A Comparative Study on the Voxel Values in Alveolar Bones Acquired by MDCT and Newly Developed Dental Dual-Energy CBCT

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of newly developed dental dual-energy (DE) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to compare both the voxel values in hard bone tissue of DE-CBCT and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images, collected in a clinical trial conducted at Seoul National University Dental Hospital. A software implemented as a scripted module of a three-dimensional (3D) slicer was developed to register the volume data from the MDCT space to DE-CBCT, locate the same 3D regions of interest (ROIs) in each image space, and extract the statistics of the ROIs. The mean values were paired and used as representative values of the ROIs. A scatter plot with the line of equality and Bland–Altman (BA) plot of difference for a pair of measured means were used for statistical analysis. Of the ROI pairs, 96% were within ±15% from the identity line, and more than 95% of the measured ROI pairs were within the limits of agreement of the 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with the CI of the limits in BA plots. The newly developed dental DE-CBCT showed a level of voxel value accuracy similar to that of MDCT.

Historia i sytuacja języka łemkowskiego w ostatnim stuleciu

The aim of this paper is to briefl y present the situation of the Lemko language from the historical perspective covering one hundred years of its development. The creation of Lemkos’ linguistic awareness and identity before their displacements (1945–1947) has been clearly refl ected in literature. It provides the foundation for reconstructing the main emancipatory identity line developed based on “our language”, equivalent to the local speech, followed by the Lemko intelligentsia, while confronting the social and political considerations of their native area. A drastic effect of the considerations was displacements, destruction of culture, and lack of conditions for fostering language. The recovery of language rights after 1989 has initiated a range of internal revitalisation processes and strategies supported also institutionally. They are, however, not able to stop the mass destructive processes resulting in the Lemko language being currently among the endangered ones

Stepwise Markov model: a good method for forecasting mechanical ventilator crisis in COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives One important variable influencing day-to-day decisions in COVID-19 pandemic has been an impending shortage of mechanical ventilators due to the large number of people that become infected with the virus due to its high contagiousness. We developed a stepwise Markov model (a) to make a short-term prediction of the number of patients on ventilator, and (b) to determine a possible date for a ventilator crisis. Methods Starting with the exponential curve of new cases in the previous 14 days, we calculated a Markov model every 5 days thereafter, resulting in a daily estimate of patients on ventilator for the following 25 days, which we compared with the daily number of devices in use to predict a date for ventilator crisis. Results During the modeled period, the observed and predicted Markov curves of patients on ventilator were very similar, a finding confirmed by both linear regression (r=0.984; p<0.0001) and the near coincidence with the identity line. Our model estimated ventilator shortage in Chile for June 1st, if the number of devices had remained stable. However, the crisis did not occur due to acquisition of new ventilators by the Ministry of Health. Conclusions In Chile as in many other countries experiencing several asynchronous local peaks of COVID-19, the stepwise Markov model could become a useful tool for predicting the date of mechanical ventilator crisis. We propose that our model could help health authorities to: (a) establish a better ventilator distribution strategy and (b) be ready to reinstate restrictions only when necessary so as not to paralyze the economy as much.

PSVI-19 Evaluation of an automated system for monitoring water intake in group-housed beef cattle

This study was performed to evaluate the accuracy and precision of an automated water trough system (Intergado, Pro-Eficiencia Solucao para Agronegocios S.A., Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil) for measuring water intake (WI) of beef cattle. The dataset was obtained from thirteen Angus x Hereford registered crossbred breeding bulls over a 90 d research trial. Animals were consuming beardless wheat (Triticum aestivum) hay near maintenance requirements with free access to water and a trace mineral block. The animals were assigned to 1 of 2 shaded pens provided with a total of eight automated water trough systems. For each voluntary visit to the water trough, the system recorded the animal identification, water consumed, and initial BW. The final BW was determined following each drinking event by accounting for the weight of water disappeared upon drinking (±0.050 kg), scale recorded weights (±0.500 kg), and flow of water consumed (L/s). Data were analyzed based on plotting observed against predicted for the identity line (slope = 0 and intercept = 1) and goodness-of-fit, both were assessed using the Model Evaluation System (Tedeschi 2006). Differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.10. The intercept was found to be different than zero (P &lt; 0.001) but slope was similar to 1 (P = 0.0658). Differences were attributed to the inherent precision of the scales. The WI values presented a mean bias of 0.140 kg. The predicted WI accounted for 99.9% of the observed WI. Goodness-of-fit indicated very high values for modeling efficiency (0.999), accuracy (0.999), and the overall measurement of precision and accuracy (CCC; 0.998). Additionally, the major part of the prediction error was random (89%), indicating that only 11% of the error was associated with the prediction technique. Therefore, the Intergado automated water trough system is recommended for the monitoring of individual water intake for beef cattle.

Empirical estimates of the Na–O anti-correlation in 95 Galactic globular clusters

Large star-to-star abundance variations are direct evidence of multiple stellar populations in Galactic globular clusters (GCs). The main and most widespread chemical signature is the anti-correlation of the stellar Na and O abundances. The interquartile range (IQR) of the [O/Na] ratio is well suited to quantifying the extent of the anti-correlation and to probe its links to global cluster parameters. However, since it is quite time consuming to obtain precise abundances from spectroscopy for large samples of stars in GCs, here we show empirical calibrations of IQR[O/Na] based on the O, Na abundances homogeneously derived from more than 2000 red giants in 22 GCs in our FLAMES survey. We find a statistically robust bivariate correlation of IQR as a function of the total luminosity (a proxy for mass) and cluster concentration c. Calibrated and observed values lie along the identity line when a term accounting for the horizontal branch (HB) morphology is added to the calibration, from which we obtained empirical values for 95 GCs. Spreads in proton-capture elements O and Na are found for all GCs in the luminosity range from MV = −3.76 to MV = −9.98. This calibration reproduces in a self-consistent picture the link of abundance variations in light elements with the He enhancements and its effect on the stellar distribution on the HB. We show that the spreads in light elements seem already to be dependent on the initial GC masses. The dependence of IQR on structural parameters stems from the well known correlation between c and MV, which is likely to be of primordial origin. Empirical estimates can be used to extend our investigation of multiple stellar populations to GCs in external galaxies, up to M 31, where even integrated light spectroscopy may currently provide only a hint of such a phenomenon.

Determination of Best Criteria to Determine Final and Initial Speeds within Ramp Exercise Testing Protocols

This study compared strategies to define final and initial speeds for designing ramp protocols.VO2max was directly assessed in 117 subjects (29±8 yrs) and estimated by three nonexercise models: (1) Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ); (2) Rating of Perceived Capacity (RPC); (3) Questionnaire of Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF). Thirty seven subjects (30±9 yrs) performed three additional tests with initial speeds corresponding to 50% of estimatedVO2max and 50% and 60% of measuredVO2max . Significant differences(P<0.001)were found betweenVO2max measured (41.5±6.6 mL·kg−1·min−1) and estimated by VSAQ (36.6±6.6 mL·kg−1·min−1) and CRF (45.0±5.3 mL·kg−1·min−1), but not RPC (41.3±6.2 mL·kg−1·min−1). The CRF had the highest ICC, the lowest SEE, and better limits of agreement withVO2max compared to the other instruments. Initial speeds from 50%–60%VO2max estimated by CRF or measured produced similarVO2max (40.7±5.9;40.0±5.6;40.3±5.5 mL·kg−1·min−1resp.,P=0.14). The closest relationship to identity line was found in tests beginning at 50%VO2max estimated by CRF. In conclusion, CRF was the best option to estimateVO2max and therefore to define the final speed for ramp protocols. The measuredVO2max was independent of initial speeds, but speeds higher than 50%VO2max produced poorer submaximal relationships between workload andVO2.

Equivalent pressure-volume area accounts for oxygen consumption of fibrillating heart

We attempted to find cardiac mechanical parameters to account for myocardial O2 consumption (VO2) during ventricular fibrillation (VF). We fully utilized the concept of pressure-volume (P-V) area (PVA), which is equivalent to the total mechanical energy generated by a ventricular contraction. We also utilized a multicompartment model consisting of multiple asynchronously contracting compartments, which we previously proposed to simulate the mechanics of a fibrillating ventricle. The model analysis had already validated the application of PVA to VF in terms of "equivalent PVA" (ePVA). ePVA is the area surrounded by the end-systolic and end-diastolic P-V relations in beating state and the isobaric P-V line at the VF pressure. ePVA is supposed to represent the total mechanical energy generated by single contractions of each compartment (or myocyte) in a fibrillating ventricle. We determined ePVA and correlated it with measured VO2 per minute (mVO2) at various ventricular volumes in electrically induced fibrillating left ventricles of the excised cross-circulated canine heart preparation. Correlation coefficient (r) of the mVO2-ePVA relation during VF was high (r = 0.95, P less than 0.01). Comparing mVO2 during VF with that in beating state at an unloaded ventricular volume, we calculated equivalent heart rate (eHR) as an estimate of the frequency of contractions of individual compartments (myocytes). With the use of both ePVA and eHR, mVO2 during VF at various ventricular volumes was estimated. The relation between estimated mVO2 and directly measured mVO2 was highly linear (r = 0.88, P less than 0.01), and the regression line almost agreed with the identity line (regression coefficient = 1.05). We conclude that the new ePVA and eHR concepts can reasonably account for VO2 during VF.

Pleural and extrapleural interstitial liquid pressure measured by cannulas and micropipettes

In 15 anesthetized apneic, oxygenated rabbits we simultaneously measured pleural liquid and interstitial extrapleural parietal pressures by using catheters and/or cannulas and micropipettes connected to a servonull system. With the animal in lateral posture, at an average recording height of 4.4 +/- 0.9 (SD) cm from the most dependent part of the cavity, the extrapleural catheter and the pleural cannula yielded -2.5 +/- 0.6 and -5.5 +/- 0.2 cmH2O; the corresponding values for micropipette readings in the two compartments were -2.4 +/- 0.6 and -5.4 +/- 0.4 cmH2O, respectively (not significantly different from those measured with catheters and cannulas). In the supine animal, interstitial extrapleural catheter pressure data obtained at recording heights ranging from 15 to 80% of pleural cavity lay on the identity line when plotted vs. the micropipette pressure values simultaneously gathered from the same tissues. We conclude that 1) micropipettes and catheters-cannulas yield similar results when recording from the same compartment and 2) the hydraulic pressure in the parietal extrapleural interstitium is less negative than that in the pleural space.

Evidence for the Presence of FVIII Subunits in Plasma and Clinical FVIII Concentrates Using Quantitative Electrophoresis

X-Electrophoresis of normal plasma and low purity FVIII concentrates indicated two major peaks of cross reacting FVIIIR:Ag, extending from the front of fibrinogen to the α2 region. In high purity concentrates (Hemofil and Koate) smaller aggregates, with faster mobility predominated, confirming the heterogeneous nature of FVIII concentrate preparations.Analysis of the gel content for other FVIII related activities revealed that FVIIIR:RCF was associated only with larger aggregates, while FVIII:C as determined by both chromogenic and clotting techniques were mainly associated with the smaller forms. The coexistence of FVIII subunits, with an immunological identity line, is brought about by using high concentrations of FVIII. The presence of such an entity in plasma was confirmed by in vitro addition of high purity concentrate to plasma, FVIII:C neutralization activity and reduction with Dithiothereitol (D.T.T.). The subunits found after D.T.T. treatment gave a symetrical peak with similar molecular distribution of the fast moving peak, present in high purity concentrate.It is concluded that each population of FVIII aggregates would consist of the subunits cross-linked by disulphide bonds. The relative concentration of these aggregates, present in differing amounts in various preparations, could be determined quantitatively: Thus an extremely useful method for the identification of the native fonos of FVIII and the quality control of concentrate preparation is provided.