scholarly journals Developing a Novel Positronium Biomarker for Cardiac Myxoma Imaging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pawel Moskal ◽  
Ewelina Kubicz ◽  
Grzegorz Grudzien ◽  
Eryk Czerwinski ◽  
Kamil Dulski ◽  
...  

Here, positronium imaging is presented to determine cardiac myxoma (CM) extracted from patients undergoing urgent cardiac surgery due to unexpected atrial masses. Positronium is an atom build from an electron and a positron, produced copiously in intra-molecular voids during the PET imaging. CM, the most common cardiac tumor in adults, accounts for 50-75% of benign cardiac tumors. We aimed to assess if positronium serves as a biomarker for diagnosing CM. Perioperative examinations and histopathology staining in six patients confirmed the primary diagnosis of CM. We observed significant differences in the mean positronium lifetime between tumor and normal tissues, with an average value of 1.92(02) ns and 2.72(05) ns for CM and the adipose tissue, respectively. Our findings, combined with positronium lifetime imaging, reveals the novel emerging positronium biomarker for cardiovascular imaging.

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Sri Sabakti

This research is aimed to expose the narrative structure of the novel Ca Bau Kan by using semiotical theory. The source of the data is the novel Ca Bau kan written by Remy Silado and published by KPG, eight edition, 2004. The data is collected by doing the library research. The teory applied in this research is the emiotical theory, especially the literary analysis of Subur Laksono Wardoyo that the analysis of the text of prose can be applied by using three fases; the analysis of the basic scheme narrative, the analysis of mean signifier, and the analysis of syntagmatics and pragmatics. The result of this research showed that the narrative structure in the novel CBK that (1) the life of Tinung before being a ca bau kan, (2) the life of Tinung as a ca bau kan, and (3) the life of Tinung after not being a ca bau kan anymore. Based on the narrative structure, it was found that “ Love is only one. No measurement is needed” is the mean signifier and able to be clarified by the analysis of syntagmatics-paradigmatics based on the biner oposition of weak x strong.AbstrakPenelitian ini bertujuan mengungkapkan stuktur narasi dalam novel Ca Bau Kan (CBK) dengan menggunakan teori semiotika. Penelitian ini menggunakan sumber data novel CBK karya Remy Silado yang diterbitkan oleh KPG, cetakan kedelapan tahun 2004. Pengumpulan data dilaksanakan dengan teknik kepustakaan. Teori yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah teori semiotika, khususnya analisis sastra menurut Subur Laksono Wardoyo bahwa analisis teks prosa dapat dilakukan melalui tiga tahap, yaitu: analisis skema naratif dasar, analisis signifier utama, dan analisis sintagmatik-paradigmatik. Hasil penelitian menggambarkan bahwa struktur narasi pada novel CBK adalah sebagai berikut: 1) kehidupan Tinung sebelum menjadi ca bau kan, 2) kehidupan Tinung sebagai ca bau kan, dan 3) kehidupan Tinung setelah tidak menjadi ca bau kan. Berdasarkan struktur narasi, maka didapatkan bahwa “Cinta cuma satu, kagak perlu takaran” merupakan penanda utama dan dapat diperjelas melalui analisis sintagmatik-paradigmatik yang didasarkan atas sebuah oposisi biner lemah x kuat.


Al-Risalah ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-148
Author(s):  
Ay Maryani

This study describes the religious behavior of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta students. The variables used are internal and external environment as independent variable and religious behavior as dependent variable. The internal environment variable consists of gender factor, (male and female). The external environmental variables comprise the faculty environment, the present resident and the place to grow. The present resident consist of dormitories, boarding houses and parents' homes and the place to grow consist of urban and rural environment. Religious behavior variables consist of habluminallah behavior and habluminannas behavior. Habluminallah's behavior measured by (1) knowledge of faith and worship, (2) attitudes toward faith and worship, and (3) practice of faith and worship. The habluminannas variable measured by (1) Islamic behavior for them self, like honest, discipline and good work / studyethics, trust and concern on legality, (2) Islamic behavior with others, like generous, cooperation, caring, respect to the people's rights and tolerance and (3) Islamic behavior for the natural surroundings, like love of nature and nature conservation efforts. The methodology used was (1) Statistical descriptive, (2) MANOVA (Multivariate Analysis of Variance) and (3) Independent sample t-test. The results showed the religious behavior UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta students has a very good category. This is indicated by the mean values for the behavior of haluminallah and habluminannas of 158.85 and 178.76,  espectively. The average value of habluminallah behaviour in the range of values "145-180" with the category of "very good" and habluminannas behavior in the range value "165-205" with the category "very good. Habluminallah and habluminannas behavior are different for each faculty. This is indicated by the significance level of Pillai Trace, Wilk Lambda, Hotelling Trace, Roy's Largest Root of 0.00 (<0.05). Habluminallah and habluminannas behavior are the same for respondents who live in dormitories, boarding houses, and parents' homes. This is indicated by the value of F test and significance at Wilk's Lambda respectively for 2.055 and 0.085 (>0.05). Habluminallah and habluminannas behaviors are similar for urban and rural respondents. This is known from the sig level. (2-tailed) for habluminallah and habluminannas behavior of 0.317 and 0.245 (> 0.05), respectively. Habluminallah and habluminannas behaviors are similar for male and female. This is known from the sig level. (2-tailed) for habluminallah and habluminannas behavior of 0.950 and 0.307 (> 0.05),respectively. The results of this study are expected to be used to develop university policies that can enhance the Islamic values of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.


2021 ◽  
pp. 097215092110161
Author(s):  
Papageorgiou Christos ◽  
Anastasiou Athanasios ◽  
Liargovas Panagiotis

Four indicators corresponding to the four targets of the European Monetary Union were calculated. The study showed that: (a) concerning the deviation of state’s general government deficit/surplus from 3% of gross domestic product (GDP), all member states had reached their target, with the exception of Cyprus, which was slightly under the target, (b) concerning the deviation of state’s general government debt from 60% of GDP, half of all European Union (EU) member states did not reach their targets, and there was a lot to be done, especially from the EU15 member states, (c) concerning the deviation of state’s inflation rate from the mean of the three states with best results of +1.5%, it was observed that the average value of EU28 member states had reached the final target, mainly due to the performances of the EU15 member states, (d) and concerning the deviation of state’s interest rate from the mean of the three states with the best results of +2%, it was observed that the average value of EU28 member states had reached the final target.


Author(s):  
Francesco Luceri ◽  
Davide Cucchi ◽  
Enrico Rosagrata ◽  
Carlo Eugenio Zaolino ◽  
Alessandra Menon ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The coronoid process plays a key-role in preserving elbow stability. Currently, there are no radiographic indexes conceived to assess the intrinsic elbow stability and the joint congruency. The aim of this study is to present new radiological parameters, which will help assess the intrinsic stability of the ulnohumeral joint and to define normal values of these indexes in a normal, healthy population. Methods Four independent observers (two orthopaedic surgeons and two radiologists) selected lateral view X-rays of subjects with no history of upper limb disease or surgery. The following radiographic indexes were defined: trochlear depth index (TDI); anterior coverage index (ACI); posterior coverage index (PCI); olecranon–coronoid angle (OCA); radiographic coverage angle (RCA). Inter-observer and intra-observer reproducibility were assessed for each index. Results 126 subjects were included. Standardized lateral elbow radiographs (62 left and 64 right elbows) were obtained and analysed. The mean TDI was 0.46 ± 0.06 (0.3–1.6), the mean ACI was 2.0 ± 0.2 (1.6–3.1) and the mean PCI was 1.3 ± 0.1 (1.0–1.9). The mean RCA was 179.6 ± 8.3° (normalized RCA: 49.9 ± 2.3%) and the mean OCA was 24.6 ± 3.7°. The indexes had a high-grade of inter-observer and intra-observer reliability for each of the four observers. Significantly higher values were found for males for TDI, ACI, PCI and RCA. Conclusion The novel radiological parameters described are simple, reliable and easily reproducible. These features make them a promising tool for radiographic evaluation both for orthopaedic surgeons and for radiologists in the emergency department setting or during outpatient services. Level of evidence Basic Science Study (Case Series). Clinical relevance The novel radiological parameters described are reliable, easily reproducible and become handy for orthopaedic surgeons as well as radiologists in daily clinical practice.


Author(s):  
Kengo Shibuya ◽  
Haruo Saito ◽  
Hideaki Tashima ◽  
Taiga Yamaya

Abstract Positronium (Ps) lifetime imaging is gaining attention to bring out additional biomedical information from positron emission tomography (PET). The lifetime of Ps in vivo can change depending on the physical and chemical environments related to some diseases. Due to the limited sensitivity, Ps lifetime imaging may require merging some voxels for statistical accuracy. This paper presents a method for separating the lifetime components in the voxel to avoid information loss due to averaging. The mathematics for this separation is the inverse Laplace transform (ILT), and the authors examined an iterative numerical ILT algorithm using Tikhonov regularization, namely CONTIN, to discriminate a small lifetime difference due to oxygen saturation. The separability makes it possible to merge voxels without missing critical information on whether they contain abnormally long or short lifetime components. The authors conclude that ILT can compensate for the weaknesses of Ps lifetime imaging and extract the maximum amount of information.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Kelly ◽  
Carl James Schwarz ◽  
Ricardo Gomez ◽  
Kim Marsh

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical study on the time needed to load and disburse cash using bill validators on slot machines and stand-alone cash dispensers in casinos in British Columbia under a Ticket In Ticket Out (TITO) system. Design/methodology/approach Testing took place over two days, using 18 machines. The results were extrapolated to estimate the approximate time required to process $1,000,000 with different average bill amounts in the cash mix and three different bill validator machines in common use. The average value per bill using the cash mix used by the public in the casino was $33.11 [standard error (SE) $2.11]. Findings The mean time/accepted note ranged from 4.12 to 9.65 s, depending on bill validator type. This implies that the time needed to load $1,000,000 onto credit slips using bill validators on slot machines ranges from 35 to 81 h, excluding rest breaks and other breaks. The time needed to redeem $1,000,000 is estimated to be 3 h. Practical/implications The implications of these finding for illicit actors to successfully launder large amounts of cash are discussed. Given the time needed to physically handle the cash, and other control systems currently in use in casinos in British Columbia, processing large amounts of cash using bill validators on slot machines would require a highly organized team that would find it difficult to elude detection. Originality/value The trial results provide a baseline estimate to be used going forward when investigating or proposing money laundering methodologies that include slot machines.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (110) ◽  
pp. 20150609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Reinhardt ◽  
Hans Georg Breunig ◽  
Aisada Uchugonova ◽  
Karsten König

We explore the possibility of characterizing sperm cells without the need to stain them using spectral and fluorescence lifetime analyses after multi-photon excitation in an insect model. The autofluorescence emission spectrum of sperm of the common bedbug, Cimex lectularius , was consistent with the presence of flavins and NAD(P)H. The mean fluorescence lifetimes showed smaller variation in sperm extracted from the male (tau m, τ m = 1.54–1.84 ns) than in that extracted from the female sperm storage organ (tau m, τ m = 1.26–2.00 ns). The fluorescence lifetime histograms revealed four peaks. These peaks (0.18, 0.92, 2.50 and 3.80 ns) suggest the presence of NAD(P)H and flavins and show that sperm metabolism can be characterized using fluorescence lifetime imaging. The difference in fluorescence lifetime variation between the sexes is consistent with the notion that female animals alter the metabolism of sperm cells during storage. It is not consistent, however, with the idea that sperm metabolism represents a sexually selected character that provides females with information about the male genotype.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-22
Author(s):  
Md Toufiqur Rahman ◽  
Md Zulfikar Ali ◽  
Md Humayun Kabir ◽  
STM Abu Azam ◽  
AAS Majumder ◽  
...  

Introduction: Cardiac myxoma is a benign neoplasm that represents the most common primary tumour of the heart. Because of nonspecific symptoms, early diagnosis may be a challenge. Although the left atrium is the most commonly involved site of origin in 75% of cases, it can arise from any of the cardiac chambers. Symptoms from a cardiac myxoma are more pronounced when the myxomas are left-sided, racemosus, and over 5 cm in diameter. Symptoms are produced by mechanical interference with cardiac function or embolization. Being intravascular and friable, myxomas account for most cases of tumor embolism. The site of embolism is dependent upon the location (left or right atrium) and the presence of an intracardiac shunt. Most atrial myxomas are benign and can be removed by surgical resection.Objectives: To see clinical presentation and echocardiographic profile of cardiac myoxomas.Methods: 90 cardiac myxoma patients who admitted both in cardiology and cardiac surgery departments of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka from August 2003 to July, 2014 were studied clinically and by echocardiogram. Clinical histories were reviewed, noting age, gender, and clinical presentation.Results: There were 30 males and 60 females, ages ranged from 17 to 76 years. The commonest clinical feature was dyspnoea (94.44%), followed by palpitation (76.67%), chest discomfort (74.44%), constitutional symptoms (50%), pedal oedema (20%), syncope (14.44%), and embolization (7.7%). The mean duration of symptoms was 09.7 months.Conclusion: The clinical presentation of cardiac myxoma is often nonspecific, so high index of clinical suspicion is important for its early and correct diagnosis. The size and appearance of the myxomas correlated with the presenting symptoms.Bangladesh Heart Journal 2016; 31(1) : 18-22


Author(s):  
Alexey Vladimirovich Stepanov ◽  
Olga Aleksandrovna Bykova ◽  
Olga Gennadievna Loretz ◽  
Olga Sergeevna Chechenikhina ◽  
Olga Nikolaevna Aksenova

The mean group values  of phenotypes of the daughters of each bull were determined and taken into account for the milk yield for 305 days of maximum lactation, longevity (the number of full lactations) and life-long milk yield. As the source material, we used the data of pedigree cows of the black-motley breed of SPK Kolginsky. They were estimated 7,468 heads of cows that were left between 2003 and 2018. The highest longevity and the lifetime milk yield were characterized by the daughters of bulls of the line M. Chiftein 95679. An average of 30556.64 kg of milk was received from them for 4.73 lactations. It exceeded the average value in the sample: by longevity – by 0.24 lactation (5.3%), by life-long milk yield – by 351.01 kg (1.1%). In the Vis Beck Aydial 1013415line, in order to increase the period of productive use of cows, the bull Auction 7318 should be preferred. Among bulls of the Reflex Sovering 198998 line, the breeding material of the bull Solo 62181522 should be used more widely. In the Montvik Chiftein95679 line, the best combination of longevity and lifetime productivity indicators were in daughter of the bull   Emos 61280669.        


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. CHALKIA ◽  
G. KEHAYIAS

A one year investigation of the zooplankton community composition and dynamics in Lake Οzeros (western Greece) revealed 25 invertebrate species (16 rotifers, three copepods, five cladocerans and one mollusc larva). The mean zooplankton abundance fluctuated between 59.4 to 818 ind l-1, having maximum values in spring. The species composition and seasonal variation do not differentiate Lake Ozeros from the nearby lakes. The presence of the dominant calanoid copepod Eudiaptomus drieschi and some of the rotifer species recorded are characteristics of either oligo- or eutrophic lakes. According to the trophic state index (TSI) Lake Ozeros is a meso-eutrophic ecosystem, in which the eutrophic character was possibly the result of the high charge with phosphorus (being raised by 28.9 % in comparison to previous decades), which came into the lake via the surrounding agricultural cultivations and mainly the pig-raising activities. In contrast, the concentrations of ΝΟ3, ΝΟ2 and NH4 have considerably decreased possibly due to the termination of the tobacco cultivations around the lake during the last years. The novel information on the abiotic and especially the biotic elements of Lake Ozeros provided by the present study can contribute to the effective management of this aquatic ecosystem in the future.


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