms, T; Dairaku, S; Danchev, I; Das, K; Datta, A; David, G; Denisov, A; Deshpande, A; Desmond, E J; Dietzsch, O; Dion, A; Donadelli, M; Drapier, O; Drees, A; Drees, K A; Durham, J M; Durum, A; Dutta, D; Edwards, S; Efremenko, Y V; Ellinghaus, F; Engelmore, T; Enokizono, A; En'yo, H; Esumi, S; Fadem, B; Fields, D E; Finger, M; Finger, M; Fleuret, F; Fokin, S L; Fraenkel, Z; Frantz, J E; Franz, A; Frawley, A D; Fujiwara, K; Fukao, Y; Fusayasu, T; Garishvili, I; Glenn, A; Gong, H; Gonin, M; Goto, Y; Granier de Cassagnac, R; Grau, N; Greene, S V; Grosse Perdekamp, M; Gunji, T; Gustafsson, H-Å; Haggerty, J S; Hahn, K I; Hamagaki, H; Hamblen, J; Han, R; Hanks, J; Hartouni, E P; Haslum, E; Hayano, R; He, X; Heffner, M; Hemmick, T K; Hester, T; Hill, J C; Hohlmann, M; Holzmann, W; Homma, K; Hong, B; Horaguchi, T; Hornback, D; Huang, S; Ichihara, T; Ichimiya, R; Ide, J; Ikeda, Y; Imai, K; Inaba, M; Isenhower, D; Ishihara, M; Isobe, T; Issah, M; Isupov, A; Ivanischev, D; Jacak, B V; Jia, J; Jin, J; Johnson, B M; Joo, K S; Jouan, D; Jumper, D S; Kajihara, F; Kametani, S; Kamihara, N; Kamin, J; Kang, J H; Kapustinsky, J; Karatsu, K; Kawall, D; Kawashima, M; Kazantsev, A V; Kempel, T; Khanzadeev, A; Kijima, K M; Kim, B I; Kim, D H; Kim, D J; Kim, E; Kim, E-J; Kim, S H; Kim, Y-J; Kinney, E; Kiriluk, K; Kiss, A; Kistenev, E; Kochenda, L; Komkov, B; Konno, M; Koster, J; Kotchetkov, D; Kozlov, A; Král, A; Kravitz, A; Kunde, G J; Kurita, K; Kurosawa, M; Kwon, Y; Kyle, G S; Lacey, R; Lai, Y S; Lajoie, J G; Lebedev, A; Lee, D M; Lee, J; Lee, K; Lee, K B; Lee, K S; Leitch, M J; Leite, M A L; Leitner, E; Lenzi, B; Li, X; Liebing, P; Linden Levy, L A; Liška, T; Litvinenko, A; Liu, H; Liu, M X; Love, B; Luechtenborg, R; Lynch, D; Maguire, C F; Makdisi, Y I; Malakhov, A; Malik, M D; Manko, V I; Mannel, E; Mao, Y; Masui, H; Matathias, F; McCumber, M; McGaughey, P L; Means, N; Meredith, B; Miake, Y; Mignerey, A C; Mikeš, P; Miki, K; Milov, A; Mishra, M; Mitchell, J T; Mohanty, A K; Morino, Y; Morreale, A; Morrison, D P; Moukhanova, T V; Murata, J; Nagamiya, S; Nagle, J L; Naglis, M; Nagy, M I; Nakagawa, I; Nakamiya, Y; Nakamura, T; Nakano, K; Newby, J; Nguyen, M; Niida, T; Nouicer, R; Nyanin, A S; O'Brien, E; Oda, S X; Ogilvie, C A; Oka, M; Okada, K; Onuki, Y; Oskarsson, A; Ouchida, M; Ozawa, K; Pak, R; Pantuev, V; Papavassiliou, V; Park, I H; Park, J; Park, S K; Park, W J; Pate, S F; Pei, H; Peng, J-C; Pereira, H; Peresedov, V; Peressounko, D Yu; Pinkenburg, C; Pisani, R P; Proissl, M; Purschke, M L; Purwar, A K; Qu, H; Rak, J; Rakotozafindrabe, A; Ravinovich, I; Read, K F; Reygers, K; Riabov, V; Riabov, Y; Richardson, E; Roach, D; Roche, G; Rolnick, S D; Rosati, M; Rosen, C A; Rosendahl, S S E; Rosnet, P; Rukoyatkin, P; Ružička, P; Sahlmueller, B; Saito, N; Sakaguchi, T; Sakashita, K; Samsonov, V; Sano, S; Sato, T; Sawada, S; Sedgwick, K; Seele, J; Seidl, R; Semenov, A Yu; Seto, R; Sharma, D; Shein, I; Shibata, T-A; Shigaki, K; Shimomura, M; Shoji, K; Shukla, P; Sickles, A; Silva, C L; Silvermyr, D; Silvestre, C; Sim, K S; Singh, B K; Singh, C P; Singh, V; Slunečka, M; Soltz, R A; Sondheim, W E; Sorensen, S P; Sourikova, I V; Sparks, N A; Stankus, P W; Stenlund, E; Stoll, S P; Sugitate, T; Sukhanov, A; Sziklai, J; Takagui, E M; Taketani, A; Tanabe, R; Tanaka, Y; Tanida, K; Tannenbaum, M J; Tarafdar, S; Taranenko, A; Tarján, P; Themann, H; Thomas, T L; Todoroki, T; Togawa, M; Toia, A; Tomášek, L; Torii, H; Towell, R S; Tserruya, I; Tsuchimoto, Y; Vale, C; Valle, H; van Hecke, H W; Vazquez-Zambrano, E; Veicht, A; Velkovska, J; Vértesi, R; Vinogradov, A A; Virius, M; Vrba, V; Vznuzdaev, E; Wang, X R; Watanabe, D; Watanabe, K; Watanabe, Y; Wei, F; Wei, R; Wessels, J; White, S N; Winter, D; Wood, J P; Woody, C L; Wright, R M; Wysocki, M; Xie, W; Yamaguchi, Y L; Yamaura, K; Yang, R; Yanovich, A; Ying, J; Yokkaichi, S; You, Z; Young, G R; Younus, I; Yushmanov, I E; Zajc, W A; Zhang, C; Zhou, S; Zolin, L

2014-06-06

Charged-pion-interferometry measurements were made with respect to the second- and third-order event plane for Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. A strong azimuthal-angle dependence of the extracted Gaussian-source radii was observed with respect to both the second- and third-order event planes. The results for the second-order dependence indicate that the initial eccentricity is reduced during the medium evolution, which is consistent with previous results. In contrast, the results for the third-order dependence indicate that the initial triangular shape is significantly reduced and potentially reversed by the end of the medium evolution, and that the third-order oscillations are largely dominated by the dynamical effects from triangular flow.

Effect of iodinated low-osmolar contrast media on the hemostatic system after intraarterial and intravenous contrast administration.

PubMed

Lukasiewicz, A; Lebkowska, U; Galar, M

2012-01-01

Some of the adverse clinical effects of intravascular radiological contrast agents include the interference of these contrast media with normal hemostatic processes. The aim of this report was to investigate in vivo whether a non-ionic iodinated contrast agent possess prothrombotic or anticoagulant properties. Hemostatic parameters: vWF (von Willebrand factor), F1+2 (prothrombin fragments 1+2), TAT (thrombin-antithrombin complexes), D-Dimer, β-TG (beta-thromboglobulin) were measured in a group of 35 patients. Blood samples for laboratory investigations were collected before and 30 min after the administration of a iodine contrast agent. There was observed statistically highly significant contrast-induced increase in TAT and F1+2 (p = 0.005 and p = 0.008, respectively). D-Dimer increase and decrease of β-TG and vWF after contrast medium administration were non significant. The volume of contrast medium has no influence on the assessed hemostatic parameters, while the type of contrast medium and/or the route of the contrast administration may significantly affect hemostatic parameters. We found significant effects of non-ionic agents on hemostatic activation. These effects may be important for adverse reactions and for thromboembolic complications.

[Studies on renal damages after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy using Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MRI].

PubMed

Umekawa, T; Kohri, K; Iguchi, M; Kurita, T

1991-11-01

Renal damages after ESWL treatment were examined by Gd-DTPA enhanced dynamic MRI. Gd-DTPA was used as the contrast medium and fast magnetic resonance imaging with suspended respiration using the flip angle of 20 degrees and gradient echo technique at 0.5 Tesla was used for photographing. In normal kidneys, a low intensity band was observed with the passage of Gd-DTPA through the kidney from 1 to 2 minutes after the injection. In patients who underwent ESWL treatment, however, the low intensity band which was observed before ESWL treatment became partly obscure after ESWL treatment. Furthermore, these find changes in the renal parenchyma could not be fully detected by usual MRI which does not use Gd-DTPA. Gd-DTPA enhanced dynamic MRI was considered to be effective for finding the limited dose of shock waves for ESWL treatment.

The use of iohexol as oral contrast for computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis.

PubMed

Horton, Karen M; Fishman, Elliot K; Gayler, Bob

2008-01-01

Positive oral contrast agents (high-osmolar iodinated solutions [high-osmolar contrast medium] or barium sulfate suspensions) are used routinely for abdominal computed tomography. However, these agents are not ideal. Patients complain about the taste and, sometimes, refuse to drink the required quantity. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are frequent. In certain clinical indications, either barium suspensions or high-osmolar contrast mediums may be contraindicated. This technical note describes the potential advantages of using low-osmolar iodinated solutions as an oral contrast agent for computed tomography.

Dynamics of Nanoparticles in Entangled Polymer Solutions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nath, Pooja; Mangal, Rahul; Kohle, Ferdinand

The mean square displacement < r 2 > of nanoparticle probes dispersed in simple isotropic liquids and in polymer solutions is interrogated using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and single-particle tracking (SPT) experiments. Probe dynamics in different regimes of particle diameter (d), relative to characteristic polymer length scales, including the correlation length (ξ), the entanglement mesh size (a), and the radius of gyration (R g), are investigated. In simple fluids and for polymer solutions in which d >> R g, long-time particle dynamics obey random-walk statistics < r 2 >:t, with the bulk zero-shear viscosity of the polymer solution determining the frictionalmore » resistance to particle motion. In contrast, in polymer solutions with d < R g, polymer molecules in solution exert noncontinuum resistances to particle motion and nanoparticle probes appear to interact hydrodynamically only with a local fluid medium with effective drag comparable to that of a solution of polymer chain segments with sizes similar to those of the nanoparticle probes. Under these conditions, the nanoparticles exhibit orders of magnitude faster dynamics than those expected from continuum predictions based on the Stokes–Einstein relation. SPT measurements further show that when d > a, nanoparticle dynamics transition from diffusive to subdiffusive on long timescales, reminiscent of particle transport in a field with obstructions. This last finding is in stark contrast to the nanoparticle dynamics observed in entangled polymer melts, where X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy measurements reveal faster but hyperdiffusive dynamics. As a result, we analyze these results with the help of the hopping model for particle dynamics in polymers proposed by Cai et al. and, on that basis, discuss the physical origins of the local drag experienced by the nanoparticles in entangled polymer solutions.« less

Dynamics of Nanoparticles in Entangled Polymer Solutions

DOE PAGES

Nath, Pooja; Mangal, Rahul; Kohle, Ferdinand; ...

2017-12-01

The mean square displacement < r 2 > of nanoparticle probes dispersed in simple isotropic liquids and in polymer solutions is interrogated using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and single-particle tracking (SPT) experiments. Probe dynamics in different regimes of particle diameter (d), relative to characteristic polymer length scales, including the correlation length (ξ), the entanglement mesh size (a), and the radius of gyration (R g), are investigated. In simple fluids and for polymer solutions in which d >> R g, long-time particle dynamics obey random-walk statistics < r 2 >:t, with the bulk zero-shear viscosity of the polymer solution determining the frictionalmore » resistance to particle motion. In contrast, in polymer solutions with d < R g, polymer molecules in solution exert noncontinuum resistances to particle motion and nanoparticle probes appear to interact hydrodynamically only with a local fluid medium with effective drag comparable to that of a solution of polymer chain segments with sizes similar to those of the nanoparticle probes. Under these conditions, the nanoparticles exhibit orders of magnitude faster dynamics than those expected from continuum predictions based on the Stokes–Einstein relation. SPT measurements further show that when d > a, nanoparticle dynamics transition from diffusive to subdiffusive on long timescales, reminiscent of particle transport in a field with obstructions. This last finding is in stark contrast to the nanoparticle dynamics observed in entangled polymer melts, where X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy measurements reveal faster but hyperdiffusive dynamics. As a result, we analyze these results with the help of the hopping model for particle dynamics in polymers proposed by Cai et al. and, on that basis, discuss the physical origins of the local drag experienced by the nanoparticles in entangled polymer solutions.« less

Early-Dynamic Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography and PET Angiography for Endoleak Detection After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

PubMed

Drescher, Robert; Gühne, Falk; Freesmeyer, Martin

2017-06-01

To propose a positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) protocol including early-dynamic and late-phase acquisitions to evaluate graft patency and aneurysm diameter, detect endoleaks, and rule out graft or vessel wall inflammation after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in one examination without intravenous contrast medium. Early-dynamic PET/CT of the endovascular prosthesis is performed for 180 seconds immediately after intravenous injection of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose. Data are reconstructed in variable time frames (time periods after tracer injection) to visualize the arterial anatomy and are displayed as PET angiography or fused with CT images. Images are evaluated in view of vascular abnormalities, graft configuration, and tracer accumulation in the aneurysm sac. Whole-body PET/CT is performed 90 to 120 minutes after tracer injection. This protocol for early-dynamic PET/CT and PET angiography has the potential to evaluate vascular diseases, including the diagnosis of complications after endovascular procedures.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of the knee joint: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using standard and dynamic paramagnetic contrast media. Report of 52 cases surgically and histologically controlled.

PubMed

Barile, Antonio; Sabatini, Mylene; Iannessi, Francesca; Di Cesare, Ernesto; Splendiani, Alessandra; Calvisi, Vittorio; Masciocchi, Carlo

2004-04-01

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare proliferative disorder of the synovial membrane, exhibiting benign behaviour from a biological point of view. This kind of synovial hyperplasia leads to the formation of villi and nodules characterized by deposit of intracellular haemosiderin. It primarily involves young adults, the peak age being between the second and fourth decade of life. It may appear either in a diffuse or a localized (nodular) form. The joint most affected is the knee and diffuse PVNS is the most common form. Diagnostic imaging techniques, particularly MRI, allow lesion identification, suggesting a diagnosis. However, such diagnosis can be confirmed only on histology as the final diagnosis of PVNS, and therefore the possibility of differential diagnosis with other haemorrhagic and chronic hyperplastic synovites, is based on the detection of intracellular haemosiderin components. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of MRI, which might be completed with the intravenous injection of contrast medium, in the characterization of such pathological picture. From January 1999 to December 2002, we evaluated 52 patients presenting knee swelling, pain and functional impairment. Only 19 patients had a history of trauma. All patients underwent MRI using a dedicated 0.2 T unit or a whole-body' 1.5 T unit. In 30 cases the baseline examination was completed with intravenous injection of contrast medium, followed by dynamic 3D-SPGR sequences at 45, 90, 135 and 225 seconds from the initial injection. These dynamic sequences were then processed by means of early and late subtractions, evaluating the regions of interest (ROI) positioned in the areas with higher post-contrast enhancement. Thirty-eight patients had been previously submitted to Ultrasonography (US), whereas twenty-five patients to Computed Tomography (TC). Later, all patients underwent surgery. Only two patients required an arthrotomy. We then retrospectively evaluated the imaging findings obtained, comparing them with the histological data. Patients affected by autoimmune and systemic inflammatory disorders were excluded from this study. The suspected diagnosis of PVNS was confirmed in 44/52 patients examined. CT examination allowed to detect the presence of a synovial proliferation with densitometric values ranging from 55 to 75 Hounsfield Units (HU) in all cases. In 11 cases, US examination revealed the presence of nodular hyperechoic structures surrounded by anechoic areas, with no differentiation between diffuse and nodular forms. Baseline MRI images showed no differential features among the various histological forms detected. In fact, the nodular structures demonstrated intermediate-to-low intensity signal in all sequences performed. Contrast enhanced MRI showed the presence of areas of inhomogeneous signal due to the increased intensity signal of hypervascular areas. The analysis of vascular dynamics demonstrated a characteristic exponential intensity/time curve both in diffuse and localized forms. The definition of pigmented villonodular synovitis was first employed by Jaffé in 1941 to describe the benign proliferative inflammatory nature of such pathology, characterized by a thickened and hyperplastic synovia organized into villi and nodules, leading to deposition of intracellular haemosiderin pigments. Presently, Authors prefer to include in hemorrhagic synovites all chronic and haemorragic synovial disorders, regardless of the aetiopathogenesis (rheumatoid arthritis, arthropathy secondary to haemorrhagic diathesis, chronic articular traumatism, haemangioma, synovial sarcoma). PVNS involves young adults, with no gender preference; it affects the knee joint in 66-80% of cases, with no typical symptomatology. The absolute absence of any characteristic feature makes a correct differential diagnosis difficult. So far, the only possibility to diagnose PVNS is based on the histological examination: presence of intracellular and subsynovial haemosiderin pigments, predominance of nodular structures as compared to villi, presence of macrophage multinucleate cells, production of collagen, mitotic cellular elements. Therefore, the possibility of characterizing PVNS using MRI is based on detection of a higher number of nodules as compared to villi, as the presence of haemosiderin is always characterized by low signal intensity on T2-weighted images, both intra- and extracellularly. New information on MRI semeiotics has come from the use of post-contrast enhanced dynamic sequences which are able to provide semi-quantitative data on CM velocity distribution within the hyperplastic areas. However, in our experience, dynamic-enhanced MRI did not provide any differential feature between PVNS and the other chronic hemorrhagic forms. Any inflammatory pathology leads to an increased capillary permeability with progressive deposit of CM in the area of interest. In all cases examined, the maximum deposit of contrast medium was observed in the extracellular phase, with a delayed wash-out. PVNS of the knee presents a difficult differential diagnosis. In many cases, only MRI is able to identify the presence of haemosiderin precipitates within the nodules characterizing the lesion. The use of standard and dynamic contrast media seems unable to provide additional diagnostic information. Thus, the diagnosis still pertains to histology.

In vivo diffusion characteristics following perineural injection of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve with mepivacaine or iohexol in horses.

PubMed

Contino, E K; King, M R; Valdés-Martínez, A; McIlwraith, C W

2015-03-01

Hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy is a common injury of sport horses but diagnosis can be difficult because diagnostic analgesia of the region lacks specificity. Perineural analgesia of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve (DBLPN) has been proposed as a more specific method of isolating pain of the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament but the technique has not been evaluated in vivo. To determine the extent of diffusion of contrast medium and mepivacaine following DBLPN analgesia using a single-needle injection technique and to determine if there is inadvertent involvement of the tarsal sheath and/or tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint using this technique. In vivo experimental study. Perineural injection of the DBLPN was performed in 16 limbs with 3 ml of either mepivacaine hydrochloride or positive contrast medium. Contrast medium-injected limbs were radiographed 5, 15, and 30 min post injection and diffusion characteristics were described. In mepivacaine-injected limbs, synovial fluid from the TMT joint was obtained 10 and 20 min post injection and mepivacaine concentrations were analysed. At 5, 15 and 30 min post injection, the contrast medium extended, on average, 19.6, 20.6 and 21.0 mm proximal and 38.0, 43.5 and 51.9 mm distal to the injection site, respectively. Three of 8 (37.5%) limbs had evidence of contrast medium in the tarsal sheath. Two of 8 (25%) limbs had mepivacaine concentrations within the TMT joint sufficient to produce analgesia (>300 mg/l) at 10 min post injection. Contrast medium diffused further in a distal direction than in a proximal direction. Analgesia of the DBLPN can result in inadvertent involvement of the tarsal sheath and/or TMT joint. © 2014 EVJ Ltd.

Development of a technique for contrast radiographic examination of the gastrointestinal tract in ball pythons (Python regius).

PubMed

Banzato, Tommaso; Russo, Elisa; Finotti, Luca; Zotti, Alessandro

2012-07-01

To develop a technique for radiographic evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract in ball pythons (Python regius). 10 ball python cadavers (5 males and 5 females) and 18 healthy adult ball pythons (10 males and 8 females). Live snakes were allocated to 3 groups (A, B, and C). A dose (25 mL/kg) of barium sulfate suspension at 3 concentrations (25%, 35%, and 45% [wt/vol]) was administered through an esophageal probe to snakes in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Each evaluation ended when all the contrast medium had reached the large intestine. Transit times through the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine were recorded. Imaging quality was evaluated by 3 investigators who assigned a grading score on the basis of predetermined criteria. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate differences in quality among the study groups. The esophagus and stomach had a consistent distribution pattern of contrast medium, whereas 3 distribution patterns of contrast medium were identified in the small intestine, regardless of barium concentration. Significant differences in imaging quality were detected among the 3 groups. Radiographic procedures were tolerated well by all snakes. The 35% concentration of contrast medium yielded the best imaging quality. Use of contrast medium for evaluation of the cranial portion of the gastrointestinal tract could be a reliable technique for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases in ball pythons. However, results of this study may not translate to other snake species because of variables identified in this group of snakes.

Density relaxation and particle motion characteristics in a non-ionic deep eutectic solvent (acetamide + urea): time-resolved fluorescence measurements and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations.

PubMed

Das, Anuradha; Das, Suman; Biswas, Ranjit

2015-01-21

Temperature dependent relaxation dynamics, particle motion characteristics, and heterogeneity aspects of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) made of acetamide (CH3CONH2) and urea (NH2CONH2) have been investigated by employing time-resolved fluorescence measurements and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Three different compositions (f) for the mixture [fCH3CONH2 + (1 - f)NH2CONH2] have been studied in a temperature range of 328-353 K which is ∼120-145 K above the measured glass transition temperatures (∼207 K) of these DESs but much lower than the individual melting temperature of either of the constituents. Steady state fluorescence emission measurements using probe solutes with sharply different lifetimes do not indicate any dependence on excitation wavelength in these metastable molten systems. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements reveal near-hydrodynamic coupling between medium viscosity and rotation of a dissolved dipolar solute. Stokes shift dynamics have been found to be too fast to be detected by the time-resolution (∼70 ps) employed, suggesting extremely rapid medium polarization relaxation. All-atom simulations reveal Gaussian distribution for particle displacements and van Hove correlations, and significant overlap between non-Gaussian (α2) and new non-Gaussian (γ) heterogeneity parameters. In addition, no stretched exponential relaxations have been detected in the simulated wavenumber dependent acetamide dynamic structure factors. All these results are in sharp contrast to earlier observations for ionic deep eutectics with acetamide [Guchhait et al., J. Chem. Phys. 140, 104514 (2014)] and suggest a fundamental difference in interaction and dynamics between ionic and non-ionic deep eutectic solvent systems.

Density relaxation and particle motion characteristics in a non-ionic deep eutectic solvent (acetamide + urea): Time-resolved fluorescence measurements and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Das, Anuradha; Das, Suman; Biswas, Ranjit, E-mail: ranjit@bose.res.in

2015-01-21

Temperature dependent relaxation dynamics, particle motion characteristics, and heterogeneity aspects of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) made of acetamide (CH{sub 3}CONH{sub 2}) and urea (NH{sub 2}CONH{sub 2}) have been investigated by employing time-resolved fluorescence measurements and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Three different compositions (f) for the mixture [fCH{sub 3}CONH{sub 2} + (1 − f)NH{sub 2}CONH{sub 2}] have been studied in a temperature range of 328-353 K which is ∼120-145 K above the measured glass transition temperatures (∼207 K) of these DESs but much lower than the individual melting temperature of either of the constituents. Steady state fluorescence emission measurements using probemore » solutes with sharply different lifetimes do not indicate any dependence on excitation wavelength in these metastable molten systems. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements reveal near-hydrodynamic coupling between medium viscosity and rotation of a dissolved dipolar solute. Stokes shift dynamics have been found to be too fast to be detected by the time-resolution (∼70 ps) employed, suggesting extremely rapid medium polarization relaxation. All-atom simulations reveal Gaussian distribution for particle displacements and van Hove correlations, and significant overlap between non-Gaussian (α{sub 2}) and new non-Gaussian (γ) heterogeneity parameters. In addition, no stretched exponential relaxations have been detected in the simulated wavenumber dependent acetamide dynamic structure factors. All these results are in sharp contrast to earlier observations for ionic deep eutectics with acetamide [Guchhait et al., J. Chem. Phys. 140, 104514 (2014)] and suggest a fundamental difference in interaction and dynamics between ionic and non-ionic deep eutectic solvent systems.« less

Density relaxation and particle motion characteristics in a non-ionic deep eutectic solvent (acetamide + urea): Time-resolved fluorescence measurements and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Anuradha; Das, Suman; Biswas, Ranjit

2015-01-01

Temperature dependent relaxation dynamics, particle motion characteristics, and heterogeneity aspects of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) made of acetamide (CH3CONH2) and urea (NH2CONH2) have been investigated by employing time-resolved fluorescence measurements and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Three different compositions (f) for the mixture [fCH3CONH2 + (1 - f)NH2CONH2] have been studied in a temperature range of 328-353 K which is ˜120-145 K above the measured glass transition temperatures (˜207 K) of these DESs but much lower than the individual melting temperature of either of the constituents. Steady state fluorescence emission measurements using probe solutes with sharply different lifetimes do not indicate any dependence on excitation wavelength in these metastable molten systems. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements reveal near-hydrodynamic coupling between medium viscosity and rotation of a dissolved dipolar solute. Stokes shift dynamics have been found to be too fast to be detected by the time-resolution (˜70 ps) employed, suggesting extremely rapid medium polarization relaxation. All-atom simulations reveal Gaussian distribution for particle displacements and van Hove correlations, and significant overlap between non-Gaussian (α2) and new non-Gaussian (γ) heterogeneity parameters. In addition, no stretched exponential relaxations have been detected in the simulated wavenumber dependent acetamide dynamic structure factors. All these results are in sharp contrast to earlier observations for ionic deep eutectics with acetamide [Guchhait et al., J. Chem. Phys. 140, 104514 (2014)] and suggest a fundamental difference in interaction and dynamics between ionic and non-ionic deep eutectic solvent systems.

[Analysis of Scattered Radiation in an Irradiated Body by Means of the Monte Carlo Simulation: Variation of the Subjective Contrast Due to Difference in the Location of Inhomogeneous Region].

PubMed

Kato, Hideki; Sawada, Michito

2015-12-01

When an inhomogeneous medium such as bone, whose composition or density are clearly different from that of soft tissue of human body, exist in irradiated body, a subjective contrast of X-ray image changes by the location of these inhomogeneous medium. This cause due to the change of behavior of scattered photons in the body depends on the location of inhomogeneous medium besides due to the influence of a penumbra. But this mechanism is not explained clearly yet. In this paper, it was analyzed by means of the Monte Carlo simulation that what kind of difference occurs to a subjective contrast by the difference in location of inhomogeneous medium in water phantom and that a change in behavior of scattered photons in the phantom influences a subjective contrast by what kind of mechanism. In this case the inhomogeneous medium is bone, whose effective atomic number and density are higher than that of water, the subjective contrast of X-ray image degrades when bone is located near the entrance surface (upper position) than located near the exit surface (lower position). This is caused by the number of scattered photons, originated in primary photons incident upon the zone besides the region from entrance surface to exit surface including inhomogeneous medium and incident on the area of shadow of inhomogeneous medium on the image detector, is greater in case of the upper position than in case of the lower position. In the lower position, many of these scattered photons are interacted in bone located near the exit surface by the photo-electric absorption and only a small amount is incident on the image detector.

Comparison of colonic transit between polyethylene glycol and water as oral contrast vehicles in the CT evaluation of acute appendicitis.

PubMed

Hebert, Jeffrey J; Taylor, Andrew J; Winter, Thomas C

2006-11-01

The objective of our study was to assess the efficacy of a new positive oral contrast agent's ability to reach the colon during CT evaluation of acute appendicitis. Eighty adult emergency department patients who underwent abdominal CT to evaluate for appendicitis were studied. Forty patients received the department's standard dose of 1,600 mL of a water-iodinated contrast mixture (ratio of 2 mL of iodinated contrast material to 100 mL of water) with a standard delay time of 2-2.5 hours from the beginning of contrast medium ingestion. Forty patients were given a new oral contrast mixture of 1,000 mL of polyethylene glycol (PEG) mixed with 30 mL of iodinated contrast agent, and the examination was conducted only 1 hour from inception of contrast administration. Examinations were reviewed for the presence of contrast medium in the cecum and the presence of appendicitis or other abdominal abnormality. Thirty-eight of 40 patients in the PEG group had contrast medium in the colon at 1 hour after contrast administration, 20 of whom had surgically confirmed cases of appendicitis. In five other patients in that group, another cause to explain the patient's complaints was identified on imaging. Only 18 of the 40 patients who received the standard oral preparation had contrast material present in the cecum. Eleven patients in that group had confirmed appendicitis, and four others had another abnormal finding detected at CT. There was a significant difference in the success of contrast medium transit to the colon with these two agents (p < 0.0001). The use of an oral contrast agent composed of PEG and iodinated contrast material provided a marked improvement in oral agent transit to the colon even in patients with intraabdominal inflammation.

Iodine-based contrast media, multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathies: literature review and ESUR Contrast Media Safety Committee guidelines.

PubMed

Stacul, Fulvio; Bertolotto, Michele; Thomsen, Henrik S; Pozzato, Gabriele; Ugolini, Donatella; Bellin, Marie-France; Bongartz, Georg; Clement, Olivier; Heinz-Peer, Gertraud; van der Molen, Aart; Reimer, Peter; Webb, Judith A W

2018-02-01

Many radiologists and clinicians still consider multiple myeloma (MM) and monoclonal gammopathies (MG) a contraindication for using iodine-based contrast media. The ESUR Contrast Media Safety Committee performed a systematic review of the incidence of post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) in these patients. A systematic search in Medline and Scopus databases was performed for renal function deterioration studies in patients with MM or MG following administration of iodine-based contrast media. Data collection and analysis were performed according to the PRISMA statement 2009. Eligibility criteria and methods of analysis were specified in advance. Cohort and case-control studies reporting changes in renal function were included. Thirteen studies were selected that reported 824 iodine-based contrast medium administrations in 642 patients with MM or MG, in which 12 unconfounded cases of PC-AKI were found (1.6 %). The majority of patients had intravenous urography with high osmolality ionic contrast media after preparatory dehydration and purgation. MM and MG alone are not risk factors for PC-AKI. However, the risk of PC-AKI may become significant in dehydrated patients with impaired renal function. Hypercalcaemia may increase the risk of kidney damage, and should be corrected before contrast medium administration. Assessment for Bence-Jones proteinuria is not necessary. • Monoclonal gammopathies including multiple myeloma are a large spectrum of disorders. • In monoclonal gammopathy with normal renal function, PC-AKI risk is not increased. • Renal function is often reduced in myeloma, increasing the risk of PC-AKI. • Correction of hypercalcaemia is necessary in myeloma before iodine-based contrast medium administration. • Bence-Jones proteinuria assessment in myeloma is unnecessary before iodine-based contrast medium administration.

What is the underestimation of radiation dose to the pediatric thyroid gland from contrast enhanced CT, if contrast medium uptake is not taken into account?

PubMed

Perisinakis, Kostas; Pouli, Styliani; Tzedakis, Antonis; Spanakis, Kostas; Hatzidakis, Adam; Raissaki, Maria; Damilakis, John

2018-05-01

To assess the underestimation of radiation dose to the thyroid of children undergoing contrast enhanced CT if contrast medium uptake is not taken into account. 161 pediatric head, head & neck and chest CT examinations were retrospectively studied to identify those involving pre- and post-contrast imaging and thyroid inclusion in imaged volume. CT density of thyroid tissue in HU was measured in non-enhanced (NECT) and corresponding contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) images. Resulting CT number increase (ΔHU) was recorded for each patient and corresponded to a % w/w iodine concentration. The relation of %w/w iodine concentration to %dose increase induced by iodinated contrast uptake was derived by Monte Carlo simulation experiments. The thyroid gland was visible in 11 chest and 3 neck CT examinations involving both pre- and post-contrast imaging. The %w/w concentration of iodine in the thyroid tissue at the time of CECT acquisition was found to be 0.13%-0.58% w/w (mean = 0.26%). The %increase of dose to thyroid tissue was found to be linearly correlated to%w/w iodine uptake. The increase in radiation dose to thyroid due to contrast uptake ranged from 12% to 44%, with a mean value of 23%. The radiation dose to the pediatric thyroid from CECT exposure may be underestimated by up to 44% if contrast medium uptake is not taken into account. Meticulous demarcation of imaged volume in pediatric chest CT examinations is imperative to avoid unnecessary direct exposure of thyroid, especially in CT examinations following intravenous administration of contrast medium. Copyright © 2018 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ground-based measurements of ionospheric dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kouba, Daniel; Chum, Jaroslav

2018-05-01

Different methods are used to research and monitor the ionospheric dynamics using ground measurements: Digisonde Drift Measurements (DDM) and Continuous Doppler Sounding (CDS). For the first time, we present comparison between both methods on specific examples. Both methods provide information about the vertical drift velocity component. The DDM provides more information about the drift velocity vector and detected reflection points. However, the method is limited by the relatively low time resolution. In contrast, the strength of CDS is its high time resolution. The discussed methods can be used for real-time monitoring of medium scale travelling ionospheric disturbances. We conclude that it is advantageous to use both methods simultaneously if possible. The CDS is then applied for the disturbance detection and analysis, and the DDM is applied for the reflection height control.

Modeling ultrashort electromagnetic pulses with a generalized Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofstrand, A.; Moloney, J. V.

2018-03-01

In this paper we derive a properly scaled model for the nonlinear propagation of intense, ultrashort, mid-infrared electromagnetic pulses (10-100 femtoseconds) through an arbitrary dispersive medium. The derivation results in a generalized Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (gKP) equation. In contrast to envelope-based models such as the Nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation, the gKP equation describes the dynamics of the field's actual carrier wave. It is important to resolve these dynamics when modeling ultrashort pulses. We proceed by giving an original proof of sufficient conditions on the initial pulse for a singularity to form in the field after a finite propagation distance. The model is then numerically simulated in 2D using a spectral-solver with initial data and physical parameters highlighting our theoretical results.

Contrast Medium-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

PubMed Central

Sadat, Umar; Usman, Ammara; Boyle, Jonathan R.; Hayes, Paul D.; Solomon, Richard J.

2015-01-01

Contrast medium-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a predominant cause of hospital-acquired renal insufficiency. With an increasing number of contrast medium-enhanced radiological procedures being performed in a rapidly increasing ageing population in the Western world, it is imperative that more attention is given to understand the aetiology of CI-AKI to devise novel diagnostic methods and to formulate effective prophylactic and therapeutic regimens to reduce its incidence and its associated morbidity and mortality. This article presents high-yield information on the above-mentioned aspects of CI-AKI, primarily based on results of randomised controlled trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews and international consensus guidelines. PMID:26195974

Myths and misconceptions concerning contrast media-induced anaphylaxis: a narrative review.

PubMed

Böhm, Ingrid; Morelli, John; Nairz, Knud; Silva Hasembank Keller, Patricia; Heverhagen, Johannes T

2017-03-01

Contrast-enhanced radiological examinations are an increasingly important diagnostic tool in modern medicine. All approved and available contrast media (iodinated and gadolinium-based) are safe compounds that are well-tolerated by most patients. However, a small percentage of patients exhibit contrast medium-induced adverse drug reactions that are dose-dependent and predictable (type A) or an even smaller cohort experience so-called type B (dose-independent, non-predictable). To increase patients' safety, recommendations/guidelines have been put forth in the literature and advice passed down informally by radiologists in practice to ensure contrast media safety. Through these, both reasonable suggestions as well as misinterpretations and myths (such as the misleading terms "allergy-like" reactions, and "iodine-allergy", the wrong assumption that the initial contact to a contrast medium could not induce an allergy, the estimation that an anti-allergy premedication could suppress all possible adverse reactions, and interleukin-2 as a risk/trigger for contrast medium adverse events) have arisen. Since the latter are not only unhelpful but also potentially reduce patients' safety, such myths and misconceptions are the focus of this review.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of active bleeding associated with hepatic and splenic trauma.

PubMed

Lv, F; Tang, J; Luo, Y; Li, Z; Meng, X; Zhu, Z; Li, T

2011-10-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging of active bleeding from hepatic and splenic trauma. Three hundred and ninety-two patients with liver or/and spleen trauma (179 liver and 217 spleen injuries), who underwent CEUS examinations following contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), were enrolled in this retrospective study over a period of >4 years. CEUS detected contrast medium extravasation or pooling in 16% (63/396) of liver or spleen lesions in 61 patients, which was confirmed by contrast-enhanced CT. Special attention was paid to observing the presence, location, and characteristics of the extravasated or pooled contrast medium. The CEUS detection rate for active bleeding was not different from that of contrast-enhanced CT (p=0.333). Information from surgery, minimally invasive treatment and conservative treatment was used as reference standard, and the sensitivities of the two techniques were not different (p=0.122). Of 63 lesions in 61 patients, CEUS showed that 74.6% (47/63) (21 liver lesions and 26 spleen lesions) presented contrast medium extravasation or pooling, both in the organ and out the capsule, in 14.3% (9/63) and only outside the capsule in 11.1% (7/63). CEUS imaging of active bleeding from hepatic and splenic trauma presented various characteristics, and the sizes and shapes of the active bleeding due to contrast medium extravasation or pooling were variable. CEUS can show the active bleeding associated with hepatic and splenic trauma with various imaging characteristics, thus making it possible to diagnose active bleeding using CEUS.

MR contrast media for myocardial viability, microvascular integrity and perfusion.

PubMed

Saeed, M; Wendland, M F; Watzinger, N; Akbari, H; Higgins, C B

2000-06-01

Cardiovascular imaging requires an appreciation of rapidly evolving MR imaging sequences as well as careful utilization of intravascular, extracellular and intracellular MR contrast media. At the present time, clinical studies are restricted to the use of extracellular MR contrast media. MR imaging has the potential to noninvasively measure multiple parameters of the cardiovascular system in a single imaging session. Recent advances in fast and ultrafast MR imaging have considerably enhanced the capability of this technique, beyond the assessment of left ventricular wall motion and morphology into visualization of the coronary arteries and measurement of blood flow. During the course of the last several years, multiple strategies for imaging viable myocardium have been developed and validated using MR contrast media. Contrast enhanced dynamic MR imaging provides information regarding microvascular integrity and perfusion. Because these information can be provided noninvasively by MR imaging, repeated measurements can be performed in longitudinal studies to monitor the progression or regression of myocardial injury. Similar studies are needed to examine the effects of newly developed cardioprotective therapeutics. Development of suitable intravascular MR contrast medium may be essential for visualization of the coronary arteries and interventional therapies. MR imaging may emerge as one-stop-shop for evaluating the heart and coronary system. This capability will make MR imaging cost-effective in the first decade of this millennium.

Prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury by theophylline in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease.

PubMed

Matejka, Jan; Varvarovsky, Ivo; Vojtisek, Petr; Herman, Ales; Rozsival, Vladimir; Borkova, Veronika; Kvasnicka, Jiri

2010-11-01

Although the optimal strategy for preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) has not yet been established, the current strategy focuses on adequate periprocedural hydration, the use of a low amount of low or iso-osmolar contrast medium, and the application of adjunctive therapies, including hemofiltration, hemodialysis and drugs. Previous trials and meta-analyses concerning the use of the adenosine antagonist theophylline have revealed contradictory results. We sought to evaluate the effect of theophylline in CI-AKI prevention in well-hydrated elderly patients with chronic kidney disease. We therefore conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 56 patients who had been referred for cardiac coronary angiography and/or angioplasty. 31 of these patients were randomly assigned to 200 mg theophylline IV before the procedure, and 25 to a placebo. The iso-osmolar contrast medium iodixanol was used. The primary endpoint was an increase in serum creatinine at study termination 48 h after contrast medium administration. Baseline characteristics in the placebo and theophylline groups were similar in terms of median age (75 years), estimated glomerular filtration rate (33 ± 10 vs. 33 ± 10 ml/min/1.73 m²; p = 0.87), diabetes mellitus (80 vs. 71%; p = 0.54), and amount of contrast used (94 ± 35 vs. 95 ± 38 ml; p = 0.89). There was no difference in serum creatinine at baseline (2.06 ± 0.59 vs. 2.02 ± 0.45 mg/dl; p = 0.62) or study termination (2.06 ± 0.68 vs. 2.10 ± 0.53; p = 0.79). A prophylactic effect of theophylline was not observed. The incidence of renal impairment following exposure to the contrast medium was low. This fact can be attributed to adequate parenteral hydratation and the use of the minimum amount of contrast medium necessary.

Correction of oral contrast artifacts in CT-based attenuation correction of PET images using an automated segmentation algorithm.

PubMed

Ahmadian, Alireza; Ay, Mohammad R; Bidgoli, Javad H; Sarkar, Saeed; Zaidi, Habib

2008-10-01

Oral contrast is usually administered in most X-ray computed tomography (CT) examinations of the abdomen and the pelvis as it allows more accurate identification of the bowel and facilitates the interpretation of abdominal and pelvic CT studies. However, the misclassification of contrast medium with high-density bone in CT-based attenuation correction (CTAC) is known to generate artifacts in the attenuation map (mumap), thus resulting in overcorrection for attenuation of positron emission tomography (PET) images. In this study, we developed an automated algorithm for segmentation and classification of regions containing oral contrast medium to correct for artifacts in CT-attenuation-corrected PET images using the segmented contrast correction (SCC) algorithm. The proposed algorithm consists of two steps: first, high CT number object segmentation using combined region- and boundary-based segmentation and second, object classification to bone and contrast agent using a knowledge-based nonlinear fuzzy classifier. Thereafter, the CT numbers of pixels belonging to the region classified as contrast medium are substituted with their equivalent effective bone CT numbers using the SCC algorithm. The generated CT images are then down-sampled followed by Gaussian smoothing to match the resolution of PET images. A piecewise calibration curve was then used to convert CT pixel values to linear attenuation coefficients at 511 keV. The visual assessment of segmented regions performed by an experienced radiologist confirmed the accuracy of the segmentation and classification algorithms for delineation of contrast-enhanced regions in clinical CT images. The quantitative analysis of generated mumaps of 21 clinical CT colonoscopy datasets showed an overestimation ranging between 24.4% and 37.3% in the 3D-classified regions depending on their volume and the concentration of contrast medium. Two PET/CT studies known to be problematic demonstrated the applicability of the technique in clinical setting. More importantly, correction of oral contrast artifacts improved the readability and interpretation of the PET scan and showed substantial decrease of the SUV (104.3%) after correction. An automated segmentation algorithm for classification of irregular shapes of regions containing contrast medium was developed for wider applicability of the SCC algorithm for correction of oral contrast artifacts during the CTAC procedure. The algorithm is being refined and further validated in clinical setting.

Steering Microbubbles in Physiologically Realistic Flows Using the Bjerknes Force

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, Alicia; Aliseda, Alberto

2017-11-01

Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) are lipid-coated microbubbles that are used to increase contrast in ultrasound imaging due to their ability to scatter sound. Additionally, UCAs can be used in conjunction with ultrasound in medical applications such as targeted drug delivery and thrombolysis. These applications utilize the Bjerknes force, an ultrasound-induced force caused by the phase difference between the incoming ultrasound pressure wave and the microbubble volume oscillations. The dynamics of microbubbles under ultrasound excitation have been studied thoroughly in stagnant fluid baths; however, understanding of the fundamental physics of microbubbles in physiologically realistic flows is lacking. An in vitroexperiment that reproduces the dynamics (Reynolds and Womersley numbers) of a medium-sized blood vessel was used to explore the behavior of microbubbles. Using Lagrangian tracking, the trajectory of each individual bubble was reconstructed using information obtained from high speed imaging. The balance of hydrodynamic forces (lift, drag, added mass, etc.) against the primary Bjerknes force was analyzed. The results show that an increase in ultrasound pulse repetition frequency leads to a linear increase in the Bjerknes force and the increase in the force is quadratic with the amplitude of the excitation.

New aspects of membrane dynamics of Amoeba proteus contractile vacuole revealed by vital staining with FM 4-64.

PubMed

Nishihara, E; Shimmen, T; Sonobe, S

2007-01-01

The contractile vacuole (CV) cycle of Amoeba proteus has been studied by phase contrast and electron microscopy. However, the understanding of membrane dynamics in this cycle is still poor. In this study, we used live imaging by fluorescence microscopy to obtain new insights. We succeeded in staining the CV with a styryl dye, FM 4-64 (N-(3-triethylammoniumpropyl)-4-(6-(4-(diethylamino)phenyl)hexatrienyl)pyridinium dibromide), and obtained the following results. (1) The CV membrane was directly stained with the dye in the external medium when the CV pore opened upon contraction. This indicates that transfer of plasma membrane to the CV does not occur. (2) The membrane dynamics during the CV cycle were elucidated. In particular, the fluorescent CV membrane was maintained as an aggregate just after contraction and the vacuole re-formed from the aggregate. Staining was maintained during continued contraction cycles. We conclude that the CV membrane is maintained during the CV cycle.

Non-equilibrium forces drive the anomalous diffusion of telomeres in the nucleus of mammalian cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stadler, Lorenz; Weiss, Matthias

2017-11-01

Telomeres are vital nucleotide sequences at both ends of each chromosome, and their motion reports on the local dynamics of decondensed chromatin in the nucleus of interphase cells. Here, we show that the previously reported subdiffusive motion of telomeres is driven by non-equilibrium cytoskeletal forces. In particular, breaking down microtubules leads to a significantly reduced generalized diffusion coefficient of telomeres. This translates into a markedly reduced effective temperature in the stochastic forces that govern the telomeres’ random walk. Moreover, telomere motion in cells that lack microtubules is well described by the monomer dynamics of a Rouse polymer that is embeddded in a viscoelastic medium. In contrast, active cytoskeletal forces in untreated cells override the environment’s elastic contributions, resulting in the well-known scaling for conventional Rouse dynamics in viscous media. Our data highlight that even subdiffusive motion in cells in most cases may not be a simple thermal transport process but rather is driven by non-equilibrium events.

Contrast enhancement of mail piece images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Yong-Chul; Sridhar, Ramalingam; Demjanenko, Victor; Palumbo, Paul W.; Hull, Jonathan J.

1992-08-01

A New approach to contrast enhancement of mail piece images is presented. The contrast enhancement is used as a preprocessing step in the real-time address block location (RT-ABL) system. The RT-ABL system processes a stream of mail piece images and locates destination address blocks. Most of the mail pieces (classified into letters) show high contrast between background and foreground. As an extreme case, however, the seasonal greeting cards usually use colored envelopes which results in reduced contrast osured by an error rate by using a linear distributed associative memory (DAM). The DAM is trained to recognize the spectra of three classes of images: with high, medium, and low OCR error rates. The DAM is not forced to make a classification every time. It is allowed to reject as unknown a spectrum presented that does not closely resemble any that has been stored in the DAM. The DAM was fairly accurate with noisy images but conservative (i.e., rejected several text images as unknowns) when there was little ground and foreground degradations without affecting the nondegraded images. This approach provides local enhancement which adapts to local features. In order to simplify the computation of A and (sigma) , dynamic programming technique is used. Implementation details, performance, and the results on test images are presented in this paper.

Cost-effectiveness of iso- versus low-osmolality contrast media in outpatients with high risk of contrast medium-induced nephropathy.

PubMed

Chicaíza-Becerra, Liliana Alejandra; García-Molina, Mario; Gamboa, Óscar

2012-06-01

Contrast media can cause acute renal failure by direct toxic effects on the tubular cells and kidney ischemia. Diabetics and hospitalized patients have a greater risk of developing contrast-induced nephropathy than the general population. The cost effectiveness of iso and low-osmolality contrast media was assessed in high risk outpatients. The analysis was based on a systematic literature review comparing the nephrotoxic effects of iso- to low-osmolality contrast media. Only direct costs were considered; these were obtained from the official tariff manual. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, efficiency curves and acceptability curves were calculated. Univariate sensitivity analyses were performed for costs and effects, as well as probabilistic analyses. Zero and 3% discounts were applied to results. The cost-effectiveness threshold was equal to the per capita GDP per life-year gained. Alternatives with Iopamidol and Iodixanol are preferable to the others, because both reduce risk of contrast-induced nephropathy and are less costly. The incremental cost-effectiveness of the Iodixanol alternative compared to the Iopamidol alternative is US$ 14,660 per additional life year gained; this is more than twice the threshold. The low-osmolality contrast medium, Iopamidol, appears to be cost-effective when compared with Iohexol or other low-osmolality contrast media (Iopromide, Iobitridol, Iomeprol, Iopentol and Ioxilan) in contrast-induced nephropathy, high-risk outpatients. The choice of the iso-osmolality contrast medium, Iodixanol, depends on its cost per vial and on the willingness to pay.

Pulse propagation and optically controllable switch in coupled semiconductor-double-quantum-dot nanostructures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hamedi, H. R., E-mail: hamid.r.hamedi@gmail.com, E-mail: hamid.hamedi@tfai.vu.lt

The problem of pulse propagation is theoretically investigated through a coupled semiconductor-double-quantum-dot (SDQD) nanostructure. Solving the coupled Maxwell–Bloch equations for the SDQD and field simultaneously, the dynamic control of pulse propagation through the medium is numerically explored. It is found that when all the control fields are in exact resonance with their corresponding transitions, a weak Gaussian-shaped probe pulse is transmitted through the medium nearly without any significant absorption and losses so that it can preserve its shape for quite a long propagation distance. In contrast, when one of the control fields is not in resonance with its corresponding transition,more » the probe pulse will be absorbed by the QD medium after a short distance. Then we consider the probe pulses with higher intensities. It is realized that an intense probe pulse experiences remarkable absorption and broadening during propagation. Finally, we demonstrate that this SDQD system can be employed as an optically controllable switch for the wave propagation to transit from an absorbing phase to a perfect transparency for the probe field. The required time for such switch is also estimated through realistic values.« less

In vivo differentiation of complementary contrast media at dual-energy CT.

PubMed

Mongan, John; Rathnayake, Samira; Fu, Yanjun; Wang, Runtang; Jones, Ella F; Gao, Dong-Wei; Yeh, Benjamin M

2012-10-01

To evaluate the feasibility of using a commercially available clinical dual-energy computed tomographic (CT) scanner to differentiate the in vivo enhancement due to two simultaneously administered contrast media with complementary x-ray attenuation ratios. Approval from the institutional animal care and use committee was obtained, and National Institutes of Health guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals were observed. Dual-energy CT was performed in a set of iodine and tungsten solution phantoms and in a rabbit in which iodinated intravenous and bismuth subsalicylate oral contrast media were administered. In addition, a second rabbit was studied after intravenous administration of iodinated and tungsten cluster contrast media. Images were processed to produce virtual monochromatic images that simulated the appearance of conventional single-energy scans, as well as material decomposition images that separate the attenuation due to each contrast medium. Clear separation of each of the contrast media pairs was seen in the phantom and in both in vivo animal models. Separation of bowel lumen from vascular contrast medium allowed visualization of bowel wall enhancement that was obscured by intraluminal bowel contrast medium on conventional CT scans. Separation of two vascular contrast media in different vascular phases enabled acquisition of a perfectly coregistered CT angiogram and venous phase-enhanced CT scan simultaneously in a single examination. Commercially available clinical dual-energy CT scanners can help differentiate the enhancement of selected pairs of complementary contrast media in vivo. © RSNA, 2012.

In Vivo Differentiation of Complementary Contrast Media at Dual-Energy CT

PubMed Central

Mongan, John; Rathnayake, Samira; Fu, Yanjun; Wang, Runtang; Jones, Ella F.; Gao, Dong-Wei

2012-01-01

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of using a commercially available clinical dual-energy computed tomographic (CT) scanner to differentiate the in vivo enhancement due to two simultaneously administered contrast media with complementary x-ray attenuation ratios. Materials and Methods: Approval from the institutional animal care and use committee was obtained, and National Institutes of Health guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals were observed. Dual-energy CT was performed in a set of iodine and tungsten solution phantoms and in a rabbit in which iodinated intravenous and bismuth subsalicylate oral contrast media were administered. In addition, a second rabbit was studied after intravenous administration of iodinated and tungsten cluster contrast media. Images were processed to produce virtual monochromatic images that simulated the appearance of conventional single-energy scans, as well as material decomposition images that separate the attenuation due to each contrast medium. Results: Clear separation of each of the contrast media pairs was seen in the phantom and in both in vivo animal models. Separation of bowel lumen from vascular contrast medium allowed visualization of bowel wall enhancement that was obscured by intraluminal bowel contrast medium on conventional CT scans. Separation of two vascular contrast media in different vascular phases enabled acquisition of a perfectly coregistered CT angiogram and venous phase–enhanced CT scan simultaneously in a single examination. Conclusion: Commercially available clinical dual-energy CT scanners can help differentiate the enhancement of selected pairs of complementary contrast media in vivo. © RSNA, 2012 PMID:22778447

Effect of barium sulfate contrast medium on rheology and sensory texture attributes in a model food.

PubMed

Ekberg, O; Bulow, M; Ekman, S; Hall, G; Stading, M; Wendin, K

2009-03-01

The swallowing process can be visualized using videoradiography, by mixing food with contrast medium, e.g., barium sulfate (BaSO(4)), making it radiopaque. The sensory properties of foods may be affected by adding this medium. To evaluate if and to what extent sensory and rheological characteristics of mango purée were altered by adding barium sulfate to the food. This study evaluated four food samples based on mango purée, with no or added barium sulfate contrast medium (0%, 12.5%, 25.0%, and 37.5%), by a radiographic method, and measured sensory texture properties and rheological characteristics. The sensory evaluation was performed by an external trained panel using quantitative descriptive analysis. The ease of swallowing the foods was also evaluated. The sensory texture properties of mango purée were significantly affected by the added barium in all evaluated attributes, as was the perception of particles. Moreover, ease of swallowing was significantly higher in the sample without added contrast medium. All samples decreased in extensional viscosity with increasing extension rate, i.e., all samples were tension thinning. Shear viscosity was not as dependent on the concentration of BaSO(4) as extensional viscosity. Addition of barium sulfate to a model food of mango purée has a major impact on perceived sensory texture attributes as well as on rheological parameters.

Wave propagation in a strongly heterogeneous elastic porous medium: Homogenization of Biot medium with double porosities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rohan, Eduard; Naili, Salah; Nguyen, Vu-Hieu

2016-08-01

We study wave propagation in an elastic porous medium saturated with a compressible Newtonian fluid. The porous network is interconnected whereby the pores are characterized by two very different characteristic sizes. At the mesoscopic scale, the medium is described using the Biot model, characterized by a high contrast in the hydraulic permeability and anisotropic elasticity, whereas the contrast in the Biot coupling coefficient is only moderate. Fluid motion is governed by the Darcy flow model extended by inertia terms and by the mass conservation equation. The homogenization method based on the asymptotic analysis is used to obtain a macroscopic model. To respect the high contrast in the material properties, they are scaled by the small parameter, which is involved in the asymptotic analysis and characterized by the size of the heterogeneities. Using the estimates of wavelengths in the double-porosity networks, it is shown that the macroscopic descriptions depend on the contrast in the static permeability associated with pores and micropores and on the frequency. Moreover, the microflow in the double porosity is responsible for fading memory effects via the macroscopic poroviscoelastic constitutive law. xml:lang="fr"

Photoluminescence studies on the complexation of Eu(III) and Tb(III) with acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) in nitrate medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pathak, P. N.; Mohapatra, M.; Godbole, S. V.

2013-11-01

UREX process has been proposed for selective extraction of U(VI) and Tc(VII) from nitric acid medium (∼1 M HNO3) using tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) as extractant and retaining Pu, Np and fission products in the aqueous phase. The feasibility of the use of luminescence spectroscopy as a technique to understand the complexation of trivalent f-elements cations viz. Eu(III) and Tb(III) with acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) in nitric acid medium has been examined. The luminescence lifetimes for the 1 × 10-3 M Eu(III) and AHA complex system decreased with increased AHA concentration from 116 ± 0.2 μs (no AHA) to 1.6 ± 0.1 μs (0.1 M AHA) which was attributed to dynamic quenching. The corrected fluorescence intensities were used to calculate the stability constant (log K) for the formation of 1:1 Eu3+-AHA complex as 1.42 ± 0.64 under the conditions of this study. By contrast, the Tb(III)-AHA system at pH 3 (HNO3) did not show any significant variation in the life times of the excited state (364 ± 9 μs) suggesting the absence of dynamic quenching. The spectral changes in Tb(III)-AHA system showed the formation of 1:1 complex (log K: 1.72 ± 0.21). These studies suggest that the extent of AHA complexation with the rare earth elements will be insignificant as compared to tetravalent metal ions Pu(IV) and Np(IV) under UREX process conditions.

[Comparison of diagnostic quality in hysterosalpingography between iodinated non-ionic contrast media with low and high osmolarity].

PubMed

Piccotti, K; Guida, D; Carbonetti, F; Stefanetti, L; Macioce, A; Cremona, A; David, V

Comparison of diagnostic quality in hysterosalpingography between low and high-osmolality contrast media. We performed a retrospective evaluation of two cohorts of patients who underwent HSG using contrast media with different osmolarity: the first group ,47 patients, underwent hysterosalpingography in the period September 2011-December 2012 using Iopromide 370 mg/ml; the second group, 50 patients, underwent HSG from January 2013 to October 2013 using Iomeprol 400 mg/ml. Three radiologists, in consensus reading,, reviewed the radiographs by assessing the following four parameters: opacification of the uterine cavity, uterine profiles definition, Fallopian tubes visualization, contrast media spillage into peritoneum. A score-scale from 0 to 3 was assigned for each of the mentioned parameter (0 = minimum non-diagnostic exam, 1 = sufficient examination; 2 = good quality examination; maximum 3 = high quality images). We documented a statistically significant higher quality in displaying Fallopian tubes among patients studied through high osmolarity contrast medium (Iopromide 370 mg/ml) than what obtained through lower osmolarity contrast medium (Iomeprol 400 mg/ml). The use of high osmolarity contrast medium enabled better visualization of the tubes and a greater number of diagnoses of chronic aspecific salpigintis due to the increased osmolality and viscosity of Iomeprol 400 mg/ml. There were no significant differences between the two contrast agents in the evaluation of intra-uterine pathology and in the evaluation of the tubal patency.

New oil-in-water magnetic emulsion as contrast agent for in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

PubMed

Ahmed, Naveed; Jaafar-Maalej, Chiraz; Eissa, Mohamed Mahmoud; Fessi, Hatem; Elaissari, Abdelhamid

2013-09-01

Nowadays, bio-imaging techniques are widely applied for the diagnosis of various diseased/tumoral tissues in the body using different contrast agents. Accordingly, the advancement in bionanotechnology research is enhanced in this regard. Among contrast agents used, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were developed by many researchers and applied for in vive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this study, a new oil-in-water magnetic emulsion was used as contrast agent in MRI, after being characterized in terms of particle size, iron oxide content, magnetic properties and colloidal stability using dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and zeta potential measurement techniques, respectively. The hydrodynamic size and magnetic content of the magnetic colloidal particles were found to be 250 nm and 75 wt%, respectively. In addition, the used magnetic emulsion possesses superparamagentic properties and high colloidal stability in aqueous medium. Then, the magnetic emulsion was highly diluted and administered intravenously to the Sprague dawley rats to be tested as contrast agent for in vivo MRI. In this preliminary study, MRI images showed significant enhancement in contrast, especially for T2 (relaxation time) contrast enhancement, indicating the distribution of magnetic colloidal nanoparticles within organs, like liver, spleen and kidneys of the Sprague dawley rats. In addition, it was found that 500 microL of the highly diluted magnetic emulsion (0.05 wt%) was found adequate for MRI analysis. This seems to be useful for further investigations especially in theranostic applications of magnetic emulsion.

Free Vibration Response Comparison of Composite Beams with Fluid Structure Interaction

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

fluid damping to vibrating structures when in contact with a fluid medium such as water . The added mass effect changes the dynamic responses of the...200 words) The analysis of the dynamic response of a vibrating structure in contact with a fluid medium can be interpreted as an added mass effect...INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK v ABSTRACT The analysis of the dynamic response of a vibrating structure in contact with a fluid medium can be interpreted as

Anomaly-Induced Dynamical Refringence in Strong-Field QED

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mueller, N.; Hebenstreit, F.; Berges, J.

2016-08-01

We investigate the impact of the Adler-Bell-Jackiw anomaly on the nonequilibrium evolution of strong-field quantum electrodynamics (QED) using real-time lattice gauge theory techniques. For field strengths exceeding the Schwinger limit for pair production, we encounter a highly absorptive medium with anomaly induced dynamical refractive properties. In contrast to earlier expectations based on equilibrium properties, where net anomalous effects vanish because of the trivial vacuum structure, we find that out-of-equilibrium conditions can have dramatic consequences for the presence of quantum currents with distinctive macroscopic signatures. We observe an intriguing tracking behavior, where the system spends longest times near collinear field configurations with maximum anomalous current. Apart from the potential relevance of our findings for future laser experiments, similar phenomena related to the chiral magnetic effect are expected to play an important role for strong QED fields during initial stages of heavy-ion collision experiments.

Iohexol and diatrizoate: comparison in visceral arteriography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Adam, A.; Hemingway, A.P.; Allison, D.J.

1985-05-01

Iohexol, a low osmolality, nonionic contrast medium, and diatrizoate, a conventional ionic contrast medium, were evaluated for patient tolerance during visceral arteriography. Almost all the procedures performed with iohexol were painless: most patients given this agent reported only a mild feeling of warmth. Diatrizoate produced some pain and a feeling of intense heat in most patients. Both media produced excellent radiographic results and no serious adverse reactions occurred.

Gadopentetate dimeglumine is potentially an alternative contrast agent for three-dimensional computed tomography angiography with multidetector-row helical scanning.

PubMed

Gupta, Atul K; Alberico, Ronald A; Litwin, Alan; Kanter, Peter; Grossman, Zachary D

2002-01-01

To demonstrate that gadopentetate dimeglumine is potentially an alternative contrast medium for computed tomographic angiography (CTA). One 12.2-kg Beagle dog was studied as proof of principle; the cervical vessels of three adult human patients were imaged for presurgical planning of the neck. Gadopentetate dimeglumine, 0.5 mol/l (Berlex Laboratories, Wayne, NJ, U.S.A.), a LightSpeed QX/i CT (General Electric Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A.), and an Ultra Sparc II (SUN Microsystems, Santa Clara, CA, U.S.A.) running Advantage Windows 3.1 (General Electric Medical Systems) were used. Sufficient enhancement for CTA of the thoracic aorta, cervical vessels, and abdominal vessels was produced in the experimental dog, and the cervical vessels were clearly defined in all three patients. In that subset of patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast medium and for whom magnetic resonance angiography is inappropriate, gadopentetate dimeglumine may be an alternative contrast medium for CTA.

Biological soil crusts across disturbance–recovery scenarios: effect of grazing regime on community dynamics.

PubMed

Concostrina-Zubiri, L; Huber-Sannwald, E; Martínez, I; Flores Flores, J L; Reyes-Agüero, J A; Escude, A; Belnap, J

Grazing represents one of the most common disturbances in drylands worldwide, affecting both ecosystem structure and functioning. Despite the efforts to understand the nature and magnitude of grazing effects on ecosystem components and processes, contrasting results continue to arise. This is particularly remarkable for the biological soil crust (BSC) communities (i.e., cyanobacteria, lichens, and bryophytes), which play an important role in soil dynamics. Here we evaluated simultaneously the effect of grazing impact on BSC communities (resistance) and recovery after livestock exclusion (resilience) in a semiarid grassland of Central Mexico. In particular, we examined BSC species distribution, species richness, taxonomical group cover (i.e., cyanobacteria, lichen, bryophyte), and composition along a disturbance gradient with different grazing regimes (low, medium, high impact) and along a recovery gradient with differently aged livestock exclosures (short-, medium-, long-term exclusion). Differences in grazing impact and time of recovery from grazing both resulted in slight changes in species richness; however, there were pronounced shifts in species composition and group cover. We found we could distinguish four highly diverse and dynamic BSC species groups: (1) species with high resistance and resilience to grazing, (2) species with high resistance but low resilience, (3) species with low resistance but high resilience, and (4) species with low resistance and resilience. While disturbance resulted in a novel diversity configuration, which may profoundly affect ecosystem functioning, we observed that 10 years of disturbance removal did not lead to the ecosystem structure found after 27 years of recovery. These findings are an important contribution to our understanding of BCS dynamics from a species and community perspective placed in a land use change context.

Biological soil crusts across disturbance-recovery scenarios: effect of grazing regime on community dynamics

USGS Publications Warehouse

Concostrina-Zubiri, L.; Huber-Sannwald, E.; Martínez, I.; Flores Flores, J. L.; Reyes-Agüero, J. A.; Escudero, A.; Belnap, Jayne

2014-01-01

Grazing represents one of the most common disturbances in drylands worldwide, affecting both ecosystem structure and functioning. Despite the efforts to understand the nature and magnitude of grazing effects on ecosystem components and processes, contrasting results continue to arise. This is particularly remarkable for the biological soil crust (BSC) communities (i.e., cyanobacteria, lichens, and bryophytes), which play an important role in soil dynamics. Here we evaluated simultaneously the effect of grazing impact on BSC communities (resistance) and recovery after livestock exclusion (resilience) in a semiarid grassland of Central Mexico. In particular, we examined BSC species distribution, species richness, taxonomical group cover (i.e., cyanobacteria, lichen, bryophyte), and composition along a disturbance gradient with different grazing regimes (low, medium, high impact) and along a recovery gradient with differently aged livestock exclosures (short-, medium-, long-term exclusion). Differences in grazing impact and time of recovery from grazing both resulted in slight changes in species richness; however, there were pronounced shifts in species composition and group cover. We found we could distinguish four highly diverse and dynamic BSC species groups: (1) species with high resistance and resilience to grazing, (2) species with high resistance but low resilience, (3) species with low resistance but high resilience, and (4) species with low resistance and resilience. While disturbance resulted in a novel diversity configuration, which may profoundly affect ecosystem functioning, we observed that 10 years of disturbance removal did not lead to the ecosystem structure found after 27 years of recovery. These findings are an important contribution to our understanding of BCS dynamics from a species and community perspective placed in a land use change context.

On pictures and stuff: image quality and material appearance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferwerda, James A.

2014-02-01

Realistic images are a puzzle because they serve as visual representations of objects while also being objects themselves. When we look at an image we are able to perceive both the properties of the image and the properties of the objects represented by the image. Research on image quality has typically focused improving image properties (resolution, dynamic range, frame rate, etc.) while ignoring the issue of whether images are serving their role as visual representations. In this paper we describe a series of experiments that investigate how well images of different quality convey information about the properties of the objects they represent. In the experiments we focus on the effects that two image properties (contrast and sharpness) have on the ability of images to represent the gloss of depicted objects. We found that different experimental methods produced differing results. Specifically, when the stimulus images were presented using simultaneous pair comparison, observers were influenced by the surface properties of the images and conflated changes in image contrast and sharpness with changes in object gloss. On the other hand, when the stimulus images were presented sequentially, observers were able to disregard the image plane properties and more accurately match the gloss of the objects represented by the different quality images. These findings suggest that in understanding image quality it is useful to distinguish between quality of the imaging medium and the quality of the visual information represented by that medium.

Comparison of the root canal debridement ability of two single file systems with a conventional multiple rotary system in long oval-shaped root canals: In vitro study.

PubMed

Khoshbin, Elham; Shokri, Abbas; Donyavi, Zakieh; Shahriari, Shahriar; Salehimehr, Golsa; Farhadian, Maryam; Kavandi, Zeinab

2017-08-01

This study sought to compare the root canal debridement ability of Neolix, Reciproc and ProTaper rotary systems in long oval-shaped root canals. Eighty five extracted single-rooted human teeth with long oval-shaped single root canals were selected and divided into three experimental groups(n=25) and one control group (n= 10). Root canals were filled with Vitapex radiopaque contrast medium and prepared with Neolix, Reciproc or ProTaper systems. The control group only received irrigation. Digital radiographs were obtained at baseline and postoperatively and subjected to digital subtraction. The percentage of reduction in contrast medium was quantified at 0-5 mm and 5-10 mm distances from the apex. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and t-test. The mean percentage of the contrast medium removed was not significantly different in the 0-5mm segment among the three groups ( P =0.6). In the 5-10mm segment a significant difference was found in this regard among the ProTaper and Reciproc groups ( P =0.02) and the highest mean percentage of contrast medium was removed by ProTaper. But, difference between ProTaper and Neolix as well as Neolix and Reciproc was not significant. In Neolix ( P =0.024) and Reciproc ( P =0.002) systems, the mean percentage of the contrast medium removed from the 0-5mm segment was significantly greater than that in 5-10mm segment; however, this difference was not significant in ProTaper group ( P =0.069). Neolix single-file system may be a suitable alternative to ProTaper multiple-file system in debridement of long oval shaped canals. Key words: Root Canal Preparation, Debridement, Root Canal Therapy.

Effect of the Rate of Hot Compressive Deformation on the Kinetics of Dynamic and Static Recrystallization of Novel Medium-Carbon Medium-Alloy Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khlusova, E. I.; Zisman, A. A.; Knyazyuk, T. V.; Novoskol'tsev, N. N.

2018-03-01

Dynamic and static recrystallization occurring under hot deformation at a rate of 1 and 100 sec - 1 in high-strength medium-carbon wear-resistant steels developed at CRISM "Prometey" for die forming of parts of driven elements of tillage machines is studied. The critical strain of dynamic recrystallization and the threshold temperatures and times of finish of static recrystallization are determined for the studied deformation rates at various temperatures.

Effect of intravenous gadolinium-DTPA on diffusion tensor MR imaging for the evaluation of brain tumors.

PubMed

Bae, Min Sun; Jahng, Geon-Ho; Ryu, Chang Woo; Kim, Eui Jong; Choi, Woo Suk; Yang, Dal Mo

2009-12-01

The aim of this study was to investigate whether indices of diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI) are altered after contrast medium injection in patients with brain tumors. DT-MRIs at a 3-T unit before and 6 min after gadolinium-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid injection were obtained in nine patients (five women, four men) with histologically confirmed brain tumors (four metastases, one glioblastoma multiforme, three meningiomas, and one lymphoma). Fractional anisotropy (FA), trace and mean raw DT-MRI data without (DT_b0, b value = 0 s/mm(2)) and with (DT_b800, b value = 800 s/mm(2)) diffusion-encoded gradients were calculated. Regions of interest (ROIs) were placed in the tumor, peritumoral edema, and normal-appearing symmetric contralateral brain tissue for each patient. The Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used to determine the effects of contrast medium and ROI for all of the maps, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed for either paired t test between pre- and post-contrast values of DTI indices for the ROIs or the post hoc test. Statistically significant differences between pre-contrast and post-contrast DT-MRI are shown in the trace value of the peritumoral edema area (p = 0.0195) and the FA value of the tumor area (p = 0.0273). Trace and FA values of the other areas show no statistically significant differences between pre- and post-contrast (p > 0.05). In addition, we find a significant ROI effect for both FA (chi (2) = 26.514, df = 2, p = 0.0001) and trace (chi (2) = 21.218, df = 2, p = 0.0001). DT-MRI obtained after contrast medium injection of 6 min results in significant changes in diffusion isotropic and anisotropic values. Therefore, clinical applications of DT-MRI after administrating a contrast medium require caution in interpretation.

Lesion contrast and detection using sonoelastographic shear velocity imaging: preliminary results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoyt, Kenneth; Parker, Kevin J.

2007-03-01

This paper assesses lesion contrast and detection using sonoelastographic shear velocity imaging. Shear wave interference patterns, termed crawling waves, for a two phase medium were simulated assuming plane wave conditions. Shear velocity estimates were computed using a spatial autocorrelation algorithm that operates in the direction of shear wave propagation for a given kernel size. Contrast was determined by analyzing shear velocity estimate transition between mediums. Experimental results were obtained using heterogeneous phantoms with spherical inclusions (5 or 10 mm in diameter) characterized by elevated shear velocities. Two vibration sources were applied to opposing phantom edges and scanned (orthogonal to shear wave propagation) with an ultrasound scanner equipped for sonoelastography. Demodulated data was saved and transferred to an external computer for processing shear velocity images. Simulation results demonstrate shear velocity transition between contrasting mediums is governed by both estimator kernel size and source vibration frequency. Experimental results from phantoms further indicates that decreasing estimator kernel size produces corresponding decrease in shear velocity estimate transition between background and inclusion material albeit with an increase in estimator noise. Overall, results demonstrate the ability to generate high contrast shear velocity images using sonoelastographic techniques and detect millimeter-sized lesions.

Quantification of regional cerebral blood flow and volume with dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MR imaging.

PubMed

Rempp, K A; Brix, G; Wenz, F; Becker, C R; Gückel, F; Lorenz, W J

1994-12-01

Quantification of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and volume (rCBV) with dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. After bolus administration of a paramagnetic contrast medium, rapid T2*-weighted gradient-echo images of two sections were acquired for the simultaneous creation of concentration-time curves in the brain-feeding arteries and in brain tissue. Absolute rCBF and rCBV values were determined for gray and white brain matter in 12 subjects with use of principles of the indicator dilution theory. The mean rCBF value in gray matter was 69.7 mL/min +/- 29.7 per 100 g tissue and in white matter, 33.6 mL/min +/- 11.5 per 100 g tissue; the average rCBV was 8.0 mL +/- 3.1 per 100 g tissue and 4.2 mL +/- 1.0 per 100 g tissue, respectively. An age-related decrease in rCBF and rCBV for gray and white matter was observed. Preliminary data demonstrate that the proposed technique allows the quantification of rCBF and rCBV. Although the results are in good agreement with data from positron emission tomography studies, further evaluation is needed to establish the validity of method.

[The study of DSX-I type microcomputer autometic control injector system].

PubMed

Shi, M; Wu, G; Bai, G; Xue, J; Zhang, Y

1997-01-01

This paper studies the propulsive force of injector system controlled by 8031 single-chip microcomputer for Medical use By using one 8031 single-chip microcomputer as a microprocessor, the minimal autometic control system is constructed, which turns real-time control into reality. This product is a modern appliance used in diagnostic imaging medicine, in design of which the advanced instrument and electrical machinery are integrated into a unified structure. The clinic data demonstrate that the contrast medium can be injected to patients with rapidly and evenly. Dynamic CT Scanning can be intensified at any site of the body. x-ray dose exposed and lobour intensity to the operator can be decreased greatly, raise working efficiency.

Dynamics of a broad-band quantum cascade laser: from chaos to coherent dynamics and mode-locking.

PubMed

Columbo, L L; Barbieri, S; Sirtori, C; Brambilla, M

2018-02-05

The dynamics of a multimode quantum cascade laser, are studied in a model based on effective semiconductor Maxwell-Bloch equations, encompassing key features for the radiation-medium interaction such as an asymmetric frequency dependent gain and refractive index as well as the phase-amplitude coupling provided by the linewidth enhancement factor. By considering its role and that of the free spectral range, we find the conditions in which the traveling wave emitted by the laser at the threshold can be destabilized by adjacent modes, thus leading the laser emission towards chaotic or regular multimode dynamics. In the latter case our simulations show that the field oscillations are associated to self-confined structures which travel along the laser cavity, bridging mode-locking and solitary wave propagation. In addition, we show how a RF modulation of the bias current leads to active mode-locking yielding high-contrast, picosecond pulses. Our results compare well with recent experiments on broad-band THz-QCLs and may help in the understanding of the conditions for the generation of ultrashort pulses and comb operation in mid-IR and THz spectral regions.

Dynamic Time Multiplexing Fabrication of Holographic Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals for Increased Wavelength Sensitivity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fontecchio, Adam K. (Inventor); Rai, Kashma (Inventor)

2017-01-01

Described herein is a new holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) medium with broadband reflective properties, and a new technique for fabrication of broadband HPDLC mediums. The new technique involves dynamic variation of the holography setup during HPDLC formation, enabling the broadening of the HPDLC medium's wavelength response. Dynamic variation of the holography setup may include the rotation and/or translation of one or more motorized stages, allowing for time and spatial, or angular, multiplexing through variation of the incident angles of one or more laser beams on a pre-polymer mixture during manufacture. An HPDLC medium manufactured using these techniques exhibits improved optical response by reflecting a broadband spectrum of wavelengths. A new broadband holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal thin film polymeric mirror stack with electrically-switchable beam steering capability is disclosed. XXXX Described herein is a new holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) medium with broadband reflective properties, and a new technique for fabrication of broadband 10 HPDLC mediums. The new technique involves dynamic variation of the holography setup during HPDLC formation, enabling the broadening of the HPDLC medium's wavelength response. Dynamic variation of the holography setup may include the rotation and/or translation of one or more 15 motorized stages, allowing for time and spatial, or angular, multiplexing through variation of the incident angles of one or more laser beams on a pre-polymer mixture during manufacture. An HPDLC medium manufactured using these techniques exhibits improved optical response by reflecting 20 a broadband spectrum of wavelengths. A new broadband holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal thin film polymeric mirror stack with electrically switchable beam steering capability is disclosed.

The impact of different interstellar medium structures on the dynamical evolution of supernova remnants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yueyang; Bao, Biwen; Yang, Chuyuan; Zhang, Li

2018-05-01

The dynamical properties of supernova remnants (SNRs) evolving with different interstellar medium structures are investigated through performing extensive two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations in the cylindrical symmetry. Three cases of different interstellar medium structures are considered: the uniform medium, the turbulent medium and the cloudy medium. Large-scale density and magnetic fluctuations are calculated and mapped into the computational domain before simulations. The clouds are set by random distribution in advance. The above configuration allows us to study the time-dependent dynamical properties and morphological evolution of the SNR evolving with different ambient structures, along with the development of the instabilities at the contact discontinuity. Our simulation results indicate that remnant morphology deviates from symmetry if the interstellar medium contains clouds or turbulent density fluctuations. In the cloudy medium case, interactions between the shock wave and clouds lead to clouds' fragmentation. The magnetic field can be greatly enhanced by stretching field lines with a combination of instabilities while the width of amplification region is quite different among the three cases. Moreover, both the width of amplification region and the maximum magnetic-field strength are closely related to the clouds' density.

Comparison of nephrotoxicity between two gadolinium-contrasts, gadodiamide and gadopentetate in patients with mildly diminished renal failure.

PubMed

Naito, Shokichi; Tazaki, Hiromi; Okamoto, Tomoko; Takeuchi, Kazuhiro; Kan, Shinichi; Takeuchi, Yasuo; Kamata, Kouju

2017-01-01

Although gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast media have been found to be nephrotoxic, their nephrotoxicity, and the dependence of nephrotoxicity on chelate types, have not been assessed in patients with normal or mildly diminished renal failure. This prospective, randomized study compared the nephrotoxicity of low doses of the nonionic Gd-based contrast medium gadodiamide (Omniscan®) and the ionic Gd-based contrast medium gadopentetate (Magnevist®) in patients with serum creatinine < 1.6 mg/dL. Patients aged 20 to 80 years, weighing 45 to 70 kg and with normal or < 1.6 mg/dL Serum-creatinine in the 3 months prior to undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain, were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive 0.1 mol/kg gadodiamide or gadopentetate. Serum-creatinine, serum cystatin-C, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula, and estimated creatinine clearance rate (eCCr) using the Cockcroft-Gault formula were measured just before and 16-80 hr after MRI. Groups were compared statistically by Mann-Whitney U-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics between the gadodiamide (n = 43) and gadopentetate (n = 59) groups. Serum-creatinine, eGFR and eCCr before and 16-80 hr after MRI did not differ significantly within either group or between the two groups. Serum cystatin-C was significantly higher 16-80 hr after than before MRI only in the gadodiamide group (0.79 ± 0.21 vs. 0.74 ± 0.14 mg/L, p = 0.028). The ionic contrast medium, gadopentetate, did not affect renal function during MRI, whereas the nonionic contrast medium, gadodiamide, affected renal function transiently.

Examining Structural Controls on Earthquake Rupture Dynamics Along the San Andreas Fault

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGuire, J. J.; Ben-Zion, Y.

2002-12-01

Recent numerical simulations of dynamic rupture [Andrews and Ben-Zion, 1997; Harris and Day, 1997] have confirmed earlier analytical results [Weertman, 1980; Adams, 1995] that a contrast in elastic properties between the two sides of a fault will generate an interaction between the normal stress and fault slip that is not present in a homogeneous medium. It has been shown that for a range of frictional parameters and initial conditions, this interaction produces a statistical preference for unilateral rupture propagation in the direction of slip of the more compliant medium [Ben-Zion and Andrews, 1998; Cochard and Rice, 2000; Ben-Zion and Huang 2002]. Thus, the directivity of earthquake ruptures on large faults with well-developed material interfaces may be controlled by material contrasts of the rocks within and across the fault zone. One of the largest known velocity contrasts across a major crustal fault occurs along the Bear Valley section of the San Andreas where high velocity materials on the SW side (P-velocity >5 km/s) are juxtaposed with low-velocity material on the NE side (P-velocity <4 km/s) down to a depth of about 4 km with a less dramatic contrast continuing to about 8 km [Thurber et al., 1997]. This boundary is strong enough to generate significant head-waves refracted along it that are recorded as the first arrivals at stations close to the fault on the NE side [McNally and McEvilly, 1977]. Rubin and Gillard [2000] and Rubin [2002] relocated the events in this region using NCSN waveform data and found that more than twice as many immediate aftershocks to small earthquakes occurred to the NW of the mainshock as to the SE, which they interpreted as being consistent with a preferred rupture direction to the SE. Their interpretation that aftershocks to microearthquakes occur preferentially in the direction opposite of rupture propagation has not been directly tested and is inconsistent with observations from moderate [Fletcher and Spudich, 1998] and large earthquakes [Kilb et al., 2000], which show considerable variability and possibly the opposite preference. We are attempting to directly test the prediction of a preference for rupture propagation to the SE on this fault segment by combining travel-time and waveform modeling of fault-zone head waves, high precision earthquake relocations, and rupture directivity studies. Initial results indicate that there is considerable variability along strike in the strength of the across-fault velocity contrast, with maximum values reaching about 25-30%. This spatial variability in the strength of the material property contrast would be expected to produce a spatial variability in earthquake rupture directivity. We are developing a catalog of earthquake rupture directivity estimates for magnitude 2 and larger earthquakes to compare with the variations of the velocity contrast and aftershock asymmetry. Initial results indicate that even in the regions of highest velocity contrast, moderate earthquakes (M=3) can still rupture unilaterally to the NE. Detailed high resolution results from head-wave modeling, rupture directivity studies, and earthquake relocations will be presented.

Photoluminescence studies on the complexation of Eu(III) and Tb(III) with acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) in nitrate medium.

PubMed

Pathak, P N; Mohapatra, M; Godbole, S V

2013-11-01

UREX process has been proposed for selective extraction of U(VI) and Tc(VII) from nitric acid medium (∼1M HNO3) using tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) as extractant and retaining Pu, Np and fission products in the aqueous phase. The feasibility of the use of luminescence spectroscopy as a technique to understand the complexation of trivalent f-elements cations viz. Eu(III) and Tb(III) with acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) in nitric acid medium has been examined. The luminescence lifetimes for the 1×10(-3)M Eu(III) and AHA complex system decreased with increased AHA concentration from 116±0.2μs (no AHA) to 1.6±0.1μs (0.1M AHA) which was attributed to dynamic quenching. The corrected fluorescence intensities were used to calculate the stability constant (log K) for the formation of 1:1 Eu(3+)-AHA complex as 1.42±0.64 under the conditions of this study. By contrast, the Tb(III)-AHA system at pH 3 (HNO3) did not show any significant variation in the life times of the excited state (364±9μs) suggesting the absence of dynamic quenching. The spectral changes in Tb(III)-AHA system showed the formation of 1:1 complex (log K: 1.72±0.21). These studies suggest that the extent of AHA complexation with the rare earth elements will be insignificant as compared to tetravalent metal ions Pu(IV) and Np(IV) under UREX process conditions. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Coherent population trapping with polarization modulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yun, Peter, E-mail: enxue.yun@obspm.fr; Guérandel, Stéphane; Clercq, Emeric de

Coherent population trapping (CPT) is extensively studied for future vapor cell clocks of high frequency stability. In the constructive polarization modulation CPT scheme, a bichromatic laser field with polarization and phase synchronously modulated is applied on an atomic medium. A high contrast CPT signal is observed in this so-called double-modulation configuration, due to the fact that the atomic population does not leak to the extreme Zeeman states, and that the two CPT dark states, which are produced successively by the alternate polarizations, add constructively. Here, we experimentally investigate CPT signal dynamics first in the usual configuration, a single circular polarization.more » The double-modulation scheme is then addressed in both cases: one pulse Rabi interaction and two pulses Ramsey interaction. The impact and the optimization of the experimental parameters involved in the time sequence are reviewed. We show that a simple seven-level model explains the experimental observations. The double-modulation scheme yields a high contrast similar to the one of other high contrast configurations like push-pull optical pumping or crossed linear polarization scheme, with a setup allowing a higher compactness. The constructive polarization modulation is attractive for atomic clock, atomic magnetometer, and high precision spectroscopy applications.« less

Fractality of pulsatile flow in speckle images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nemati, M.; Kenjeres, S.; Urbach, H. P.; Bhattacharya, N.

2016-05-01

The scattering of coherent light from a system with underlying flow can be used to yield essential information about dynamics of the process. In the case of pulsatile flow, there is a rapid change in the properties of the speckle images. This can be studied using the standard laser speckle contrast and also the fractality of images. In this paper, we report the results of experiments performed to study pulsatile flow with speckle images, under different experimental configurations to verify the robustness of the techniques for applications. In order to study flow under various levels of complexity, the measurements were done for three in-vitro phantoms and two in-vivo situations. The pumping mechanisms were varied ranging from mechanical pumps to the human heart for the in vivo case. The speckle images were analyzed using the techniques of fractal dimension and speckle contrast analysis. The results of these techniques for the various experimental scenarios were compared. The fractal dimension is a more sensitive measure to capture the complexity of the signal though it was observed that it is also extremely sensitive to the properties of the scattering medium and cannot recover the signal for thicker diffusers in comparison to speckle contrast.

Relative diffusion of paramagnetic metal complexes of MRI contrast agents in an isotropic hydrogel medium.

PubMed

Weerakoon, Bimali Sanjeevani; Osuga, Toshiaki

2017-03-01

The observation of molecular diffusion by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is significant in the evaluation of the metabolic activity of living tissues. Series of MRI examinations were conducted on a diffusion model to study the behaviour of the diffusion process of different-molecular-weight (MW) paramagnetic MRI contrast agents in an isotropic agar hydrogel medium. The model consisted of a solidified 1 % agar gel with an initial concentration of 0.5 mmol/L contrast solution layered on top of the gel. The diffusion process was monitored at pre-determined time intervals of immediately, 1, 6, 9, 23, and 48 h after introduction of the contrast agents onto the agar gel with a T1-weighted spin-echo (SE) pulse sequence. Three types of paramagnetic contrast agents, Gd-DTPA with a MW of 547.57 g/mol, Prohance with a MW of 558.69 g/mol and MnCl 2 with a MW of 125.84 g/mol, resulted in an approximate average diffusional displacement ratio of 1:1:2 per hour, respectively, within 48 h of the experiment. Therefore, the results of this study supported the hypothesis that the rate of the diffusion process of MRI contrast agents in the agar hydrogel medium is inversely related to their MWs. However, more repetitions are necessary under various types of experimental conditions and also with various types of contrast media of different MWs for further confirmation and validation of these results.

Hypersensitivity to contrast media and dyes.

PubMed

Brockow, Knut; Sánchez-Borges, Mario

2014-08-01

This article updates current knowledge on hypersensitivity reactions to diagnostic contrast media and dyes. After application of a single iodinated radiocontrast medium (RCM), gadolinium-based contrast medium, fluorescein, or a blue dye, a hypersensitivity reaction is not a common finding; however, because of the high and still increasing frequency of those procedures, patients who have experienced severe reactions are nevertheless frequently encountered in allergy departments. Evidence on allergologic testing and management is best for iodinated RCM, limited for blue dyes, and insufficient for fluorescein. Skin tests can be helpful in the diagnosis of patients with hypersensitivity reactions to these compounds. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Three-dimensional contrasted visualization of pancreas in rats using clinical MRI and CT scanners.

PubMed

Yin, Ting; Coudyzer, Walter; Peeters, Ronald; Liu, Yewei; Cona, Marlein Miranda; Feng, Yuanbo; Xia, Qian; Yu, Jie; Jiang, Yansheng; Dymarkowski, Steven; Huang, Gang; Chen, Feng; Oyen, Raymond; Ni, Yicheng

2015-01-01

The purpose of this work was to visualize the pancreas in post-mortem rats with local contrast medium infusion by three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) using clinical imagers. A total of 16 Sprague Dawley rats of about 300 g were used for the pancreas visualization. Following the baseline imaging, a mixed contrast medium dye called GadoIodo-EB containing optimized concentrations of Gd-DOTA, iomeprol and Evens blue was infused into the distally obstructed common bile duct (CBD) for post-contrast imaging with 3.0 T MRI and 128-slice CT scanners. Images were post-processed with the MeVisLab software package. MRI findings were co-registered with CT scans and validated with histomorphology, with relative contrast ratios quantified. Without contrast enhancement, the pancreas was indiscernible. After infusion of GadoIodo-EB solution, only the pancreatic region became outstandingly visible, as shown by 3D rendering MRI and CT and proven by colored dissection and histological examinations. The measured volume of the pancreas averaged 1.12 ± 0.04 cm(3) after standardization. Relative contrast ratios were 93.28 ± 34.61% and 26.45 ± 5.29% for MRI and CT respectively. We have developed a multifunctional contrast medium dye to help clearly visualize and delineate rat pancreas in situ using clinical MRI and CT scanners. The topographic landmarks thus created with 3D demonstration may help to provide guidelines for the next in vivo pancreatic MRI research in rodents. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Contrasting growth forecasts across the geographical range of Scots pine due to altitudinal and latitudinal differences in climatic sensitivity.

PubMed

Matías, Luis; Linares, Juan C; Sánchez-Miranda, Ángela; Jump, Alistair S

2017-10-01

Ongoing changes in global climate are altering ecological conditions for many species. The consequences of such changes are typically most evident at the edge of a species' geographical distribution, where differences in growth or population dynamics may result in range expansions or contractions. Understanding population responses to different climatic drivers along wide latitudinal and altitudinal gradients is necessary in order to gain a better understanding of plant responses to ongoing increases in global temperature and drought severity. We selected Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) as a model species to explore growth responses to climatic variability (seasonal temperature and precipitation) over the last century through dendrochronological methods. We developed linear models based on age, climate and previous growth to forecast growth trends up to year 2100 using climatic predictions. Populations were located at the treeline across a latitudinal gradient covering the northern, central and southernmost populations and across an altitudinal gradient at the southern edge of the distribution (treeline, medium and lower elevations). Radial growth was maximal at medium altitude and treeline of the southernmost populations. Temperature was the main factor controlling growth variability along the gradients, although the timing and strength of climatic variables affecting growth shifted with latitude and altitude. Predictive models forecast a general increase in Scots pine growth at treeline across the latitudinal distribution, with southern populations increasing growth up to year 2050, when it stabilizes. The highest responsiveness appeared at central latitude, and moderate growth increase is projected at the northern limit. Contrastingly, the model forecasted growth declines at lowland-southern populations, suggesting an upslope range displacement over the coming decades. Our results give insight into the geographical responses of tree species to climate change and demonstrate the importance of incorporating biogeographical variability into predictive models for an accurate prediction of species dynamics as climate changes. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Clinical study of contrast-enhanced digital mammography and the evaluation of blood and lymphatic microvessel density

PubMed Central

Cruz-Bastida, Juan P; Rosado-Méndez, Iván M; Villaseñor-Navarro, Yolanda; Pérez-Ponce, Héctor; Galván, Héctor A; Trujillo-Zamudio, Flavio E; Sánchez-Suárez, Patricia; Benítez-Bribiesca, Luis

2016-01-01

Objective: To correlate image parameters in contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM) with blood and lymphatic microvessel density (MVD). Methods: 18 Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS)-4 to BI-RADS-5 patients were subjected to CEDM. Craniocaudal views were acquired, two views (low and high energy) before iodine contrast medium (CM) injection and four views (high energy) 1–5 min afterwards. Processing included registration and two subtraction modalities, traditional single-energy temporal (high-energy) and “dual-energy temporal with a matrix”, proposed to improve lesion conspicuity. Images were calibrated into iodine thickness, and iodine uptake, contrast, time–intensity and time–contrast kinetic curves were quantified. Image indicators were compared with MVD evaluated by anti-CD105 and anti-podoplanin (D2-40) immunohistochemistry. Results: 11 lesions were cancerous and 7 were benign. CEDM subtraction strongly increased conspicuity of lesions enhanced by iodine uptake. A strong correlation was observed between lymphatic vessels and blood vessels; all benign lesions had <30 blood microvessels per field, and all cancers had more than this value. MVD showed no correlation with iodine uptake, nor with contrast. The most frequent curve was early uptake followed by plateau for uptake and contrast in benign and malignant lesions. The positive-predictive value of uptake dynamics was 73% and that of contrast was 64%. Conclusion: CEDM increased lesion visibility and showed additional features compared with conventional mammography. Lack of correlation between image parameters and MVD is probably due to tumour tissue heterogeneity, mammography projective nature and/or dependence of extracellular iodine irrigation on tissue composition. Advances in knowledge: Quantitative analysis of CEDM images was performed. Image parameters and MVD showed no correlation. Probably, this is indication of the complex dependence of CM perfusion on tumour microenvironment. PMID:27376457

Simultaneous Multiple-Location Separation Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greenblatt, David (Inventor)

2009-01-01

A method of controlling a shear layer for a fluid dynamic body introduces first periodic disturbances into the fluid medium at a first flow separation location. Simultaneously, second periodic disturbances are introduced into the fluid medium at a second flow separation location. A phase difference between the first and second periodic disturbances is adjusted to control flow separation of the shear layer as the fluid medium moves over the fluid dynamic body.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Janousek, Radim, E-mail: Janousekradim@seznam.c; Krajina, Antonin; Peregrin, Jan H.

We evaluated the impact of intravascular iodinated contrast medium on residual diuresis in hemodialyzed patients. Two groups of clinically stable hemodialyzed patients with residual diuresis minimally 500 ml of urine per day were studied. The patients from the first group were given iso-osmolal contrast agent iodixanol (Visipaque, GE Healthcare, United Kingdom) in concentration of iodine 320 mg/ml with osmolality 290 mOsm/kg of water during the endovascular procedure. The second control group was followed without contrast medium administered. Residual diuresis and residual renal excretory capacity expressed as 24-h calculated creatinine clearance were evaluated in the both groups after 6 months. Themore » evaluated group included 42 patients who were given 99.3 ml of iodixanol in average (range, 60-180 ml). The control group included 45 patients. There was no statistically significant difference found between both groups in daily volume of urine (P = 0.855) and calculated clearance of creatinine (P = 0.573). We can conclude that residual diuresis is not significantly influenced by intravascular administration of iso-osmolal iodinated contrast agent (iodixanol) in range of volume from 60 to 180 ml in comparison to natural course of urinary output and residual renal function during end-stage renal disease. This result can help the nephrologist to decide which imaging method/contrast medium to use in dialyzed patients in current practice.« less

Covariant kaon dynamics and kaon flow in heavy ion collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Yu-Ming; Fuchs, C.; Faessler, Amand; Shekhter, K.; Yan, Yu-Peng; Kobdaj, Chinorat

2004-03-01

The influence of the chiral mean field on the K+ transverse flow in heavy ion collisions at SIS energy is investigated within covariant kaon dynamics. For the kaon mesons inside the nuclear medium a quasiparticle picture including scalar and vector fields is adopted and compared to the standard treatment with a static potential. It is confirmed that a Lorentz force from spatial component of the vector field provides an important contribution to the in-medium kaon dynamics and strongly counterbalances the influence of the vector potential on the K+ in-plane flow. The FOPI data can be reasonably described using in-medium kaon potentials based on effective chiral models. The information on the in-medium K+ potential extracted from kaon flow is consistent with the knowledge from other sources.

Modified dixon‐based renal dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI facilitates automated registration and perfusion analysis

PubMed Central

Leiner, Tim; Vink, Eva E.; Blankestijn, Peter J.; van den Berg, Cornelis A.T.

2017-01-01

Purpose Renal dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) MRI provides information on renal perfusion and filtration. However, clinical implementation is hampered by challenges in postprocessing as a result of misalignment of the kidneys due to respiration. We propose to perform automated image registration using the fat‐only images derived from a modified Dixon reconstruction of a dual‐echo acquisition because these provide consistent contrast over the dynamic series. Methods DCE data of 10 hypertensive patients was used. Dual‐echo images were acquired at 1.5 T with temporal resolution of 3.9 s during contrast agent injection. Dixon fat, water, and in‐phase and opposed‐phase (OP) images were reconstructed. Postprocessing was automated. Registration was performed both to fat images and OP images for comparison. Perfusion and filtration values were extracted from a two‐compartment model fit. Results Automatic registration to fat images performed better than automatic registration to OP images with visible contrast enhancement. Median vertical misalignment of the kidneys was 14 mm prior to registration, compared to 3 mm and 5 mm with registration to fat images and OP images, respectively (P = 0.03). Mean perfusion values and MR‐based glomerular filtration rates (GFR) were 233 ± 64 mL/100 mL/min and 60 ± 36 mL/minute, respectively, based on fat‐registered images. MR‐based GFR correlated with creatinine‐based GFR (P = 0.04) for fat‐registered images. For unregistered and OP‐registered images, this correlation was not significant. Conclusion Absence of contrast changes on Dixon fat images improves registration in renal DCE MRI and enables automated postprocessing, resulting in a more accurate estimation of GFR. Magn Reson Med 80:66–76, 2018. © 2017 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes. PMID:29134673

42 CFR 37.41 - Chest radiograph specifications-film.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

...) The source or focal spot to film distance must be at least 6 feet; (3) Medium speed film and medium..., contrast, latitude and quantum mottle similar to those of systems designated as “medium speed” may be... name and address or NIOSH approval number of the facility at which it is made; (ii) The miner's Social...

42 CFR 37.41 - Chest radiograph specifications-film.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

...) The source or focal spot to film distance must be at least 6 feet; (3) Medium speed film and medium..., contrast, latitude and quantum mottle similar to those of systems designated as “medium speed” may be... name and address or NIOSH approval number of the facility at which it is made; (ii) The miner's Social...

Embedding of electrodes within a microchannel interfacing a permselective medium for sensing and active control of the concentration-polarization layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yossifon, Gilad; Park, Sinwook

2016-11-01

Previously, it has been shown that for a prescribed system, the diffusion length may be affected by any number of mechanisms including natural and forced convection, electroosmotic flow of the second kind and electro-convective instability. In all of the above mentioned cases the length of the diffusion layer is indirectly prescribed by the complicated competition between several mechanisms which are primarily dictated by the various system parameters and applied voltage. In contrast, we suggest that by embedding electrodes/heaters within a microchannel interfacing a permselective medium, the diffusion layer length may be controlled regardless of the dominating overlimiting current mechanism and system parameters. As well as demonstrating that the simple presence of electrodes can enhance mixing via induced-charge electrokinetic effects, we also offer a means of externally activating embedded electrodes and heaters to maintain external, dynamic control of the diffusion length. Such control is particularly important in applications requiring intense ion transport, such as electrodialysis. At the same time, we will also investigate means of suppressing these mechanisms which is of fundamental importance for sensing applications.

Contrast medium extravasation injury: guidelines for prevention and management.

PubMed

Bellin, Marie-France; Jakobsen, Jarl A; Tomassin, Isabelle; Thomsen, Henrik S; Morcos, Sameh K; Thomsen, H S; Morcos, S K; Almén, T; Aspelin, P; Bellin, M F; Clauss, W; Flaten, H; Grenier, N; Ideé, J-M; Jakobsen, J A; Krestin, G P; Stacul, F; Webb, J A W

2002-11-01

Extravasation of contrast material is a well-recognized complication of contrast-enhanced imaging studies. The management of this complication is contentious; therefore, the Contrast Media Safety Committee of The European Society of Urogenital Radiology decided to review the literature and issue guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was carried out. The resulting report was discussed at the 8th European Symposium on Urogenital Radiology in Genoa, Italy. Automated power injection may result in extravasation of large volumes and may or can lead to severe tissue damage. Infants, young children and unconscious and debilitated patients are particularly at risk of extravasation during contrast media injection. Fortunately, most extravasations result in minimal swelling or erythema, with no long-term sequelae; however, severe skin necrosis and ulceration may occur. Large volumes of high osmolar contrast media are known to induce significant tissue damage. Compartment syndrome may be seen associated with extravasation of large volumes. Conservative management is often adequate, but in serious cases the advice of a plastic surgeon is recommended. Based on the review simple guidelines for prophylaxis and management of contrast medium extravasation injuries are proposed.

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth differentiate toward neural cells in a medium dynamically cultured with Schwann cells in a series of polydimethylsiloxanes scaffolds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Wen-Ta; Pan, Yu-Jing

2016-08-01

Objective. Schwann cells (SCs) are primary structural and functional cells in the peripheral nervous system. These cells play a crucial role in peripheral nerve regeneration by releasing neurotrophic factors. This study evaluated the neural differentiation potential effects of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) in a rat Schwann cell (RSC) culture medium. Approach. SHEDs and RSCs were individually cultured on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) scaffold, and the effects of the RSC medium on the SHEDs differentiation between static and dynamic cultures were compared. Main results. Results demonstrated that the SHED cells differentiated by the RSC cultured medium in the static culture formed neurospheres after 7 days at the earliest, and SHED cells formed neurospheres within 3 days in the dynamic culture. These results confirm that the RSC culture medium can induce neurospheres formation, the speed of formation and the number of neurospheres (19.16 folds high) in a dynamic culture was superior to the static culture for 3 days culture. The SHED-derived spheres were further incubated in the RSCs culture medium, these neurospheres continuously differentiated into neurons and neuroglial cells. Immunofluorescent staining and RT-PCR revealed nestin, β-III tubulin, GFAP, and γ-enolase of neural markers on the differentiated cells. Significance. These results indicated that the RSC culture medium can induce the neural differentiation of SHED cells, and can be used as a new therapeutic tool to repair nerve damage.

Ecological drivers of guanaco recruitment: variable carrying capacity and density dependence.

PubMed

Marino, Andrea; Pascual, Miguel; Baldi, Ricardo

2014-08-01

Ungulates living in predator-free reserves offer the opportunity to study the influence of food limitation on population dynamics without the potentially confounding effects of top-down regulation or livestock competition. We assessed the influence of relative forage availability and population density on guanaco recruitment in two predator-free reserves in eastern Patagonia, with contrasting scenarios of population density. We also explored the relative contribution of the observed recruitment to population growth using a deterministic linear model to test the assumption that the studied populations were closed units. The observed densities increased twice as fast as our theoretical populations, indicating that marked immigration has taken place during the recovery phase experienced by both populations, thus we rejected the closed-population assumption. Regarding the factors driving variation in recruitment, in the low- to medium-density setting, we found a positive linear relationship between recruitment and surrogates of annual primary production, whereas no density dependence was detected. In contrast, in the high-density scenario, both annual primary production and population density showed marked effects, indicating a positive relationship between recruitment and per capita food availability above a food-limitation threshold. Our results support the idea that environmental carrying capacity fluctuates in response to climatic variation, and that these fluctuations have relevant consequences for herbivore dynamics, such as amplifying density dependence in drier years. We conclude that including the coupling between environmental variability in resources and density dependence is crucial to model ungulate population dynamics; to overlook temporal changes in carrying capacity may even mask density dependence as well as other important processes.

Size-dependent penetrant diffusion in polymer glasses.

PubMed

Meng, Dong; Zhang, Kai; Kumar, Sanat K

2018-05-18

Molecular Dynamics simulations are used to understand the underpinning basis of the transport of gas-like solutes in deeply quenched polymeric glasses. As found in previous work, small solutes, with sizes smaller than 0.15 times the chain monomer size, move as might be expected in a medium with large pores. In contrast, the motion of larger solutes is activated and is strongly facilitated by matrix motion. In particular, solute motion is coupled to the local elastic fluctuations of the matrix as characterized by the Debye-Waller factor. While similar ideas have been previously proposed for the viscosity of supercooled liquids above their glass transition, to our knowledge, this is the first illustration of this concept in the context of solute mass transport in deeply quenched polymer glasses.

The predictive value of the product of contrast medium volume and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio in contrast-induced acute kidney injury.

PubMed

Wang, Chunrui; Ma, Shuai; Deng, Bo; Lu, Jianxin; Shen, Wei; Jin, Bo; Shi, Haiming; Ding, Feng

2017-11-01

Preexisting renal impairment and the amount of contrast media are the most important risk factors for contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). We aimed to investigate whether the product of contrast medium volume and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (CMV × UACR) would be a better predictor of CI-AKI in patients undergoing nonemergency coronary interventions. This was a prospective single-center observational study, and 912 consecutive patients who were exposed to contrast media during coronary interventions were investigated prospectively. CI-AKI is defined as a 44.2 μmol/L rise in serum creatinine or a 25% increase, assessed within 48 h after administration of contrast media in the absence of other causes. Fifty patients (5.48%) developed CI-AKI. The urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) (OR = 1.002, 95% CI = 1.000-1.003, p = .012) and contrast medium volume (CMV) (OR = 1.008, 95% CI = 1.001-1.014, p = .017) were independent risk factors for the development of CI-AKI. The area under the ROC curve of CMV, UACR and CMV × UACR were 0.662 (95% CI = 0.584-0.741, p < .001), 0.761 (95% CI = 0.674-0.847, p < .001) and 0.808 (95% CI = 0.747-0.896, p < .001), respectively. The cutoff value of CMV × UACR to predict CI-AKI was 1186.2, with 80.0% sensitivity and 62.2% specificity. The product of CMV and UACR (CMV × UACR) might be a predictor of CI-AKI in patients undergoing nonemergency coronary interventions, which was superior to CMV or UACR alone.

Hemodynamics of erection in man

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shirai, M.; Ishii, N.

1981-02-01

Inquiry was made into the theory that closure of the efferent vein from the corpora cavernosa is essential for erection of the human penis. To determine whether the venous closure is indeed a prerequisite to human penile erection, two tests were carried out in men: (1) direct infusion in 133Xe into corpora cavernosa and (2) performance of carvernosography. In each case, penile erection was induced by providing the subject with sexual stimulation. The behavioral changes were studied through the 133Xe clearance curve and the contrast medium, respectively. When the penis remained flaccid, the 133Xe clearance curve followed a gentle pathmore » and the contrast medium could be noted within the penis for a relatively long period. However, on erection with sexual stimulation, the 133Xe clearance curve fell rapidly instead of following the gentle course expected in the case of venous closure. Also, the contrast medium quickly flowed out of the corpora cavernosa. The human penis therefore can well erect without closure of the efferent vein from the corpora cavernosa.« less

Consequences of covariant kaon dynamics in heavy ion collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuchs, C.; Kosov, D. S.; Faessler, Amand; Wang, Z. S.; Waindzoch, T.

1998-08-01

The influence of the chiral mean field on the kaon dynamics in heavy ion reactions is investigated. Inside the nuclear medium the kaons are described as dressed quasi-particles carrying effective masses and momenta. A momentum dependent part of the interaction which resembles a Lorentz force originates from spatial components of the vector field and provides an important contribution to the in-medium kaon dynamics. This contribution is found to counterbalance the influence of the vector potential on the K+ in-plane flow to a strong extent. Thus it appears to be difficult to restrict the in-medium potential from the analysis of the corresponding transverse flow.

Studying the flow dynamics of a karst aquifer system with an equivalent porous medium model.

PubMed

Abusaada, Muath; Sauter, Martin

2013-01-01

The modeling of groundwater flow in karst aquifers is a challenge due to the extreme heterogeneity of its hydraulic parameters and the duality in their discharge behavior, that is, rapid response of highly conductive karst conduits and delayed drainage of the low-permeability fractured matrix after recharge events. There are a number of different modeling approaches for the simulation of the karst groundwater dynamics, applicable to different aquifer as well as modeling problem types, ranging from continuum models to double continuum models to discrete and hybrid models. This study presents the application of an equivalent porous model approach (EPM, single continuum model) to construct a steady-state numerical flow model for an important karst aquifer, that is, the Western Mountain Aquifer Basin (WMAB), shared by Israel and the West-Bank, using MODFLOW2000. The WMAB was used as a catchment since it is a well-constrained catchment with well-defined recharge and discharge components and therefore allows a control on the modeling approach, a very rare opportunity for karst aquifer modeling. The model demonstrates the applicability of equivalent porous medium models for the simulation of karst systems, despite their large contrast in hydraulic conductivities. As long as the simulated saturated volume is large enough to average out the local influence of karst conduits and as long as transport velocities are not an issue, EPM models excellently simulate the observed head distribution. The model serves as a starting basis that will be used as a reference for developing a long-term dynamic model for the WMAB, starting from the pre-development period (i.e., 1940s) up to date. © 2012, The Author(s). GroundWater © 2012, National Ground Water Association.

Transesophageal Echocardiography and Contrast-TCD in the Detection of a Patent Foramen Ovale: Experience with 111 Patients

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klotzsch, Christof; Janben, Gerhard; Berlit, Peter

1994-01-01

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is increasingly recognized in association with cryptogenic stroke. Using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and transcranial Doppler sonography with ultrasonic contrast medium contrast-(TCD), we evaluated the frequency of a PFO as the fundamental condition of paradoxical embolism in 111 patients after cerebral ischemia. There was a right-left shunt in 50 patients (45%) with TEE. In 31 of 40 patients with stroke of unknown etiology, a PFO was the only detectable finding associated with cerebral ischemia. Using TEE as he "gold standard," the sensitivity of contrast-TCD was 91.3%, specificity 93.8%, and the overall accuracy 92.8%. contrast-TCD failed to detect a right-left shunt in four patients, but there were four other patients with negative TEE and positive contrast-TCD. We conclude that contrast-TCD is a highly sensitive method for detecting a right-left shunt. Its advantages are low cost, its ability to detect single contrast-medium embolism, and control of the Valsalva maneuver by observing the decrease of cerebral blood flow. Evidence of PFO in cryptogenic stroke should prompt a search for a subclinical venous thrombosis as the embolic source.

Vaporization and recondensation dynamics of indocyanine green-loaded perfluoropentane droplets irradiated by a short pulse laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Jaesok; Chen, Xucai; Villanueva, Flordeliza S.; Kim, Kang

2016-12-01

Phase-transition droplets have been proposed as promising contrast agents for ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging. Short pulse laser activated perfluorocarbon-based droplets, especially when in a medium with a temperature below their boiling point, undergo phase changes of vaporization and recondensation in response to pulsed laser irradiation. Here, we report and discuss the vaporization and recondensation dynamics of perfluoropentane droplets containing indocyanine green in response to a short pulsed laser with optical and acoustic measurements. To investigate the effect of temperature on the vaporization process, an imaging chamber was mounted on a temperature-controlled water reservoir and then the vaporization event was recorded at 5 million frames per second via a high-speed camera. The high-speed movies show that most of the droplets within the laser beam area expanded rapidly as soon as they were exposed to the laser pulse and immediately recondensed within 1-2 μs. The vaporization/recondensation process was consistently reproduced in six consecutive laser pulses to the same area. As the temperature of the media was increased above the boiling point of the perfluoropentane, the droplets were less likely to recondense and remained in a gas phase after the first vaporization. These observations will help to clarify the underlying processes and eventually guide the design of repeatable phase-transition droplets as a photoacoustic imaging contrast agent.

Live Theatre: A Dynamic Medium for Engaging with Intercultural Education Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nelson, Cynthia D.

2013-01-01

In this paper, I discuss live theatre as a highly effective and dynamic medium for facilitating meaningful engagement with research on intercultural education. I make the case that ethnographic, or research-based, theatre can productively showcase challenging social issues and the sometimes confusing, poignant and humorous complexities of…

Usefulness of axial planes of helical computed tomography for diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary maljunction in early infants with negative findings on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

PubMed

Okada, Tadao; Sasaki, Fumiaki; Honda, Shouhei; Naitou, Satsuki; Onodera, Yuya; Todo, Satoru

2008-03-01

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is not sufficient to detect pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) in young infants because the main pancreatic duct is not visualized and respiratory artifacts occur. To our knowledge, there are no reports highlighting the diagnostic accuracy of evaluation using the axial planes of helical computed tomographic (CT) scanning with contrast medium instead of 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. The aim of this study was to describe our experience and the characteristics of 3 children with PBM diagnosed using the axial planes of helical CT with contrast medium, although they showed negative findings of PBM by MRCP, instead of 3D reconstruction. Three patients aged from 1 month to 3 years were diagnosed with PBM using the axial planes of helical CT with contrast medium though MRCP could not show the common channel and/or the entrance of the common channel into the duodenum. In all 3 patients, PBM of the common channel was not revealed by MRCP. On the other hand, axial planes of contrast-enhanced helical CT scans showed PBM clearly. Our experience suggests that axial planes of the contrast-enhanced helical CT scan comprise an accurate tool for the diagnosis of fusiform-type PBM and could replace MRCP in younger children. Further studies are necessary for better assessment of the potential advantages and pitfalls of this modality.

The Damping Rates of Embedded Oscillating Starless Cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Broderick, Avery E.; Narayan, Ramesh; Keto, Eric; Lada, Charles J.

2008-08-01

In a previous paper we demonstrated that nonradial hydrodynamic oscillations of a thermally supported (Bonnor-Ebert) sphere embedded in a low-density, high-temperature medium persist for many periods. The predicted column density variations and molecular spectral line profiles are similar to those observed in the Bok globule B68, suggesting that the motions in some starless cores may be oscillating perturbations on a thermally supported equilibrium structure. Such oscillations can produce molecular line maps which mimic rotation, collapse, or expansion and, thus, could make determining the dynamical state from such observations alone difficult. However, while B68 is embedded in a very hot, low-density medium, many starless cores are not, having interior/exterior density contrasts closer to unity. In this paper we investigate the oscillation damping rate as a function of the exterior density. For concreteness we use the same interior model employed by Broderick et al., with varying models for the exterior gas. We also develop a simple analytical formalism, based on the linear perturbation analysis of the oscillations, which predicts the contribution to the damping rates due to the excitation of sound waves in the external medium. We find that the damping rate of oscillations on globules in dense molecular environments is always many periods, corresponding to hundreds of thousands of years and persisting over the inferred lifetimes of the globules.

Energy flow along the medium-induced parton cascade

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Blaizot, J.-P., E-mail: jean-paul.blaizot@cea.fr; Mehtar-Tani, Y., E-mail: ymehtar@uw.edu

2016-05-15

We discuss the dynamics of parton cascades that develop in dense QCD matter, and contrast their properties with those of similar cascades of gluon radiation in vacuum. We argue that such cascades belong to two distinct classes that are characterized respectively by an increasing or a constant (or decreasing) branching rate along the cascade. In the former class, of which the BDMPS, medium-induced, cascade constitutes a typical example, it takes a finite time to transport a finite amount of energy to very soft quanta, while this time is essentially infinite in the latter case, to which the DGLAP cascade belongs.more » The medium induced cascade is accompanied by a constant flow of energy towards arbitrary soft modes, leading eventually to the accumulation of the initial energy of the leading particle at zero energy. It also exhibits scaling properties akin to wave turbulence. These properties do not show up in the cascade that develops in vacuum. There, the energy accumulates in the spectrum at smaller and smaller energy as the cascade develops, but the energy never flows all the way down to zero energy. Our analysis suggests that the way the energy is shared among the offsprings of a splitting gluon has little impact on the qualitative properties of the cascades, provided the kernel that governs the splittings is not too singular.« less

BioComponent Robots

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-02-13

sterile water. Culture medium was prepared with 70% Leibovitz’s L15 medium, 18% Grace’s Insect Medium, 12% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 3.4 mg/mL yeast...SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: The project goal was to exploit insect cell culture and tissue engineering approaches to generate biological actuators...utilizing the unique hardiness and longevity of insect cell sources for device applications for robotics. In contrast to mammalian cells and tissues

Comparison of linear and nonlinear implementation of the compartmental tissue uptake model for dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

PubMed

Kallehauge, Jesper F; Sourbron, Steven; Irving, Benjamin; Tanderup, Kari; Schnabel, Julia A; Chappell, Michael A

2017-06-01

Fitting tracer kinetic models using linear methods is much faster than using their nonlinear counterparts, although this comes often at the expense of reduced accuracy and precision. The aim of this study was to derive and compare the performance of the linear compartmental tissue uptake (CTU) model with its nonlinear version with respect to their percentage error and precision. The linear and nonlinear CTU models were initially compared using simulations with varying noise and temporal sampling. Subsequently, the clinical applicability of the linear model was demonstrated on 14 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer examined with dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Simulations revealed equal percentage error and precision when noise was within clinical achievable ranges (contrast-to-noise ratio >10). The linear method was significantly faster than the nonlinear method, with a minimum speedup of around 230 across all tested sampling rates. Clinical analysis revealed that parameters estimated using the linear and nonlinear CTU model were highly correlated (ρ ≥ 0.95). The linear CTU model is computationally more efficient and more stable against temporal downsampling, whereas the nonlinear method is more robust to variations in noise. The two methods may be used interchangeably within clinical achievable ranges of temporal sampling and noise. Magn Reson Med 77:2414-2423, 2017. © 2016 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2016 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Dynamic vapor sorption isotherms of medium grain rice varieties

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

It is known that the two popular medium rice varieties, namely M202 and M206, in California have different fissuring resistances. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to investigate the sorption behavior of these two varieties by a new approach using dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) method for elu...

Using 3D dynamic cartography and hydrological modelling for linear streamflow mapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drogue, G.; Pfister, L.; Leviandier, T.; Humbert, J.; Hoffmann, L.; El Idrissi, A.; Iffly, J.-F.

2002-10-01

This paper presents a regionalization methodology and an original representation of the downstream variation of daily streamflow using a conceptual rainfall-runoff model (HRM) and the 3D visualization tools of the GIS ArcView. The regionalization of the parameters of the HRM model was obtained by fitting simultaneously the runoff series from five sub-basins of the Alzette river basin (Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg) according to the permeability of geological formations. After validating the transposability of the regional parameter values on five test basins, streamflow series were simulated with the model at ungauged sites in one medium size geologically contrasted test basin and interpolated assuming a linear increase of streamflow between modelling points. 3D spatio-temporal cartography of mean annual and high raw and specific discharges are illustrated. During a severe flooding, the propagation of the flood waves in the different parts of the stream network shows an important contribution of sub-basins lying on impervious geological formations (direct runoff) compared with those including permeable geological formations which have a more contrasted hydrological response. The effect of spatial variability of rainfall is clearly perceptible.

[Static and dynamic contrast sensitivity of myopic eyes before and after laser in situ keratomileusis].

PubMed

Liu, Xiao-wei; Pang, Guo-xiang; Liu, Xi-pu; Jiang, Ru-xin; Jin, Yu-mei; Sun, Yu-min; Wang, Zhong-hai

2003-10-01

To evaluate the static and dynamic contrast sensitivity changes in myopic patients before and after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Seventy-three eyes in 37 patients with myopia (with or without astigmatism) who received LASIK were tested for static and dynamic contrast sensitivities using the METRO VISION MON ELEC I system at 0.7, 1.4, 2.7, 5.5, 11, and 22 cpd and cps prior to LASIK, and at one-, three-, and six-month intervals after LASIK. All eyes gained naked visual acuity of more than 0.5 after LASIK. The contrast sensitivity was depressed at all frequencies 1 month after LASIK, as compared to one week prior to LASIK. The depression at 2.7, 5.5, 11 (P < 0.01) and 22 cpd (P < 0.05) was statistically significant for static contrast sensitivity, and also at 5.5 (P < 0.01) and 11 cps (P < 0.05) for dynamic contrast sensitivity. Myopic eyes between 6.25 D and 14.0 D, and astigmatic eyes 2 DC and more, suffered more static and dynamic contrast sensitivity depression than the myopic eyes between 1.25 D and 6.00 D and astigmatic eyes less than 2 DC. Contrast sensitivities were improved and exceeded preoperative levels 3 months after LASIK, and improved even more 6 months after LASIK. All sequences were statistically significant for static contrast sensitivity (P < 0.01), while only 2.7, 5.5, and 11 cps were statistically significant for dynamic contrast sensitivity (P < 0.01). The astigmatic eyes 2 DC and more showed less improvement, even below the preoperative level at 1.4 cps of dynamic contrast sensitivity. While temporary depression of contrast sensitivity for myopic eyes after LASIK was seen, contrast sensitivity soon returned to exceed preoperative levels at 3 months after LASIK, while improving even more 6 months after LASIK.

40 CFR 205.55-4 - Labeling-compliance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... PROGRAMS TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT NOISE EMISSION CONTROLS Medium and Heavy Trucks § 205.55-4 Labeling... contrasts with the background of the label: (i) The label heading: Vehicle Noise Emission Control...) The statement: This Vehicle Conforms to U.S. EPA Regulations for Noise Emission Applicable to Medium...

CBCT-based 3D MRA and angiographic image fusion and MRA image navigation for neuro interventions.

PubMed

Zhang, Qiang; Zhang, Zhiqiang; Yang, Jiakang; Sun, Qi; Luo, Yongchun; Shan, Tonghui; Zhang, Hao; Han, Jingfeng; Liang, Chunyang; Pan, Wenlong; Gu, Chuanqi; Mao, Gengsheng; Xu, Ruxiang

2016-08-01

Digital subtracted angiography (DSA) remains the gold standard for diagnosis of cerebral vascular diseases and provides intraprocedural guidance. This practice involves extensive usage of x-ray and iodinated contrast medium, which can induce side effects. In this study, we examined the accuracy of 3-dimensional (3D) registration of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and DSA imaging for cerebral vessels, and tested the feasibility of using preprocedural MRA for real-time guidance during endovascular procedures.Twenty-three patients with suspected intracranial arterial lesions were enrolled. The contrast medium-enhanced 3D DSA of target vessels were acquired in 19 patients during endovascular procedures, and the images were registered with preprocedural MRA for fusion accuracy evaluation. Low-dose noncontrasted 3D angiography of the skull was performed in the other 4 patients, and registered with the MRA. The MRA was overlaid afterwards with 2D live fluoroscopy to guide endovascular procedures.The 3D registration of the MRA and angiography demonstrated a high accuracy for vessel lesion visualization in all 19 patients examined. Moreover, MRA of the intracranial vessels, registered to the noncontrasted 3D angiography in the 4 patients, provided real-time 3D roadmap to successfully guide the endovascular procedures. Radiation dose to patients and contrast medium usage were shown to be significantly reduced.Three-dimensional MRA and angiography fusion can accurately generate cerebral vasculature images to guide endovascular procedures. The use of the fusion technology could enhance clinical workflow while minimizing contrast medium usage and radiation dose, and hence lowering procedure risks and increasing treatment safety.

CBCT-based 3D MRA and angiographic image fusion and MRA image navigation for neuro interventions

PubMed Central

Zhang, Qiang; Zhang, Zhiqiang; Yang, Jiakang; Sun, Qi; Luo, Yongchun; Shan, Tonghui; Zhang, Hao; Han, Jingfeng; Liang, Chunyang; Pan, Wenlong; Gu, Chuanqi; Mao, Gengsheng; Xu, Ruxiang

2016-01-01

Abstract Digital subtracted angiography (DSA) remains the gold standard for diagnosis of cerebral vascular diseases and provides intraprocedural guidance. This practice involves extensive usage of x-ray and iodinated contrast medium, which can induce side effects. In this study, we examined the accuracy of 3-dimensional (3D) registration of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and DSA imaging for cerebral vessels, and tested the feasibility of using preprocedural MRA for real-time guidance during endovascular procedures. Twenty-three patients with suspected intracranial arterial lesions were enrolled. The contrast medium-enhanced 3D DSA of target vessels were acquired in 19 patients during endovascular procedures, and the images were registered with preprocedural MRA for fusion accuracy evaluation. Low-dose noncontrasted 3D angiography of the skull was performed in the other 4 patients, and registered with the MRA. The MRA was overlaid afterwards with 2D live fluoroscopy to guide endovascular procedures. The 3D registration of the MRA and angiography demonstrated a high accuracy for vessel lesion visualization in all 19 patients examined. Moreover, MRA of the intracranial vessels, registered to the noncontrasted 3D angiography in the 4 patients, provided real-time 3D roadmap to successfully guide the endovascular procedures. Radiation dose to patients and contrast medium usage were shown to be significantly reduced. Three-dimensional MRA and angiography fusion can accurately generate cerebral vasculature images to guide endovascular procedures. The use of the fusion technology could enhance clinical workflow while minimizing contrast medium usage and radiation dose, and hence lowering procedure risks and increasing treatment safety. PMID:27512846

[Myocardial perfusion imaging by digital subtraction angiography].

PubMed

Kadowaki, H; Ishikawa, K; Ogai, T; Katori, R

1986-03-01

Several methods of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were compared to determine which could better visualize regional myocardial perfusion using coronary angiography in seven patients with myocardial infarction, two with angina pectoris and five with normal coronary arteries. Satisfactory DSA was judged to be achieved if the shape of the heart on the mask film was identical to that on the live film and if both films were exactly superimposed. To obtain an identical mask film in the shape of each live film, both films were selected from the following three phases of the cardiac cycle; at the R wave of the electrocardiogram, 100 msec before the R wave, and 200 msec before the R wave. The last two were superior for obtaining mask and live films which were similar in shape, because the cardiac motion in these phases was relatively small. Using these mask and live films, DSA was performed either with the continuous image mode (CI mode) or the time interval difference mode (TID mode). The overall perfusion of contrast medium through the artery to the vein was adequately visualized using the CI mode. Passage of contrast medium through the artery, capillary and vein was visualized at each phase using TID mode. Subtracted images were displayed and photographed, and the density of the contrast medium was adequate to display contour lines as in a relief map. Using this DSA, it was found that regional perfusion of the contrast medium was not always uniform in normal subjects, depending on the typography of the coronary artery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Vascular extravasation of contrast medium in radiological examinations: University of California San Diego Health System Experience.

PubMed

Niv, Galia; Costa, Matthew; Kicak, Patricia; Richman, Katherine

2014-06-01

Extravasation is a well-recognized complication estimated to be between 0.1% and 0.9% of contrast medium administrations. According to the UC San Diego (UCSD) health system policy, all contrast medium extravasation (CME) reports are reviewed by the department of Risk Management, and the appropriate action is taken. Despite this strategy, a decrease in the incidence of CME could not be demonstrated. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency, management, and outcome of CME in UC San Diego patients and to assess the knowledge regarding CME among radiology technologists based on policy and guidelines. The secondary aim was to assess the manual ability of the radiology technologists in the performance of the procedure. The study has 2 parts; the first was retrospective, including data collection and interpretation of all radiology procedures using intravenous contrast medium injection between January 1, 2010, and September 30, 2011, and the second was prospective, including proactive observations and knowledge questionnaire. There were 83 (0.48%) cases of CME of 17,200 patients, 54 women (0.64%) and 29 men (0.33%), P = 0.005. The patients with CME were older, and their cannula was inserted in other departments than Radiology Department, P < 0.000. There was a gap between the high theoretical knowledge that was found in the knowledge questionnaire and its implementation that was demonstrated in the proactive observation. Our data demonstrate that sex, age, and where the cannula was inserted are predictive factors for CME. We believe that CME could be prevented by proper educational program and establishment of efficient strategy.

Optimal volume of injectate for fluoroscopy-guided cervical interlaminar epidural injection in patients with neck and upper extremity pain

PubMed Central

Park, Jun Young; Kim, Doo Hwan; Lee, Kunhee; Choi, Seong-Soo; Leem, Jeong-Gil

2016-01-01

Abstract There is no study of optimal volume of contrast medium to use in cervical interlaminar epidural injections (CIEIs) for appropriate spread to target lesions. To determine optimal volume of contrast medium to use in CIEIs. We analyzed the records of 80 patients who had undergone CIEIs. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the amount of contrast: 3, 4.5, and 6 mL. The spread of medium to the target level was analyzed. Numerical rating scale data were also analyzed. The dye had spread to a point above the target level in 15 (78.9%), 22 (84.6%), and 32 (91.4%) patients in groups 1 to 3, respectively. The dye reached both sides in 14 (73.7%), 18 (69.2%), and 23 (65.7%) patients, and reached the ventral epidural space in 15 (78.9%), 22 (84.6%), and 30 (85.7%) patients, respectively. There were no significant differences of contrast spread among the groups. There were no significant differences in the numerical rating scale scores among the groups during the 3 months. When performing CIEIs, 3 mL medication is sufficient volume for the treatment of neck and upper-extremity pain induced by lower cervical degenerative disease. PMID:27787378

Optimal volume of injectate for fluoroscopy-guided cervical interlaminar epidural injection in patients with neck and upper extremity pain.

PubMed

Park, Jun Young; Kim, Doo Hwan; Lee, Kunhee; Choi, Seong-Soo; Leem, Jeong-Gil

2016-10-01

There is no study of optimal volume of contrast medium to use in cervical interlaminar epidural injections (CIEIs) for appropriate spread to target lesions. To determine optimal volume of contrast medium to use in CIEIs. We analyzed the records of 80 patients who had undergone CIEIs. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the amount of contrast: 3, 4.5, and 6 mL. The spread of medium to the target level was analyzed. Numerical rating scale data were also analyzed. The dye had spread to a point above the target level in 15 (78.9%), 22 (84.6%), and 32 (91.4%) patients in groups 1 to 3, respectively. The dye reached both sides in 14 (73.7%), 18 (69.2%), and 23 (65.7%) patients, and reached the ventral epidural space in 15 (78.9%), 22 (84.6%), and 30 (85.7%) patients, respectively. There were no significant differences of contrast spread among the groups. There were no significant differences in the numerical rating scale scores among the groups during the 3 months. When performing CIEIs, 3 mL medication is sufficient volume for the treatment of neck and upper-extremity pain induced by lower cervical degenerative disease.

Local drug delivery - the early Berlin experience: single drug administration versus sustained release.

PubMed

Speck, Ulrich; Scheller, Bruno; Rutsch, Wolfgang; Laule, Michael; Stangl, Verena

2011-05-01

Our initial investigations into restenosis inhibition by local drug delivery were prompted by reports on an improved outcome of coronary interventions, including a lower rate of target lesion revascularisation, when the intervention was performed with an ionic instead of non-ionic contrast medium. Although this was not confirmed in an animal study, the short exposure of the vessel wall to paclitaxel dissolved in contrast agent or coated on balloons proved to be efficacious. A study comparing three methods of local drug delivery to the coronary artery in pigs indicated the following order of efficacy in inhibiting neointimal proliferation: paclitaxel-coated balloons > sirolimus-eluting stents, sustained drug release > paclitaxel in contrast medium. Cell culture experiments confirmed that cell proliferation can be inhibited by very short exposure to the drug. Shorter exposure times require higher drug concentrations. Effective paclitaxel concentrations in porcine arteries are achieved when the drug is dissolved in contrast medium or coated on balloons. Paclitaxel is an exceptional drug in that it stays in the treated tissue for a long time. This may explain the long-lasting efficacy of paclitaxel-coated balloons, but does not disprove the hypothesis that the agent blocks a process initiating long-lasting excessive neointimal proliferation, which occurs early after vessel injury.

Intra-arterial Ultra-low-Dose CT Angiography of Lower Extremity in Diabetic Patients

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Özgen, Ali, E-mail: draliozgen@hotmail.com; Sanioğlu, Soner; Bingöl, Uğur Anıl

2016-08-15

PurposeTo image lower extremity arteries by CT angiography using a very low-dose intra-arterial contrast medium in patients with high risk of developing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN).Materials and MethodsThree cases with long-standing diabetes mellitus and signs of lower extremity atherosclerotic disease were evaluated by CT angiography using 0.1 ml/kg of the body weight of contrast medium given via 10-cm-long 4F introducer by puncturing the CFA. Images were evaluated by an interventional radiologist and a cardiovascular surgeon. Density values of the lower extremity arteries were also calculated. Findings in two cases were compared with digital subtraction angiography images performed for percutaneous revascularization. Blood creatininemore » levels were followed for possible CIN.ResultsIntra-arterial CT angiography images were considered diagnostic in all patients and optimal in one patient. No patient developed CIN after intra-arterial CT angiography, while one patient developed CIN after percutaneous intervention.ConclusionIntra-arterial CT angiography of lower extremity might be performed in selected patients with high risk of developing CIN. Our limited experience suggests that as low as of 0.1 ml/kg of the body weight of contrast medium may result in adequate diagnostic imaging.« less

Dynamic ultraslow optical-matter wave analog of an event horizon.

PubMed

Zhu, C J; Deng, L; Hagley, E W; Ge, Mo-Lin

2014-08-29

We investigate theoretically the effects of a dynamically increasing medium index on optical-wave propagation in a rubidium condensate. A long pulsed pump laser coupling a D2 line transition produces a rapidly growing internally generated field. This results in a significant optical self-focusing effect and creates a dynamically growing medium index anomaly that propagates ultraslowly with the internally generated field. When a fast probe pulse injected after a delay catches up with the dynamically increasing index anomaly, it is forced to slow down and is prohibited from crossing the anomaly, thereby realizing an ultraslow optical-matter wave analog of a dynamic white-hole event horizon.

Differences in cytocompatibility, dynamics of the oxide layers' formation, and nickel release between superelastic and thermo-activated nickel-titanium archwires.

PubMed

Čolić, Miodrag; Tomić, Sergej; Rudolf, Rebeka; Marković, Evgenija; Šćepan, Ivana

2016-08-01

Superelastic (SE) and thermo-activated (TA) nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwires are used in everyday orthodontic practice, based on their acceptable biocompatibility and well-defined shape memory properties. However, the differences in their surface microstructure and cytotoxicity have not been clearly defined, and the standard cytotoxicity tests are too robust to detect small differences in the cytotoxicity of these alloys, all of which can lead to unexpected adverse reactions in some patients. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that the differences in manufacture and microstructure of commercially available SE and TA archwires may influence their biocompatibility. The archwires were studied as-received and after conditioning for 24 h or 35 days in a cell culture medium under static conditions. All of the tested archwires, including their conditioned medium (CM), were non-cytotoxic for L929 cells, but Rematitan SE (both as received and conditioned) induced the apoptosis of rat thymocytes in a direct contact. In contrast, TruFlex SE and Equire TA increased the proliferation of thymocytes. The cytotoxic effect of Rematitan SE correlated with the higher release of Ni ions in CM, higher concentration of surface Ni and an increased oxygen layer thickness after the conditioning. In conclusion, the apoptosis assay on rat thymocytes, in contrast to the less sensitive standard assay on L929 cells, revealed that Rematitan SE was less cytocompatible compared to other archwires and the effect was most probably associated with a higher exposition of the cells to Ni on the surface of the archwire, due to the formation of unstable oxide layer.

Color-coded perfusion analysis of CEUS for pre-interventional diagnosis of microvascularisation in cases of vascular malformations.

PubMed

Teusch, V I; Wohlgemuth, W A; Piehler, A P; Jung, E M

2014-01-01

Aim of our pilot study was the application of a contrast-enhanced color-coded ultrasound perfusion analysis in patients with vascular malformations to quantify microcirculatory alterations. 28 patients (16 female, 12 male, mean age 24.9 years) with high flow (n = 6) or slow-flow (n = 22) malformations were analyzed before intervention. An experienced examiner performed a color-coded Doppler sonography (CCDS) and a Power Doppler as well as a contrast-enhanced ultrasound after intravenous bolus injection of 1 - 2.4 ml of a second-generation ultrasound contrast medium (SonoVue®, Bracco, Milan). The contrast-enhanced examination was documented as a cine sequence over 60 s. The quantitative analysis based on color-coded contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) images included percentage peak enhancement (%peak), time to peak (TTP), area under the curve (AUC), and mean transit time (MTT). No side effects occurred after intravenous contrast injection. The mean %peak in arteriovenous malformations was almost twice as high as in slow-flow-malformations. The area under the curve was 4 times higher in arteriovenous malformations compared to the mean value of other malformations. The mean transit time was 1.4 times higher in high-flow-malformations compared to slow-flow-malformations. There was no difference regarding the time to peak between the different malformation types. The comparison between all vascular malformation and surrounding tissue showed statistically significant differences for all analyzed data (%peak, TTP, AUC, MTT; p < 0.01). High-flow and slow-flow vascular malformations had statistically significant differences in %peak (p < 0.01), AUC analysis (p < 0.01), and MTT (p < 0.05). Color-coded perfusion analysis of CEUS seems to be a promising technique for the dynamic assessment of microvasculature in vascular malformations.

Rotational digital subtraction angiography of the renal arteries: technique and evaluation in the study of native and transplant renal arteries.

PubMed

Seymour, H R; Matson, M B; Belli, A M; Morgan, R; Kyriou, J; Patel, U

2001-02-01

Rotational digital subtraction angiography (RDSA) allows multidirectional angiographic acquisitions with a single injection of contrast medium. The role of RDSA was evaluated in 60 patients referred over a 7-month period for diagnostic renal angiography and 12 patients referred for renal transplant studies. All angiograms were assessed for their diagnostic value, the presence of anomalies and the quantity of contrast medium used. The effective dose for native renal RDSA was determined. 41 (68.3%) native renal RDSA images and 8 (66.7%) transplant renal RDSA images were of diagnostic quality. Multiple renal arteries were identified in 9/41 (22%) native renal RDSA diagnostic images. The mean volume of contrast medium in the RDSA runs was 51.2 ml and 50 ml for native and transplant renal studies, respectively. The mean effective dose for 120 degrees native renal RDSA was 2.36 mSv, equivalent to 1 year's mean background radiation. Those RDSA images that were non-diagnostic allowed accurate prediction of the optimal angle for further static angiographic series, which is of great value in transplant renal vessels.

Small and Medium-Sized Information Technology Firms: Assessment of Non-Local Partnership Facilitators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Findikoglu, Melike Nur

2012-01-01

A two-phased qualitative study was conducted to explore the facilitators of non-local (i.e. domestic or international) partnerships formed by small- and medium-sized firms (SME). Rooted in trust, proximity and dynamic capabilities lenses, the study focused on behaviors of SMEs performing in dynamic, competitive and highly interlinked industry, the…

Single evolution equation in a light-matter pairing system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bugaychuk, S.; Tobisch, E.

2018-03-01

The coupled system including wave mixing and nonlinear dynamics of a nonlocal optical medium is usually studied (1) numerically, with the medium being regarded as a black box, or (2) experimentally, making use of some empirical assumptions. In this paper we deduce for the first time a single evolution equation describing the dynamics of the pairing system as a holistic complex. For a non-degenerate set of parameters, we obtain the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with coefficients being written out explicitly. Analytical solutions of this equation can be experimentally realized in any photorefractive medium, e.g. in photorefractive, liquid or photonic crystals. For instance, a soliton-like solution can be used in dynamical holography for designing an artificial grating with maximal amplification of an image.

Instant Variations in Velocity and Attenuation of Seismic Waves in a Friable Medium Under a Vibrational Dynamic Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geza, N.; Yushin, V.

2007-12-01

Instant variations of the velocities and attenuation of seismic waves in a friable medium subjected to dynamic loading have been studied by new experimental techniques using a powerful seismic vibrator. The half-space below the operating vibrator baseplate was scanned by high-frequency elastic waves, and the recorded fluctuations were exposed to a stroboscopic analysis. It was found that the variations of seismic velocities and attenuation are synchronous with the external vibrational load but have phase shift from it. Instant variations of the seismic waves parameters depend on the magnitude and absolute value of deformation, which generally result in decreasing of the elastic-wave velocities. New experimental techniques have a high sensitivity to the dynamic disturbance in the medium and allow one to detect a weak seismic boundaries. The relaxation process after dynamic vibrational loading were investigated and the results of research are presented.

Anisotropy of the water-carbon interaction: molecular simulations of water in low-diameter carbon nanotubes.

PubMed

Pérez-Hernández, Guillermo; Schmidt, Burkhard

2013-04-14

Effective Lennard-Jones models for the water-carbon interaction are derived from existing high-level ab initio calculations of water adsorbed on graphene models. The resulting potential energy well (εCO + 2εCH ≈ 1 kJ mol(-1)) is deeper than most of the previously used values in the literature on water in carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Moreover, a substantial anisotropy of the water-carbon interaction (εCO ≈ 2εCH) is obtained, which is neglected in most of the literature. We systematically investigate the effect of this anisotropy on structure and dynamics of TIP5P water confined in narrow, single-walled CNTs by means of molecular dynamics simulations for T = 300 K. While for isotropic models water usually forms one-dimensional, ordered chains inside (6,6) CNTs, we find frequent chain ruptures in simulations with medium to strongly anisotropic potentials. Here, the water molecules tend to form denser clusters displaying a liquid-like behaviour, allowing for self-diffusion along the CNT axis, in contrast to all previous simulations employing spherical (εCH = 0) interaction models. For (7,7) CNTs we observe structures close to trigonal, helical ice nanotubes which exhibit a non-monotonous dependence on the anisotropy of the water-carbon interaction. Both for vanishing and for large values of εCH we find increased fluctuations leading to a more liquid-like behaviour, with enhanced axial diffusion. In contrast, structure and dynamics of water inside (8,8) CNTs are found to be almost independent of the anisotropy of the underlying potential, which is attributed to the higher stability of the non-helical fivefold water prisms. We predict this situation to also prevail for larger CNTs, as the influence of the water-water interaction dominates over that of the water-carbon interaction.

Non-Gaussian lineshapes and dynamics of time-resolved linear and nonlinear (correlation) spectra.

PubMed

Dinpajooh, Mohammadhasan; Matyushov, Dmitry V

2014-07-17

Signatures of nonlinear and non-Gaussian dynamics in time-resolved linear and nonlinear (correlation) 2D spectra are analyzed in a model considering a linear plus quadratic dependence of the spectroscopic transition frequency on a Gaussian nuclear coordinate of the thermal bath (quadratic coupling). This new model is contrasted to the commonly assumed linear dependence of the transition frequency on the medium nuclear coordinates (linear coupling). The linear coupling model predicts equality between the Stokes shift and equilibrium correlation functions of the transition frequency and time-independent spectral width. Both predictions are often violated, and we are asking here the question of whether a nonlinear solvent response and/or non-Gaussian dynamics are required to explain these observations. We find that correlation functions of spectroscopic observables calculated in the quadratic coupling model depend on the chromophore's electronic state and the spectral width gains time dependence, all in violation of the predictions of the linear coupling models. Lineshape functions of 2D spectra are derived assuming Ornstein-Uhlenbeck dynamics of the bath nuclear modes. The model predicts asymmetry of 2D correlation plots and bending of the center line. The latter is often used to extract two-point correlation functions from 2D spectra. The dynamics of the transition frequency are non-Gaussian. However, the effect of non-Gaussian dynamics is limited to the third-order (skewness) time correlation function, without affecting the time correlation functions of higher order. The theory is tested against molecular dynamics simulations of a model polar-polarizable chromophore dissolved in a force field water.

Reduced brightness contrast as a reading aid.

PubMed

Giddings, E H; Carmean, S L

1989-10-01

A standard reading comprehension test, modified by printing half of the material on medium grey paper to lower the contrast of print-to-page, was administered to 54 college students, 21 of whom had previously been diagnosed as learning disabled. Comprehension of the control group was little affected by the contrast, but the mean score for the learning disabled students was 10% higher on the pages with reduced contrast. This is congruent with Meares's 1980 clinical observations that reducing contrast significantly aids some readers.

Experimentally determined spectral optimization for dedicated breast computed tomography.

PubMed

Prionas, Nicolas D; Huang, Shih-Ying; Boone, John M

2011-02-01

The current study aimed to experimentally identify the optimal technique factors (x-ray tube potential and added filtration material/thickness) to maximize soft-tissue contrast, microcalcification contrast, and iodine contrast enhancement using cadaveric breast specimens imaged with dedicated breast computed tomography (bCT). Secondarily, the study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of phantom materials as tissue surrogates and to characterize the change in accuracy with varying bCT technique factors. A cadaveric breast specimen was acquired under appropriate approval and scanned using a prototype bCT scanner. Inserted into the specimen were cylindrical inserts of polyethylene, water, iodine contrast medium (iodixanol, 2.5 mg/ml), and calcium hydroxyapatite (100 mg/ml). Six x-ray tube potentials (50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 kVp) and three different filters (0.2 mm Cu, 1.5 mm Al, and 0.2 mm Sn) were tested. For each set of technique factors, the intensity (linear attenuation coefficient) and noise were measured within six regions of interest (ROIs): Glandular tissue, adipose tissue, polyethylene, water, iodine contrast medium, and calcium hydroxyapatite. Dose-normalized contrast to noise ratio (CNRD) was measured for pairwise comparisons among the six ROIs. Regression models were used to estimate the effect of tube potential and added filtration on intensity, noise, and CNRD. Iodine contrast enhancement was maximized using 60 kVp and 0.2 mm Cu. Microcalcification contrast and soft-tissue contrast were maximized at 60 kVp. The 0.2 mm Cu filter achieved significantly higher CNRD for iodine contrast enhancement than the other two filters (p = 0.01), but microcalcification contrast and soft-tissue contrast were similar using the copper and aluminum filters. The average percent difference in linear attenuation coefficient, across all tube potentials, for polyethylene versus adipose tissue was 1.8%, 1.7%, and 1.3% for 0.2 mm Cu, 1.5 mm Al, and 0.2 mm Sn, respectively. For water versus glandular tissue, the average percent difference was 2.7%, 3.9%, and 4.2% for the three filter types. Contrast-enhanced bCT, using injected iodine contrast medium, may be optimized for maximum contrast of enhancing lesions at 60 kVp with 0.2 mm Cu filtration. Soft-tissue contrast and microcalcification contrast may also benefit from lower tube potentials (60 kVp). The linear attenuation coefficients of water and polyethylene slightly overestimate the values of their corresponding tissues, but the reported differences may serve as guidance for dosimetry and quality assurance using tissue equivalent phantoms.

Lifecycle of miscible viscous fingering: onset to shutdown

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nijjer, Japinder S.; Hewitt, Duncan R.; Neufeld, Jerome A.

2017-11-01

When a viscous fluid is injected into a porous medium or Hele-Shaw cell that is initially saturated with a more viscous fluid, the flow can be unstable to viscous fingering. We investigate the long-time dynamics of miscible viscous fingering in a homogeneous, planar, two-dimensional porous medium using high-resolution numerical simulations. At late times, we identify a new flow regime which consists of a pair of counter-propagating fingers that diffuse and slow, leaving a linearly well-mixed interior. We derive an analytic solution for this regime, and show that, in contrast to previous suggestions, the flow always evolves to this regime irrespective of the viscosity ratio and Peclet number. As a consequence, we find the instability can only ever generate a finite amount of advective mixing. We also describe the full life-cycle of miscible viscous fingering, which can be partitioned into three regimes: an early-time linearly unstable regime, an intermediate-time non-linear regime, and a late-time exchange-flow regime. We identify, using linear stability theory, a critical Peclet number below which the flow is always stable, and derive a model for the evolution of the transversely averaged concentration in the intermediate-time regime, which extends previous empirical models.

Cooperative dynamics in the penetration of a group of intruders in a granular medium.

PubMed

Pacheco-Vázquez, F; Ruiz-Suárez, J C

2010-11-23

An object moving in a fluid experiences a drag force that depends on its velocity, shape and the properties of the medium. From this simplest case to the motion of a flock of birds or a school of fish, the drag forces and the hydrodynamic interactions determine the full dynamics of the system. Similar drag forces appear when a single projectile impacts and moves through a granular medium, and this case is well studied in the literature. On the other hand, the case in which a group of intruders impact a granular material has never been considered. Here, we study the simultaneous penetration of several intruders in a very low-density granular medium. We find that the intruders move through it in a collective way, following a cooperative dynamics, whose complexity resembles flocking phenomena in living systems or the movement of reptiles in sand, wherein changes in drag are exploited to efficiently move or propel.

Cooperative dynamics in the penetration of a group of intruders in a granular medium

PubMed Central

Pacheco-Vázquez, F.; Ruiz-Suárez, J.C.

2010-01-01

An object moving in a fluid experiences a drag force that depends on its velocity, shape and the properties of the medium. From this simplest case to the motion of a flock of birds or a school of fish, the drag forces and the hydrodynamic interactions determine the full dynamics of the system. Similar drag forces appear when a single projectile impacts and moves through a granular medium, and this case is well studied in the literature. On the other hand, the case in which a group of intruders impact a granular material has never been considered. Here, we study the simultaneous penetration of several intruders in a very low-density granular medium. We find that the intruders move through it in a collective way, following a cooperative dynamics, whose complexity resembles flocking phenomena in living systems or the movement of reptiles in sand, wherein changes in drag are exploited to efficiently move or propel. PMID:21119636

Evaluation of tumor blood flow in musculoskeletal lesions: dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging and its possibility when monitoring the response to preoperative chemotherapy-work in progress.

PubMed

Kajihara, Makoto; Sugawara, Yoshifumi; Sakayama, Kenshi; Kikuchi, Keiichi; Mochizuki, Teruhito; Murase, Kenya

2007-04-01

The objective of this study was to calculate tumor blood flow (TBF) in musculoskeletal lesions and to evaluate the usefulness of this parameter in differentiating malignant from benign lesions and monitoring the treatment response to preoperative chemotherapy. Altogether, 33 patients with musculoskeletal lesions underwent a total of 50 dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations, including 28 on 9 patients undergoing preoperative chemotherapy. TBF was calculated using deconvolution analysis. Steepest slope (SS) was determined from the time-intensity curve during the first pass of contrast medium. TBF ranged from 2.7 to 178.6 mL/100 mL/min in benign lesions and from 15.4 to 296.3 mL/100 mL/min in malignant lesions. SS ranged from 0.5%/s to 31.8%/s for benign lesions and from 3.1%/s to 64.8%/sec for malignant lesions. TBF and SS did not differ significantly between benign and malignant lesions. Among the nine patients who underwent preoperative chemotherapy, TBF after chemotherapy was lower in good responders (11.7, 11.0, 7.9 mL/100 mL/min) (n = 3, tumor necrosis > or =90%) than in poor responders (23.4-141.5 mL/100 mL/min) (n = 6, tumor necrosis <90%). TBF and SS cannot reliably differentiate malignant from benign lesions. However, they have potential utility in evaluating the preoperative treatment response in patients with malignant musculoskeletal tumors.

The short- to medium-term predictive accuracy of static and dynamic risk assessment measures in a secure forensic hospital.

PubMed

Chu, Chi Meng; Thomas, Stuart D M; Ogloff, James R P; Daffern, Michael

2013-04-01

Although violence risk assessment knowledge and practice has advanced over the past few decades, it remains practically difficult to decide which measures clinicians should use to assess and make decisions about the violence potential of individuals on an ongoing basis, particularly in the short to medium term. Within this context, this study sought to compare the predictive accuracy of dynamic risk assessment measures for violence with static risk assessment measures over the short term (up to 1 month) and medium term (up to 6 months) in a forensic psychiatric inpatient setting. Results showed that dynamic measures were generally more accurate than static measures for short- to medium-term predictions of inpatient aggression. These findings highlight the necessity of using risk assessment measures that are sensitive to important clinical risk state variables to improve the short- to medium-term prediction of aggression within the forensic inpatient setting. Such knowledge can assist with the development of more accurate and efficient risk assessment procedures, including the selection of appropriate risk assessment instruments to manage and prevent the violence of offenders with mental illnesses during inpatient treatment.

Novel Software-Assisted Hemodynamic Evaluation of Pelvic Flow During Chemoperfusion of Pelvic Arteries for Bladder Cancer: Double- Versus Single-Balloon Technique

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yamamoto, Kiyohito, E-mail: rad105@poh.osaka-med.ac.jp; Yamamoto, Kazuhiro, E-mail: rad043@poh.osaka-med.ac.jp; Nakai, Go, E-mail: rad091@poh.osaka-med.ac.jp

2016-06-15

PurposeApproximately 83 % of patients with bladder cancer have achieved a complete response after undergoing a novel bladder preservation therapy involving balloon-occluded intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy (BOAI) using a four-lumen double-balloon catheter, known as the Osaka Medical College regimen. This study aimed to show the quantitative difference in hemodynamics of the bladder arteries using syngo iFlow (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany), which provides an automatic tool for quantitative blood flow analysis between double BOAI (D-BOAI) and conventional single BOAI (S-BOAI).Materials and MethodsFifty patients were included. The catheters were introduced into both posterior trunks of the internal iliac arteries via contralateral femoral artery access.more » A side hole between the distal and proximal balloons was placed at the origin of each bladder artery to allow clear visualization of angiographic flow of the injected agent into the urinary bladder. Digital subtraction angiography was used during analysis with the syngo iFlow to evaluate the hemodynamics of the contrast medium in the pelvic arteries during BOAI. The comparative change in the amount of contrast medium in the bladder arteries between D-BOAI and S-BOAI was assessed using syngo iFlow.ResultsOne-hundred pelvic sides were analyzed. The amount of contrast medium in the bladder arteries using D-BOAI was more than twice that using S-BOAI (right, 3.03-fold; left, 2.81-fold).ConclusionThe amount of contrast medium in the bladder arteries using D-BOAI was higher than that using conventional S-BOAI. This may increase the anticancer drug concentration in the affected bladder, leading to a good clinical response.« less

3D CT cerebral angiography technique using a 320-detector machine with a time-density curve and low contrast medium volume: comparison with fixed time delay technique.

PubMed

Das, K; Biswas, S; Roughley, S; Bhojak, M; Niven, S

2014-03-01

To describe a cerebral computed tomography angiography (CTA) technique using a 320-detector CT machine and a small contrast medium volume (35 ml, 15 ml for test bolus). Also, to compare the quality of these images with that of the images acquired using a larger contrast medium volume (90 or 120 ml) and a fixed time delay (FTD) of 18 s using a 16-detector CT machine. Cerebral CTA images were acquired using a 320-detector machine by synchronizing the scanning time with the time of peak enhancement as determined from the time-density curve (TDC) using a test bolus dose. The quality of CTA images acquired using this technique was compared with that obtained using a FTD of 18 s (by 16-detector CT), retrospectively. Average densities in four different intracranial arteries, overall opacification of arteries, and the degree of venous contamination were graded and compared. Thirty-eight patients were scanned using the TDC technique and 40 patients using the FTD technique. The arterial densities achieved by the TDC technique were higher (significant for supraclinoid and basilar arteries, p < 0.05). The proportion of images deemed as having "good" arterial opacification was 95% for TDC and 90% for FTD. The degree of venous contamination was significantly higher in images produced by the FTD technique (p < 0.001%). Good diagnostic quality CTA images with significant reduction of venous contamination can be achieved with a low contrast medium dose using a 320-detector machine by coupling the time of data acquisition with the time of peak enhancement. Copyright © 2013 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copolymers of poly-L-lysine with serine and tryptophan form stable DNA vectors: implications for receptor-mediated gene transfer.

PubMed

Gómez-Valadés, A G; Molas, M; Vidal-Alabró, A; Bermúdez, J; Bartrons, R; Perales, J C

2005-01-20

Inefficient gene transfer and poor stability in physiological medium are important shortcomings for receptor-mediated gene transfer vectors. Here, we evaluate vectors formulated with random copolymers of L-lysine/L-serine (3:1) and L-lysine/L-tryptophan (4:1), focusing on both their biophysical and functional characterization. By means of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we demonstrate that poly-L-lysine (pK), poly-L-lysine-L-tryptophan (pKW) and poly-L-lysine-L-serine (pKS) are able to form compacted, small particles when mixed with plasmid DNA in the absence of salt. Upon dilution in physiological medium, copolymers of both lys/ser and lys/trp do not aggregate, in contrast with poly-L-lysine DNA complexes as determined by scattering, DLS and TEM measurements. Tight packing, as demonstrated by resistance to heparin, SDS and trypsin treatments, is also featured in tryptophan-containing complexes. Successful receptor-mediated endocytosis gene transfer using galactosylated copolymers into cells expressing the asiagloglycoprotein receptor correlated with lack of aggregation. Particles obtained using galactosylated poly-L-lysine-L-tryptophan (Gal-pKW) copolymer demonstrated specific receptor-mediated gene transfer since reporter gene activity dropped in the presence of an excess ligand in the culture medium during transfection. Although copolymers of galactosylated poly-L-lysine-L-serine (Gal-pKS) do not aggregate in the presence of salt, they are not able to internalize in a specific receptor-mediated endocytosis fashion. The introduction of bulky aromatic/hydrophobic (tryptophan) or hydrophillic (serine) moieties into the positively charged vectors allows the compacted particles to disperse into salt-containing medium avoiding salt-induced aggregation. Moreover, tryptophan-containing particles are able to mediate specific gene transfer via receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Human pharmacokinetics of iohexol. A new nonionic contrast medium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Olsson, B.; Aulie, A.; Sveen, K.

1983-03-01

The pharmacokinetics of iohexol, a new nonionic, water-soluble contrast medium, have been determined after intravenous injection in 20 healthy volunteers, at four different dose levels (125-500 mg I/kg). The apparent volume of distribution was 0.27 1/kg, indicating distribution in the extracellular water. The biologic half-life was 121 minutes, comparable with that of other intravascular contrast media. Iohexol was excreted completely unmetabolized in the urine, with a 100% recovery 24 hours after injection. A comparison of iohexol and chromium-51 (/sup 51/Cr)-EDTA clearances indicates that iohexol is mainly excreted by glomerular filtration. The /sup 51/Cr-EDTA clearance was the same when injected separatelymore » and concomitantly with iohexol, indicating that glomerular filtration rate is not affected by iohexol. No dose dependency was observed in the investigated parameters t1/2 alpha, t1/2 beta, Vd, ClT or ClR. Iohexol pharmacokinetics are in correspondence with previously reported data on intravascular contrast media.« less

Leakage detection on CT myelography for targeted epidural blood patch in spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks: calcified or ossified spinal lesions ventral to the thecal sac.

PubMed

Yoshida, Hiroki; Takai, Keisuke; Taniguchi, Makoto

2014-09-01

The purpose of this study was to describe significant CT myelography findings for determination of the leak site and outcome of targeted epidural blood patch (EBP) in patients with spontaneous CSF leaks. During 2005-2013, spontaneous CSF leaks were diagnosed for 12 patients with orthostatic headaches. The patients received targeted EBP on the basis of CT myelography assessments. Computed tomography myelograms revealed ventral extradural collection of contrast medium distributed over multiple spinal levels (average 16 levels). Intraforaminal contrast medium extravasations were observed at multiple spinal levels (average 8.2 levels). For 8 (67%) of 12 patients, spinal lesions were noted around the thecal sac and included calcified discs with osteophytes, an ossified posterior longitudinal ligament, and an ossified yellow ligament; lesions were mostly located ventral to the thecal sac and were in close contact with the dura mater. The levels of these spinal lesions were considered potential leak sites and were targeted for EBP. For the remaining 4 patients who did not have definite spinal lesions around the thecal sac, leak site determination was based primarily on the contrast gradient hypothesis. The authors hypothesized that the concentration of extradural contrast medium would be the greatest and the same as that of intradural contrast medium at the leak site but that it would decrease with increased distance from the leak site according to the contrast gradient. Epidural blood patch was placed at the level of spinal lesions and/or of the greatest and same concentration of contrast medium between the intradural and extradural spaces. For 10 of the 12 patients, the orthostatic headaches decreased significantly within a week of EBP and disappeared within a month. For the remaining 2 patients, headaches persisted and medical treatment was required for several months. For 3 patients, thick chronic subdural hematomas caused severe headaches and/or disturbed consciousness because of the mass effect of the hematomas, which were removed by bur hole drainage surgery. For 1 patient, bur hole drainage before EBP on the day of admission to hospital resulted in subdural tension pneumocephalus. The patient's headache immediately disappeared after EBP, and the hematoma did not recur. The other 2 patients underwent EBP followed by bur hole drainage, which resulted in improvements and disappearance of the hematomas. Over the follow-up period (mean 39 months), no CSF leaks or chronic subdural hematomas had recurred in any patient after EBP; by the final follow-up visit, all patients had returned to their jobs. The most significant finding of this study was that spinal ventral calcified or ossified lesions, which may be associated with a dural tear, were present in approximately 70% of patients. Targeted EBP to these lesions resulted in good outcomes.

[Extravasation of contrast media at the puncture site: Strategies for managment].

PubMed

Pacheco Compaña, F J; Gago Vidal, B; Méndez Díaz, C

2014-01-01

The incidence of contrast medium extravasation at the venipuncture site has increased with the generalized use of automatic injectors. Most extravasations only cause slight edema and erythema. Nevertheless, in some cases extravasation can result in severe skin lesions or even in compartment syndrome. Lesions caused by extravasation usually resolve spontaneously with conservative treatment. Although the complications of extravasation are well known, institutional protocols are normally lacking and the criteria for taking action and the type of treatment, whether based on the literature or personal preferences, tend to vary. In this article, we review the incidence, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and options for preventing and treating contrast medium extravasation in soft tissues. Finally, we present the protocol we use to manage extravasation at our hospital. Copyright © 2013 SERAM. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Study of methods of improving the performance of the Langley Research Center Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1973-01-01

A study has been made of possible ways to improve the performance of the Langley Research Center's Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT). The major effort was directed toward obtaining increased dynamic pressure in the Mach number range from 0.8 to 1.2, but methods to increase Mach number capability were also considered. Methods studied for increasing dynamic pressure capability were higher total pressure, auxiliary suction, reducing circuit losses, reduced test medium temperature, smaller test section and higher molecular weight test medium. Increased Mach number methods investigated were nozzle block inserts, variable geometry nozzle, changes in test section wall configuration, and auxiliary suction.

Chromatically encoded high-speed photography of cavitation bubble dynamics inside inhomogeneous ophthalmic tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tinne, N.; Matthias, B.; Kranert, F.; Wetzel, C.; Krüger, A.; Ripken, T.

2016-03-01

The interaction effect of photodisruption, which is used for dissection of biological tissue with fs-laser pulses, has been intensively studied inside water as prevalent sample medium. In this case, the single effect is highly reproducible and, hence, the method of time-resolved photography is sufficiently applicable. In contrast, the reproducibility significantly decreases analyzing more solid and anisotropic media like biological tissue. Therefore, a high-speed photographic approach is necessary in this case. The presented study introduces a novel technique for high-speed photography based on the principle of chromatic encoding. For illumination of the region of interest within the sample medium, the light paths of up to 12 LEDs with various emission wavelengths are overlaid via optical filters. Here, MOSFET-electronics provide a LED flash with a duration <100 ns; the diodes are externally triggered with a distinct delay for every LED. Furthermore, the different illumination wavelengths are chromatically separated again for detection via camera chip. Thus, the experimental setup enables the generation of a time-sequence of <= 12 images of a single cavitation bubble dynamics. In comparison to conventional time-resolved photography, images in sample media like water and HEMA show the significant advantages of this novel illumination technique. In conclusion, the results of this study are of great importance for the fundamental evaluation of the laser-tissue interaction inside anisotropic biological tissue and for the optimization of the surgical process with high-repetition rate fs-lasers. Additionally, this application is also suitable for the investigation of other microscopic, ultra-fast events in transparent inhomogeneous materials.

Fractal Folding and Medium Viscoelasticity Contribute Jointly to Chromosome Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polovnikov, K. E.; Gherardi, M.; Cosentino-Lagomarsino, M.; Tamm, M. V.

2018-02-01

Chromosomes are key players of cell physiology, their dynamics provides valuable information about its physical organization. In both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, the short-time motion of chromosomal loci has been described with a Rouse model in a simple or viscoelastic medium. However, little emphasis has been put on the influence of the folded organization of chromosomes on the local dynamics. Clearly, stress propagation, and thus dynamics, must be affected by such organization, but a theory allowing us to extract such information from data, e.g., on two-point correlations, is lacking. Here, we describe a theoretical framework able to answer this general polymer dynamics question. We provide a scaling analysis of the stress-propagation time between two loci at a given arclength distance along the chromosomal coordinate. The results suggest a precise way to assess folding information from the dynamical coupling of chromosome segments. Additionally, we realize this framework in a specific model of a polymer whose long-range interactions are designed to make it fold in a fractal way and immersed in a medium characterized by subdiffusive fractional Langevin motion with a tunable scaling exponent. This allows us to derive explicit analytical expressions for the correlation functions.

The First Wave of Community-Engaged Institutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sandmann, Lorilee R.; Thornton, Courtney H.; Jaeger, Audrey J.

2009-01-01

In nature, waves are transmitters of energy. Once the energy moves through the medium, that medium often returns to its previous state. The first wave of community-engaged institutions has transmitted great energy across the U.S. higher education system. And in contrast to what occurs in nature, these classified institutions often do not go back…

The Shock and Vibration Bulletin. Part 3: Structure Medium Interaction, Case Studies in Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

Structure and medium interactions topics are addressed. Topics include: a failure analysis of underground concrete structures subjected to blast loadings, an optimization design procedure for concrete slabs, and a discussion of the transient response of a cylindrical shell submerged in a fluid. Case studies in dynamics are presented which include an examination of a shock isolation platform for a seasparrow launcher, a discussion of hydrofoil fatigue load environments, and an investigation of the dynamic characteristics of turbine generators and low tuned foundations.

Histogram analysis parameters identify multiple associations between DWI and DCE MRI in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Meyer, Hans Jonas; Leifels, Leonard; Schob, Stefan; Garnov, Nikita; Surov, Alexey

2018-01-01

Nowadays, multiparametric investigations of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are established. These approaches can better characterize tumor biology and behavior. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) can by means of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) quantitatively characterize different tissue compartments. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI) reflects perfusion and vascularization of tissues. Recently, a novel approach of data acquisition, namely histogram analysis of different images is a novel diagnostic approach, which can provide more information of tissue heterogeneity. The purpose of this study was to analyze possible associations between DWI, and DCE parameters derived from histogram analysis in patients with HNSCC. Overall, 34 patients, 9 women and 25 men, mean age, 56.7±10.2years, with different HNSCC were involved in the study. DWI was obtained by using of an axial echo planar imaging sequence with b-values of 0 and 800s/mm 2 . Dynamic T1w DCE sequence after intravenous application of contrast medium was performed for estimation of the following perfusion parameters: volume transfer constant (K trans ), volume of the extravascular extracellular leakage space (Ve), and diffusion of contrast medium from the extravascular extracellular leakage space back to the plasma (Kep). Both ADC and perfusion parameters maps were processed offline in DICOM format with custom-made Matlab-based application. Thereafter, polygonal ROIs were manually drawn on the transferred maps on each slice. For every parameter, mean, maximal, minimal, and median values, as well percentiles 10th, 25th, 75th, 90th, kurtosis, skewness, and entropy were estimated. Сorrelation analysis identified multiple statistically significant correlations between the investigated parameters. Ve related parameters correlated well with different ADC values. Especially, percentiles 10 and 75, mode, and median values showed stronger correlations in comparison to other parameters. Thereby, the calculated correlation coefficients ranged from 0.62 to 0.69. Furthermore, K trans related parameters showed multiple slightly to moderate significant correlations with different ADC values. Strongest correlations were identified between ADC P75 and K trans min (p=0.58, P=0.0007), and ADC P75 and K trans P10 (p=0.56, P=0.001). Only four K ep related parameters correlated statistically significant with ADC fractions. Strongest correlation was found between K ep max and ADC mode (p=-0.47, P=0.008). Multiple statistically significant correlations between, DWI and DCE MRI parameters derived from histogram analysis were identified in HNSCC. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of Gastrografin to barium sulfate as a gastrointestinal contrast agent in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans).

PubMed

Long, Charles Tyler; Page, Richard B; Howard, Antwain M; McKeon, Gabriel P; Felt, Stephen A

2010-01-01

Red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) commonly develop intestinal obstruction. The gastrointestinal transit time in turtles tends to be longer than in other animals, making a rapid diagnosis of obstruction difficult. Fifteen red-eared sliders were given either Gastrografin or 30% w/v barium sulfate orally to compare ease of administration, transit time, and image quality. Each contrast medium was easy to administer but barium sulfate had to be administered more slowly (mean = 40s) than Gastrografin (mean = 20s) to prevent regurgitation. The mean transit and emptying time of Gastrografin was at least 9 h faster than barium sulfate at all time points except gastric transit. Both contrast media had a smooth, uniform appearance that outlined the mucosa with well-defined margins within the stomach and proximal small intestine. Dilution of Gastrografin occurred as it progressed through the intestines, resulting in decreased opacity in the distal small intestine and colon. Pre-administration packed cell volume and total serum protein levels of four turtles receiving Gastrografin were compared with levels at 24-, 96-, and 168-hours postadministration as well as to four control turtles not receiving contrast medium. Packed cell volume and total serum protein levels did not significantly differ among the Gastrografin and control group. From a clinical perspective, administration of Gastrografin allows for quicker results with only minor hematologic changes in red-eared sliders, but visualization of this contrast medium in the lower gastrointestinal tract may be insufficient for an accurate diagnosis.

Multiphase CT scanning and different intravenous contrast media concentrations in combined F-18-FDG PET/CT: Effect on quantitative and clinical assessment.

PubMed

Rebière, Marilou; Verburg, Frederik A; Palmowski, Moritz; Krohn, Thomas; Pietsch, Hubertus; Kuhl, Christiane K; Mottaghy, Felix M; Behrendt, Florian F

2012-08-01

To evaluate the influence of multiphase CT scanning and different intravenous contrast media on contrast enhancement, attenuation correction and image quality in combined PET/CT. 140 patients were prospectively enrolled for F-18-FDG-PET/CT including a low-dose unenhanced, arterial and venous contrast enhanced CT. The first (second) 70 patients, received contrast medium with 370 (300) mg iodine/ml. The iodine delivery rate (1.3mg/s) and total iodine load (44.4g) were identical for both groups. Contrast enhancement and maximum and mean standardized FDG uptake values (SUVmax and SUVmean) were determined for the un-enhanced, arterial and venous PET/CT at multiple anatomic sites and PET reconstructions were visually evaluated. Arterial contrast enhancement was significantly higher for the 300mg/ml contrast medium compared to 370mgI/ml at all anatomic sites. Venous enhancement was not different between the two contrast media. SUVmean and SUVmax were significantly higher for the contrast enhanced compared to the non-enhanced PET/CT at all anatomic sites (all P<0.001). Tracer uptake was significantly higher in the arterial than in the venous PET/CT in the arteries using both contrast media (all P<0.001). No differences in tracer uptake were found between the contrast media (all P>0.05). Visual assessment revealed no relevant differences between the different PET reconstructions. There is no relevant qualitative influence on the PET scan from the use of different intravenous contrast media in its various phases in combined multiphase PET/CT. For quantitative analysis of tracer uptake it is required to use an identical PET/CT protocol. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gadolinium-enhanced MR images of the growing piglet skeleton: ionic versus nonionic contrast agent.

PubMed

Menezes, Nina M; Olear, Elizabeth A; Li, Xiaoming; Connolly, Susan A; Zurakowski, David; Foley, Mary; Shapiro, Frederic; Jaramillo, Diego

2006-05-01

To determine whether there are differences in the distribution of ionic and nonionic gadolinium-based contrast agents by evaluating contrast enhancement of the physis, epiphyseal cartilage, secondary ossification center, and metaphysis in the knees of normal piglets. Following approval from the Subcommittee on Research Animal Care, knees of 12 3-week-old piglets were imaged at 3-T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging after intravenous injection of gadoteridol (nonionic contrast agent; n = 6) or gadopentetate dimeglumine (ionic contrast agent; n = 6). Early enhancement evaluation with gradient-echo MR imaging was quantified and compared (Student t test) by means of enhancement ratios. Distribution of contrast material was assessed and compared (Student t test) by means of T1 measurements obtained before and at three 15-minute intervals after contrast agent administration. The relative visibility of the physis, epiphyseal cartilage, secondary ossification center, and metaphysis was qualitatively assessed by two observers and compared (Wilcoxon signed rank test). Differences in matrix content and cellularity that might explain the imaging findings were studied at histologic evaluation. Enhancement ratios were significantly higher for gadoteridol than for gadopentetate dimeglumine in the physis, epiphyseal cartilage, and secondary ossification center (P < .05). After contrast agent administration, T1 values decreased sharply for both agents-but more so for gadoteridol. Additionally, there was less variability in T1 values across structures with this contrast agent. Gadoteridol resulted in greater visibility of the physis, while gadopentetate dimeglumine resulted in greater contrast between the physis and metaphysis (P < .05). The results suggest different roles for the two gadolinium-based contrast agents: The nonionic contrast medium is better suited for evaluating perfusion and anatomic definition in the immature skeleton, while the ionic contrast medium is better for evaluating cartilage fixed-charge density. (c) RSNA, 2006.

MRI with intrathecal MRI gadolinium contrast medium administration: a possible method to assess glymphatic function in human brain.

PubMed

Eide, Per Kristian; Ringstad, Geir

2015-11-01

Recently, the "glymphatic system" of the brain has been discovered in rodents, which is a paravascular, transparenchymal route for clearance of excess brain metabolites and distribution of compounds in the cerebrospinal fluid. It has already been demonstrated that intrathecally administered gadolinium (Gd) contrast medium distributes along this route in rats, but so far not in humans. A 27-year-old woman underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with intrathecal administration of gadobutrol, which distributed throughout her entire brain after 1 and 4.5 h. MRI with intrathecal Gd may become a tool to study glymphatic function in the human brain.

Probing slow dynamics of consolidated granular multicomposite materials by diffuse acoustic wave spectroscopy.

PubMed

Tremblay, Nicolas; Larose, Eric; Rossetto, Vincent

2010-03-01

The stiffness of a consolidated granular medium experiences a drop immediately after a moderate mechanical solicitation. Then the stiffness rises back toward its initial value, following a logarithmic time evolution called slow dynamics. In the literature, slow dynamics has been probed by macroscopic quantities averaged over the sample volume, for instance, by the resonant frequency of vibrational eigenmodes. This article presents a different approach based on diffuse acoustic wave spectroscopy, a technique that is directly sensitive to the details of the sample structure. The parameters of the dynamics are found to depend on the damage of the medium. Results confirm that slow dynamics is, at least in part, due to tiny structural rearrangements at the microscopic scale, such as inter-grain contacts.

Ballistic-diffusive approximation for the thermal dynamics of metallic nanoparticles in nanocomposite materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shirdel-Havar, A. H., E-mail: Amir.hushang.shirdel@gmail.com; Masoudian Saadabad, R.

2015-03-21

Based on ballistic-diffusive approximation, a method is presented to model heat transfer in nanocomposites containing metal nanoparticles. This method provides analytical expression for the temperature dynamics of metallic nanoparticles embedded in a dielectric medium. In this study, nanoparticles are considered as spherical shells, so that Boltzmann equation is solved using ballistic-diffusive approximation to calculate the electron and lattice thermal dynamics in gold nanoparticles, while thermal exchange between the particles is taken into account. The model was used to investigate the influence of particle size and metal concentration of the medium on the electron and lattice thermal dynamics. It is shownmore » that these two parameters are crucial in determining the nanocomposite thermal behavior. Our results showed that the heat transfer rate from nanoparticles to the matrix decreases as the nanoparticle size increases. On the other hand, increasing the metal concentration of the medium can also decrease the heat transfer rate.« less

Optical trapping and control of nanoparticles inside evacuated hollow core photonic crystal fibers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grass, David, E-mail: david.grass@univie.ac.at; Fesel, Julian; Hofer, Sebastian G.

2016-05-30

We demonstrate an optical conveyor belt for levitated nanoparticles over several centimeters inside both air-filled and evacuated hollow-core photonic crystal fibers (HCPCF). Detection of the transmitted light field allows three-dimensional read-out of the particle center-of-mass motion. An additional laser enables axial radiation pressure based feedback cooling over the full fiber length. We show that the particle dynamics is a sensitive local probe for characterizing the optical intensity profile inside the fiber as well as the pressure distribution along the fiber axis. In contrast to some theoretical predictions, we find a linear pressure dependence inside the HCPCF, extending over three ordersmore » of magnitude from 0.2 mbar to 100 mbar. A targeted application is the controlled delivery of nanoparticles from ambient pressure into medium vacuum.« less

Study of multiband disordered systems using the typical medium dynamical cluster approximation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Yi; Terletska, Hanna; Moore, C.

We generalize the typical medium dynamical cluster approximation to multiband disordered systems. Using our extended formalism, we perform a systematic study of the nonlocal correlation effects induced by disorder on the density of states and the mobility edge of the three-dimensional two-band Anderson model. We include interband and intraband hopping and an intraband disorder potential. Our results are consistent with those obtained by the transfer matrix and the kernel polynomial methods. We also apply the method to K xFe 2-ySe 2 with Fe vacancies. Despite the strong vacancy disorder and anisotropy, we find the material is not an Anderson insulator.more » Moreover our results demonstrate the application of the typical medium dynamical cluster approximation method to study Anderson localization in real materials.« less

Study of multiband disordered systems using the typical medium dynamical cluster approximation

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Yi; Terletska, Hanna; Moore, C.; ...

2015-11-06

We generalize the typical medium dynamical cluster approximation to multiband disordered systems. Using our extended formalism, we perform a systematic study of the nonlocal correlation effects induced by disorder on the density of states and the mobility edge of the three-dimensional two-band Anderson model. We include interband and intraband hopping and an intraband disorder potential. Our results are consistent with those obtained by the transfer matrix and the kernel polynomial methods. We also apply the method to K xFe 2-ySe 2 with Fe vacancies. Despite the strong vacancy disorder and anisotropy, we find the material is not an Anderson insulator.more » Moreover our results demonstrate the application of the typical medium dynamical cluster approximation method to study Anderson localization in real materials.« less

Abnormal enhancement against interference inhibition for few-cycle pulses propagating in dense media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yue-Yue; Feng, Xun-Li; Xu, Zhi-Zhan; Liu, Chengpu

2016-04-01

We numerically study the reflected spectrum of a few-cycle pulse propagating through an ultrathin resonant medium. According to the classical interference theory, a destructive interference dip is expected at the carrier frequency ωp for a half-wavelength medium. In contrast, an abnormal enhanced spike appears instead. The origin of such an abnormal enhancement is attributed to the coherent transient effects. In addition, its scaling laws versus medium length, pulse area and duration are obtained, which follow simple rules.

On motion in a resisting medium: A historical perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hackborn, William W.

2016-02-01

This paper examines, compares, and contrasts ideas about motion, especially the motion of a body in a resisting medium, proposed by Galileo, Newton, and Tartaglia, the author of the first text on exterior ballistics, within the context of the Aristotelian philosophy prevalent when these scholars developed their ideas. This historical perspective offers insights on the emergence of a scientific paradigm for motion, particularly with respect to the challenge of incorporating into this paradigm the role played by the medium.

Contrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery vs. contrast-enhanced spin echo T1-weighted brain imaging.

PubMed

Falzone, Cristian; Rossi, Federica; Calistri, Maurizio; Tranquillo, Massimo; Baroni, Massimo

2008-01-01

In humans, contrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging plays an important role in detecting brain disease. The aim of this study was to define the clinical utility of contrast-enhanced FLAIR imaging by comparing the results with those with contrast-enhanced spin echo T1-weighted images (SE T1WI) in animals with different brain disorders. Forty-one dogs and five cats with a clinical suspicion of brain disease and 30 normal animals (25 dogs and five cats) were evaluated using a 0.2 T permanent magnet. Before contrast medium injection, spin echo T1-weighted, SE T1WI, and FLAIR sequences were acquired in three planes. SE T1WI and FLAIR images were also acquired after gadolinium injection. Sensitivity in detecting the number, location, margin, and enhancement pattern and rate were evaluated. No lesions were found in a normal animal. In affected animals, 48 lesions in 34 patients were detected in contrast-enhanced SE T1WI whereas 81 lesions in 44 patients were detected in contrast-enhanced FLAIR images. There was no difference in the characteristics of the margins or enhancement pattern of the detected lesions. The objective enhancement rate, the mean value between lesion-to-white matter ratio and lesion-to-gray matter ratio, although representing an overlap of T1 and T2 effects and not pure contrast medium shortening of T1 relaxation, was better in contrast-enhanced FLAIR images. These results suggest a superiority of contrast-enhanced FLAIR images as compared with contrast-enhanced SE T1WI in detecting enhancing brain lesions.

Network Approach to Understanding Emotion Dynamics in Relation to Childhood Trauma and Genetic Liability to Psychopathology: Replication of a Prospective Experience Sampling Analysis

PubMed Central

Hasmi, Laila; Drukker, Marjan; Guloksuz, Sinan; Menne-Lothmann, Claudia; Decoster, Jeroen; van Winkel, Ruud; Collip, Dina; Delespaul, Philippe; De Hert, Marc; Derom, Catherine; Thiery, Evert; Jacobs, Nele; Rutten, Bart P. F.; Wichers, Marieke; van Os, Jim

2017-01-01

Background: The network analysis of intensive time series data collected using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) may provide vital information in gaining insight into the link between emotion regulation and vulnerability to psychopathology. The aim of this study was to apply the network approach to investigate whether genetic liability (GL) to psychopathology and childhood trauma (CT) are associated with the network structure of the emotions “cheerful,” “insecure,” “relaxed,” “anxious,” “irritated,” and “down”—collected using the ESM method. Methods: Using data from a population-based sample of twin pairs and siblings (704 individuals), we examined whether momentary emotion network structures differed across strata of CT and GL. GL was determined empirically using the level of psychopathology in monozygotic and dizygotic co-twins. Network models were generated using multilevel time-lagged regression analysis and were compared across three strata (low, medium, and high) of CT and GL, respectively. Permutations were utilized to calculate p values and compare regressions coefficients, density, and centrality indices. Regression coefficients were presented as connections, while variables represented the nodes in the network. Results: In comparison to the low GL stratum, the high GL stratum had significantly denser overall (p = 0.018) and negative affect network density (p < 0.001). The medium GL stratum also showed a directionally similar (in-between high and low GL strata) but statistically inconclusive association with network density. In contrast to GL, the results of the CT analysis were less conclusive, with increased positive affect density (p = 0.021) and overall density (p = 0.042) in the high CT stratum compared to the medium CT stratum but not to the low CT stratum. The individual node comparisons across strata of GL and CT yielded only very few significant results, after adjusting for multiple testing. Conclusions: The present findings demonstrate that the network approach may have some value in understanding the relation between established risk factors for mental disorders (particularly GL) and the dynamic interplay between emotions. The present finding partially replicates an earlier analysis, suggesting it may be instructive to model negative emotional dynamics as a function of genetic influence. PMID:29163289

Dynamic Evolution Of Off-Fault Medium During An Earthquake: A Micromechanics Based Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, Marion Y.; Bhat, Harsha S.

2018-05-01

Geophysical observations show a dramatic drop of seismic wave speeds in the shallow off-fault medium following earthquake ruptures. Seismic ruptures generate, or reactivate, damage around faults that alter the constitutive response of the surrounding medium, which in turn modifies the earthquake itself, the seismic radiation, and the near-fault ground motion. We present a micromechanics based constitutive model that accounts for dynamic evolution of elastic moduli at high-strain rates. We consider 2D in-plane models, with a 1D right lateral fault featuring slip-weakening friction law. The two scenarios studied here assume uniform initial off-fault damage and an observationally motivated exponential decay of initial damage with fault normal distance. Both scenarios produce dynamic damage that is consistent with geological observations. A small difference in initial damage actively impacts the final damage pattern. The second numerical experiment, in particular, highlights the complex feedback that exists between the evolving medium and the seismic event. We show that there is a unique off-fault damage pattern associated with supershear transition of an earthquake rupture that could be potentially seen as a geological signature of this transition. These scenarios presented here underline the importance of incorporating the complex structure of fault zone systems in dynamic models of earthquakes.

Dynamic Evolution Of Off-Fault Medium During An Earthquake: A Micromechanics Based Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, M. Y.; Bhat, H. S.

2017-12-01

Geophysical observations show a dramatic drop of seismic wave speeds in the shallow off-fault medium following earthquake ruptures. Seismic ruptures generate, or reactivate, damage around faults that alter the constitutive response of the surrounding medium, which in turn modifies the earthquake itself, the seismic radiation, and the near-fault ground motion. We present a micromechanics based constitutive model that accounts for dynamic evolution of elastic moduli at high-strain rates. We consider 2D in-plane models, with a 1D right lateral fault featuring slip-weakening friction law. The two scenarios studied here assume uniform initial off-fault damage and an observationally motivated exponential decay of initial damage with fault normal distance. Both scenarios produce dynamic damage that is consistent with geological observations. A small difference in initial damage actively impacts the final damage pattern. The second numerical experiment, in particular, highlights the complex feedback that exists between the evolving medium and the seismic event. We show that there is a unique off-fault damage pattern associated with supershear transition of an earthquake rupture that could be potentially seen as a geological signature of this transition. These scenarios presented here underline the importance of incorporating the complex structure of fault zone systems in dynamic models of earthquakes.

Laser activation of a nutrient medium and antibiotic solutions and its estimation by of bacteria growth dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malov, Alexander N.; Neupokoeva, Anna V.; Kokorina, Lubov A.; Simonova, Elena V.

2016-11-01

A laser photomodifacation of nutrient mediums and antibiotics results at the microbiological supervision of bacteria colonies growth are discussed. It is experimentally shown, that on the irradiated media there is a delay of bacterial colonies growth number. Influence of laser radiation on activity of an antibiotic also is experimentally studied. It is revealed, that laser photomodifacation increases antimicrobic activity of a preparation. The mechanism of biological solutions activation is connected with the phenomenon laser nanoclusterization. Parameters of bacteria growth bacteria growth dynamics allow to numerically estimate degree of laser activation of nutrient mediums and pharmaceutical preparations.

Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System Fluid Dynamics Investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

Aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the Tissue Culture Medium (TCM) is the bioreactor vessel in which cell cultures are grown. With its two syringe ports, it is much like a bag used to administer intravenous fluid, except it allows gas exchange needed for life. The TCM contains cell culture medium, and when frozen cells are flown to the ISS, they are thawed and introduced to the TCM through the syringe ports. In the Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System-Fluid Dynamics Investigation (CBOSS-FDI) experiment, several mixing procedures are being assessed to determine which method achieves the most uniform mixing of growing cells and culture medium.

Emerging Culture of English-Medium Instruction in Korea: Experiences of Korean and International Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Jeongyeon; Tatar, Bradley; Choi, Jinsook

2014-01-01

This study aims to contrastively examine Korean and international students' experiences of taking subject courses at a Korean university. Focusing on the viewpoints of the students, rather than central authorities, we attempt to reveal how language use and cultural factors are interpenetrated in the praxis of English-medium instruction (EMI). The…

Unusual spiral wave dynamics in the Kessler-Levine model of an excitable medium.

PubMed

Oikawa, N; Bodenschatz, E; Zykov, V S

2015-05-01

The Kessler-Levine model is a two-component reaction-diffusion system that describes spatiotemporal dynamics of the messenger molecules in a cell-to-cell signaling process during the aggregation of social amoeba cells. An excitation wave arising in the model has a phase wave at the wave back, which simply follows the wave front after a fixed time interval with the same propagation velocity. Generally speaking, the medium excitability and the refractoriness are two important factors which determine the spiral wave dynamics in any excitable media. The model allows us to separate these two factors relatively easily since the medium refractoriness can be changed independently of the medium excitability. For rigidly rotating waves, the universal relationship has been established by using a modified free-boundary approach, which assumes that the front and the back of a propagating wave are thin in comparison to the wave plateau. By taking a finite thickness of the domain boundary into consideration, the validity of the proposed excitability measure has been essentially improved. A novel method of numerical simulation to suppress the spiral wave instabilities is introduced. The trajectories of the spiral tip observed for a long refractory period have been investigated under a systematic variation of the medium refractoriness.

Solvent Dependence of Double Proton Transfer in the Formic Acid-Formamidine Complex: Path Integral Molecular Dynamics Investigation.

PubMed

Kungwan, Nawee; Ngaojampa, Chanisorn; Ogata, Yudai; Kawatsu, Tsutomu; Oba, Yuki; Kawashima, Yukio; Tachikawa, Masanori

2017-10-05

Solvent dependence of double proton transfer in the formic acid-formamidine (FA-FN) complex at room temperature was investigated by means of ab initio path integral molecular dynamics (AIPIMD) simulation with taking nuclear quantum and thermal effects into account. The conductor-like screening model (COSMO) was applied for solvent effect. In comparison with gas phase, double proton delocalization between two heavy atoms (O and N) in FA-FN were observed with reduced proton transfer barrier height in low dielectric constant medium (<4.8). For dielectric constant medium at 4.8, the chance of finding these two protons are more pronounced due to the solvent effect which completely washes out the proton transfer barrier. In the case of higher dielectric constant medium (>4.8), the ionic species becomes more stable than the neutral ones and the formate anion and formamidium cation are thermodynamically stable. For ab initio molecular dynamics simulation, in low dielectric constant medium (<4.8) a reduction of proton transfer barrier with solvent effect is found to be less pronounced than the AIPIMD due to the absence of nuclear quantum effect. Moreover, the motions of FA-FN complex are significantly different with increasing dielectric constant medium. Such a difference is revealed in detail by the principal component analysis.

Unusual spiral wave dynamics in the Kessler-Levine model of an excitable medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oikawa, N.; Bodenschatz, E.; Zykov, V. S.

2015-05-01

The Kessler-Levine model is a two-component reaction-diffusion system that describes spatiotemporal dynamics of the messenger molecules in a cell-to-cell signaling process during the aggregation of social amoeba cells. An excitation wave arising in the model has a phase wave at the wave back, which simply follows the wave front after a fixed time interval with the same propagation velocity. Generally speaking, the medium excitability and the refractoriness are two important factors which determine the spiral wave dynamics in any excitable media. The model allows us to separate these two factors relatively easily since the medium refractoriness can be changed independently of the medium excitability. For rigidly rotating waves, the universal relationship has been established by using a modified free-boundary approach, which assumes that the front and the back of a propagating wave are thin in comparison to the wave plateau. By taking a finite thickness of the domain boundary into consideration, the validity of the proposed excitability measure has been essentially improved. A novel method of numerical simulation to suppress the spiral wave instabilities is introduced. The trajectories of the spiral tip observed for a long refractory period have been investigated under a systematic variation of the medium refractoriness.

Enhanced visualization of abnormalities in digital-mammographic images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Susan S.; Moore, William E.

2002-05-01

This paper describes two new presentation methods that are intended to improve the ability of radiologists to visualize abnormalities in mammograms by enhancing the appearance of the breast parenchyma pattern relative to the fatty-tissue surroundings. The first method, referred to as mountain- view, is obtained via multiscale edge decomposition through filter banks. The image is displayed in a multiscale edge domain that causes the image to have a topographic-like appearance. The second method displays the image in the intensity domain and is referred to as contrast-enhancement presentation. The input image is first passed through a decomposition filter bank to produce a filtered output (Id). The image at the lowest resolution is processed using a LUT (look-up table) to produce a tone scaled image (I'). The LUT is designed to optimally map the code value range corresponding to the parenchyma pattern in the mammographic image into the dynamic range of the output medium. The algorithm uses a contrast weight control mechanism to produce the desired weight factors to enhance the edge information corresponding to the parenchyma pattern. The output image is formed using a reconstruction filter bank through I' and enhanced Id.

The Optimal Dose of Nicardipine for Enhancement of Indirect Portography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Inoue, Yutaka; Nakamura, Hironobu; Akaji, Hideyo

1998-01-15

Purpose: To determine the optimal dose of nicardipine (NCR) for enhancement of indirect portography. Methods: Forty-eight patients underwent conventional film indirect portography via the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) first without and then with preinjection of 1/64-2 mg of NCR into the SMA. Results: NCR (1/8-2 mg) shortened the arterial phase to 50% and the portal appearance time to 60% of control without reflux of contrast medium into the aorta. Portal enhancement was excellent at doses of 1/32 mg or more. Blood pressures and pulse rate showed no significant change at 1/4 mg or less. Conclusion: NCR (1/8-1/4 mg) into themore » SMA is the optimal dose for achieving sufficient contrast enhancement on indirect portography while reducing the transit time of contrast medium and minimizing effects on the systemic circulation.« less

Optimization of contrast resolution by genetic algorithm in ultrasound tissue harmonic imaging.

PubMed

Ménigot, Sébastien; Girault, Jean-Marc

2016-09-01

The development of ultrasound imaging techniques such as pulse inversion has improved tissue harmonic imaging. Nevertheless, no recommendation has been made to date for the design of the waveform transmitted through the medium being explored. Our aim was therefore to find automatically the optimal "imaging" wave which maximized the contrast resolution without a priori information. To overcome assumption regarding the waveform, a genetic algorithm investigated the medium thanks to the transmission of stochastic "explorer" waves. Moreover, these stochastic signals could be constrained by the type of generator available (bipolar or arbitrary). To implement it, we changed the current pulse inversion imaging system by including feedback. Thus the method optimized the contrast resolution by adaptively selecting the samples of the excitation. In simulation, we benchmarked the contrast effectiveness of the best found transmitted stochastic commands and the usual fixed-frequency command. The optimization method converged quickly after around 300 iterations in the same optimal area. These results were confirmed experimentally. In the experimental case, the contrast resolution measured on a radiofrequency line could be improved by 6% with a bipolar generator and it could still increase by 15% with an arbitrary waveform generator. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Diblock-copolymer-mediated self-assembly of protein-stabilized iron oxide nanoparticle clusters for magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Tähkä, Sari; Laiho, Ari; Kostiainen, Mauri A

2014-03-03

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) can be used as efficient transverse relaxivity (T2 ) contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Organizing small (D<10 nm) SPIONs into large assemblies can considerably enhance their relaxivity. However, this assembly process is difficult to control and can easily result in unwanted aggregation and precipitation, which might further lead to lower contrast agent performance. Herein, we present highly stable protein-polymer double-stabilized SPIONs for improving contrast in MRI. We used a cationic-neutral double hydrophilic poly(N-methyl-2-vinyl pyridinium iodide-block-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer (P2QVP-b-PEO) to mediate the self-assembly of protein-cage-encapsulated iron oxide (γ-Fe2 O3 ) nanoparticles (magnetoferritin) into stable PEO-coated clusters. This approach relies on electrostatic interactions between the cationic N-methyl-2-vinylpyridinium iodide block and magnetoferritin protein cage surface (pI≈4.5) to form a dense core, whereas the neutral ethylene oxide block provides a stabilizing biocompatible shell. Formation of the complexes was studied in aqueous solvent medium with dynamic light scattering (DLS) and cryogenic transmission electron microcopy (cryo-TEM). DLS results indicated that the hydrodynamic diameter (Dh ) of the clusters is approximately 200 nm, and cryo-TEM showed that the clusters have an anisotropic stringlike morphology. MRI studies showed that in the clusters the longitudinal relaxivity (r1 ) is decreased and the transverse relaxivity (r2 ) is increased relative to free magnetoferritin (MF), thus indicating that clusters can provide considerable contrast enhancement. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Modeling of the contrast-enhanced perfusion test in liver based on the multi-compartment flow in porous media.

PubMed

Rohan, Eduard; Lukeš, Vladimír; Jonášová, Alena

2018-01-24

The paper deals with modeling the liver perfusion intended to improve quantitative analysis of the tissue scans provided by the contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). For this purpose, we developed a model of dynamic transport of the contrast fluid through the hierarchies of the perfusion trees. Conceptually, computed time-space distributions of the so-called tissue density can be compared with the measured data obtained from CT; such a modeling feedback can be used for model parameter identification. The blood flow is characterized at several scales for which different models are used. Flows in upper hierarchies represented by larger branching vessels are described using simple 1D models based on the Bernoulli equation extended by correction terms to respect the local pressure losses. To describe flows in smaller vessels and in the tissue parenchyma, we propose a 3D continuum model of porous medium defined in terms of hierarchically matched compartments characterized by hydraulic permeabilities. The 1D models corresponding to the portal and hepatic veins are coupled with the 3D model through point sources, or sinks. The contrast fluid saturation is governed by transport equations adapted for the 1D and 3D flow models. The complex perfusion model has been implemented using the finite element and finite volume methods. We report numerical examples computed for anatomically relevant geometries of the liver organ and of the principal vascular trees. The simulated tissue density corresponding to the CT examination output reflects a pathology modeled as a localized permeability deficiency.

Injections of Intravenous Contrast for Computerized Tomography Scans Precipitate Migraines in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Subjects at Risk of Paradoxical Emboli: Implications for Right-to-Left Shunt Risks.

PubMed

Patel, Trishan; Elphick, Amy; Jackson, James E; Shovlin, Claire L

2016-11-01

To evaluate if injection of intravenous particles may provoke migraines in subjects with right-to-left shunts due to pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Migraine headaches commonly affect people with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), especially those with pulmonary AVMs that provide right-to-left shunts. In our clinical practice, patients occasionally reported acute precipitation of migraine headaches following injection of technetium-labeled albumin macroaggregates for nuclear medicine scans. Self-reported migraine features and exacerbations were examined in HHT subjects with and without pulmonary AVMs, for a series of noninvasive and invasive investigations, using an unbiased online survey. One hundred and sixty-six subjects were classified as having both HHT and migraines. HHT subjects with migraines were more likely to have pulmonary AVMs (P < .0001). HHT subjects with pulmonary AVMs were more likely to report photophobia (P = .010), "flashes of light" (P = .011), or transient visual loss (P = .040). Pulse oximetry, x-rays, ultrasound, and computerized tomography (CT) scans without intravenous contrast medium rarely, if ever, provoked migraines, but unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was reported to exacerbate migraines by 14/124 (11.2%) subjects. One hundred and fourteen subjects had both enhanced and unenhanced CT examinations: studies with contrast media were more commonly reported to start (9/114 [7.8%]), and/or worsen migraines (18/114 [15.7%]), compared to those undertaken without contrast medium (P < .01), or after simple blood tests (P < .05). Additionally, migraine exacerbation was reported by 9/90 (10%) after contrast echocardiography, 2/44 (4.5%) after nuclear medicine scans, and 10/154 (6.5%) after blood tests. HHT subjects frequently report migraine exacerbation following blood tests, contrast echocardiograms, MRI imaging, and CT studies performed with intravenous contrast medium. Since air emboli are recognized to complicate intravenous injections, particularly those given by a pressurized pump during contrast enhanced CT, future studies should re-evaluate whether particulate emboli provoke migraines. © 2016 The Authors Headache published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Headache Society.

Injections of Intravenous Contrast for Computerized Tomography Scans Precipitate Migraines in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Subjects at Risk of Paradoxical Emboli: Implications for Right‐to‐Left Shunt Risks

PubMed Central

Patel, Trishan; Elphick, Amy; Jackson, James E.

2016-01-01

Objective To evaluate if injection of intravenous particles may provoke migraines in subjects with right‐to‐left shunts due to pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Background Migraine headaches commonly affect people with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), especially those with pulmonary AVMs that provide right‐to‐left shunts. In our clinical practice, patients occasionally reported acute precipitation of migraine headaches following injection of technetium‐labeled albumin macroaggregates for nuclear medicine scans. Methods Self‐reported migraine features and exacerbations were examined in HHT subjects with and without pulmonary AVMs, for a series of noninvasive and invasive investigations, using an unbiased online survey. Results One hundred and sixty‐six subjects were classified as having both HHT and migraines. HHT subjects with migraines were more likely to have pulmonary AVMs (P < .0001). HHT subjects with pulmonary AVMs were more likely to report photophobia (P = .010), “flashes of light” (P = .011), or transient visual loss (P = .040). Pulse oximetry, x‐rays, ultrasound, and computerized tomography (CT) scans without intravenous contrast medium rarely, if ever, provoked migraines, but unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was reported to exacerbate migraines by 14/124 (11.2%) subjects. One hundred and fourteen subjects had both enhanced and unenhanced CT examinations: studies with contrast media were more commonly reported to start (9/114 [7.8%]), and/or worsen migraines (18/114 [15.7%]), compared to those undertaken without contrast medium (P < .01), or after simple blood tests (P < .05). Additionally, migraine exacerbation was reported by 9/90 (10%) after contrast echocardiography, 2/44 (4.5%) after nuclear medicine scans, and 10/154 (6.5%) after blood tests. Conclusions HHT subjects frequently report migraine exacerbation following blood tests, contrast echocardiograms, MRI imaging, and CT studies performed with intravenous contrast medium. Since air emboli are recognized to complicate intravenous injections, particularly those given by a pressurized pump during contrast enhanced CT, future studies should re‐evaluate whether particulate emboli provoke migraines. PMID:27727478

Chaotic dynamics of large-scale double-diffusive convection in a porous medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kondo, Shutaro; Gotoda, Hiroshi; Miyano, Takaya; Tokuda, Isao T.

2018-02-01

We have studied chaotic dynamics of large-scale double-diffusive convection of a viscoelastic fluid in a porous medium from the viewpoint of dynamical systems theory. A fifth-order nonlinear dynamical system modeling the double-diffusive convection is theoretically obtained by incorporating the Darcy-Brinkman equation into transport equations through a physical dimensionless parameter representing porosity. We clearly show that the chaotic convective motion becomes much more complicated with increasing porosity. The degree of dynamic instability during chaotic convective motion is quantified by two important measures: the network entropy of the degree distribution in the horizontal visibility graph and the Kaplan-Yorke dimension in terms of Lyapunov exponents. We also present an interesting on-off intermittent phenomenon in the probability distribution of time intervals exhibiting nearly complete synchronization.

[Adult transient intestinal intussusception: can abdominal CT guide resolution?].

PubMed

Stabile Ianora, Amato Antonio; Telegrafo, Michele; Lorusso, Valentina; Rella, Leonarda; Niccoli Asabella, Artor; La Porta, Michele; Moschetta, Marco

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adult transient intestinal intussusceptions on CT before and after the administration of gastrointestinal contrast material. We evaluated two different gastrointestinal contrast materials: hyperdense and hypodense. In all cases the gastrointestinal contrast agent solved the invaginations. In the group of patients treated with hypodense contrast medium relapses occurred in the short and long term; no recurrence was observed in the other group. CT is useful in the recognition of intestinal intussusception. The gastrointestinal contrast agent could define the real transience of intussusceptions and hyperdense contrast agent could be more effective in short and long term resolution.

The Interstellar Medium in External Galaxies: Summaries of contributed papers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hollenbach, David J. (Editor); Thronson, Harley A., Jr. (Editor)

1990-01-01

The Second Wyoming Conference entitled, The Interstellar Medium in External Galaxies, was held on July 3 to 7, 1989, to discuss the current understanding of the interstellar medium in external galaxies and to analyze the basic physical processes underlying interstellar phenomena. The papers covered a broad range of research on the gas and dust in external galaxies and focused on such topics as the distribution and morphology of the atomic, molecular, and dust components; the dynamics of the gas and the role of the magnetic field in the dynamics; elemental abundances and gas depletions in the atomic and ionized components; cooling flows; star formation; the correlation of the nonthermal radio continuum with the cool component of the interstellar medium; the origin and effect of hot galactic halos; the absorption line systems seen in distant quasars; and the effect of galactic collisions.

Positive MRI contrast enhancement in THP-1 cells with Gd2O3 nanoparticles.

PubMed

Klasson, Anna; Ahrén, Maria; Hellqvist, Eva; Söderlind, Fredrik; Rosén, Anders; Käll, Per-Olov; Uvdal, Kajsa; Engström, Maria

2008-01-01

There is a demand for more efficient and tissue-specific MRI contrast agents and recent developments involve the design of substances useful as molecular markers and magnetic tracers. In this study, nanoparticles of gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) have been investigated for cell labeling and capacity to generate a positive contrast. THP-1, a monocytic cell line that is phagocytic, was used and results were compared with relaxivity of particles in cell culture medium (RPMI 1640). The results showed that Gd2O3-labeled cells have shorter T1 and T2 relaxation times compared with untreated cells. A prominent difference in signal intensity was observed, indicating that Gd2O3 nanoparticles can be used as a positive contrast agent for cell labeling. The r1 for cell samples was 4.1 and 3.6 s(-1) mm(-1) for cell culture medium. The r2 was 17.4 and 12.9 s(-1) mm(-1), respectively. For r1, there was no significant difference in relaxivity between particles in cells compared to particles in cell culture medium, (p(r1) = 0.36), but r2 was significantly different for the two different series (p(r2) = 0.02). Viability results indicate that THP-1 cells endure treatment with Gd2O3 nanoparticles for an extended period of time and it is therefore concluded that results in this study are based on viable cells. Copyright 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fixed drug eruption associated with intravenous contrast media: report in a woman receiving iohexol.

PubMed

Wright, Natalie A; Cohen, Philip R

2011-07-01

Fixed drug eruption, a medication-associated mucocutaneous reaction, rarely presents as a delayed adverse reaction to intravenous non-ionic contrast media. We describe a 57-year-old woman with a history of metastatic renal cell carcinoma who repeatedly developed a sharply demarcated, erythematous patch on her left breast after receiving the iodinated non-ionic contrast media iohexol for staging computed tomography scans. Recurrent fixed drug eruption may be avoided by using another contrast medium. Prophylactic treatment with systemic corticosteroids may prevent repeated fixed drug eruption if an alternative contrast agent cannot be used.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING OF THE DYNAMICS OF THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND CONTRAST AGENTS

PubMed Central

Hsiao, Chao-Tsung; Lu, Xiaozhen; Chahine, Georges

2010-01-01

A 3-D thick-shell contrast agent dynamics model was developed by coupling a finite volume Navier-Stokes solver and a potential boundary element method flow solver to simulate the dynamics of thick-shelled contrast agents subjected to pressure waves. The 3-D model was validated using a spherical thick-shell model validated by experimental observations. We then used this model to study shell break-up during nonspherical deformations resulting from multiple contrast agent interaction or the presence of a nearby solid wall. Our simulations indicate that the thick viscous shell resists the contrast agent from forming a re-entrant jet, as normally observed for an air bubble oscillating near a solid wall. Instead, the shell thickness varies significantly from location to location during the dynamics, and this could lead to shell break-up caused by local shell thinning and stretching. PMID:20950929

The partitioning of copper among selected phases of geologic media of two porphyry copper districts, Puerto Rico

USGS Publications Warehouse

Learned, R.E.; Chao, T.T.; Sanzolone, R.F.

1981-01-01

In experiments designed to determine the manner in which copper is partitioned among selected phases that constitute geologic media, we have applied the five-step sequential extraction procedure of Chao and Theobald to the analysis of drill core, soils, and stream sediments of the Rio Vivi and Rio Tanama porphyry copper districts of Puerto Rico. The extraction procedure affords a convenient means of determining the trace-metal content of the following fractions: (1) Mn oxides and "reactive" Fe oxides; (2) "amorphous" Fe oxides; (3) "crystalline" Fe oxides; (4) sulfides and magnetite; and (5) silicates. An additional extraction between steps (1) and (2) was performed to determine organic-related copper in stream sediments. The experimental results indicate that apportionment of copper among phases constituting geologic media is a function of geochemical environment. Distinctive partitioning patterns were derived from the analysis of drill core from each of three geochemical zones: (a) the supergene zone of oxidation; (b) the supergene zone of enrichment; and (c) the hypogene zone; and similarly, from the analysis of; (d) soils on a weakly leached capping; (e) soils on a strongly leached capping; and (f) active stream sediment. The experimental results also show that geochemical contrasts (anomaly-to-background ratios) vary widely among the five fractions of each sampling medium investigated, and that at least one fraction of each medium provides substantially stronger contrast than does the bulk medium. Fraction (1) provides optimal contrast for stream sediments of the district; fraction (2) provides optimal contrast for soils on a weakly leached capping; fraction (3) provides optimal contrast for soils on a strongly leached capping. Selective extraction procedures appear to have important applications to the orientation and interpretive stages of geochemical exploration. Further investigation and testing of a similar nature are recommended. ?? 1981.

Optimized enhancement in helical CT: experiences with a real-time bolus tracking system in 628 patients.

PubMed

Kirchner, J; Kickuth, R; Laufer, U; Noack, M; Liermann, D

2000-05-01

Ultrafast detector technology enables bolus-triggered application of contrast media. In a prospective study we investigated the benefit of this new method with the intention of optimizing enhancement during examination of the chest and abdomen. In total, we examined 548 patients under standardized conditions. All examinations were performed on a Somatom Plus 4 Power CT system (Siemens Corp., Forchheim, Germany) using the CARE-Bolus software. This produces repetitive low-dose test images (e.g. for the lung: 140 kV, 43 mA, TI 0.5 s) and measures the Hounsfield attenuation in a pre-selected region of interest. After exceeding a defined threshold, a diagnostic spiral CT examination was begun automatically. The data obtained from 321 abdominal CT and 179 lung CT examinations were correlated with different parameters such as age, weight and height of the patients and parameters of vascular access. In a group of 80 patients, the injection of contrast medium was stopped after reaching a pre-defined threshold of an increase of 100 HU over the baseline. Then, we assessed the maximal enhancement of liver, pulmonal artery trunk and aortic arch. There was no correlation between bolus geometry and age, body surface or weight. In helical CT of the abdomen the threshold was reached after a mean trigger time of 27 s (range 13-67 s) and only 65 ml (range 41-105 ml) of contrast medium were administered. In helical CT of the lung the threshold was reached after 21 s (range 12-48 s) and the mean amount of administered contrast medium was 48 ml (range 38-71 ml). Bolus triggering allows optimized enhancement of the organs and reduces the dose of contrast material required compared with standard administration. Copyright 2000 The Royal College of Radiologists.

MRI with intrathecal MRI gadolinium contrast medium administration: a possible method to assess glymphatic function in human brain

PubMed Central

Ringstad, Geir

2015-01-01

Recently, the “glymphatic system” of the brain has been discovered in rodents, which is a paravascular, transparenchymal route for clearance of excess brain metabolites and distribution of compounds in the cerebrospinal fluid. It has already been demonstrated that intrathecally administered gadolinium (Gd) contrast medium distributes along this route in rats, but so far not in humans. A 27-year-old woman underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with intrathecal administration of gadobutrol, which distributed throughout her entire brain after 1 and 4.5 h. MRI with intrathecal Gd may become a tool to study glymphatic function in the human brain. PMID:26634147

Evaluation of a High Concentrated Contrast Media Injection Protocol in Combination with Low Tube Current for Dose Reduction in Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography: A Randomized, Two-center Prospective Study.

PubMed

Sun, Yibo; Hua, Yanqing; Wang, Mingpeng; Mao, Dingbiao; Jin, Xiu; Li, Cheng; Shi, Kailei; Xu, Jianrong

2017-12-01

The study aimed to prospectively evaluate the radiation dose reduction potential and image quality (IQ) of a high-concentration contrast media (HCCM) injection protocol in combination with a low tube current (mAs) in coronary computed tomography angiography. Eighty-one consecutive patients (mean age: 62 years; 34 females; body mass index: 18-31) were included and randomized-assigned into two groups. All computed tomography (CT) examinations were performed in two groups with the same tube voltage (100 kV), flow rate of contrast medium (5.0 mL/s), and iodine dose (22.8 g). An automatic mAs and low concentration contrast medium (300 mgI/mL) were used in group A, whereas effective mAs was reduced by a factor 0.6 along with HCCM (400 mgI/mL) in group B. Radiation dose was assessed (CT dose index [CTDI vol ] and dose length product), and vessel-based objective IQ for various regions of interest (enhancement, noise, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio), subjective IQ, noise, and motion artifacts were analyzed overall and vessel-based with a 5-point Likert scale. The CT attenuation of coronary arteries and image noise in group B were significantly higher than those in group A (ranges: 507.5-548.1 Hounsfield units vs 407.5-444.5 Hounsfield units; and 20.3 ± 8.6 vs 17.7 ± 8.0) (P ≤ 0.0166). There was no significant difference between the two groups in signal-to-noise ratio, contrast-to-noise ratio, and subjective IQ of coronary arteries (29.4-31.7, 30.0-37.0, and medium score of 5 in group A vs 29.4-32.4, 27.7-36.3, and medium score of 5 in group B, respectively, P ≥ 0.1859). Both mean CTDI vol and dose length product in group B were 58% of those of group A. HCCM combined with low tube current allows dose reduction in coronary computed tomography angiography and does not compromise IQ. Copyright © 2017 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Glomerular filtration rate in evaluation of the effect of iodinated contrast media on renal function.

PubMed

Becker, Joshua; Babb, James; Serrano, Manuel

2013-04-01

The purpose of this study was to use measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the reference standard of renal function, to assess the deleterious effect of iodinated contrast media on renal function. Such an effect has been traditionally defined as a greater than 0.5-mg/dL increase in serum creatinine concentration or a 25% or greater increase 24-72 hours after the injection of iodinated contrast medium. This pilot investigation was focused on the consequences of clinically indicated IV injection of iodinated contrast media; intraarterial injection was excluded. One hundred thirteen patients with normal serum creatinine concentrations were enrolled in an approved protocol. At random, as chosen by one of the investigators, patients underwent imaging with one of three monomeric agents (iopamidol 300, iopromide 300, iohexol 300) and one dimeric agent (iodixanol 320). Measured GFR was determined immediately before CT and approximately 3 and 72 hours after the contrast injection for the CT examination. Iodinated contrast medium, a glomerular filtrate with no tubular excretion or reabsorption, was the GFR marker. Measured GFR was determined by x-ray fluorescence analysis with nonisotopic iodinated contrast media. Monomeric and dimeric contrast agents in diagnostic CT volumes (based on bodyweight and imaging protocol) did not induce a significant change in measured GFR (95% confidence by Wilcoxon test), suggesting that use of the evaluated contrast media will not lead to more than a 12% variation. The three monomeric agents studied and the one dimeric agent were equivalent in terms of lack of a significant effect on measured GFR when administered to patients with a normal GFR.

Centaurus X-3 - New low- and medium-energy X-ray observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Long, K.; Agrawal, P. C.; Garmire, G.

1975-01-01

Low- and medium-energy X-ray observations of Cen X-3 during two pointed sounding-rocket experiments are discussed. The lack of low-energy emission from Cen X-3 is consistent with the identification of Krzeminski's star as the optical counterpart of Cen X-3 and normal reddening, in contrast to an earlier measurement by Bleeker et al (1973).

Study on polarization image methods in turbid medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Qiang; Mo, Chunhe; Liu, Boyu; Duan, Jin; Zhang, Su; Zhu, Yong

2014-11-01

Polarization imaging detection technology in addition to the traditional imaging information, also can get polarization multi-dimensional information, thus improve the probability of target detection and recognition.Image fusion in turbid medium target polarization image research, is helpful to obtain high quality images. Based on visible light wavelength of light wavelength of laser polarization imaging, through the rotation Angle of polaroid get corresponding linear polarized light intensity, respectively to obtain the concentration range from 5% to 10% of turbid medium target stocks of polarization parameters, introduces the processing of image fusion technology, main research on access to the polarization of the image by using different polarization image fusion methods for image processing, discusses several kinds of turbid medium has superior performance of polarization image fusion method, and gives the treatment effect and analysis of data tables. Then use pixel level, feature level and decision level fusion algorithm on three levels of information fusion, DOLP polarization image fusion, the results show that: with the increase of the polarization Angle, polarization image will be more and more fuzzy, quality worse and worse. Than a single fused image contrast of the image be improved obviously, the finally analysis on reasons of the increase the image contrast and polarized light.

Lattice NRQCD study of S- and P-wave bottomonium states in a thermal medium with Nf=2 +1 light flavors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Seyong; Petreczky, Peter; Rothkopf, Alexander

2015-03-01

We investigate the properties of S - and P -wave bottomonium states in the vicinity of the deconfinement transition temperature. The light degrees of freedom are represented by dynamical lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) configurations of the HotQCD collaboration with Nf=2 +1 flavors. Bottomonium correlators are obtained from bottom quark propagators, computed in nonrelativistic QCD under the background of these gauge field configurations. The spectral functions for the 3S1 (ϒ ) and 3P1 (χb 1) channel are extracted from the Euclidean time correlators using a novel Bayesian approach in the temperature region 140 MeV ≤T ≤249 MeV and the results are contrasted to those from the standard maximum entropy method. We find that the new Bayesian approach is far superior to the maximum entropy method. It enables us to study reliably the presence or absence of the lowest state signal in the spectral function of a certain channel, even under the limitations present in the finite temperature setup. We find that χb 1 survives up to T =249 MeV , the highest temperature considered in our study, and put stringent constraints on the size of the medium modification of ϒ and χb 1 states.

Thrust-wrench fault interference in a brittle medium: new insights from analogue modelling experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosas, Filipe; Duarte, Joao; Schellart, Wouter; Tomas, Ricardo; Grigorova, Vili; Terrinha, Pedro

2015-04-01

We present analogue modelling experimental results concerning thrust-wrench fault interference in a brittle medium, to try to evaluate the influence exerted by different prescribed interference angles in the formation of morpho-structural interference fault patterns. All the experiments were conceived to simulate simultaneous reactivation of confining strike-slip and thrust faults defining a (corner) zone of interference, contrasting with previously reported discrete (time and space) superposition of alternating thrust and strike-slip events. Different interference angles of 60°, 90° and 120° were experimentally investigated by comparing the specific structural configurations obtained in each case. Results show that a deltoid-shaped morpho-structural pattern is consistently formed in the fault interference (corner) zone, exhibiting a specific geometry that is fundamentally determined by the different prescribed fault interference angle. Such angle determines the orientation of the displacement vector shear component along the main frontal thrust direction, determining different fault confinement conditions in each case, and imposing a complying geometry and kinematics of the interference deltoid structure. Model comparison with natural examples worldwide shows good geometric and kinematic similarity, pointing to the existence of matching underlying dynamic process. Acknowledgments This work was sponsored by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) through project MODELINK EXPL/GEO-GEO/0714/2013.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mateos, M-J; Brandan, M-E; Gastelum, A

Purpose: To evaluate the time evolution of texture parameters, based on the gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), in subtracted images of 17 patients (10 malignant and 7 benign) subjected to contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM). The goal is to determine the sensitivity of texture to iodine uptake at the lesion, and its correlation (or lack of) with mean-pixel-value (MPV). Methods: Acquisition of clinical images followed a single-energy CEDM protocol using Rh/Rh/48 kV plus external 0.5 cm Al from a Senographe DS unit. Prior to the iodine-based contrast medium (CM) administration a mask image was acquired; four CM images were obtained 1,more » 2, 3, and 5 minutes after CM injection. Temporal series were obtained by logarithmic subtraction of registered CM minus mask images.Regions of interest (ROI) for the lesion were drawn by a radiologist and the texture was analyzed. GLCM was evaluated at a 3 pixel distance, 0° angle, and 64 gray-levels. Pixels identified as registration errors were excluded from the computation. 17 texture parameters were chosen, classified according to similarity into 7 groups, and analyzed. Results: In all cases the texture parameters within a group have similar dynamic behavior. Two texture groups (associated to cluster and sum mean) show a strong correlation with MPV; their average correlation coefficient (ACC) is r{sup 2}=0.90. Other two groups (contrast, homogeneity) remain constant with time, that is, a low-sensitivity to CM uptake. Three groups (regularity, lacunarity and diagonal moment) are sensitive to CM uptake but less correlated with MPV; their ACC is r{sup 2}=0.78. Conclusion: This analysis has shown that, at least groups associated to regularity, lacunarity and diagonal moment offer dynamical information additional to the mean pixel value due to the presence of CM at the lesion. The next step will be the analysis in terms of the lesion pathology. Authors thank PAPIIT-IN105813 for support. Consejo Nacional de Ciencia Y Tecnologia, PAPIIT-IN105813.« less

A computational model of amoeboid cell swimming in unbounded medium and through obstacles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, Eric; Bagchi, Prosenjit

2017-11-01

Pseudopod-driven motility is commonly observed in eukaryotic cells. Pseudopodia are actin-rich protrusions of the cellular membrane which extend, bifurcate, and retract in cycles resulting in amoeboid locomotion. While actin-myosin interactions are responsible for pseudopod generation, cell deformability is crucial concerning pseudopod dynamics. Because pseudopodia are highly dynamic, cells are capable of deforming into complex shapes over time. Pseudopod-driven motility represents a multiscale and complex process, coupling cell deformation, protein biochemistry, and cytoplasmic and extracellular fluid motion. In this work, we present a 3D computational model of amoeboid cell swimming in an extracellular medium (ECM). The ECM is represented as a fluid medium with or without obstacles. The model integrates full cell deformation, a coarse-grain reaction-diffusion system for protein dynamics, and fluid interaction. Our model generates pseudopodia which bifurcate and retract, showing remarkable similarity to experimental observations. Influence of cell deformation, protein diffusivity and cytoplasmic viscosity on the swimming speed is analyzed in terms of altered pseudopod dynamics. Insights into the role of matrix porosity and obstacle size on cell motility are also provided. Funded by NSF CBET 1438255.

Theory of activated glassy dynamics in randomly pinned fluids.

PubMed

Phan, Anh D; Schweizer, Kenneth S

2018-02-07

We generalize the force-level, microscopic, Nonlinear Langevin Equation (NLE) theory and its elastically collective generalization [elastically collective nonlinear Langevin equation (ECNLE) theory] of activated dynamics in bulk spherical particle liquids to address the influence of random particle pinning on structural relaxation. The simplest neutral confinement model is analyzed for hard spheres where there is no change of the equilibrium pair structure upon particle pinning. As the pinned fraction grows, cage scale dynamical constraints are intensified in a manner that increases with density. This results in the mobile particles becoming more transiently localized, with increases of the jump distance, cage scale barrier, and NLE theory mean hopping time; subtle changes of the dynamic shear modulus are predicted. The results are contrasted with recent simulations. Similarities in relaxation behavior are identified in the dynamic precursor regime, including a roughly exponential, or weakly supra-exponential, growth of the alpha time with pinning fraction and a reduction of dynamic fragility. However, the increase of the alpha time with pinning predicted by the local NLE theory is too small and severely so at very high volume fractions. The strong deviations are argued to be due to the longer range collective elasticity aspect of the problem which is expected to be modified by random pinning in a complex manner. A qualitative physical scenario is offered for how the three distinct aspects that quantify the elastic barrier may change with pinning. ECNLE theory calculations of the alpha time are then presented based on the simplest effective-medium-like treatment for how random pinning modifies the elastic barrier. The results appear to be consistent with most, but not all, trends seen in recent simulations. Key open problems are discussed with regard to both theory and simulation.

Theory of activated glassy dynamics in randomly pinned fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phan, Anh D.; Schweizer, Kenneth S.

2018-02-01

We generalize the force-level, microscopic, Nonlinear Langevin Equation (NLE) theory and its elastically collective generalization [elastically collective nonlinear Langevin equation (ECNLE) theory] of activated dynamics in bulk spherical particle liquids to address the influence of random particle pinning on structural relaxation. The simplest neutral confinement model is analyzed for hard spheres where there is no change of the equilibrium pair structure upon particle pinning. As the pinned fraction grows, cage scale dynamical constraints are intensified in a manner that increases with density. This results in the mobile particles becoming more transiently localized, with increases of the jump distance, cage scale barrier, and NLE theory mean hopping time; subtle changes of the dynamic shear modulus are predicted. The results are contrasted with recent simulations. Similarities in relaxation behavior are identified in the dynamic precursor regime, including a roughly exponential, or weakly supra-exponential, growth of the alpha time with pinning fraction and a reduction of dynamic fragility. However, the increase of the alpha time with pinning predicted by the local NLE theory is too small and severely so at very high volume fractions. The strong deviations are argued to be due to the longer range collective elasticity aspect of the problem which is expected to be modified by random pinning in a complex manner. A qualitative physical scenario is offered for how the three distinct aspects that quantify the elastic barrier may change with pinning. ECNLE theory calculations of the alpha time are then presented based on the simplest effective-medium-like treatment for how random pinning modifies the elastic barrier. The results appear to be consistent with most, but not all, trends seen in recent simulations. Key open problems are discussed with regard to both theory and simulation.

Large-volume iodinated contrast medium extravasation: low frequency and good outcome after conservative management in a single-centre cohort of more than 67,000 patients.

PubMed

Ko, Chih-Hsiang; Tay, Shee Yen; Chang, Hsiu-Chin; Chan, Wing P

2018-06-12

Our aim was to retrospectively investigate the frequency and outcome of large-volume iodinated contrast medium (CM) extravasation in our institution and to compare our management protocol to current practice. Institutional review board approval was obtained, and informed consent was waived because the study was retrospective. From January 2008 to September 2016, radiological examinations with intravenous non-ionic iodinated CM administration were performed in 67,129 patients. Contrast medium extravasation events on CT scans and intravenous pyelograms but not on angiograms were included. All data were collected prospectively and stratified according to age, injection method (manual vs auto-injection), prevention of extravasation by various means (including intercom alarm), management of extravasation (routine application of silver sulfadiazine ointment, clobetasol propionate cream, and damp gauze at room temperature), etc. RESULTS: The incidence of large-volume CM extravasation was very low (0.04% [27/67,129] overall; 0.03% related to manual injection [age range, 59-92 years; mean, 75.4 years], and 0.045% related to auto-injection [age range, 36-86 years; mean, 65.8 years]). The CM extravasation volume in majority of patients was 20-40 ml in 5 of 9 patients (55.6%) in the manual injection group and 14 of 18 (77.8%) in the auto-injection group. Swelling and pain were the most common symptoms. No patient developed severe signs or needed surgical intervention. Results show a very low incidence of large-volume CM extravasation without severe complications or sequelae. The casual effect between our protocols and good outcome cannot be scrutinised thoroughly because the study lacks a control group and is retrospective. • The incidence of large-volume contrast medium extravasation (≥20 ml) was 0.04%. • No patient needed surgical intervention, and most recovered within 7 days. • Each element of our management protocol contributed to good outcome.

Follow-up treatment effects of contingency management and motivational interviewing on substance use: A meta-analysis.

PubMed

Sayegh, Caitlin S; Huey, Stanley J; Zara, Erica J; Jhaveri, Kinnari

2017-06-01

Motivation is an integral factor in substance use treatment and long-term recovery. However, it is unclear what role intrinsic and extrinsic motivation play across different treatment modalities. A meta-analysis (N = 84) was performed to estimate the pooled effect size of Motivational Interviewing (MI; primarily targeting intrinsic motivation) and contingency management (CM; primarily targeting extrinsic motivation) at different follow-up periods. Collapsed across all substance types, CM had a significant effect at 3-month follow-up, only. In contrast, MI had a significant effect at 6-month follow-up, only. CM had small and medium effects on multiple substances at 3-month follow-up (i.e., tobacco, marijuana, stimulants, polysubstances), but not at 6-month follow-up. MI had 1 significant medium effect at 3-month follow-up (i.e., marijuana), but several significant small effects at 6-month follow-up (i.e., alcohol, tobacco, polysubstances). This meta-analysis suggests that both CM and MI promote reductions in a range of substances, even several months after the intervention concludes. Further, these results provide some evidence that extrinsically focused CM may produce medium follow-up effects in the short run, but intrinsically focused MI may produce small but durable follow-up effects. However, this interpretation is complicated by the differences between the MI and CM studies that preclude statistical tests comparing effect sizes, and few studies assessed motivation itself. Future researchers should investigate how motivational dynamics impact lasting outcomes in substance use treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Soil sedimentology at Gusev Crater from Columbia Memorial Station to Winter Haven

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cabrol, N.A.; Herkenhoff, K. E.; Greeley, R.; Grin, E.A.; Schroder, C.; d'Uston, C.; Weitz, C.; Yingst, R.A.; Cohen, B. A.; Moore, J.; Knudson, A.; Franklin, B.; Anderson, R.C.; Li, R.

2008-01-01

A total of 3140 individual particles were examined in 31 soils along Spirit's traverse. Their size, shape, and texture were quantified and classified. They represent a unique record of 3 years of sedimentologic exploration from landing to sol 1085 covering the Plains Unit to Winter Haven where Spirit spent the Martian winter of 2006. Samples in the Plains Unit and Columbia Hills appear as reflecting contrasting textural domains. One is heterogeneous, with a continuum of angular-to-round particles of fine sand to pebble sizes that are generally dust covered and locally cemented in place. The second shows the effect of a dominant and ongoing dynamic aeolian process that redistributes a uniform population of medium-size sand. The texture of particles observed in the samples at Gusev Crater results from volcanic, aeolian, impact, and water-related processes. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union.

The mechanism of proton conduction in phosphoric acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vilčiauskas, Linas; Tuckerman, Mark E.; Bester, Gabriel; Paddison, Stephen J.; Kreuer, Klaus-Dieter

2012-06-01

Neat liquid phosphoric acid (H3PO4) has the highest intrinsic proton conductivity of any known substance and is a useful model for understanding proton transport in other phosphate-based systems in biology and clean energy technologies. Here, we present an ab initio molecular dynamics study that reveals, for the first time, the microscopic mechanism of this high proton conductivity. Anomalously fast proton transport in hydrogen-bonded systems involves a structural diffusion mechanism in which intramolecular proton transfer is driven by specific hydrogen bond rearrangements in the surrounding environment. Aqueous media transport excess charge defects through local hydrogen bond rearrangements that drive individual proton transfer reactions. In contrast, strong, polarizable hydrogen bonds in phosphoric acid produce coupled proton motion and a pronounced protic dielectric response of the medium, leading to the formation of extended, polarized hydrogen-bonded chains. The interplay between these chains and a frustrated hydrogen-bond network gives rise to the high proton conductivity.

Monitoring hemodynamics and oxygenation of the kidney in rats by a combined near-infrared spectroscopy and invasive probe approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grosenick, Dirk; Cantow, Kathleen; Arakelyan, Karen; Wabnitz, Heidrun; Flemming, Bert; Skalweit, Angela; Ladwig, Mechthild; Macdonald, Rainer; Niendorf, Thoralf; Seeliger, Erdmann

2015-07-01

We have developed a hybrid approach to investigate the dynamics of perfusion and oxygenation in the kidney of rats under pathophysiologically relevant conditions. Our approach combines near-infrared spectroscopy to quantify hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation in the renal cortex, and an invasive probe method for measuring total renal blood flow by an ultrasonic probe, perfusion by laser-Doppler fluxmetry, and tissue oxygen tension via fluorescence quenching. Hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation were determined from experimental data by a Monte Carlo model. The hybrid approach was applied to investigate and compare temporal changes during several types of interventions such as arterial and venous occlusions, as well as hyperoxia, hypoxia and hypercapnia induced by different mixtures of the inspired gas. The approach was also applied to study the effects of the x-ray contrast medium iodixanol on the kidney.

Image method for electrostatic energy of polarizable dipolar spheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gustafson, Kyle S.; Xu, Guoxi; Freed, Karl F.; Qin, Jian

2017-08-01

The multiple-scattering theory for the electrostatics of many-body systems of monopolar spherical particles, embedded in a dielectric medium, is generalized to describe the electrostatics of these particles with embedded dipoles and multipoles. The Neumann image line construction for the electrostatic polarization produced by one particle is generalized to compute the energy, forces, and torques for the many-body system as functions of the positions of the particles. The approach is validated by comparison with direct numerical calculation, and the convergence rate is analyzed and expressed in terms of the discontinuity in dielectric contrast and particle density. As an illustration of this formalism, the stability of small particle clusters is analyzed. The theory is developed in a form that can readily be adapted to Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations for polarizable particles and, more generally, to study the interactions among polarizable molecules.

Assessment of MRI Contrast Agent Kinetics via Retro-Orbital Injection in Mice: Comparison with Tail Vein Injection.

PubMed

Wang, Fang; Nojima, Masanori; Inoue, Yusuke; Ohtomo, Kuni; Kiryu, Shigeru

2015-01-01

It is not known whether administration of contrast agent via retro-orbital injection or the tail vein route affects the efficiency of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, we compared the effects of retro-orbital and tail vein injection on the kinetics of the contrast agent used for MRI in mice. The same group of nine healthy female mice received contrast agent via either route. An extracellular contrast agent was infused via the tail vein and retro-orbital vein, in random order. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was performed before and after administering the contrast agent. The contrast effects in the liver, kidney, lung, and myocardium were assessed. The average total times of venous puncture and mounting of the injection system were about 10 and 4 min for the tail vein and retro-orbital route, respectively. For all organs assessed, the maximum contrast ratio occurred 30 s after administration and the time course of the contrast ratio was similar with either routes. For each organ, the contrast ratios correlated strongly; the contrast ratios were similar. The retro-orbital and tail vein routes afforded similar results in terms of the kinetics of the contrast agent. The retro-orbital route can be used as a simple efficient alternative to tail vein injection for dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of mice.

Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury: Comparison of Preventative Therapies.

PubMed

Honicker, Theresa; Holt, Karyn

2016-01-01

Contrast medium is used daily for diagnostic and interventional procdures as a means to visualize blood vessels. The administration of contrast dye, however, can lead to an acute reduction in kidney function. This complication can impact length of hospital stay, risk of dialysis, and increased hospital mortality. Common preventative measures include N-acetylcysteine and intravenous hydration. The evidence reviewed revealed hydration to be the more effective treatment to reduce the risk of acute kidney injury.

Hydrogen atom donor compounds as contrast enhancers for black-and-white photothermographic and thermographic elements

DOEpatents

Harring, Lori S.; Simpson, Sharon M.; Sansbury, Francis H.

1997-01-01

Hydrogen atom donor compounds are useful as contrast enhancers when used in combination with (i) hindered phenol developers, and (ii) trityl hydrazide and/or formyl-phenyl hydrazine co-developers, to produce ultra-high contrast black-and-white photothermographic and thermographic elements. The photothermographic and thermographic elements may be used as a photomask in a process where there is a subsequent exposure of an ultraviolet or short wavelength visible radiation-sensitive imageable medium.

CT-angiography protocol with low dose radiation and low volume contrast medium for non-cardiac chest pain

PubMed Central

Ozkurt, Huseyin; Tokgoz, Safiye; Karabay, Esra; Ucan, Berna; Akdogan, Melek Pala; Basak, Muzaffer

2014-01-01

Aim To evaluate the diagnostic quality of a new multiple detector-row computed tomography angiography (MDCT-A) protocol using low dose radiation and low volume contrast medium techniques for evaluation of non-cardiac chest pain. Methods Forty-five consecutive patients with clinically suspected noncardiac chest pain and requiring contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) were examined. The patients were assigned to the protocol, with 80 kilovolt (peak) (kV[p]) and 150 effective milliampere-second (eff mA-s). In our study group, 40 mL of low osmolar contrast material was administered at 3.0 mL/s. Results In the study group, four patients with pulmonary embolism, four with pleural effusion, two with ascending aortic aneurysm and eight patients with pneumonic consolidation were detected. The mean attenuation of the pulmonary truncus and ascendant aortic locations was considered 264±44 and 249±51 HU, respectively. The mean effective radiation dose was 0.83 mSv for MDCT-A. Conclusions Pulmonary artery and the aorta scanning simultaneously was significantly reduced radiation exposure with the mentioned dose saving technique. Additionally, injection of low volume (40 cc) contrast material may reduce the risk of contrast induced nephropathy, therefore, facilitate the diagnostic approach. This technique can be applied to all cases and particularly patients at high risk of contrast induced nephropathy due to its similar diagnostic quality with a low dose and high levels of arteriovenous enhancement simultaneously. PMID:25392818

Alternating air-medium exposure in rotating bioreactors optimizes cell metabolism in 3D novel tubular scaffold polyurethane foams.

PubMed

Tresoldi, Claudia; Stefani, Ilaria; Ferracci, Gaia; Bertoldi, Serena; Pellegata, Alessandro F; Farè, Silvia; Mantero, Sara

2017-04-26

In vitro dynamic culture conditions play a pivotal role in developing engineered tissue grafts, where the supply of oxygen and nutrients, and waste removal must be permitted within construct thickness. For tubular scaffolds, mass transfer is enhanced by introducing a convective flow through rotating bioreactors with positive effects on cell proliferation, scaffold colonization and extracellular matrix deposition. We characterized a novel polyurethane-based tubular scaffold and investigated the impact of 3 different culture configurations over cell behavior: dynamic (i) single-phase (medium) rotation and (ii) double-phase exposure (medium-air) rotation; static (iii) single-phase static culture as control. A new mixture of polyol was tested to create polyurethane foams (PUFs) as 3D scaffold for tissue engineering. The structure obtained was morphologically and mechanically analyzed tested. Murine fibroblasts were externally seeded on the novel porous PUF scaffold, and cultured under different dynamic conditions. Viability assay, DNA quantification, SEM and histological analyses were performed at different time points. The PUF scaffold presented interesting mechanical properties and morphology adequate to promote cell adhesion, highlighting its potential for tissue engineering purposes. Results showed that constructs under dynamic conditions contain enhanced viability and cell number, exponentially increased for double-phase rotation; under this last configuration, cells uniformly covered both the external surface and the lumen. The developed 3D structure combined with the alternated exposure to air and medium provided the optimal in vitro biochemical conditioning with adequate nutrient supply for cells. The results highlight a valuable combination of material and dynamic culture for tissue engineering applications.

Younger and older adults' perception of the Wundt-Hering illusion as a function of display illumination and reflectance contrast.

PubMed

Astor-Stetson, E; Lane, S

1991-08-01

Reflectance contrast (i.e., black as compared to grey figures on white ground) and display illumination were manipulated to vary the brightness contrast of Wundt-Hering figures. 16 college students and 16 older adults were presented with high, medium, and low reflectance contrast figures. For half the participants, display illumination was manipulated by covering the figures with a .5 yellow neutral density filter. Magnitude of the illusion increased significantly with increased reflectance contrast for college students, and college students were significantly more susceptible to the high contrast figures than were older adults. Display illumination had no effect on the performance of either group.

Effective interactions and dynamics of small passive particles in an active bacterial medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Semeraro, Enrico F.; Devos, Juliette M.; Narayanan, Theyencheri

2018-05-01

This article presents an investigation of the interparticle interactions and dynamics of submicron silica colloids suspended in a bath of motile Escherichia coli bacteria. The colloidal microstructure and dynamics were probed by ultra-small-angle x-ray scattering and multi-speckles x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy, respectively. Both static and hydrodynamic interactions were obtained for different colloid volume fractions and bacteria concentrations as well as when the interparticle interaction potential was modified by the motility buffer. Results suggest that motile bacteria reduce the effective attractive interactions between passive colloids and enhance their dynamics at high colloid volume fractions. The enhanced dynamics under different static interparticle interactions can be rationalized in terms of an effective viscosity of the medium and unified by means of an empirical effective temperature of the system. While the influence of swimming bacteria on the colloid dynamics is significantly lower for small particles, the role of motility buffer on the static and dynamic interactions becomes more pronounced.

Comparison of the Diagnostic Accuracy of DSC- and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI in the Preoperative Grading of Astrocytomas.

PubMed

Nguyen, T B; Cron, G O; Perdrizet, K; Bezzina, K; Torres, C H; Chakraborty, S; Woulfe, J; Jansen, G H; Sinclair, J; Thornhill, R E; Foottit, C; Zanette, B; Cameron, I G

2015-11-01

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters can be biased by poor measurement of the vascular input function. We have compared the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging by using a phase-derived vascular input function and "bookend" T1 measurements with DSC MR imaging for preoperative grading of astrocytomas. This prospective study included 48 patients with a new pathologic diagnosis of an astrocytoma. Preoperative MR imaging was performed at 3T, which included 2 injections of 5-mL gadobutrol for dynamic contrast-enhanced and DSC MR imaging. During dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging, both magnitude and phase images were acquired to estimate plasma volume obtained from phase-derived vascular input function (Vp_Φ) and volume transfer constant obtained from phase-derived vascular input function (K(trans)_Φ) as well as plasma volume obtained from magnitude-derived vascular input function (Vp_SI) and volume transfer constant obtained from magnitude-derived vascular input function (K(trans)_SI). From DSC MR imaging, corrected relative CBV was computed. Four ROIs were placed over the solid part of the tumor, and the highest value among the ROIs was recorded. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to test for difference between grades. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed by using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Vp_ Φ and K(trans)_Φ values were lower for grade II compared with grade III astrocytomas (P < .05). Vp_SI and K(trans)_SI were not significantly different between grade II and grade III astrocytomas (P = .08-0.15). Relative CBV and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters except for K(trans)_SI were lower for grade III compared with grade IV (P ≤ .05). In differentiating low- and high-grade astrocytomas, we found no statistically significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between relative CBV and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters. In the preoperative grading of astrocytomas, the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters is similar to that of relative CBV. © 2015 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

Dynamical friction for supersonic motion in a homogeneous gaseous medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thun, Daniel; Kuiper, Rolf; Schmidt, Franziska; Kley, Wilhelm

2016-05-01

Context. The supersonic motion of gravitating objects through a gaseous ambient medium constitutes a classical problem in theoretical astrophysics. Its application covers a broad range of objects and scales from planetesimals, planets, and all kind of stars up to galaxies and black holes. In particular, the dynamical friction caused by the wake that forms behind the object plays an important role for the dynamics of the system. To calculate the dynamical friction for a particular system, standard formulae based on linear theory are often used. Aims: It is our goal to check the general validity of these formulae and provide suitable expressions for the dynamical friction acting on the moving object, based on the basic physical parameters of the problem: first, the mass, radius, and velocity of the perturber; second, the gas mass density, soundspeed, and adiabatic index of the gaseous medium; and finally, the size of the forming wake. Methods: We perform dedicated sequences of high-resolution numerical studies of rigid bodies moving supersonically through a homogeneous ambient medium and calculate the total drag acting on the object, which is the sum of gravitational and hydrodynamical drag. We study cases without gravity with purely hydrodynamical drag, as well as gravitating objects. In various numerical experiments, we determine the drag force acting on the moving body and its dependence on the basic physical parameters of the problem, as given above. From the final equilibrium state of the simulations, for gravitating objects we compute the dynamical friction by direct numerical integration of the gravitational pull acting on the embedded object. Results: The numerical experiments confirm the known scaling laws for the dependence of the dynamical friction on the basic physical parameters as derived in earlier semi-analytical studies. As a new important result we find that the shock's stand-off distance is revealed as the minimum spatial interaction scale of dynamical friction. Below this radius, the gas settles into a hydrostatic state, which - owing to its spherical symmetry - causes no net gravitational pull onto the moving body. Finally, we derive an analytic estimate for the stand-off distance that can easily be used when calculating the dynamical friction force.

Fluctuations in non-ideal pion gas with dynamically fixed particle number

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolomeitsev, E. E.; Voskresensky, D. N.

2018-05-01

We consider a non-ideal hot pion gas with the dynamically fixed number of particles in the model with the λϕ4 interaction. The effective Lagrangian for the description of such a system is obtained after dropping the terms responsible for the change of the total particle number. Reactions π+π- ↔π0π0, which determine the isospin balance of the medium, are permitted. Within the self-consistent Hartree approximation we compute the effective pion mass, thermodynamic characteristics of the system and the variance of the particle number at temperatures above the critical point of the induced Bose-Einstein condensation when the pion chemical potential reaches the value of the effective pion mass. We analyze conditions for the condensate formation in the process of thermalization of an initially non-equilibrium pion gas. The normalized variance of the particle number increases with a temperature decrease but remains finite in the critical point of the Bose-Einstein condensation. This is due to the non-perturbative account of the interaction and is in contrast to the ideal-gas case. In the kinetic regime of the condensate formation the variance is shown to stay finite also.

Diagnostic sensitivity of ultrasound, radiography and computed tomography for gender determination in four species of lizards.

PubMed

Di Ianni, Francesco; Volta, Antonella; Pelizzone, Igor; Manfredi, Sabrina; Gnudi, Giacomo; Parmigiani, Enrico

2015-01-01

Gender determination is frequently requested by reptile breeders, especially for species with poor or absent sexual dimorphism. The aims of the current study were to describe techniques and diagnostic sensitivities of ultrasound, radiography, and computed tomography for gender determination (identification of hemipenes) in four species of lizards. Nineteen lizards of known sex, belonging to four different species (Pogona vitticeps, Uromastyx aegyptia, Tiliqua scincoides, Gerrhosaurus major) were prospectively enrolled. With informed owner consent, ultrasound, noncontrast CT, contrast radiography, and contrast CT (with contrast medium administered into the cloaca) were performed in conscious animals. Imaging studies were reviewed by three different operators, each unaware of the gender of the animals and of the results of the other techniques. The lizard was classified as a male when hemipenes were identified. Nineteen lizards were included in the study, 10 females and nine males. The hemipenes were seen on ultrasound in only two male lizards, and appeared as oval hypoechoic structures. Radiographically, hemipenes filled with contrast medium appeared as spindle-shaped opacities. Noncontrast CT identified hemipenes in only two lizards, and these appeared as spindle-shaped kinked structures with hyperattenuating content consistent with smegma. Hemipenes were correctly identified in all nine males using contrast CT (accuracy of 100%). Accuracy of contrast radiography was excellent (94.7%). Accuracy of ultrasound and of noncontrast CT was poor (64.3% and 63.1%, respectively). Findings from the current study supported the use of contrast CT or contrast radiography for gender determination in lizards. © 2014 American College of Veterinary Radiology.

Gd3+-DTPA-bis (N-methylamine) - anionic linear globular Dendrimer-G1; a more efficient MRI contrast media.

PubMed

Ghalandarlaki, N; Mohammadi, T D; Agha Babaei, R; Tabasi, M A; Keyhanvar, P; Mehravi, B; Yaghmaei, P; Cohan, R A; Ardestani, M S

2014-02-01

By advancing of molecular imaging techniques, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming an increasingly important tool in early diagnosis. Researchers have found new ways to increase contrast of MRI images.Therefore some types of drug known as contrast media are produced. Contrast media improve the visibility of internal body structures in MRI images. Gadodiamide (Omniscan®) is one of these contrast media which is produced commercially and used clinically. In this study Gadodiamide was first synthesized and then qualitative and quantitative methods were carried out to ensure the proper synthesis of this drug then to increase the efficiency of this contrast medium use dendrimer that is one kind of nano particle. This dendrimer has a polyethylene glycol (PEG) core and citric acid branches. After dendrimer attached to Gadodiamide to ensure the proper efficient connection between them the stability studies were carried out and cytotoxicity of the drug was evaluated. Finally, after ensuring the non-toxicity of the drug, in vivo studies (injected into mice) MR imaging was performed to examine the impact of synthesis drug on the resolution of image.The result obtained from this study demonstrated that the attachment of Gadodiamide to dendrimer reduces its cytotoxicity and also improved resolution of image. Also the new contrast media (Gd3+-DTPA- bis [N-methylamine] - Dendrimer) - unlike Omniscan® - is biodegradable and able to enter the HEPG2 cell line. The results confirm the hypothesis that using dendrimer to synthesize this new nano contrast medium increases its effectiveness. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Torsten Almén (1931-2016): the father of non-ionic iodine contrast media.

PubMed

Nyman, Ulf; Ekberg, Olle; Aspelin, Peter

2016-09-01

The Swedish radiologist Torsten Almén is the first clinical radiologist ever to have made a fundamental contribution to intravascular contrast medium design, the development of non-ionic contrast media. He became emotionally triggered by the patients' severe pain each time he injected the ionic "high-osmolar" contrast media when performing peripheral arteriographies in the early 1960s. One day he got a flash of genius that combined the observation of pain, a pathophysiological theory and how to eliminate it with suitable contrast media chemistry. After self-studies in chemistry he developed the concept of iodine contrast media not dissociating into ions in solution to reduce their osmolality and even reach plasma isotonicity. He offered several pharmaceutical companies his concept of mono- and polymeric non-ionic agents but without response, since it was considered against the chemical laws of that time. Contrast media constructed as salts and dissociating into ions in solution was regarded an absolute necessity to achieve high enough water solubility and concentration for diagnostic purposes. Finally a small Norwegian company, Nyegaard & Co., took up his idea 1968 and together they developed the essentially painless "low-osmolar" monomeric non-ionic metrizamide (Amipaque) released in 1974 and iohexol (Omipaque) in 1982 followed by the "iso-osmolar" dimeric non-ionic iodixanol (Visipaque) released in 1993. This has implied a profound paradigm shift with regard to reduction of both hypertonic and chemotoxic side effects, which have been a prerequisite for the today's widespread use of contrast medium-enhanced CT and advanced endovascular interventional techniques even in fragile patients. © The Foundation Acta Radiologica 2016.

Contrast Media Extravasation of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Management Guidelines for the Radiologist.

PubMed

Nicola, Refky; Shaqdan, Khalid Wael; Aran, Shima; Prabhakar, Anand M; Singh, Ajay Kumar; Abujudeh, Hani H

2016-01-01

Intravenous contrast administration has been of great importance in diagnostic radiology, but it is not without risks either due to the local, systemic allergic reactions or due to subcutaneous extravasation of contrast media. Subcutaneous contrast medium extravasationis an infrequent, yet a well-recognized complication. However, most incidents are minor and can be managed conservatively, but there are a few cases that require immediate surgical intervention. This article discusses the risks factors, clinical manifestations, and conservative and surgical approaches of subcutaneous contrast media extravasation for both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Copyright © 2015 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Accumulation of MRI contrast agents in malignant fibrous histiocytoma for gadolinium neutron capture therapy.

PubMed

Fujimoto, T; Ichikawa, H; Akisue, T; Fujita, I; Kishimoto, K; Hara, H; Imabori, M; Kawamitsu, H; Sharma, P; Brown, S C; Moudgil, B M; Fujii, M; Yamamoto, T; Kurosaka, M; Fukumori, Y

2009-07-01

Neutron-capture therapy with gadolinium (Gd-NCT) has therapeutic potential, especially that gadolinium is generally used as a contrast medium in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The accumulation of gadolinium in a human sarcoma cell line, malignant fibrosis histiocytoma (MFH) Nara-H, was visualized by the MRI system. The commercially available MRI contrast medium Gd-DTPA (Magnevist, dimeglumine gadopentetate aqueous solution) and the biodegradable and highly gadopentetic acid (Gd-DTPA)-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Gd-nanoCPs) were prepared as MRI contrast agents. The MFH cells were cultured and collected into three falcon tubes that were set into the 3-tesra MRI system to acquire signal intensities from each pellet by the spin echo method, and the longitudinal relaxation time (T1) was calculated. The amount of Gd in the sample was measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrography (ICP-AES). The accumulation of gadolinium in cells treated with Gd-nanoCPs was larger than that in cells treated with Gd-DTPA. In contrast, and compared with the control, Gd-DTPA was more effective than Gd-nanoCPs in reducing T1, suggesting that the larger accumulation exerted the adverse effect of lowering the enhancement of MRI. Further studies are warranted to gain insight into the therapeutic potential of Gd-NCT.

Effect of static scatterers in laser speckle contrast imaging: an experimental study on correlation and contrast.

PubMed

Vaz, Pedro G; Humeau-Heurtier, Anne; Figueiras, Edite; Correia, Carlos; Cardoso, João

2017-12-29

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is a non-invasive microvascular blood flow assessment technique with good temporal and spatial resolution. Most LSCI systems, including commercial devices, can perform only qualitative blood flow evaluation, which is a major limitation of this technique. There are several factors that prevent the utilization of LSCI as a quantitative technique. Among these factors, we can highlight the effect of static scatterers. The goal of this work was to study the influence of differences in static and dynamic scatterer concentration on laser speckle correlation and contrast. In order to achieve this, a laser speckle prototype was developed and tested using an optical phantom with various concentrations of static and dynamic scatterers. It was found that the laser speckle correlation could be used to estimate the relative concentration of static/dynamic scatterers within a sample. Moreover, the speckle correlation proved to be independent of the dynamic scatterer velocity, which is a fundamental characteristic to be used in contrast correction.

Effect of static scatterers in laser speckle contrast imaging: an experimental study on correlation and contrast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vaz, Pedro G.; Humeau-Heurtier, Anne; Figueiras, Edite; Correia, Carlos; Cardoso, João

2018-01-01

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is a non-invasive microvascular blood flow assessment technique with good temporal and spatial resolution. Most LSCI systems, including commercial devices, can perform only qualitative blood flow evaluation, which is a major limitation of this technique. There are several factors that prevent the utilization of LSCI as a quantitative technique. Among these factors, we can highlight the effect of static scatterers. The goal of this work was to study the influence of differences in static and dynamic scatterer concentration on laser speckle correlation and contrast. In order to achieve this, a laser speckle prototype was developed and tested using an optical phantom with various concentrations of static and dynamic scatterers. It was found that the laser speckle correlation could be used to estimate the relative concentration of static/dynamic scatterers within a sample. Moreover, the speckle correlation proved to be independent of the dynamic scatterer velocity, which is a fundamental characteristic to be used in contrast correction.

On-off intermittency and intermingledlike basins in a granular medium.

PubMed

Schmick, Malte; Goles, Eric; Markus, Mario

2002-12-01

Molecular dynamic simulations of a medium consisting of disks in a periodically tilted box yield two dynamic modes differing considerably in the total potential and kinetic energies of the disks. Depending on parameters, these modes display the following features: (i) hysteresis (coexistence of the two modes in phase space); (ii) intermingledlike basins of attraction (uncertainty exponent indistinguishable from zero); (iii) two-state on-off intermittency; and (iv) bimodal velocity distributions. Bifurcations are defined by a cross-shaped phase diagram.

Nanoparticles generated by laser in liquids as contrast medium and radiotherapy intensifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Restuccia, Nancy; Torrisi, Lorenzo

2018-01-01

The synthesis of Au and Ag nanoparticles (NP) though laser ablation in liquids as a function the laser parameters is presented. Spherical NPs with diameter distribution within 1 and 100 nm were prepared by laser ablation in water. The nanoparticles characterization was performed using optical spectroscopy and electronic microscopy (SEM and TEM) measurements. Studies of the possible use of metallic nanoparticles as intensifier of diagnostics imaging contrast medium and absorbing dose from ionizing radiations in traditional radiotherapy and protontherapy are presented. Examples of in vitro (in tissue equivalent materials) and in vivo (in mice), were conducted thank to simulation programs permitting to evaluate the enhancement of efficiency in imaging and therapy as a function of the NPs concentrations and irradiation conditions.

Structure and dynamics of zymogen human blood coagulation factor X.

PubMed

Venkateswarlu, Divi; Perera, Lalith; Darden, Tom; Pedersen, Lee G

2002-03-01

The solution structure and dynamics of the human coagulation factor X (FX) have been investigated to understand the key structural elements in the zymogenic form that participates in the activation process. The model was constructed based on the 2.3-A-resolution x-ray crystallographic structure of active-site inhibited human FXa (PDB:1XKA). The missing gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (GLA) and part of epidermal growth factor 1 (EGF1) domains of the light chain were modeled based on the template of GLA-EGF1 domains of the tissue factor (TF)-bound FVIIa structure (PDB:1DAN). The activation peptide and other missing segments of FX were introduced using homology modeling. The full calcium-bound model of FX was subjected to 6.2 ns of molecular dynamics simulation in aqueous medium using the AMBER6.0 package. We observed significant reorientation of the serine-protease (SP) domain upon activation leading to a compact multi-domain structure. The solution structure of zymogen appears to be in a well-extended conformation with the distance between the calcium ions in the GLA domain and the catalytic residues estimated to be approximately 95 A in contrast to approximately 83 A in the activated form. The latter is in close agreement with fluorescence studies on FXa. The S1-specificity residues near the catalytic triad show significant differences between the zymogen and activated structures.

Assessment of renal vasoconstriction in vivo after intra-arterial administration of the isosmotic contrast medium iodixanol compared to the low-osmotic contrast medium iopamidol.

PubMed

Treitl, Marcus; Rupprecht, Harald; Wirth, Stefan; Korner, Markus; Reiser, Maximilian; Rieger, Johannes

2009-05-01

Low-osmotic contrast media (LOCM) such as iopamidol are known to increase the renal resistance index (RRI). The aim of our study was to evaluate in vivo the different effects of intra-arterial administration of LOCM in comparison to isosmotic contrast medium (IOCM) such as iodixanol on the human RRI. Twenty patients (16 males, 4 females; 66 years on average) with normal renal function (mean creatinine 1.0 mg/dl) had digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the abdominal and lower-limb arteries. Ten patients received LOCM, and 10 patients IOCM (150 ml on average, 20 ml/s). The RRI was assessed by an experienced nephrologist with duplex ultrasound from 15 min before until 30 min after the first injection with delays of 1-5 min. The basic value of the RRI and differential RRI were calculated. The basic value of the RRI was 0.69 in the LOCM group and 0.71 in the IOCM group. After LOCM a significant increase of the RRI to 0.73 on average (P < or = 0.001) 2 min after the first injection was found, whereas IOCM did not result in a significant change of the RRI (RRI remained 0.71 on average, P > or = 0.1). In the LOCM group, the RRI returned to the basic value after 30 min (+/-2.3 min). Intra-arterial administration of IOCM had no influence on renal vascular resistance as expressed by the RRI, unlike LOCM, which induced a highly significant increase of the RRI for up to 30 min.

Description and comparison of excretory urography performed during radiography and computed tomography for evaluation of the urinary system in healthy New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

PubMed

Vilalta, Laura; Altuzarra, Raul; Espada, Yvonne; Dominguez, Elisabet; Novellas, Rosa; Martorell, Jaime

2017-04-01

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the usefulness of excretory urography performed during radiography (REU) and CT (CTEU) in healthy rabbits, determine timings of urogram phases, and compare sensitivities of REU and CTEU for detection of these phases. ANIMALS 13 New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). PROCEDURES Rabbits were screened for signs of systemic and urinary tract disease. An REU examination of each was performed, followed ≥ 5 days later by a CTEU examination. Contrast images from each modality were evaluated for quality of opacification and intervals between initiation of contrast medium administration and detection of various urogram phases. RESULTS Excretory urograms of excellent diagnostic quality were achieved with both imaging modalities. For all rabbits, the nephrographic phase of the urogram appeared in the first postcontrast REU image (obtained between 34 and 40 seconds after initiation of contrast medium administration) and at a median interval of 20 seconds in CTEU images. The pyelographic phase began at a median interval of 1.63 minutes with both imaging modalities. Contrast medium was visible within the urinary bladder at a median interval of 2.20 minutes. Median interval to the point at which the nephrogram and pyelogram were no longer visible in REU images was 8 hours and 2.67 hours, respectively. The CTEU technique was better than the REU technique for evaluating renal parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings suggested that REU and, particularly, CTEU may be valuable tools for the diagnosis of renal and urinary tract disease in rabbits; however, additional evaluation in diseased rabbits is required.

ESR and PALS detection of the dynamic crossover in the supercooled liquid states of short and medium-sized n-alkanes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartoš, J.; Zgardzinska, B.; Švajdlenková, H.; Lukešová, M.; Zaleski, R.

2018-05-01

A joint study of the spin probe TEMPO dynamics by ESR and the annihilation rate of ortho-positronium by PALS in four short-and medium-sized n-alkanes is presented. In addition to the usually observed changes in both the reorientation dynamics and size of free volumes at the temperature of melting, Tm, and solid-solid phase transition, Tss, an additional coincidence between the characteristic ESR and PALS temperatures TX1fast ≅ Tb1sol < Tm, Tss was found. The phenomenological analysis of the viscosity data of n-alkanes using the power law equation indicates a presence of locally disordered regions in which the dynamic change occurs at the crossover temperature TX ≅ TX1fast ≅ Tb1sol.

The Dynamics of a Five-level (Double Λ)-type Atom Interacting with Two-mode Field in a Cross Kerr-like Medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obada, A.-S. F.; Ahmed, M. M. A.; Farouk, Ahmed M.

2018-04-01

In this paper, we propose a new transition scheme (Double Λ) for the interaction between a five-level atom and an electromagnetic field and study its dynamics in the presence of a cross Kerr-like medium in the exact-resonance case. The wave function is derived when the atom is initially prepared in its upper most state, and the field is initially prepared in the coherent state. We studied the atomic population inversion, the coherence degree by studying the second-order correlation function, Cauchy-Schwartz inequality (CSI) and the relation with P-function. Finally, we investigate the effect of Kerr-like medium on the evolution of Husimi Q-function of the considered system.

Transient cortical blindness after coronary angiography.

PubMed Central

Parry, R; Rees, J R; Wilde, P

1993-01-01

Transient visual loss lasting three days developed after transfemoral coronary angiography in a 62 year old man. Computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral leakage of contrast medium into the occipital cortex. A repeat CT scan after his sight recovered showed clearance of contrast with no underlying infarction. A breakdown of the blood-brain barrier with direct neurotoxicity of the contrast media seemed to be the cause of these neurological changes after coronary angiography which apparently have not been reported before. Images PMID:8280526

Combining ability, heritability and genotypic relations of different physiological traits in cacao hybrids

PubMed Central

de Almeida, Alex-Alan Furtado; Branco, Márcia Christina da Silva; Costa, Marcio Gilberto Cardoso; Ahnert, Dario

2017-01-01

Selecting parents and evaluating progenies is a very important step in breeding programs and involves approaches such as understanding the initial stages of growth and characterizing the variability among genotypes for different parameters, such as physiological, growth, biomass partitioning and nutrient translocation to the aerial part. In these cases, facilitating tools can be used to understand the involved gene dynamics, such as diallel crosses and genetic and phenotypic correlations. Our main hypothesis is that the contrasting phenotypes of these parental genotypes of cocoa used are due to genetic factors, and progenies derived from crosses of these parental genotypes are useful for breeding programs related to plant architecture, physiological parameters and translocation of mineral nutrients. We aimed to evaluate the combining abilities in progenies of cacao (Theobroma cacao L) originating from contrasting parents for canopy vigor. Emphasis was given to the evaluation of morphological and physiological parameters and the phenotypic and genotypic correlations to understand the dynamics of the action of the genes involved, as well as in expression profile from genes of gibberellins biosynthesis pathway in the parents. Fifteen F1 progenies were obtained from crosses of six clones (IMC 67, P4B, PUCALA, SCA 6, SCA 24 and SJ 02) that were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replicates of 12 plants per progeny, in a balanced half table diallel scheme. It is possible to identify and select plants and progenies of low, medium and high height, as there is expressive genetic variability for the evaluated parameters, some of these on higher additive effects, others on larger nonadditive effects and others under a balance of these effects. Most physiological parameters evaluated show that for selection of plants with the desired performance, no complex breeding methods would be necessary due to the high and medium heritability observed. Strong genetic components were observed from many of the correlations, which indicate the possibility to formulate selection indices for multi-traits, such as dwarfism or semidwarfism, tolerance to increase of leaf sodium concentrations and maintenance of the photosynthetic apparatus integrity under these conditions. Additionally, plants with higher carbon fixation, better water use, higher carboxylation efficiency and greater magnesium accumulation in leaves can be selected. PMID:28628670

Combining ability, heritability and genotypic relations of different physiological traits in cacao hybrids.

PubMed

Pereira, Allan Silva; de Almeida, Alex-Alan Furtado; Branco, Márcia Christina da Silva; Costa, Marcio Gilberto Cardoso; Ahnert, Dario

2017-01-01

Selecting parents and evaluating progenies is a very important step in breeding programs and involves approaches such as understanding the initial stages of growth and characterizing the variability among genotypes for different parameters, such as physiological, growth, biomass partitioning and nutrient translocation to the aerial part. In these cases, facilitating tools can be used to understand the involved gene dynamics, such as diallel crosses and genetic and phenotypic correlations. Our main hypothesis is that the contrasting phenotypes of these parental genotypes of cocoa used are due to genetic factors, and progenies derived from crosses of these parental genotypes are useful for breeding programs related to plant architecture, physiological parameters and translocation of mineral nutrients. We aimed to evaluate the combining abilities in progenies of cacao (Theobroma cacao L) originating from contrasting parents for canopy vigor. Emphasis was given to the evaluation of morphological and physiological parameters and the phenotypic and genotypic correlations to understand the dynamics of the action of the genes involved, as well as in expression profile from genes of gibberellins biosynthesis pathway in the parents. Fifteen F1 progenies were obtained from crosses of six clones (IMC 67, P4B, PUCALA, SCA 6, SCA 24 and SJ 02) that were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replicates of 12 plants per progeny, in a balanced half table diallel scheme. It is possible to identify and select plants and progenies of low, medium and high height, as there is expressive genetic variability for the evaluated parameters, some of these on higher additive effects, others on larger nonadditive effects and others under a balance of these effects. Most physiological parameters evaluated show that for selection of plants with the desired performance, no complex breeding methods would be necessary due to the high and medium heritability observed. Strong genetic components were observed from many of the correlations, which indicate the possibility to formulate selection indices for multi-traits, such as dwarfism or semidwarfism, tolerance to increase of leaf sodium concentrations and maintenance of the photosynthetic apparatus integrity under these conditions. Additionally, plants with higher carbon fixation, better water use, higher carboxylation efficiency and greater magnesium accumulation in leaves can be selected.

Effects of speckle/pixel size ratio on temporal and spatial speckle-contrast analysis of dynamic scattering systems: Implications for measurements of blood-flow dynamics.

PubMed

Ramirez-San-Juan, J C; Mendez-Aguilar, E; Salazar-Hermenegildo, N; Fuentes-Garcia, A; Ramos-Garcia, R; Choi, B

2013-01-01

Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) is an optical technique used to generate blood flow maps with high spatial and temporal resolution. It is well known that in LSCI, the speckle size must exceed the Nyquist criterion to maximize the speckle's pattern contrast. In this work, we study experimentally the effect of speckle-pixel size ratio not only in dynamic speckle contrast, but also on the calculation of the relative flow speed for temporal and spatial analysis. Our data suggest that the temporal LSCI algorithm is more accurate at assessing the relative changes in flow speed than the spatial algorithm.

wnt3a but not wnt11 supports self-renewal of embryonic stem cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Singla, Dinender K.; Schneider, David J.; LeWinter, Martin M.

2006-06-30

wnt proteins (wnts) promote both differentiation of midbrain dopaminergic cells and self-renewal of haematopoietic stem cells. Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells can be maintained and self-renew on mouse feeder cell layers or in media containing leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). However, the effects of wnts on ES cells self-renewal and differentiation are not clearly understood. In the present study, we found that conditioned medium prepared from L cells expressing wnt3a can replace feeder cell layers and medium containing LIF in maintaining ES cells in the proliferation without differentiation (self-renewal) state. By contrast, conditioned medium from NIH3T3 cells expressing wnt11 did not.more » Alkaline phosphatase staining and compact colony formation were used as criteria of cells being in the undifferentiated state. ES cells maintained in medium conditioned by Wnt3a expressing cells underwent freezing and thawing while maintaining properties seen with LIF maintained ES cells. Purified wnt3a did not maintain self-renewal of ES cells for prolonged intervals. Thus, other factors in the medium conditioned by wnt3a expressing cells may have contributed to maintenance of ES cells in a self-renewal state. Pluripotency of ES cells was determined with the use of embryoid bodies in vitro. PD98059, a MEK specific inhibitor, promoted the growth of undifferentiated ES cells maintained in conditioned medium from wnt3a expressing cells. By contrast, the P38 MAPK inhibitor SB230580 did not, suggesting a role for the MEK pathway in self-renewal and differentiation of ES cells maintained in the wnt3a cell conditioned medium. Thus, our results show that conditioned medium from wnt3a but not wnt11 expressing cells can maintain ES cells in self-renewal and in a pluripotent state.« less

Controlled ionic condensation at the surface of a native extremophile membrane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Contera, Sonia Antoranz; Voïtchovsky, Kislon; Ryan, John F.

2010-02-01

At the nanoscale level biological membranes present a complex interface with the solvent. The functional dynamics and relative flexibility of membrane components together with the presence of specific ionic effects can combine to create exciting new phenomena that challenge traditional theories such as the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory or models interpreting the role of ions in terms of their ability to structure water (structure making/breaking). Here we investigate ionic effects at the surface of a highly charged extremophile membrane composed of a proton pump (bacteriorhodopsin) and archaeal lipids naturally assembled into a 2D crystal. Using amplitude-modulation atomic force microscopy (AM-AFM) in solution, we obtained sub-molecular resolution images of ion-induced surface restructuring of the membrane. We demonstrate the presence of a stiff cationic layer condensed at its extracellular surface. This layer cannot be explained by traditional continuum theories. Dynamic force spectroscopy experiments suggest that it is produced by electrostatic correlation mediated by a Manning-type condensation of ions. In contrast, the cytoplasmic surface is dominated by short-range repulsive hydration forces. These findings are relevant to archaeal bioenergetics and halophilic adaptation. Importantly, they present experimental evidence of a natural system that locally controls its interactions with the surrounding medium and challenges our current understanding of biological interfaces.At the nanoscale level biological membranes present a complex interface with the solvent. The functional dynamics and relative flexibility of membrane components together with the presence of specific ionic effects can combine to create exciting new phenomena that challenge traditional theories such as the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory or models interpreting the role of ions in terms of their ability to structure water (structure making/breaking). Here we investigate ionic effects at the surface of a highly charged extremophile membrane composed of a proton pump (bacteriorhodopsin) and archaeal lipids naturally assembled into a 2D crystal. Using amplitude-modulation atomic force microscopy (AM-AFM) in solution, we obtained sub-molecular resolution images of ion-induced surface restructuring of the membrane. We demonstrate the presence of a stiff cationic layer condensed at its extracellular surface. This layer cannot be explained by traditional continuum theories. Dynamic force spectroscopy experiments suggest that it is produced by electrostatic correlation mediated by a Manning-type condensation of ions. In contrast, the cytoplasmic surface is dominated by short-range repulsive hydration forces. These findings are relevant to archaeal bioenergetics and halophilic adaptation. Importantly, they present experimental evidence of a natural system that locally controls its interactions with the surrounding medium and challenges our current understanding of biological interfaces. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Figs. S1 and S2: amplitude- and phase-extension curves used to derive the data presented in Figs. 2 and 4. See DOI: 10.1039/b9nr00248k

RGD-Targeted Ultrasound Contrast Agent for Longitudinal Assessment of Hep-2 Tumor Angiogenesis In Vivo.

PubMed

Hu, Qiao; Wang, Xiao-Yan; Kang, Li-Ke; Wei, Hai-Ming; Xu, Chun-Mei; Wang, Tao; Wen, Zong-Hua

2016-01-01

To prepare arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD)-targeted ultrasound contrast microbubbles (MBs) and explore the feasibility of their use in assessing dynamic changes in αvβ3 integrin expression in a murine model of tumor angiogenesis. RGD peptides were conjugated to the surfaces of microbubbles via biotin-avidin linkage. Microbubbles bearing RADfK peptides were prepared as controls. The RGD-MBs were characterized using an Accusizer 780 and optical microscopy. The binding specificity of the RGD-MBs for ανβ3-expressing endothelial cells (bEnd.3) was demonstrated in vitro by a competitive inhibition experiment. In an in vivo study, mice bearing tumors of three different stages were intravenously injected with RGD-MBs and subjected to targeted, contrast-enhanced, high-frequency ultrasound. Subsequently, tumors were harvested and sectioned for immunofluorescence analysis of ανβ3 expression. The mean size of the RGD-MBs was 2.36 ± 1.7 μm. The RGD-MBs showed significantly higher adhesion levels to bEnd.3 cells compared to control MBs (P < 0.01). There was rarely binding of RGD-MBs to αvβ3-negative MCF-7 cells. Adhesion of the RGD-MBs to the bEnd.3 cells was significantly inhibited following treatment with anti-alpha(v) antibodies. The quantitative acoustic video intensity for high-frequency, contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of subcutaneous human laryngeal carcinoma (Hep-2) tumor xenografts was significantly higher in small tumors (19.89 ± 2.49) than in medium tumors (11.25 ± 2.23) and large tumors (3.38 ± 0.67) (P < 0.01). RGD-MBs enable noninvasive in vivo visualization of changes in tumor angiogenesis during tumor growth in subcutaneous cancer xenografts.

RGD-Targeted Ultrasound Contrast Agent for Longitudinal Assessment of Hep-2 Tumor Angiogenesis In Vivo

PubMed Central

Hu, Qiao; Wang, Xiao-Yan; Kang, Li-Ke; Wei, Hai-Ming; Xu, Chun-Mei; Wang, Tao; Wen, Zong-Hua

2016-01-01

Objective To prepare arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD)-targeted ultrasound contrast microbubbles (MBs) and explore the feasibility of their use in assessing dynamic changes in αvβ3 integrin expression in a murine model of tumor angiogenesis. Methods RGD peptides were conjugated to the surfaces of microbubbles via biotin-avidin linkage. Microbubbles bearing RADfK peptides were prepared as controls. The RGD-MBs were characterized using an Accusizer 780 and optical microscopy. The binding specificity of the RGD-MBs for ανβ3-expressing endothelial cells (bEnd.3) was demonstrated in vitro by a competitive inhibition experiment. In an in vivo study, mice bearing tumors of three different stages were intravenously injected with RGD-MBs and subjected to targeted, contrast-enhanced, high-frequency ultrasound. Subsequently, tumors were harvested and sectioned for immunofluorescence analysis of ανβ3 expression. Results The mean size of the RGD-MBs was 2.36 ± 1.7 μm. The RGD-MBs showed significantly higher adhesion levels to bEnd.3 cells compared to control MBs (P < 0.01). There was rarely binding of RGD-MBs to αvβ3-negative MCF-7 cells. Adhesion of the RGD-MBs to the bEnd.3 cells was significantly inhibited following treatment with anti-alpha(v) antibodies. The quantitative acoustic video intensity for high-frequency, contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of subcutaneous human laryngeal carcinoma (Hep-2) tumor xenografts was significantly higher in small tumors (19.89 ± 2.49) than in medium tumors (11.25 ± 2.23) and large tumors (3.38 ± 0.67) (P < 0.01). Conclusions RGD-MBs enable noninvasive in vivo visualization of changes in tumor angiogenesis during tumor growth in subcutaneous cancer xenografts. PMID:26862757

Persistence and storage of activity patterns in spiking recurrent cortical networks: modulation of sigmoid signals by after-hyperpolarization currents and acetylcholine

PubMed Central

Palma, Jesse; Grossberg, Stephen; Versace, Massimiliano

2012-01-01

Many cortical networks contain recurrent architectures that transform input patterns before storing them in short-term memory (STM). Theorems in the 1970's showed how feedback signal functions in rate-based recurrent on-center off-surround networks control this process. A sigmoid signal function induces a quenching threshold below which inputs are suppressed as noise and above which they are contrast-enhanced before pattern storage. This article describes how changes in feedback signaling, neuromodulation, and recurrent connectivity may alter pattern processing in recurrent on-center off-surround networks of spiking neurons. In spiking neurons, fast, medium, and slow after-hyperpolarization (AHP) currents control sigmoid signal threshold and slope. Modulation of AHP currents by acetylcholine (ACh) can change sigmoid shape and, with it, network dynamics. For example, decreasing signal function threshold and increasing slope can lengthen the persistence of a partially contrast-enhanced pattern, increase the number of active cells stored in STM, or, if connectivity is distance-dependent, cause cell activities to cluster. These results clarify how cholinergic modulation by the basal forebrain may alter the vigilance of category learning circuits, and thus their sensitivity to predictive mismatches, thereby controlling whether learned categories code concrete or abstract features, as predicted by Adaptive Resonance Theory. The analysis includes global, distance-dependent, and interneuron-mediated circuits. With an appropriate degree of recurrent excitation and inhibition, spiking networks maintain a partially contrast-enhanced pattern for 800 ms or longer after stimuli offset, then resolve to no stored pattern, or to winner-take-all (WTA) stored patterns with one or multiple winners. Strengthening inhibition prolongs a partially contrast-enhanced pattern by slowing the transition to stability, while strengthening excitation causes more winners when the network stabilizes. PMID:22754524

Effects of acetylcysteine and probucol on contrast medium-induced depression of intrinsic renal glutathione peroxidase activity in diabetic rats.

PubMed

Yen, Hsueh-Wei; Lee, Hsiang-Chun; Lai, Wen-Te; Sheu, Sheng-Hsiung

2007-04-01

Antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine and probucol have been used to protect patients from contrast media-induced nephrotoxicity. The mechanisms underlying these protective effects are not well understood. We hypothesized that acetylcysteine and probucol alter the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity. Four weeks after induction of diabetes with streptozotocin, diabetic and nondiabetic rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 rats did not receive any antioxidant agents. Group 2 rats were treated with acetylcysteine and group 3 rats with probucol for 1 week before injection of the contrast medium diatrizoate (DTZ). We found that diabetic rats had higher renal glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity than normal rats. DTZ suppressed renal GPx activity significantly in both group 1 diabetic and normal rats. Interestingly, renal GPx activity in both diabetic and normal rats pretreated with acetylcysteine or probucol was not inhibited by DTZ. Renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased significantly in normal rats after DTZ injection, but not in diabetic rats. Finally, acetylcysteine or probucol did not significantly influence renal SOD. These findings suggest that the renal protective effects of acetylcysteine and probucol against contrast-induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity may be mediated by altering endogenous GPx activity.

Influence of galactic arm scale dynamics on the molecular composition of the cold and dense ISM. I. Observed abundance gradients in dense clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruaud, M.; Wakelam, V.; Gratier, P.; Bonnell, I. A.

2018-04-01

Aim. We study the effect of large scale dynamics on the molecular composition of the dense interstellar medium during the transition between diffuse to dense clouds. Methods: We followed the formation of dense clouds (on sub-parsec scales) through the dynamics of the interstellar medium at galactic scales. We used results from smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations from which we extracted physical parameters that are used as inputs for our full gas-grain chemical model. In these simulations, the evolution of the interstellar matter is followed for 50 Myr. The warm low-density interstellar medium gas flows into spiral arms where orbit crowding produces the shock formation of dense clouds, which are held together temporarily by the external pressure. Results: We show that depending on the physical history of each SPH particle, the molecular composition of the modeled dense clouds presents a high dispersion in the computed abundances even if the local physical properties are similar. We find that carbon chains are the most affected species and show that these differences are directly connected to differences in (1) the electronic fraction, (2) the C/O ratio, and (3) the local physical conditions. We argue that differences in the dynamical evolution of the gas that formed dense clouds could account for the molecular diversity observed between and within these clouds. Conclusions: This study shows the importance of past physical conditions in establishing the chemical composition of the dense medium.

A poroelastic medium saturated by a two-phase capillary fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shelukhin, V. V.

2014-09-01

By Landau's approach developed for description of superfluidity of 2He, we derive a mathematical model for a poroelastic medium saturated with a two-phase capillary fluid. The model describes a three-velocity continuum with conservation laws which obey the basic principles of thermodynamics and which are consistent with the Galilean transformations. In contrast to Biot' linear theory, the equations derived allow for finite deformations. As the acoustic analysis reveals, there is one more longitudinal wave in comparison with the poroelastic medium saturated with a one-phase fluid. We prove that such a result is due to surface tension.

Capillary-tube-based extension of thermoacoustic theory for a random medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roh, Heui-Seol; Raspet, Richard; Bass, Henry E.

2005-09-01

Thermoacoustic theory for a single capillary tube is extended to random bulk medium on the basis of capillary tubes. The characteristics of the porous stack inside the resonator such as the tortuosity, dynamic shape factor, and porosity are introduced for the extension of wave equation by following Attenborough's approach. Separation of the dynamic shape factor for the viscous and thermal effect is adopted and scaling using the dynamic shape factor and tortuosity factor is demonstrated. The theoretical and experimental comparison of thermoviscous functions in reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) and aluminum foam shows reasonable agreement. The extension is useful for investigations of the properties of a stack with arbitrary shapes of non-parallel pores.

"Ant" and "grasshopper" life-history strategies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Spor, Aymé; Wang, Shaoxiao; Dillmann, Christine; de Vienne, Dominique; Sicard, Delphine

2008-02-13

From the evolutionary and ecological points of view, it is essential to distinguish between the genetic and environmental components of the variability of life-history traits and of their trade-offs. Among the factors affecting this variability, the resource uptake rate deserves particular attention, because it depends on both the environment and the genetic background of the individuals. In order to unravel the bases of the life-history strategies in yeast, we grew a collection of twelve strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae from different industrial and geographical origins in three culture media differing for their glucose content. Using a population dynamics model to fit the change of population size over time, we estimated the intrinsic growth rate (r), the carrying capacity (K), the mean cell size and the glucose consumption rate per cell. The life-history traits, as well as the glucose consumption rate, displayed large genetic and plastic variability and genetic-by-environment interactions. Within each medium, growth rate and carrying capacity were not correlated, but a marked trade-off between these traits was observed over the media, with high K and low r in the glucose rich medium and low K and high r in the other media. The cell size was tightly negatively correlated to carrying capacity in all conditions. The resource consumption rate appeared to be a clear-cut determinant of both the carrying capacity and the cell size in all media, since it accounted for 37% to 84% of the variation of those traits. In a given medium, the strains that consume glucose at high rate have large cell size and low carrying capacity, while the strains that consume glucose at low rate have small cell size but high carrying capacity. These two contrasted behaviors may be metaphorically defined as "ant" and "grasshopper" strategies of resource utilization. Interestingly, a strain may be "ant" in one medium and "grasshopper" in another. These life-history strategies are discussed with regards to yeast physiology, and in an evolutionary perspective.

Single-shot measurement of >1010 pulse contrast for ultra-high peak-power lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yongzhi; Ma, Jingui; Wang, Jing; Yuan, Peng; Xie, Guoqiang; Ge, Xulei; Liu, Feng; Yuan, Xiaohui; Zhu, Heyuan; Qian, Liejia

2014-01-01

Real-time pulse-contrast observation with a high dynamic range is a prerequisite to tackle the contrast challenge in ultra-high peak-power lasers. However, the commonly used delay-scanning cross-correlator (DSCC) can only provide the time-consumed measurements for repetitive lasers. Single-shot cross-correlator (SSCC) becomes essential in optimizing laser systems and exploring contrast mechanisms. Here we report our progress in developing SSCC towards its practical use. By integrating both the techniques of scattering-noise reduction and sensitive parallel detection into SSCC, we demonstrate a high dynamic range of >1010, which, to our best knowledge, is the first demonstration of an SSCC with a dynamic range comparable to that of commercial DSCCs. The comparison of high-dynamic measurement performances between SSCC and a standard DSCC (Sequoia, Amplitude Technologies) is also carried out on a 200 TW Ti:sapphire laser, and the consistency of results verifies the veracity of our SSCC.

Comparison of Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI and Quantitative SPECT in a Rat Glioma Model

PubMed Central

Skinner, Jack T.; Yankeelov, Thomas E.; Peterson, Todd E.; Does, Mark D.

2012-01-01

Pharmacokinetic modeling of dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MRI data provides measures of the extracellular volume fraction (ve) and the volume transfer constant (Ktrans) in a given tissue. These parameter estimates may be biased, however, by confounding issues such as contrast agent and tissue water dynamics, or assumptions of vascularization and perfusion made by the commonly used model. In contrast to MRI, radiotracer imaging with SPECT is insensitive to water dynamics. A quantitative dual-isotope SPECT technique was developed to obtain an estimate of ve in a rat glioma model for comparison to the corresponding estimates obtained using DCE-MRI with a vascular input function (VIF) and reference region model (RR). Both DCE-MRI methods produced consistently larger estimates of ve in comparison to the SPECT estimates, and several experimental sources were postulated to contribute to these differences. PMID:22991315

Dosimetric perturbations due to an implanted cardiac pacemaker in MammoSite{sup Registered-Sign} treatment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sung, Wonmo; Kim, Siyong; Kim, Jung-in

2012-10-15

Purpose: To investigate dose perturbations for pacemaker-implanted patients in partial breast irradiation using high dose rate (HDR) balloon brachytherapy. Methods: Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were performed to calculate dose distributions involving a pacemaker in Ir-192 HDR balloon brachytherapy. Dose perturbations by varying balloon-to-pacemaker distances (BPD = 50 or 100 mm) and concentrations of iodine contrast medium (2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10.0% by volume) in the balloon were investigated for separate parts of the pacemaker (i.e., battery and substrate). Relative measurements using an ion-chamber were also performed to confirm MC results. Results: The MC and measured results in homogeneous media withoutmore » a pacemaker agreed with published data within 2% from the balloon surface to 100 mm BPD. Further their dose distributions with a pacemaker were in a comparable agreement. The MC results showed that doses over the battery were increased by a factor of 3, compared to doses without a pacemaker. However, there was no significant dose perturbation in the middle of substrate but up to 70% dose increase in the substrate interface with the titanium capsule. The attenuation by iodine contrast medium lessened doses delivered to the pacemaker by up to 9%. Conclusions: Due to inhomogeneity of pacemaker and contrast medium as well as low-energy photons in Ir-192 HDR balloon brachytherapy, the actual dose received in a pacemaker is different from the homogeneous medium-based dose and the external beam-based dose. Therefore, the dose perturbations should be considered for pacemaker-implanted patients when evaluating a safe clinical distance between the balloon and pacemaker.« less

Visual function assessment in simulated real-life situations in patients with age-related macular degeneration compared to normal subjects.

PubMed

Barteselli, G; Gomez, M L; Doede, A L; Chhablani, J; Gutstein, W; Bartsch, D-U; Dustin, L; Azen, S P; Freeman, W R

2014-10-01

To evaluate visual function variations in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared to normal eyes under different light/contrast conditions using a time-dependent visual acuity testing instrument, the Central Vision Analyzer (CVA). Overall, 37 AMD eyes and 35 normal eyes were consecutively tested with the CVA after assessing best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using ETDRS charts. The CVA established visual thresholds for three mesopic environments (M1 (high contrast), M2 (medium contrast), and M3 (low contrast)) and three backlight-glare environments (G1 (high contrast, equivalent to ETDRS), G2 (medium contrast), and G3 (low contrast)) under timed conditions. Vision drop across environments was calculated, and repeatability of visual scores was determined. BCVA significantly reduced with decreasing contrast in all eyes. M1 scores for BCVA were greater than M2 and M3 (P<0.001); G1 scores were greater than G2 and G3 (P<0.01). BCVA dropped more in AMD eyes than in normal eyes between M1 and M2 (P=0.002) and between M1 and M3 (P=0.003). In AMD eyes, BCVA was better using ETDRS charts compared to G1 (P<0.001). The drop in visual function between ETDRS and G1 was greater in AMD eyes compared to normal eyes (P=0.004). Standard deviations of test-retest ranged from 0.100 to 0.139 logMAR. The CVA allowed analysis of the visual complaints that AMD patients experience with different lighting/contrast time-dependent conditions. BCVA changed significantly under different lighting/contrast conditions in all eyes, however, AMD eyes were more affected by contrast reduction than normal eyes. In AMD eyes, timed conditions using the CVA led to worse BCVA compared to non-timed ETDRS charts.

Feasibility of Selective Catheter-Directed Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Using Ultralow-Dose Intracoronary Contrast Injection in a Swine Model.

PubMed

Hong, Youngtaek; Shin, Sanghoon; Park, Hyung-Bok; Lee, Byoung Kwon; Arsanjani, Reza; ó Hartaigh, Bríain; Ha, Seongmin; Jang, Yeonggul; Jeon, Byunghwan; Jung, Sunghee; Park, Se-Il; Sung, Ji Min; Shim, Hackjoon; Chang, Hyuk-Jae

2015-07-01

Selective catheter-directed intracoronary contrast injected coronary computed tomography angiography (selective CCTA) has recently been introduced for on-site evaluation of coronary artery disease during coronary artery catheterization. In this study, we aimed to develop a feasible protocol for selective CCTA using ultralow-dose contrast medium as compared with conventional intravenous CCTA (IV CCTA). A novel combined system incorporating coronary angiography and a 320-detector row computed tomographic scanner was used to study 4 swine (35-40 kg) under animal institutional review board approval. A selective CCTA scan was simultaneously performed with an injection of 13.13 mgI/mL of modulated contrast medium at multiple different injection rates including 2, 3, and 4 mL/s and different total injection volumes of either 20 or 30 mL. Intravenous CCTA was performed with 60 mL of contrast medium, followed by 30 mL of saline chaser at 5 mL/s. Coronary mean and peak intensity, transluminal attenuation gradient, as well as 3-dimensional maximum intensity projections were obtained. Attenuation values (mean ± standard error, in Hounsfield units [HUs]) of selective CCTA for the left anterior descending (LAD) and right coronary artery (RCA) using the various combinations of injection rates and total injection volumes were as follows: 20 mL at 2 mL/s (LAD, 270.3 ± 20.4 HU; RCA, 322.6 ± 7.4 HU), 20 mL at 3 mL/s (LAD, 262.9 ± 20.4 HU; RCA, 264.7 ± 7.4 HU), 30 mL at 3 mL/s (LAD, 276.8 ± 20.4 HU; RCA, 274.0 ± 7.4 HU), 20 mL at 4 mL/s (LAD, 268.0 ± 20.4 HU; RCA, 277.7 ± 7.4 HU), and 30 mL at 4 mL/s (LAD, 251.3 ± 20.4 HU; RCA, 334.7 ± 7.4 HU). The representative protocol of the selective CCTA studies produced results within the optimal enhancement range (approximately 250-350 HU) for all segments, and comparison of transluminal attenuation gradient data with selective CCTA and IV CCTA studies demonstrated that the former method was more homogenous (-1.5245 and -1.7558 for LAD as well as 0.0459 and 0.0799 for RCA, respectively). Notably, the volume of iodine contrast medium used for selective CCTA was reported to be 1.09% (0.2 g) of IV CCTA (24 g). The current findings demonstrate the feasibility of selective CCTA using ultralow-dose intracoronary contrast injection. This technique may provide additional means of coronary evaluation in patients who may require strategic planning before a procedure using a combined modality system.

Development of a preoperative simulation technique for carotid endarterectomy in patients with contrast contraindications.

PubMed

Nomura, Shunsuke; Hayashi, Motohiro; Ishikawa, Tatsuya; Yamaguchi, Koji; Kawamata, Takakazu

2018-05-19

Vascular and osteological parameters, such as the heights of the carotid bifurcation and distal end of the plaque, are important preoperative considerations for patients undergoing carotid stenosis procedures such as carotid endarterectomy. However, for patients with contrast contraindications such as allergies or nephropathies, three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) is unavailable, and preoperative evaluation remains challenging. In the present study, we aimed to develop a preoperative simulation for use in patients with contrast-contraindicated carotid stenosis. Images from non-contrast neck CT and magnetic resonance imaging obtained without the Leksell stereotactic frame were uploaded to GammaPlan. Following delineation of various structures, we performed preoperative simulations to determine the relationships between vascular and osteological structures. We applied this technique in 10 patients with carotid stenosis to verify the accuracy of the simulation. In all patients, the GammaPlan simulation successfully visualized the heights of the carotid bifurcation and distal end of the plaque without the use of contrast medium. Furthermore, information regarding the location of internal arterial structures, such as calcifications and unstable plaques, could be incorporated into GammaPlan images. Thereafter, we verified simulation accuracy by comparing the simulation results with 3D-CTA and operative findings. Simulations created using GammaPlan can be used to obtain accurate vascular and osteological information regarding the heights of the carotid bifurcation and distal end of the plaque, without the use of contrast medium. The reconstruction of delineated structures using this technique may be effective for preoperative evaluation in patients with contrast-contraindicated carotid stenosis. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Submillisievert standard-pitch CT pulmonary angiography with ultra-low dose contrast media administration: A comparison to standard CT imaging.

PubMed

Suntharalingam, Saravanabavaan; Mikat, Christian; Stenzel, Elena; Erfanian, Youssef; Wetter, Axel; Schlosser, Thomas; Forsting, Michael; Nassenstein, Kai

2017-01-01

To evaluate the image quality and radiation dose of submillisievert standard-pitch CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) with ultra-low dose contrast media administration in comparison to standard CTPA. Hundred patients (56 females, 44 males, mean age 69.6±15.4 years; median BMI: 26.6, IQR: 5.9) with suspected pulmonary embolism were examined with two different protocols (n = 50 each, group A: 80 kVp, ref. mAs 115, 25 ml of contrast medium; group B: 100 kVp, ref. mAs 150, 60 ml of contrast medium) using a dual-source CT equipped with automated exposure control. Objective and subjective image qualities, radiation exposure as well as the frequency of pulmonary embolism were evaluated. There was no significant difference in subjective image quality scores between two groups regarding pulmonary arteries (p = 0.776), whereby the interobserver agreement was excellent (group A: k = 0.9; group B k = 1.0). Objective image analysis revealed that signal intensities (SI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the pulmonary arteries were equal or significantly higher in group B. There was no significant difference in the frequency of pulmonary embolism (p = 0.65). Using the low dose and low contrast media protocol resulted in a radiation dose reduction by 71.8% (2.4 vs. 0.7 mSv; p<0.001). This 80 kVp standard pitch CTPA protocol with 25 ml contrast agent volume can obtain sufficient image quality to exclude or diagnose pulmonary emboli while reducing radiation dose by approximately 71%.

Dynamic helical computed tomography of the pituitary gland in healthy dogs.

PubMed

Van der Vlugt-Meijer, Roselinda H; Meij, Björn P; Voorhout, George

2007-01-01

Dynamic helical computed tomography (CT) of the pituitary gland can be used to image the three-dimensional shape and dimensions of abnormalities within the pituitary gland. The aim of this study was to develop a protocol for dynamic helical CT of the pituitary gland in healthy dogs as a future reference study for patients with pituitary disease. Dynamic helical series of nine scans of the pituitary gland during and following contrast medium injection were performed in six healthy dogs using the following protocols: a series with 1 mm collimation and a table feed per X-ray tube rotation of 2 mm (pitch of 2) in six dogs, a series with 2 mm collimation and pitch of 2 in three dogs, and a series with 1 mm collimation and pitch of 1 in three other dogs. Multiplanar reconstructions of the images were made using a reconstruction index of 0.5. Images of all series were assessed visually for enhancement of the arteries, the neurohypophysis, and the adenohypophysis. The enhancement pattern of the neurohypophysis was distinguished adequately from that of the adenohypophysis in five dogs that were scanned with 1 mm collimation and pitch of 2, but the difference was less discernable when the other protocols were used. The carotid artery, its trifurcation, and the arterial cerebral circle were best visualized in dorsal reconstructions. Dynamic helical CT of the pituitary gland in healthy dogs can be performed with 1 mm collimation and pitch of 2, and a scan length that includes the entire pituitary region. Using this protocol, with the specific scanner used, the neurohypophysis, the adenohypophysis, and the surrounding vascular structures are adequately visualized.

Dynamic cone beam CT angiography of carotid and cerebral arteries using canine model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cai Weixing; Zhao Binghui; Conover, David

2012-01-15

Purpose: This research is designed to develop and evaluate a flat-panel detector-based dynamic cone beam CT system for dynamic angiography imaging, which is able to provide both dynamic functional information and dynamic anatomic information from one multirevolution cone beam CT scan. Methods: A dynamic cone beam CT scan acquired projections over four revolutions within a time window of 40 s after contrast agent injection through a femoral vein to cover the entire wash-in and wash-out phases. A dynamic cone beam CT reconstruction algorithm was utilized and a novel recovery method was developed to correct the time-enhancement curve of contrast flow.more » From the same data set, both projection-based subtraction and reconstruction-based subtraction approaches were utilized and compared to remove the background tissues and visualize the 3D vascular structure to provide the dynamic anatomic information. Results: Through computer simulations, the new recovery algorithm for dynamic time-enhancement curves was optimized and showed excellent accuracy to recover the actual contrast flow. Canine model experiments also indicated that the recovered time-enhancement curves from dynamic cone beam CT imaging agreed well with that of an IV-digital subtraction angiography (DSA) study. The dynamic vascular structures reconstructed using both projection-based subtraction and reconstruction-based subtraction were almost identical as the differences between them were comparable to the background noise level. At the enhancement peak, all the major carotid and cerebral arteries and the Circle of Willis could be clearly observed. Conclusions: The proposed dynamic cone beam CT approach can accurately recover the actual contrast flow, and dynamic anatomic imaging can be obtained with high isotropic 3D resolution. This approach is promising for diagnosis and treatment planning of vascular diseases and strokes.« less

Perceptual Contrast Enhancement with Dynamic Range Adjustment

PubMed Central

Zhang, Hong; Li, Yuecheng; Chen, Hao; Yuan, Ding; Sun, Mingui

2013-01-01

Recent years, although great efforts have been made to improve its performance, few Histogram equalization (HE) methods take human visual perception (HVP) into account explicitly. The human visual system (HVS) is more sensitive to edges than brightness. This paper proposes to take use of this nature intuitively and develops a perceptual contrast enhancement approach with dynamic range adjustment through histogram modification. The use of perceptual contrast connects the image enhancement problem with the HVS. To pre-condition the input image before the HE procedure is implemented, a perceptual contrast map (PCM) is constructed based on the modified Difference of Gaussian (DOG) algorithm. As a result, the contrast of the image is sharpened and high frequency noise is suppressed. A modified Clipped Histogram Equalization (CHE) is also developed which improves visual quality by automatically detecting the dynamic range of the image with improved perceptual contrast. Experimental results show that the new HE algorithm outperforms several state-of-the-art algorithms in improving perceptual contrast and enhancing details. In addition, the new algorithm is simple to implement, making it suitable for real-time applications. PMID:24339452

Intraindividual Crossover Comparison of Gadoxetic Acid Dose for Liver MRI in Normal Volunteers.

PubMed

Motosugi, Utaroh; Bannas, Peter; Hernando, Diego; Salmani Rahimi, Mahdi; Holmes, James H; Reeder, Scott B

2016-01-01

We performed a quantitative intraindividual comparison of the performance of 0.025- and 0.05-mmol/kg doses for gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Eleven healthy volunteers underwent liver MR imaging twice, once with a 0.025- and once with a 0.05-mmol/kg dose of gadoxetic acid. MR spectroscopy and 3-dimensional gradient-echo T1-weighted images (3D-GRE) were obtained before and 3, 10, and 20 min after injection of the contrast medium to measure T1 and T2 values and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) performance. During the dynamic phase, highly time-resolved 3D-GRE was used to estimate the relative CNR (CNRrel) of the hepatic artery and portal vein (PV) to the liver. We used paired t-tests to compare the results of different doses. During the hepatobiliary phase, we observed shorter T1 values and higher SNRs of the liver (P < 0.001) and higher liver-to-PV and liver-to-muscle CNRs (P < 0.002) using 0.05 mmol/kg compared to 0.025 mmol/kg. Increasing the dose to 0.05 mmol/kg yielded a greater T1-shortening effect at 10 min delay even compared with 0.025 mmol/kg at 20 min (P < 0.001). During the dynamic phase, the peak CNRrel for the hepatic artery and portal vein were higher using 0.05 mmol/kg (P = 0.007 to 0.035). Use of gadoxetic acid at a dose of 0.05 mmol/kg leads to significantly higher SNR and CNR performance than with 0.025 mmol/kg. Quantitatively, a 10-min delay may be feasible for hepatobiliary-phase imaging when using 0.05 mmol/kg of gadoxetic acid.

Analysis of soybean tissue culture protein dynamics using difference gel electrophoresis

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Excised hypocotyls from developing soybean (Glycine max (L.) merr. cv. Jack) were cultivated on agar-solidified medium until callus formed. The calli were then propagated in liquid medium until stable, relatively uniform, finely-divided suspension cultures were obtained. Cells were typically transfe...

Experimental study of forced convection heat transport in porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pastore, Nicola; Cherubini, Claudia; Rapti, Dimitra; Giasi, Concetta I.

2018-04-01

The present study is aimed at extending this thematic issue through heat transport experiments and their interpretation at laboratory scale. An experimental study to evaluate the dynamics of forced convection heat transfer in a thermally isolated column filled with porous medium has been carried out. The behavior of two porous media with different grain sizes and specific surfaces has been observed. The experimental data have been compared with an analytical solution for one-dimensional heat transport for local nonthermal equilibrium condition. The interpretation of the experimental data shows that the heterogeneity of the porous medium affects heat transport dynamics, causing a channeling effect which has consequences on thermal dispersion phenomena and heat transfer between fluid and solid phases, limiting the capacity to store or dissipate heat in the porous medium.

Peculiarities of spike multimode generation of a superradiant distributed feedback laser

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kocharovskaya, E R; Ginzburg, N S; Sergeev, A S

2011-08-31

Using one-dimensional semiclassical Maxwell - Bloch equations with account for the coherent polarisation dynamics, we have studied spike generation regimes of a superradiant distributed feedback laser in the case of inhomogeneous broadening of the spectral line of an active medium. By analysing the dynamic spectra of inversion of the active medium and laser radiation, we have revealed the relationship of individual spikes of radiation and their modulation with specific parts in the spectral line of the active medium and mode beatings. It has been shown that the broadening and shift of the lasing spectrum with respect to the initial electromagneticmore » Bragg-cavity modes is accompanied by a strong spectral gradient of inversion that is typical of the superradiant regimes. (control of radiation parameters)« less

Intrinsic Multi-Scale Dynamic Behaviors of Complex Financial Systems.

PubMed

Ouyang, Fang-Yan; Zheng, Bo; Jiang, Xiong-Fei

2015-01-01

The empirical mode decomposition is applied to analyze the intrinsic multi-scale dynamic behaviors of complex financial systems. In this approach, the time series of the price returns of each stock is decomposed into a small number of intrinsic mode functions, which represent the price motion from high frequency to low frequency. These intrinsic mode functions are then grouped into three modes, i.e., the fast mode, medium mode and slow mode. The probability distribution of returns and auto-correlation of volatilities for the fast and medium modes exhibit similar behaviors as those of the full time series, i.e., these characteristics are rather robust in multi time scale. However, the cross-correlation between individual stocks and the return-volatility correlation are time scale dependent. The structure of business sectors is mainly governed by the fast mode when returns are sampled at a couple of days, while by the medium mode when returns are sampled at dozens of days. More importantly, the leverage and anti-leverage effects are dominated by the medium mode.

Contrast agents in dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

PubMed Central

Yan, Yuling; Sun, Xilin; Shen, Baozhong

2017-01-01

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a noninvasive method to assess angiogenesis, which is widely used in clinical applications including diagnosis, monitoring therapy response and prognosis estimation in cancer patients. Contrast agents play a crucial role in DCE-MRI and should be carefully selected in order to improve accuracy in DCE-MRI examination. Over the past decades, there was much progress in the development of optimal contrast agents in DCE-MRI. In this review, we describe the recent research advances in this field and discuss properties of contrast agents, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we discuss the research perspectives for improving this promising imaging method. PMID:28415647

Discontinuities in effective permeability due to fracture percolation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hyman, Jeffrey De'Haven; Karra, Satish; Carey, James William

Motivated by a triaxial coreflood experiment with a sample of Utica shale where an abrupt jump in permeability was observed, possibly due to the creation of a percolating fracture network through the sample, we perform numerical simulations based on the experiment to characterize how the effective permeability of otherwise low-permeability porous media depends on fracture formation, connectivity, and the contrast between the fracture and matrix permeabilities. While a change in effective permeability due to fracture formation is expected, the dependence of its magnitude upon the contrast between the matrix permeability and fracture permeability and the fracture network structure is poorlymore » characterized. We use two different high-fidelity fracture network models to characterize how effective permeability changes as percolation occurs. The first is a dynamic two-dimensional fracture propagation model designed to mimic the laboratory settings of the experiment. The second is a static three-dimensional discrete fracture network (DFN) model, whose fracture and network statistics are based on the fractured sample of Utica shale. Once the network connects the inflow and outflow boundaries, the effective permeability increases non-linearly with network density. In most networks considered, a jump in the effective permeability was observed when the embedded fracture network percolated. We characterize how the magnitude of the jump, should it occur, depends on the contrast between the fracture and matrix permeabilities. For small contrasts between the matrix and fracture permeabilities the change is insignificant. However, for larger contrasts, there is a substantial jump whose magnitude depends non-linearly on the difference between matrix and fracture permeabilities. A power-law relationship between the size of the jump and the difference between the matrix and fracture permeabilities is observed. In conclusion, the presented results underscore the importance of fracture network topology on the upscaled properties of the porous medium in which it is embedded.« less

Discontinuities in effective permeability due to fracture percolation

DOE PAGES

Hyman, Jeffrey De'Haven; Karra, Satish; Carey, James William; ...

2018-01-31

Motivated by a triaxial coreflood experiment with a sample of Utica shale where an abrupt jump in permeability was observed, possibly due to the creation of a percolating fracture network through the sample, we perform numerical simulations based on the experiment to characterize how the effective permeability of otherwise low-permeability porous media depends on fracture formation, connectivity, and the contrast between the fracture and matrix permeabilities. While a change in effective permeability due to fracture formation is expected, the dependence of its magnitude upon the contrast between the matrix permeability and fracture permeability and the fracture network structure is poorlymore » characterized. We use two different high-fidelity fracture network models to characterize how effective permeability changes as percolation occurs. The first is a dynamic two-dimensional fracture propagation model designed to mimic the laboratory settings of the experiment. The second is a static three-dimensional discrete fracture network (DFN) model, whose fracture and network statistics are based on the fractured sample of Utica shale. Once the network connects the inflow and outflow boundaries, the effective permeability increases non-linearly with network density. In most networks considered, a jump in the effective permeability was observed when the embedded fracture network percolated. We characterize how the magnitude of the jump, should it occur, depends on the contrast between the fracture and matrix permeabilities. For small contrasts between the matrix and fracture permeabilities the change is insignificant. However, for larger contrasts, there is a substantial jump whose magnitude depends non-linearly on the difference between matrix and fracture permeabilities. A power-law relationship between the size of the jump and the difference between the matrix and fracture permeabilities is observed. In conclusion, the presented results underscore the importance of fracture network topology on the upscaled properties of the porous medium in which it is embedded.« less

How can you capture cultural dynamics?

PubMed Central

Kashima, Yoshihisa

2014-01-01

Cross-cultural comparison is a critical method by which we can examine the interaction between culture and psychological processes. However, comparative methods tend to overlook cultural dynamics – the formation, maintenance, and transformation of cultures over time. The present article gives a brief overview of four different types of research designs that have been used to examine cultural dynamics in the literature: (1) cross-temporal methods that trace medium- to long-term changes in a culture; (2) cross-generational methods that explore medium-term implications of cultural transmission; (3) experimental simulation methods that investigate micro-level mechanisms of cultural dynamics; and (4) formal models and computer simulation methods often used to investigate long-term and macro-level implications of micro-level mechanisms. These methods differ in terms of level of analysis for which they are designed (micro vs. macro-level), scale of time for which they are typically used (short-, medium-, or long-term), and direction of inference (deductive vs. empirical method) that they imply. The paper describes examples of these methods, discuss their strengths and weaknesses, and point to their complementarity in inquiries about cultural change. Because cultural dynamics research is about meaning over time, issues deriving from interpretation of meaning and temporal distance between researchers and objects of inquiry can pose threats to the validity of the research and its findings. The methodological question about hermeneutic circle is recalled and further inquiries are encouraged. PMID:25309476

Analytical optimization of digital subtraction mammography with contrast medium using a commercial unit.

PubMed

Rosado-Méndez, I; Palma, B A; Brandan, M E

2008-12-01

Contrast-medium-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM) is an image subtraction technique which might help unmasking lesions embedded in very dense breasts. Previous works have stated the feasibility of CEDM and the imperative need of radiological optimization. This work presents an extension of a former analytical formalism to predict contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in subtracted mammograms. The goal is to optimize radiological parameters available in a clinical mammographic unit (x-ray tube anode/filter combination, voltage, and loading) by maximizing CNR and minimizing total mean glandular dose (D(gT)), simulating the experimental application of an iodine-based contrast medium and the image subtraction under dual-energy nontemporal, and single- or dual-energy temporal modalities. Total breast-entrance air kerma is limited to a fixed 8.76 mGy (1 R, similar to screening studies). Mathematical expressions obtained from the formalism are evaluated using computed mammographic x-ray spectra attenuated by an adipose/glandular breast containing an elongated structure filled with an iodinated solution in various concentrations. A systematic study of contrast, its associated variance, and CNR for different spectral combinations is performed, concluding in the proposal of optimum x-ray spectra. The linearity between contrast in subtracted images and iodine mass thickness is proven, including the determination of iodine visualization limits based on Rose's detection criterion. Finally, total breast-entrance air kerma is distributed between both images in various proportions in order to maximize the figure of merit CNR2/D(gT). Predicted results indicate the advantage of temporal subtraction (either single- or dual-energy modalities) with optimum parameters corresponding to high-voltage, strongly hardened Rh/Rh spectra. For temporal techniques, CNR was found to depend mostly on the energy of the iodinated image, and thus reduction in D(gT) could be achieved if the spectral energy of the noniodinated image is decreased and the breast-entrance air kerma is evenly distributed between both acquisitions. Predicted limits, in terms of iodine concentration, are found to guarantee the visualization of common clinical angiogenic concentrations in the breast.

Estimation of elasticity map of soft biological tissue mimicking phantom using laser speckle contrast analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suheshkumar Singh, M.; Rajan, K.; Vasu, R. M.

2011-05-01

Scattering of coherent light from scattering particles causes phase shift to the scattered light. The interference of unscattered and scattered light causes the formation of speckles. When the scattering particles, under the influence of an ultrasound (US) pressure wave, vibrate, the phase shift fluctuates, thereby causing fluctuation in speckle intensity. We use the laser speckle contrast analysis (LSCA) to reconstruct a map of the elastic property (Young's modulus) of soft tissue-mimicking phantom. The displacement of the scatters is inversely related to the Young's modulus of the medium. The elastic properties of soft biological tissues vary, many fold with malignancy. The experimental results show that laser speckle contrast (LSC) is very sensitive to the pathological changes in a soft tissue medium. The experiments are carried out on a phantom with two cylindrical inclusions of sizes 6mm in diameter, separated by 8mm between them. Three samples are made. One inclusion has Young's modulus E of 40kPa. The second inclusion has either a Young's modulus E of 20kPa, or scattering coefficient of μs'=3.00mm-1 or absorption coefficient of μa=0.03mm-1. The optical absorption (μa), reduced scattering (μs') coefficient, and the Young's modulus of the background are μa=0.01mm-1, μs'=1.00mm-1 and 12kPa, respectively. The experiments are carried out on all three phantoms. On a phantom with two inclusions of Young's modulus of 20 and 40kPa, the measured relative speckle image contrasts are 36.55% and 63.72%, respectively. Experiments are repeated on phantoms with inclusions of μa=0.03mm-1, E =40kPa and μs'=3.00mm-1. The results show that it is possible to detect inclusions with contrasts in optical absorption, optical scattering, and Young's modulus. Studies of the variation of laser speckle contrast with ultrasound driving force for various values of μa, μs', and Young's modulus of the tissue mimicking medium are also carried out.

Development of low-dose photon-counting contrast-enhanced tomosynthesis with spectral imaging.

PubMed

Schmitzberger, Florian F; Fallenberg, Eva Maria; Lawaczeck, Rüdiger; Hemmendorff, Magnus; Moa, Elin; Danielsson, Mats; Bick, Ulrich; Diekmann, Susanne; Pöllinger, Alexander; Engelken, Florian J; Diekmann, Felix

2011-05-01

To demonstrate the feasibility of low-dose photon-counting tomosynthesis in combination with a contrast agent (contrast material-enhanced tomographic mammography) for the differentiation of breast cancer. All studies were approved by the institutional review board, and all patients provided written informed consent. A phantom model with wells of iodinated contrast material (3 mg of iodine per milliliter) 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 mm in diameter was assessed. Nine patients with malignant lesions and one with a high-risk lesion (atypical papilloma) were included (all women; mean age, 60.7 years). A multislit photon-counting tomosynthesis system was utilized (spectral imaging) to produce both low- and high-energy tomographic data (below and above the k edge of iodine, respectively) in a single scan, which allowed for dual-energy visualization of iodine. Images were obtained prior to contrast material administration and 120 and 480 seconds after contrast material administration. Four readers independently assessed the images along with conventional mammograms, ultrasonographic images, and magnetic resonance images. Glandular dose was estimated. Contrast agent was visible in the phantom model with simulated spherical tumor diameters as small as 5 mm. The average glandular dose was measured as 0.42 mGy per complete spectral imaging tomosynthesis scan of one breast. Because there were three time points (prior to contrast medium administration and 120 and 480 seconds after contrast medium administration), this resulted in a total dose of 1.26 mGy for the whole procedure in the breast with the abnormality. Seven of 10 cases were categorized as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System score of 4 or higher by all four readers when reviewing spectral images in combination with mammograms. One lesion near the chest wall was not captured on the spectral image because of a positioning problem. The use of contrast-enhanced tomographic mammography has been demonstrated successfully in patients with promising diagnostic benefit. Further studies are necessary to fully assess diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. RSNA, 2011

Early safety outcome following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: is the amount of contrast media used a matter of concern?

PubMed

Vontobel, Jan; Possner, Mathias; Schütz, Philipp; Müller, Beat; Taramasso, Maurizio; Binder, Roland K; Haueis, Sabine; Attinger-Toller, Adrian; Maisano, Francesco; Nietlispach, Fabian

2015-01-01

The study objective was to evaluate the impact of the amount of contrast medium used for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on short-term outcome. Patients undergoing TAVI are exposed to repeat contrast medium application both for preprocedural screening and during the TAVI procedure itself. Whether the amount of contrast media is associated with worse outcome is unclear. A total of 257 patients were included (median age 82.7 years) and divided into two groups with preserved and reduced kidney function (glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m2), respectively. Total volume of contrast media administered during and within 5 days prior to TAVI was analysed. A combined early safety endpoint at 30 days was evaluated. The early safety endpoint was reached by 31 patients and acute kidney injury occurred in 22 patients. The median total volume of contrast media administered was 144 ml (interquartile range 81-225 ml). The amount of contrast did not independently predict the early safety endpoint in the overall population (odds ratio [OR] 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56 to 1.53, p = 0.774) and in subgroups with preserved and reduced kidney function. Change in creatinine was an independent strong predictor of the early safety endpoint in the overall population (OR 18.13, 95% CI 4.70 to 69.99, p <0.001), as well as in subgroups with preserved and reduced kidney function. The amount of contrast did not predict a change in creatinine within 72 hours following TAVI (r = 0.02, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.07, p = 0.368). Decreased kidney function after TAVI influences outcome. When rather small amounts of contrast media are used for screening and the TAVI procedure itself, the amount of contrast media seems not to be an independent predictor of outcome, further suggesting that decreased kidney function after TAVI is multifactorial.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamic Analysis of Sustainable Development in China Based on the Footprint Family.

PubMed

Zhao, Jing; Ma, Caihong; Zhao, Xiangui; Wang, Xiaoyu

2018-02-01

The existing index systems on sustainable evaluation are mostly based on a multi index comprehensive evaluation method. The main disadvantage of this approach is that the selection and assignment of evaluation indexes are greatly influenced by subjective factors, which can result in poor comparability of results. By contrast, the Footprint Family (including ecological footprint, carbon footprint, and water footprint) is not affected by subjective factors. The Footprint Family also covers the basic tenets of sustainable development. This paper proposes use of a sustainable development evaluation index system based on the principle of the Footprint Family, and including the ecological pressure index ( EPI ), the ecological occupancy index ( EOI ), the ecological economic coordination index ( EECI ), the GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emission index ( CEI ), the water resources stress index ( WSI ), and the sustainable development index ( SDI ). Furthermore, a standard for grading the evaluated results based on global benchmarks is formulated. The results of an empirical study in China were the following. The development situation deteriorated from 1990 to 2015. The results showed that the SDI decreased from a medium level (grade 5) to a lower-medium level (grade 4). The results of this empirical study also showed that the method of evaluation can avoid the influence of subjective factors and can be used in the evaluation of sustainable development for various temporal and spatial conditions.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamic Analysis of Sustainable Development in China Based on the Footprint Family

PubMed Central

Ma, Caihong; Zhao, Xiangui; Wang, Xiaoyu

2018-01-01

The existing index systems on sustainable evaluation are mostly based on a multi index comprehensive evaluation method. The main disadvantage of this approach is that the selection and assignment of evaluation indexes are greatly influenced by subjective factors, which can result in poor comparability of results. By contrast, the Footprint Family (including ecological footprint, carbon footprint, and water footprint) is not affected by subjective factors. The Footprint Family also covers the basic tenets of sustainable development. This paper proposes use of a sustainable development evaluation index system based on the principle of the Footprint Family, and including the ecological pressure index (EPI), the ecological occupancy index (EOI), the ecological economic coordination index (EECI), the GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emission index (CEI), the water resources stress index (WSI), and the sustainable development index (SDI). Furthermore, a standard for grading the evaluated results based on global benchmarks is formulated. The results of an empirical study in China were the following. The development situation deteriorated from 1990 to 2015. The results showed that the SDI decreased from a medium level (grade 5) to a lower-medium level (grade 4). The results of this empirical study also showed that the method of evaluation can avoid the influence of subjective factors and can be used in the evaluation of sustainable development for various temporal and spatial conditions. PMID:29389886

Extensive domain motion and electron transfer in the human electron transferring flavoprotein.medium chain Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase complex.

PubMed

Toogood, Helen S; van Thiel, Adam; Basran, Jaswir; Sutcliffe, Mike J; Scrutton, Nigel S; Leys, David

2004-07-30

The crystal structure of the human electron transferring flavoprotein (ETF).medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) complex reveals a dual mode of protein-protein interaction, imparting both specificity and promiscuity in the interaction of ETF with a range of structurally distinct primary dehydrogenases. ETF partitions the functions of partner binding and electron transfer between (i) the recognition loop, which acts as a static anchor at the ETF.MCAD interface, and (ii) the highly mobile redox active FAD domain. Together, these enable the FAD domain of ETF to sample a range of conformations, some compatible with fast interprotein electron transfer. Disorders in amino acid or fatty acid catabolism can be attributed to mutations at the protein-protein interface. Crucially, complex formation triggers mobility of the FAD domain, an induced disorder that contrasts with general models of protein-protein interaction by induced fit mechanisms. The subsequent interfacial motion in the MCAD.ETF complex is the basis for the interaction of ETF with structurally diverse protein partners. Solution studies using ETF and MCAD with mutations at the protein-protein interface support this dynamic model and indicate ionic interactions between MCAD Glu(212) and ETF Arg alpha(249) are likely to transiently stabilize productive conformations of the FAD domain leading to enhanced electron transfer rates between both partners.

Modulation Transfer Through Coherence and Its Application to Atomic Frequency Offset Locking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jagatap, B. N.; Ray, Ayan; Kale, Y. B.; Singh, Niharika; Lawande, Q. V.

We discuss the process of modulation transfer in a coherently prepared three-level atomic medium and its prospective application to atomic frequency offset locking (AFOL). The issue of modulation transfer through coherence is treated in the framework of temporal evolution of dressed atomic system with externally superimposed deterministic flow. This dynamical description of the atom-field system offers distinctive advantage of using a single modulation source to dither passively the coherent phenomenon as probed by an independent laser system under pump-probe configuration. Modulation transfer is demonstrated experimentally using frequency modulation spectroscopy on a subnatural linewidth electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and a sub-Doppler linewidth Autler-Townes (AT) resonance in Doppler broadened alkali vapor medium, and AFOL is realized by stabilizing the probe laser on the first/third derivative signals. The stability of AFOL is discussed in terms of the frequency noise power spectral density and Allan variance. Analysis of AFOL schemes is carried out at the backdrop of closed loop active frequency control in a conventional master-slave scheme to point out the contrasting behavior of AFOL schemes based on EIT and AT resonances. This work adds up to the discussion on the subtle link between dressed state spectroscopy and AFOL, which is relevant for developing a master-slave type laser system in the domain of coherent photon-atom interaction.

40 CFR 211.106 - Graphical requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... contrast sufficiently with each other and with any information or material surrounding the label so that... label must be Helvetica Medium. (d) Character Size. All letters and numerals that appear on the...

40 CFR 211.106 - Graphical requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... contrast sufficiently with each other and with any information or material surrounding the label so that... label must be Helvetica Medium. (d) Character Size. All letters and numerals that appear on the...

Virtual nonenhanced dual-energy CT urography with tin-filter technology: determinants of detection of urinary calculi in the renal collecting system.

PubMed

Mangold, Stefanie; Thomas, Christoph; Fenchel, Michael; Vuust, Morten; Krauss, Bernhard; Ketelsen, Dominik; Tsiflikas, Ilias; Claussen, Claus D; Heuschmid, Martin

2012-07-01

To retrospectively determine which features of urinary calculi are associated with their detection after virtual elimination of contrast medium at dual-energy computed tomographic (CT) urography by using a novel tin filter. The institutional ethics committee approved this retrospective study, with waiver of informed consent. A total of 152 patients were examined with single-energy nonenhanced CT and dual-energy CT urography in the excretory phase (either 140 and 80 kV [n=44] or 140 and 100 kV [n=108], with tin filtration at 140 kV). The contrast medium in the renal pelvis and ureters was virtually removed from excretory phase images by using postprocessing software, resulting in virtual nonenhanced (VNE) images. The sensitivity regarding the detection of calculi on VNE images compared with true nonenhanced (TNE) images was determined, and interrater agreement was evaluated by using the Cohen k test. By using logistic regression, the influences of image noise, attenuation, and stone size, as well as attenuation of the contrast medium, on the stone detection rate were assessed. Threshold values with maximal sensitivity and specificity were calculated by means of receiver operating characteristic analyses. Eighty-seven stones were detected on TNE images; 46 calculi were identified on VNE images (sensitivity, 52.9%). Interrater agreement revealed a κ value of 0.95 with TNE images and 0.91 with VNE data. Size (long-axis diameter, P=.005; short-axis diameter, P=.041) and attenuation (P=.0005) of the calculi and image noise (P=.0031) were significantly associated with the detection rate on VNE images. As threshold values, size larger than 2.9 mm, maximum attenuation of the calculi greater than 387 HU, and image noise less than 20 HU were found. After virtual elimination of contrast medium, large (>2.9 mm) and high-attenuation (>387 HU) calculi can be detected with good reliability; smaller and lower attenuation calculi might be erased from images, especially with increased image noise. © RSNA, 2012.

Transfection effect of microbubbles on cells in superposed ultrasound waves and behavior of cavitation bubble.

PubMed

Kodama, Tetsuya; Tomita, Yukio; Koshiyama, Ken-Ichiro; Blomley, Martin J K

2006-06-01

The combination of ultrasound and ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) is able to induce transient membrane permeability leading to direct delivery of exogenous molecules into cells. Cavitation bubbles are believed to be involved in the membrane permeability; however, the detailed mechanism is still unknown. In the present study, the effects of ultrasound and the UCAs, Optison on transfection in vitro for different medium heights and the related dynamic behaviors of cavitation bubbles were investigated. Cultured CHO-E cells mixed with reporter genes (luciferase or beta-gal plasmid DNA) and UCAs were exposed to 1 MHz ultrasound in 24-well plates. Ultrasound was applied from the bottom of the well and reflected at the free surface of the medium, resulting in the superposition of ultrasound waves within the well. Cells cultured on the bottom of 24-well plates were located near the first node (displacement node) of the incident ultrasound downstream. Transfection activity was a function determined with the height of the medium (wave traveling distance), as well as the concentration of UCAs and the exposure time was also determined with the concentration of UCAs and the exposure duration. Survival fraction was determined by MTT assay, also changes with these values in the reverse pattern compared with luciferase activity. With shallow medium height, high transfection efficacy and high survival fraction were obtained at a low concentration of UCAs. In addition, capillary waves and subsequent atomized particles became significant as the medium height decreased. These phenomena suggested cavitation bubbles were being generated in the medium. To determine the effect of UCAs on bubble generation, we repeated the experiments using crushed heat-treated Optison solution instead of the standard microbubble preparation. The transfection ratio and survival fraction showed no additional benefit when ultrasound was used. These results suggested that cavitation bubbles created by the collapse of UCAs were a key factor for transfection, and their intensities were enhanced by the interaction of the superpose ultrasound with the decreasing the height of the medium. Hypothesizing that free cavitation bubbles were generated from cavitation nuclei created by fragmented UCA shells, we carried out numerical analysis of a free spherical bubble motion in the field of ultrasound. Analyzing the interaction of the shock wave generated by a cavitation bubble and a cell membrane, we estimated the shock wave propagation distance that would induce cell membrane damage from the center of the cavitation bubble.

Quantitative phase-contrast digital holographic microscopy for cell dynamic evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Lingfeng; Mohanty, Samarendra; Berns, Michael W.; Chen, Zhongping

2009-02-01

The laser microbeam uses lasers to alter and/or to ablate intracellular organelles and cellular and tissue samples, and, today, has become an important tool for cell biologists to study the molecular mechanism of complex biological systems by removing individual cells or sub-cellular organelles. However, absolute quantitation of the localized alteration/damage to transparent phase objects, such as the cell membrane or chromosomes, was not possible using conventional phase-contrast or differential interference contrast microscopy. We report the development of phase-contrast digital holographic microscopy for quantitative evaluation of cell dynamic changes in real time during laser microsurgery. Quantitative phase images are recorded during the process of laser microsurgery and thus, the dynamic change in phase can be continuously evaluated. Out-of-focus organelles are re-focused by numerical reconstruction algorithms.

[Dynamics of change of ureaplasma laboratory strain titers and quantity of their DNA in transport medium at varying temperature].

PubMed

Gamova, N A; Ivanova, T A

2013-01-01

Study of preservation dynamics of ureaplasma laboratory strain live cultures and their DNA in transport medium at varying temperature. The study was carried out in laboratory strains Ureaplasma urealyticum serotype 8 and Ureaplasma parvum serotype 1. The quantity of live ureaplasmas was determined by method of tenfold dilutions in liquid medium. The growth of ureaplasmas was registered by changes in the color of the cultivation medium due to its alkalization by metabolism products and expressed in CCU/ml. DNA quantity in samples was determined by real time PCR performed by using Florocenosis-micoplasmas-FL test system produced by ILS. Live ureaplasmas wer shown to be preserved in transport medium at 4 degrees C for 12 - 29 days, at 18 - 22 degrees C--for 9 - 20 days and at 37 degrees C--for only 2 days. In samples incubated at 37 degrees C the quantity of live ureaplasmas increased and then sharply decreased to 0, at lower temperature titers of the cells decreased smoothly. The quantity of ureaplasma DNA in the process of their incubation did not change significantly. Fundamental differences in the duration of survival of U. urealyticum strain and U. parvum strain in transport medium at varying temperature were not detected. Based on the studies performed a practical conclusion can be drawn that in cases of emergency when clinical material transportation is necessary its storage in transport medium for several days is acceptable.

Calcium leakage as a cause of the high resting tension in vascular smooth muscle from the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

PubMed

Noon, J P; Rice, P J; Baldessarini, R J

1978-03-01

Aortic strips from spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats relax in calcium-free physiological medium and contract to approximately 60% of maximum when calcium is again restored to the medium. In vivid contrast, the resting tension of aortic strips from normal rats is unaffected by manipulation of the calcium concentration of the bathing medium. These findings, as well as the reduced sensitivity of aortic strips from SH rats to norepinephrine and the observation that aortic strips from SH rats relax at a faster rate in calcium-free medium in comparison with aortic strips from normal rats, are consistent with the hypothesis that vascular smooth muscle membranes from SH rats leak calcium at a rate that is only partially compensated by the calcium pump.

Automated contrast medium monitoring system for computed tomography--Intra-institutional audit.

PubMed

Lauretti, Dario Luca; Neri, Emanuele; Faggioni, Lorenzo; Paolicchi, Fabio; Caramella, Davide; Bartolozzi, Carlo

2015-12-01

The aim of this study was to analyze the usage and the data recorded by a RIS-PACS-connected contrast medium (CM) monitoring system (Certegra(®), Bayer Healthcare, Leverkusen, Germany) over 19 months of CT activity. The system used was connected to two dual syringe power injectors (each associated with a 16-row and a high definition 64-row multidetector CT scanner, respectively), allowing to manage contrast medium injection parameters and to send and retrieve CT study-related information via RIS/PACS for any scheduled contrast-enhanced CT examination. The system can handle up to 64 variables and can be accessed via touchscreen by CT operators as well as via a web interface by registered users with three different hierarchy levels. Data related to CM injection parameters (i.e. iodine concentration, volume and flow rate of CM, iodine delivery rate and iodine dose, CM injection pressure, and volume and flow rate of saline), patient weight and height, and type of CT study over a testing period spanning from 1 June 2013 to 10 January 2015 were retrieved from the system. Technical alerts occurred for each injection event (such as system disarm due to technical failure, disarm due to operator's stop, incomplete filling of patient data fields, or excessively high injection pressure), as well as interoperability issues related to data sending and receiving to/from the RIS/PACS were also recorded. During the testing period, the CM monitoring system generated a total of 8609 reports, of which 7629 relative to successful injection events (88.6%). 331 alerts were generated, of which 40 resulted in injection interruption and 291 in CM flow rate limitation due to excessively high injection pressure (>325 psi). Average CM volume and flow rate were 93.73 ± 17.58 mL and 3.53 ± 0.89 mL/s, and contrast injection pressure ranged between 5 and 167 psi. A statistically significant correlation was found between iodine concentration and peak IDR (rs=0.2744, p<0.0001), as well as between iodine concentration and iodine dose (rs=0.3862, p<0.0001) for all CT studies. Automated contrast management systems can provide a full report of contrast use with the possibility to systematically compare different contrast injection protocols, minimize errors, and optimize organ-specific contrast enhancement for any given patient and clinical application. This can be useful to improve and harmonize the quality and consistency of contrast CT procedures within the same radiological department and across the hospital, as well as to monitor potential adverse events and overall costs. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of transcatheter arterial embolization therapy on hepatocellular carcinomas using contrast-enhanced harmonic power Doppler sonography: comparison with CT, power Doppler sonography, and dynamic MRI.

PubMed

Shima, Toshihide; Mizuno, Masayuki; Otsuji, Hideaki; Mizuno, Chiemi; Obata, Hirozumi; Park, Hyohun; Nakajo, Shinobu; Okanoue, Takeshi

2005-09-01

The aim of this study was to assess and compare the sensitivity of power Doppler sonography, contrast-enhanced sonography, plain computed tomography (CT), and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules incompletely treated with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). A total of 63 unresectable HCC nodules were examined in this study. The HCCs were treated with TAE. All patients underwent plain CT, power Doppler sonography, contrast-enhanced harmonic power Doppler sonography, and dynamic MRI 1 week after TAE. The sensitivity of each modality to incompletely treated HCC nodules was compared. Detection of the residual viable HCC on angiography or tumor biopsy was regarded as the gold standard for the diagnosis of incomplete treatment. Twenty-four nodules (38%) were diagnosed as incompletely treated. The sensitivities of plain CT, power Doppler sonography, contrast-enhanced harmonic power Doppler sonography, and dynamic MRI to these incompletely treated nodules were 42% (10/24), 46% (11/24), 88% (21/24), and 79% (19/24), respectively. Eighty percent (19 nodules) of the 24 incompletely treated nodules were located within a depth of less than 8 cm. The sensitivities of plain CT, power Doppler sonography, contrast-enhanced harmonic power Doppler sonography, and dynamic MRI to these superficial incompletely treated nodules were 37% (7/19), 53% (10/19), 100% (19/19), and 74% (14/19), respectively. In contrast, the sensitivities of each modality to deeply located nodules were 60% (3/5), 20% (1/5), 40% (2/5), and 100% (5/5), respectively. Plain CT and power Doppler sonography had a low sensitivity to HCC nodules incompletely treated with TAE. Except for those that were deeply located, contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography showed the highest sensitivity in detecting incompletely treated HCC nodules.

Interplay of single particle and collective response in molecular dynamics simulation of dusty plasma system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maity, Srimanta; Das, Amita; Kumar, Sandeep; Tiwari, Sanat Kumar

2018-04-01

The collective response of the plasma medium is well known and has been explored extensively in the context of dusty plasma medium. On the other hand, the individual particle response associated with the collisional character giving rise to the dissipative phenomena has not been explored adequately. In this paper, two-dimensional molecular dynamics simulation of dust particles interacting via Yukawa potential has been considered. It has been shown that disturbances induced in a dust crystal elicit both collective and single particle responses. Generation of a few particles moving at speeds considerably higher than acoustic and/or shock speed (excited by the external disturbance) is observed. This is an indication of a single particle response. Furthermore, as these individual energetic particles propagate, the dust crystal is observed to crack along their path. Initially when the energy is high, these particles generate secondary energetic particles by the collisional scattering process. However, ultimately as these particles slow down they excite a collective response in the dust medium at secondary locations in a region which is undisturbed by the primary external disturbance. The condition when the cracking of the crystal stops and collective excitations get initiated has been identified quantitatively. The trailing collective primary disturbances would thus often encounter a disturbed medium with secondary and tertiary collective perturbations, thereby suffering significant modification in its propagation. It is thus clear that there is an interesting interplay (other than mere dissipation) between the single particle and collective response which governs the dynamics of any disturbance introduced in the medium.

Through-Space Ultrafast Photoinduced Electron Transfer Dynamics of a C 70 -Encapsulated Bisporphyrin Covalent Organic Polyhedron in a Low-Dielectric Medium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ortiz, Michael; Cho, Sung; Niklas, Jens

Ultrafast photoinduced electron transfer (PIET) dynamics of a C 70-encapsulated bisporphyrin covalent organic polyhedron hybrid (C 70@COP-5) is studied in a nonpolar toluene medium with fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopies. This structurally rigid donor (D)-acceptor (A) molecular hybrid offers a new platform featuring conformationally predetermined cofacial D-A orientation with a fixed edge-to-edge separation, R EE (2.8 Å), without the aid of covalent bonds. Sub-picosecond PIET (T ET ≤ 0.4 ps) and very slow charge recombination (T CR ≈ 600 ps) dynamics are observed. The origin of these dynamics is discussed in terms of enhanced D-A coupling (V = 675 cmmore » -1) and extremely small reorganization energy (λ ≈ 0.18 eV), induced by the intrinsic structural rigidity of the C 70@COP-5 complex.« less

Through-Space Ultrafast Photoinduced Electron Transfer Dynamics of a C 70 -Encapsulated Bisporphyrin Covalent Organic Polyhedron in a Low-Dielectric Medium

DOE PAGES

Ortiz, Michael; Cho, Sung; Niklas, Jens; ...

2017-03-13

Ultrafast photoinduced electron transfer (PIET) dynamics of a C 70-encapsulated bisporphyrin covalent organic polyhedron hybrid (C 70@COP-5) is studied in a nonpolar toluene medium with fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopies. This structurally rigid donor (D)-acceptor (A) molecular hybrid offers a new platform featuring conformationally predetermined cofacial D-A orientation with a fixed edge-to-edge separation, R EE (2.8 Å), without the aid of covalent bonds. Sub-picosecond PIET (T ET ≤ 0.4 ps) and very slow charge recombination (T CR ≈ 600 ps) dynamics are observed. The origin of these dynamics is discussed in terms of enhanced D-A coupling (V = 675 cmmore » -1) and extremely small reorganization energy (λ ≈ 0.18 eV), induced by the intrinsic structural rigidity of the C 70@COP-5 complex.« less

Through-Space Ultrafast Photoinduced Electron Transfer Dynamics of a C70-Encapsulated Bisporphyrin Covalent Organic Polyhedron in a Low-Dielectric Medium.

PubMed

Ortiz, Michael; Cho, Sung; Niklas, Jens; Kim, Seonah; Poluektov, Oleg G; Zhang, Wei; Rumbles, Garry; Park, Jaehong

2017-03-29

Ultrafast photoinduced electron transfer (PIET) dynamics of a C 70 -encapsulated bisporphyrin covalent organic polyhedron hybrid (C 70 @COP-5) is studied in a nonpolar toluene medium with fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopies. This structurally rigid donor (D)-acceptor (A) molecular hybrid offers a new platform featuring conformationally predetermined cofacial D-A orientation with a fixed edge-to-edge separation, R EE (2.8 Å), without the aid of covalent bonds. Sub-picosecond PIET (τ ET ≤ 0.4 ps) and very slow charge recombination (τ CR ≈ 600 ps) dynamics are observed. The origin of these dynamics is discussed in terms of enhanced D-A coupling (V = 675 cm -1 ) and extremely small reorganization energy (λ ≈ 0.18 eV), induced by the intrinsic structural rigidity of the C 70 @COP-5 complex.

Dynamics of clogging in drying porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaplan, C. Nadir; Mahadevan, L.

2014-11-01

Drying in porous media pervades a range of phenomena from brine evaporation arrested in porous bricks, causing efflorescence, i.e. salt aggregation on the surface where vapor leaves the medium, to clogging of reservoir rocks via salt precipitation when carbon dioxide is injected for geological storage. During the process of drying, the permeability and porosity of the medium may change due to the solute accumulation as a function of the particle concentration, in turn affecting the evaporation rate and the dynamics of the fluid flow imposed by it. To examine the dynamics of these coupled quantities, we develop a multiphase model of the particulate flow of a saline suspension in a porous medium, induced by evaporation. We further provide dimensional arguments as to how the salt concentration and the resulting change in permeability determine the transition between efflorescence and salt precipitation in the bulk. This research was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) under Award FA9550-09-1-0669-DOD35CAP and the Kavli Institute for Bionano Science and Technology at Harvard University.

Analysis of soybean tissue culture protein dynamics using difference gel electrophoresis.

PubMed

Miernyk, Ján A; Jett, Alissa A; Johnston, Mark L

2016-01-01

Excised hypocotyls from developing soybean (Glycine max (L.) merr. cv. Jack) were cultivated on agar-solidified medium until callus formed. The calli were then propagated in liquid medium until stable, relatively uniform, finely-divided suspension cultures were obtained. Cells were typically transferred to fresh medium at 7-day intervals. Cultures were harvested by filtration five days (early log phase) or eight days (late log phase) after transfer. In order to evaluate dynamic changes, both intracellular and extracellular proteins were analyzed by 2-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis. Selected spots were subjected to in-gel tryptic-digestion and the resultant peptides were analyzed by nLC-MS/MS. In follow-up studies gel-free shot-gun analyses led to identification of 367 intracellular proteins and 188 extracellular proteins. The significance of the described research is two-fold. First a gel-based proteomics method was applied to the study of the dynamics of the secretome (extracellular proteins). Second, results of a shot-gun non-gel based proteomic survey of both cellular and extracellular proteins are presented. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Single-shot measurement of >1010 pulse contrast for ultra-high peak-power lasers

PubMed Central

Wang, Yongzhi; Ma, Jingui; Wang, Jing; Yuan, Peng; Xie, Guoqiang; Ge, Xulei; Liu, Feng; Yuan, Xiaohui; Zhu, Heyuan; Qian, Liejia

2014-01-01

Real-time pulse-contrast observation with a high dynamic range is a prerequisite to tackle the contrast challenge in ultra-high peak-power lasers. However, the commonly used delay-scanning cross-correlator (DSCC) can only provide the time-consumed measurements for repetitive lasers. Single-shot cross-correlator (SSCC) becomes essential in optimizing laser systems and exploring contrast mechanisms. Here we report our progress in developing SSCC towards its practical use. By integrating both the techniques of scattering-noise reduction and sensitive parallel detection into SSCC, we demonstrate a high dynamic range of >1010, which, to our best knowledge, is the first demonstration of an SSCC with a dynamic range comparable to that of commercial DSCCs. The comparison of high-dynamic measurement performances between SSCC and a standard DSCC (Sequoia, Amplitude Technologies) is also carried out on a 200 TW Ti:sapphire laser, and the consistency of results verifies the veracity of our SSCC. PMID:24448655

Dynamics of unstable sound waves in a non-equilibrium medium at the nonlinear stage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khrapov, Sergey; Khoperskov, Alexander

2018-03-01

A new dispersion equation is obtained for a non-equilibrium medium with an exponential relaxation model of a vibrationally excited gas. We have researched the dependencies of the pump source and the heat removal on the medium thermodynamic parameters. The boundaries of sound waves stability regions in a non-equilibrium gas have been determined. The nonlinear stage of sound waves instability development in a vibrationally excited gas has been investigated within CSPH-TVD and MUSCL numerical schemes using parallel technologies OpenMP-CUDA. We have obtained a good agreement of numerical simulation results with the linear perturbations dynamics at the initial stage of the sound waves growth caused by instability. At the nonlinear stage, the sound waves amplitude reaches the maximum value that leads to the formation of shock waves system.

Radiocontrast-induced thyroid dysfunction: is it common and what should we do about it?

PubMed

Hudzik, Bartosz; Zubelewicz-Szkodzińska, Barbara

2014-03-01

There has been a substantial increase in the use of radiocontrast-enhanced imaging studies in the past two decades (particularly computed tomography and coronary angiography). Sudden exposure to high levels of iodide may result in thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism alike). Although the adverse-event rate is not very high, the condition is notable considering the large number of contrast-enhanced radiographic studies performed. Clinicians often have to decide on the most suitable diagnostic modality and the safest contrast medium when it comes to certain patients. In this study, we stress that the thyroid function of the patients should also be taken into consideration while making such decisions. We discuss in detail the prevalence and types (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism) of radiocontrast-induced thyroid dysfunction. We list the subsets of the population that are at a higher risk of radiocontrast-induced thyroid dysfunction and summarize the necessary prophylaxis and possible treatment. The presented principles apply to intravenous, intra-arterial and enteral (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) routes of iodinated contrast medium administration. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Quantitative contrast-enhanced mammography for contrast medium kinetics studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arvanitis, C. D.; Speller, R.

2009-10-01

Quantitative contrast-enhanced mammography, based on a dual-energy approach, aims to extract quantitative and temporal information of the tumour enhancement after administration of iodinated vascular contrast media. Simulations using analytical expressions and optimization of critical parameters essential for the development of quantitative contrast-enhanced mammography are presented. The procedure has been experimentally evaluated using a tissue-equivalent phantom and an amorphous silicon active matrix flat panel imager. The x-ray beams were produced by a tungsten target tube and spectrally shaped using readily available materials. Measurement of iodine projected thickness in mg cm-2 has been performed. The effect of beam hardening does not introduce nonlinearities in the measurement of iodine projected thickness for values of thicknesses found in clinical investigations. However, scattered radiation introduces significant deviations from slope equal to unity when compared with the actual iodine projected thickness. Scatter correction before the analysis of the dual-energy images provides accurate iodine projected thickness measurements. At 10% of the exposure used in clinical mammography, signal-to-noise ratios in excess of 5 were achieved for iodine projected thicknesses less than 3 mg cm-2 within a 4 cm thick phantom. For the extraction of temporal information, a limited number of low-dose images were used with the phantom incorporating a flow of iodinated contrast medium. The results suggest that spatial and temporal information of iodinated contrast media can be used to indirectly measure the tumour microvessel density and determine its uptake and washout from breast tumours. The proposed method can significantly improve tumour detection in dense breasts. Its application to perform in situ x-ray biopsy and assessment of the oncolytic effect of anticancer agents is foreseeable.

Submillisievert standard-pitch CT pulmonary angiography with ultra-low dose contrast media administration: A comparison to standard CT imaging

PubMed Central

Mikat, Christian; Stenzel, Elena; Erfanian, Youssef; Wetter, Axel; Schlosser, Thomas; Forsting, Michael

2017-01-01

Objectives To evaluate the image quality and radiation dose of submillisievert standard-pitch CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) with ultra-low dose contrast media administration in comparison to standard CTPA. Materials and methods Hundred patients (56 females, 44 males, mean age 69.6±15.4 years; median BMI: 26.6, IQR: 5.9) with suspected pulmonary embolism were examined with two different protocols (n = 50 each, group A: 80 kVp, ref. mAs 115, 25 ml of contrast medium; group B: 100 kVp, ref. mAs 150, 60 ml of contrast medium) using a dual-source CT equipped with automated exposure control. Objective and subjective image qualities, radiation exposure as well as the frequency of pulmonary embolism were evaluated. Results There was no significant difference in subjective image quality scores between two groups regarding pulmonary arteries (p = 0.776), whereby the interobserver agreement was excellent (group A: k = 0.9; group B k = 1.0). Objective image analysis revealed that signal intensities (SI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the pulmonary arteries were equal or significantly higher in group B. There was no significant difference in the frequency of pulmonary embolism (p = 0.65). Using the low dose and low contrast media protocol resulted in a radiation dose reduction by 71.8% (2.4 vs. 0.7 mSv; p<0.001). Conclusions This 80 kVp standard pitch CTPA protocol with 25 ml contrast agent volume can obtain sufficient image quality to exclude or diagnose pulmonary emboli while reducing radiation dose by approximately 71%. PMID:29045463

Contrast-enhanced CT- and MRI-based perfusion assessment for pulmonary diseases: basics and clinical applications

PubMed Central

Ohno, Yoshiharu; Koyama, Hisanobu; Lee, Ho Yun; Miura, Sachiko; Yoshikawa, Takeshi; Sugimura, Kazuro

2016-01-01

Assessment of regional pulmonary perfusion as well as nodule and tumor perfusions in various pulmonary diseases are currently performed by means of nuclear medicine studies requiring radioactive macroaggregates, dual-energy computed tomography (CT), and dynamic first-pass contrast-enhanced perfusion CT techniques and unenhanced and dynamic first-pass contrast enhanced perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as time-resolved three-dimensional or four-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Perfusion scintigraphy, single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) and SPECT fused with CT have been established as clinically available scintigraphic methods; however, they are limited by perfusion information with poor spatial resolution and other shortcomings. Although positron emission tomography with 15O water can measure absolute pulmonary perfusion, it requires a cyclotron for generation of a tracer with an extremely short half-life (2 min), and can only be performed for academic purposes. Therefore, clinicians are concentrating their efforts on the application of CT-based and MRI-based quantitative and qualitative perfusion assessment to various pulmonary diseases. This review article covers 1) the basics of dual-energy CT and dynamic first-pass contrast-enhanced perfusion CT techniques, 2) the basics of time-resolved contrast-enhanced MRA and dynamic first-pass contrast-enhanced perfusion MRI, and 3) clinical applications of contrast-enhanced CT- and MRI-based perfusion assessment for patients with pulmonary nodule, lung cancer, and pulmonary vascular diseases. We believe that these new techniques can be useful in routine clinical practice for not only thoracic oncology patients, but also patients with different pulmonary vascular diseases. PMID:27523813

Quantitative myocardial perfusion from static cardiac and dynamic arterial CT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bindschadler, Michael; Branch, Kelley R.; Alessio, Adam M.

2018-05-01

Quantitative myocardial blood flow (MBF) estimation by dynamic contrast enhanced cardiac computed tomography (CT) requires multi-frame acquisition of contrast transit through the blood pool and myocardium to inform the arterial input and tissue response functions. Both the input and the tissue response functions for the entire myocardium are sampled with each acquisition. However, the long breath holds and frequent sampling can result in significant motion artifacts and relatively high radiation dose. To address these limitations, we propose and evaluate a new static cardiac and dynamic arterial (SCDA) quantitative MBF approach where (1) the input function is well sampled using either prediction from pre-scan timing bolus data or measured from dynamic thin slice ‘bolus tracking’ acquisitions, and (2) the whole-heart tissue response data is limited to one contrast enhanced CT acquisition. A perfusion model uses the dynamic arterial input function to generate a family of possible myocardial contrast enhancement curves corresponding to a range of MBF values. Combined with the timing of the single whole-heart acquisition, these curves generate a lookup table relating myocardial contrast enhancement to quantitative MBF. We tested the SCDA approach in 28 patients that underwent a full dynamic CT protocol both at rest and vasodilator stress conditions. Using measured input function plus single (enhanced CT only) or plus double (enhanced and contrast free baseline CT’s) myocardial acquisitions yielded MBF estimates with root mean square (RMS) error of 1.2 ml/min/g and 0.35 ml/min/g, and radiation dose reductions of 90% and 83%, respectively. The prediction of the input function based on timing bolus data and the static acquisition had an RMS error compared to the measured input function of 26.0% which led to MBF estimation errors greater than threefold higher than using the measured input function. SCDA presents a new, simplified approach for quantitative perfusion imaging with an acquisition strategy offering substantial radiation dose and computational complexity savings over dynamic CT.

Improvements in Diagnostic Accuracy with Quantitative Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-01

Magnetic   Resonance   Imaging  during  the  Menstrual  Cylce:  Perfusion   Imaging  Signal   Enhanceent,  and  Influence  of...acquisition of quantitative images displaying the concentration of contrast media as well as MRI -detectable proton density. To date 21 patients have...truly  quantitative   images  of  a  dynamic  contrast-­‐enhanced  (DCE)   MRI  of  the

Stabilization of fullerene-like boron cages by transition metal encapsulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Jian; Wang, Yanchao; Zhang, Lijun; Lin, Haiqing; Zhao, Jijun; Ma, Yanming

2015-06-01

The stabilization of fullerene-like boron (B) cages in the free-standing form has been long sought after and a challenging problem. Studies that have been carried out for more than a decade have confirmed that the planar or quasi-planar polymorphs are energetically favored ground states over a wide range of small and medium-sized B clusters. Recently, the breakthroughs represented by Nat. Chem., 2014, 6, 727 established that the transition from planar/quasi-planar to cage-like Bn clusters occurs around n = ~38-40, paving the way for understanding the intriguing chemistry of B-fullerene. We herein demonstrate that the transition demarcation, n, can be significantly reduced with the help of transition metal encapsulation. We explore via extensive first-principles swarm-intelligence based structure searches the free energy landscapes of B24 clusters doped by a series of transition metals and find that the low-lying energy regime is generally dominated by cage-like isomers. This is in sharp contrast to that of bare B24 clusters, where the quasi-planar and rather irregular polyhedrons are prevalent. Most strikingly, a highly symmetric B cage with D3h symmetry is discovered in the case of Mo or W encapsulation. The endohedral D3h cages exhibit robust thermodynamic, dynamic and chemical stabilities, which can be rationalized in terms of their unique electronic structure of an 18-electron closed-shell configuration. Our results indicate that transition metal encapsulation is a feasible route for stabilizing medium-sized B cages, offering a useful roadmap for the discovery of more B fullerene analogues as building blocks of nanomaterials.The stabilization of fullerene-like boron (B) cages in the free-standing form has been long sought after and a challenging problem. Studies that have been carried out for more than a decade have confirmed that the planar or quasi-planar polymorphs are energetically favored ground states over a wide range of small and medium-sized B clusters. Recently, the breakthroughs represented by Nat. Chem., 2014, 6, 727 established that the transition from planar/quasi-planar to cage-like Bn clusters occurs around n = ~38-40, paving the way for understanding the intriguing chemistry of B-fullerene. We herein demonstrate that the transition demarcation, n, can be significantly reduced with the help of transition metal encapsulation. We explore via extensive first-principles swarm-intelligence based structure searches the free energy landscapes of B24 clusters doped by a series of transition metals and find that the low-lying energy regime is generally dominated by cage-like isomers. This is in sharp contrast to that of bare B24 clusters, where the quasi-planar and rather irregular polyhedrons are prevalent. Most strikingly, a highly symmetric B cage with D3h symmetry is discovered in the case of Mo or W encapsulation. The endohedral D3h cages exhibit robust thermodynamic, dynamic and chemical stabilities, which can be rationalized in terms of their unique electronic structure of an 18-electron closed-shell configuration. Our results indicate that transition metal encapsulation is a feasible route for stabilizing medium-sized B cages, offering a useful roadmap for the discovery of more B fullerene analogues as building blocks of nanomaterials. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr01659b

9 CFR 381.121 - Quantity of contents.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

..., in distinct contrast to other matter on the container, and shall be declared in accordance with the... totally with impervious packaging material and is packed with a usable medium. (2) The statement shall be...

9 CFR 381.121 - Quantity of contents.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., in distinct contrast to other matter on the container, and shall be declared in accordance with the... totally with impervious packaging material and is packed with a usable medium. (2) The statement shall be...

Applicability of the Effective-Medium Approximation to Heterogeneous Aerosol Particles.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mishchenko, Michael I.; Dlugach, Janna M.; Liu, Li

2016-01-01

The effective-medium approximation (EMA) is based on the assumption that a heterogeneous particle can have a homogeneous counterpart possessing similar scattering and absorption properties. We analyze the numerical accuracy of the EMA by comparing superposition T-matrix computations for spherical aerosol particles filled with numerous randomly distributed small inclusions and Lorenz-Mie computations based on the Maxwell-Garnett mixing rule. We verify numerically that the EMA can indeed be realized for inclusion size parameters smaller than a threshold value. The threshold size parameter depends on the refractive-index contrast between the host and inclusion materials and quite often does not exceed several tenths, especially in calculations of the scattering matrix and the absorption cross section. As the inclusion size parameter approaches the threshold value, the scattering-matrix errors of the EMA start to grow with increasing the host size parameter and or the number of inclusions. We confirm, in particular, the existence of the effective-medium regime in the important case of dust aerosols with hematite or air-bubble inclusions, but then the large refractive-index contrast necessitates inclusion size parameters of the order of a few tenths. Irrespective of the highly restricted conditions of applicability of the EMA, our results provide further evidence that the effective-medium regime must be a direct corollary of the macroscopic Maxwell equations under specific assumptions.

Four dimensional material movies: High speed phase-contrast tomography by backprojection along dynamically curved paths.

PubMed

Ruhlandt, A; Töpperwien, M; Krenkel, M; Mokso, R; Salditt, T

2017-07-26

We present an approach towards four dimensional (4d) movies of materials, showing dynamic processes within the entire 3d structure. The method is based on tomographic reconstruction on dynamically curved paths using a motion model estimated by optical flow techniques, considerably reducing the typical motion artefacts of dynamic tomography. At the same time we exploit x-ray phase contrast based on free propagation to enhance the signal from micron scale structure recorded with illumination times down to a millisecond (ms). The concept is demonstrated by observing the burning process of a match stick in 4d, using high speed synchrotron phase contrast x-ray tomography recordings. The resulting movies reveal the structural changes of the wood cells during the combustion.

Role of tumbling in bacterial swarming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sidortsov, Marina; Morgenstern, Yakov; Be'er, Avraham

2017-08-01

Typical wild-type bacteria swimming in sparse suspensions exhibit a movement pattern called "run and tumble," characterized by straight trajectories (runs) interspersed by shorter, random reorientation (tumbles). This is achieved by rotating their flagella counterclockwise, or clockwise, respectively. The chemotaxis signaling network operates in controlling the frequency of tumbles, enabling navigation toward or away from desired regions in the medium. In contrast, while in dense populations, flagellated bacteria exhibit collective motion and form large dynamic clusters, whirls, and jets, with intricate dynamics that is fundamentally different than trajectories of sparsely swimming cells. Although collectively swarming cells do change direction at the level of the individual cell, often exhibiting reversals, it has been suggested that chemotaxis does not play a role in multicellular colony expansion, but the change in direction stems from clockwise flagellar rotation. In this paper, the effects of cell rotor switching (i.e., the ability to tumble) and chemotaxis on the collective statistics of swarming bacteria are studied experimentally in wild-type Bacillus subtilis and two mutants—one that does not tumble and one that tumbles independently of the chemotaxis system. We show that while several of the parameters examined are similar between the strains, other collective and individual characteristics are significantly different. The results demonstrate that tumbling and/or flagellar directional rotor switching has an important role on the dynamics of swarming, and imply that swarming models of self-propelled rods that do not take tumbling and/or rotor switching into account may be oversimplified.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced optical imaging of in vivo organ function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amoozegar, Cyrus B.; Wang, Tracy; Bouchard, Matthew B.; McCaslin, Addason F. H.; Blaner, William S.; Levenson, Richard M.; Hillman, Elizabeth M. C.

2012-09-01

Conventional approaches to optical small animal molecular imaging suffer from poor resolution, limited sensitivity, and unreliable quantitation, often reducing their utility in practice. We previously demonstrated that the in vivo dynamics of an injected contrast agent could be exploited to provide high-contrast anatomical registration, owing to the temporal differences in each organ's response to the circulating fluorophore. This study extends this approach to explore whether dynamic contrast-enhanced optical imaging (DyCE) can allow noninvasive, in vivo assessment of organ function by quantifying the differing cellular uptake or wash-out dynamics of an agent in healthy and damaged organs. Specifically, we used DyCE to visualize and measure the organ-specific uptake dynamics of indocyanine green before and after induction of transient liver damage. DyCE imaging was performed longitudinally over nine days, and blood samples collected at each imaging session were analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a liver enzyme assessed clinically as a measure of liver damage. We show that changes in DyCE-derived dynamics of liver and kidney dye uptake caused by liver damage correlate linearly with ALT concentrations, with an r2 value of 0.91. Our results demonstrate that DyCE can provide quantitative, in vivo, longitudinal measures of organ function with inexpensive and simple data acquisition.

Use of 3-dimensional computed tomography to detect a barium-masked fish bone causing esophageal perforation.

PubMed

Tsukiyama, Atsushi; Tagami, Takashi; Kim, Shiei; Yokota, Hiroyuki

2014-01-01

Computed tomography (CT) is useful for evaluating esophageal foreign bodies and detecting perforation. However, when evaluation is difficult owing to the previous use of barium as a contrast medium, 3-dimensional CT may facilitate accurate diagnosis. A 49-year-old man was transferred to our hospital with the diagnosis of esophageal perforation. Because barium had been used as a contrast medium for an esophagram performed at a previous hospital, horizontal CT and esophageal endoscopy could not be able to identify the foreign body or characterize the lesion. However, 3-dimensional CT clearly revealed an L-shaped foreign body and its anatomical relationships in the mediastinum. Accordingly, we removed the foreign body using an upper gastrointestinal endoscope. The foreign body was the premaxillary bone of a sea bream. The patient was discharged without complications.

Dacryocystography in a cat with orbital pneumatosis.

PubMed

Meomartino, Leonardo; Pasolini, Maria P; Lamagna, Francesco; Santangelo, Bruna; Mennonna, Giuseppina; Della Valle, Giovanni; Lamagna, Barbara

2015-03-01

A 2-year-old neutered male European short-haired cat was presented for a persistent discharge from the scar of previous left eye enucleation, performed 6 months prior by the referring veterinarian. A surgical exploration of the orbit was performed and retained nictitating membrane glandular and conjunctival tissues were removed. Eleven days later, the cat developed an orbital pneumatosis caused by retrograde movement of air through a patent nasolacrimal system and diagnosed by survey radiographic examination of the skull. Nasolacrimal system patency was assessed by dacryocystography performed by injection of iodinated contrast medium under pressure into the orbital cavity. Computed tomography dacryocystography confirmed the radiographic findings. The condition resolved following dacryocystography, possibly as an inflammatory response to the contrast medium. To our knowledge, this is the first case of orbital pneumatosis reported in a cat. © 2013 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

A gaze-contingent display to study contrast sensitivity under natural viewing conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dorr, Michael; Bex, Peter J.

2011-03-01

Contrast sensitivity has been extensively studied over the last decades and there are well-established models of early vision that were derived by presenting the visual system with synthetic stimuli such as sine-wave gratings near threshold contrasts. Natural scenes, however, contain a much wider distribution of orientations, spatial frequencies, and both luminance and contrast values. Furthermore, humans typically move their eyes two to three times per second under natural viewing conditions, but most laboratory experiments require subjects to maintain central fixation. We here describe a gaze-contingent display capable of performing real-time contrast modulations of video in retinal coordinates, thus allowing us to study contrast sensitivity when dynamically viewing dynamic scenes. Our system is based on a Laplacian pyramid for each frame that efficiently represents individual frequency bands. Each output pixel is then computed as a locally weighted sum of pyramid levels to introduce local contrast changes as a function of gaze. Our GPU implementation achieves real-time performance with more than 100 fps on high-resolution video (1920 by 1080 pixels) and a synthesis latency of only 1.5ms. Psychophysical data show that contrast sensitivity is greatly decreased in natural videos and under dynamic viewing conditions. Synthetic stimuli therefore only poorly characterize natural vision.

FEASIBILITY AND SAFETY OF CONTRAST-ENHANCED ULTRASOUND IN THE DISTAL LIMB OF SIX HORSES.

PubMed

Seiler, Gabriela S; Campbell, Nigel; Nixon, Britton; Tsuruta, James K; Dayton, Paul A; Jennings, Samuel; Redding, W Rich; Lustgarten, Meghann

2016-05-01

Vascular alterations play important roles in many orthopedic diseases such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and synovitis in both human and equine athletes. Understanding these alterations could enhance diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) could be a valuable method for evaluation of blood flow and perfusion of these processes in the equine distal limb, however no reports were found describing feasibility or safety of the technique. The goal of this prospective, experimental study was to describe the feasibility and safety of distal limb CEUS in a sample of six horses. For each horse, CEUS of the distal limb was performed after intravenous injections of 5 and 10 ml, as well as intra-arterial injections of 0.5 and 1 ml contrast medium. Vital parameters were monitored and CEUS images were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively for degree of contrast enhancement. None of the horses had clinically significant changes in their vital parameters after contrast medium injection. One horse had a transient increase in respiratory rate, and several horses had mild increases of systolic blood pressure of short duration after intravenous, but not after intra-arterial injections. Intra-arterial injection was possible in all horses and resulted in significantly improved contrast enhancement both quantitatively (P = 0.027) and qualitatively (P = 0.019). Findings from this study indicated that CEUS is a feasible and safe diagnostic test for evaluation of the equine distal limb. Future studies are needed to assess the clinical utility of this test for horses with musculoskeletal diseases. © 2016 American College of Veterinary Radiology.

Land-use changes reinforce the impacts of climate change on annual runoff dynamics in a southeast China coastal watershed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ervinia, A.; Huang, J.; Zhang, Z.

2015-06-01

Study on runoff dynamics across different physiographic regions is fundamentally important to formulate the sound strategies for water resource management especially in the coastal watershed where peoples heavily concentrated and relied on water resources. The L-R diagram, a conceptual model by which the land-changes evapotranspiration (ΔL) was estimated as the difference between actual and climate evapotranspiration to identify the specific impact of land-use changes on annual runoff changes (ΔR), was developed using the 53-year hydro-climatic data of Jiulong River Watershed, a typical medium-sized subtropical coastal watershed in China. This study found that land-use changes have reinforced the impact of climatic changes on runoff changes where nearly all points were scattered in II and IV quadrant. Deforestation and expansion of built up area has diminished the water retention capacity in a catchment as well as evapotranspiration thus produce extra runoff accounting for 12-183 % of total runoff increase. In contrast, reforestation makes the significant contribution to decreasing annual runoff for about 21-82 % of total runoff loss. This study revealed the river runoff has become more vulnerable to intensive anthropogenic disturbances under the context of climate changes in a coastal watershed.

Dust acoustic shock waves in magnetized dusty plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yashika, GHAI; Nimardeep, KAUR; Kuldeep, SINGH; N, S. SAINI

2018-07-01

We have presented a theoretical study of the dust acoustic (DA) shock structures in a magnetized, electron depleted dusty plasma in the presence of two temperature superthermal ions. By deriving a Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers equation and studying its shock solution, we aim to highlight the effects of magnetic field and obliqueness on various properties of the DA shock structures in the presence of kappa-distributed two temperature ion population. The present model is motivated by the observations of Geotail spacecraft in the Earth's magnetotail and it is seen that the different physical parameters such as superthermality of the cold and hot ions, the cold to hot ion temperature ratio, the magnetic field strength, obliqueness and the dust kinematic viscosity greatly influence the dynamics of the shock structures so formed. The results suggest that the variation of superthermalities of the cold and hot ions have contrasting effects on both positive and negative polarity shock structures. Moreover, it is noted that the presence of the ambient magnetic field affects the dispersive properties of the medium and tends to make the shock structures less wide and more abrupt. The findings of present investigation may be useful in understanding the dynamics of shock waves in dusty plasma environments containing two temperature ions where the electrons are significantly depleted.

Dynamics and Afterglow Light Curves of Gamma-Ray Burst Blast Waves Encountering a Density Bump or Void

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uhm, Z. Lucas; Zhang, Bing

2014-07-01

We investigate the dynamics and afterglow light curves of gamma-ray burst blast waves that encounter various density structures (such as bumps, voids, or steps) in the surrounding ambient medium. We present and explain the characteristic response features that each type of density structure in the medium leaves on the forward shock (FS) and reverse shock (RS) dynamics for blast waves with either a long-lived or short-lived RS. We show that when the ambient medium density drops, the blast waves exhibit in some cases a period of an actual acceleration (even during their deceleration stage) due to adiabatic cooling of blast waves. Comparing numerical examples that have different shapes of bumps or voids, we propose a number of consistency tests that must be satisfied by correct modeling of blast waves. Our model results successfully pass these tests. Employing a Lagrangian description of blast waves, we perform a sophisticated calculation of afterglow emission. We show that as a response to density structures in the ambient medium, the RS light curves produce more significant variations than the FS light curves. Some observed features (such as rebrightenings, dips, or slow wiggles) can be more easily explained within the RS model. We also discuss the origin of these different features imprinted on the FS and RS light curves.

Dynamics and afterglow light curves of gamma-ray burst blast waves encountering a density bump or void

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Uhm, Z. Lucas; Zhang, Bing, E-mail: uhm@pku.edu.cn, E-mail: zhang@physics.unlv.edu

2014-07-01

We investigate the dynamics and afterglow light curves of gamma-ray burst blast waves that encounter various density structures (such as bumps, voids, or steps) in the surrounding ambient medium. We present and explain the characteristic response features that each type of density structure in the medium leaves on the forward shock (FS) and reverse shock (RS) dynamics for blast waves with either a long-lived or short-lived RS. We show that when the ambient medium density drops, the blast waves exhibit in some cases a period of an actual acceleration (even during their deceleration stage) due to adiabatic cooling of blastmore » waves. Comparing numerical examples that have different shapes of bumps or voids, we propose a number of consistency tests that must be satisfied by correct modeling of blast waves. Our model results successfully pass these tests. Employing a Lagrangian description of blast waves, we perform a sophisticated calculation of afterglow emission. We show that as a response to density structures in the ambient medium, the RS light curves produce more significant variations than the FS light curves. Some observed features (such as rebrightenings, dips, or slow wiggles) can be more easily explained within the RS model. We also discuss the origin of these different features imprinted on the FS and RS light curves.« less

Filamentation of ultrashort light pulses in a liquid scattering medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jukna, V.; Tamošauskas, G.; Valiulis, G.; Aputis, M.; Puida, M.; Ivanauskas, F.; Dubietis, A.

2009-01-01

We have studied filamentation of 1-ps laser pulses in a scattering medium (aqueous suspension of 2-μm polystyrene microspheres) and compared filamentation dynamics to that in pure water. Our results indicate that light scattering does not alter filamentation dynamics in general, but rather results in farther position of the nonlinear focus, shorter filament length, and the development of speckle structure in the peripheral part of the beam. The experimental observations are qualitatively reproduced by the numerical model which accounts for diffraction, self-focusing, multiphoton absorption, and light scattering introduced through a stochastic diffusion and diffraction term.

ISM simulations: an overview of models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Avillez, M. A.; Breitschwerdt, D.; Asgekar, A.; Spitoni, E.

2015-03-01

Until recently the dynamical evolution of the interstellar medium (ISM) was simulated using collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE) conditions. However, the ISM is a dynamical system, in which the plasma is naturally driven out of equilibrium due to atomic and dynamic processes operating on different timescales. A step forward in the field comprises a multi-fluid approach taking into account the joint thermal and dynamical evolutions of the ISM gas.

Contrast-enhanced near-infrared laser mammography with a prototype breast scanner: feasibility study with tissue phantoms and preliminary results of imaging experimental tumors.

PubMed

Boehm, T; Hochmuth, A; Malich, A; Reichenbach, J R; Fleck, M; Kaiser, W A

2001-10-01

Near-infrared (NIR) optical mammography without contrast has a low specificity. The application of optical contrast medium may improve the performance. The concentration-dependent detectability of a new NIR contrast medium was determined with a prototype optical breast scanner. In vivo imaging of experimental tumors was performed. The NIR contrast agent NIR96010 is a newly synthesized, hydrophilic contrast agent for NIR mammography. A concentration-dependent contrast resolution was determined for tissue phantoms consisting of whole milk powder and gelatin. A central part of the phantoms measuring 2 x 2 cm2 without contrast was replaced with phantom material containing 1 micromol/L to 25 nmol/L NIR96010. The composite phantoms were measured with a prototype NIR breast scanner with lasers of lambda1 = 785 nm and lambda2 = 850 nm wavelength. Intensity profiles and standard deviations of the transmission signal in areas with and without contrast were determined by linear fit procedures. Signal-to-noise ratios and spatial resolution as a function of contrast concentration were determined. Near-infrared imaging of five tumor-bearing SCID mice (MX1 breast adenocarcinoma, tumor diameter 5-10 mm) was performed before and after intravenous application of 2 micromol/kg NIR96010. Spectrometry showed an absorption maximum of the contrast agent at 755 nm. No spectral shifts occurred in protein-containing solution. Signal-to-noise ratio in the transmission intensity profiles ranged from 1.1 at 25 nmol/L contrast to 28 at 1 micromol/L. At concentrations <40 nmol/L, no differentiation from the background was possible. The transitional area between the contrast-free edge of the phantom and the central contrast-containing part appeared in the profiles as a steep increase with a width of 4.2 +/- 1.8 mm. The experimental tumors were detectable in nonenhanced images as well as contrast-enhanced images, with better delineation after contrast administration. In postcontrast absorption profiles, a 44.1% +/- 11.3% greater absorption increase was seen in tumor tissue compared with normal tissue. The laser wavelength lambda1 of the prototype laser mammography device was not situated at maximum absorption of the contrast agent NIR96010 but on the descending shoulder of the absorption spectrum. This implies a 20% signal loss for contrast detection. Despite the nonideal measurement conditions, concentrations as low as 40 nmol/L were detectable in vitro. In vivo, all tumors were detectable in color-coded nonenhanced scans as well as in contrast-enhanced scans, with better delineation after contrast administration.

Nonlinear dynamics of cortical responses to color in the human cVEP.

PubMed

Nunez, Valerie; Shapley, Robert M; Gordon, James

2017-09-01

The main finding of this paper is that the human visual cortex responds in a very nonlinear manner to the color contrast of pure color patterns. We examined human cortical responses to color checkerboard patterns at many color contrasts, measuring the chromatic visual evoked potential (cVEP) with a dense electrode array. Cortical topography of the cVEPs showed that they were localized near the posterior electrode at position Oz, indicating that the primary cortex (V1) was the major source of responses. The choice of fine spatial patterns as stimuli caused the cVEP response to be driven by double-opponent neurons in V1. The cVEP waveform revealed nonlinear color signal processing in the V1 cortex. The cVEP time-to-peak decreased and the waveform's shape was markedly narrower with increasing cone contrast. Comparison of the linear dynamics of retinal and lateral geniculate nucleus responses with the nonlinear dynamics of the cortical cVEP indicated that the nonlinear dynamics originated in the V1 cortex. The nature of the nonlinearity is a kind of automatic gain control that adjusts cortical dynamics to be faster when color contrast is greater.

Emotional effects of dynamic textures

PubMed Central

Toet, Alexander; Henselmans, Menno; Lucassen, Marcel P; Gevers, Theo

2011-01-01

This study explores the effects of various spatiotemporal dynamic texture characteristics on human emotions. The emotional experience of auditory (eg, music) and haptic repetitive patterns has been studied extensively. In contrast, the emotional experience of visual dynamic textures is still largely unknown, despite their natural ubiquity and increasing use in digital media. Participants watched a set of dynamic textures, representing either water or various different media, and self-reported their emotional experience. Motion complexity was found to have mildly relaxing and nondominant effects. In contrast, motion change complexity was found to be arousing and dominant. The speed of dynamics had arousing, dominant, and unpleasant effects. The amplitude of dynamics was also regarded as unpleasant. The regularity of the dynamics over the textures' area was found to be uninteresting, nondominant, mildly relaxing, and mildly pleasant. The spatial scale of the dynamics had an unpleasant, arousing, and dominant effect, which was larger for textures with diverse content than for water textures. For water textures, the effects of spatial contrast were arousing, dominant, interesting, and mildly unpleasant. None of these effects were observed for textures of diverse content. The current findings are relevant for the design and synthesis of affective multimedia content and for affective scene indexing and retrieval. PMID:23145257

Dynamics of a multimode semiconductor laser with optical feedback

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Koryukin, I. V.

A new model of a multi-longitudinal-mode semiconductor laser with weak optical feedback is proposed. This model generalizes the well-known Tang-Statz-deMars equations, which are derived from the first principles and adequately describe solid-state lasers to a semiconductor active medium. Steady states of the model and the spectrum of relaxation oscillations are found, and the laser dynamics in the chaotic regime of low-frequency fluctuations of intensity is investigated. It is established that the dynamic properties of the proposed model depend mainly on the carrier diffusion, which controls mode-mode coupling in the active medium via spread of gratings of spatial inversion. The resultsmore » obtained are compared with the predictions of previous semiphenomenological models and the scope of applicability of these models is determined.« less

Experimental study on acoustic subwavelength imaging of holey-structured metamaterials by resonant tunneling.

PubMed

Su, Haijing; Zhou, Xiaoming; Xu, Xianchen; Hu, Gengkai

2014-04-01

A holey-structured metamaterial is proposed for near-field acoustic imaging beyond the diffraction limit. The structured lens consists of a rigid slab perforated with an array of cylindrical holes with periodically modulated diameters. Based on the effective medium approach, the structured lens is characterized by multilayered metamaterials with anisotropic dynamic mass, and an analytic model is proposed to evaluate the transmission properties of incident evanescent waves. The condition is derived for the resonant tunneling, by which evanescent waves can completely transmit through the structured lens without decaying. As an advantage of the proposed lens, the imaging frequency can be modified by the diameter modulation of internal holes without the change of the lens thickness in contrast to the lens due to the Fabry-Pérot resonant mechanism. In this experiment, the lens is assembled by aluminum plates drilled with cylindrical holes. The imaging experiment demonstrates that the designed lens can clearly distinguish two sources separated in the distance below the diffraction limit at the tunneling frequency.

An electromagnetic modulator based on electrically controllable metamaterial analogue to electromagnetically induced transparency.

PubMed

Fan, Yuancheng; Qiao, Tong; Zhang, Fuli; Fu, Quanhong; Dong, Jiajia; Kong, Botao; Li, Hongqiang

2017-01-16

Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) is a promising technology for the enhancement of light-matter interactions, and recent demonstrations of the EIT analogue realized in artificial micro-structured medium have remarkably reduced the extreme requirement for experimental observation of EIT spectrum. In this paper, we propose to electrically control the EIT-like spectrum in a metamaterial as an electromagnetic modulator. A diode acting as a tunable resistor is loaded in the gap of paired wires to inductively tune the magnetic resonance, which induces remarkable modulation on the EIT-like spectrum through the metamaterial sample. The experimental measurements confirmed that the prediction of electromagnetic modulation in three narrow bands on the EIT-like spectrum, and a modulation contrast of up to 31 dB was achieved on the transmission through the metamaterial. Our results may facilitate the study on active/dynamical technology in translational metamaterials, which connect extraordinary manipulations on the flow of light in metamaterials, e.g., the exotic EIT, and practical applications in industry.

Intrinsic Multi-Scale Dynamic Behaviors of Complex Financial Systems

PubMed Central

Ouyang, Fang-Yan; Zheng, Bo; Jiang, Xiong-Fei

2015-01-01

The empirical mode decomposition is applied to analyze the intrinsic multi-scale dynamic behaviors of complex financial systems. In this approach, the time series of the price returns of each stock is decomposed into a small number of intrinsic mode functions, which represent the price motion from high frequency to low frequency. These intrinsic mode functions are then grouped into three modes, i.e., the fast mode, medium mode and slow mode. The probability distribution of returns and auto-correlation of volatilities for the fast and medium modes exhibit similar behaviors as those of the full time series, i.e., these characteristics are rather robust in multi time scale. However, the cross-correlation between individual stocks and the return-volatility correlation are time scale dependent. The structure of business sectors is mainly governed by the fast mode when returns are sampled at a couple of days, while by the medium mode when returns are sampled at dozens of days. More importantly, the leverage and anti-leverage effects are dominated by the medium mode. PMID:26427063

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Nonlinear dynamics of drift structures in a magnetized dissipative plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aburjania, G. D.; Rogava, D. L.; Kharshiladze, O. A.

2011-06-15

A study is made of the nonlinear dynamics of solitary vortex structures in an inhomogeneous magnetized dissipative plasma. A nonlinear transport equation for long-wavelength drift wave structures is derived with allowance for the nonuniformity of the plasma density and temperature equilibria, as well as the magnetic and collisional viscosity of the medium and its friction. The dynamic equation describes two types of nonlinearity: scalar (due to the temperature inhomogeneity) and vector (due to the convectively polarized motion of the particles of the medium). The equation is fourth order in the spatial derivatives, in contrast to the second-order Hasegawa-Mima equations. Anmore » analytic steady solution to the nonlinear equation is obtained that describes a new type of solitary dipole vortex. The nonlinear dynamic equation is integrated numerically. A new algorithm and a new finite difference scheme for solving the equation are proposed, and it is proved that the solution so obtained is unique. The equation is used to investigate how the initially steady dipole vortex constructed here behaves unsteadily under the action of the factors just mentioned. Numerical simulations revealed that the role of the vector nonlinearity is twofold: it helps the dispersion or the scalar nonlinearity (depending on their magnitude) to ensure the mutual equilibrium and, thereby, promote self-organization of the vortical structures. It is shown that dispersion breaks the initial dipole vortex into a set of tightly packed, smaller scale, less intense monopole vortices-alternating cyclones and anticyclones. When the dispersion of the evolving initial dipole vortex is weak, the scalar nonlinearity symmetrically breaks a cyclone-anticyclone pair into a cyclone and an anticyclone, which are independent of one another and have essentially the same intensity, shape, and size. The stronger the dispersion, the more anisotropic the process whereby the structures break: the anticyclone is more intense and localized, while the cyclone is less intense and has a larger size. In the course of further evolution, the cyclone persists for a relatively longer time, while the anticyclone breaks into small-scale vortices and dissipation hastens this process. It is found that the relaxation of the vortex by viscous dissipation differs in character from that by the frictional force. The time scale on which the vortex is damped depends strongly on its typical size: larger scale vortices are longer lived structures. It is shown that, as the instability develops, the initial vortex is amplified and the lifetime of the dipole pair components-cyclone and anticyclone-becomes longer. As time elapses, small-scale noise is generated in the system, and the spatial structure of the perturbation potential becomes irregular. The pattern of interaction of solitary vortex structures among themselves and with the medium shows that they can take part in strong drift turbulence and anomalous transport of heat and matter in an inhomogeneous magnetized plasma.« less

Investigating the Problem Solving Competency of Pre Service Teachers in Dynamic Geometry Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haja, Shajahan

2005-01-01

This study investigated the problem-solving competency of four secondary pre service teachers (PSTs) of University of London as they explored geometry problems in dynamic geometry environment (DGE) in 2004. A constructivist experiment was designed in which dynamic software Cabri-Geometre II (hereafter Cabri) was used as an interactive medium.…

High frequency early in vitro flowering of Dendrobium Madame Thong-In (Orchidaceae).

PubMed

Sim, Guek Eng; Loh, Chiang Shiong; Goh, Chong Jin

2007-04-01

We have successfully developed a method to induce early in vitro flowering of the self-pollinated seedlings of a tropical orchid hybrid, Dendrobium Madame Thong-In. Transition of vegetative shoot apical meristem to inflorescence meristem was observed when young protocorms were cultured in modified KC liquid medium. In contrast, protocorms cultured on Gelrite-solidified medium only produced axillary shoots and roots. CW was required to trigger the transitional shoot apical meristem and BA enhanced inflorescence stalk initiation and flower bud formation. However, normal flower development was deformed in liquid medium but developed fully upon transferring to two-layered (liquid over Gelrite-solidified) medium. Under optimal condition, in vitro flowering was observed about 5 months after seed sowing. Segregation of flower colours was observed in these seedlings and seedpods formed upon artificial pollination of the in vitro flowers.

Motility of Escherichia coli in a quasi-two-dimensional porous medium.

PubMed

Sosa-Hernández, Juan Eduardo; Santillán, Moisés; Santana-Solano, Jesús

2017-03-01

Bacterial migration through confined spaces is critical for several phenomena, such as biofilm formation, bacterial transport in soils, and bacterial therapy against cancer. In the present work, E. coli (strain K12-MG1655 WT) motility was characterized by recording and analyzing individual bacterium trajectories in a simulated quasi-two-dimensional porous medium. The porous medium was simulated by enclosing, between slide and cover slip, a bacterial-culture sample mixed with uniform 2.98-μm-diameter spherical latex particles. The porosity of the medium was controlled by changing the latex particle concentration. By statistically analyzing several trajectory parameters (instantaneous velocity, turn angle, mean squared displacement, etc.), and contrasting with the results of a random-walk model developed ad hoc, we were able to quantify the effects that different obstacle concentrations have upon bacterial motility.

Catheter-Malposition-Induced Cardiac Tamponade via Contrast Media Leakage During Computed Tomography Study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liang, C.-D.; Ko, S.-F.; Huang, C.-F.

We present a rare case of a central venous catheter-malposition-induced life-threatening cardiac tamponade as a result of computed tomography (CT) with contrast enhancement in an infant with a ventricular septal defect and pulmonary atresia after a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. The diagnosis was confirmed by chest radiographs and CT study with catheter perforation through the right atrial wall and extravasation of the contrast medium into the pericardium, leading to cardiac tamponade and subsequent circulatory collapse. Two hours after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the patient gradually resumed normal hemodynamic status.

Live cell refractometry based on non-SPR microparticle sensor.

PubMed

Liu, Chang; Chen, David D Y; Yu, Lirong; Luo, Yong

2013-06-01

Unlike the nanoparticles with surface plasmon resonance, the optical response of polystyrene microparticles (PSMPs) is insensitive to the chemical components of the surrounding medium under the wavelength-dependent differential interference contrast microscopy. This fact is exploited for the measurement of the refractive index of cytoplasm in this study. PSMPs of 400 nm in diameter were loaded into the cell to contact cytoplasm seamlessly, and the refractive index information of cytoplasm could be extracted by differential interference contrast microscopy operated at 420 nm illumination wavelength through the contrast analysis of PSMPs images. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Radiation-chemical and optical properties of a radio-fluorogenic gel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Tiantian; Gasparini, Alessia; Denkova, Antonia G.; Warman, John M.

2015-01-01

The radiation-induced polymerization and fluorescence intensity of a radio- fluorogenic medium consisting of tertiary-butyl acrylate (TBA) with ca 100 ppm maleimido- pyrene (MPy) display a super-linear dependence on dose and a close to inverse square root dependence on dose rate over the range from 2 to 30 Gy/min. In contrast with the fluorescence, the clarity and optical absorption remain unchanged on irradiation up to at least 17% monomer conversion for which the medium is a rigid gel.

Nonlinear Dynamics of a Bubble Contrast Agent Oscillating near an Elastic Wall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garashchuk, Ivan R.; Sinelshchikov, Dmitry I.; Kudryashov, Nikolay A.

2018-05-01

Contrast agent microbubbles, which are encapsulated gas bubbles, are widely used to enhance ultrasound imaging. There are also several new promising applications of the contrast agents such as targeted drug delivery and noninvasive therapy. Here we study three models of the microbubble dynamics: a nonencapsulated bubble oscillating close to an elastic wall, a simple coated bubble and a coated bubble near an elastic wall.We demonstrate that complex dynamics can occur in these models. We are particularly interested in the multistability phenomenon of bubble dynamics. We show that coexisting attractors appear in all of these models, but for higher acoustic pressures for the models of an encapsulated bubble.We demonstrate how several tools can be used to localize the coexisting attractors. We provide some considerations why the multistability can be undesirable for applications.

Influence of the medium's dimensionality on defect-mediated turbulence.

PubMed

St-Yves, Ghislain; Davidsen, Jörn

2015-03-01

Spatiotemporal chaos in oscillatory and excitable media is often characterized by the presence of phase singularities called defects. Understanding such defect-mediated turbulence and its dependence on the dimensionality of a given system is an important challenge in nonlinear dynamics. This is especially true in the context of ventricular fibrillation in the heart, where the importance of the thickness of the ventricular wall is contentious. Here, we study defect-mediated turbulence arising in two different regimes in a conceptual model of excitable media and investigate how the statistical character of the turbulence changes if the thickness of the medium is changed from (quasi-) two- dimensional to three dimensional. We find that the thickness of the medium does not have a significant influence in, far from onset, fully developed turbulence while there is a clear transition if the system is close to a spiral instability. We provide clear evidence that the observed transition and change in the mechanism that drives the turbulent behavior is purely a consequence of the dimensionality of the medium. Using filament tracking, we further show that the statistical properties in the three-dimensional medium are different from those in turbulent regimes arising from filament instabilities like the negative line tension instability. Simulations also show that the presence of this unique three-dimensional turbulent dynamics is not model specific.

Deuterium Abundance in the Local Interstellar Medium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferlet, R.; Gry, C.; Vidal-Madjar, A.

1984-01-01

The present situation of deuterium abundance evaluation in interstellar space is discussed, and it is shown that it should be or = .00001 by studying in more detail lambda the Sco line of sight and by observing two NaI interstellar components toward that star, it can be shown that the D/H evaluation made toward lambda Sco is in fact related to the local interstellar medium (less than 10 pc from the Sun). Because this evaluation is also or = .00001 it is in striking contrast with the one made toward alpha Aur (D/H or = .000018 confirming the fact that the deuterium abundance in the local interstellar medium varies by at least a factor of two over few parsecs.

Dynamic speckle study of microbial growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vincitorio, F. M.; Mulone, C.; Marcuzzi, P. A.; Budini, N.; Freyre, C.; Lopez, A. J.; Ramil, A.

2015-08-01

In this work we present a characterization of yeast dynamic speckle activity during growth in an isolated agar culture medium. We found that it is possible to detect the growth of the microorganisms even before they turn out to be visible. By observing the time evolution of the speckle activity at different regions of the culture medium we could extract a map of the growth process, which served to analyze how the yeast develops and spreads over the agar's medium. An interesting point of this study concerns with the influence of the laser light on the yeast growth rate. We have found that yeast finds hard to develop at regions with higher laser light illumination, although we used a synchronous system to capture the speckle pattern. The results obtained in this work would serve us as a starting point to fabricate a detector of growing microorganism colonies, with obvious interesting applications in diverse areas.

Time-frequency dynamics of superluminal pulse transition to the subluminal regime.

PubMed

Dorrah, Ahmed H; Ramakrishnan, Abhinav; Mojahedi, Mo

2015-03-01

Spectral reshaping and nonuniform phase delay associated with an electromagnetic pulse propagating in a temporally dispersive medium may lead to interesting observations in which the group velocity becomes superluminal or even negative. In such cases, the finite bandwidth of the superluminal region implies the inevitable existence of a cutoff distance beyond which a superluminal pulse becomes subluminal. In this paper, we derive a closed-form analytic expression to estimate this cutoff distance in abnormal dispersive media with gain. Moreover, the method of steepest descent is used to track the time-frequency dynamics associated with the evolution of the center of mass of a superluminal pulse to the subluminal regime. This evolution takes place at longer propagation depths as a result of the subluminal components affecting the behavior of the pulse. Finally, the analysis presents the fundamental limitations of superluminal propagation in light of factors such as the medium depth, pulse width, and the medium dispersion strength.

Hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa): dynamic CT, MRI, ultrasonography, and pathologic features--analysis of 7 cases and review of the literature.

PubMed

Tan, Yan; Xiao, En-hua

2012-10-01

To evaluate the dynamic CT, MRI, ultrasonography, and pathologic features of hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa), improving the understanding and diagnosis of the tumor. A retrospective analysis of CT, MRI, ultrasonography, and pathologic features of 7 hepatic PEComas diagnosed by pathology during 1st January 2005 to 1st September 2011 in our hospital. The performance of dynamic CT, MRI, and ultrasonography revealed that lesions were regular masses with well-defined borders, the maximum diameters were 2.5-8.5 cm (mean = 4 cm), density was homogeneous, contrast-enhanced CT and MRI showed the lesions were significantly and heterogeneously enhanced on arterial phase, less enhanced on portal venous phase, and slightly hypodense on delayed phase. One patient had multiple hepatic lesions and had delayed enhancement. There were no backgrounds of hepatitis and cirrhosis, enlarged lymph nodes, or distant metastases. Pathology showed the gross appearance of the tumor was smooth. Tumor cells were round or polygonal, with clear boundaries and clear membranes, and had abundant translucent cytoplasm. Nuclei were round, with medium size. Tumor cells were epithelial-like cells and arranged in dense sheets. Immunohistochemistry showed that most of them were positive in HMB45 and MelanA, S-100, SMA, while negative in CgA, Syn, CK, CD117, CD10, and CD34. Dynamic CT, MRI, ultrasonography, and pathology of PEComa had some characteristics of benign tumor's performance. Enhanced scan showed PEComa quickly enhanced on arterial phase and enhanced less on portal venous phase. Knowing these characteristics could help to improve the understanding and diagnosis of hepatic PEComa.

Preoperative prognostic value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI-derived contrast transfer coefficient and plasma volume in patients with cerebral gliomas.

PubMed

Nguyen, T B; Cron, G O; Mercier, J F; Foottit, C; Torres, C H; Chakraborty, S; Woulfe, J; Jansen, G H; Caudrelier, J M; Sinclair, J; Hogan, M J; Thornhill, R E; Cameron, I G

2015-01-01

The prognostic value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging-derived plasma volume obtained in tumor and the contrast transfer coefficient has not been well-established in patients with gliomas. We determined whether plasma volume and contrast transfer coefficient in tumor correlated with survival in patients with gliomas in addition to other factors such as age, type of surgery, preoperative Karnofsky score, contrast enhancement, and histopathologic grade. This prospective study included 46 patients with a new pathologically confirmed diagnosis of glioma. The contrast transfer coefficient and plasma volume obtained in tumor maps were calculated directly from the signal-intensity curve without T1 measurements, and values were obtained from multiple small ROIs placed within tumors. Survival curve analysis was performed by dichotomizing patients into groups of high and low contrast transfer coefficient and plasma volume. Univariate analysis was performed by using dynamic contrast-enhanced parameters and clinical factors. Factors that were significant on univariate analysis were entered into multivariate analysis. For all patients with gliomas, survival was worse for groups of patients with high contrast transfer coefficient and plasma volume obtained in tumor (P < .05). In subgroups of high- and low-grade gliomas, survival was worse for groups of patients with high contrast transfer coefficient and plasma volume obtained in tumor (P < .05). Univariate analysis showed that factors associated with lower survival were age older than 50 years, low Karnofsky score, biopsy-only versus resection, marked contrast enhancement versus no/mild enhancement, high contrast transfer coefficient, and high plasma volume obtained in tumor (P < .05). In multivariate analysis, a low Karnofsky score, biopsy versus resection in combination with marked contrast enhancement, and a high contrast transfer coefficient were associated with lower survival rates (P < .05). In patients with glioma, those with a high contrast transfer coefficient have lower survival than those with low parameters. © 2015 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

The role of magnetic fields in the structure and interaction of supershells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ntormousi, Evangelia; Dawson, Joanne R.; Hennebelle, Patrick; Fierlinger, Katharina

2017-03-01

Context. Large-scale shocks formed by clustered feedback of young OB stars are considered an important source of mechanical energy for the interstellar medium (ISM) and a trigger of molecular cloud formation. Their interaction sites are locations where kinetic energy and magnetic fields are redistributed between ISM phases. Aims: In this work we address two questions, both involving the role of galactic magnetic fields in the dynamics of supershells and their interactions. On the one hand, we study the effect of the magnetic field on the expansion and fragmentation of supershells and, on the other hand, we look for the signatures of supershell collisions on dense structures and on the kinetic and magnetic energy distribution of the ISM. Methods: We performed a series of high-resolution, three-dimensional simulations of colliding supershells. The shocks are created by time-dependent feedback and evolve in a diffuse turbulent environment that is either unmagnetized or has different initial magnetic field configurations. Results: In the hydrodynamical situation, the expansion law of the superbubbles is consistent with the radius-time relation R ∝ t3/5 that is theoretically predicted for wind-blown bubbles. The supershells fragment over their entire surface into small dense clumps that carry more than half of the total kinetic energy in the volume. However, this is not the case when a magnetic field is introduced, either in the direction of the collision or perpendicular to the collision. In both situations, the shell surfaces are more stable to dynamical instabilities. When the magnetic field opposes the collision, the expansion law of the supershells also becomes significantly flatter than in the hydrodynamical case. Although a two-phase medium arises in all cases, in the magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) simulations the cold phase is limited to lower densities and the cold clumps are located further away from the shocks with respect to the hydrodynamical simulations. Conclusions: For the parameters we explored, self-gravity has no effect on either the superbubble expansion or the shock fragmentation. In contrast, a magnetic field, whether mostly parallel or mostly perpendicular to the collision axis, causes a deceleration of the shocks, deforms them significantly, and largely suppresses the formation of the dense gas on their surface. The result is a multi-phase medium in which the cold clumps are not spatially correlated with the supershells.

Density-dependent regulation of growth of BSC-1 cells in cell culture: growth inhibitors formed by the cells.

PubMed Central

Holley, R W; Armour, R; Baldwin, J H

1978-01-01

Inhibitors formed by a monkey epithelial cell line, BSC-1, play an important role in limiting growth at high cell densities. At least three inhibitors are formed: lactic acid, ammonia, and an unidentified inhibitor that may be an unstable protein. The unidentified inhibitor is destroyed by shaking the conditioned medium, by bubbling gas through the medium, or by heating or storing the medium in the absence of cells. The concentrations of lactic acid and ammonia that accumulate in conditioned medium inhibit growth when added to fresh medium. These results, together with earlier studies, indicate that density-dependent regulation of growth of BSC-1 cells results from the combined effects of (a) inhibitors formed by the cells, (b) decreased availability of receptor sites for serum growth factors as the cells become crowded, and (c) limiting concentrations of low molecular weight nutrients in the medium. In contrast, density-dependent regulation of growth in 3T3 mouse embryo fibroblasts results almost entirely from inactivation of serum factors. PMID:273914

Degree of Enhancement on Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) and Lesion Type on Mammography (MG): Comparison Based on Histological Results

PubMed Central

Łuczyńska, Elżbieta; Niemiec, Joanna; Hendrick, Edward; Heinze, Sylwia; Jaszczyński, Janusz; Jakubowicz, Jerzy; Sas-Korczyńska, Beata; Rys, Janusz

2016-01-01

Background Contrast enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) is a new method of breast cancer diagnosis in which an iodinated contrast agent is injected and dual-energy mammography is obtained in multiple views of the breasts. The aim of this study was to compare the degree of enhancement on CESM with lesion characteristics on mammography (MG) and lesion histology in women with suspicious breast lesions. Material/Methods The degree of enhancement on CESM (absent, weak, medium, or strong) was compared to lesion characteristics on MG (mass, mass with microcalcifications, or microcalcifications alone) and histology (infiltrating carcinoma, intraductal carcinoma, or benign) to compare sensitivity of the two modalities and to establish correlations that might improve diagnostic accuracy. Results Among 225 lesions identified with CESM and MG, histological evaluation revealed 143 carcinomas (127 infiltrating, 16 intraductal) and 82 benign lesions. This is the largest cohort investigated with CESM to date. The sensitivity of CESM was higher than that of MG (100% and 90%, respectively, p=0.010). Medium or strong enhancement on CESM and the presence of a mass on MG was the most likely indictor of malignancy (55.1% p=0.002). Among benign lesions, 60% presented as enhancement on CESM (were false-positive), and most frequently as medium or weak enhancement, together with a mass on MG (53%, p=0.047). Unfortunately, the study did not find combinations of MG findings and CESM enhancement patterns that would be helpful in defining false-positive lesions. We observed systematic overestimation of maximum lesion diameter on CESM compared to histology (mean difference: 2.29 mm). Conclusions Strong or medium enhancement on CESM and mass or mass with microcalcifications on MG were strong indicators of malignant transformation. However, we found no combination of MG and CESM characteristics helpful in defining false-positive lesions. PMID:27768681

Degree of Enhancement on Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) and Lesion Type on Mammography (MG): Comparison Based on Histological Results.

PubMed

Łuczyńska, Elżbieta; Niemiec, Joanna; Hendrick, Edward; Heinze, Sylwia; Jaszczyński, Janusz; Jakubowicz, Jerzy; Sas-Korczyńska, Beata; Rys, Janusz

2016-10-21

BACKGROUND Contrast enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) is a new method of breast cancer diagnosis in which an iodinated contrast agent is injected and dual-energy mammography is obtained in multiple views of the breasts. The aim of this study was to compare the degree of enhancement on CESM with lesion characteristics on mammography (MG) and lesion histology in women with suspicious breast lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS The degree of enhancement on CESM (absent, weak, medium, or strong) was compared to lesion characteristics on MG (mass, mass with microcalcifications, or microcalcifications alone) and histology (infiltrating carcinoma, intraductal carcinoma, or benign) to compare sensitivity of the two modalities and to establish correlations that might improve diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS Among 225 lesions identified with CESM and MG, histological evaluation revealed 143 carcinomas (127 infiltrating, 16 intraductal) and 82 benign lesions. This is the largest cohort investigated with CESM to date. The sensitivity of CESM was higher than that of MG (100% and 90%, respectively, p=0.010). Medium or strong enhancement on CESM and the presence of a mass on MG was the most likely indictor of malignancy (55.1% p=0.002). Among benign lesions, 60% presented as enhancement on CESM (were false-positive), and most frequently as medium or weak enhancement, together with a mass on MG (53%, p=0.047). Unfortunately, the study did not find combinations of MG findings and CESM enhancement patterns that would be helpful in defining false-positive lesions. We observed systematic overestimation of maximum lesion diameter on CESM compared to histology (mean difference: 2.29 mm). CONCLUSIONS Strong or medium enhancement on CESM and mass or mass with microcalcifications on MG were strong indicators of malignant transformation. However, we found no combination of MG and CESM characteristics helpful in defining false-positive lesions.

Propagation of monochromatic light in a hot and dense medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masood, Samina S.

2017-12-01

Photons, as quanta of electromagnetic fields, determine the electromagnetic properties of an extremely hot and dense medium. Considering the properties of the photons in the interacting medium of charged particles, we explicitly calculate the electromagnetic properties such as the electric permittivity, magnetic permeability, refractive index and the propagation speed of electromagnetic signals in an extremely hot and dense background. Photons acquire a dynamically generated mass in such a medium. The screening mass of the photon, the Debye shielding length and the plasma frequency are calculated as functions of the statistical parameters of the medium. We study the properties of the propagating particles in astrophysical systems of distinct statistical conditions. The modifications in the properties of the medium lead to the equation of state of the system. We mainly calculate all these parameters for extremely high temperatures of the early universe.

Flow Dynamics of Contrast Dispersion in the Aorta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eslami, Parastou; Seo, Jung-Hee; Chen, Marcus; Mittal, Rajat

2016-11-01

The time profile of the contrast concentration or arterial input function (AIF) has many fundamental clinical implications and is of importance for many imaging modalities and diagnosis such as MR perfusion, CT perfusion and CT angiography (CTA). Contrast dispersion in CTA has been utilized to develop a novel method- Transluminal Attenuation Flow Encoding (TAFE)- to estimate coronary blood flow (CBF). However, in clinical practice, AIF is only available in the descending aorta and is used as a surrogate of the AIF at the coronary ostium. In this work we use patient specific computational models of the complete aorta to investigate the fluid dynamics of contrast dispersion in the aorta. The simulation employs a realistic kinematic model of the aortic valve and the dispersion patterns are correlated with the complex dynamics of the pulsatile flow in the curved aorta. The simulations allow us to determine the implications of using the descending aorta AIF as a surrogate for the AIF at the coronary ostium. PE is supported by the NIH Individual Partnership Program. -/abstract- Category: 4.7.1: Biological fluid dynamics: Physiological - Cardiovasc This work was done at Johns Hopkins University.

In vivo optical imaging and dynamic contrast methods for biomedical research

PubMed Central

Hillman, Elizabeth M. C.; Amoozegar, Cyrus B.; Wang, Tracy; McCaslin, Addason F. H.; Bouchard, Matthew B.; Mansfield, James; Levenson, Richard M.

2011-01-01

This paper provides an overview of optical imaging methods commonly applied to basic research applications. Optical imaging is well suited for non-clinical use, since it can exploit an enormous range of endogenous and exogenous forms of contrast that provide information about the structure and function of tissues ranging from single cells to entire organisms. An additional benefit of optical imaging that is often under-exploited is its ability to acquire data at high speeds; a feature that enables it to not only observe static distributions of contrast, but to probe and characterize dynamic events related to physiology, disease progression and acute interventions in real time. The benefits and limitations of in vivo optical imaging for biomedical research applications are described, followed by a perspective on future applications of optical imaging for basic research centred on a recently introduced real-time imaging technique called dynamic contrast-enhanced small animal molecular imaging (DyCE). PMID:22006910

Enhancement tuning and control for high dynamic range images in multi-scale locally adaptive contrast enhancement algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cvetkovic, Sascha D.; Schirris, Johan; de With, Peter H. N.

2009-01-01

For real-time imaging in surveillance applications, visibility of details is of primary importance to ensure customer confidence. If we display High Dynamic-Range (HDR) scenes whose contrast spans four or more orders of magnitude on a conventional monitor without additional processing, results are unacceptable. Compression of the dynamic range is therefore a compulsory part of any high-end video processing chain because standard monitors are inherently Low- Dynamic Range (LDR) devices with maximally two orders of display dynamic range. In real-time camera processing, many complex scenes are improved with local contrast enhancements, bringing details to the best possible visibility. In this paper, we show how a multi-scale high-frequency enhancement scheme, in which gain is a non-linear function of the detail energy, can be used for the dynamic range compression of HDR real-time video camera signals. We also show the connection of our enhancement scheme to the processing way of the Human Visual System (HVS). Our algorithm simultaneously controls perceived sharpness, ringing ("halo") artifacts (contrast) and noise, resulting in a good balance between visibility of details and non-disturbance of artifacts. The overall quality enhancement, suitable for both HDR and LDR scenes, is based on a careful selection of the filter types for the multi-band decomposition and a detailed analysis of the signal per frequency band.

The observed life cycle of a baroclinic instability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Randel, W. J.; Stanford, J. L.

1985-01-01

Medium-scale waves (zonal wavenumbers 4-7) frequently dominate Southern Hemisphere summer circulation patterns. Randel and Stanford have studied the dynamics of these features, demonstrating that the medium-scale waves result from baroclinic excitation and exhibit well-defined life cycles. This study details the evolution of the medium-scale waves during a particular life cycle. The specific case chosen exhibits a high degree of zonal symmetry, prompting study based upon zonally averaged diagnostics. An analysis of the medium-scale wave energetics reveals a well-defined life cycle of baroclinic growth, maturity, and barotropic decay. Eliassen-Palm flux diagrams detail the daily wave structure and its interaction with the zonally-averaged flow.

[Radiographic, MR or ultrasound contrast media in pregnant or breast-feeding women: what are the key issues?].

PubMed

Fröhlich, J M; Kubik-Huch, R A

2013-01-01

The use and the safety of radiographic, MR- or ultrasound contrast media in the diagnostic work-up of pregnant or lactating patients is a frequently discussed question. As only sparse clinical data is available, a careful benefit-risk assessment must contain physico-chemical properties, preclinical data including teratogeneity and embryotoxicity, as well as maternal and foetal exposure. With consideration to the individual risks, iodinated contrast media, macrocyclic MR contrast media with increased stability or sulphur hexafluoride ultrasound contrast media may, if clinically justified, be administered in the smallest possible doses throughout pregnancy. After parental administration of an iodinated contrast medium after the 12th week of pregnancy, the neonate's thyroidal function should be checked during the first week after birth. After parental administration of iodinated, stable macrocyclic, gadolinium or ultrasound contrast media, lactation can be continued normally. In any case, contrast media should be used with caution and only if the benefits outweigh the risk. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

16 CFR 1508.9 - Identifying marks, warning statement, and compliance declaration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... shall appear in block letters, shall contrast sharply with the background (by color, projection, and/or... affixed, fastened, or attached thereto by means of a tag, token, or other suitable medium. The markings...

New Tool to Predict Glaucoma

MedlinePlus

... Size Small Text Medium Text Large Text Contrast Dark on Light Light on Dark Donate Search Menu Donate What is Glaucoma? Care ... Low Vision Resources Medication Guide Resources on the Web » See All Articles Where the Money Goes Have ...

Cross correlation analysis of medium energy gamma rays for the Northern Hemisphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Long, J.; Zanrosso, E.; Zych, A. D.; White, R. S.

1982-01-01

In the cross correlation method the observed gamma rays are compared with the expected telescope response for a discrete celestial source. The background consists of the atmospheric flux with its maximum near the horizon, the cosmic diffuse flux, and neutron induced gamma rays in the telescope. In sharp contrast to the background, a celestial source produces an asymmetric azimuthal response which varies predictably in time as the source moves through the telescope's aperture. This contrast serves as the basis of the cross correlation technique. Continuous data of 47.5 hr were obtained during a balloon flight from Palestine, TX from 0930 UT on September 30, 1978 to 2300 UT on October 1, 1978. The Crab Nebula-Anticenter region was observed on two consecutive days. A number of other medium energy source candidates also crossed the field-of-view. The obtained results are discussed.

New subtraction algorithms for evaluation of lesions on dynamic contrast-enhanced MR mammography.

PubMed

Choi, Byung Gil; Kim, Hak Hee; Kim, Euy Neyng; Kim, Bum-soo; Han, Ji-Youn; Yoo, Seung-Schik; Park, Seog Hee

2002-12-01

We report new subtraction algorithms for the detection of lesions in dynamic contrast-enhanced MR mammography(CE MRM). Twenty-five patients with suspicious breast lesions underwent dynamic CE MRM using 3D fast low-angle shot. After the acquisition of the T1-weighted scout images, dynamic images were acquired six times after the bolus injection of contrast media. Serial subtractions, step-by-step subtractions, and reverse subtractions, were performed. Two radiologists attempted to differentiate benign from malignant lesion in consensus. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the method leading to the differentiation of malignant tumor from benign lesions were 85.7, 100, and 96%, respectively. Subtraction images allowed for better visualization of the enhancement as well as its temporal pattern than visual inspection of dynamic images alone. Our findings suggest that the new subtraction algorithm is adequate for screening malignant breast lesions and can potentially replace the time-intensity profile analysis on user-selected regions of interest.

Laboratory Studies of Survival Limits of Bacteria During Shock Compression: Application to Impacts on the Early Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Willis, M. J.; Ahrens, T. J.; Bertani, L. E.; Nash, C. Z.

2004-12-01

Shock recovery experiments on suspensions of 106 mm-3 E. coli bacteria contained in water-based medium, within stainless steel containers, are used to simulate the impact environment of bacteria residing in water-filled cracks in rocks. Early Earth life is likely to have existed in such environments. Some 10-2 to 10-4 of the bacteria population survived initial (800 ns duration) shock pressures in water of 219 and 260 MPa. TEM images of shock recovered bacteria indicate cell wall indentations and rupture, possibly induced by inward invasion of medium into the cell wall. Notably cell wall rupture occurs dynamically at ˜0.1 times the static pressures E.coli have been demonstrated (Sharma et al., 2002) to survive and may be caused by Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities. We infer the invading fluid pressure may exceed the tensile strength of the cell wall. We assume the overpressures are limited to the initial shock pressure in water. Parameters for the Grady & Lipkin (1980) model of tensile failure versus time-scale (strain rate) are fit to present data, assuming that at low strain rates, overpressures exceeding cell Turgor pressure require ˜103 sec. This model, if validated by experiments at other timescales, may permit using short loading duration laboratory data to infer response of organisms to lower shock overpressures for the longer times (100 to 103 s) of planetary impacts. An Ahrens & O'Keefe (1987) shock attenuation model is then applied for Earth impactors. This model suggests that Earth impactors of radius 1.5 km induce shocks within water-filled cracks in rock to dynamic pressure such that stresses exceeding the survivability threshold of E. coli bacteria, to radii of 1.7-2.6×102 km. In contrast, a giant (1500 km radius) impactor produces a non survival zone for E. coli that encompasses the entire Earth.

Physiological and Proteomic Adaptation of “Aromatoleum aromaticum” EbN1 to Low Growth Rates in Benzoate-Limited, Anoxic Chemostats

PubMed Central

Trautwein, Kathleen; Lahme, Sven; Wöhlbrand, Lars; Feenders, Christoph; Mangelsdorf, Kai; Harder, Jens; Steinbüchel, Alexander; Blasius, Bernd; Reinhardt, Richard

2012-01-01

“Aromatoleum aromaticum” EbN1 was cultivated at different growth rates in benzoate-limited chemostats under nitrate-reducing conditions. Physiological characteristics, proteome dynamics, phospholipid-linked fatty acid (PLFA) composition, and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) content were analyzed in steady-state cells at low (μlow) (0.036 h−1), medium (μmed) (0.108 h−1), and high (μhigh) (0.180 h−1) growth rates. A positive correlation to growth rate was observed for cellular parameters (cell size, and DNA and protein contents). The free energy consumed for biomass formation steadily increased with growth rate. In contrast, the energy demand for maintenance increased only from μlow to μmed and then remained constant until μhigh. The most comprehensive proteomic changes were observed at μlow compared to μhigh. Uniformly decreased abundances of protein components of the anaerobic benzoyl coenzyme A (benzoyl-CoA) pathway, central carbon metabolism, and information processing agree with a general deceleration of benzoate metabolism and cellular processes in response to slow growth. In contrast, increased abundances were observed at μlow for diverse catabolic proteins and components of uptake systems in the absence of the respective substrate (aromatic or aliphatic compounds) and for proteins involved in stress responses. This potential catabolic versatility and stress defense during slow growth may be interpreted as preparation for future needs. PMID:22366417

Simultaneous acquisition sequence for improved hepatic pharmacokinetics quantification accuracy (SAHA) for dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of liver.

PubMed

Ning, Jia; Sun, Yongliang; Xie, Sheng; Zhang, Bida; Huang, Feng; Koken, Peter; Smink, Jouke; Yuan, Chun; Chen, Huijun

2018-05-01

To propose a simultaneous acquisition sequence for improved hepatic pharmacokinetics quantification accuracy (SAHA) method for liver dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. The proposed SAHA simultaneously acquired high temporal-resolution 2D images for vascular input function extraction using Cartesian sampling and 3D large-coverage high spatial-resolution liver dynamic contrast-enhanced images using golden angle stack-of-stars acquisition in an interleaved way. Simulations were conducted to investigate the accuracy of SAHA in pharmacokinetic analysis. A healthy volunteer and three patients with cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma were included in the study to investigate the feasibility of SAHA in vivo. Simulation studies showed that SAHA can provide closer results to the true values and lower root mean square error of estimated pharmacokinetic parameters in all of the tested scenarios. The in vivo scans of subjects provided fair image quality of both 2D images for arterial input function and portal venous input function and 3D whole liver images. The in vivo fitting results showed that the perfusion parameters of healthy liver were significantly different from those of cirrhotic liver and HCC. The proposed SAHA can provide improved accuracy in pharmacokinetic modeling and is feasible in human liver dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, suggesting that SAHA is a potential tool for liver dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. Magn Reson Med 79:2629-2641, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Towards Dynamic Contrast Specific Ultrasound Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demi, Libertario; van Sloun, Ruud J. G.; Wijkstra, Hessel; Mischi, Massimo

2016-10-01

We report on the first study demonstrating the ability of a recently-developed, contrast-enhanced, ultrasound imaging method, referred to as cumulative phase delay imaging (CPDI), to image and quantify ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) kinetics. Unlike standard ultrasound tomography, which exploits changes in speed of sound and attenuation, CPDI is based on a marker specific to UCAs, thus enabling dynamic contrast-specific ultrasound tomography (DCS-UST). For breast imaging, DCS-UST will lead to a more practical, faster, and less operator-dependent imaging procedure compared to standard echo-contrast, while preserving accurate imaging of contrast kinetics. Moreover, a linear relation between CPD values and ultrasound second-harmonic intensity was measured (coefficient of determination = 0.87). DCS-UST can find clinical applications as a diagnostic method for breast cancer localization, adding important features to multi-parametric ultrasound tomography of the breast.

Towards Dynamic Contrast Specific Ultrasound Tomography.

PubMed

Demi, Libertario; Van Sloun, Ruud J G; Wijkstra, Hessel; Mischi, Massimo

2016-10-05

We report on the first study demonstrating the ability of a recently-developed, contrast-enhanced, ultrasound imaging method, referred to as cumulative phase delay imaging (CPDI), to image and quantify ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) kinetics. Unlike standard ultrasound tomography, which exploits changes in speed of sound and attenuation, CPDI is based on a marker specific to UCAs, thus enabling dynamic contrast-specific ultrasound tomography (DCS-UST). For breast imaging, DCS-UST will lead to a more practical, faster, and less operator-dependent imaging procedure compared to standard echo-contrast, while preserving accurate imaging of contrast kinetics. Moreover, a linear relation between CPD values and ultrasound second-harmonic intensity was measured (coefficient of determination = 0.87). DCS-UST can find clinical applications as a diagnostic method for breast cancer localization, adding important features to multi-parametric ultrasound tomography of the breast.

Towards Dynamic Contrast Specific Ultrasound Tomography

PubMed Central

Demi, Libertario; Van Sloun, Ruud J. G.; Wijkstra, Hessel; Mischi, Massimo

2016-01-01

We report on the first study demonstrating the ability of a recently-developed, contrast-enhanced, ultrasound imaging method, referred to as cumulative phase delay imaging (CPDI), to image and quantify ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) kinetics. Unlike standard ultrasound tomography, which exploits changes in speed of sound and attenuation, CPDI is based on a marker specific to UCAs, thus enabling dynamic contrast-specific ultrasound tomography (DCS-UST). For breast imaging, DCS-UST will lead to a more practical, faster, and less operator-dependent imaging procedure compared to standard echo-contrast, while preserving accurate imaging of contrast kinetics. Moreover, a linear relation between CPD values and ultrasound second-harmonic intensity was measured (coefficient of determination = 0.87). DCS-UST can find clinical applications as a diagnostic method for breast cancer localization, adding important features to multi-parametric ultrasound tomography of the breast. PMID:27703251

A generalised porous medium approach to study thermo-fluid dynamics in human eyes.

PubMed

Mauro, Alessandro; Massarotti, Nicola; Salahudeen, Mohamed; Romano, Mario R; Romano, Vito; Nithiarasu, Perumal

2018-03-22

The present work describes the application of the generalised porous medium model to study heat and fluid flow in healthy and glaucomatous eyes of different subject specimens, considering the presence of ocular cavities and porous tissues. The 2D computational model, implemented into the open-source software OpenFOAM, has been verified against benchmark data for mixed convection in domains partially filled with a porous medium. The verified model has been employed to simulate the thermo-fluid dynamic phenomena occurring in the anterior section of four patient-specific human eyes, considering the presence of anterior chamber (AC), trabecular meshwork (TM), Schlemm's canal (SC), and collector channels (CC). The computational domains of the eye are extracted from tomographic images. The dependence of TM porosity and permeability on intraocular pressure (IOP) has been analysed in detail, and the differences between healthy and glaucomatous eye conditions have been highlighted, proving that the different physiological conditions of patients have a significant influence on the thermo-fluid dynamic phenomena. The influence of different eye positions (supine and standing) on thermo-fluid dynamic variables has been also investigated: results are presented in terms of velocity, pressure, temperature, friction coefficient and local Nusselt number. The results clearly indicate that porosity and permeability of TM are two important parameters that affect eye pressure distribution. Graphical abstract Velocity contours and vectors for healthy eyes (top) and glaucomatous eyes (bottom) for standing position.

Properties of Streptococcus mutans Grown in a Synthetic Medium: Binding of Glucosyltransferase and In Vitro Adherence, and Binding of Dextran/Glucan and Glycoprotein and Agglutination

PubMed Central

Wu-Yuan, Christine D.; Tai, Stella; Slade, Hutton D.

1979-01-01

The influence of culture media on various properties of Streptococcus mutans was investigated. Strains of S. mutans (serotypes c, d, f, and g) were grown in a complex medium (Todd-Hewitt broth [THB]) or a synthetic medium (SYN). The SYN cells, in contrast to THB cells, did not bind extracellular glucosyltransferase and did not produce in vitro adherence. Both types of cells possessed constitutive levels of glucosyltransferase. B13 cells grown in SYN plus invertase-treated glucose possessed the same level of constitutive enzyme as THB cells. In contrast to THB cells, the SYN cells of seven serotype strains did not agglutinate upon the addition of high-molecular-weight dextran/glucan. Significant quantities of lower-molecular-weight (2 × 104 or 7 × 104) dextran and B13 glucan were bound by SYN cells. SYN cells agglutinated weakly in anti-glucan serum (titers, 0 to 16), whereas THB cells possessed titers of 32 to 256. Evidence for the existence of a second binding site in agglutination which does not possess a glucan-like polymer has been obtained. B13 cells grown in invertase-treated THB agglutinated to the same degree as normal THB cells. The nature of this site is unknown. SYN cells possess the type-specific polysaccharide antigen. B13 cells did not bind from THB a glycoprotein which reacts with antisera to the A, B, or T blood group antigens or which allows agglutination upon the addition of dextran. The results demonstrate that S. mutans grown in a chemically defined medium possesse markedly different biochemical and biological activities than cells grown in a complex organic medium. PMID:457252

An improved contrast enhancement algorithm for infrared images based on adaptive double plateaus histogram equalization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shuo; Jin, Weiqi; Li, Li; Li, Yiyang

2018-05-01

Infrared thermal images can reflect the thermal-radiation distribution of a particular scene. However, the contrast of the infrared images is usually low. Hence, it is generally necessary to enhance the contrast of infrared images in advance to facilitate subsequent recognition and analysis. Based on the adaptive double plateaus histogram equalization, this paper presents an improved contrast enhancement algorithm for infrared thermal images. In the proposed algorithm, the normalized coefficient of variation of the histogram, which characterizes the level of contrast enhancement, is introduced as feedback information to adjust the upper and lower plateau thresholds. The experiments on actual infrared images show that compared to the three typical contrast-enhancement algorithms, the proposed algorithm has better scene adaptability and yields better contrast-enhancement results for infrared images with more dark areas or a higher dynamic range. Hence, it has high application value in contrast enhancement, dynamic range compression, and digital detail enhancement for infrared thermal images.

Towards a Dynamic Conceptual Framework for English-Medium Education in Multilingual University Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dafouz, Emma; Smit, Ute

2016-01-01

At a time of increasing internationalization in tertiary education, English-Medium Education in Multilingual University Settings (EMEMUS) has become a common practice. While there is already ample research describing this phenomenon at a local level (Smit and Dafouz 2012a), the theoretical side needs to be elaborated. This article thus aims to…

The Dynamics of Supply and Demand Chain of English-Medium Schools in Bangladesh

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mousumi, Manjuma Akhtar; Kusakabe, Tatsuya

2017-01-01

This research concerns English-medium schools (EMSs), which are emerging as a popular new educational sector in Bangladesh. Because these schools have gained immense popularity, we seek to identify how these schools respond to parental demand and retain their clientele. In addition to English language demand, our findings reveal a symmetrical…

Insulin-loaded W/O/W multiple emulsions: comparison of the performances of systems prepared with medium-chain-triglycerides and fish oil.

PubMed

Cournarie, Fabienne; Savelli, Marie-Pierre; Rosilio, Véronique; Bretez, Françoise; Vauthier, Christine; Grossiord, Jean-Louis; Seiller, Monique

2004-11-01

Insulin-loaded W/O/W multiple emulsions (ME) composed of medium-chain triglycerides have been shown to decrease the blood glucose level after oral administration to diabetic rats. Fish oil (very long-chain triglycerides) could be an alternative to medium-chain triglycerides because its chronic consumption has beneficial therapeutic effects. The aim of this work was twofold: to obtain stable fish oil containing ME, based on a formulation optimized in a previous work with low medium-chain triglycerides content, and to compare their characteristics to those of ME composed of medium-chain triglycerides. Due to the higher viscosity and surface tension of fish oil compared to medium-chain triglycerides, preparation of ME appeared difficult to achieve. However, a stable unloaded-ME with low fish oil content was formed, by adapting the emulsification process. The characteristics of unloaded fish oil ME were almost similar to those of medium-chain triglycerides ME. In contrast to medium-chain triglycerides ME, the introduction of insulin did not improve the elasticity and consequently the characteristics and stability of fish oil ME. Nevertheless, the insulin-loaded fish oil containing ME was shown to be stable for 6 weeks at 4 degrees C.

Measurement of Dynamic Viscoelasticity of Full-Size Wood Composite Panels Using a Vibration Testing Method

Treesearch

Cheng Guan; Houjiang Zhang; John F. Hunt; Lujing Zhou; Dan Feng

2016-01-01

The dynamic viscoelasticity of full-size wood composite panels (WCPs) under the free-free vibrational state were determined by a vibration testing method. Vibration detection tests were performed on 194 pieces of three types of full-size WCPs (particleboard, medium density fiberboard, and plywood (PW)). The dynamic viscoelasticity from smaller specimens cut from the...

13 Year-Olds' Meanings around Intrinsic Curves with a Medium for Symbolic Expression and Dynamic Manipulation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kynigos, Chronis; Psycharis, Georgos

2003-01-01

We explore how 13 year-olds construct meanings around the notion of curvature in their classroom while working with software that combines symbolic notation to construct geometrical figures with dynamic manipulation of variable. The ideas of curve as intrinsic dynamic construction, and curve as object with properties related to its positioning on…

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Makarov, Pavel V., E-mail: pvm@ispms.tsc.ru

An evolutionary approach to earthquake development is proposed. A medium under loading is treated as a multiscale nonlinear dynamic system. Its failure involves a number of stages typical of any dynamic system: dynamic chaos, self-organized criticality, and global stability loss in the final stage of its evolution. In the latter stage, the system evolves in a blow-up mode accompanied by catastrophic superfast movements of the elements of this geomedium.

Parallel capillary-tube-based extension of thermoacoustic theory for random porous media.

PubMed

Roh, Heui-Seol; Raspet, Richard; Bass, Henry E

2007-03-01

Thermoacoustic theory is extended to stacks made of random bulk media. Characteristics of the porous stack such as the tortuosity and dynamic shape factors are introduced into the thermoacoustic wave equation in the low reduced frequency approximation. Basic thermoacoustic equations for a bulk porous medium are formulated analogously to the equations for a single pore. Use of different dynamic shape factors for the viscous and thermal effects is adopted and scaling using the dynamic shape factors and tortuosity is demonstrated. Comparisons of the calculated and experimentally derived thermoacoustic properties of reticulated vitreous carbon and aluminum foam show good agreement. A consistent mathematical model of sound propagation in a random porous medium with an imposed temperature is developed. This treatment leads to an expression for the coefficient of the temperature gradient in terms of scaled cylindrical thermoviscous functions.

Dynamic Computed Tomographic Features of Adult Renal Cell Carcinoma Associated With Xp11.2 Translocation/TFE3 Gene Fusions: Comparison With Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

PubMed

He, Jian; Gan, Weidong; Liu, Song; Zhou, Kefeng; Zhang, Gutian; Guo, Hongqian; Zhu, Bin

2015-01-01

To investigate the dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) characteristics of renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11.2 translocation and TFE gene fusion (Xp11.2 RCC) by comparison with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT images and clinical and pathological records of 20 adult patients with Xp11.2 RCC confirmed by TFE3 immunohistochemical and fluorescence in situ hybridization assay were retrospectively analyzed and compared with the findings of 21 contemporary CCRCCs. Renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11.2 translocation and TFE gene fusions often occurred in young (30.6 ± 8.6 years) patients with hematuria (9/20). They presented as well-defined (17/20) cystic-solid (17/20) mass with hemorrhage (8/20) and circular/rim calcifications (6/20). Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT showed heterogeneous moderate prolonged enhancement. A tumor-to-cortex attenuation ratio in corticomedullary phase less than 0.62 gave a sensitivity of 90.0% and a specificity of 92.9% in differentiating Xp11.2 RCC from CCRCC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.957, P < 0.001). Computed tomographic characteristics and dynamic contrast-enhanced patterns and index can differentiate Xp11.2 RCC from CCRCC.

Nonlinear dynamic phase contrast microscopy for microfluidic and microbiological applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denz, C.; Holtmann, F.; Woerdemann, M.; Oevermann, M.

2008-08-01

In live sciences, the observation and analysis of moving living cells, molecular motors or motion of micro- and nano-objects is a current field of research. At the same time, microfluidic innovations are needed for biological and medical applications on a micro- and nano-scale. Conventional microscopy techniques are reaching considerable limits with respect to these issues. A promising approach for this challenge is nonlinear dynamic phase contrast microscopy. It is an alternative full field approach that allows to detect motion as well as phase changes of living unstained micro-objects in real-time, thereby being marker free, without contact and non destructive, i.e. fully biocompatible. The generality of this system allows it to be combined with several other microscope techniques such as conventional bright field or fluorescence microscopy. In this article we will present the dynamic phase contrast technique and its applications in analysis of micro organismic dynamics, micro flow velocimetry and micro-mixing analysis.

View-sharing PROPELLER with pixel-based optimal blade selection: application on dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging.

PubMed

Chuang, Tzu-Chao; Huang, Hsuan-Hung; Chang, Hing-Chiu; Wu, Ming-Ting

2014-06-01

To achieve better spatial and temporal resolution of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging, the concept of k-space data sharing, or view sharing, can be implemented for PROPELLER acquisition. As found in other view-sharing methods, the loss of high-resolution dynamics is possible for view-sharing PROPELLER (VS-Prop) due to the temporal smoothing effect. The degradation can be more severe when a narrow blade with less phase encoding steps is chosen in the acquisition for higher frame rate. In this study, an iterative algorithm termed pixel-based optimal blade selection (POBS) is proposed to allow spatially dependent selection of the rotating blades, to generate high-resolution dynamic images with minimal reconstruction artifacts. In the reconstruction of VS-Prop, the central k-space which dominates the image contrast is only provided by the target blade with the peripheral k-space contributed by a minimal number of consecutive rotating blades. To reduce the reconstruction artifacts, the set of neighboring blades exhibiting the closest image contrast with the target blade is picked by POBS algorithm. Numerical simulations and phantom experiments were conducted in this study to investigate the dynamic response and spatial profiles of images generated using our proposed method. In addition, dynamic contrast-enhanced cardiovascular imaging of healthy subjects was performed to demonstrate the feasibility and advantages. The simulation results show that POBS VS-Prop can provide timely dynamic response to rapid signal change, especially for a small region of interest or with the use of narrow blades. The POBS algorithm also demonstrates its capability to capture nonsimultaneous signal changes over the entire FOV. In addition, both phantom and in vivo experiments show that the temporal smoothing effect can be avoided by means of POBS, leading to higher wash-in slope of contrast enhancement after the bolus injection. With the satisfactory reconstruction quality provided by the POBS algorithm, VS-Prop acquisition technique may find useful clinical applications in DCE MR imaging studies where both spatial and temporal resolutions play important roles.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and computed tomography findings of granulomatosis with polyangiitis presenting with multiple intrarenal microaneurysms: A case report.

PubMed

Kim, Youe Ree; Lee, Young Hwan; Lee, Jong-Ho; Yoon, Kwon-Ha

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a systemic disorder that affects small- and medium- sized vessels in many organs. Although the kidneys are the second most commonly involved organ in patients with GPA, its manifestation as multiple intrarenal aneurysms is rare. We report an unusual manifestation of GPA with multiple intrarenal microaneurysms, as demonstrated by contrast-enhanced ultrasound and computed tomography. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High-contrast imaging of mycobacterium tuberculosis using third-harmonic generation microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Bo Ram; Lee, Eungjang; Park, Seung-Han

2015-07-01

Nonlinear optical microcopy has become an important tool in investigating biomaterials due to its various advantages such as label-free imaging capabilities. In particular, it has been shown that third-harmonic generation (THG) signals can be produced at interfaces between an aqueous medium (e.g. cytoplasm, interstitial fluid) and a mineralized lipidic surface. In this work, we have demonstrated that label-free high-contrast THG images of the mycobacterium tuberculosis can be obtained using THG microscopy.

In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of atherosclerotic lesions with a newly developed Evans blue-DTPA-gadolinium contrast medium in apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice.

PubMed

Yasuda, Satoshi; Ikuta, Kenjiro; Uwatoku, Toyokazu; Oi, Keiji; Abe, Kohtaro; Hyodo, Fuminori; Yoshimitsu, Kengo; Sugimura, Kohtaro; Utsumi, Hideo; Katayama, Yoshiki; Shimokawa, Hiroaki

2008-01-01

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents that specifically detect atherosclerotic plaque may be useful for the noninvasive detection of the plaque. We have recently developed a new contrast agent, Evans blue-DTPA-gadolinium (EB-DTPA-Gd), which selectively accumulates vascular lesions with endothelial removal. In this study, we examined whether EB-DTPA-Gd is also useful for in vivo imaging of atherosclerotic plaques. We used male apolipoprotein-E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice of different ages (3, 6 and 12 months old) and age-matched male wild-type mice. After a single intravenous administration of EB-DTPA-Gd (160 microM/kg body weight), MRI T(1) signal was obtained in vivo. Increased signal intensity in the aortic wall was noted within 10-20 min after intravenous injection of EB-DTPA-Gd and was maintained for 30 min. The MRI enhancement in the aorta of ApoE-/- mice was increased in accordance with age, whereas no such enhancement was noted in wild-type mice. Histological examination demonstrated that there was a topological correlation between the site of MRI enhancement and that of atherosclerotic plaque. These results indicate that EB-DTPA-Gd is a useful MRI contrast medium for the in vivo detection of atherosclerotic plaques. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Noninvasive identification of peripheral vessels of oral and maxillofacial regions by using electrocardiography-triggered three-dimensional fast asymmetric spin-echo sequences.

PubMed

Tanaka, Tatsurou; Oda, Masafumi; Kito, Shinji; Wakasugi-Sato, Nao; Matsumoto-Takeda, Shinobu; Otsuka, Kozue; Yoshioka, Izumi; Habu, Manabu; Kokuryo, Shinya; Kodama, Masaaki; Nogami, Shinnosuke; Miyamoto, Ikuya; Yamamoto, Noriaki; Ishikawa, Ayataka; Matsuo, Kou; Shiiba, Shunji; Seta, Yuji; Yamashita, Yoshihiro; Takahashi, Tetsu; Tominaga, Kazuhiro; Morimoto, Yasuhiro

2011-10-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the 3-dimensional images of thinner main peripheral vessels in oral and maxillofacial regions made without contrast medium by using a new technique, fresh blood imaging (FBI). A second objective was to discern arteries from veins by using the combination of FBI with the subtraction technique. Images from FBI were compared with those from 3-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of blood vessels in 20 healthy subjects. All images were scored for visualization and image quality of the main blood vessels. In addition, appropriate flow-spoiled gradient pulses were applied to differentiate arteries from veins in the peripheral vasculature using a combination of FBI sequences and subtraction between systole- and diastole-triggered images. The scores of MRA using FBI for the visualization of thin blood vessels were significantly better than those using phase contrast, whereas scores for the visualization of main blood vessels were equal. Additionally, we succeeded in our initial attempt to differentiate arteries from veins with a reasonable acquisition time. Our initial experience shows that FBI could be a useful method to identify 3-dimensional vasculature and to differentiate arteries from veins among thinner peripheral vessels in the oral and maxillofacial regions without using contrast medium. Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the mutagenic effect of the iodinated contrast medium Urografina® 292 using the micronucleus test in mouse bone marrow cells.

PubMed

Belle, Mônica B B; Leffa, Daniela D; Mazzorana, Daliane; De Andrade, Vanessa M

2013-01-01

Contrast media (CM) are frequently used in diagnostic radiology and in radiotherapy as a diagnostic tool and in treatment planning. Previous studies have demonstrated that these compounds induce chromosomal aberrations. This study evaluates the mutagenic effects induced by the contrast medium Urografina® 292 (meglumine amidotrizoate and sodium-ionic dimmer) in bone marrow cells (BMC) of mice in vivo. Micronuclei assay was performed in BMC of CF-1 mice injected with CM 1.5 and 3.0 mL/kg intravenous doses and 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 mL/kg intraperitoneal doses. The animals were beheaded 24 h after treatment by cervical dislocation, and femur BMC from each animal were used in the micronucleus test. The group treated with the highest intravenous injection of Urografina® 292 (3.0 mL/kg) presented an increase in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) in relation at the control group (P<0.05). The results obtained after intraperitoneal administration of CM showed that all doses (1.0 mL/kg, 2.0 mL/kg and 3.0 mL/kg) increased the frequency of MNPCEs, being significantly different from the negative control (P< 0.01). The present results suggest that iodinated contrast media Urografina® 292 may cause a significant increase of cytogenetic damage in bone marrow cells of mice.

Regularized Reconstruction of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MR Images for Evaluation of Breast Lesions

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

resonance imaging . We focus specifically on dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) imaging of breast cancer patients. The fundamental challenge in dynamic MRI is...Venkatesan, Magnetic resonance imaging : Physical principles and sequence design, Wiley, New York, 1999. 14 [7] P. S. Tofts and A. G. Kermode, “Measurement...10, no. 3, pp. 223–32, Sept. 1999. [12] D. C. Noll, D. G. Nishimura, and A. Macovski, “Homodyne detection in magnetic resonance imaging ,” IEEE Trans

Rupture Dynamics and Ground Motion from Earthquakes on Rough Faults in Heterogeneous Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bydlon, S. A.; Kozdon, J. E.; Duru, K.; Dunham, E. M.

2013-12-01

Heterogeneities in the material properties of Earth's crust scatter propagating seismic waves. The effects of scattered waves are reflected in the seismic coda and depend on the amplitude of the heterogeneities, spatial arrangement, and distance from source to receiver. In the vicinity of the fault, scattered waves influence the rupture process by introducing fluctuations in the stresses driving propagating ruptures. Further variability in the rupture process is introduced by naturally occurring geometric complexity of fault surfaces, and the stress changes that accompany slip on rough surfaces. Our goal is to better understand the origin of complexity in the earthquake source process, and to quantify the relative importance of source complexity and scattering along the propagation path in causing incoherence of high frequency ground motion. Using a 2D high order finite difference rupture dynamics code, we nucleate ruptures on either flat or rough faults that obey strongly rate-weakening friction laws. These faults are embedded in domains with spatially varying material properties characterized by Von Karman autocorrelation functions and their associated power spectral density functions, with variations in wave speed of approximately 5 to 10%. Flat fault simulations demonstrate that off-fault material heterogeneity, at least with this particular form and amplitude, has only a minor influence on the rupture process (i.e., fluctuations in slip and rupture velocity). In contrast, ruptures histories on rough faults in both homogeneous and heterogeneous media include much larger short-wavelength fluctuations in slip and rupture velocity. We therefore conclude that source complexity is dominantly influenced by fault geometric complexity. To examine contributions of scattering versus fault geometry on ground motions, we compute spatially averaged root-mean-square (RMS) acceleration values as a function of fault perpendicular distance for a homogeneous medium and several heterogeneous media characterized by different statistical properties. We find that at distances less than ~6 km from the fault, RMS acceleration values from simulations with homogeneous and heterogeneous media are similar, but at greater distances the RMS values associated with heterogeneous media are larger than those associated with homogeneous media. The magnitude of this divergence increases with the amplitude of the heterogeneities. For instance, for a heterogeneous medium with a 10% standard deviation in material property values relative to mean values, RMS accelerations are ~50% larger than for a homogeneous medium at distances greater than 6 km. This finding is attributed to the scattering of coherent pulses into multiple pulses of decreased amplitude that subsequently arrive at later times. In order to understand the robustness of these results, an extension of our dynamic rupture and wave propagation code to 3D is underway.

16 CFR 1509.11 - Identifying marks, caution statement, and compliance declaration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... shall appear in block letters, shall contrast sharply with the background (by color, projection, and/or..., fastened, or attached thereto by means of a tag, token, or other suitable medium. The markings shall not be...

16 CFR 1509.11 - Identifying marks, caution statement, and compliance declaration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... shall appear in block letters, shall contrast sharply with the background (by color, projection, and/or..., fastened, or attached thereto by means of a tag, token, or other suitable medium. The markings shall not be...

X-Ray

MedlinePlus

... of gray. For some types of X-ray tests, a contrast medium — such as iodine or barium — is introduced into your body to provide greater detail on the images. Why it's done X-ray technology is used to examine many parts of the ...

Generic Medications: Are They the Same?

MedlinePlus

... Size Small Text Medium Text Large Text Contrast Dark on Light Light on Dark Donate Search Menu Donate What is Glaucoma? Care ... Low Vision Resources Medication Guide Resources on the Web » See All Articles Where the Money Goes Have ...

Root colonization dynamics of two ectomycorrhizal fungi of contrasting life history strategies are mediated by

Treesearch

Erik A. Lilleskov; Thomas D. Bruns

2003-01-01

-Here we investigated whether root colonization dynamics of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) of contrasting life history strategies (i.e. early vs late successional dominants) were affected by resource availability, as mediated either directly via the soil, or indirectly via host nutrition. -In a two phase experiment, Pinusm muricata seedlings were co-...

High-Frequency Stimulation of Dorsal Column Axons: Potential Underlying Mechanism of Paresthesia-Free Neuropathic Pain Relief.

PubMed

Arle, Jeffrey E; Mei, Longzhi; Carlson, Kristen W; Shils, Jay L

2016-06-01

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) treats neuropathic pain through retrograde stimulation of dorsal column axons and their inhibitory effects on wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons. Typical SCS uses frequencies from 50-100 Hz. Newer stimulation paradigms use high-frequency stimulation (HFS) up to 10 kHz and produce pain relief but without paresthesia. Our hypothesis is that HFS preferentially blocks larger diameter axons (12-15 µm) based on dynamics of ion channel gates and the electric potential gradient seen along the axon, resulting in inhibition of WDR cells without paresthesia. We input field potential values from a finite element model of SCS into an active axon model with ion channel subcomponents for fiber diameters 1-20 µm and simulated dynamics on a 0.001 msec time scale. Assuming some degree of wave rectification seen at the axon, action potential (AP) blockade occurs as hypothesized, preferentially in larger over smaller diameters with blockade in most medium and large diameters occurring between 4.5 and 10 kHz. Simulations show both ion channel gate and virtual anode dynamics are necessary. At clinical HFS frequencies and pulse widths, HFS preferentially blocks larger-diameter fibers and concomitantly recruits medium and smaller fibers. These effects are a result of interaction between ion gate dynamics and the "activating function" (AF) deriving from current distribution over the axon. The larger fibers that cause paresthesia in low-frequency simulation are blocked, while medium and smaller fibers are recruited, leading to paresthesia-free neuropathic pain relief by inhibiting WDR cells. © 2016 International Neuromodulation Society.

Effects of contour enhancement on low-vision preference and visual search.

PubMed

Satgunam, Premnandhini; Woods, Russell L; Luo, Gang; Bronstad, P Matthew; Reynolds, Zachary; Ramachandra, Chaithanya; Mel, Bartlett W; Peli, Eli

2012-09-01

To determine whether image enhancement improves visual search performance and whether enhanced images were also preferred by subjects with vision impairment. Subjects (n = 24) with vision impairment (vision: 20/52 to 20/240) completed visual search and preference tasks for 150 static images that were enhanced to increase object contours' visual saliency. Subjects were divided into two groups and were shown three enhancement levels. Original and medium enhancements were shown to both groups. High enhancement was shown to group 1, and low enhancement was shown to group 2. For search, subjects pointed to an object that matched a search target displayed at the top left of the screen. An "integrated search performance" measure (area under the curve of cumulative correct response rate over search time) quantified performance. For preference, subjects indicated the preferred side when viewing the same image with different enhancement levels on side-by-side high-definition televisions. Contour enhancement did not improve performance in the visual search task. Group 1 subjects significantly (p < 0.001) rejected the High enhancement, and showed no preference for medium enhancement over the original images. Group 2 subjects significantly preferred (p < 0.001) both the medium and the low enhancement levels over original. Contrast sensitivity was correlated with both preference and performance; subjects with worse contrast sensitivity performed worse in the search task (ρ = 0.77, p < 0.001) and preferred more enhancement (ρ = -0.47, p = 0.02). No correlation between visual search performance and enhancement preference was found. However, a small group of subjects (n = 6) in a narrow range of mid-contrast sensitivity performed better with the enhancement, and most (n = 5) also preferred the enhancement. Preferences for image enhancement can be dissociated from search performance in people with vision impairment. Further investigations are needed to study the relationships between preference and performance for a narrow range of mid-contrast sensitivity where a beneficial effect of enhancement may exist.

The Multi-center Evaluation of the Accuracy of the Contrast MEdium INduced Pd/Pa RaTiO in Predicting FFR (MEMENTO-FFR) Study.

PubMed

Leone, Antonio Maria; Martin-Reyes, Roberto; Baptista, Sergio B; Amabile, Nicolas; Raposo, Luis; Franco Pelaez, Juan Antonio; Trani, Carlo; Cialdella, Pio; Basile, Eloisa; Zimbardo, Giuseppe; Burzotta, Francesco; Porto, Italo; Aurigemma, Cristina; Rebuzzi, Antonio G; Faustino, Mariana; Niccoli, Giampaolo; Abreu, Pedro F; Slama, Michel S; Spagnoli, Vincent; Telleria Arrieta, Miren; Amat Santos, Ignacio J; de la Torre Hernandez, Jose M; Lopez Palop, Ramon; Crea, Filippo

2016-08-20

Adenosine administration is needed for the achievement of maximal hyperaemia fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment. The objective was to test the accuracy of Pd/Pa ratio registered during submaximal hyperaemia induced by non-ionic contrast medium (contrast FFR [cFFR]) in predicting FFR and comparing it to the performance of resting Pd/Pa in a collaborative registry of 926 patients enrolled in 10 hospitals from four European countries (Italy, Spain, France and Portugal). Resting Pd/Pa, cFFR and FFR were measured in 1,026 coronary stenoses functionally evaluated using commercially available pressure wires. cFFR was obtained after intracoronary injection of contrast medium, while FFR was measured after administration of adenosine. Resting Pd/Pa and cFFR were significantly higher than FFR (0.93±0.05 vs. 0.87±0.08 vs. 0.84±0.08, p<0.001). A strong correlation and a close agreement at Bland-Altman analysis between cFFR and FFR were observed (r=0.90, p<0.001 and 95% CI of disagreement: from -0.042 to 0.11). ROC curve analysis showed an excellent accuracy (89%) of the cFFR cut-off of ≤0.85 in predicting an FFR value ≤0.80 (AUC 0.95 [95% CI: 0.94-0.96]), significantly better than that observed using resting Pd/Pa (AUC: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.88-0.91; p<0.001). A cFFR/FFR hybrid approach showed a significantly lower number of lesions requiring adenosine than a resting Pd/Pa/FFR hybrid approach (22% vs. 44%, p<0.0001). cFFR is accurate in predicting the functional significance of coronary stenosis. This could allow limiting the use of adenosine to obtain FFR to a minority of stenoses with considerable savings of time and costs.

Three-dimensional CT Venography: A Diagnostic Modality for the Preoperative Assessment of Patients with Varicose Veins

PubMed Central

Sato, Katsutoshi; Orihashi, Kazumasa; Takahashi, Shinya; Takasaki, Taiichi; Kurosaki, Tatsuya; Imai, Katsuhiko; Ishifuro, Minoru; Sueda, Taijiro

2011-01-01

Objective: We preoperatively assessed varicose veins by means of computed tomography (CT) with contrast injection in the veins of the lower extremity (CT venography). This paper reports the procedures, results and implications of CT venography from the surgical aspect. Methods: A total of 48 legs in 39 patients were examined. Contrast medium was diluted ten-fold and injected into the lower extremity veins, often using a dual route of injection. The images were reconstructed with the volume-rendering method. Results: CT venography clearly visualized the veins with a small amount of contrast medium and facilitated the identification of anatomy that was not suitable for passing the stripper. In addition, CT venography helped identify unusual types of varicose veins or uncommon sites of inflow of small saphenous veins. Such information was helpful for avoiding unexpected vascular injury or for minimizing skin incision. Dual-route injection was beneficial to minimize the blind zones. Doppler ultrasound could be more focused on hemodynamic assessment and determination of incision sites. Conclusions: CT Venography is feasible in all cases of varicose veins. When performed in conjunction with ultrasonography, it appears to facilitate the safe and efficient treatment of various types of varicose veins. PMID:23555458

Physicochemical characterization of engineered nanoparticles under physiological conditions: effect of culture media components and particle surface coating.

PubMed

Fatisson, Julien; Quevedo, Ivan R; Wilkinson, Kevin J; Tufenkji, Nathalie

2012-03-01

The use of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in commercial products has increased substantially over the last few years. Some research has been conducted in order to determine whether or not such materials are cytotoxic, but questions remain regarding the role that physiological media and sera constituents play in ENP aggregation or stabilization. In this study, several characterization methods were used to evaluate the particle size and surface potential of 6 ENPs suspended in a number of culture media and in the presence of different culture media constituents. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) were employed for size determinations. Results were interpreted on the basis of ENP surface potentials evaluated from particle electrophoretic mobilities (EPM). Measurements made after 24h of incubation at 37°C showed that the cell culture medium constituents had only moderate impact on the physicochemical properties of the ENP, although incubation in bovine serum albumin destabilized the colloidal system. In contrast, most of the serum proteins increased colloidal stabilization. Moreover, the type of ENP surface modification played a significant role in ENP behavior whereby the complexity of interactions between the ENPs and the medium components generally decreased with increasing complexity of the particle surface. This investigation emphasizes the importance of ENP characterization under conditions that are representative of cell culture media or physiological conditions for improved assessments of nanoparticle cytotoxicity. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Medium Chain Fatty Acids Are Selective Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor (PPAR) γ Activators and Pan-PPAR Partial Agonists

PubMed Central

Ayers, Steven D.; Lin, Jean Z.; Cvoro, Aleksandra; Silveira, Rodrigo L.; Martínez, Leandro; Souza, Paulo C. T.; Saidemberg, Daniel; Deng, Tuo; Amato, Angela Angelica; Togashi, Marie; Hsueh, Willa A.; Phillips, Kevin; Palma, Mário Sérgio; Neves, Francisco A. R.; Skaf, Munir S.; Webb, Paul; Polikarpov, Igor

2012-01-01

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) act through peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) γ to increase insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes (T2DM), but deleterious effects of these ligands mean that selective modulators with improved clinical profiles are needed. We obtained a crystal structure of PPARγ ligand binding domain (LBD) and found that the ligand binding pocket (LBP) is occupied by bacterial medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). We verified that MCFAs (C8–C10) bind the PPARγ LBD in vitro and showed that they are low-potency partial agonists that display assay-specific actions relative to TZDs; they act as very weak partial agonists in transfections with PPARγ LBD, stronger partial agonists with full length PPARγ and exhibit full blockade of PPARγ phosphorylation by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (cdk5), linked to reversal of adipose tissue insulin resistance. MCFAs that bind PPARγ also antagonize TZD-dependent adipogenesis in vitro. X-ray structure B-factor analysis and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations suggest that MCFAs weakly stabilize C-terminal activation helix (H) 12 relative to TZDs and this effect is highly dependent on chain length. By contrast, MCFAs preferentially stabilize the H2-H3/β-sheet region and the helix (H) 11-H12 loop relative to TZDs and we propose that MCFA assay-specific actions are linked to their unique binding mode and suggest that it may be possible to identify selective PPARγ modulators with useful clinical profiles among natural products. PMID:22649490

Medium chain fatty acids are selective peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) γ activators and pan-PPAR partial agonists.

PubMed

Liberato, Marcelo Vizoná; Nascimento, Alessandro S; Ayers, Steven D; Lin, Jean Z; Cvoro, Aleksandra; Silveira, Rodrigo L; Martínez, Leandro; Souza, Paulo C T; Saidemberg, Daniel; Deng, Tuo; Amato, Angela Angelica; Togashi, Marie; Hsueh, Willa A; Phillips, Kevin; Palma, Mário Sérgio; Neves, Francisco A R; Skaf, Munir S; Webb, Paul; Polikarpov, Igor

2012-01-01

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) act through peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) γ to increase insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes (T2DM), but deleterious effects of these ligands mean that selective modulators with improved clinical profiles are needed. We obtained a crystal structure of PPARγ ligand binding domain (LBD) and found that the ligand binding pocket (LBP) is occupied by bacterial medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). We verified that MCFAs (C8-C10) bind the PPARγ LBD in vitro and showed that they are low-potency partial agonists that display assay-specific actions relative to TZDs; they act as very weak partial agonists in transfections with PPARγ LBD, stronger partial agonists with full length PPARγ and exhibit full blockade of PPARγ phosphorylation by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (cdk5), linked to reversal of adipose tissue insulin resistance. MCFAs that bind PPARγ also antagonize TZD-dependent adipogenesis in vitro. X-ray structure B-factor analysis and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations suggest that MCFAs weakly stabilize C-terminal activation helix (H) 12 relative to TZDs and this effect is highly dependent on chain length. By contrast, MCFAs preferentially stabilize the H2-H3/β-sheet region and the helix (H) 11-H12 loop relative to TZDs and we propose that MCFA assay-specific actions are linked to their unique binding mode and suggest that it may be possible to identify selective PPARγ modulators with useful clinical profiles among natural products.

An iterative fullwave simulation approach to multiple scattering in media with randomly distributed microbubbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joshi, Aditya; Lindsey, Brooks D.; Dayton, Paul A.; Pinton, Gianmarco; Muller, Marie

2017-05-01

Ultrasound contrast agents (UCA), such as microbubbles, enhance the scattering properties of blood, which is otherwise hypoechoic. The multiple scattering interactions of the acoustic field with UCA are poorly understood due to the complexity of the multiple scattering theories and the nonlinear microbubble response. The majority of bubble models describe the behavior of UCA as single, isolated microbubbles suspended in infinite medium. Multiple scattering models such as the independent scattering approximation can approximate phase velocity and attenuation for low scatterer volume fractions. However, all current models and simulation approaches only describe multiple scattering and nonlinear bubble dynamics separately. Here we present an approach that combines two existing models: (1) a full-wave model that describes nonlinear propagation and scattering interactions in a heterogeneous attenuating medium and (2) a Paul-Sarkar model that describes the nonlinear interactions between an acoustic field and microbubbles. These two models were solved numerically and combined with an iterative approach. The convergence of this combined model was explored in silico for 0.5 × 106 microbubbles ml-1, 1% and 2% bubble concentration by volume. The backscattering predicted by our modeling approach was verified experimentally with water tank measurements performed with a 128-element linear array transducer. An excellent agreement in terms of the fundamental and harmonic acoustic fields is shown. Additionally, our model correctly predicts the phase velocity and attenuation measured using through transmission and predicted by the independent scattering approximation.

Medium-Induced QCD Cascade: Democratic Branching and Wave Turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blaizot, J.-P.; Iancu, E.; Mehtar-Tani, Y.

2013-08-01

We study the average properties of the gluon cascade generated by an energetic parton propagating through a quark-gluon plasma. We focus on the soft, medium-induced emissions which control the energy transport at large angles with respect to the leading parton. We show that the effect of multiple branchings is important. In contrast with what happens in a usual QCD cascade in vacuum, medium-induced branchings are quasidemocratic, with offspring gluons carrying sizable fractions of the energy of their parent gluon. This results in an efficient mechanism for the transport of energy toward the medium, which is akin to wave turbulence with a scaling spectrum ˜1/ω. We argue that the turbulent flow may be responsible for the excess energy carried by very soft quanta, as revealed by the analysis of the dijet asymmetry observed in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC.

Imaging contrast and tip-sample interaction of non-contact amplitude modulation atomic force microscopy with Q-control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Shuai; Guo, Dan; Luo, Jianbin

2017-10-01

Active quality factor (Q) exhibits many promising properties in dynamic atomic force microscopy. Energy dissipation and image contrasts are investigated in the non-contact amplitude modulation atomic force microscopy (AM-AFM) with an active Q-control circuit in the ambient air environment. Dissipated power and virial were calculated to compare the highly nonlinear interaction of tip-sample and image contrasts with different Q gain values. Greater free amplitudes and lower effective Q values show better contrasts for the same setpoint ratio. Active quality factor also can be employed to change tip-sample interaction force in non-contact regime. It is meaningful that non-destructive and better contrast images can be realized in non-contact AM-AFM by applying an active Q-control to the dynamic system.

SU-E-QI-21: Iodinated Contrast Agent Time Course In Human Brain Metastasis: A Study For Stereotactic Synchrotron Radiotherapy Clinical Trials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Obeid, L; Esteve, F; Adam, J

2014-06-15

Purpose: Synchrotron stereotactic radiotherapy (SSRT) is an innovative treatment combining the selective accumulation of heavy elements in tumors with stereotactic irradiations using monochromatic medium energy x-rays from a synchrotron source. Phase I/II clinical trials on brain metastasis are underway using venous infusion of iodinated contrast agents. The radiation dose enhancement depends on the amount of iodine in the tumor and its time course. In the present study, the reproducibility of iodine concentrations between the CT planning scan day (Day 0) and the treatment day (Day 10) was assessed in order to predict dose errors. Methods: For each of days 0more » and 10, three patients received a biphasic intravenous injection of iodinated contrast agent (40 ml, 4 ml/s, followed by 160 ml, 0.5 ml/s) in order to ensure stable intra-tumoral amounts of iodine during the treatment. Two volumetric CT scans (before and after iodine injection) and a multi-slice dynamic CT of the brain were performed using conventional radiotherapy CT (Day 0) or quantitative synchrotron radiation CT (Day 10). A 3D rigid registration was processed between images. The absolute and relative differences of absolute iodine concentrations and their corresponding dose errors were evaluated in the GTV and PTV used for treatment planning. Results: The differences in iodine concentrations remained within the standard deviation limits. The 3D absolute differences followed a normal distribution centered at zero mg/ml with a variance (∼1 mg/ml) which is related to the image noise. Conclusion: The results suggest that dose errors depend only on the image noise. This study shows that stable amounts of iodine are achievable in brain metastasis for SSRT treatment in a 10 days interval.« less

Measurement of glomerular filtration rate using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in patients with chronic kidney disease.

PubMed

Artunc, Ferruh; Yildiz, Serdar; Boss, Andreas; Frenzel, Thomas; Schlemmer, Heinz-Peter; Schick, Fritz; Risler, Teut; Häring, Hans-Ulrich; Rossi, Cristina

2011-01-01

Determination of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using plasma disappearance curves requires the injection of a filtration marker and repeated timed blood collections. Gadolinium-containing contrast media are excreted exclusively by glomerular filtration and could provide a novel approach to quantifying GFR using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of measuring GFR by the clearance of gadolinium-containing contrast medium in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Informed consent was obtained from stable CKD patients in stages 1, 2 or 3 (n=16; 5 women, 11 men; median age 54 years). GFR was measured after a bolus injection of gadobutrol (4 mL, approximately 0.05 mmol/kg) and calculated from the washout of the signal intensity obtained over the liver. The obtained MR-GFR was compared with simultaneously measured plasma clearance of inulin and gadobutrol. Technical failure occurred in 2 patients. The mean obtained MR-GFR was 71 ± 25 (SD) mL/min per 1.73 m² and agreed well with the mean inulin-GFR (70 ± 24 mL/min per 1.73 m²). Pearson's correlation coefficient was r=0.91. The mean of the paired differences was 1 ± 10 mL/min per 1.73 m² and not significantly different from zero. GFR obtained from gadobutrol plasma clearance also agreed well with inulin-GFR and MR-GFR (r=0.92 and r=0.75, respectively). We describe a novel method of determining GFR from MR imaging using a low dose of gadobutrol in patients with reduced GFR that enables the absolute quantification of GFR after routine contrast-enhanced MR imaging.

Impact of Nutrient Restriction on the Structure of Listeria monocytogenes Biofilm Grown in a Microfluidic System.

PubMed

Cherifi, Tamazight; Jacques, Mario; Quessy, Sylvain; Fravalo, Philippe

2017-01-01

Biofilm formation by the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is a major concern in food industries. The aim of this work was to elucidate the effect of nutrient limitation on both biofilm architecture and on the viability of the bacteria in microfluidic growth conditions. Biofilm formation by two L. monocytogenes strains was performed in a rich medium (BHI) and in a 10-fold diluted BHI (BHI/10) at 30°C for 24 h by using both static conditions and the microfluidic system Bioflux. In dynamic conditions, biofilms grown in rich and poor medium showed significant differences as well in structure and in the resulting biovolume. In BHI/10, biofilm was organized in a knitted network where cells formed long chains, whereas in the rich medium, the observed structure was homogeneous cellular multilayers. Biofilm biovolume production in BHI/10 was significantly higher than in BHI in these dynamic conditions. Interestingly, biovolume of dead cells in biofilms formed under limited nutrient conditions (BHI/10) was significantly higher than in biofilms formed in the BHI medium. In the other hand, in static conditions, biofilm is organized in a multilayer cells and dispersed cells in a rich medium BHI and poor medium BHI/10 respectively. There was significantly more biomass in the rich medium compared to BHI/10 but no difference was noted in the dead/damaged subpopulation showing how L. monocytogenes biofilm could be affected by the growth conditions. This work demonstrated that nutrient concentration affects biofilm structure and the proportion of dead cells in biofilms under microfluidic condition. Our study also showed that limited nutrients play an important role in the structural stability of L. monocytogenes biofilm by enhancing cell death and liberating extracellular DNA.

Impact of Nutrient Restriction on the Structure of Listeria monocytogenes Biofilm Grown in a Microfluidic System

PubMed Central

Cherifi, Tamazight; Jacques, Mario; Quessy, Sylvain; Fravalo, Philippe

2017-01-01

Biofilm formation by the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is a major concern in food industries. The aim of this work was to elucidate the effect of nutrient limitation on both biofilm architecture and on the viability of the bacteria in microfluidic growth conditions. Biofilm formation by two L. monocytogenes strains was performed in a rich medium (BHI) and in a 10-fold diluted BHI (BHI/10) at 30°C for 24 h by using both static conditions and the microfluidic system Bioflux. In dynamic conditions, biofilms grown in rich and poor medium showed significant differences as well in structure and in the resulting biovolume. In BHI/10, biofilm was organized in a knitted network where cells formed long chains, whereas in the rich medium, the observed structure was homogeneous cellular multilayers. Biofilm biovolume production in BHI/10 was significantly higher than in BHI in these dynamic conditions. Interestingly, biovolume of dead cells in biofilms formed under limited nutrient conditions (BHI/10) was significantly higher than in biofilms formed in the BHI medium. In the other hand, in static conditions, biofilm is organized in a multilayer cells and dispersed cells in a rich medium BHI and poor medium BHI/10 respectively. There was significantly more biomass in the rich medium compared to BHI/10 but no difference was noted in the dead/damaged subpopulation showing how L. monocytogenes biofilm could be affected by the growth conditions. This work demonstrated that nutrient concentration affects biofilm structure and the proportion of dead cells in biofilms under microfluidic condition. Our study also showed that limited nutrients play an important role in the structural stability of L. monocytogenes biofilm by enhancing cell death and liberating extracellular DNA. PMID:28567031

Influence of sample preparation and identification of subcelluar structures in quantitative holographic phase contrast microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kemper, Björn; Schmidt, Lisa; Przibilla, Sabine; Rommel, Christina; Vollmer, Angelika; Ketelhut, Steffi; Schnekenburger, Jürgen; von Bally, Gert

2010-04-01

Digital holographic microscopy (DHM) provides label-free quantitative phase contrast with low demands on sample preparation. Nevertheless, for DHM measurements on fixed cells the mounting medium has to be considered while the phase contrast of living cells may be influenced by the used buffer solution. To quantify these effects, the maximum cell caused phase contrast and the visibility of the nucleoli were analyzed. A second aim of the study was to identify subcellular components in DHM phase contrast images. Therefore, comparative investigations using bright field imaging, DHM and fluorescence microscopy with 4',6- Diamidino-2-phenylindol (DAPI) staining were performed. DAPI-staining visualizes cell components containing DNA. The obtained results demonstrate exemplarily for two tumor cell lines that from DHM phase contrast images of fixed cells in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) cell thickness values are obtained which are comparable to living cells. Furthermore, it is shown that in many cases nucleus components can be identified only by DHM phase contrast.

Medial tibial pain: a dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI study.

PubMed

Mattila, K T; Komu, M E; Dahlström, S; Koskinen, S K; Heikkilä, J

1999-09-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity of different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences to depict periosteal edema in patients with medial tibial pain. Additionally, we evaluated the ability of dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging (DCES) to depict possible temporal alterations in muscular perfusion within compartments of the leg. Fifteen patients with medial tibial pain were examined with MRI. T1-, T2-weighted, proton density axial images and dynamic and static phase post-contrast images were compared in ability to depict periosteal edema. STIR was used in seven cases to depict bone marrow edema. Images were analyzed to detect signs of compartment edema. Region-of-interest measurements in compartments were performed during DCES and compared with controls. In detecting periosteal edema, post-contrast T1-weighted images were better than spin echo T2-weighted and proton density images or STIR images, but STIR depicted the bone marrow edema best. DCES best demonstrated the gradually enhancing periostitis. Four subjects with severe periosteal edema had visually detectable pathologic enhancement during DCES in the deep posterior compartment of the leg. Percentage enhancement in the deep posterior compartment of the leg was greater in patients than in controls. The fast enhancement phase in the deep posterior compartment began slightly slower in patients than in controls, but it continued longer. We believe that periosteal edema in bone stress reaction can cause impairment of venous flow in the deep posterior compartment. MRI can depict both these conditions. In patients with medial tibial pain, MR imaging protocol should include axial STIR images (to depict bone pathology) with T1-weighted axial pre and post-contrast images, and dynamic contrast enhanced imaging to show periosteal edema and abnormal contrast enhancement within a compartment.

The Short- to Medium-Term Predictive Accuracy of Static and Dynamic Risk Assessment Measures in a Secure Forensic Hospital

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chu, Chi Meng; Thomas, Stuart D. M.; Ogloff, James R. P.; Daffern, Michael

2013-01-01

Although violence risk assessment knowledge and practice has advanced over the past few decades, it remains practically difficult to decide which measures clinicians should use to assess and make decisions about the violence potential of individuals on an ongoing basis, particularly in the short to medium term. Within this context, this study…

The dynamic deformation of a layered viscoelastic medium under surface excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aglyamov, Salavat R.; Wang, Shang; Karpiouk, Andrei B.; Li, Jiasong; Twa, Michael; Emelianov, Stanislav Y.; Larin, Kirill V.

2015-06-01

In this study the dynamic behavior of a layered viscoelastic medium in response to the harmonic and impulsive acoustic radiation force applied to its surface was investigated both theoretically and experimentally. An analytical solution for a layered viscoelastic compressible medium in frequency and time domains was obtained using the Hankel transform. A special incompressible case was considered to model soft biological tissues. To verify our theoretical model, experiments were performed using tissue-like gel-based phantoms with varying mechanical properties. A 3.5 MHz single-element focused ultrasound transducer was used to apply the radiation force at the surface of the phantoms. A phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography system was used to track the displacements of the phantom surface. Theoretically predicted displacements were compared with experimental measurements. The role of the depth dependence of the elastic properties of a medium in its response to an acoustic pulse at the surface was studied. It was shown that the low-frequency vibrations at the surface are more sensitive to the deep layers than high-frequency ones. Therefore, the proposed model in combination with spectral analysis can be used to evaluate depth-dependent distribution of the mechanical properties based on the measurements of the surface deformation.

Homogenization of one-dimensional draining through heterogeneous porous media including higher-order approximations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Daniel M.; McLaughlin, Richard M.; Miller, Cass T.

2018-02-01

We examine a mathematical model of one-dimensional draining of a fluid through a periodically-layered porous medium. A porous medium, initially saturated with a fluid of a high density is assumed to drain out the bottom of the porous medium with a second lighter fluid replacing the draining fluid. We assume that the draining layer is sufficiently dense that the dynamics of the lighter fluid can be neglected with respect to the dynamics of the heavier draining fluid and that the height of the draining fluid, represented as a free boundary in the model, evolves in time. In this context, we neglect interfacial tension effects at the boundary between the two fluids. We show that this problem admits an exact solution. Our primary objective is to develop a homogenization theory in which we find not only leading-order, or effective, trends but also capture higher-order corrections to these effective draining rates. The approximate solution obtained by this homogenization theory is compared to the exact solution for two cases: (1) the permeability of the porous medium varies smoothly but rapidly and (2) the permeability varies as a piecewise constant function representing discrete layers of alternating high/low permeability. In both cases we are able to show that the corrections in the homogenization theory accurately predict the position of the free boundary moving through the porous medium.

Automated Processing of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI: Correlation of Advanced Pharmacokinetic Metrics with Tumor Grade in Pediatric Brain Tumors.

PubMed

Vajapeyam, S; Stamoulis, C; Ricci, K; Kieran, M; Poussaint, T Young

2017-01-01

Pharmacokinetic parameters from dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging have proved useful for differentiating brain tumor grades in adults. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion data from children with newly diagnosed brain tumors and analyzed the pharmacokinetic parameters correlating with tumor grade. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging data from 38 patients were analyzed by using commercially available software. Subjects were categorized into 2 groups based on pathologic analyses consisting of low-grade (World Health Organization I and II) and high-grade (World Health Organization III and IV) tumors. Pharmacokinetic parameters were compared between the 2 groups by using linear regression models. For parameters that were statistically distinct between the 2 groups, sensitivity and specificity were also estimated. Eighteen tumors were classified as low-grade, and 20, as high-grade. Transfer constant from the blood plasma into the extracellular extravascular space (K trans ), rate constant from extracellular extravascular space back into blood plasma (K ep ), and extracellular extravascular volume fraction (V e ) were all significantly correlated with tumor grade; high-grade tumors showed higher K trans , higher K ep , and lower V e . Although all 3 parameters had high specificity (range, 82%-100%), K ep had the highest specificity for both grades. Optimal sensitivity was achieved for V e , with a combined sensitivity of 76% (compared with 71% for K trans and K ep ). Pharmacokinetic parameters derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging can effectively discriminate low- and high-grade pediatric brain tumors. © 2017 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

Inverse medium scattering from periodic structures with fixed-direction incoming waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gibson, Peter; Hu, Guanghui; Zhao, Yue

2018-07-01

This paper is concerned with inverse time-harmonic acoustic and electromagnetic scattering from an infinite biperiodic medium (diffraction grating) in three dimensions. In the acoustic case, we prove that the near-field data of fixed-direction plane waves incited at multiple frequencies uniquely determine a refractive index function which depends on two variables. An analogous uniqueness result holds for time-harmonic Maxwell’s system if the inhomogeneity is periodic in one direction and remains invariant along the other two directions. Uniqueness for recovering (non-periodic) compactly supported contrast functions are also presented.

Alkaline pH enhances farnesol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Muramatsu, Masayoshi; Ohto, Chikara; Obata, Shusei; Sakuradani, Eiji; Shimizu, Sakayu

2009-07-01

External environments affect prenyl alcohol production by squalene synthetase-deficient mutant Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 64031. Cultivation of the yeast in medium with an initial pH ranging from 7.0 to 8.0 increased the amount of secreted farnesol (FOH). In contrast, acidic medium with a pH below 4.0 increased the intracellular FOH and its isomer nerolidol. These effects of alkaline pH were also observed on constant pH cultivation in a jar fermenter. On cultivation for 133 h, the FOH production reached 102.8 mg/l.

High Resolution Ultrasound Superharmonic Perfusion Imaging: In Vivo Feasibility and Quantification of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Acoustic Angiography.

PubMed

Lindsey, Brooks D; Shelton, Sarah E; Martin, K Heath; Ozgun, Kathryn A; Rojas, Juan D; Foster, F Stuart; Dayton, Paul A

2017-04-01

Mapping blood perfusion quantitatively allows localization of abnormal physiology and can improve understanding of disease progression. Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a low-cost, real-time technique for imaging perfusion dynamics with microbubble contrast agents. Previously, we have demonstrated another contrast agent-specific ultrasound imaging technique, acoustic angiography, which forms static anatomical images of the superharmonic signal produced by microbubbles. In this work, we seek to determine whether acoustic angiography can be utilized for high resolution perfusion imaging in vivo by examining the effect of acquisition rate on superharmonic imaging at low flow rates and demonstrating the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced superharmonic perfusion imaging for the first time. Results in the chorioallantoic membrane model indicate that frame rate and frame averaging do not affect the measured diameter of individual vessels observed, but that frame rate does influence the detection of vessels near and below the resolution limit. The highest number of resolvable vessels was observed at an intermediate frame rate of 3 Hz using a mechanically-steered prototype transducer. We also demonstrate the feasibility of quantitatively mapping perfusion rate in 2D in a mouse model with spatial resolution of ~100 μm. This type of imaging could provide non-invasive, high resolution quantification of microvascular function at penetration depths of several centimeters.

Using Dynamic Geometry Software To Add Contrast to Geometric Situations--A Case Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holzl, Reinhard

2001-01-01

Uses of Dynamic Geometry Software (DGS) are often limited purely to a verifying role. Presents a case study that emerged from a project in which DGS formed an integral part of the pedagogical arrangement. The study demonstrates how the contrasting power of DGS might be utilized in a guided discovery setting. (Contains 17 references.) (Author/ASK)

The use of iohexol in pediatric urography: a comparative study with meglumine diatrizoate.

PubMed

Bani, E; Federighi, F; Ghio, R; Marchitiello, M; Galigani, P; Palla, R

1985-01-01

In a prospective study the nephrotoxicity of iohexol, a new non-ionic contrast medium, was compared with meglumine diatrizoate. Plasma creatinine, BUN, creatinine clearance, urinalysis and the urinary excretion of N-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and muramidase (MU) were determined prior to and following intravenous pyelography. A significant rise in the enzyme excretion was observed in patients who received iohexol and diatrizoate. Statistical analysis failed to demonstrate any difference in nephrotoxicity between the two iodinated contrast media.

Investigation of Non-Linear Dynamics of the Rock Massive,Using Seismological Catalogue data and Induction Electromagnetic Monitoring Data in a Rock Burst Mine.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hachay, O. A.; Khachay, O. Y.; Klimko, V. K.; Shipeev, O. V.

2012-04-01

Geological medium is an open dynamical system, which is influenced on different scales by natural and man-made impacts, which change the medium state and lead as a result to a complicated many ranked hierarchic evolution. That is the subject of geo synergetics. Paradigm of physical mesomechanics, which was advanced by academician Panin V.E. and his scientific school, which includes the synergetic approach is a constructive method for research and changing the state of heterogenic materials [1]. That result had been obtained on specimens of different materials. In our results of research of no stationary geological medium in a frame of natural experiments in real rock massifs, which are under high man-made influence it was shown, that the state dynamics can be revealed with use synergetics in hierarchic medium. Active and passive geophysical monitoring plays a very important role for research of the state of dynamical geological systems. It can be achieved by use electromagnetic and seismic fields. Our experience of that research showed the changing of the system state reveals on the space scales and times in the parameters, which are linked with the peculiarities of the medium of the second or higher ranks [2-5]. Results of seismological and electromagnetic information showed the mutual additional information on different space-time levels of rock massive state, which are energetic influenced by explosions, used in mining technology. It is revealed a change of nonlinearity degree in time of the massive state by active influence on it. The description of massive movement in a frame of linear dynamical system does not satisfy the practical situation. The received results are of great significance because for the first time we could find the coincidences with the mathematical theory of open systems and experimental natural results with very complicated structure. On that base we developed a new processing method for the seismological information which can be used in real time for estimation of the disaster degree changing in mine massive. The work was supported by the grant RFBR 10-05-00013. 1. Panin,V.E. et all. 1995. Physical mesomechanics and computer construction of materials . Novosibirsk.: Nauka, SIFR. V.1 pp. 350. 2. Hachay, O.A. 2006. "The problem of the research of redistribution of stress and phase states of massive between high man-made influences," Mining information and analytic bulletin, 5:109-115. 3. Hachay, O.A. and Khachay, O.Yu. 2008. "Theoretical approaches for system of geophysical state control validation of geological medium by man-made influence," Mining information and analytic bulletin 1:161-169. 4. Hachay, O.A., and Khachay, O.Yu. 2009. "Results of electromagnetic and seismic monitoring of the state of rock massive by use the approach of the open dynamical systems,"presented at the EGU2009 - EGU General Assembly 2009, session: Thermo- hydro- mechanical coupling in stressed rock, 19 April 19 - 24 April 2009. 5. Hachay, O.A. "Synergetic events in geological medium and nonlinear features of wave propagation," presented at the EGU2009 - EGU General Assembly 2009, session: Solid Earth geocomplexity: surface processes, morphology and natural resources over wide ranges of scale, 19 April 19 - 24 April 2009.

Dynamic coherent backscattering mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeylikovich, I.; Xu, M.

2016-02-01

The phase of multiply scattered light has recently attracted considerable interest. Coherent backscattering is a striking phenomenon of multiple scattered light in which the coherence of light survives multiple scattering in a random medium and is observable in the direction space as an enhancement of the intensity of backscattered light within a cone around the retroreflection direction. Reciprocity also leads to enhancement of backscattering light in the spatial space. The random medium behaves as a reciprocity mirror which robustly converts a diverging incident beam into a converging backscattering one focusing at a conjugate spot in space. Here we first analyze theoretically this coherent backscattering mirror (CBM) phenomenon and then demonstrate the capability of CBM compensating and correcting both static and dynamic phase distortions occurring along the optical path. CBM may offer novel approaches for high speed dynamic phase corrections in optical systems and find applications in sensing and navigation.

Multi-frame X-ray Phase Contrast Imaging (MPCI) for Dynamic Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iverson, Adam; Carlson, Carl; Sanchez, Nathaniel; Jensen, Brian

2017-06-01

Recent advances in coupling synchrotron X-ray diagnostics to dynamic experiments are providing new information about the response of materials at extremes. For example, propagation based X-ray Phase Contrast Imaging (PCI) which is sensitive to differences in density has been successfully used to study a wide range of phenomena, e.g. jet-formation, compression of additive manufactured (AM) materials, and detonator dynamics. In this talk, we describe the current multi-frame X-ray phase contrast imaging (MPCI) system which allows up to eight frames per experiment, remote optimization, and an improved optical design that increases optical efficiency and accommodates dual-magnification during a dynamic event. Data will be presented that used the dual-magnification feature to obtain multiple images of an exploding foil initiator. In addition, results from static testing will be presented that used a multiple scintillator configuration required to extend the density retrieval to multi-constituent, or heterogeneous systems. The continued development of this diagnostic is fundamentally important to capabilities at the APS including IMPULSE and the Dynamic Compression Sector (DCS), and will benefit future facilities such as MaRIE at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Many-body dynamics of driven-dissipative Rydberg cavity polaritons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pistorius, Tim; Fan, Jingtao; Weimer, Hendrik

2017-04-01

The usage of photons as long-range information carriers has greatly increased the interest in systems with nonlinear optical properties in recent years. The nonlinearity is easily achievable in Rydberg mediums through the strong van der Waals interaction which makes them one of the best candidates for such a system. Here, we propose a way to analyze the steady state solutions of a Rydberg medium in a cavity through the combination of the variational principle for open quantum systems and the P-distribution of the density matrix. To get a better understanding of the many-body-dynamics a transformation into the polariton picture is performed and investigated. Volkswagen Foundation, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

Tissue structure characterization of biotissue phantom by use of the speckle-correlometric technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isaeva, A. A.; Isaeva, E. A.; Zimnyakov, D. A.; Pantyukov, A. V.; Agapova, Y. V.; Macheyev, M. A.

2017-03-01

Speckle correlometry gives the possibilities to visualize tissue scattering structure analyzing the correlation characteristics of speckle-modulated images. In this work, the inhomogeneous multiple scattering medium with the "dynamic" long inclusions was investigated like a blood vessels in living tissue. The scattering media is 0.28% weight fraction of gelatin dissolved in water and 1 gram per liter (gL-1) and 100 mg per liter (gL-1) of TiO2 for optical scattering. The movement of fluid (distilled water) in the cylindrical hole with given radius simulate a blood motion in the vessel. It was shown the possibility to determinate the depth location of dynamic inhomogeneities inside a scattering medium.

Combined phosphorescence-holographic approach for singlet oxygen detection in biological media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Semenova, I. V.; Belashov, A. V.; Beltukova, D. M.; Petrov, N. V.; Vasyutinskii, O. S.

2015-06-01

The paper presents a novel combined approach aimed to detect and monitor singlet oxygen molecules in biological specimens by means of the simultaneous recording and monitoring of their deactivation dynamics in the two complementary channels: radiative and nonradiative. The approach involves both the direct registration of phosphorescence at the wavelength of about 1270 nm caused by radiative relaxation of excited singlet oxygen molecules and holographic recording of thermal disturbances in the medium produced by their nonradiative relaxation. The data provides a complete set of information on singlet oxygen location and dynamics in the medium. The approach was validated in the case study of photosensitized generation of singlet oxygen in onion cell structures.

Efficient analysis of mode profiles in elliptical microcavity using dynamic-thermal electron-quantum medium FDTD method.

PubMed

Khoo, E H; Ahmed, I; Goh, R S M; Lee, K H; Hung, T G G; Li, E P

2013-03-11

The dynamic-thermal electron-quantum medium finite-difference time-domain (DTEQM-FDTD) method is used for efficient analysis of mode profile in elliptical microcavity. The resonance peak of the elliptical microcavity is studied by varying the length ratio. It is observed that at some length ratios, cavity mode is excited instead of whispering gallery mode. This depicts that mode profiles are length ratio dependent. Through the implementation of the DTEQM-FDTD on graphic processing unit (GPU), the simulation time is reduced by 300 times as compared to the CPU. This leads to an efficient optimization approach to design microcavity lasers for wide range of applications in photonic integrated circuits.

Soil Water Balance and Vegetation Dynamics in two Water-limited Mediterranean Ecosystem on Sardinia under past and future climate change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corona, R.; Montaldo, N.; Albertson, J. D.

2016-12-01

Water limited conditions strongly impacts soil and vegetation dynamics in Mediterranean regions, which are commonly heterogeneous ecosystems, characterized by inter-annual rainfall variability, topography variability and contrasting plant functional types (PFTs) competing for water use. Historical human influences (e.g., deforestation, urbanization) further altered these ecosystems. Sardinia island is a representative region of Mediterranean ecosystems. It is low urbanized except some plan areas close to the main cities where main agricultural activities are concentrated. Two contrasting case study sites are within the Flumendosa river basin (1700 km2). The first site is a typical grassland on an alluvial plan valley (soil depth > 2m) while the second is a patchy mixture of Mediterranean vegetation species (mainly wild olive trees and C3 herbaceous) that grow in a soil bounded from below by a rocky layer of basalt, partially fractured (soil depth 15 - 40 cm). In both sites land-surface fluxes and CO2 fluxes are estimated by the eddy correlation technique while soil moisture was continuously estimated with water content reflectometers, and periodically leaf area index (LAI) was estimated. The following objectives are addressed:1) pointing out the dynamics of land surface fluxes, soil moisture, CO2 and vegetation cover for two contrasting water-limited ecosystems; 2) assess the impact of the soil depth and type on the CO2 and water balance dynamics; 3) evaluate the impact of past and future climate change scenarios on the two contrasting ecosystems. For reaching the objectives an ecohydrologic model that couples a vegetation dynamic model (VDM), and a 3-component (bare soil, grass and woody vegetation) land surface model (LSM) has been used. Historical meteorological data are available from 1922 and hydro-meteorological scenarios are then generated using a weather generator. The VDM-LSM model predict soil water balance and vegetation dynamics for the generated hydrometeorological scenarios in the two contrasting ecosystems. Results demonstrate that vegetation dynamics are influenced by the inter-annual variability of atmospheric forcing, with vegetation density changing significantly according to seasonal rainfall amount. At the same time the vegetation dynamics affect the soil water balance.

Modeling of conductive particle motion in viscous medium affected by an electric field considering particle-electrode interactions and microdischarge phenomenon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eslami, Ghiyam; Esmaeilzadeh, Esmaeil; Pérez, Alberto T.

2016-10-01

Up and down motion of a spherical conductive particle in dielectric viscous fluid driven by a DC electric field between two parallel electrodes was investigated. A nonlinear differential equation, governing the particle dynamics, was derived, based on Newton's second law of mechanics, and solved numerically. All the pertaining dimensionless groups were extracted. In contrast to similar previous works, hydrodynamic interaction between the particle and the electrodes, as well as image electric forces, has been taken into account. Furthermore, the influence of the microdischarge produced between the electrodes and the approaching particle on the particle dynamics has been included in the model. The model results were compared with experimental data available in the literature, as well as with some additional experimental data obtained through the present study showing very good agreement. The results indicate that the wall hydrodynamic effect and the dielectric liquid ionic conductivity are very dominant factors determining the particle trajectory. A lower bound is derived for the charge transferred to the particle while rebounding from an electrode. It is found that the time and length scales of the post-microdischarge motion of the particle can be as small as microsecond and micrometer, respectively. The model is able to predict the so called settling/dwelling time phenomenon for the first time.

Microglia/macrophage polarization dynamics in white matter after traumatic brain injury

PubMed Central

Wang, Guohua; Zhang, Jia; Hu, Xiaoming; Zhang, Lili; Mao, Leilei; Jiang, Xiaoyan; Liou, Anthony Kian-Fong; Leak, Rehana K; Gao, Yanqin; Chen, Jun

2013-01-01

Mononuclear phagocytes are a population of multi-phenotypic cells and have dual roles in brain destruction/reconstruction. The phenotype-specific roles of microglia/macrophages in traumatic brain injury (TBI) are, however, poorly characterized. In the present study, TBI was induced in mice by a controlled cortical impact (CCI) and animals were killed at 1 to 14 days post injury. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and immunofluorescence staining for M1 and M2 markers were performed to characterize phenotypic changes of microglia/macrophages in both gray and white matter. We found that the number of M1-like phagocytes increased in cortex, striatum and corpus callosum (CC) during the first week and remained elevated until at least 14 days after TBI. In contrast, M2-like microglia/macrophages peaked at 5 days, but decreased rapidly thereafter. Notably, the severity of white matter injury (WMI), manifested by immunohistochemical staining for neurofilament SMI-32, was strongly correlated with the number of M1-like phagocytes. In vitro experiments using a conditioned medium transfer system confirmed that M1 microglia-conditioned media exacerbated oxygen glucose deprivation–induced oligodendrocyte death. Our results indicate that microglia/macrophages respond dynamically to TBI, experiencing a transient M2 phenotype followed by a shift to the M1 phenotype. The M1 phenotypic shift may propel WMI progression and represents a rational target for TBI treatment. PMID:23942366

Adrenal glands in hypovolemic shock: preservation of contrast enhancement at dynamic computed tomography.

PubMed

Ito, Katsuyoshi; Higashi, Hiroki; Kanki, Akihiko; Tamada, Tsutomu; Yamashita, Takenori; Yamamoto, Akira; Watanabe, Shigeru

2010-07-01

To evaluate contrast enhancement effects of the adrenal glands at dynamic computed tomography (CT) in adult severe trauma patients with hypovolemic shock in comparison with patients without hypovolemic shock. This study population included a total of 74 patients with (n = 24) and without (n = 50) blunt trauma and hypovolemic shock. Measurement of CT attenuation values of the adrenal gland and calculation of the enhancement washout percentages were performed. The mean +/- SD CT attenuation values of the adrenal glands in the arterial phase of dynamic CT in patients with hypovolemic shock (137.3 +/- 41.7 Hounsfield unit [HU]) were not significantly different (P = 0.16) from those in control subjects (127.3 +/- 19.6 HU). The mean CT attenuation values of the adrenal glands in the delayed phase of dynamic CT in patients with hypovolemic shock (82.0 +/- 14.7 HU) were also not significantly different (P = 0.89) from those in control subjects (82.4 +/- 10.0 HU). The mean percentage (35%) of enhancement washout of the adrenal glands in patients with hypovolemic shock was not significantly different (P = 0.81) from that (34%) in control subjects. Contrast enhancement effects of the adrenal glands at contrast-enhanced dynamic CT in patients with hypovolemic shock were similar to those in control subjects, indicating the preserved enhancement and perfusion of the adrenal gland rather than intense and persistent enhancement in patients with hypovolemic shock.

Rewritable three-dimensional holographic data storage via optical forces

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yetisen, Ali K., E-mail: ayetisen@mgh.harvard.edu; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139; Montelongo, Yunuen

2016-08-08

The development of nanostructures that can be reversibly arranged and assembled into 3D patterns may enable optical tunability. However, current dynamic recording materials such as photorefractive polymers cannot be used to store information permanently while also retaining configurability. Here, we describe the synthesis and optimization of a silver nanoparticle doped poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) recording medium for reversibly recording 3D holograms. We theoretically and experimentally demonstrate organizing nanoparticles into 3D assemblies in the recording medium using optical forces produced by the gradients of standing waves. The nanoparticles in the recording medium are organized by multiple nanosecond laser pulses to produce reconfigurablemore » slanted multilayer structures. We demonstrate the capability of producing rewritable optical elements such as multilayer Bragg diffraction gratings, 1D photonic crystals, and 3D multiplexed optical gratings. We also show that 3D virtual holograms can be reversibly recorded. This recording strategy may have applications in reconfigurable optical elements, data storage devices, and dynamic holographic displays.« less

Molecular Dynamics Study on Nucleation Behavior and Lamellar Mergence of Polyethylene Globule Crystallization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Xiaozhen; Wang, Simiao

2012-02-01

The site order parameter (SOP) has been adopted to analyze various order structure formation and distribution during the crystallization of a multi-chain polyethylene globule simulated by molecular dynamics. We found that the nucleation relies on crystallinity fluctuation with increase of amplitude, and the baby nucleus in the fluctuation suddenly appears with different shape and increasing size. In the growth stage, a number of lamellar mergence was observed and their selective behaviors were suggested to be related to the orientation difference between the merging lamellae. We obtained that SOP distribution of all atoms in the system during crystallization appears with two peaks: one for the amorphous phase and the other for the crystalline phase. Mesomorphic structures with medium orders locate between the two peaks as an order promotion pathway. Obtained data show that the medium order structure fluctuates at the growth front and does not always be available; the medium order structure existing at the front is not always good for developing. It is possibly caused by chain entanglement.

On the retrieval efficiency of light storage in an EIT medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chough, Young-Tak

2016-08-01

We investigate the retrieval efficiency of light slowed and/or stored in a medium with electromagnetically-induced transparency (an EIT medium) by numerical simulations based on first principles. Starting from the master equation formulation, we derive the full dynamics of the system and then show how the approximations are applied to reduce the number of dynamical equations. While operating the system as an optical "retarder," a "reflector," and a "beam-splitter," we find that the total retrieval efficiency in the case of the "beam-splitter" operation is lower than that in either of the other two operations. Nevertheless, we find that (1) when an appropriate value of detuning is applied between the two counter-propagating " read"-fields, the retrieval efficiency in the latter case can be significantly improved, (2) storing the signal in the form of the atomic spin wave is more advantageous than storing it in the form of a stationary light pulse (SLP), and (3) the retrieval efficiency can be augmented by increasing the strengths of the " read"-fields.

Shock probes in a one-dimensional Katz-Lebowitz-Spohn model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatterjee, Sakuntala; Barma, Mustansir

2008-06-01

We consider shock probes in a one-dimensional driven diffusive medium with nearest-neighbor Ising interaction (KLS model). Earlier studies based on an approximate mapping of the present system to an effective zero-range process concluded that the exponents characterizing the decays of several static and dynamical correlation functions of the probes depend continuously on the strength of the Ising interaction. On the contrary, our numerical simulations indicate that over a substantial range of the interaction strength, these exponents remain constant and their values are the same as in the case of no interaction (when the medium executes an ASEP). We demonstrate this by numerical studies of several dynamical correlation functions for two probes and also for a macroscopic number of probes. Our results are consistent with the expectation that the short-ranged correlations induced by the Ising interaction should not affect the large time and large distance properties of the system, implying that scaling forms remain the same as in the medium with no interactions present.

Relationship between pH and Medium Dissolved Solids in Terms of Growth and Metabolism of Lactobacilli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae during Ethanol Production

PubMed Central

Narendranath, Neelakantam V.; Power, Ronan

2005-01-01

The specific growth rates of four species of lactobacilli decreased linearly with increases in the concentration of dissolved solids (sugars) in liquid growth medium. This was most likely due to the osmotic stress exerted by the sugars on the bacteria. The reduction in growth rates corresponded to decreased lactic acid production. Medium pH was another factor studied. As the medium pH decreased from 5.5 to 4.0, there was a reduction in the specific growth rate of lactobacilli and a corresponding decrease in the lactic acid produced. In contrast, medium pH did not have any significant effect on the specific growth rate of yeast at any particular concentration of dissolved solids in the medium. However, medium pH had a significant (P < 0.001) effect on ethanol production. A medium pH of 5.5 resulted in maximal ethanol production in all media with different concentrations of dissolved solids. When the data were analyzed as a 4 (pH levels) by 4 (concentrations of dissolved solids) factorial experiment, there was no synergistic effect (P > 0.2923) observed between pH of the medium and concentration of dissolved solids of the medium in reducing bacterial growth and metabolism. The data suggest that reduction of initial medium pH to 4.0 for the control of lactobacilli during ethanol production is not a good practice as there is a reduction (P < 0.001) in the ethanol produced by the yeast at pH 4.0. Setting the mash (medium) with ≥30% (wt/vol) dissolved solids at a pH of 5.0 to 5.5 will minimize the effects of bacterial contamination and maximize ethanol production by yeast. PMID:15870306

Dynamic analysis of bulk-fill composites: Effect of food-simulating liquids.

PubMed

Eweis, Ahmed Hesham; Yap, Adrian U-Jin; Yahya, Noor Azlin

2017-10-01

This study investigated the effect of food simulating liquids on visco-elastic properties of bulk-fill restoratives using dynamic mechanical analysis. One conventional composite (Filtek Z350 [FZ]), two bulk-fill composites (Filtek Bulk-fill [FB] and Tetric N Ceram [TN]) and a bulk-fill giomer (Beautifil-Bulk Restorative [BB]) were evaluated. Specimens (12 × 2 × 2mm) were fabricated using customized stainless steel molds. The specimens were light-cured, removed from their molds, finished, measured and randomly divided into six groups. The groups (n = 10) were conditioned in the following mediums for 7 days at 37°C: air (control), artificial saliva (SAGF), distilled water, 0.02N citric acid, heptane, 50% ethanol-water solution. Specimens were assessed using dynamic mechanical testing in flexural three-point bending mode and their respective mediums at 37°C and a frequency range of 0.1-10Hz. The distance between the supports were fixed at 10mm and an axial load of 5N was employed. Data for elastic modulus, viscous modulus and loss tangent were subjected to ANOVA/Tukey's tests at significance level p < 0.05. Significant differences in visco-elastic properties were observed between materials and mediums. Apart from bulk-fill giomer, elastic modulus was the highest after conditioning in heptane. No apparent trends were noted for viscous modulus. Generally, loss tangent was the highest after conditioning in ethanol. The effect of food-simulating liquids on the visco-elastic properties of bulk-fill composites was material and medium dependent. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development of optimal models of porous media by combining static and dynamic data: the permeability and porosity distributions.

PubMed

Hamzehpour, Hossein; Rasaei, M Reza; Sahimi, Muhammad

2007-05-01

We describe a method for the development of the optimal spatial distributions of the porosity phi and permeability k of a large-scale porous medium. The optimal distributions are constrained by static and dynamic data. The static data that we utilize are limited data for phi and k, which the method honors in the optimal model and utilizes their correlation functions in the optimization process. The dynamic data include the first-arrival (FA) times, at a number of receivers, of seismic waves that have propagated in the porous medium, and the time-dependent production rates of a fluid that flows in the medium. The method combines the simulated-annealing method with a simulator that solves numerically the three-dimensional (3D) acoustic wave equation and computes the FA times, and a second simulator that solves the 3D governing equation for the fluid's pressure as a function of time. To our knowledge, this is the first time that an optimization method has been developed to determine simultaneously the global minima of two distinct total energy functions. As a stringent test of the method's accuracy, we solve for flow of two immiscible fluids in the same porous medium, without using any data for the two-phase flow problem in the optimization process. We show that the optimal model, in addition to honoring the data, also yields accurate spatial distributions of phi and k, as well as providing accurate quantitative predictions for the single- and two-phase flow problems. The efficiency of the computations is discussed in detail.

Development and characterization of a dynamic lesion phantom for the quantitative evaluation of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

PubMed

Freed, Melanie; de Zwart, Jacco A; Hariharan, Prasanna; Myers, Matthew R; Badano, Aldo

2011-10-01

To develop a dynamic lesion phantom that is capable of producing physiological kinetic curves representative of those seen in human dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) data. The objective of this phantom is to provide a platform for the quantitative comparison of DCE-MRI protocols to aid in the standardization and optimization of breast DCE-MRI. The dynamic lesion consists of a hollow, plastic mold with inlet and outlet tubes to allow flow of a contrast agent solution through the lesion over time. Border shape of the lesion can be controlled using the lesion mold production method. The configuration of the inlet and outlet tubes was determined using fluid transfer simulations. The total fluid flow rate was determined using x-ray images of the lesion for four different flow rates (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 ml/s) to evaluate the resultant kinetic curve shape and homogeneity of the contrast agent distribution in the dynamic lesion. High spatial and temporal resolution x-ray measurements were used to estimate the true kinetic curve behavior in the dynamic lesion for benign and malignant example curves. DCE-MRI example data were acquired of the dynamic phantom using a clinical protocol. The optimal inlet and outlet tube configuration for the lesion molds was two inlet molds separated by 30° and a single outlet tube directly between the two inlet tubes. X-ray measurements indicated that 1.0 ml/s was an appropriate total fluid flow rate and provided truth for comparison with MRI data of kinetic curves representative of benign and malignant lesions. DCE-MRI data demonstrated the ability of the phantom to produce realistic kinetic curves. The authors have constructed a dynamic lesion phantom, demonstrated its ability to produce physiological kinetic curves, and provided estimations of its true kinetic curve behavior. This lesion phantom provides a tool for the quantitative evaluation of DCE-MRI protocols, which may lead to improved discrimination of breast cancer lesions.

Application of automatic threshold in dynamic target recognition with low contrast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miao, Hua; Guo, Xiaoming; Chen, Yu

2014-11-01

Hybrid photoelectric joint transform correlator can realize automatic real-time recognition with high precision through the combination of optical devices and electronic devices. When recognizing targets with low contrast using photoelectric joint transform correlator, because of the difference of attitude, brightness and grayscale between target and template, only four to five frames of dynamic targets can be recognized without any processing. CCD camera is used to capture the dynamic target images and the capturing speed of CCD is 25 frames per second. Automatic threshold has many advantages like fast processing speed, effectively shielding noise interference, enhancing diffraction energy of useful information and better reserving outline of target and template, so this method plays a very important role in target recognition with optical correlation method. However, the automatic obtained threshold by program can not achieve the best recognition results for dynamic targets. The reason is that outline information is broken to some extent. Optimal threshold is obtained by manual intervention in most cases. Aiming at the characteristics of dynamic targets, the processing program of improved automatic threshold is finished by multiplying OTSU threshold of target and template by scale coefficient of the processed image, and combining with mathematical morphology. The optimal threshold can be achieved automatically by improved automatic threshold processing for dynamic low contrast target images. The recognition rate of dynamic targets is improved through decreased background noise effect and increased correlation information. A series of dynamic tank images with the speed about 70 km/h are adapted as target images. The 1st frame of this series of tanks can correlate only with the 3rd frame without any processing. Through OTSU threshold, the 80th frame can be recognized. By automatic threshold processing of the joint images, this number can be increased to 89 frames. Experimental results show that the improved automatic threshold processing has special application value for the recognition of dynamic target with low contrast.

Photon mass drag and the momentum of light in a medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Partanen, Mikko; Häyrynen, Teppo; Oksanen, Jani; Tulkki, Jukka

2017-06-01

Conventional theories of electromagnetic waves in a medium assume that the energy propagating with the light pulse in the medium is entirely carried by the field. Thus, the possibility that the optical force field of the light pulse would drive forward an atomic mass density wave (MDW) and the related kinetic and elastic energies is neglected. In this work, we present foundations of a covariant theory of light propagation in a medium by considering a light wave simultaneously with the dynamics of the medium atoms driven by optoelastic forces between the induced dipoles and the electromagnetic field. We show that a light pulse having a total electromagnetic energy ℏ ω propagating in a nondispersive medium transfers a mass equal to δ m =(n2-1 ) ℏ ω /c2 , where n is the refractive index. MDW, which carries this mass, consists of atoms, which are more densely spaced inside the light pulse as a result of the field-dipole interaction. We also prove that the transfer of mass with the light pulse, the photon mass drag effect, gives an essential contribution to the total momentum of the light pulse, which becomes equal to the Minkowski momentum pM=n ℏ ω /c . The field's share of the momentum is the Abraham momentum pA=ℏ ω /(n c ) , while the difference pM-pA is carried by MDW. Due to the coupling of the field and matter, only the total momentum of the light pulse and the transferred mass δ m can be directly measured. Thus, our theory gives an unambiguous physical meaning to the Abraham and Minkowski momenta. We also show that to solve the centenary Abraham-Minkowski controversy of the momentum of light in a nondispersive medium in a way that is consistent with Newton's first law, one must account for the mass transfer effect. We derive the photon mass drag effect using two independent but complementary covariant models. In the mass-polariton (MP) quasiparticle approach, we consider the light pulse as a coupled state between the photon and matter, isolated from the rest of the medium. The momentum and the transferred mass of MP follow unambiguously from the Lorentz invariance and the fundamental conservation laws of nature. To enable the calculation of the mass and momentum distribution of a light pulse, we have also generalized the electrodynamics of continuous media to account for the space- and time-dependent optoelastic dynamics of the medium driven by the field-dipole forces. In this optoelastic continuum dynamics (OCD) approach, we obtain with an appropriate space-time discretization a numerically accurate solution of the Newtonian continuum dynamics of the medium when the light pulse is propagating in it. The OCD simulations of a Gaussian light pulse propagating in a diamond crystal give the same momentum pM and the transferred mass δ m for the light pulse as the MP quasiparticle approach. Our simulations also show that, after photon transmission, some nonequilibrium of the mass distribution is left in the medium. Since the elastic forces are included in our simulations on equal footing with the optical forces, our simulations also depict how the mass and thermal equilibria are reestablished by elastic waves. In the relaxation process, a small amount of photon energy is dissipated into lattice heat. We finally discuss a possibility of an optical waveguide setup for experimental measurement of the transferred mass of the light pulse. Our main result that a light pulse is inevitably associated with an experimentally measurable mass is a fundamental change in our understanding of light propagation in a medium.

Origins of Irish-Medium Education: The Dynamic Core of Language Revitalisation in Northern Ireland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O Baoill, Donall P.

2007-01-01

The establishment and growth of Irish-medium education has been central to the revitalisation of the language in Northern Ireland in recent years. Historically, the struggle by the minority of Irish speakers in the region to provide all-Irish schools has been both the goal and the engine of renewal and expansion during a period of community and…

Detection of phasic dopamine by D1 and D2 striatal medium spiny neurons.

PubMed

Yapo, Cedric; Nair, Anu G; Clement, Lorna; Castro, Liliana R; Hellgren Kotaleski, Jeanette; Vincent, Pierre

2017-12-15

Brief dopamine events are critical actors of reward-mediated learning in the striatum; the intracellular cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) response of striatal medium spiny neurons to such events was studied dynamically using a combination of biosensor imaging in mouse brain slices and in silico simulations. Both D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons can sense brief dopamine transients in the sub-micromolar range. While dopamine transients profoundly change cAMP levels in both types of medium spiny neurons, the PKA-dependent phosphorylation level remains unaffected in D2 neurons. At the level of PKA-dependent phosphorylation, D2 unresponsiveness depends on protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) inhibition by DARPP-32. Simulations suggest that D2 medium spiny neurons could detect transient dips in dopamine level. The phasic release of dopamine in the striatum determines various aspects of reward and action selection, but the dynamics of the dopamine effect on intracellular signalling remains poorly understood. We used genetically encoded FRET biosensors in striatal brain slices to quantify the effect of transient dopamine on cAMP or PKA-dependent phosphorylation levels, and computational modelling to further explore the dynamics of this signalling pathway. Medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs), which express either D 1 or D 2 dopamine receptors, responded to dopamine by an increase or a decrease in cAMP, respectively. Transient dopamine showed similar sub-micromolar efficacies on cAMP in both D1 and D2 MSNs, thus challenging the commonly accepted notion that dopamine efficacy is much higher on D 2 than on D 1 receptors. However, in D2 MSNs, the large decrease in cAMP level triggered by transient dopamine did not translate to a decrease in PKA-dependent phosphorylation level, owing to the efficient inhibition of protein phosphatase 1 by DARPP-32. Simulations further suggested that D2 MSNs can also operate in a 'tone-sensing' mode, allowing them to detect transient dips in basal dopamine. Overall, our results show that D2 MSNs may sense much more complex patterns of dopamine than previously thought. © 2017 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2017 The Physiological Society.

Design and clinical pilot testing of the model-based dynamic insulin sensitivity and secretion test (DISST).

PubMed

Lotz, Thomas F; Chase, J Geoffrey; McAuley, Kirsten A; Shaw, Geoffrey M; Docherty, Paul D; Berkeley, Juliet E; Williams, Sheila M; Hann, Christopher E; Mann, Jim I

2010-11-01

Insulin resistance is a significant risk factor in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. This article presents pilot study results of the dynamic insulin sensitivity and secretion test (DISST), a high-resolution, low-intensity test to diagnose insulin sensitivity (IS) and characterize pancreatic insulin secretion in response to a (small) glucose challenge. This pilot study examines the effect of glucose and insulin dose on the DISST, and tests its repeatability. DISST tests were performed on 16 subjects randomly allocated to low (5 g glucose, 0.5 U insulin), medium (10 g glucose, 1 U insulin) and high dose (20 g glucose, 2 U insulin) protocols. Two or three tests were performed on each subject a few days apart. Average variability in IS between low and medium dose was 10.3% (p=.50) and between medium and high dose 6.0% (p=.87). Geometric mean variability between tests was 6.0% (multiplicative standard deviation (MSD) 4.9%). Geometric mean variability in first phase endogenous insulin response was 6.8% (MSD 2.2%). Results were most consistent in subjects with low IS. These findings suggest that DISST may be an easily performed dynamic test to quantify IS with high resolution, especially among those with reduced IS. © 2010 Diabetes Technology Society.

Generation of a medium vacuum pressure by using two different pumping methods in the KRISS dynamic flow-control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, S. S.; Lim, J. Y.; Khan, W.

2014-02-01

Pumping systems with large vacuum chambers have numerous applications in the process industry: for example, mixing of various types of gases as in the semiconductor industry, the calibration of vacuum gauges, the measurement of outgassing rates of various materials in the field of space technology, etc. Most often, these systems are used in the medium vacuum range (10-1 Pa-102 Pa) and in the dynamically-generated pressure mode. We have designed and developed a new dynamic flow system at the KRISS (Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science) that can be used for such applications with reliability in the range from 0.1 Pa - 133 Pa. In this report, the design philosophy, operational procedure and experimental data for the generated stable pressure points in the chamber of the system are discussed. The data consist the pressure points generated in the medium vacuum range while pumping the chamber of the system by using two different methods: first by using a dry scroll pump and then by using a combination of a turbomolecular pump backed by the same scroll pump. The relative standard deviations in the pressure points were calculated and were found to be greater than 1.5% for the scroll pump and less than 0.5% for the turbomolecular pump.

Individuals with chronic ankle instability exhibit dynamic postural stability deficits and altered unilateral landing biomechanics: A systematic review.

PubMed

Simpson, Jeffrey D; Stewart, Ethan M; Macias, David M; Chander, Harish; Knight, Adam C

2018-06-13

To evaluate the literature regarding unilateral landing biomechanics and dynamic postural stability in individuals with and without chronic ankle instability (CAI). Four online databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and SportDiscus) were searched from the earliest records to 31 January 2018, as well as reference sections of related journal articles, to complete the systematic search. Studies investigating the influence of CAI on unilateral landing biomechanics and dynamic postural stability were systematically reviewed and evaluated. Twenty articles met the criteria and were included in the systematic review. Individuals with CAI were found to have deficits in dynamic postural stability on the affected limb with medium to large effect sizes and altered lower extremity kinematics, most notably in the ankle and knee, with medium to large effect sizes. Additionally, greater loading rates and peak ground reaction forces, in addition to reductions in ankle muscle activity were also found in individuals with CAI during unilateral jump-landing tasks. Individuals with CAI demonstrate dynamic postural stability deficits, lower extremity kinematic alterations, and reduced neuromuscular control during unilateral jump-landings. These are likely factors that contribute recurrent lateral ankle sprain injuries during dynamic activity in individuals with CAI. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ reduced renal damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury in rodent kidneys: Longitudinal observations of T2 -weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

PubMed

Liu, Xiaoge; Murphy, Michael P; Xing, Wei; Wu, Huanhuan; Zhang, Rui; Sun, Haoran

2018-03-01

To investigate the effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ in reducing the severity of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats using T 2 -weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). Ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by temporarily clamping the left renal artery. Rats were pretreated with MitoQ or saline. The MRI examination was performed before and after IRI (days 2, 5, 7, and 14). The T 2 -weighted standardized signal intensity of the outer stripe of the outer medulla (OSOM) was measured. The unilateral renal clearance rate k cl was derived from DCE-MRI. Histopathology was evaluated after the final MRI examination. The standardized signal intensity of the OSOM on IRI kidneys with MitoQ were lower than those with saline on days 5 and 7 (P = 0.004, P < 0.001, respectively). K cl values of IRI kidneys with MitoQ were higher than those with saline at all time points (P = 0.002, P < 0.001, P = 0.001, P < 0.001). Histopathology showed that renal damage was the most predominant on the OSOM of IRI kidneys with saline, which was less obvious with MitoQ (P < 0.001). These findings demonstrate that MitoQ can reduce the severity of renal damage in rodent IRI models using T 2 -weighted imaging and DCE-MRI. Magn Reson Med 79:1559-1667, 2018. © 2017 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2017 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

New method for the isolation of Streptococcus mutans and its differentiation from other oral streptococci.

PubMed

Linke, H A

1977-06-01

A new, improved agar medium for the isolation of Streptococcus mutans, the etiological agent of dental caries, was developed. In contrast to mitis-salivarius agar, this medium not only recovers a greater number of S. mutans strains from most oral specimens but, because of its mannitol and sorbitol content, it also facilitates the differentiation of S. mutans from other oral streptococci, e.g., S. salivarius, S. mitis, and S. sanguis, which do not grow or produce scanty growth only after 10 days of incubation. The medium is easy to prepare because of its simple and unique composition, is characterized by the presence of an acid indicator, and can be utilized under aerobic and anaerobic conditions as well. The medium cannot be used to distinguish among the eight serotypes, a to g and SL-1, of S. mutans. Mannitol-utilizing bacteria such as streptococci (e.g., S. faecalis) and other microorganisms (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus) are able to grow on this medium and can be distinguished from S. mutans by their unique colony morphology.

Mass-polariton theory of light in dispersive media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Partanen, Mikko; Tulkki, Jukka

2017-12-01

We have recently shown that the electromagnetic pulse in a medium is made of mass-polariton (MP) quasiparticles, which are quantized coupled states of the field and an atomic mass density wave (MDW) [M. Partanen et al., Phys. Rev. A 95, 063850 (2017), 10.1103/PhysRevA.95.063850]. In this work, we generalize the MP theory of light for dispersive media assuming that absorption and scattering losses are very small. Following our previous work, we present two different approaches to the coupled state of light: (1) the MP quasiparticle theory, which is derived by only using the fundamental conservation laws and the Lorentz transformation; (2) the classical optoelastic continuum dynamics (OCD), which is a generalization of the electrodynamics of continuous media to include the dynamics of the medium under the influence of optical forces. We show that the total momentum and the transferred mass of the light pulse can be determined in a straightforward way if we know the field energy of the pulse and the dispersion relation of the medium. In analogy to the nondispersive case, we also find unambiguous correspondence between the MP and OCD theories. For the coupled MP state of a single photon and the medium, we obtain the total MP momentum pMP=npℏ ω /c , where np is the phase refractive index. The field's share of the MP momentum is equal to pfield=ℏ ω /(ngc ) , where ng is the group refractive index and the share of the MDW is equal to pMDW=pMP-pfield . Thus, as in a nondispersive medium, the total momentum of the MP is equal to the Minkowski momentum and the field's share of the momentum is equal to the Abraham momentum. We also show that the correspondence between the MP and OCD models and the conservation of momentum at interfaces gives an unambiguous formula for the optical force. The dynamics of the light pulse and the related MDW lead to nonequilibrium of the medium and to relaxation of the atomic density by sound waves in the same way as for nondispersive media. We also carry out simulations for optimal measurements of atomic displacements related to the MDW in silicon. In the simulations, we consider different waveguide cross sections and optical pulse widths and account for the breakdown threshold irradiance of materials. We also compare the MP theory to previous theories of the momentum of light in a dispersive medium. We show that our generalized MP theory resolves all the problems related to the Abraham-Minkowski dilemma in a dispersive medium.

Unipedal Diagnostic Lymphangiography Followed by Sequential CT Examinations in Patients With Idiopathic Chyluria: A Retrospective Study.

PubMed

Dong, Jian; Xin, Jianfeng; Shen, Wenbin; Chen, Xiaobai; Wen, Tingguo; Zhang, Chunyan; Wang, Rengui

2018-04-01

The objective of our study was to investigate the clinical value of diagnostic lymphangiography followed by sequential CT examinations in patients with idiopathic chyluria. Thirty-six patients with idiopathic chyluria underwent unipedal diagnostic lymphangiography and then underwent sequential CT examinations. The examinations were reviewed separately by two radiologists. Abnormal distribution of contrast medium, lymphourinary leakages, and retrograde flow were noted, and the range and distribution of lymphatic vessel lesions were recorded. The stage of idiopathic chyluria based on CT findings and the stage based on clinical findings were compared. Therapeutic management and follow-up were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed. Compared with CT studies performed after lymphangiography, diagnostic lymphangiography showed a unique capability to depict lymphourinary leakages in three patients. Lymphourinary fistulas and abnormal dilated lymphatic vessels were found in and around kidney in all patients. CT depicted retrograde flow of lymph fluid in 47.2% of patients. The consistency in staging chyluria based on CT findings and clinical findings was fair (κ = 0.455). Twenty-nine patients underwent conservative therapy, and seven underwent surgery. Surgical therapy was superior to conservative management (no recurrence, 85.7% of patients who underwent surgery vs 62.1% of patients who underwent conservative therapy; p = 0.025). From assessing the drainage of contrast medium on unipedal diagnostic lymphangiography and the redistribution of contrast medium on sequential CT examinations, it is possible to detect the existence of lymphourinary fistulas, the precise location of lymphatic anomalies, the distribution of collateral lymphatic vessels, and hydrodynamic pressure abnormality in the lymph circulation in patients with idiopathic chyluria. CT staging of chyluria provides additional information that can be used to guide therapeutic management.

Contrasting accessory mineral behavior in minimum-temperature melts: Empirical constraints from the Himalayan metamorphic core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cottle, John M.; Larson, Kyle P.; Yakymchuk, Chris

2018-07-01

Medium-grained leucogranite in the Tama Kosi region of the Nepalese Himalayan Metamorphic Core yields a relatively narrow range of monazite 208Pb/232Th dates with a dominant population at 21.0 Ma inferred to represent crystallization of an early plutonic phase. In contrast, the pegmatitic portion of the same intrusive complex, that cross-cuts the medium-grained leucogranite, contains zircon, monazite and xenotime that each display near-identical age spectra, recording semi-continuous (re-)crystallization from 27.5 Ma to 21.0 Ma, followed by a 2 m.y. hiatus then further (re-)crystallization between 19.4 and 18.6 Ma. The "gap" in pegmatite dates corresponds well to the crystallization age of the older leucogranite, whereas the end of accessory phase growth in the pegmatite coincides with the onset of regional-scale cooling. Detailed textural, trace element and thermochronologic data indicate that the range of zircon, monazite and xenotime dates recorded in the pegmatite reflect inherited components that underwent semi-continuous (re-)crystallization during metamorphism and/or anatexis in the source region(s), whereas dates younger than the hiatus indicate accessory phase recrystallization, related to both fluid influx and a concomitant increase in temperature. In contrast, the lack of an inherited component(s) in the medium-grained leucogranite phase is inferred to be a result of complete dissolution during partial melting. A model is proposed in which influx of heat and H2O-rich fluids associated with early leucogranite emplacement temporarily delayed zircon and monazite and xenotime crystallization, respectively. These data highlight the importance of measuring spatially resolved dates, trace elements and textural patterns from multiple accessory minerals combined with model constraints to better understand the often-complex crystallization history of anatectic melts in collisional orogens.

Accuracy of intra-articular injection of the glenohumeral joint: a modified anterior approach.

PubMed

Jo, Chris Hyunchul; Shin, Young Ho; Shin, Ji Sun

2011-10-01

This study examined the accuracy of our modified anterior approach to the glenohumeral joint using arthrography. Two hundred fifty-six consecutive patients with adhesive capsulitis received the glenohumeral joint injection: a mixture of 1 mL of 40 mg of triamcinolone hexacetonide, 2 mL of 2% lidocaine, 3 mL of contrast medium (Ioxitalamate), and 4 mL of normal saline solution, for a total of 10 mL, through a modified anterior approach. Anteroposterior, lateral, and axial arthrography after each injection was performed to determine the accuracy and patterns of the injection. The injection was judged to be successful if some of the contrast medium was placed within the joint. There were 78 male and 178 female patients, and the mean age was 54 years (range, 28 to 87 years). In 232 of the 256 patients (90.6%), the injection was deemed to have reached the glenohumeral joint, and these cases were considered successful. Among these patients, the contrast medium was shown only in the joint in 189 (73.8%), whereas in 43 (16.8%) it was shown both in and out of the joint. Of the 24 misguided injections, 15 (5.9%) had anterior placement, 6 (2.3%) had posterior placement, and 2 (0.8%) had superior placement, whereas the material was located in all portions outside the joint in 1 (0.4%). This study showed that our modified anterior approach had an accuracy greater than 90% for the intra-articular injection of the glenohumeral joint without radiographic guidance. Copyright © 2011 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Time-resolved nanoseconds dynamics of ultrasound contrast agent microbubbles manipulated and controlled by optical tweezers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garbin, Valeria; Cojoc, Dan; Ferrari, Enrico; Di Fabrizio, Enzo; Overvelde, Marlies L. J.; Versluis, Michel; van der Meer, Sander M.; de Jong, Nico; Lohse, Detlef

2006-08-01

Optical tweezers enable non-destructive, contact-free manipulation of ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) microbubbles, which are used in medical imaging for enhancing the echogenicity of the blood pool and to quantify organ perfusion. The understanding of the fundamental dynamics of ultrasound-driven contrast agent microbubbles is a first step for exploiting their acoustical properties and to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In this respect, optical tweezers can be used to study UCA microbubbles under controlled and repeatable conditions, by positioning them away from interfaces and from neighboring bubbles. In addition, a high-speed imaging system is required to record the dynamics of UCA microbubbles in ultrasound, as their oscillations occur on the nanoseconds timescale. In this work, we demonstrate the use of an optical tweezers system combined with a high-speed camera capable of 128-frame recordings at up to 25 million frames per second (Mfps), for the study of individual UCA microbubble dynamics as a function of the distance from solid interfaces.

Relation between wall shear stress and carotid artery wall thickening MRI versus CFD.

PubMed

Cibis, Merih; Potters, Wouter V; Selwaness, Mariana; Gijsen, Frank J; Franco, Oscar H; Arias Lorza, Andres M; de Bruijne, Marleen; Hofman, Albert; van der Lugt, Aad; Nederveen, Aart J; Wentzel, Jolanda J

2016-03-21

Wall shear stress (WSS), a parameter associated with endothelial function, is calculated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or phase-contrast (PC) MRI measurements. Although CFD is common in WSS (WSSCFD) calculations, PC-MRI-based WSS (WSSMRI) is more favorable in population studies; since it is straightforward and less time consuming. However, it is not clear if WSSMRI and WSSCFD show similar associations with vascular pathology. Our aim was to test the associations between wall thickness (WT) of the carotid arteries and WSSMRI and WSSCFD. The subjects (n=14) with an asymptomatic carotid plaque who underwent MRI scans two times within 4 years of time were selected from the Rotterdam Study. We compared WSSCFD and WSSMRI at baseline and follow-up. Baseline WSSMRI and WSSCFD values were divided into 3 categories representing low, medium and high WSS tertiles. WT of each tertile was compared by a one-way ANOVA test. The WSSMRI and WSSCFD were 0.50±0.13Pa and 0.73±0.25Pa at baseline. Although WSSMRI was underestimated, a significant regression was found between WSSMRI and WSSCFD (r(2)=0.71). No significant difference was found between baseline and follow-up WSS by CFD and MRI-based calculations. The WT at baseline was 1.36±0.16mm and did not change over time. The WT was 1.55±0.21mm in low, 1.33±0.20mm in medium and 1.21±0.21mm in the high WSSMRI tertiles. Similarly, the WT was 1.49±0.21mm in low, 1.33±0.20mm in medium and 1.26±0.21mm in high WSSCFD tertiles. We found that WSSMRI and WSSCFD were inversely related with WT. WSSMRI and WSSCFD patterns were similar although MRI-based calculations underestimated WSS. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chang, Y.; Huang, L. H.; Yang, F. P. Y.

The present study analytically reinvestigates the two-dimensional lift-up problem for a rigid porous bed that was studied by Mei, Yeung, and Liu [“Lifting of a large object from a porous seabed,” J. Fluid Mech. 152, 203 (1985)]. Mei, Yeung, and Liu proposed a model that treats the bed as a rigid porous medium and performed relevant experiments. In their model, they assumed the gap flow comes from the periphery of the gap, and there is a shear layer in the porous medium; the flow in the gap is described by adhesion approximation [D. J. Acheson, Elementary Fluid Dynamics (Clarendon, Oxford,more » 1990), pp. 243-245.] and the pore flow by Darcy’s law, and the slip-flow condition proposed by Beavers and Joseph [“Boundary conditions at a naturally permeable wall,” J. Fluid Mech. 30, 197 (1967)] is applied to the bed interface. In this problem, however, the gap flow initially mainly comes from the porous bed, and the shear layer may not exist. Although later the shear effect becomes important, the empirical slip-flow condition might not physically respond to the shear effect, and the existence of the vertical velocity affects the situation so greatly that the slip-flow condition might not be appropriate. In contrast, the present study proposes a more general model for the problem, applying Stokes flow to the gap, the Brinkman equation to the porous medium, and Song and Huang’s [“Laminar poroelastic media flow,” J. Eng. Mech. 126, 358 (2000)] complete interfacial conditions to the bed interface. The exact solution to the problem is found and fits Mei’s experiments well. The breakout phenomenon is examined for different soil beds, mechanics that cannot be illustrated by Mei’s model are revealed, and the theoretical breakout times obtained using Mei’s model and our model are compared. The results show that the proposed model is more compatible with physics and provides results that are more precise.« less

Two-dimensional lift-up problem for a rigid porous bed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Y.; Huang, L. H.; Yang, F. P. Y.

2015-05-01

The present study analytically reinvestigates the two-dimensional lift-up problem for a rigid porous bed that was studied by Mei, Yeung, and Liu ["Lifting of a large object from a porous seabed," J. Fluid Mech. 152, 203 (1985)]. Mei, Yeung, and Liu proposed a model that treats the bed as a rigid porous medium and performed relevant experiments. In their model, they assumed the gap flow comes from the periphery of the gap, and there is a shear layer in the porous medium; the flow in the gap is described by adhesion approximation [D. J. Acheson, Elementary Fluid Dynamics (Clarendon, Oxford, 1990), pp. 243-245.] and the pore flow by Darcy's law, and the slip-flow condition proposed by Beavers and Joseph ["Boundary conditions at a naturally permeable wall," J. Fluid Mech. 30, 197 (1967)] is applied to the bed interface. In this problem, however, the gap flow initially mainly comes from the porous bed, and the shear layer may not exist. Although later the shear effect becomes important, the empirical slip-flow condition might not physically respond to the shear effect, and the existence of the vertical velocity affects the situation so greatly that the slip-flow condition might not be appropriate. In contrast, the present study proposes a more general model for the problem, applying Stokes flow to the gap, the Brinkman equation to the porous medium, and Song and Huang's ["Laminar poroelastic media flow," J. Eng. Mech. 126, 358 (2000)] complete interfacial conditions to the bed interface. The exact solution to the problem is found and fits Mei's experiments well. The breakout phenomenon is examined for different soil beds, mechanics that cannot be illustrated by Mei's model are revealed, and the theoretical breakout times obtained using Mei's model and our model are compared. The results show that the proposed model is more compatible with physics and provides results that are more precise.

Fluoroscopy-Guided Sacroiliac Joint Injection: Description of a Modified Technique.

PubMed

Kasliwal, Prasad Jaychand; Kasliwal, Sapana

2016-02-01

Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pathology is a common etiologic cause for 10 - 27% of cases of mechanical low back pain (LBP) below the L5 level. In the absence of definite clinical or radiologic diagnostic criteria, controlled blocks of the SIJ have become the choice assessment method for making the diagnosis of SIJ pain. The SI joint is most often characterized as a large, auricular-shaped, diarthrodial synovial joint. In reality, its synovial characteristic is limited only to the distal third and anterior third. In SIJ interventions, the lateral view has been underutilized. In our technique, we used the lateral view to create a three-dimensional view of the SIJ to aid in gauging the accurateness of the contrast spread and to obtain a precise block. After obtaining appropriate fluoroscopic images, a curved tip spinal needle was directed into the inferior aspect of the SIJ using a posterior approach. As the needle contacts firm tissues on the posterior aspect of the joint, position of the needle tip is checked using lateral fluoroscopy. In the lateral view, the needle tip position is manipulated to keep it in the anterior third of the SIJ and contrast is injected. Our criteria for accurate SIJ block, in posteroanterior (PA) view, is the injection of the contrast medium should outline the joint space and the contrast medium should be seen to travel cephalad along the joint line. In the lateral view, the contrast medium most densely outlines the parameter of the joint. We have utilized this method with good effect in approximately 30 cases over one year. Out of 30 cases, needle position and contrast spread was satisfactory in 28 and 27 cases, respectively. So satisfactory needle placement and contrast spread was in 93% and 87% cases. Pain relief of 80% or more after intra-articular injection of local anesthetic was seen in 50% (15 of 30) patients; pain relief of 50 - 79% was witnessed in 30% (9 of 30) patients. Thus, pain decreased 50% or more in 80% (24 of 30) of the joints. Out of 24 joints where we got satisfactory needle position and contrast spread, 23 joints got more than 50% relief. Thus, if needle position and contrast spread is satisfactory as per the criteria, pain relief of 50% or more was in 96% (23 of 24) of joints. There are few possible limitations with this study like difficulty to go up to the anterior third of the SIJ, it may be more painful as a narrow joint line has to be travelled in depth, sciatic numbness due to drug leak, or injuring the pelvic structure. Advantages of this method are that depth and level of the needle tip for a SIJ block is described for the more precise block. This will reduce false positive and false negative results, i.e., sensitivity and specificity of SIJ blocks and results for diagnostic blocks become more reliable. It will also reduce the chances of a case getting abandoned due to inappropriate contrast spread obscuring the fluoroscopic landmarks. As we know the depth of the needle, the chances of injuring pelvic structures become less and safety improves.

Prediction and validation of diffusion coefficients in a model drug delivery system using microsecond atomistic molecular dynamics simulation and vapour sorption analysis.

PubMed

Forrey, Christopher; Saylor, David M; Silverstein, Joshua S; Douglas, Jack F; Davis, Eric M; Elabd, Yossef A

2014-10-14

Diffusion of small to medium sized molecules in polymeric medical device materials underlies a broad range of public health concerns related to unintended leaching from or uptake into implantable medical devices. However, obtaining accurate diffusion coefficients for such systems at physiological temperature represents a formidable challenge, both experimentally and computationally. While molecular dynamics simulation has been used to accurately predict the diffusion coefficients, D, of a handful of gases in various polymers, this success has not been extended to molecules larger than gases, e.g., condensable vapours, liquids, and drugs. We present atomistic molecular dynamics simulation predictions of diffusion in a model drug eluting system that represent a dramatic improvement in accuracy compared to previous simulation predictions for comparable systems. We find that, for simulations of insufficient duration, sub-diffusive dynamics can lead to dramatic over-prediction of D. We present useful metrics for monitoring the extent of sub-diffusive dynamics and explore how these metrics correlate to error in D. We also identify a relationship between diffusion and fast dynamics in our system, which may serve as a means to more rapidly predict diffusion in slowly diffusing systems. Our work provides important precedent and essential insights for utilizing atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to predict diffusion coefficients of small to medium sized molecules in condensed soft matter systems.

Impact of agglomeration on the relaxometric properties of paramagnetic ultra-small gadolinium oxide nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faucher, Luc; Gossuin, Yves; Hocq, Aline; Fortin, Marc-André

2011-07-01

Ultra-small gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (US-Gd2O3) are used to provide 'positive' contrast effects in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and are being considered for molecular and cellular imaging applications. However, these nanoparticles can aggregate over time in aqueous medium, as well as when internalized into cells. This study is aimed at measuring in vitro, in aqueous medium, the impact of aggregation on the relaxometric properties of paramagnetic US-Gd2O3 particles. First, the nanoparticle core size as well as aggregation behaviour was assessed by HRTEM. DLS (hydrodynamic diameter) was used to measure the hydrodynamic diameter of nanoparticles and nanoaggregates. The relaxometric properties were measured by NMRD profiling, as well as with 1H NMR relaxometers. Then, the positive contrast enhancement effect was assessed by using magnetic resonance scanners (at 1.5 and 7 T). At every magnetic field, the longitudinal relaxivity (r1) decreased upon agglomeration, while remaining high enough to provide positive contrast. On the other hand, the transverse relaxivity (r2) slightly decreased at 0.47 and 1.41 T, but it was enhanced at higher fields (7 and 11.7 T) upon agglomeration. All NMRD profiles revealed a characteristic relaxivity peak in the range 60-100 MHz, suggesting the possibility to use US-Gd2O3 as an efficient 'positive-T1' contrast agent at clinical magnetic fields (1-3 T), in spite of aggregation.

Biotechnology

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-05-05

Aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the Tissue Culture Medium (TCM) is the bioreactor vessel in which cell cultures are grown. With its two syringe ports, it is much like a bag used to administer intravenous fluid, except it allows gas exchange needed for life. The TCM contains cell culture medium, and when frozen cells are flown to the ISS, they are thawed and introduced to the TCM through the syringe ports. In the Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System-Fluid Dynamics Investigation (CBOSS-FDI) experiment, several mixing procedures are being assessed to determine which method achieves the most uniform mixing of growing cells and culture medium.

Comparative study of hadron- and γ-triggered azimuthal correlations in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

DOE PAGES

Ma, Guo -Lang; Wang, Xin -Nian

2012-01-01

In the framework of a multi-phase transport model, initial fluctuations in the transverse parton density lead to all orders of harmonic flows. Hadron-triggered azimuthal correlations include all contributions from harmonic flows, hot spots, and jet-medium excitations, which are isolated by using different initial conditions. We found that different physical components dominate different pseudorapidity ranges of dihadron correlations. Because γ-triggered azimuthal correlations can only be caused by jet-medium interactions, a comparative study of hadron- and γ -triggered azimuthal correlations can reveal more dynamics about jet-medium interactions.

A comparative rapid and sensitive method to screen l-asparaginase producing fungi.

PubMed

Dhale, Mohan A; Mohan-Kumari, H Puttananjaiah

2014-07-01

Fungi are well known to produce various industrial enzymes and secondary metabolites with different colours. Fungi producing l-asparaginase enzyme are conventionally screened on medium containing phenol red (PR). The contrast between enzyme-hydrolysed zone and unhydrolysed l-asparagine is not very evident and distinct in medium containing PR and bromothymol blue (BB) due to coloured secondary metabolite production. Thus, PR and BB limit and affect the detection and screening method. In the present investigation, an improved method for screening is reported by comparing with PR and BB, wherein methyl red (MR) is incorporated as pH indicator. The enzyme activity was distinctly observed (red and light-yellow) in MR incorporated medium compared to PR and BB. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Some Factors Influencing Acid Production by an Oxytetracycline-Resistant Strain of Streptococcus lactis1

PubMed Central

Mikolajcik, E. M.; Harper, W. J.; Gould, I. A.

1963-01-01

Induction of oxytetracycline resistance in a strain of Streptococcus lactis caused this organism to display reduced acid production, salt tolerance, pyruvate synthesis, growth at alkaline pH, and a loss in ability to produce ammonia from arginine. α-Ketoglutaric and oxaloacetic acids were found to accumulate in the growth medium of resistant cells, in contrast to none in the medium of susceptible cells. No free arginine could be detected in the intracellular fraction of resistant cells, but arginine was present in the intracellular fraction of susceptible cells and decreased in concentration upon the addition of oxytetracycline to the growth medium. Depressed acid production in milk by the oxytetracycline resistant strain is evidently a consequence of the inability of this organism to metabolize arginine effectively. PMID:14063784

Early Dynamic 68Ga-DOTA-D-Phe1-Tyr3-Octreotide PET/CT in Patients With Hepatic Metastases of Neuroendocrine Tumors.

PubMed

Sänger, Philipp Wilhelm; Freesmeyer, Martin

2016-06-01

Whole-body PET with Ga-DOTA-D-Phe-Tyr-octreotide (Ga-DOTATOC) and contrast-enhanced CT (ceCT) are considered a standard for the staging of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). This study sought to verify whether early dynamic (ed) Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT can reliably detect liver metastases of NETs (hypervascular, nonhypervascular; positive or negative for somatostatin receptors) and to verify if the receptor positivity has a significant impact on the detection of tumor hypervascularization. Twenty-seven patients with NET were studied by ceCT and standard whole-body PET according to established Ga-DOTATOC protocols. In addition, edPET data were obtained by continuous scanning during the first 300 seconds after bolus injections of the radiotracer. Early dynamic PET required an additional low-dose, native CT image of the liver for the purpose of attenuation correction. Time-activity and time-contrast curves were obtained, the latter being calculated by the difference between tumor and reference regions. Early dynamic PET/CT proved comparable with ceCT in readily identifying hypervascular lesions, irrespective of the receptor status, with activities rising within 16 to 40 seconds. Early dynamic PET/CT also readily identified nonhypervascular, receptor-positive lesions. Positive image contrasts were obtained for hypervascular, receptor-positive lesions, whereas early negative contrasts were obtained for nonhypervascular, receptor-negative lesions. The high image contrast of hypervascular NET metastases in early arterial phases suggests that edPET/CT can become a useful alternative in patients with contraindications to ceCT. The high density of somatostatin receptors did not seem to interfere with the detection of the lesion's hypervascularization.

Effects of spatial nonuniformity on laser dynamics.

PubMed

Deych, L I

2005-07-22

Semiclassical equations of lasing dynamics are rederived for a lasing medium in a cavity with a spatially nonuniform dielectric constant. The nonuniformity causes a radiative coupling between modes of the empty cavity, which results in a renormalization of self- and cross-saturation coefficients. Possible manifestations of these effects in random lasers are discussed.

Paying Attention to Gesture When Students Talk Chemistry: Interactional Resources for Responsive Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flood, Virginia J.; Amar, Francois G.; Nemirovsky, Ricardo; Harrer, Benedikt W.; Bruce, Mitchell R. M.; Wittmann, Michael C.

2015-01-01

When students share and explore chemistry ideas with others, they use gestures and their bodies to perform their understanding. As a publicly visible, spatio-dynamic medium of expression, gestures and the body provide productive resources for imagining the submicroscopic, three-dimensional, and dynamic phenomena of chemistry together. In this…

Kerr-like behaviour of second harmonic generation in the far-off resonant regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peřinová, Vlasta; Lukš, Antonín; Křepelka, Jaromír; Leoński, Wiesław; Peřina, Jan

2018-05-01

We separate the Kerr-like behaviour of the second-harmonic generation in the far-off resonant regime from the oscillations caused by the time-dependence of the interaction energy. To this purpose, we consider the approximation obtained from the exact dynamics by the method of small rotations. The Floquet-type decomposition of the approximate dynamics comprises the Kerr-like dynamics and oscillations of the same order of magnitude as those assumed for the exact dynamics of the second-harmonic generation. We have found that a superposition of two states of concentrated quantum phase arises in the fundamental mode in the second-harmonic generation in the far-off resonant limit at a later time than a superposition of two coherent states in the corresponding Kerr medium and the difference is larger for higher initial coherent amplitudes. The quantum phase fluctuation is higher for the same initial coherent amplitudes in the fundamental mode in the second-harmonic generation in the far-off resonant limit than in the corresponding Kerr medium and the difference is larger for higher initial coherent amplitudes.

Ultra-high contrast retinal display system for single photoreceptor psychophysics

PubMed Central

Domdei, Niklas; Domdei, Lennart; Reiniger, Jenny L.; Linden, Michael; Holz, Frank G.; Roorda, Austin; Harmening, Wolf M.

2017-01-01

Due to the enormous dynamic range of human photoreceptors in response to light, studying their visual function in the intact retina challenges the stimulation hardware, specifically with regard to the displayable luminance contrast. The adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) is an optical platform that focuses light to extremely small retinal extents, approaching the size of single photoreceptor cells. However, the current light modulation techniques produce spurious visible backgrounds which fundamentally limit experimental options. To remove unwanted background light and to improve contrast for high dynamic range visual stimulation in an AOSLO, we cascaded two commercial fiber-coupled acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) and measured their combined optical contrast. By compensating for zero-point differences in the individual AOMs, we demonstrate a multiplicative extinction ratio in the cascade that was in accordance with the extinction ratios of both single AOMs. When latency differences in the AOM response functions were individually corrected, single switch events as short as 50 ns with radiant power contrasts up to 1:1010 were achieved. This is the highest visual contrast reported for any display system so far. We show psychophysically that this contrast ratio is sufficient to stimulate single foveal photoreceptor cells with small and bright enough visible targets that do not contain a detectable background. Background-free stimulation will enable photoreceptor testing with custom adaptation lights. Furthermore, a larger dynamic range in displayable light levels can drive photoreceptor responses in cones as well as in rods. PMID:29359094

The Use of Hysterosalpingography in the Diagnosis of Infertility and Other Gynecological Conditions

PubMed Central

Dutton, W. A. W.; Stapleton, J. G.

1963-01-01

Hysterosalpingography was performed on 175 patients who had gynecological symptoms but negative pelvic findings, in order to test a new method of introducing the contrast medium into the uterus and tubes and to record the incidence of pathology revealed. In 132 patients, an attempt was made to secure a No. 14 Foley catheter in the uterus for introducing the contrast medium. This method was successful in 124 patients and can be recommended as being simple, less painful and more efficient than older methods. Of 156 patients with the complaints of infertility (68), dysmenorrhea (31), pelvic pain (29) or menstrual disorder (28), hysterosalpingography revealed significant abnormality in 58; most of these (47) had chronic salpingitis. One flare-up of pelvic inflammation occurred but no other complications were observed. It was concluded that hysterosalpingography is now sufficiently safe and reliable to merit wider utilization in gynecological diagnosis. ImagesFig. 1Fig. 2Fig. 3Fig. 4Fig. 5Fig. 6Fig. 7 PMID:14088822

Holographic quantitative imaging of sample hidden by turbid medium or occluding objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bianco, V.; Miccio, L.; Merola, F.; Memmolo, P.; Gennari, O.; Paturzo, Melania; Netti, P. A.; Ferraro, P.

2015-03-01

Digital Holography (DH) numerical procedures have been developed to allow imaging through turbid media. A fluid is considered turbid when dispersed particles provoke strong light scattering, thus destroying the image formation by any standard optical system. Here we show that sharp amplitude imaging and phase-contrast mapping of object hidden behind turbid medium and/or occluding objects are possible in harsh noise conditions and with a large field-of view by Multi-Look DH microscopy. In particular, it will be shown that both amplitude imaging and phase-contrast mapping of cells hidden behind a flow of Red Blood Cells can be obtained. This allows, in a noninvasive way, the quantitative evaluation of living processes in Lab on Chip platforms where conventional microscopy techniques fail. The combination of this technique with endoscopic imaging can pave the way for the holographic blood vessel inspection, e.g. to look for settled cholesterol plaques as well as blood clots for a rapid diagnostics of blood diseases.