Computer-based production of bite mark comparison overlays

Bite mark comparison protocols include measurement and analysis of the pattern, size, and shape of teeth against similar characteristics observed in an injury on skin or a mark on an object. The physical comparison of tooth position often depends upon transparent acetate overlays to detect similarities or differences between the teeth and the bite mark. Several methods are used to produce life-sized comparison overlays. The perimeter of the biting edges of the anterior teeth are usually recorded to produce facsimile images called hollow volume overlays. Some investigators hand-trace these outlines from dental study casts, or from bite exemplars produced in wax, styrofoam, or similar materials. Some use hand-traced outlines from xerographic images produced with office photocopiers that are calibrated to produce life-sized final images. Others use radiographic images and toneline photography of wax exemplars filled with radio-opaque materials, such as metal filings or barium sulfate. Dependence upon subjective input by the odontologist to trace these images manually is considered problematic. This is because the errors incorporated at any production stage are increased in the final product. The authors have developed a method to generate accurate hollow volume overlays using computer-based techniques. A PowerPC Macintosh computer, flatbed scanner, and Adobe Photoshop (a popular graphical interface application) are used to acquire, select, arrange and export detailed data from class and individual characteristics of a suspect's teeth to acetate film loaded in a high-resolution laser printer. This paper describes this technique to enable the odontologist to produce high-quality, accurate comparison overlays without subjective input.     

Palisaded encapsulated neuroma of the nasal fossa

The aim of the study was to assess the potential application of teleradiology in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by ascertaining whether any decrease in conspicuity of anatomic detail or interventional devices in the chest radiographs of premature infants is caused by picture archiving and communication system (PACS)-based soft copy interpretation of 10 : 1 compressed images. One hundred digital chest radiographs of low-birthweight infants were obtained in the NICU using a storage phosphor system. Laser-printed images were interpreted and the data set for each radiograph was then irreversibly compressed by a 10 : 1 ratio. Four radiologists with extensive PACS experience used a five-point grading system to score laser-printed hard copy images for the visibility of six parameters of anatomic landmarks and interventional devices in the chest. Compressed soft copy images displayed on 2K PACS workstation were subsequently scored using the same approach. Statistical manipulation demonstrated no loss of anatomic detail in five of the six parameters scored, with minimal difference in one landmark, the retrocardiac lung assessment. While further study is required to assess the clinical impact of the variance noted when evaluating lung parameters, the preservation or improvement of information in the remaining parameters following irreversible compression and soft copy interpretation is promising for the potential use of teleradiology in this population.     

A new method of readout in radiochromic film dosimetry

Radiochromic film as a dosimetry medium offers several advantages in high-resolution radiography. A new technique of readout was developed to measure the optical density distributions of the film in purely directed light. This technique implements radiochromic film dosimetry near the film's absorption maximum by using a single-mode top-surface emitting laser diode (675.2 nm). The effective sensitivity of the film, compared with a helium-neon laser densitometer (632.8 nm), is increased approximately threefold. Good accuracy, high spatial resolution and simple assembly of the readout system is achieved. Beam profiles of the four final collimator helmets of a Leksell Gamma Knife (Elekta Inc., Sweden) were experimentally determined. Measured profiles and full-widths at half maximum are consistent with the computer generated data of the dose planning system (Kula 4.4, Elekta Inc., Sweden). The output factor of the 4 mm collimator (the smallest collimator with the steepest dose gradient), essential for the application of well defined doses, was checked. The measurements established an output factor of 826 +/- 9 that lies 9 +/- 1% lower than the adjusted one.     

A practical review of laser-assisted hair removal using the Q-switched Nd:YAG, long-pulsed ruby, and long-pulsed alexandrite lasers

BACKGROUND: The recent development of numerous laser-assisted hair removal techniques has produced confusion in the field of cutaneous laser surgery. OBJECTIVES: A systematic review of the hair removal laser systems currently available is attempted. Appropriate patient selection, treatment protocols, and discussion of each system's advantages, disadvantages, and complications is provided. CONCLUSIONS: Techniques involving the use of selective Q-switched Nd:YAG and long-pulsed alexandrite and ruby laser systems provide a significant delay in hair growth. With further technologic advances and understanding of proper treatment parameters and intervals, it is expected that permanent hair removal may eventually be possible.     

Second-generation three-dimensional reconstruction for rotational three-dimensional angiography

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques for digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in planning and evaluation of minimally invasive image-controlled therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a standard, commercially available system, the authors acquired DSA images and corrected them for inherent distortions. They designed and implemented parallel and multiresolution versions of cone-beam reconstruction techniques to reconstruct high-resolution targeted volumes in a short period of time. Testing was performed on anatomically correct, calibrated in vitro models of a cerebral aneurysm. These models were used with a pulsatile circulation circuit to allow for blood flow simulation during DSA, computed tomographic (CT) angiography, and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography image acquisitions. RESULTS: The multiresolution DSA-based reconstruction protocol and its implementation allowed the authors to achieve reconstruction times and levels of accuracy for the volume measurement of the aneurysmal cavities that were considered compatible with actual clinical practice. Comparison with data obtained from other imaging modalities shows that, besides vascular tree depiction, the DSA-based true 3D technique provides volume estimates at least as good as those obtained from CT and MR angiography. CONCLUSION: The authors demonstrated the feasibility and potential of true 3D reconstruction for angiographic imaging with DSA. On the basis of the model testing, this work addresses both the timing and quantification required to support minimally invasive image-controlled therapy.     

The role of detrusor hypoxia in the pathogenesis of urination disorders in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

The system is designed for the long-term monitoring of critical patients with acute abdominal abnormalities at the intensive care and resuscitation units. It ensures input and long-term storage of history, anthropometric, and clinical data and laboratory and instrumental findings. The system allows a physician to have both primary information on the patient and results from examinations of the patient's circulation, respiration, and acid-base balance. The patient's major homeostatic systems were studied by using the original algorithms developed by means of mathematical statistic methods and an expert approach. Conclusions are produced on the display screen and printer in textual and graphic forms. Presenting all qualitative information as linear trends and polar diagrams makes it possible to contract data for visual control. The system evaluates the patient's status through prediction of odds ratio of good and poor prognoses.     

A response to Bruce (1998) on the Lashley-Hull debate.

Responds to D. Bruce's comments (see record 1998-00831-005) on N. Weidman's original article (see record 1995-00025-001) about the Lashley-Hull debate. The current article addresses the disagreements the author has with Bruce regarding their interpretations of the Lashley-Hull debate. These differences include what actually constituted "the debate," the extent to which the nature-nurture dichotomy was a feature of the debate, and the role of Watson's behaviorism in shaping Lashley's views. The article ends by noting a point on which both authors agree. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Secondary control reviewed and defined.

Conclusions about secondary control have been hindered by researchers' disparate interpretations of the construct. The current review offers a definition that reflects commonality among researchers and the spirit of the original article (F. Rothbaum, J. R. Weisz, & S. S. Snyder, 1982): Secondary control refers to the process by which people adjust some aspect of the self and accept circumstances as they are. The authors also identify a "fit versus control" dimension, along which secondary control research can be classified and reviewed. The authors conclude that fit-focused secondary control is adaptive for coping, is relatively preferred in interdependent cultural contexts, and may serve the motivation for relatedness. Control-focused definitions lead to different interpretations of the function and cultural nature of secondary control. The proposed definition and dimension should enable researchers to articulate assumptions about the function and correlates of secondary control. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dual-head pinhole bone scintigraphy

This article describes dual-head pinhole bone scintigraphy (DHPBS), which makes use of two opposing pinhole-collimated detectors to obtain one pair of magnified images of bone and joint at one time. The aims are to reduce scan time and solve the problem of the blind zone that is created in the background in single-head pinhole bone scintigraphy. METHODS: DHPBS was used for normal hip and knee joints and one case each of lumbar spondylosis, vertebral compression fracture and pyoankle. The gamma camera used was a digital dual-head SPECT camera (Sopha Camera DST; Sopha Medical Vision International, Buc Cedex, France) connected to an XT data processor and a printer. Each of two opposing detectors was collimated with either a 3- or 5-mm pinhole collimator. The scan was performed 2-3 hr postinjection of 12-25 mCi 99mTc-oxidronate. Some 1500-2000 Kilocounts were accumulated at 15-40 min per pair. Anterior and posterior views were taken for the spine and hip and medial and lateral views for the knee and ankle. DHPBS images were correlated to radiographs. RESULTS: DHPBS produced a pair of high-resolution bone and joint images at one time, reducing scan time by nearly half for each image. The paired DHPBS images clearly visualized both foreground and background objects, which effectively eliminated the blind zone. CONCLUSION: DHPBS can significantly improve efficiency and diagnostic acumen.     

Teleradiology in rural imaging centres

An economic analysis of a private commercial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging service was carried out. At an expected case-load of 2000 per year, a mid-field MR unit was predicted to cost $470 per case using teleradiology and $544 per case using film and a courier service. Routine and emergency MR services were provided to two communities in Maryland. In a two-year study period, 8083 teleradiology examinations were performed. Digital images were acquired and transmitted without data compression via ISDN at 128 kbit/s to a central diagnostic workstation for interpretation by a team of radiologists. The average transmission time for a typical case of 50 images was 6-8 min. Preliminary interpretations were normally available within 2 h and the final transcribed reports were usually faxed to the physicians' offices within 24 h. The results of a survey indicated that the system was well received by both referring physicians and patients. Costs per case in practice were similar to those predicted.     

热轧粗轧机上下辊联合振动的故障处理

宝钢三热轧粗轧机R1上下辊在轧制高硬度钢种时出现轧机振荡,主要是原系统存在两方面的因素导致轧机振荡的加剧：一是R1轧机的转动惯量偏小,咬钢时动态速降大,且原双闭环控制系统存在反应滞后的缺点,使R1轧机在咬钢与加速过程中扭振加剧;二是原系统速度环的截止频率与上下辊及轧制材料组成的联合体的固有频率接近,导致R1粗轧机出现联合共振。通过投入外扰模型前馈控制（SFC）功能减轻了动态速降大的问题,有效抑制了轧机振动;通过对速度环控制参数的分段切换控制,使控制系统的频率与联合体的固有频率错开,保证了R1轧机的稳定运行。     

"Understanding unfamiliar words: The influence of processing resources, vocabulary knowledge, and age": Clarification regarding McGinnis and Zelinski (2000).

Reports a clarification regarding the original article "Understanding unfamiliar words: The influence of processing resources, vocabulary knowledge, and age" by Debra McGinnis and Elizabeth M. Zelinski (Psychology and Aging, 2000[Jun], Vol 15[2], 335-350). Please note that the Action Editor for this article was Anderson D. Smith. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2000-03816-012.) In a 2-experiment design, the authors assessed the role of age and ability in defining unfamiliar words from context. In Experiment 1, 60 adults aged 18-33 and 60 adults aged 61-96 read passages with cues to the meaning of rare words, then defined them. Older adults produced fewer components of the words' meanings and were more likely to produce generalized interpretations of the precise meaning. In Experiment 2, 726 adults aged 30-97 selected definitions from 4 choices: the exact definition, a generalized interpretation of the exact definition, a generalized interpretation of the story, and definition irrelevant information from the story. Adults over age 75 selected fewer precise definitions and more generalized interpretations of the story than younger ones. Findings suggest that older adults may have special difficulties in deriving the meaning of unfamiliar words from context. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mammalian Rh/T2/S-glycoprotein ribonuclease family genes: cloning of a human member located in a region of chromosome 6 (6q27) frequently deleted in human malignancies

OBJECTIVE: To implement a low-cost system of transmitting high-quality digital photographs of mutilating extremity injuries using the speed of the Internet. DESIGN: A high-resolution digital camera and simple hardware and software platform are used to take and transmit images via electronic mail. The images are received within minutes by the consultant, and an assessment can be made. RESULTS: A low-cost and high-quality system can easily be implemented. Images can be seen by consultants only a few minutes after they are obtained. The quality of the reproductions is excellent, and they are handled exactly as other photographs. CONCLUSION: This technique can be widely applicable and inexpensive to initiate in any emergency room. It allows rapid assessment of extremity injuries and x-ray images by expert consultants, who can then evaluate the replantation or revascularization potential of extremity trauma cases. This can eliminate unnecessary and often expensive transfer of patients who are not candidates for replantation.     

Is image selection a useful strategy to decrease the transmission time in teleradiology? A study using 100 emergency cranial CTs

This study examines the suitability of working with a selection of images in a teleradiology consulting system in neurological or neurosurgical emergency situations. The teleradiology system was based on IBM-compatible personal computers, video digitization for data acquisition, and data transmission by Integrated System Digital Network. Forty normal and 60 abnormal emergency cranial computed tomograms were shown to a radiologist on call who presented all cases he regarded as pathologic to a neuroradiologic expert by teleradiology. To reduce transmission time, only a selection of images from the CT study was presented (up to four images per case). For each case the on-call radiologist's diagnosis (D(on-call)), the expert's diagnosis on the teleradiology screen (D(monitor)), and the expert's diagnosis on the original film (D(original)) was documented, together with an estimation of the agreement between those diagnoses. There was clinically relevant disagreement between the on-call radiologist's diagnosis and the neuroradiologist's diagnosis based on the image selection on the teleradiology monitor in 23% of cases. A clinically important discrepancy between the neuroradiologist's diagnosis based on the image selection and his diagnosis using the original films was found in 30% of cases. This was due to the presence of clinically relevant information on images not transferred by the on-call radiologist. Image quality of the transferred images was sufficient in all cases. Drastic selection of images from a complete CT study leads to a high rate of incorrect diagnoses and is not appropriate to reduce transmission time in teleradiology.     

热贴膜彩板的生产和控制原理

简要介绍了热贴膜系统的生产控制原理．并且详细阐述了贴膜系统的构造和工作原理。热贴膜彩涂板具有美观、耐腐、耐候等特点．是一种高技术含量、高质量、高附加值的产品．具有诸多优点．市场前景广阔。     

Bioavailability of sulfadiazine in rabbits using tablets prepared by direct compression and fluidized-bed granulation

Experimental sulfadiazine tablets prepared by direct compression, using a commercially available direct compression tablet mass, were compared with experimental sulfadiazine tablets prepared by fluidized-bed granulation and commercially available sulfadiazine tablets USP. The values for friability and the time required to release 10 and 50% of the direct compression tablets were between those of the fluidized-bed tablets and the commercial product. With the commercial tablet as a standard, the extent of bioavailability was determined in rabbits; it was slightly higher for both the direct compression and fluidized-bed tablets. A statistically significant difference was found between the direct compression tablets and the standard with respect to the extent of bioavailability and the time of the peak.     

Spinal cord compression as initial manifestation of Hodgkin's disease. Report of a case

A case of Hodgkin's disease in which the first clinical manifestation was a radiculo-spinal compression is reported. The authors comment about the possible mechanisms to explain this radiculo-spinal compression in this granulomatosis.     

Design flaw can convert commercially available continuous syringe pumps to intermittent bolus injectors

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if unexpected behaviour of neonatal and paediatric patients connected to syringe pumps could be explained by transient elevation of these devices. DESIGN: Five different commercially available syringe-pumps were set at an infusion rate of 1 ml/h and then subjected to a vertical displacement manoeuvre (height 1 m). The actual delivered infusion volumes in association with the displacement manoeuvre were measured by a high precision weight scale connected to a computer. SETTING: A medical technology laboratory in a university hospital. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Elevation of the devices resulted in a rapid bolus injection of 0.19-2.28 ml. Returning the devices to their original positions resulted in an aspiration into the system of 0.06-0.34 ml. The times both for bolus injection and for aspiration into the system were less than 1 min in all cases. The updown manoeuvre was followed by a period with zero infusion ranging from 8 to 105 min. CONCLUSIONS: Design flaws in the construction of syringe pumps can expose patients to substantial danger following vertical displacement if potent drugs are being infused. If potent drugs are infused, care should be taken not to change the vertical position of the syringe pump even for short periods of time. Before buying new equipment, the authors recommend that the delivery characteristics of these devices should not only be tested during ordinary bench testing but should also include the reaction to a vertical displacement manoeuvre.     

Interpretation of CT studies: single-screen workstation versus film alternator

A prototype single-screen workstation with a 2,048 x 2,560-pixel high-brightness monitor, 0.11-second image display time, and simple ergonomic design was compared to a conventional horizontal film alternator in diagnostic interpretation of chest computed tomography (CT) studies. Four radiologists used either the workstation or film alternator in interpretation of studies obtained in 10 patients. A counterbalanced within-subject repeated measures experimental design was used. Response times were analyzed for both methods of interpretation. Grades of excellent, acceptable, and unacceptable were assigned by a blinded "grader" to reports of the radiologists. The average time needed for an interpretation at the workstation was 5.65 minutes. No interpretations were graded unacceptable. Retrospective power analysis showed that 16 observers rather than four would have been required to show that use of the workstation was faster than the alternator. With this 95% confidence interval, the workstation interpretation time is clinically equivalent to that with the alternator. These data show that this type of workstation has practical application in interpretation of CT, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound studies.