Inhomogeneous Patterns Research Articles

联苯衍生物的光折变效应

The photorefractive phenomenon was observed in biphenyl derivatives materials under continuous wave laser(532nm) irradiation. Two types of sample were prepared:biphenyl derivatives(2-(4-hydroxypheny)-5-pyrimidinol, 4'-hydroxy-4-biphenyl carbonitrile, 3-amino-4-phenylphenol and 4, 4'-Biphenol) were respectively dissolved in N, N-dimethylformamide(DMF) detaining 4-solution samples, and the concentration was 2wt%; biphenyl derivatives were dissolved into a saturated solution of anhydrous ethanol as a solute, and the single crystals of biphenyl derivatives were obtained by slow evaporation of the ethanol solution at an ambient temperature. The experimental results show that cyclic symmetric bright-dark spatial stripes were formed after the laser beam transmitted through the 2-(4-hydroxypheny)-5-pyrimidinol, 4'-hydroxy-4-biphenyl carbonitrile and 3-amino-4-phenylphenol solutions with an asymmetric chromophore. On the other hand, the transmitted laser spot has no change in 4, 4'-Biphenol solution, no matter how the laser power density was increased. A distorted beam was observed when the 2-(4-hydroxypheny)-5-pyrimidinol, 4'-hydroxy-4-biphenyl carbonitrile, and 3-amino-4-phenylphenol single crystals were irradiated by high optical power density, while the laser beam spot experienced no change in the 4, 4'-Biphenol single crystal. The different values of the Open/Dark current were about 10 nA in biphenyl derivatives with an asymmetric chromophore. The distorted optical spot stretched along the laser polarization. The threshold value of laser power density for distorted spot was about 100 W/cm2 and 10 W/cm2 in the solutions and single crystals of biphenyl derivatives with an asymmetric chromophore. An explanation was proposed for the symmetric cyclic bright-dark spatial stripes, being that they were induced by the photorefractive effect. The photorefractive effect relies on the formation of a space-charge field through the illumination of inhomogeneous light intensity patterns. The biphenyl derivatives were found to be photorefractive materials.

KMTNet Nearby Galaxy Survey. I. Optimal Strategy for Low Surface Brightness Imaging with KMTNet

Abstract In hierarchical galaxy formation models, galaxies evolve through mergers and accretions. Tidally disrupted debris from these processes can remain as diffuse, faint structures, which can provide useful insight into the assembly history of galaxies. To investigate the properties of the faint structures in outskirts of nearby galaxies, we conduct deep and wide-field imaging survey with Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet). We present our observing strategy and optimal data reduction process to recover the faint extended features in the imaging data of NGC 1291 taken with KMTNet. Through the dark sky flat-fielding and optimal sky subtraction, we can effectively remove inhomogeneous patterns. In the combined images, the peak-to-peak global sky gradients were reduced to less than ∼0.5% and ∼0.3% of the original B- and R-band sky levels, respectively. However, we find local spatial fluctuations in the background sky that can affect the precise measurement of the sky value. Consequently, we can reach the surface brightness of and mag arcsec−2 in azimuthally averaged one-dimensional surface brightness profiles, which is mainly limited by the uncertainty in the sky determination. These results suggest that the deep imaging data produced by KMTNet are suitable to study the faint features of nearby galaxies such as outer disks and dwarf companions, but unideal (not impossible) to detect stellar halos. The one-dimensional profile revealed that NGC 1291 appeared to have a Type I disk out to R ∼30 kpc with no obvious color gradient, and excess light due to a stellar halo was undetected.

Successful Long-term Extracorporeal Perfusion of Free Musculocutaneous Flaps in a Porcine Model

BackgroundExtracorporeal perfusion is a technique that aims to safely prolong tissue preservation by reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury. Free muscle flaps provide a sensitive research model due to their low ischemic tolerance. However, long-term perfusion of free muscle flaps is scarcely researched. The aim of this study was to compare tissue damage in musculocutaneous flaps during 36 h of extracorporeal perfusion versus static cold storage. Materials and methodsBilateral free rectus abdominis flaps were harvested from five Dutch Landrace pigs (weight: 53-59 kg). Flaps were treated for 36 h according to the following study groups: (1) cold storage at 4°C-6°C (n = 4), (2) perfusion with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) at 8°C-10°C (n = 3), (3) perfusion with University of Wisconsin solution (UW) at 8°C-10°C (n = 3). Perfusion fluid samples (creatinine kinase, blood gas) and biopsies for quantitative polymerase chain reaction were collected at multiple time points. Microcirculation was assessed at 24 h of preservation using indocyanine-green fluorescence angiography. Flap weight was measured at the start and end of the preservation period. ResultsSuccessful and stable perfusion for 36 h was achieved in all perfused flaps. The mean creatinine kinase increase in the perfusion fluid was comparable in both the groups (UW: +43,144 U/L, HTK: +44,404 U/L). Mean lactate was higher in the UW group than in the HTK group (6.57 versus 1.07 mmol/L). There were homogenous and complete perfusion patterns on indocyanine-green angiography in both the perfusion groups, in contrast to incomplete and inhomogeneous patterns during cold storage. Expression of genes related to apoptosis and inflammation was lower in perfused flaps than in the cold storage group. Weight increase was highest in the HTK group (78%; standard deviation [SD], 29%) compared with UW (22%; SD, 22%) and cold storage (0.7%; SD, 4%). ConclusionsLong-term extracorporeal perfusion of free rectus abdominis flaps is feasible. Outcomes in the perfusion groups seemed superior compared to cold storage. Hypotheses gained from this research need to be further explored in a replantation setting.

Forecasting of epizootic Activity of the Central Caucasian natural High-Mountain Plague Focus

Central-Caucasian natural plague focus was permanently epizootically active since its discovering in 1971 till 2007. Inter-epizootic period has been in progress since 2008. It was not possible to isolate agent strains from field material. Therefore a forecast for focus activation is a relevant task, especially against the background of registered plague cases in humans in 2014–2016. Objective of the study was to create a forecasting model for quantitative prediction of possible activation or maintenance of inter-epizootic period. Materials and methods. We used archival data of Kabardino-Balkar Plague Control Station: journals of rodents’ autopsy, annual reports on epizootiological surveillance, meteorological data from meteostation “Kislovodsk” over the period of 1989–2017, and our epidemiological data for the period 2010 to 2017. We applied Spearman nonparametric correlation analysis, regression analysis, including principal component method, quarterly analysis, and inhomogeneous sequential pattern recognition procedures for statistical processing. Results and discussion. We have designed statistical model which provides for forecasting of plague focus epizootic activity proactively, a year in advance and 99 % probability or higher. The model was tested on retrospective data over the course of 7 years. All predictions were correct. The operational forecasts from 2015 to 2017 proved right too. However there is a possibility of fast changes in the ecology system conditions of the Central-Caucasian natural plague focus because of the global warming. Thereby the forecasting model will be annually checked for informative value of the predictors and, if necessary, adjusted accordingly.

Turing Instability and Turing–Hopf Bifurcation in Diffusive Schnakenberg Systems with Gene Expression Time Delay

For delayed reaction-diffusion Schnakenberg systems with Neumann boundary conditions, critical conditions for Turing instability are derived, which are necessary and sufficient. And existence conditions for Turing, Hopf and Turing-Hopf bifurcations are established. Normal forms truncated to order 3 at Turing-Hopf singularity of codimension 2, are derived. By investigating Turing-Hopf bifurcation, the parameter regions for the stability of a periodic solution, a pair of spatially inhomogeneous steady states and a pair of spatially inhomogeneous periodic solutions, are derived in $(\tau,\varepsilon)$ parameter plane ($\tau$ for time delay, $\varepsilon$ for diffusion rate). It is revealed that joint effects of diffusion and delay can lead to the occurrence of mixed spatial and temporal patterns. Moreover, it is also demonstrated that various spatially inhomogeneous patterns with different spatial frequencies can be achieved via changing the diffusion rate. And, the phenomenon that time delay may induce a failure of Turing instability observed by Gaffney and Monk (2006) are theoretically explained.

Adaptation and improvement of an elemental mapping method for lithium ion battery electrodes and separators by means of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

In this study, laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was applied to previously aged carbonaceous anodes from lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The electrodes were treated by cyclic aging in a lithium ion cell set-up with LiNi0.5Mn1,5O4 (LNMO) cathodes and hard carbon (HC)/mesocarbon microbead (MCMB) anodes. An inhomogeneous transition metal deposition pattern could be induced by replacing the spacer in a standard coin cell set-up with a washer. The inhomogeneity pattern matched the dimension of the washer depicted by the hole in the center. These transition metal (TM) patterns were used to optimize higher lateral scanning speeds and frequencies on the spatial resolution of the mapping experiments using LA-ICP-MS. Higher scanning speeds had an observable influence on the resolution of the obtained image and an overall saving of 60% with regard to time and gas consumption could be achieved. Additionally, the optimized method was applied to the cathode and separator in order to visualize the distribution and deposition pattern, respectively.

Modeling Avascular Tumor Growth: Approach with an Adaptive Grid Numerical Technique

The mathematical modeling of complex biological systems leads to system of coupled nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs). In this paper, we present a short review on the interaction of the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) system with a model for cancer cell in the avascular phase, faced using the moving mesh PDE/(MMPDE) numerical technique. The dynamical evolution of the system as a function of the diffusion properties of cancer cells has been considered, as well as the effect of hypoxia to the cancer evolution, introducing a model equation for the nutrient oxygen. The model parameters have been taken from the data existing in the literature, in particular to gauge the oxygen supply, data determined from in vivo experiments on human tumors have been used. The numerical results obtained simulating a one-dimensional portion of the biological tissue are consistent with the data existing in the literature. Our high-resolution computations show that cancer proliferation begins through highly irregular spatio-temporal pattern, which depends on cancer motility characteristics. In presence of hypoxia, the cancer proliferation patterns are still characterized by an inhomogeneous pattern, but other effects are present which depend on the model parameters, triggered by the oxygen.

Variable cardiac myosin binding protein-C expression in the myofilaments due to MYBPC3 mutations in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

BackgroundMutations in MYBPC3 are the most common cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). These mutations produce dysfunctional protein that is quickly degraded and not incorporated in the myofilaments. Most patients are heterozygous and allelic expression differs between cells. We hypothesized that this would lead to cell-to-cell variation in cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C, encoded by MYBPC3 gene) protein levels. MethodsTwelve HCM patients were included (six had no sarcomere mutations (HCMsmn) and served as the control group and six harbored mutations in the MYBPC3 gene (MYBPC3mut). Western blot and RNA sequencing analysis of cardiac tissue lysates were performed to detect overall cMyBP-C protein and mRNA levels. Cellular expression of cMyBP-C and α-actin was obtained by immunofluorescence staining. Quantification of cell-to-cell variation of cMyBP-C expression between cardiomyocytes was measured by determining the ratio of cMyBP-C:α-actin stained area of each cell. ResultsProtein and mRNA analysis revealed significantly reduced cMyBP-C levels in MYBPC3mut patients compared with HCMsmn patients (0.73 ± 0.09 vs. 1.0 ± 0.15, p < .05; 162.3 ± 16.4 vs. 326.2 ± 41.9 RPKM, p = .002), without any sign of truncated proteins. Immunofluorescence staining of individual cardiomyocytes in HCMsmn patients demonstrated homogenous and equal cMyBP-C:α-actin staining ratio. In contrast, MYBPC3mut patients demonstrated inhomogeneous staining patterns with a large intercellular variability per patient. Coefficient of variance for cMyBP-C/α-actin staining for each patient showed a significant difference between both groups (17.30 ± 4.08 vs. 5.18 ± 0.65% in MYBPC3mut vs. HCMsmn, p = .02). ConclusionThis is the first study to demonstrate intercellular variation of myofilament cMyBP-C protein expression within the myocardium from HCM patients with heterozygous MYBPC3 mutations.

Resampling Methods for Estimating Travel Time Uncertainty: Application of the Gap Bootstrap

To a large extent, methods of forecasting travel time have placed emphasis on the quality of the forecasted value—how close is the forecast point estimate of the mean travel time to its respective field value? However, understanding the reliability or uncertainty margin that exists around the forecasted point estimate is also important. Uncertainty about travel time is a fundamental factor as it leads end-users to change their routes and schedules even when the average travel time is low. Statistical resampling methods have been used previously for uncertainty modeling within the travel time prediction environment. This paper applies a recently developed nonparametric resampling method, the gap bootstrap, to the travel time uncertainty estimation problem, especially as it pertains to large (probe) data sets for which common resampling methods may not be practical because of the possible computational burden and complex patterns of inhomogeneity. The gap bootstrap partitions the original data into smaller groups of approximately uniform data sets and recombines individual group uncertainty estimates into a single estimate of uncertainty. Results of the gap bootstrap uncertainty estimates are compared with those of two popular resampling methods—the traditional bootstrap and the block bootstrap. The results suggest that, for the datasets used in this research, the gap bootstrap adequately captures the dependent structure when compared with the traditional and block bootstrap methods and may thus yield more credible estimates of uncertainty than either the block bootstrap method or the traditional bootstrap method.

Shearlet-based measures of entropy and complexity for two-dimensional patterns.

New spatial entropy and complexity measures for two-dimensional patterns are proposed. The approach is based on the notion of disequilibrium and is built on statistics of directional multiscale coefficients of the fast finite shearlet transform. Shannon entropy and Jensen-Shannon divergence measures are employed. Both local and global spatial complexity and entropy estimates can be obtained, thus allowing for spatial mapping of complexity in inhomogeneous patterns. The algorithm is validated in numerical experiments with a gradually decaying periodic pattern and Ising surfaces near critical state. It is concluded that the proposed algorithm can be instrumental in describing a wide range of two-dimensional imaging data, textures, or surfaces, where an understanding of the level of order or randomness is desired.

Dipole-dipole interactions and incommensurate order in perovskite structures

Dipole-dipole (DD) interactions are known to play an important role in conditioning ferroelectricity in ${AB\text{O}}_{3}$ perovskite crystals. Their possible role in conditioning nonferroelectric (inhomogeneous) cation ordering is presently unexplored. I analyze the energy of DD interactions in perovskite structure for different inhomogeneous spatial patterns of electric dipoles localized at the lattice sites. I show that DD interactions can favor inhomogeneous ordering when other terms of the Hamiltonian allow large total polarizability of $A$ sites, comparably large total polarizability of oxygen sites in $A$-O planes, and relatively weak total polarizability of oxygen sites in the $B$-O direction. These conditions are naturally expected in ${\mathrm{PbZrO}}_{3}$ crystals, for which the reason behind antiferroelectric and incommensurate inhomogeneous ordering is currently being debated.

Chondron curvature mapping in growth plate cartilage under compressive loading

The physis, or growth plate, is a layer of cartilage responsible for long bone growth. It is organized into reserve, proliferative and hypertrophic zones. Unlike the reserve zone where chondrocytes are randomly arranged, either singly or in pairs, the proliferative and hypertrophic chondrocytes are arranged within tubular structures called chondrons. In previous studies, the strain patterns within the compressed growth plate have been reported to be nonuniform and inhomogeneous, with an apparent random pattern in compressive strains and a localized appearance of tensile strains. In this study we measured structural deformations along the entire lengths of chondrons when the physis was subjected to physiological (20%) and hyper-physiological (30% and 40%) levels of compression. This provided a means to interpret the apparent random strain patterns seen in texture correlation maps in terms of bending deformations of chondron structures and provided a physical explanation for the inhomogeneous and nonuniform strain patterns reported in previous studies. We observed relatively large bending deformations (kinking) of the chondron structures at the interface of the reserve and proliferative zones during compression. Bending in this region may induce dividing cells to align longitudinally to maintain column formation and drive longitudinal growth.

Computational analysis on Hopf bifurcation and stability for a consumer–resource model with nonlinear functional response

We consider a consumer–resource model with nonlinear functional response and reaction–diffusion terms. By taking the growth rate of the resource as the parameter, we give a computational and theoretical analysis on Hopf bifurcation emitting from the positive equilibrium for the model and discuss the conditions for determining the bifurcation direction and the stability of the bifurcating periodic solutions by space decomposition and vector operation techniques. It is shown that Turing (diffusion-driven) instability occurs, which induces spatial inhomogeneous patterns. Some numerical examples are presented to support and illustrate our theoretical analysis.

On Kernel-Based Intensity Estimation of Spatial Point Patterns on Linear Networks

ABSTRACTWe propose an extension of Diggle’s nonparametric edge-corrected kernel-based intensity estimator to the case of events coming from an inhomogenous point pattern on a linear network. We analyze its statistical properties, showing that it is an unbiased estimator of the first-order intensity; we also provide an expression for the variance, and comment on the appropriate bandwidth selection. Our estimator is compared with the current existing equal-split discontinuous kernel density estimator in terms of the mean integrated squared error (MISE). We then use our estimator on two real datasets. We first revisit street crimes in an area of Chicago, obtaining similar results to previously published ones based on a parametric intensity function. Then, we study network-based spatial events consisting of calls to the Police department reporting anti-social behavior in the city of Castellon (Spain).

Pseudo-single-bunch mode for a 100 MHz storage ring serving soft X-ray timing experiments

At many storage rings for synchrotron light production there is demand for serving both high-flux and timing users simultaneously. Today this is most commonly achieved by operating inhomogeneous fill patterns, but this is not preferable for rings that employ passive harmonic cavities to damp instabilities and increase Touschek lifetime. For these rings, inhomogeneous fill patterns could severely reduce the effect of the harmonic cavities. It is therefore of interest to develop methods to serve high-flux and timing users simultaneously without requiring gaps in the fill pattern. One such method is pseudo-single-bunch (PSB), where one bunch in the bunch train is kicked onto another orbit by a fast stripline kicker. The light emitted from the kicked bunch can then be separated by an aperture in the beamline. Due to recent developments in fast kicker design, PSB operation in multibunch mode is within reach for rings that operate with a 100 MHz RF system, such as the MAX IV and Solaris storage rings. This paper describes machine requirements and resulting performance for such a mode at the MAX IV 1.5 GeV storage ring. A solution for serving all beamlines is discussed as well as the consequences of beamline design and operation in the soft X-ray energy range.

Visualizing elemental deposition patterns on carbonaceous anodes from lithium ion batteries: A laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry study on factors influencing the deposition of lithium, nickel, manganese and cobalt after dissolution and migration from the Li1[Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3]O2 and LiMn1.5 Ni0.5O4 cathode

In this study, laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is applied to previously aged carbonaceous anodes from lithium ion batteries (LIBs). These electrodes are treated by cyclic aging in a lithium ion cell set-up against Li1[Ni1/3Mn 1/3Co1/3]O2 = NMC111 to elucidate factors that influence transition metal dissolution (TMD) of the cathode and subsequent deposition on the anode. The investigations are carried out by qualitatively visualizing the 7Li and TM patterns (60Ni, 55Mn and 59Co) of whole coin and pouch-bag electrodes.The lithium, as well as the TM amount, found on the anode, is directly correlated to the applied upper cut-off voltage (4.6, 4.7, 4.8 and 4.9 V) showing more deposition of Li and TMs at elevated voltages. While 7Li shows a more homogeneous pattern, the TM distribution is inhomogeneous but showing a similar pattern for all TMs of the same sample. An unequal pressure distribution, resulting in a nonparallel electrode alignment, on the electrode stack is identified to be responsible for the inhomogeneous TM deposition pattern. This uneven electrode orientation results in different diffusion pathways for the TM migration with regard to the spatial distances.

Comparison of phase-contrast MR and flow simulations for the study of CSF dynamics in the cervical spine.

Background Investigators use phase-contrast magnetic resonance (PC-MR) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. We compared qualitative and quantitative results from the two methods. Methods Four volunteers were imaged with a heavily T2-weighted volume gradient echo scan of the brain and cervical spine at 3T and with PC-MR. Velocities were calculated from PC-MR for each phase in the cardiac cycle. Mean pressure gradients in the PC-MR acquisition through the cardiac cycle were calculated with the Navier-Stokes equations. Volumetric MR images of the brain and upper spine were segmented and converted to meshes. Models of the subarachnoid space were created from volume images with the Vascular Modeling Toolkit. CFD simulations were performed with a previously verified flow solver. The flow patterns, velocities and pressures were compared in PC-MR and CFD flow images. Results PC-MR images consistently revealed more inhomogeneous flow patterns than CFD, especially in the anterolateral subarachnoid space where spinal nerve roots are located. On average, peak systolic and diastolic velocities in PC-MR exceeded those in CFD by 31% and 41%, respectively. On average, systolic and diastolic pressure gradients calculated from PC-MR exceeded those of CFD by 11% and 39%, respectively. Conclusions PC-MR shows local flow disturbances that are not evident in typical CFD. The velocities and pressure gradients calculated from PC-MR are systematically larger than those calculated from CFD.

It is no longer the time to disregard thyroid metastases from breast cancer: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundMetastases to the thyroid gland are more frequent than previously thought, although most of them are occult or not clinically relevant. Overall, only 42 cases of metastases to thyroid from breast cancer have been reported thus far. Here we report the case of a patient with breast cancer metastatic to the thyroid. We also review the 42 previously reported cases (published between 1962 and 2012). This is the first review about metastases to thyroid gland from breast cancer.Case presentationA 64-year-old woman of Caucasian origin was diagnosed with a lobular invasive carcinoma of the breast (luminal A, stage II). She received adjuvant chemotherapy, followed by endocrine therapy. During follow-up, fine-needle cytology of a thyroid nodule revealed malignant cells that were estrogen-positive, which suggested a diagnosis of metastases to the thyroid. Imaging did not reveal any other metastatic site and showed only enlargement of the left thyroid lobe and an inhomogeneous pattern of colloid and cystic degeneration and calcifications. The patient underwent left hemithyroidectomy. Histology of thyroid tissue showed a colloid goitre containing dispersed small atypical neoplastic cells with eccentric nuclei. Immunohistochemistry showed cytokeratin-19 and oestrogen receptor, but not tireoglobulin, e-cadherin or cytokeratin-7, thereby confirming metastases from a lobular breast carcinoma. Hormonal treatment is ongoing.ConclusionThis case report and first review of the literature on metastases to thyroid from breast cancer highlight the importance of a correct early diagnostic work-up in such cases. Indeed, a primary lesion should be distinguished from metastases given the different treatment protocol related to primary cancer and the clinical impact on prognosis.

Ionic wave propagation and collision in an excitable circuit model of microtubules.

In this paper, we report the propensity to excitability of the internal structure of cellular microtubules, modelled as a relatively large one-dimensional spatial array of electrical units with nonlinear resistive features. We propose a model mimicking the dynamics of a large set of such intracellular dynamical entities as an excitable medium. We show that the behavior of such lattices can be described by a complex Ginzburg-Landau equation, which admits several wave solutions, including the plane waves paradigm. A stability analysis of the plane waves solutions of our dynamical system is conducted both analytically and numerically. It is observed that perturbed plane waves will always evolve toward promoting the generation of localized periodic waves trains. These modes include both stationary and travelling spatial excitations. They encompass, on one hand, localized structures such as solitary waves embracing bright solitons, dark solitons, and bisolitonic impulses with head-on collisions phenomena, and on the other hand, the appearance of both spatially homogeneous and spatially inhomogeneous stationary patterns. This ability exhibited by our array of proteinic elements to display several states of excitability exposes their stunning biological and physical complexity and is of high relevance in the description of the developmental and informative processes occurring on the subcellular scale.

A CT Scan Harmonization Technique to Detect Emphysema and Small Airway Diseases.

Recent studies have suggested the central role of small airway destruction in the pathogenesis of COPD leading to further parenchymal destruction. This evidence has sparked the interest in in-vivo assessment of small airway disease overall at the early onset of the disease. The parametric response mapping (PRM) technique has been proposed to distinguish gas trapping due to small airway disease from low attenuation areas due to emphysema. Despite its success, the PRM technique shows some limitations that are precluding the interpretation of its results. The density value used to assess gas trapping highly depends on acquisition parameters, such as dose and reconstruction kernel, and changes in body size, that introduce inhomogeneous photon absorption patterns. In particular, many studies using PRM employ inspiratory and expiratory images that are obtained at different dose levels. Emphysema impact in early disease may be confounded with the gas trapping due to the noise introduced by differences in the acquisition during the PRM. In this work, we propose a CT harmonization technique to remove the nuisance factors to distinguish between small airway disease and emphysema. Our results show that the measurements based on CT harmonization provide an increase in the detection of both emphysema and airway disease, resulting in a statistically significant impact of both components and a better association with lung function measures.