Big Vessels Research Articles

Research of the features of cardiovascular remodeling and bone tissue metabolism markers changes in women with coronary artery disease, associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis

The coronary artery disease is the one of most urgent problems of modern cardiology as well as the problem of osteoporosis. The aim of research was to study the features of cardiovascular remodeling and bone tissue metabolism markers changes in women with coronary artery disease, associated with postmenopause osteoporosis.Methods of research. There were examined 78 women in postmenopause period with coronary artery disease (CAD): 1 group (comparison) – 19 women with CAD and normal indices of the bone tissue mineral density (BTMD); 2 group – 27 women with CAD and osteopenia; 3 group – 32 women with CAD and osteoporosis; the control group – 12 conventionally healthy women of corresponding age. With the help of ultrasound densitometry, echocardioscopy and immune-enzyme analysis the state of bone tissue mineral density, structural-functional state of heart and level of bone remodeling biomarkers were studied.Results. It was revealed, that CAD clinical course on the background of osteopenic syndrome is characterized with rise of bone remodeling markers level, increase of carotid arteries intima-media thickness, more often development of diastolic dysfunction, calcification of heart valves and big vessels, the correlations between the osteoprotegerin, osteocalcin, homocysteine levels and cardiovascular remodeling parameters were established.Conclusions. For women in postmenopause period with coronary artery disease, comorbid with osteoporosis is typical the rise of bone metabolism markers (osteoprotegerin, osteocalcin) levels and endothelial dysfunction (homocysteine) that not only reflect the state of bone tissue but also take part in cardiovascular remodeling

Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Vascular Microcirculation in Glaucoma Using Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Microangiography.

PurposeTo investigate the vascular microcirculation changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in normal, glaucoma suspect, and open-angle glaucoma (OAG) groups using optical coherence tomography–based microangiography (OMAG).MethodsOne eye from each subject was scanned with a Cirrus HD-OCT 5000–based OMAG prototype system montage scanning protocol centered at the optic nerve head (ONH). Blood flow signals were extracted using OMAG algorithm. Retinal nerve fiber layer vascular microcirculation was measured by calculating the blood flux index and vessel area density within a 1.2-mm width annulus centered at the ONH with exclusion of big retinal vessels. One-way ANOVA were performed to analyze the RNFL microcirculation among groups. Linear-regression models were constructed to analyze the correlation between RNFL microcirculation and clinical parameters. Discrimination capabilities of the flow metrics were assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AROC).ResultsTwenty normal, 26 glaucoma suspect, and 42 OAG subjects were enrolled. Eyes from OAG subjects and glaucoma suspects showed significantly lower blood flux index compared with normal eyes (P ≤ 0.0015). Retinal nerve fiber layer blood flow metrics showed significant correlations with visual field indices and structural changes in glaucomatous eyes (P ≤ 0.0123). Similar discrimination capability of blood flux index compared with RNFL thickness was found in both disease groups.ConclusionsPeripapillary RNFL vascular microcirculation measured as blood flux index by OMAG showed significant differences among OAG, glaucoma suspect, and normal controls and was significantly correlated with functional and structural defects. Retinal nerve fiber layer microcirculation measurement using OMAG may help physicians monitor glaucoma.

Analysis of waterway transportation in Southeast Texas waterway based on AIS data

This paper studied the waterway transportation in Sabine–Neches Waterway (SNWW) using the automatic identification system (AIS) data. The SNWW is the most important waterway in Southeast Texas, which serves as an energy gateway to the U.S. The purpose of this paper is two-folded: one is to investigate the waterway transportation features in the SNWW from a macro level (using aggregate AIS data); and more importantly, this paper aims to investigate the frequency of vessel conflicts, which reflects the risk of vessel collisions in the SNWW. To realize these two purposes, AIS data were firstly cleaned to fit our research requirements, and a practical AIS-based method was proposed to evaluate the frequency of various types of vessel conflicts in the SNWW. This paper identified a series of hot spots in the SNWW that experienced high frequencies of vessel conflicts between big vessels, as well as those carrying hazardous materials. The paper also investigated the impact of time-of-day on the frequency of vessel conflicts at each hot spot. The findings of this paper can help researchers and waterway management agencies better understand the risk of navigation in the SNWW.

The expressions of Galectin-3 protein and mRNA in venous malformation of ocular region and its clinical significance

Background Venous malformation damages the local tissue severely because of the progressive development and often presents with invasive biological behavior.Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is proved to be closely associated with local invasion of malignant tumor.Studying the role of Gal-3 on tissue invasion in venous malformation of ocular region is of important clinical significance. Objective This study was to explore the role of Gal-3 protein and mRNA expression in venous malformation of ocular region. Methods One hundred and eighteen pathological sections were collected from ocular venous malformation patients who received surgery in Department of Hemangioma Surgery, People's Hospital of Henan Province and Henan Eye Institute from June 2009 to June 2014.The specimens were further diagnosed by histopathological examination.Then the expressions of Gal-3 protein and mRNA in venous malformation of ocular region were detected by using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization and compared with 20 pieces of distal cutting edge specimens which were evidently normal.The associations of Gal-3 positive expressions with invasion and configuration of lesions were analyzed. Results Pathological examination showed that venous malformations tissues contain many big blood vessels lacuna, lined with flat endothelial cells.Immunochemistry and in situ hybridization exhibited that Gal-3 protein and mRNA were expressed in the cytoplasm and nuclei.The positive expression rates of Gal-3 protein and mRNA in the venous malformation tissues were 55.93%(66/118) and 59.32%(70/118), but those in the normal tissue were 15.00%(3/20) and 20.00%(4/20), showing significant differences between them (χ2=11.461, 10.633, both at P 12 years or different genders (age: χ2=0.334, 0.128; both at P>0.05.gender: χ2=0.606, 1.155; both at P >0.05). The incidence rate of invading ocular deep tissues was significantly higher in the Gal-3-positive groups than that in the Gal-3-negative groups of protein and mRNA (protein: χ2=32.688, P<0.05; mRNA: χ2=23.695, P<0.05). In the Gal-3-negative groups, 96.15% (Gal-3 protein negative group) and 97.92% (Gal-3 mRNA negative group) lesions showed the spherical shape with clear boundaries.The lesions texture with the fuzzy boundaries and the incidences of vague structure in lesions were significantly higher in the Gal-3-positive groups than that in the Gal-3-negative groups of protein and mRNA (protein: χ2=28.255, P<0.05; mRNA: 28.186, P<0.05). Conclusions Gal-3 expression rate is raised in the deep tissue-invaded and texture disorder ocular venous malformation.These results suggest that invasion and damage of ocular venous malformation are associated with the up-regulation of Gal-3. Key words: Venous malformation, ocular; Galectin-3; Humans; Immunochemistry; In situ hybridization

PP.18.11

Objective: The aim of our study is to find out the proper method to evaluate different target organ damage in hypertensive patients, with or without chronic kidney disease (CKD). We subjected our population to non-mydriatic digital fundus oculi examination, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and echocardiography (Echo) to estimate arterioral narrowing of retinal vessels, arterial stiffness and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) or Remodelling (LVR). Design and method: We studied 52 hypertensive patients divided in two groups according to the presence (Group A, 24 patients) or absence (Group B, 28 patients) of CKD. Both groups underwent non-mydriatic digital fundus oculi examination, carotid-femoral PWV, in order to assess small and big vessels damage and an Echocardiographic study for detection of cardiac damage. The parameters we considered were Arteriolar-Venular Ratio (AVR) to evaluate retinal vessels, femoral PWV to estimate arterial stiffness and Left Ventricular Myocardial index (LVMi) and h/r index to determine left ventricular hypertrophy. Results: Both groups showed abnormal values of PWV, but significantly higher in Group A vs. Group B (13.04 ± 1.284 vs 9.78 ± 0.491, p = 0.0157). AVR values were abnormal only in Group A, with a significant difference respect to Group B (0.76 ± 0.007 vs 0.82 ± 0.010, p = 0.0000). In the Echo examination, no statistically significant alterations were found between the two groups (LVMi 100.04 ± 3.920 vs 93.42 ± 3.069, p = 0.1839; h/r 0.40 ± 0.009 vs 0.41 ± 0.010, p = 0.5162). Conclusions: Our study shows that there is a difference in target organ damage in hypertensive patients with CKD, compared to its absence, it affects particularly small and big vessels while there is no evidence of significant heart damage. Moreover patients without CKD show major frequence of LVR. Therefore the use of non-mydriatic digital fundus oculi examination and PWV should always be considered to properly assess the target organ damage.

PP.18.12

Objective: Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are the first mortality cause in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Among several CV risk factors, vascular stiffness takes a primary role in those patients, and it seems essential to evaluate the arterial conditions in these subjects in order to better understand their CV risk. The aim of our study was to explore the relationship between arterial stiffness, evaluated using Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV), arteriolar narrowing of retinal vessels by the non-mydriatic digital fundus oculi examination and cardiac damage as Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) or remodeling by echocardiographic evaluation. Design and method: We studied 65 patients with CKD stage 2–4 NKF-KDOQI (mean age 69,12 ± 6,43, mean eGFR 32 ± 1,5 ml/min), after physical examination, anthropometric and biochemical measurements, every patient underwent office and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and 2D color Doppler echocardiography. According to the presence (Group A) or the absence (Group B) of echocardiographic LV geometric alterations they were divided in two groups (LVH and LVR as defined in the current ESH guidelines). Then femoral PWV was measured by applanation tonometry to evaluate the big vessels damage and retinal study was performed to investigate the early retinal vessel changes. The obtained vessel images were analysed by a dedicated software, commonly used to calculate arteriolar-venular ratio (AVR) index of arteriolar narrowing. Results: Group A (34 patients) and B (31 patients) showed similar values of serum Creatinine (2.76 vs. 2.39 mg/dL, p = 0.25) 24 h systolic BP (132,4 vs. 133,2 mmHg, p = 0,65), diastolic BP (73 vs. 81 mmHg, p = 0.18), mean BP (95 vs. 99 mmHg, p = 0.7). and AVR (0,76 vs. 0,77 p = 0,51) Moreover, cfPWV resulted significantly higher in Group A than in Group B (15,245 vs 11.06 m/s p = 0.0002). Conclusions: Our study shows that in patients with CKD, cfPWV is correlated with LV geometric alterations. cfPWV is a standardized, reproducible and easy to obtain marker of large artery stiffening, and can be measured noninvasively. In these patients, in order to better stratificate CV risk, the evaluation of large and small vessels damage is useful and easy to perform.

Safety of Navigation on the Approaches to the Ports of the Republic of Poland on the Basis of the Radar System on the Aerostat Platform

The report depicts technical and organizational possibilities with an aim to increase situational awareness and sea travel safety on the entry to Polish seaports on the base of the dedicated radar system on the aerostat platform. The radar system based on the aerostat can work at the altitude of 3,000 meters, which allows detecting sea vessels and low level flying aircrafts in the range of 150 nm and more. The aerostat based in Siemirowice gives opportunities to monitor movements of sea vessels all over the South Baltic Sea, starting with the Lithuanian seaside with Klaipeda seaport in the east where the sea enters Zatoka Gdanska and Trojmiasto seaports, movements along the whole Polish seaside up to Sund Straid near Copenhagen and sea routes all along south Swedish coast. On those bases, it is possible to observe movements of sea transports of special interest including Maersk’s big container vessels and gas delivering vessels to Lithuania and to Świnoujście. The proposed radar system is using solutions of towed aerostats tested in working conditions which are exploited by the United States of America to monitor its border with Mexico and to observe movements of sea vessels and low flying aircrafts around Florida Peninsula and Puerto Rico islands on the Caribbean. The radar systems used by the USA are depicted with organizational rules of their exploitation. Advantages and these advantages of such a radar system were depicted and some information about dangers related to aerostat’s exploitation is also provided. Additional possibilities of using the radar system based on the aerostat are depicted in the role of a new and important part of the country’s defense system.

Xylem Anatomical Study in Diverse Capsicum sp. Accessions, Implication to Drought Tolerance

Drought is a limiting factor for plant survival and food production. Plants have developed various strategies in response to this stress. The immediate response to drought is the closure of the stomata. However, it prevents the transpiration and the photosynthesis. From the point of view of crops, it is interesting the ability of the plants to keep photosynthesizing under drought. Leaf water content is affected by the difference among leaf and soil water potentials (I¨ leaf -I¨ h ) and by the xylem-specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks). It has been hypothesized that the number and diameter of the xylem vessels would affect the drought tolerance. In this experiment the influence of the xylem anatomy in the tolerance to water stress of three Capsicum sp accessions: Bol 58, Piquillo, Chimayo was studied. Plants were grown in plastic pots filled with soil:sand mixture in a glasshouse at UPV, during spring season. Two different treatments were used in the assay: normal irrigation and restricted irrigation (50% less irrigated than the control). Three and a half months after transplantation plants were harvested; roots, stems and fruits were weighted. Portions of the stem bases were fixed in FPA and rehydrated for the analysis of the xylem total area. Material was sectioned with a freezing microtome and dyed with phloroglucinol. Vessel element area was calculated with Autocad software. There were significant differences of biomass among genotypes and treatments. Piquillo showed lowest reduction of biomass under stress. The genotypes studied showed differences in the xylem structure. In addition, there were changes in the vessel diameter pattern from control to drought conditions. Generally, plants grown under water deficit reduce the number of bigger vessels (>7500µm 2 ). Chimayo was the accession with bigger vessels, in normal and stress conditions, whereas Piquillo had smaller vessels. Therefore results showed a negative correlation between vessel size and production under stress conditions. Big vessels are prone to cavitation and a high proportion of small vessel may contribute to maintain Ks without collapse risk.

A temporal accessibility model for assessing the ability of search and rescue in Nansha Islands, South China Sea

Time is an indispensable means in accessibility expression and also an important index of the search and rescue (SAR) ability to a country. In this paper, a method for forecasting the location and probability of patrol vessel which is responsible for SAR on the sea is presented; and a temporal accessibility model for assessing the SAR ability of countries around South China Sea in Nansha is structured. In this study, 19 islands and cays in Nansha Islands are selected as rescue targets; eight ports in four countries around South China Sea are selected as SAR bases; patrol vessels belong to coast guard or maritime agency of countries around South China Sea whose displacement is over 1000 tons are selected as principal searchers and rescuers. Based on the density of ships passing the area and the distance from ports of each homeland, the distributions of patrol vessel which belongs to four countries around South China Sea are obtained. The SAR time of China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Philippines in Nansha were calculated based on the proposed method. The results indicated that due to the number of big patrol vessels, China Coast Guard is able to get to Nansha in minimum time, only half an hour for SAR; Vietnam gets second, one and a half hours; Malaysia gets third, 4.6 h; Philippines costs almost 7 h at the bottom of the list, because of the distance and the number of vessels. Taking consideration of the scattered distribution of islands, rocky coral reefs, bad weather and complex marine conditions, it is a very difficult job for SAR vessels. So it is necessary to set up several sub centers and shelters on appropriate islands or atolls in Nansha. And more importantly, how to enhance connection and coordination among countries around South China Sea, build harmonious and smooth SAR mechanisms or channels for cooperation, and improve the ability for solving emergency accidents in Nansha and even the whole South China Sea.

Clinical characteristics of primary ciliary dyskinesia

To analyze the clinical characteristics of primary ciliary dyskinesia(PCD) so as to improve the diagnostic level of this rarely seen disease. Ten patients with PCD were retrospectively reviewed, the medical history, symptoms, signs, lung CT or chest X-ray, rhino-sinus CT scan, nasal nitric oxide (NO) levels, nasal ciliary ultrastructure, DNAH5 and DNAH11 genetic mutation, as well as treatment outcome were analyzed. All 10 patients had recurrent chronic sinusitis, otitis media, bronchitis/bronchiectasis since childhood. Nine cases with translocation of heart and big vessels were diagnosed as Kartagener syndrome. One woman was suffering from barrenness and one man sterility after marriage for long time without birth control. Nasal NO levels were significantly lower in 2 patients with PCD but it was almost normal in one patient. Ciliary ultrastructure investigated by transmission electron microscope were almost normal in 4 cases without missing of inner or outer dynein arms. Two cases taking exome capture sequencing showed that mutations happened in DNAH5 and DNAH11. Five subjects underwenting sanger sequencing on 6 common exon fragments of DNAH5 and DNAH11 did not show any abnormality. Ten cases took medication therapy, while 5 patients once underwent functional endoscope sinus surgery. All of the 10 patients had improvement of their symptoms and signs after treatment. The PCD is so rare in clinic that it is easily misdiagnosed. Clinical characteristics, nasal NO levels, ciliary ultrastructure and genetic testing are significant for clinical diagnosis.

Las vasijas toscas en los entierros del Valle de Lerma (provincia de Salta)

Since the earliest XXth century, many questions appearedregarding the cultural origin of adult burials in big coarse vessels in the Lerma Valley. It hasbeen proposed that this practice could be related to the arrival of Guarani ethnic groups, which connected Lerma with the Eastern areas. Others suggested a connection with the Candelaria pottery tradition, and, as regards its chronology, these burials were considered to be present during the Regional Developments and Inca Periods. Despite surveys conducted in the area, these burials could not be associated with contemporary human settlements. In this paper, a comparative analysis of the ceramic vessels and their distribution is presented, including information on the position, depth, and associations with others items. A preliminary analysis of human remains is made public, as well as a radio-carbon dating obtained from a mortuary context rescued by the Museo de Antropologia de Salta.

Vasodilator Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Mulberry Leaves (Morus alba L.) in Rat and Rabbit

The effects of ethanolic extracts of Mulberry Leaves (Morus alba L.) on nitric oxide (NO) serum level in rat and diameter of blood vessels in rabbit ear were investigated. NO level of ethanolic extract of mulberry leaves at dose of 100mg/kg bw rats gave significant difference compared to negative control (P<0,05) at minute 30 after extract administration (4,51 ± 4,31μM). Ethanolic extract of mulberry leaves at dose of 200mg/kg bw had no significant difference in NO serum level. However, ethanolic extract of mulberry leaves at dose of 400mg/kg bw rats increased NO serum level significantly compared to negative control (P<0,05) at minute 0, 10, 30, 60, and 90 after extract administration. The maximum serum level of NO of 400mg/kg bw mulberry extract was 4,62 ± 3,05μM, and it is the highest among other groups. Therefore this dose was choosen for vasodilatation assay in rabbit. Observation on blood vessels diameter in rabbit ears showed that ethanolic extract of mulberry leaves were able to dilatate the big vessels and small vessels of rabbit ears significantly compared to negative control (P<0,05) at minute 60 after extract administration. In conclusion, ethanolic extract of mulberry leaves at dose of 400mg/kg bw rats or 202.67mg/kg bw rabbits has a vasodilator effect, probably due to an increase of NO serum level.

Characteristics of vessels wall, myocardium and epicardial fat in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction with and without metabolic syndrome

The structure of the vessels wall and myocardium is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events among patients with heart failure (HF). There is a data that metabolic syndrome (MS) accelerates the progression of structural and functional disorders of the vessel wall and myocardium. Epicardial fat thickness was shown to correlates with visceral fat thickness and to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular diseases. To investigate the characteristics of vessels wall, myocardium and epicardial fat in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF) with and without MS. A total of 59 patients with HF-PEF were included. First group - patients without MS (n = 29), second group - patients with MS (n = 30). Following characteristics were evaluated: Arterial stiffness (stiffness index [SI]), reflection index (RI), augmentation index (Alp). The function of big vessels was evaluated by phase shift (PS), of the small vessels - by the occlusion index (OI). Investigations were performed by the device "angioscan." Sizes of the heart chambers and the thickness of the myocardium wall and epicardial fat thickness were evaluated echocardiographically. Among the patients from both groups significant changes of the vessels wall and myocardial structure were found. SI at the first group was 8.26 ± 1.72 m/s, at the second group - 9.62 ± 5.61 m/s (non-significant, P = 0.25). RI at the first group was 39.79 ± 18.12%, at the second - 31.43 ± 17.23% (non-significant, P = 0.086). Alp at the first group was 23.47 ± 14.69%, at the second - 11.16 ± 17.14% (significant, P = 0.011). PS at the first group was 8.05 ± 7.72 ms, at the second - 5.34 ± 4.4 ms (non-significant, P = 0.36). OI at the first group was 1.34 ± 0.58%, at the second - 1.46 ± 0.54% (non-significant, P = 0.46). Significant intergroup differences were found in the interventricular septum thickness: 10.3 ± 1.2 mm at the first group and 11.3 ± 1.6 mm at the second (P = 0.01); left ventricle wall thickness: 10.1 ± 1.1 mm at the first group and 11.3 ± 1.6 mm - at the second (P = 0.001); left ventricle myocardium mass: 157.75 ± 46.11 g at the first group and 201.19 ± 58.82 g - at the second (P = 0.005). The epicardial fat thickness was 14.8 ± 1.8 mm at the first group and 36.7 ± 1.7 mm - at the second group (significant, P = 0.001). Among patients with hypertension and HF-PEF with and without MS significant changes in the structure of the vessel wall and myocardium were found. The presence of MS lead to more pronounced myocardial remodeling. The epicardial fat thickness is significantly higher among patients MS.

The impact of the ketogenic diet on arterial morphology and endothelial function in children and young adults with epilepsy: A case–control study

PurposeThe present study aimed to assess the impact of the ketogenic diet on arterial morphology and endothelial function of the big vessels of the neck and on cardiac diastolic function, in a cohort of epileptic children and young adults treated with the ketogenic diet. MethodsPatients were recruited based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) patients who were or had been on the ketogenic diet for a time period of at least six months. Each patient underwent measurement of carotid intima media thickness, carotid artery stiffness, echocardiography, and diastolic function assessment. Patients with drug resistant epilepsy, matched for number, age and sex and never treated with ketogenic diet, were recruited as controls. ResultsThe population study was composed by 43 epilepsy patients (23 males), aged between 19 months and 31 years (mean 11 years). Twenty-three patients were or had been treated with ketogenic diet, and 20 had never been on it (control group). Subjects treated with the ketogenic diet had higher arterial stiffness parameters, including AIx and β-index and higher serum levels of cholesterol or triglycerides compared to those who had never been on the diet (control group) (p<0.001). ConclusionsArterial stiffness is increased in children and young adults treated with the ketogenic diet, before the increase of the intima media thickness. This supports that arterial stiffness is an early marker of vascular damage.

Dry Ports and the Extended Gateway Concept: Port-Hinterland Container Network Design Considerations and Models Under the Shipper Perspective

The hinterland distribution of maritime containers from and to seaports has received a great deal of attention lately. Increasing traffic volumes and the introduction of bigger vessels put pressure on marine container terminals and inland transport infrastructure, leading to congestion. Solutions are therefore needed, and the development of dry ports according to the extended gateway concept is a relevant option to reduce congestion and improve the accessibility and connectivity in port-hinterland container networks, thus enhancing the competitiveness of seaports and more generally the cost and service efficiency of production-distribution and logistic supply chains.This paper contains an introduction to key issues in the field of port-hinterland container logistics, with a focus on dry ports, the extended gateway concept, and the demand side of inland container services. The selection of services or service providers, or the routing of containers on multimodal networks is considered as an integral part of managing global production-distribution supply chains. The main considerations underlying the design of port-hinterland container networks under the perspectives of shippers are therefore discussed and a critical review of major optimization models developed by academics is presented. Through the assessment of the current state of research, important issues, challenges and requirements for more comprehensive network design modeling are identified. Shippers evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of alternative hinterland container logistics solutions against their supply chain objectives involving various trade-offs. There is a need for new tools of analysis that incorporate more realistic features, such as regulatory environment, uncertain information, risk modeling, logistic integration, and environmental and social impacts of container distribution operations. In any case, the optimal port-hinterland network configuration from the shippers’ viewpoint is case-specific, depending on factors such as the type of goods, the level of the inventory holding costs, the service levels and pricing structures at marine and inland terminals, the customs procedures and inspection rules, the capacity constraints and the lead times for different operations, and so on.

Messung von Strukturverschiebungen bei Kopf-Hals-Rotation

During neck surgery the head of the patient is located in such a position that the neck-tissue is deformed compared to the normal head-position. The consideration of this tissue deformation of the neck during head rotation is the first step to using preoperative image data for medical navigation. The tissue shift was measured and analyzed based on MRT-image data of a subject group of 5 patients. The big vessels, lying contralateral to the rotation, demonstrated a larger shift than those vessels, lying ipsilateral. The shift was nonlinear to the head rotation and the shift of the V. jugularis interna was less pronounced than the shift of the A. carotis communis even though they both run in the same adventitia. In the cranial neck section, the movement of the tissue was larger than in the caudal neck section. The knowledge about tissue shifts in different head positions should promote intraoperative, minimally invasive procedures. The expectation is that such examinations facilitate the navigation in neck surgery with online calculation of tissue shifts.

Prediction of noise of moored ships

The European Directive 2002/49/CE suggests to map noise in harbor areas with methods mainly used for industrial noise, in accordance with ISO standards. Nevertheless, in many cases, these methods do not seem suitable to describe the effects of noise due to moored cruise ships. For noise measurements of ships, it is possible to refer to ISO 2922 standard, but it results ineffective for the estimation of noise levels at distances bigger than 25 m from the sound source and to obtain reliable information about sound power level of big vessels. The aim of this study, performed by the University of Padova on behalf of Venice Port Authority, is to improve a procedure for predicting noise of moored ships in the harbor area by the means of measures and reverse analysis with numerical models.

Middle Bronze Age Pottery Kilns at Şaraga Höyük

As a result of archeological research conducted on prehistoric and protohistoric periods in Anatolia a limited number of ceramic kilns were found. Therefore, two kilns, which have been found during the 2003 excavation season in Saraga Hoyuk and which belong to MBA II, are of great importance because they provide information regarding the ceramic production technology in the 2nd millennium B.C. One of these kilns is of big (Kiln 1) and the other is of small (Kiln 2) size. The both kilns show the similar work systems but both of them show same different features as the typologically. The kilns consist two chambers, in which the combustion and firing chambers. The kilns have heat transmission duct for the transfering of heat between combustion and firing chambers. Kiln 1 was used for firing of big size vessels and Kiln 2 for small size vessels. A few Middle Bronze Age pottery kiln were found in Southeast Anatolia and culturally related neighboring regions. Although, when we look Bronze and before age pottery kilns, we can say no radical shift has been empirically observed in the pottery firing techniques in the region. Kilns of Saraga Hoyuk proved that grooved rim ceramic group found along the Euphrates Valley has been produced locally at Saraga Hoyuk. The Middle Bronze Age level of Şaraga Höyük yielded material evidence for all stages of ceramic production at the site, including rotary stone, lumps of unbaked clay, pottery kilns of small and large sizes, scatters of ceramic wasters concentrated around the kilns, as well as intact ceramic vessels found in situ in the kilns.

Vascular performance of woody plants in a temperate rain forest: lianas suffer higher levels of freeze–thaw embolism than associated trees

Summary The success of lianas in tropical rain forests has been linked to their wide xylem vessels that confer much higher hydraulic conductivity than tropical trees. In contrast, the poorer representation of lianas in temperate forests and high elevations might reflect lower competitiveness there, because of the vulnerability of high‐performance xylem to freeze–thaw embolism. Nevertheless, the empirical evidence that support this idea is surprisingly scarce. We assessed this hypothesis comparing the hydraulic performance of five lianas and nine trees coexisting in cold weather, by measuring wood traits, hydraulic conductivity, xylem embolism and root pressures. Vessel diameters of lianas were on average twice those of trees (51·3 vs. 23·2 μm), resulting in an 18‐fold difference in mean specific hydraulic conductivity (15·5 vs. 1·05 kg s−1 m−1 MPa−1). Lianas on average suffered higher levels of freeze–thaw embolism than trees (29·9 vs. 12·8%), reducing their potential hydraulically supported competitive advantage; however, partially embolized lianas still had greater water transport capacity than trees. Specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks) was well correlated with vessel size in lianas but not in trees; however, plants with big vessels were more vulnerable to freeze embolism. Although all species of lianas developed root pressures and these tended to be higher than trees, root pressure were insufficient to repair embolism in plants &gt; c. 7 m tall. The magnitudes of root pressure were well correlated with vessel size in lianas, but this relationship was not observed in trees. Synthesis: Our results show empirical evidence that hydraulic performance of temperate lianas exceed the performance of coexisting trees, in similar magnitude than its tropical counterparts. Nevertheless, this hydraulic advantage is reduced as a consequence of freeze embolism. Temperate lianas appear to employ a bet‐hedging strategy entailing significant embolism in winter, but likely enabling rapid carbon gain during frost‐free periods. Loss of winter carbon gain opportunities because of embolism may explain the low success of lianas in temperate rain forest. However, predicted future climatic scenarios could are likely to increase liana abundance in mid‐latitudes and allow lianas to expand their ranges towards higher latitudes and elevations.

Image based evaluation of mediastinal constraints for the development of a pulsatile total artificial heart

BackgroundGood anatomical compatibility is an important aspect in the development of cardiovascular implants. This work analyzes the interaction of the pump unit of an electrically driven pulsatile Total Artificial Heart (TAH) and the mediastinum. For an adequate compliance, both overall dimensions and alignment of inlets and outlets must be matched.MethodsCross-sectional medical image data of 27 individuals, including male and female patients suffering from end stage heart failure, was segmented and reconstructed to three dimensional (3D) surface models. Dimensions and orientations of relevant structures were identified and analyzed. The TAH surface model was virtually placed in orthotopic position and aligned with atrioventricular valves and big vessels. Additionally seven conventional cadaver studies were performed to validate different pump chamber designs based on virtual findings. Thereby 3D-coordinates were captured and introduced to the virtual environment to allow quantitative comparison between different individuals.ResultsSpatial parameters varied more in male patients with higher values if heart failure persists. Good correlation of the virtual analysis both to literature data and conventional cadaver studies could be shown. The full data of the 27 individuals as well as the summarized values found in literature are enclosed in the appendix. By superimposing the TAH-volume model to the anatomy, various misalignments were found and the TAH-design was adjusted.ConclusionsVirtual fitting allows implant design adjustments in realistic anatomy which has not been influenced by thoracotomy. Higher numbers of relevant individuals can be reasonably investigated in the virtual environment and quantitatively correlated. Using this approach, conventional cadaver studies can be significantly reduced but not obviated, due to the unavailable haptic feedback and immobility of potentially compressed structures.