X-RAY MORPHOLOGICAL SEMIOTICS OF NON-TUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIAL PULMONARY DISEASE

Objective: to evaluate the X-ray radiological features of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTMPD) versus morphological findings.Material and methods. The investigation enrolled 37 patients, in whom the radiographic signs of dissemination were determined and various types of NTMPD were identified. The investigation was conducted on a Siemens Somatom Emotion 16 multislice computed tomography (MSCT) scanner using a high-resolution algorithm (Quick Time Virtual Reality). To clarify the activity of pathological changes in the thoracic organs, 16 (43.2%) patients underwent a radionuclide study with 99mTc-technetrile on a Nucline Spirit gamma camera in planar and single photon emission computed tomography modes.The diagnosis was verified by sputum smear microscopy and clinical laboratory and bronchologic examinations: bronchoalveolar lavage in 11 (29.7%) patients, various types of bronchial biopsies in 17 (46.0%), morphological examinations, and videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery for pulmonary resection in 9 (24.3%).Results. The dissemination foci in mycobacterial diseases were characterized by their location in the lung parenchyma with vascular and bronchial involvement and reactive changes in the pulmonary pleurae and intrathoracic lymph nodes (ITLN). In 92.7% of cases, the detected foci were predominantly centrilobular with endobronchial localization. Their contours were mixed with clear and fuzzy outlines in 98.7% of cases. In 70.3% of cases, the foci were asymmetrically localized mainly in the subpleural areas of the lung and 12.3% of cases were accompanied by reactive involvement of the visceral pleura.CT study revealed a tree-in-bud sign in 96.7% of cases, frosted glass in 10.2%, and mosaic perfusion in 13.2%. A more than 10-mm increase in ITLN was found in 11.7% of cases.In a number of cases, it was difficult to speak about the activity of the pathological process in the lung and ITLN, as shown by MSCT. In this case, a lung radionuclide study with 99mTc-technetrile was carried out in the planar mode. The degree of tracer accumulation, localization, and extent were analyzed in the planar mode.Conclusion. Thus, the CT typical signs of NTMPD are the asymmetric location of its foci with an endobronchial extension, peribronchovascular localization of foci; the presence of a CT tree-in-bud sign; and the slight involvement of the pulmonary pleurae in the process. 99mTs-technetril radionuclide study has established that the most active inflammatory process is located in the lung and the tracer accumulates in the pathologically altered lymph nodes.

Sb5+ Modified Phase Transition in (Li, Na, K)(Nb1-xSbx)O3 Piezoelectric Ceramics

The modified behavior of the phase transition temperatures (TO-T and/or TC) between orthorhombic (O), tetragonal (T) and cubic (C) that caused by doping Sb5+ in (Li0.052Na0.493K0.455)(Nb1-xSbx)O3 (LNKNSx) ceramics was reported in the present investigation. The results show that differing from the insensitive TO-T to the Sb5+ content, TC splits into two peaks TCI and TCII when doping Sb5+. The decreased TCI by raising x may be ascribed to the Sb-rich grains and the settled TCII round 480 °C resulting from the Sb-lack ones. The enhanced piezoelectric coefficient d33 value of 263 pC/N and planar mode electromechanical coupling coefficient kp value of 42.5% at x=0.052 can be attributed to the polymorphic phase boundary (PPB) behavior with an appropriate ratio between T and O phases without any second phase.

Effect of Sintering Condition on the Microstructure and Electrical Properties of Lead-Free (Na0.5K0.5)NbO3 - Bi0.5(Na0.95K0.05)0.5TiO3 Ceramics

(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3 with 0~5 mole% Bi0.5(Na0.95K0.05)0.5TiO3 has been prepared following the conventional mixed oxide process. It can be concluded that the NKN-BNKT ceramics have orthorhombic structures in the case x≤ 0.02. With increasing BNKT content (x=0.03 to 0.05), however, the structure changes from orthorhombic to rhombohedral phase. Above results demonstrated that the MPB between orthorhombic and rhombohedral phases exits in the solid solution with the BNKT content of x=0.02. For 0.98(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3-0.02Bi (Na0.95K0.05)TiO3 ceramics, the electromechanical coupling coefficients of the planar mode kp and the piezoelectric constant d33 reach 0.28 and 155 p/CN, respectively, at the sintering of 1100 °C for 3 h. Dielectric and piezoelectric properties have maximum values at the sintering temperature of 1100 °C for 5 h. For 0.98(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3-0.02Bi0.5(Na0.95K0.05)0.5TiO3 ceramics, the electromechanical coupling coefficients of the planar mode kp and the piezoelectric constant d33 reach 0.30 and 170, respectively, at the sintering of 1100 °C for 5 h. The effect of prolonging the sintering time to the 0.98(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3-0.02Bi0.5(Na0.95K0.05)0.5TiO3 system is a helpful method on ceramic processing to improve densification and properties..

Radionuclide Diagnosis of Breast Cancers

To study the diagnostic capabilities of planar breast scintigraphy and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with 99mTc-MIBI in visualizing of breast tumors, 61 patients with a diagnosis of breast cancer were included in the study. The results showed that sensitivity of the planar mode in identifying primary breast tumors was 46%. The sensitivity of SPECT in detecting primary tumor was 93.4%. The sensitivity of the planar mode in visualization of nodal metastases was 44.8%, against 93.1% in SPECT. This study showed that SPECT has a high diagnostic efficiency in regard of visualization of small sized tumors, multicenter tumor growth, identifying space-occupying lesions on the background of modified breast tissue.

Effect of Bi2O3 Addition on the Microstructure and Electrical Properties of Lead-Free (Na0.5K0.5)NbO3-Bi0.5(Na0.93K0.07)0.5TiO3 Ceramics

In the present study, various quantities of Bi2O3were added into 0.98(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3-0.02Bi(Na0.93K0.07)TiO3(0.98NKN-0.02BNKT) ceramics. It was found that 0.98NKN-0.02BNKTwith the addition of 0~0.5 wt.% Bi2O3exhibit relatively good piezoelectric properties. For 0.98NKN-0.02BNKT ceramics, the electromechanical coupling coefficients of the planar modekpand the thickness modektreach 0.40 and 0.47,respectively. For 0.98NKN-0.02BNKT ceramics with the addition of 0.3 wt.% Bi2O3, the electromechanical coupling coefficients ofthe planar modekpand the thickness modektreach 0.50 and 0.53, respectively. It is obvious that 0.98NKN-0.02BNKT solid solution ceramics by adding low quantities of Bi2O3is one of the promising lead-free ceramics for electromechanical transducer applications.

Effect of Excess Li2CO3 Addition on the Physical and Electrical Properties of Lead-Free Bi0.5(Na0.82K0.18)0.5TiO3 Ceramics

In the present study, various quantities of Li2CO3 were added into Bi0.5(Na0.82K0.18)0.5TiO3 (abbreviated as 0.82BNT-0.18BKT) ceramics. For 0.82BNT-0.18BKT ceramics, the electromechanical coupling coefficients of the planar mode kp reaches 0.22 at the sintering of 1125 oC for 3 h. High-density samples were obtained through the addition of Li2CO3 into 0.82BNT-0.18BKT ceramics. It was found that 0.82BNT-0.18BKT with the addition of 0~0.9 wt.% Li2CO3 exhibit relatively good piezoelectric properties. For 0.82BNT-0.18BKT ceramics with the addition of 0.5 wt.% Li2CO3, the electromechanical coupling coefficients of the planar mode kp reach 0.37 at the sintering of 1125oC for 3 h. To promote the kp value, by adding low quantities of Li2CO3 is a effective method for 0.82BNT-0.18BKT solid solution ceramic.

Hardware Design of a Planar Platform for Naro-CMM

Nanometer three Coordinate Measuring Machine (Naro-CMM) has got fast development especially in the advancement of modern technology. Platform is an important part of the Naro-CMM, paper puts forward a new way to drive platform. “Planar” mode is adopted, and the power module is designed based on L6234PD, the experimental results express that the positioning accuracy of the platform reaches nanometer accuracy. So the drive method satisfied the demand of this platform’s movement.