The pleural thickening approximation from thoracic CT scans

Multimedia Tools and Applications - The involvement of medical imaging in medical procedures plays an important role in the diagnosis and planning of a therapeutic treatment. Computerized...     

The electrical discharge as a source of a mechanical energy

Experimental study of the electrical discharge at the surface of an insulating material is presented. The discharge is created at the surface of an insulating material, we used two geometrical forms which are a flat plate and a roll. We used many types of insulating materials. For each case we show the curves of characteristics current–voltage as well as the current density–electrical field evolution and we determine the domain of the discharge stability. The discharge creates an ionic wind which ensures its dynamic effect. In fact the discharge creates a mechanical energy which can be used for many purposes and especially in aerodynamics for airflow control. We present measurements of ionic wind velocity which prove its efficiency for the airflow control. Besides we show visualisations of the discharge and the ionic wind.     

Disseminated tuberculosis in non-immunocompromised host: three case reports

INTRODUCTION: Disseminated tuberculosis, i.e., tuberculosis involving lung, liver, spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes is rare (2.8%), particularly when immunocompromised diathesis is lacking. EXEGESIS: We report three cases of disseminated tuberculosis confirmed by bacteriology or histology, which occurred in non-immunocompromised patients. Disease evolution under antituberculous treatment was favorable in two cases and fatal in the third one. CONCLUSION: Disseminated tuberculosis must be suspected when miliary pulmonary lesions are associated with hematologic abnormalities, even in non-immunocompromised host. Early treatment is mandatory to avoid fatal outcome.     

3–5 GHz FSK-OOK ultra wideband transmitter based on memristive ring oscillator

The compatibility of a memristor with CMOS technology has attracted the attention of many researchers to explore its application further. In this work, an ultra low-power and low-complexity ultra wideband (UWB) chirp transmitter based on memristive ring oscillator (RO) is designed in 0.18 µm TSMC CMOS technology. The Chirp waveform was chosen because of its low side-lobes and large time-bandwidth product, which allows for more spectrum use. OOK and FSK modulation are supported by the proposed UWB chirp transmitter. The chirp frequency is controlled linearly with time across the pulse duration using memristors. The binary data "1" and "0" are encoded using distinct chirp frequencies in FSK TX. The simulation results show a maximum TX output pulse of 457 mV _Vpp with a pulse width of 21 ns. The overall DC power consumption for a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 20 MHz is 0.328 mW, equivalent to an energy consumption of 16.4 pJ/pulse. The simulated output amplitude for OOK TX is 453 mV Vpp with a pulse width of 48 ns and a PSD of ? 10 dB over a frequency range of 3.2 to 4.8 GHz. The overall power consumption at 10 MHz PRF is 0.136 mW, which corresponds to an energy consumption of 13.6 pJ/pulse.

     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Electrochemical and Catalytic Properties of Hybrid Polyoxomolybdate Clusters-Based Terbium Complex

The inorganic–organic compound based on polyoxomolybdate [Tb(C₂H₆SO)₈][PMo₁₂ O₄₀]·2C₂H₆SO·½H₂O (I) has been isolated and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray molecular structure, IR spectra, thermogravimetric analysis and cyclic voltammetry measurements. The catalytic activities of (I) were also tested. The title compound crystallizes in monoclinic crystal system with C2/c space group. In the crystal, the polyoxidometalate anions are arranged in chains parallel to the [010] direction. The complex cations are located between these layers and linked to the neighbouring anions via weak C–H?O hydrogen bonding interactions leading to the formation of three dimensional network structure. Their catalytic activity toward organic dye is quite sizeable since the target removal is about 68% in the presence of the system POM-Tb/H₂O₂ after 120 min.     

Pulmonary embolism of hydatic origin

BACKGROUND: The right ventricle is an exceptional localization for hydatic cysts. There is a risk of hydatic embolism and chronic or acute cor pulmonale. CASE REPORT: A 63-year-old-man with an uneventful history was hospitalized for dry cough, exercise-induced dyspnea and bloody expectorations which had developed over the previous year. Multiple and bilateral opacities were visualized on the standard chest x-ray and the right border of the heart showed a bulge in the middle portion. Signs of right-sided hypertrophy were seen on the ECG. Imaging findings led to the diagnosis of multiple organ hydatiasis involving the lung, the liver the mediastinum and a ruptured hydatic cyst in the right ventricle. The cavogram revealed defect images in the superior vena cave and the pulmonary angiogram confirmed the diagnosis of hydatic embolism. Medical treatment was given but the patient died 8 months after diagnosis. DISCUSSION: Hydatic pulmonary embolism generally occurs after rupture of a hydatic cyst in the right ventricle or due to venous migration of daughter vesicles to the right heart then the pulmonary artery. Clinical manifestations are not specific although hemoptisy is the most frequent sign. Positive diagnosis, guided by echocardiographic findings, is based on the pulmonary arteriogram. Prognosis is particularly poor and depends of the patient's general status as well as the number and size of the embolized vessels. Survival rate is poor. Open heart surgery is indicated in localized forms.