Key Technical Elements Research Articles

Effect of spin-lock frequency on quantitative myocardial T1ρ mapping

ObjectivesTo use T1ρ mapping to assess myocardial fibrosis and to provide a reference for future clinical application, it is necessary to understand the factors influencing T1ρ values. This study explored the influence of different spin-locking frequencies on T1ρ values under a 3.0-T MR system.MethodsFifty-seven healthy subjects were prospectively and consecutively included in this study, and T1ρ mapping was performed on them in 3 short-axis slices with three spin-lock frequencies at the amplitude of 300 Hz, 400 Hz, and 500 Hz, then nine T1ρ images were acquired per subject. Four T1ρ-weighted images were acquired using a spin-lock preparation pulse with varying durations (0 msec, 13.3 msec, 26.6 msec, 40 msec). T1ρ relaxation times were quantified for each slice and each myocardial segment. The results were analyzed using Student’s t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) methods.ResultsMean T1ρ relaxation times were 43.5 ± 2.8 msec at 300 Hz, 44.9 ± 3.6 msec at 400 Hz, and 46.2 ± 3.1 msec at 500 Hz, showing a significant progressive increase from low to high spin-lock frequency (300 Hz vs. 400 Hz, p = 0.046; 300 Hz vs. 500 Hz, p < 0.001; 400 Hz vs. 500 Hz, p = 0.043). In addition, The T1ρ values of females were significantly higher than those of males (300 Hz, p = 0.049; 400 Hz, p = 0.01; 500 Hz, p = 0.002).ConclusionIn this prospective study, myocardial T1ρ values for the specific CMR setting are provided, and we found that gender and spin-lock frequency can affect the T1ρ values.Critical relevance statementT1ρ mapping could supersede late gadolinium enhancement for detection of myocardial fibrosis. Establishing reference mean values that take key technical elements into account will facilitate interpretation of data in disease states.Key PointsThis study established myocardial T1ρ reference values for different spin-lock frequencies.T1ρ values increased with spin-lock frequency, but numerical differences were minimal.Females had higher T1ρ values than males at all frequencies.Graphical

B.-Y. Chen-Type Inequalities for Three Dimensional Smooth Hypersurfaces

By J.F. Nash’s Theorem, any Riemannian manifold can be embedded into a Euclidean ambient space with dimension sufficiently large. S.-S. Chern pointed out in 1968 that a key technical element in applying Nash’s Theorem effectively is finding useful relationships between intrinsic and extrinsic elements that are characterizing immersions. After 1993, when a groundbreaking work written by B.-Y.Chen on this theme was published, many explorations pursued this important avenue. Bearing in mind this historical context, in our present project we obtain new relationships involving intrinsic and extrinsic curvature invariants, under natural geometric conditions.

Theoretical analysis of the physiological and technical aspects of jumping from a trampoline within the limits of skiing

Skiing, and especially ski jumping, is characterized by high intensity and a high level of technical complexity. The presented scientific study is devoted to a detailed analysis of the physiological and technical aspects of ski jumping within the scope of skiing. The main goal of this study is to highlight the features of the functional training of athletes and to analyze the key technical elements that are of decisive importance for the successful performance of this specific discipline.&#x0D; The article pays considerable attention to the importance of physiological training as a necessary factor for achieving high results in this demanding sport. A detailed overview of the technical aspects that affect the quality and performance of ski jumping is also provided. A deep understanding of the relationship between physiological performance and technical skills in this field can lead to decisive conclusions.&#x0D; The obtained research results can play a significant role in improving the quality of training programs and training systems for athletes in the field of skiing. This will contribute not only to increasing the efficiency of jumping from the ski jump, but also to ensure an increased level of safety for athletes who are engaged in this exciting discipline.

A fundamental inequality for 3-dimensional CAT(ε) hypersurfaces

By J.F. Nash’s Theorem, any Riemannian manifold can be embedded into a Euclidean ambient space with dimension sufficiently large. In 1968, S.-S. Chern pointed out that a key technical element in applying Nash’s Theorem effectively is finding useful relationships between intrinsic and extrinsic elements that are characterizing immersions. After 1993, when a groundbreaking work written by B.-Y. Chen on this theme was published, many explorations pursued this important avenue of inquiry. Bearing in mind this historical context, in our present paper we point out a new relationship involving intrinsic and extrinsic curvature invariants, under natural geometric conditions. We conclude our work with an obstruction to minimality, in the spirit of S.-S. Chern’s reflection from 1968.

Decentralized Threads with Lens Protocols

Abstract: The "Decentralized Threads with Lens Protocol" initiative, spearheaded by Meta, is at the forefront of a groundbreaking approach to redefine the entire landscape of social networking. This visionary project serves as an invaluable guide for developers, offering a comprehensive roadmap towards the construction of a decentralized microblogging ecosystem, prominentlyfeatured within the innovative "Threads" platform. At its heart, this initiative leverages the transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies, prominently including blockchain technology, and the enigmatic Lens Protocol. These foundational elements provide a structured framework for participants to navigate the intricate process step by step, instilling confidence and direction into the development process. Several key technical elements are prominently at play, including DeFi (Decentralized Finance), dApps (decentralized applications), smart contracts, blockchain technology, and the adherence to protocol standards. Together, these components empower developers with the capability to craft a censorship-resistant and community-driven alternative to traditional social media platforms. This paradigm shift is pivotal, addressing long-standing concerns related to centralized content control and censorship.

3D Printing Distributed Mold Intelligent Manufacturing Model Analysis

In recent years, with the rapid development of technologies such as 3D printing, distributed manufacturing, and intelligent management, the manufacturing industry is undergoing a revolutionary transformation. The emerging 3D printing distributed mold intelligent manufacturing mode combines these cutting-edge technologies, aiming to achieve personalized and flexible production. This is leading the manufacturing industry towards intelligence and customization. This paper discusses the core concepts and key technical elements of 3D printing distributed mold intelligent manufacturing mode. This model combines 3D printing technology, distributed manufacturing, and intelligent management to achieve personalized and flexible production. From cloud intelligent platform, 3D printing manufacturing, distributed manufacturing to business model innovation, the management characteristics of this model in production, design, value chain management and business are discussed. Examples such as Quirky and 3D Systems are used to illustrate the practical application and innovation of the model. This model not only promotes innovation in manufacturing, but also brings new prospects for personalized production and consumption patterns.

Management of the Post Hemangioma Nose - 5 Key Rhinoplasty Components.

Hemangiomas of the nasal tip are a relatively uncommon presentation of a common tumor. While optimal medical and surgical management of nasal tip infantile hemangiomas has been described and debated extensively in the literature, to our knowledge, there is no report of secondary aesthetic and functional rhinoplasty in these patients at skeletal maturity until now. This special topic provides an excellent example of the five key technical elements to revision rhinoplasty in the skeletally mature patient with history of nasal tip infantile hemangioma.

Research on non-LWRs operational intervention level based on HTR

Nuclear emergency is the final line of defense for humanity and the environment, and operational intervention level (OIL) becomes a key technical element pre-specified in emergency preparedness and guides emergency response actions. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a new version of OIL system based on light water reactors (LWRs) in 2017. To explore its applicability for non-LWRs, this paper presents a set of specified OIL determination procedures for high temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTRs). Considering a representative OIL based on ground monitoring (OIL1) as the case study, it concludes that the default OIL1 is 500 μSv/h for HTR-PM, half of the IAEA recommended value. In addition, through sensitivity analysis, we find that the slow release of radionuclides does not affect the determination of the default OIL1 value. From the perspective of OIL, this research further confirms that HTR reactor types can technically simplify off-site emergency requirements.

Commentary: The Reliability of a 2-mm Minimum Margin as an Adequacy Endpoint for Colorectal Pulmonary Metastasis Ablation Success

The investigators Hasegawa et al ( 1 Hasegawa T. Takaki H. Kodama H. et al. Impact of ablative margin on local tumor progression after radiofrequency ablation for lung metastases from colorectal carcinoma: supplementary analysis of a phase II trial (MLCSG-0802). J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2023; 34: 31-37 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar ) are to be congratulated for identifying the ablation margin as a key technical element for thermal ablation success in tumor control in their article “Impact of Ablative Margin on Local Tumor Progression after Radiofrequency Ablation for Lung Metastases from Colorectal Carcinoma: Supplementary Analysis of a Phase II Trial.” The study evaluated 95 colorectal cancer (CRC) pulmonary metastases treated with radiofrequency (RF) ablation followed by sequential computed tomography (CT) examinations for at least 12 months after RF ablation and aimed to assess the minimum ablation margin (MM) required for better local tumor control ( 1 Hasegawa T. Takaki H. Kodama H. et al. Impact of ablative margin on local tumor progression after radiofrequency ablation for lung metastases from colorectal carcinoma: supplementary analysis of a phase II trial (MLCSG-0802). J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2023; 34: 31-37 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar ). The MM was estimated as the shortest distance of the outer tumor boundary to the ground-glass opacity representing the ablation zone (AZ) immediately after RF ablation. Impact of the Ablative Margin on Local Tumor Progression after Radiofrequency Ablation for Lung Metastases from Colorectal Carcinoma: Supplementary Analysis of a Phase II Trial (MLCSG-0802)Journal of Vascular and Interventional RadiologyVol. 34Issue 1PreviewPulmonary oligometastatic disease is considered to be an indication for lung radiofrequency (RF) ablation when patients cannot undergo surgical treatment or external radiation therapy because of poor performance status, comorbid disease, or advanced age (1–3). In particular, the treatment outcomes of lung RF ablation for colorectal cancer (CRC) lung metastases have been well investigated, yielding satisfactory results including a 5-year disease-specific survival rate of 47%–69% and overall survival rate of 33%–68% (2–7). Full-Text PDF

The time-continuous association between turnout and axial joint moments in the competitive Irish dance ‘fly’ landing

ABSTRACT Turnout is a key technical and aesthetic element in competitive Irish dance involving external rotation of the lower limb and must be sustained during landings. ‘Forced’ turnout, aided by floor friction rather than active hip rotation, is likely to result in large internal rotation moments at the knee and ankle, which may increase the risk of injury. The aim of the current study was to establish the relationship between the hip and ankle external rotation vector field and maximum internal rotation moments of the ankle and knee. Thirteen (12 female) competitive Irish dancers performed 10 flys (common Irish dance leap) onto a force plate while being recorded by a ten-camera motion capture system. Time-continuous data were analysed over the duration of landing using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). A positive correlation (p < 0.05) was found between the hip-ankle turnout vector field and maximum ankle internal rotation moments throughout most of the landing. Post-hoc analyses showed that hip external rotation contributed the most to the maximum ankle internal rotation moment (p < 0.05). Increasing hip turnout during landing could reduce internal rotation moments, assuming hip turnout brings the thigh and foot axial orientation more in line with each other.

Guidance on validation of lethal control measures for foodborne pathogens in foods.

Food manufacturers are required to obtain scientific and technical evidence that a control measure or combination of control measures is capable of reducing a significant hazard to an acceptable level that does not pose a public health risk under normal conditions of distribution and storage. A validation study provides evidence that a control measure is capable of controlling the identified hazard under a worst-case scenario for process and product parameters tested. It also defines the critical parameters that must be controlled, monitored, and verified during processing. This review document is intended as guidance for the food industry to support appropriate validation studies, and aims to limit methodological discrepancies in validation studies that can occur among food safety professionals, consultants, and third-party laboratories. The document describes product and process factors that are essential when designing a validation study, and gives selection criteria for identifying an appropriate target pathogen or surrogate organism for a food product and process validation. Guidance is provided for approaches to evaluate available microbiological data for the target pathogen or surrogate organism in the product type of interest that can serve as part of the weight of evidence to support a validation study. The document intends to help food manufacturers, processors, and food safety professionals to better understand, plan, and perform validation studies by offering an overview of the choices and key technical elements of a validation plan, the necessary preparations including assembling the validation team and establishing prerequisite programs, and the elements of a validation report.

Othello

Reviewed by: Othello Noel Sloboda OthelloPresented by the American Shakespeare Center at the Blackfriars Playhouse and the Blackburn Inn, Staunton, VA. 3107– 1810 2020. Directed by Ethan McSweeny. Costume design by Victoria Depew. Fight direction by Benjamin Reed. With Jessika D. Williams (Othello), Mia Wurgaft (Desdemona), Brandon Carter (Cassio), John Harrell (Iago), Chris Johnston (Lodovico), Constance Swain (Emilia), Matthew Radford Davies (Brabantio), Michael Manocchio (Duke), Sarah Suzuki (Bianca), Topher Embrey (Montano), Zoe Speas (Roderigo), and others. This Othellowas built with flexibility in mind, a necessity for theater in 2020. Still, I was unprepared for the flexibility that I would need to complete this review. I watched the first half of the show at a new outdoor venue for the American Shakespeare Center: the lawn at the Blackburn Inn. To accommodate those who might be uncomfortable visiting an enclosed theater, the company completed half of Othello's run there. The remaining performances took place, on alternating nights, at the Blackfriars Playhouse, the company's traditional home. On the night I visited the Blackburn to watch Othello, the weather was pleasant, until a major storm rolled in during intermission, leading to flash floods that damaged homes and businesses throughout the Shenandoah Valley. The second half of the evening was rained out, and I was obliged to view the remainder of Othellomounted at the Blackfriars, via a live streaming service (Marquee TV). Lean practices that enabled the Staunton-based troupe to move from one location to another, from one day to the next, are a point of pride [End Page 135]for the ASC. The company claims in its program that due to its flexibility—along with its performers' willingness to rehearse in a bubble—it is currently "among the only not-for-profit arts organizations in North America capable of producing right now." Facilitating mobility, the set featured little in the way of furniture, and pallets were stacked against walls in both performance spaces. These gave the impression that everything might be quickly packed up, and the transient atmosphere suited a play about people who are obliged on short notice to travel far from home. In terms of design, sound effects were minimal, and though a few spotlights illuminated the stage at the Blackburn, the Blackfriars continued its longstanding custom of keeping the lights up. Nevertheless, McSweeny's interpretation of Othellodid rely upon a few key technical elements, with pointed choices about music, costumes, and props. Before the show, and again at intermission, the majority of the ensemble took to the stage to engage the audience with acoustic versions of contemporary songs. All of these touched at least passingly on themes from Othello, with titles including "Sinnerman" by Nina Simone, "Busted" by Dustbowl Revival, and "Good Intent" by Kimbra, which singer Sarah Suzuki dedicated to the hapless Michael Cassio. Some songs more pointedly addressed contemporary issues. Topher Embrey belted out "Glory" by Common and John Legend as a stated demonstration of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. At the end of each of the two sets, the last song served as a bridge from our world into that of the play, asserting an immediate connection between select singers and characters they played. The first act was preceded by Jessika D. Williams (Othello) and Mia Wurgaft (Desdemona) being left alone onstage to sing a duet of "I Will Follow You into the Dark" by Death Cab for Cutie, clasping hands and staring intently at one another. It was obvious they were transitioning into character as Wurgaft gave Williams a handkerchief, anticipating the fateful prop that would be used in orchestrating Desdemona's murder. In a similar moment of musical metacommentary, before the second act began, Iago—who had effectively taken over the drama before intermission by directing Othello to slay Desdemona—was left alone by the other musicians and singers. In manic tones, he strummed a ukulele and belted out "Every Breath You Take" by the Police. Hinting that the enigmatic motives of the villain might be tied to a stalker's obsession as much as to anything else, the moment hauntingly recalled the last line Iago had spoken in the production's first half: "I...

Recent Political Manifesto Commitments to Basic Income in Canada

We detail the political party commitments of a basic income in Canada over the last decade, a period of time in which we have seen renewed conversations about a basic income in Canada. We find that in all but one case the policy commitments lack any detail about design choices and no commitments to a basic income reference the principles of a basic income. Overall, at the political level there continues to be a lot of detail that have yet to be mapped out, detail that is important to understanding the specific commitment and whether the stated objectives could be achieved with the form of basic income proposed. In addition, the implementation of key technical elements seems poorly understood. These existing political commitments provide limited information that B.C.’s Expert Panel on Basic Income can use to inform any design decisions. This is unfortunate, as the policy debates on a basic income are unlikely to move forward in any definitive fashion without the details being flushed out.

Associations Between Video Evaluations of Surgical Technique and Outcomes of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

In any surgical procedure, various aspects of technique may affect patient outcomes. As new procedures enter practice, it is difficult to evaluate the association of each aspect of technique with patient outcomes. To examine the associations between technique and outcomes in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. In this cohort study of bariatric surgery programs participating in a statewide surgical quality improvement collaborative, 30 surgeons submitted intraoperative videos from representative sleeve gastrectomies performed on 6915 patients with morbid obesity. These videos were reviewed by blinded peer surgeons on key technical elements, and 605 reviews were linked to sleeve gastrectomy outcomes of all of the surgeons' patients from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2016. Surgeons' technical approaches to 5 controversial aspects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: dissection of the proximal stomach, sleeve caliber, sleeve anatomy, staple line reinforcement, and leak testing. The 30-day outcomes were rate of postoperative hemorrhage and staple line leak. The 1-year outcomes were percentage of total weight lost and reflux severity (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Health-Related Quality of Life instrument). A total of 30 surgeons submitted 46 videos of operations performed on 6915 patients (mean [SD] age, 45.4 [11.7] years; 5494 [79.5%] female; 4706 [68.1%] White). Complete dissection of the proximal stomach was associated with reduced hemorrhage rates (higher ratings for complete mobilization of fundus were associated with a decrease in hemorrhage rate from 2.1% [25th percentile] to 1.0% [75th percentile], P = .01; higher ratings for visualization of the left crus were associated with a decrease in hemorrhage rate from 1.5% to 0.94%, P = .006; and higher ratings for complete division of the short gastrics were associated with a decrease in hemorrhage rate from 2.8% to 1.2%, P = .03). The reduction in hemorrhage rates came at the expense of higher leak rates (higher ratings for complete mobilization of fundus were associated with an increase in leak rate from 0.05% [25th percentile] to 0.16% [75th percentile], P < .001; higher ratings for visualization of the left crus were associated with an increase in leak rate from 0.1% to 0.2%, P = .003; and higher ratings for complete division of the short gastrics were associated with an increase in leak rate from 0.02% to 0.1%, P = .01). Surgeons who stapled more tightly to the bougie had smaller decreases in reflux than those who stapled less tightly (-2.0 to -1.3 on a 50-point scale, P = .002). Staple line reinforcement (buttressing and oversewing) was associated with a small (2 of 1000 cases) decrease in hemorrhage rates. Staple line buttressing was also associated with a similarly small increase in leak rates (1 of 1000 cases). Leak testing was associated with a statistically insignificant change in the staple line leak rate (0.16%-0.22%, P = .47). Variations in surgical technique can be measured by video review and are associated with differences in patient outcomes.

Minimizing complications after minimally invasive surgery for epiphrenic diverticula of the esophagus: technical tips

Epiphrenic diverticula occur within the distal 10 cm of the esophagus. Because they are secondary to an underlying esophageal motility disorder, the surgical treatment of these diverticula must include a myotomy in addition to the resection of the diverticulum. In selected cases, the diverticulum can be left in place, performing only the myotomy and the partial fundoplication. Most patients will eventually become asymptomatic and the diverticulum can be left in place. Overall, it is a challenging operation that may be associated to significant morbidity. In this review, we illustrate the key technical elements and how to troubleshoot eventual problems.

Mouth Cancer: the Maxillofacial Surgeon's perspective

This article summarizes current practice according to UK guidelines for the management of oral cancer from the perspective of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The article discusses the patient pathway, starting with recognition of sinister features by the general dental practitioner in primary care and referral to specialist oral and maxillofacial surgery services, followed by the multidisciplinary approach to tumour staging, cancer treatment planning and delivery, and finally key issues in the ‘post-treatment’ phase of cancer care. Additional focus is provided for some of the surgical treatments and anatomical and physiological changes, of which the general dental practitioner should have some understanding.CPD/Clinical Relevance: General dental practitioners play a key role in the detection and early management of oral cancer, referring approximately 40% of all cases to secondary care. It is therefore important to understand key milestones and technical elements of the patient's journey.

Design and implementation of a coal-dust removal device for heavy-haul railway tunnels

Abstract The Daqin Railway is China's first electrified double-track heavy-haul railway line dedicated to coal transportation. Over the years of operation, the tunnels have been covered with a thick layer of coal dust, which also pervades in the air. Worse is that the coal dust has even buried the rail joints in some sections, making the repair and maintenance of the line difficult. This paper introduces a coal-dust removal device for railway tunnels that integrates pipeline transportation with dust-collection techniques. The device is mainly composed of a power system, a conveying system, a dust-filtration and collection system, and a control and protection system. The key technical elements of the system, such as the dust-extraction method and dust-filtration and collection parameters, are optimized based on the characteristics of the coal dust in the tunnel (obtained via field trials), which greatly enhances the adaptability of the device. Coal-dust removal efficiency reached over 20 t/h, which improves the working environment, reduces the intensity of manual work required and solves the problem of coal-dust removal from the most polluted area—within 500 m of the tunnel entrance.

Techno-economic implications of flexible operation for super-critical power plants equipped with calcium looping cycle as a thermo-chemical energy storage system

Calcium Looping (CaL) cycle is a promising energy-efficient and cost-reduction decarbonization technology as well as a thermo-chemical energy storage system. This process is based on multi-cycle carbonation – calcination of CaO – CaCO3 system. In this work, the CaL cycle is used both to decarbonize super-critical power plants and to improve the plant time flexibility using its energy storage capability. The coal and lignite super-critical power plants have 1000 MW net output with a 90% decarbonization rate. Corresponded non-decarbonized cases were also considered to calculate the energy and cost penalties for CO2 capture. In-depth evaluations covered the following elements: characterization of decarbonized super-critical power plants with CaL cycle with/without solid sorbent storage; defining a detailed integrated assessment methodology; performing detailed calculations of the main performance indexes and sensitivity studies using various key technical and economic elements. Base load operation without solid storage (as reference) and flexible part load operation with solid storage were assessed to see their influence on the overall performance indicators. The sorbent storage option improves the plant flexible operation (assessed for one-week period), reducing the capital cost by about 7–9% and the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) by about 4%.

Technical Elements of Machine Learning for Intellectual Property Law

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have transformed our lives in profound ways. Indeed, AI has not only enabled machines to see (e.g., face recognition), hear (e.g., music retrieval), speak (e.g., speech synthesis), and read (e.g., text processing), but also, so it seems, given machines the ability to think (e.g., board game-playing) and create (e.g., artwork generation). This chapter introduces the key technical elements of machine learning (ML), which is a rapidly growing sub-field in AI and drives many of the aforementioned applications. The goal is to elucidate the ways human efforts are involved in the development of ML solutions, so as to facilitate legal discussions on intellectual property issues.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Surgical Technique and Tips for Success.

Obesity is a worldwide increasing concern, and its prevalence has risen rapidly over the past several decades. Since nonsurgical treatment for weight loss in morbidly obese patients has poor long-term outcomes, bariatric surgery has gained acceptance and popularity in the last years. The laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has proved to be safe and effective, with successful long-term outcomes in morbidly obese patients. Key elements for the success of the operation are careful patient selection, a comprehensive preoperative evaluation, and a properly executed operation that respects the key technical elements.