Scaled reassigned spectrograms applied to linear transducer signals

This study aimed to analyse the ultrasonographic attributes of vesicular, prostate, and bulbourethral glands in pubertal and mature Dorper rams. Forty-five rams were used in the same day (pubertal: 8–11 months, n = 24; mature: ≥12 months, n = 21). The B-mode ultrasounds examinations were performed using MyLab 30Vet equipment (Esaote, Naples, Italy) connected to transrectal linear transducer (frequency of 7.5 MHz). The echogenicity [(mean numerical pixel values (NPV)] and pixel heterogeneity (standard deviation of NPV) of accessory sex glands parenchymas was determined by computerised image analysis using Image ProPlus® software (Media Cybernetics Inc., Rockville, MD, USA). For the pairs organs a mean for each parameter were calculated. Data were analysed by ANOVA with Tukey test (mean ± s.d.; P < 0.05), after the normality and homoscedasticity of residuals were checked with Shapiro-Wilk test and Levene test, respectively, when necessary log-transformation was applied. All statistical procedures was performed with R® software. The echogenicity of parenchymas were different (P < 0.05) between pubertal and mature rams for vesicular glands (181.51 ± 20.80 v. 164.83 ± 26.79) and bulbourethral glands (166.93 ± 16.93 v. 141.80 ± 29.15); however, there was no difference (P > 0.05) for prostate glands (99.39 ± 36.34 v. 87.47 ± 34.24). The pixel heterogeneity did not differ (P > 0.05) between pubertal and mature rams (29.06 ± 2.67 v. 28.09 ± 3.95, 32.14 ± 8.20 v. 30.28 ± 4.71, and 27.82 ± 4.53 v. 28.74 ± 4.29) for vesicular, prostate, and bulbourethral glands, respectively. In conclusion, the sexual maturity only influenced the echogenicity of vesicular and bulbourethral parenchymas of Dorper rams.

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Tomographic Ultrasound and LED-Based Photoacoustic System for Preclinical Imaging

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s20102793 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (10) ◽

pp. 2793 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kalloor Joseph Francis ◽

Richell Booijink ◽

Ruchi Bansal ◽

Wiendelt Steenbergen

Keyword(s):

Small Animal Imaging ◽

Small Animal ◽

Tomographic Imaging ◽

Acquisition Time ◽

Small Animals ◽

Acoustic Detection ◽

Functional Capability ◽

Treatment Progress ◽

Linear Transducer ◽

Animal Imaging

Small animals are widely used as disease models in medical research. Noninvasive imaging modalities with functional capability play an important role in studying the disease state and treatment progress. Photoacoustics, being a noninvasive and functional modality, has the potential for small-animal imaging. However, the conventional photoacoustic tomographic systems use pulsed lasers, making it expensive, bulky, and require long acquisition time. In this work, we propose the use of photoacoustic and ultrasound tomographic imaging with LEDs as the light source and acoustic detection using a linear transducer array. We have demonstrated full-view tomographic imaging of a euthanized mouse and a potential application in liver fibrosis research.

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Relationships Between Vertical Jump Strength Metrics and 5 Meters Sprint Time

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/v10078-011-0045-6 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 115-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Mário Marques ◽

Helena Gil ◽

Rui Ramos ◽

Aldo Costa ◽

Daniel Marinho

Keyword(s):

Predictive Value ◽

Vertical Jump ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Sprint Performance ◽

Sprint Time ◽

Linear Transducer ◽

Body Strength ◽

Important Relationship ◽

Bar Velocity ◽

The Relationship

Relationships Between Vertical Jump Strength Metrics and 5 Meters Sprint TimeThe aim of this study was to examine the relationship between short sprint time (5 m) and strength metrics of the countermovement jump (CMJ) using a linear transducer in a group of trained athletes. Twenty-five male, trained subjects volunteered to participate in the study. Each volunteer performed 3 maximal CMJ trials on a Smith machine. Peak instantaneous power was calculated by the product of velocity taken with the linear transducer. For sprint testing, each subject performed three maximum 5 m sprints. Only the best attempt was considered in both tests. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients between 5 m sprint performance and strength metrics of the CMJ were generally positive and of clear moderate to strong magnitude (r = -0.664 to -0.801). More noticeable was the significant predictive value of bar displacement time (r= ~0.70) to sprint performance. Nevertheless, a non-significant predictive value of peak bar velocity and rate of force development measurements was found. These results underline the important relationship between 5 m sprint and maximal lower body strength, as assessed by the force, power and bar velocity displacement. It is suggested that sprinting time performance would benefit from training regimens aimed to improve these performance qualities.

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