18F-FDG and 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT for Evaluating Periprosthetic Joint Infection and Aseptic Loosening in Rabbit Models

Purpose We built a loosening model based on the original infection model of rabbit and evaluated the performance characteristics of 18F-FDG and 68Ga-FAPI in infection and loosening. Methods After surgery, the rabbits were divided into four groups, six in the control group and 10 in the loosening, S. aureus and S. epidermis groups. PET/CT and serological examination were performed every two weeks for three times. After sacrificed, micro-CT, tissue culture, pullout test and scanning electron microscope were performed. Results As for 18F-FDG, performances of control and loosening groups were similar. SUVmax of S. aureus had been consistently in the high range than that of S. epidermis. As for 68Ga-FAPI, control group had the lowest SUVmax in the second week and increased gradually. SUVmax of loosening group began exceed control group since the second week. SUVmax of S. aureus in the second week was the lowest among four group and raised as the number of weeks increased and equalled to SUVmax of S. epidermis in the sixth week. Linear regressions between SUVmax and serology showed that 18F-FDG was positively correlated with CRP and IL-6 while 68Ga-FAPI revealed negative and positive correlation with CRP and IL-6 in the second and sixth week. Besides, both SUVmax and MTV of 18F-FDG or 68Ga-FAPI were negatively correlated with BV/TV and BS/TV. Conclusion In this longitudinal observation, 68Ga-FAPI showed greater sensitivity than 18F-FDG in detecting diseases, and 68Ga-FAPI had not intestinal and muscular uptake. MTV of 68Ga-FAPI were larger than 18F-FDG, which meant that 68Ga-FAPI had the potential to define the scope of lesions more accurately. Finally, SUVmax could not differentiate loosening and infection in 68Ga-FAPI, further study about diagnostic criteria was warranted.

Unifying the Ability-as-Compensator and Ability-as-Enhancer Hypotheses

Spatial abilities have been found to interact with the design of visualizations in educational materials in different forms: (1) spatial abilities enhanced learning with optimized visual design (ability-as-enhancer) or (2) spatial abilities compensated for suboptimal visual design (ability-as-compensator). A brief review of pertinent studies suggests that these two forms are viewed as mutually exclusive. We propose a novel unifying conceptualization. This conceptualization suggests that the ability-as enhancer interaction will be found in the low-medium range of a broad ability continuum whereas the ability-as-compensator interaction will be found in the medium-high range. The largest difference in learning outcomes between visual design variations is expected for medium ability. A corresponding analytical approach is suggested that includes nonlinear quadratic interactions. The unifying conceptualization was confirmed in an experiment with a consistent visual-spatial task. In addition, the conceptualization was investigated with a reanalysis of pooled data from four multimedia learning experiments. Consistent with the conceptualization, quadratic interactions were found, meaning that interactions depended on ability range. The largest difference between visual design variations was obtained for medium ability, as expected. It is concluded that the unifying conceptualization is a useful theoretical and methodological approach to analyze and interpret aptitude-treatment interactions that go beyond linear interactions.

Pengembangan Antarmuka Portal Universitas untuk Meningkatkan Pengalaman Pengguna

Technology has been growing rapidly to help humans living their everyday life. Human, as the user interacts through an interface called user interface (UI), and the experience that the users are having is called user experience (UX). UI and UX are inseparable as a good user interface will result in a better user experience. Portal Unand is a web-based app that has all academic information for students. An initial survey was conducted to find out student’s thoughts on Portal Unand. Students have complaints towards Portal Unand due to its unresponsiveness, old-fashioned design, important features weren’t highlighted, etc. Hence, it reduced user experience in using Portal Unand. In this study, the redesign was done by using the design thinking. The study started from empathizing with the users until testing the prototype to the users by conducting usability testing. Usability testing was conducted by using Maze and System Usability Scale (SUS). The score of usability testing was 84 which fell into the high range. The SUS score was 83.33 which fell into grade A and acceptable category. As the new prototype managed to fulfill users’ needs and met users’ expectations, the prototype was usable and ready to be developed.

Trend Analysis and Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature as a Heat Stress Index in Iran during the Summer Season over a 30-year Period

Introduction: Global warming is one of the most important environmental problems that have raised researchers’ attention. The present study aimed to analyze heat stress trends using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index in the country of Iran during the summer over a 30-year period. Materials and Methods: Daily summertime statistical data regarding mean temperature and mean relative humidity, taken from 40 synoptic meteorological stations across Iran during a 30-year period were obtained from the Iranian National Meteorological Department. The De Martonne climate classification system was used to categorize various climate regions of Iran. The WBGT index was calculated using the formula given by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. The Mann-Kendall statistical test and the Sen's slope estimator were used to analyze the trends of the WBGT index. Results: The WBGT index had an upward trend during the three months of June, July, and August in 71.42%, 57.14%, and 66.66% of all stations and this trend was statistically significant in 53.32%, 50%, and 42.85% of those stations, respectively. Moreover, throughout the summer, 45% of the WBGT index measurements were in the medium range (18-23°C), 37.5% were in the high range (23-28°C), and 17.5% were in the very high range (> 28°C). Conclusion: The WBGT index followed an upward trend during the summer, especially in semi-arid regions of Iran. Considering the phenomenon of global warming, it is essential to monitor, plan ahead, and take necessary precaution measures for sensitive populations who are at high risk areas of the country.

Some aspects of daily rainfall distribution over a high range river basin in central Kerala

ABSTRACT. The daily rainfall distribution of twelve stations in the Chalakudy river basin of central Kerala is studied. Normalised rainfall curve (NRC) is constructed and various parameters of the daily rainfall distribution are derived. The number of rainy days and mean rain intensities at each 10% rain amounts are calculated from the NRC. It has been found that the coefficient of variation (CY) is the most important parameter of the daily rainfall distribution which determines the shape of NRC. Frequency distribution of CY values reveals that the CY is highest in the range of 100-120%. Rainfall contributions by non-rainy days and significant rainfall days are calculated. About half of the seasonal rainfall which contributes 80% of the total rainfall are of low intensity. However, the remaining 20% due to higher intensity rainfall are of considerable significance for floods, erosion, etc.

A comprehensive study of current-crowding effect in high power vertical AlInGaN LEDs under high pulsed current

The goal of the study is examination of current-crowding effect in high power AlInGaN LEDs. This effect was presented by mapping of EL (electroluminescence) near filed under high pulse current. LED chip of vertical design was study in high range of current (10−9 ÷ 70A). This operating mode of LEDs are interesting for different applications, such as pumping lasers, VLC and LiFi, as well as for investigation accelerated degradation process of LEDs.

Effective Strategies to Deal With Infection in Burn Patient

Treatment of bacterial infection is difficult. Treatment protocol of burned patient is hard. Furthermore, treatment in burned patients is accompanied with problems such as complexity in diagnosis of infection’s agent, multiple infections, being painful, and involving with different organelles. There are different infections of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in burned patients. From important bacteria can be noted to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococcus aureus that have high range of morbidity and mortality. Treatment of those bacterial infections is extremely important. Hence, many studies about methods of treatment of bacterial infections have published. Herein, we have suggested practical methods for example ant virulence therapies, nanotechnology, vaccine, and photodynamic therapy in treatment of bacterial infections. Those methods have been done in many researches and had good effect.