Depth Of Inclusion Research Articles

Two-dimensional shear wave elastography for focal lesions in liver phantoms: influencing factors for stiffness measurement of small lesions

The aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing stiffness and conspicuity of focal lesions in deep organs using 2-dimensional (2D) shear wave elastography (SWE). Two normal (4 ± 1 kPa) and cirrhotic liver (16 ± 2 kPa)-mimicking phantoms with spherical inclusions (23 ± 3 kPa) were used. Inclusions of three sizes (20 mm, 15 mm, and 10 mm in diameter) were arranged in a row at depths of 3 cm, 5 cm, and 7 cm. Two observers acquired quantitative values of stiffness, standard deviation (SD) of stiffness, and a qualitative 5-graded morphologic score at each inclusion using SWE. Regression analyses were performed to identify whether stiffness, SD of stiffness, and morphologic score were independent of background stiffness, depth and size of inclusions, and observer. In the quantitative assessment, the stiffness of inclusion and its SD were dependent on the type of phantom and depth of inclusion (P

Validating strategy of quantitative ROESY analysis for structure determination of cyclodextrin inclusion complexes

Highly atom accurate structures of the inclusion complexes between benzydamine hydrochloride (BZY) and β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) were determined by a method using quantitative ROESY analysis of computational models. Intermolecular contacts were examined in the ROESY spectrum that provided details of the portions of BZY encapsulated in the cavity and the probable mode of entry. Molecular docking studies presented negative binding energies which proved spontaneous complexation between β-CD and BZY and displayed two different modes of binding. Molecular mechanics (MM) studies were performed for both rings, in different orientations and from both cavity ends, to gauge their inclusion depth and mode of entry. Molecular dynamics (MD) studies were carried out to visualise the complexation process. Large number of minimum energy conformations from the MD runs were analysed by comparing their calculated intensities with experimental ROESY cross peak intensities to get the most probable structures of the ensembles.

Creating LGBTQ-Inclusive Care and Work Environments.

In considering the full depth of inclusion in care and work environments (and developing inclusive engagement skills for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning [LGBTQ] patients and their families), professional development leaders must bring these discussions and shared learnings into the open. Understanding the LGBTQ population's unique needs is essential to providing personalized health care, and inclusive work environments help to foster more inclusive care for this population. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2018;49(4):151-153.

A review about the effects of structural and operational factors on the gigacycle fatigue of steels

AbstractIt is well‐known that the high cycle fatigue (HCF) strength of steel components is influenced by a lot of factors depending on both material, loading (including environment), specimen or component geometry (design), and manufacturing process. Based on a literature review of a lot of experimental data, a synthesis is proposed in this paper to discuss the effect of the structural and operational factors on the very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) characteristics of steels. HCF and VHCF regimes are distinguished in terms of failure mechanisms and S‐N curve shapes for high and low strength steels. Then, the effect of the microstructural and mechanical features on the VHCF resistance is debated as different parameters (microstructure, inclusion size type and depth, hydrogen, environment, maximum tensile strength, and residual stresses). Next, the influence of the loading conditions is addressed by taking into account both the frequency effect, the highly stressed volume, the loading type, and loading ratio. Finally, the influence of the testing techniques used in VHCF experiments is discussed.

Development and evaluation of a connective tissue phantom model for subsurface visualization of cancers requiring wide local excision.

Wide local excision (WLE) of tumors with negative margins remains a challenge because surgeons cannot directly visualize the mass. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) may improve surgical accuracy; however, conventional methods with direct surface tumor visualization are not immediately applicable, and properties of tissues surrounding the cancer must be considered. We developed a phantom model for sarcoma resection with the near-infrared fluorophore IRDye 800CW and used it to iteratively define the properties of connective tissues that typically surround sarcoma tumors. We then tested the ability of a blinded surgeon to resect fluorescent tumor-simulating inclusions with ∼1-cm margins using predetermined target fluorescence intensities and a Solaris open-air fluorescence imaging system. In connective tissue-simulating phantoms, fluorescence intensity decreased with increasing blood concentration and increased with increasing intralipid concentrations. Fluorescent inclusions could be resolved at ≥1-cm depth in all inclusion concentrations and sizes tested. When inclusion depth was held constant, fluorescence intensity decreased with decreasing volume. Using targeted fluorescence intensities, a blinded surgeon was able to successfully excise inclusions with ∼1-cm margins from fat- and muscle-simulating phantoms with inclusion-to-background contrast ratios as low as 2∶1. Indirect, subsurface FGS is a promising tool for surgical resection of cancers requiring WLE.

Numerical Simulation of Soil Evaporation with Sand Mulching and Inclusion

A model of unsaturated soil-water movement using a prediction model of basic physical soil properties for calculating correlation functions was developed using VADOSE/W. The reliability of the model was assessed by comparing the results with those of a soil-column test. Coefficients of determination, R2, between the simulated and the measured daily evaporation for sand-mulch thicknesses of 0 (control, CK), 1.7, 3.6 and 5.7 cm were 0.8270, 0.8214, 0.8589 and 0.9851, respectively. R2, between the simulated and measured cumulative evaporation for mulch thicknesses of 0, 1.7, 3.6 and 5.7 cm were 0.9755, 0.9994, 0.9997 and 0.9983, respectively. The fits were, thus, good, verifying the reliability of the model. The program accurately predicted the distribution of cumulative evaporation and volumetric water content during evaporation from a soil column with mulch thicknesses of 1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 2, 3, 5 cm and depths of sand inclusion thick of 0, 5, 10 and 15 cm for 20 days. Cumulative evaporation of sand inclusion was lower than in CK. Cumulative evaporation was independent of the mulch thickness and depended only on the depth of the inclusion: the deeper the inclusion, the higher the evaporation. The best mulch thickness was 5 cm, and the best inclusion depth was 5 cm. This study offers a new method to study the evaporation process with sand mulching and inclusion, which can provide guidance for improving the utilization efficiency of soil water.

Mechanism of heat transfer in heterogeneous droplets of water under intense radiant heating

Thermocouple measurements of temperature have been performed at three main points of heterogeneous water droplet–high-temperature gases system: on the surface and in the depth of a solid inclusion, as well as on the free surface of the water droplet. Investigations have been carried out for water droplets of an initial volume of 5–15 μl with single inclusions of cubic graphite particles of a typical size of 1 mm. The gas temperature varied from 700 K to 1200 K, which corresponds to the main practical applications: thermal purification of water from solid and liquid impurities, fire extinguishing, treatment of heat-loaded surfaces of power equipment, etc. A hypothesis about the dominant role of radiant heat transfer in vaporization within heterogeneous water droplets has been grounded. It has been shown that in a short period (a few seconds), the surface temperature of an opaque solid inclusion within a droplet can reach the boiling point of water. A significant change in the optical properties of water with increasing temperature has been revealed, i.e., water became partially transparent to the infrared radiation. Presence of an opaque heterogeneous inclusion enhances this effect due to intensification of the heating of the water film. The heat and mass transfer characteristics obtained in the experiments were used for designing a model that takes into account the radiative properties of water film and adequately reproduces the results of thermocouplemeasurements. Based on the findings of the investigations, a conclusion has been formulated that models of high-temperature evaporation of water droplets should be developed with due account of changes in the optical properties of water and formation of a vapor buffer layer around inclusions.

Differences between panoramic and Cone Beam-CT in the surgical evaluation of lower third molars.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the ability to identify the contiguity between the root of the mandibular third molar and the mandibular canal (MC) in panoramic radiographs compared with Cone Beam-CT.Material and MethodsPanoramic radiographs of 326 third molars and CBCT radiographs of 86 cases indicated for surgery and considered at risk were evaluated. The following signs were assessed in panoramic radiographs as risk factors: radiolucent band, loss of MC border, change in MC direction, MC narrowing, root narrowing, root deviation, bifid apex, superimposition, and contact between the root third molar and the MC.ResultsRadiographic signs associated with absence of MC cortical bone are: radiolucent band, loss of MC border, change in MC direction, and superimposition. The number of risk factors was significantly increased with an increasing depth of inclusion. CBCT revealed a significant association between the absence of MC cortical bone and a lingual or interradicular position of the MC.ConclusionsIn cases in which panoramic radiographs do not exclude contiguity between the MC and tooth, careful assessment the signs and risks on CBCT radiographs is indicated for proper identification of the relationships between anatomic structures. Key words:Panoramic radiography, Cone-Beam computed tomography, third molar, mandibular nerve.

Effects of non-metallic inclusions on the crack propagation in bearing steel

The crack propagation in bearing steel with a non-metallic inclusion is analyzed by Voronoi finite element method. The load applied on the Voronoi finite element model is obtained by combination of quasi-dynamic method and Hertzian contact theory. Von Mises stress distribution in the micro-domain is calculated to determine the crack initiation. The result shows that the non-metallic inclusion acts as stress raiser and the maximum von Mises stress appears near the inclusion. Thus, we can conclude that the crack is initiated near the inclusion. Stress intensity factors (SIFs) were calculated to study the crack propagation as a function of inclusion elastic modulus, size, and depth. The crack is more likely to grow when the inclusion is soft, small and shallow.

Quantification in time-domain diffuse optical tomography using Mellin-Laplace transforms.

Simulations and phantom measurements are used to evaluate the ability of time-domain diffuse optical tomography using Mellin-Laplace transforms to quantify the absorption perturbation of centimetric objects immersed at depth 1-2 cm in turbid media. We find that the estimated absorption coefficient varies almost linearly with the absorption change in the range of 0-0.15 cm-1 but is underestimated by a factor that depends on the inclusion depth (~2, 3 and 6 for depths of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 cm respectively). For larger absorption changes, the variation is sublinear with ~20% decrease for δμa = 0.37 cm-1. By contrast, constraining the absorption change to the actual volume of the inclusion may considerably improve the accuracy and linearity of the reconstructed absorption.

The Origin of Selectivity in the Complexation of N-Methyl Amino Acids by Tetraphosphonate Cavitands.

We report on the eligibility of tetraphosphonate resorcinarene cavitands for the molecular recognition of amino acids. We determined the crystal structure of 13 complexes of the tetraphosphonate cavitand Tiiii[H, CH3, CH3] with amino acids. (1)H NMR and (31)P NMR experiments and ITC analysis were performed to probe the binding between cavitand Tiiii[C3H7, CH3, C2H5] or the water-soluble counterpart Tiiii[C3H6Py(+)Cl(-), CH3, C2H5] and a selection of representative amino acids. The reported studies and results allowed us (i) to highlight the noncovalent interactions involved in the binding event in each case; (ii) to investigate the ability of tetraphosphonate cavitand receptors to discriminate between the different amino acids; (iii) to calculate the Ka values of the different complexes formed and evaluate the thermodynamic parameters of the complexation process, dissecting the entropic and enthalpic contributions; and (iv) to determine the solvent influence on the complexation selectivity. By moving from methanol to water, the complexation changed from entropy driven to entropy opposed, leading to a drop of almost three orders in the magnitude of the Ka. However, this reduction in binding affinity is associated with a dramatic increase in selectivity, since in aqueous solutions only N-methylated amino acids are effectively recognized. The thermodynamic profile of the binding does not change in PBS solution. The pivotal role played by cation-π interactions is demonstrated by the linear correlation found between the log Ka in methanol solution and the depth of (+)N-CH3 cavity inclusion in the molecular structures. These findings are relevant for the potential use of phosphonate cavitands as synthetic receptors for the detection of epigenetic modifications of histones in physiological media.

Towards deep inclusion for equity-oriented health research priority-setting: A working model

Growing consensus that health research funders should align their investments with national research priorities presupposes that such national priorities exist and are just. Arguably, justice requires national health research priority-setting to promote health equity. Such a position is consistent with recommendations made by the World Health Organization and at global ministerial summits that health research should serve to reduce health inequalities between and within countries. Thus far, no specific requirements for equity-oriented research priority-setting have been described to guide policymakers. As a step towards the explication and defence of such requirements, we propose that deep inclusion is a key procedural component of equity-oriented research priority-setting. We offer a model of deep inclusion that was developed by applying concepts from work on deliberative democracy and development ethics. This model consists of three dimensions—breadth, qualitative equality, and high-quality non-elite participation. Deep inclusion is captured not only by who is invited to join a decision-making process but also by how they are involved and by when non-elite stakeholders are involved. To clarify and illustrate the proposed dimensions, we use the sustained example of health systems research. We conclude by reviewing practical challenges to achieving deep inclusion. Despite the existence of barriers to implementation, our model can help policymakers and other stakeholders design more inclusive national health research priority-setting processes and assess these processes' depth of inclusion.

Spontaneous Eruption of Premolar Associated with a Dentigerous Cyst

Dentigerous cyst (DC) is the second most common odontogenic cyst with greater incidence in young patients. It presents as a unilocular, asymptomatic radiolucency involving the crown of an impacted tooth, commonly noticed in X-rays to investigate absence, wrong tooth position, or delay in the chronology of eruption. Decompression/marsupialization (D/M) is the most implemented treatment, especially when preserving the tooth involved is advised. The aim of this study is to discuss the DC characteristics that contribute to spontaneous eruption of premolars, by reporting the case of a conservative treatment of DC. This eruption depends on factors such as age, angulation of inclusion, rate of root formation, depth of inclusion, and eruption space. This paper reports the case of a 10-year-old patient with a radiolucent lesion diagnosed as DC involving element 35, which erupted as a result of treatment. The patient was observed during 1 year and 6 months.

Calibration and optimization of 3D digital breast tomosynthesis guided near infrared spectral tomography.

Calibration of a three-dimensional multimodal digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) x-ray and non-fiber based near infrared spectral tomography (NIRST) system is challenging but essential for clinical studies. Phantom imaging results yielded linear contrast recovery of total hemoglobin (HbT) concentration for cylindrical inclusions of 15 mm, 10 mm and 7 mm with a 3.5% decrease in the HbT estimate for each 1 cm increase in inclusion depth. A clinical exam of a patient's breast containing both benign and malignant lesions was successfully imaged, with greater HbT was found in the malignancy relative to the benign abnormality and fibroglandular regions (11 μM vs. 9.5 μM). Tools developed improved imaging system characterization and optimization of signal quality, which will ultimately improve patient selection and subsequent clinical trial results.

Influence of non-metallic inclusions on fatigue life in the very high cycle fatigue regime

The present paper deals with the influence of non-metallic inclusions on fatigue life in the high cycle fatigue and the very high cycle fatigue regime. For that purpose, several castings of steel 42CrMo4 (AISI 4140, DIN EN 1.7225) were produced by using recently developed novel metal-melt filters. The specimens were tested in hot-isostatically pressed and heat treated condition. After fatigue failure every fracture surface was intensively investigated by scanning electron microscopy in order to define the type, the size, the chemical composition, the morphology and the location of the crack initiating discontinuity. Subsequently, Murakami’s √area model was used for the evaluation of the influence of non-metallic inclusions on the fatigue life. In the present investigation four common types of chemical compositions of crack initiating discontinuities were identified. Furthermore, four different internal failure types and their influence on the fatigue life in cast steel were investigated and described. Thus, the present contribution proposes a basic correlation determined from fatigue lives in case of various internal crack initiation types. The key parameters for fatigue life prediction in case of internal fatigue failure in the very high cycle fatigue regime are (i) the size of the crack initiating discontinuity, (ii) the inclusion depth and (iii) the crack initiating failure type.

Inclusion process of tetracycline in β and γ-cyclodextrins: A theoretical investigation

The present Letter reports results from a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the inclusion process involving the tetracycline (TC) by β and γ-cyclodextrin (CD). Structure and stabilization energies were calculated, both in gas phase and aqueous solution, using a sequential methodology based on semiempirical and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. By the results, a qualitative structure–property relationship could be established with two main structural features being relevant for inclusion complex stabilization: (i) the depth of inclusion, which favors the hydrophobic contact inside the cavity of CDs and (ii) the hydrogen bonds established between guest and host molecules.

Bio-optics based sensation imaging for breast tumor detection using tissue characterization.

The tissue inclusion parameter estimation method is proposed to measure the stiffness as well as geometric parameters. The estimation is performed based on the tactile data obtained at the surface of the tissue using an optical tactile sensation imaging system (TSIS). A forward algorithm is designed to comprehensively predict the tactile data based on the mechanical properties of tissue inclusion using finite element modeling (FEM). This forward information is used to develop an inversion algorithm that will be used to extract the size, depth, and Young's modulus of a tissue inclusion from the tactile data. We utilize the artificial neural network (ANN) for the inversion algorithm. The proposed estimation method was validated by a realistic tissue phantom with stiff inclusions. The experimental results showed that the proposed estimation method can measure the size, depth, and Young's modulus of a tissue inclusion with 0.58%, 3.82%, and 2.51% relative errors, respectively. The obtained results prove that the proposed method has potential to become a useful screening and diagnostic method for breast cancer.

Thermal wave scattering in functionally graded materials containing a spherical inclusion

In this paper, based on the law of non-Fourier heat conduction, using the wave function expansion method, the thermal wave scattering and temperature distributions of semi-infinite functionally graded materials containing a spherical inclusion were presented. According to the hyperbolic equation of heat conduction, a general solution of scattered fields of thermal waves was obtained. In addition, a matrix formulation to determine mode coefficients of scattered waves were used. Taking into account the engineering background, the incidence of thermal waves excited by the periodically modulated laser and the subsurface defect was treated as a spherical inclusion in the modeling. Numerical simulation was graphically presented and analyzed. It is shown that the influence of the spherical inclusion on the thermal wave scattering and temperature distributions in functionally graded materials are related to the depth of buried spherical inclusion, the nonhomogeneous parameters and the thermal relaxation time. The paper is expected to provide data references of the inverse problem for infrared thermal wave nondestructive evaluation of functionally graded materials.

Participatory and Inclusive Approaches to Disability Program Evaluation

Some evaluations of disability programs now apply participatory methods to include people with cognitive disability in the collection of data. However, more inclusive approaches that engage people with cognitive disability more fully in the decisions about the evaluation remain rare. We examined why this may be the case, using Weaver and Cousin's criteria for inclusive evaluation to measure the depth of inclusion of our methods in an evaluation that we did that included people with cognitive disability. We found that the participatory methods in the design supported some of the dimensions of inclusive evaluation–diversity, depth of participation, power relations, and manageability. Relying on other people to represent the interests of people with cognitive disability in the governance, data collection, and dissemination compromised the control dimension of inclusion. Resources and commitment to build the capacity of people with cognitive disability as team members, mentors, advisers, and direct participants is required to make inclusion feasible and an expectation in disability program evaluations.

Influence of inclusion in functionally graded materials on the surface temperature distributions

In this paper, based on the hyperbolic equation of heat conduction, utilizing the image method and the wave function expansion method, the temperature distributions on the surface of a functionally graded material(FGM) containing a cylindrical inclusion are investigated. According to the model of thermal waves, a general solution of scattered fields of thermal waves is obtained. Effects of different physical parameters (such as the depth of buried inclusion, the thermal conductivity, the thermal diffusion length, the thermal diffusivity, and the thermal relaxation time) on the distribution of temperature are analyzed. The thermal waves are excited on the surface of the FGM by a periodically modulated laser. A cylindrical defect is taken as an inclusion under a thermal conduction condition. Results are expected to provide calculation methods and reference data for infrared thermal wave nondestructive evaluation of an FGM and the inverse problems in mathematical physics.