Types Of Stones Research Articles

A Statistical Analysis of Factors Affecting VOT and F0 in Plosive Sounds across Chinese, Japanese, and Korean

Purpose: To conduct a statistical analysis of the acoustic features of VOT and F0 in plosive sounds across Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. The goal is to determine the impact of three factors—manner of articulation, place of articulation, and tone type—on VOT and F0, providing theoretical support for future "simultaneous cross-linguistic comparison studies" of plosive sounds in these three languages. Approach/Methodology/Design: A total of 792 word-initial plosives were selected from news broadcasts of official media in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Three variables—manner of articulation, place of articulation, and tone type—were set, and the S-N-K test and Bonferroni multiple comparison method were used to evaluate whether these variables had significant effects on the word-initial plosives. Findings: For VOT, the manner of articulation has the most significant effect across Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. The place of articulation has a lesser impact, while tone type has no effect on VOT, except in Korean, where there is no tone distinction for word-initial plosives. For F0, tone type significantly influences F0 in Chinese, while manner and place of articulation have minimal impact. In Japanese, both manner of articulation and tone type significantly affect F0, but place of articulation does not. In Korean, only the manner of articulation significantly affects F0. Originality/Value: Previous studies on word-initial plosives in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean have primarily focused on VOT, with limited research on F0, especially for Chinese and Japanese, where studies on F0 are scarce. This study is the first to analyze different tone types of Chinese and Japanese as variables in the acoustic analysis of plosive sounds. Past studies typically involved general native speakers, with little emphasis on the standard pronunciations of professional broadcasters. With the introduction of Chinese-Korean bilingual broadcasting majors in 2021 and Chinese-Japanese bilingual broadcasting majors in 2024 in China, this research also provides theoretical support for the education and training of multilingual broadcasting professionals in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

Stone on stone: elite involvement in stoneworking at the ancestral Maya site of El Perú-Waka’

Crafting is often assumed to have been a ‘dirty’ and hence low-status activity: elites managed the supply of materials or distribution of the products, lower-status workers undertook the hard graft. Here, the authors present an in situ stoneworking toolkit from El Perú-Waka’ in the central Maya lowlands of Guatemala. Recovered from a high-status neighbourhood, the tools indicate the involvement of elite crafters in the working of various types of stone and greenstone. The assemblage is discussed with reference to ontological understandings of raw materials in the Maya world and the importance of specialised and ritual knowledge. The results encourage greater consideration of the involvement of elites in craft production across Mesoamerica and beyond.

092. Overview of the Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Kidney and Ureter Stones at Zainoel Abidin Hospital Banda Aceh, 2021

Background: Kidney stones are a predictor and risk factor for CKD and the prevalence rate is 5-10% with comorbid factors which can increase the risk of CKD events. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a serious complication of urinary tract stones. Chronic kidney disease can occur as a result of urological procedures, obstruction or due to causes inherent in stone formation. Methods: This type of research is descriptive research using secondary data in the form of medical record data. The design of this research is cross sectional with data collection carried out retrospectively. The samples in this study were patients diagnosed with CKD in patients with ureteral stones or kidney stones at Zainoel Abidin Hospital, Banda Aceh. Samples were taken using the total sampling method. Results: In this study, 70 samples were taken and the results of this study based on gender are majority were found to be men 48 samples (68.6%), the most common age category was 41 - 50 years with 28 samples (40.0% ), the most common comorbid factor causing CKD was hypertension in 30 samples (42.5%), the type of urinary tract stones most often found was ureter stones, namely 34 samples (49.0%), and the most common location or urinary tract was ureter stones. bilateral, namely 22 samples (31.4%). Conclusion: The male gender most often experiences CKD due to complications from urinary tract stones, where the age range of 41 - 50 years is the age that experiences the most complications. The most common type of urinary tract stone is ureteral stone with a bilateral location.

Characteristics of Human Postactivation Effect of Skeletal Muscles Using Spectral and Non-Linear Parameters of the Surface Electromyogram

Postactivation effect (PAE, postactivation phenomenon) is a specific type of involuntary muscle tone (tonic automatism) which is generated in the “tonogenic” structures of the brain, presumably without the “sensory copy” and “motor command” mechanisms. In this regard, the electromyogram (EMG) signal of PAE may have a simpler temporal signal structure compared to PAE-inducing voluntary activity. The purpose of this work is to characterize the temporal structure and complexity of surface EMG (sEMG) of the human deltoid and biceps brachii muscles using fractal (D) and correlation dimensions (Dc). It was found that in deltoid muscles the value of D was 1.78–1.81 both during PAE and voluntary effort (p 0.05). Dc (approximately 4.0–4.2) also did not differ between PAE and voluntary effort, although the average frequency of the sEMG spectrum during PAE was 15–16 Hz (p 0.05) higher compared to voluntary effort. In biceps brachii muscles, the D value was 1.8 during PAE and 1.62 during voluntary effort (p 0.05). Dc values did not differ between PAE and voluntary contraction (4–4.8). Thus, despite the supposed difference in the central organization of PAE and voluntary effort, the temporal structure of their sEMG did not differ, indicating that isometric voluntary effort and involuntary tone in the form of PAE share a common principle of sEMG signal generation. At the same time, the differences in the frequency of the sEMG spectrum indicate that the organization of sEMG signal during PAE is specific on the level of the motoneuron pool.

Radiation protection and natural building materials in cultural heritage

IntroductionBuildings that constitute cultural heritage and that are the identity of a defined geographical area are increasingly being restored to offer the community historical places to enjoy. Often the restoration preserves the original structure and building materials, which are usually natural stones. In this study, a radioprotection protocol dedicated to this kind of built environment was proposed and validated.MethodsAfter identifying the two predominant types of building material stones (Rosso ammonitico and Pietra Serena), radiometric measurements for natural gamma-emitting radionuclides (Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40) and measurements of the emanation coefficient and calculation of the exhalation rate of radon gas were carried out.ResultsThe two types of stone have a content of natural radionuclides that do not exceed the levels recommended by the regulations. The difference between the two types of stone is of an order of magnitude indicating that the red ammonite has a greater radiological impact than the pietra serena.DiscussionThe results, in addition to ensuring the radioprotection of the population, highlighted the need to increase the number of this kind of investigations to implement scientific knowledge and serve the stakeholders involved.

Kidney Stones of Type I vs. Type II Diabetic Patients: Are There Any Differences?

Background: This study highlighted the differences between the biochemical compositions of urinary stones from patients with type 1 diabetes versus those with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: This study included patients diagnosed with kidney stones and diabetes who were referred to the Urological Clinic of the Dr. C. I. Parhon Hospital in Iasi from April 2017 to April 2024. We analyzed the spectroscopic stone composition from 128 lithiasis patients treated in our Clinic. In the current study, the distribution of the biochemical composition of stones varied significantly between diabetic patients with type 2 diabetes, who formed primarily mixed uric acid stones, and diabetic patients with type 1 diabetes, who mainly developed pure uric acid stones (p < 0.001). Patients with uric acid stones had significantly higher mean creatinine values than the other stone types (p < 0.001). Urinary pH levels were abnormal for all biochemical subtypes of stones, indicating acidic urine. However, patients with uric acid stones had lower pH values than the group average. From the Kaplan–Mayer analysis, patients with pure uric acid stones had a shorter time to stone recurrence compared to patients with other biochemical types identified. Conclusions: These findings, which highlight the prevalence of pure uric acid stones in patients with type 1 diabetes and the impact of this on the strategy for dissolving pure stones, represent a significant advancement in understanding urinary lithiasis in diabetic patients.

Efficient urinary stone type prediction: a novel approach based on self-distillation

Urolithiasis is a leading urological disorder where accurate preoperative identification of stone types is critical for effective treatment. Deep learning has shown promise in classifying urolithiasis from CT images, yet faces challenges with model size and computational efficiency in real clinical settings. To address these challenges, we developed a non-invasive prediction approach for determining urinary stone types based on CT images. Through the refinement and improvement of the self-distillation architecture, coupled with the incorporation of feature fusion and the Coordinate Attention Module (CAM), we facilitated a more effective and thorough knowledge transfer. This method circumvents the extra computational expenses and performance reduction linked with model compression and removes the reliance on external teacher models, markedly enhancing the efficacy of lightweight models. achieved a classification accuracy of 74.96% on a proprietary dataset, outperforming current techniques. Furthermore, our method demonstrated superior performance and generalizability on two public datasets. This not only validates the effectiveness of our approach in classifying urinary stones but also showcases its potential in other medical image processing tasks. These results further reinforce the feasibility of our model for actual clinical deployment, potentially assisting healthcare professionals in devising more precise treatment plans and reducing patient discomfort.

Rapid diagnosis and recurrence prediction of choledocholithiasis disease using raw bile with machine learning assisted SERS

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) analysis based on body fluids has been widely applied in disease diagnose. Choledocholithiasis is a widespread and often recurrent digestive system disease, with limited data on factors predicting its formation and reappearance. Bile contains many components that could provide valuable diagnostic information; however, the current diagnosis of biliary disease by SERS focuses on detecting specific component in the bile, overlooking the complex interplay and correlations among multiple factors that could be crucial for accurate diagnosis. This work directly obtained multi-component SERS spectral information of raw bile from 46 patients. Characteristic information was extracted from bile SERS spectra using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), revealing variations in the content of characteristic components associated with different choledocholithiasis types and their recurrence frequency. Pearson correlation analysis was also introduced to reveal the interactions of primary active substances pertinent to choledocholithiasis diagnosis. The efficacy of PCA and Support Vector Machine (SVM) models in classifying stone types, presented an accuracy of 99.2 %. Furthermore, the interaction patterns among SERS characteristic components in choledocholithiasis recurrence frequency were revealed, and with the support of SVM, the prediction for different recurrence rates reached an accuracy of 95.2 %. Overall, this work demonstrates that integrating SERS with machine learning can support disease diagnosis and the interpretation of correlations among multiple components, facilitating elucidating the disease mechanisms.

Comprehensive Overview and New Research on Carbonate Rocks of the Sé Velha Cathedral in Coimbra, Portugal

In addition to the surrounding climatic environment, the intrinsic characteristics of the stones used in construction are a critical factor to understand a building’s conservation state and define the necessary planning and conservation management activities. The use of environmentally susceptible stones, such as carbonate stones, in heritage buildings can be especially problematic. The present investigation presents an overview of past research and contributes to identifying the types of carbonate stones used over time in Coimbra’s Old Cathedral in Portugal, which was classified as a National Monument and integrated into the Coimbra World Heritage site by UNESCO. Our mineralogical and chemical analyses revealed the use of carbonate stones from different quarries (Coimbra region), including Ançã limestone and dolostone (Porta Especiosa portal), Portunhos limestone and Outil limestone (in the perimeter of windows), and marlstones and Outil limestone (side facades). These stones, which were installed at various times during the construction and alteration of the monument, represent a great challenge for conservation planning due to their intrinsic vulnerability to adverse environmental conditions and pollution.

Biochemical Study of Gallstones Compositions in Iraqipatients

The aim of this study is to determine the organic and inorganic components of bile and gallstones in Iraqi patients. Forty seven patients were included in this study with mean age (53+7) years and BMI (30.82+4.18) Kg/m2. Bile was classified according to its corresponding stones into: Bile of Mixed stones and Bile of pigment stones. IR spectra were studied for both types of stones and their bile in addition to biochemical analysis for organic and inorganic components. The organic components include: (cholesterol, bilirubin, bile salts, and phospholipids), while inorganic components include salts of: (calcium, phosphorus, iron, cupper and magnesium). The results reveal to there was significant low levels (p

Incorporation of Silica Nanoparticles in Dental Stone Type IV: Effects on Setting Time

Introduction: This study aimed to examine the setting time of dental stone type IV by adding different percentages (0.5, 1, 2, 5) of silica nanoparticles. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, silica nanoparticles (silicon dioxide) were added to dental stone type IV at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 5% by weight. Forty samples were divided into five groups: 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5%, and a control group. The samples were prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions and tested according to the ISO 6873 standard using a Vicat device. The time from the start of mixing until the needle could no longer fully penetrate the mass was measured using a chronometer, and the setting time was recorded. Quantitative data were described using mean and standard deviation, and a one-way ANOVA test was performed using SPSS 26 to compare the results. A significance level of P < 0.05 was set. Results: The addition of silica nanoparticles to dental stone type IV significantly increased the setting time, with the increase being proportional to the concentration of the nanoparticles. The setting time of the group containing 5% nanoparticles was significantly higher than that of the control and the 0.5% group (P value < 0.05). Conclusion: The incorporation of silica nanoparticles into dental stone type IV resulted in a significant increase in setting time, particularly at a concentration of 5%. This increase is within the ISO range and offers advantages in the use of nanoparticles in dental materials.

Application of Mixed Reality Technology in the Planning of PCNL for Special Types of Complex Upper Urinary Stones: A Pilot Study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the application of Mixed Reality technology in the planning of ultrasound-guided PCNL for special types of complex upper urinary stones. MethodsClinical data of 15 patients with complex upper urinary stones undergoing ultrasound-guided PCNL were analysed which included pelvic ectopic kidney, horseshoe kidney, spinal deformity, and transplant kidney. Based on preoperative CTU data, digital three-dimensional reconstruction is performed, and AI mixed reality is used to project three-dimensional images in real space. This facilitates preoperative design and planning. The consistency rate of target calyx and channel numbers, stone free rate, total operative time, percutaneous renal access establish time, decrease in hemoglobin level, surgical complications, and postoperative hospital stay are analyzed. ResultsAll patients underwent preoperative planning using mixed reality and successfully completed PCNL. Based on the preoperative planning, we utilized S-PCNL alone or combined with Needle-perc or antegrade/retrograde FURS. The consistency rate between preoperative planning and intraoperative completion was 87.6%. The stone free rate was 80%. The average time for establishing the main tract was 2.3±0.3 minutes, and the average total operative time was 61.5±12.2 minutes. The mean decrease in hemoglobin level was 9.6±1.2 g/L, and the average postoperative hospital stay was 4.6±0.5 days. There were no occurrences of Clavien-Dindo grade≥II complications. ConclusionPreoperative quantification and analysis of imaging data through mixed reality enable three-dimensional visualization and facilitate surgical plans, and effectively avoid the risks of surrounding organ injury in these special urinary stones cases, make complex surgeries smoother and more controllable.

Editorial Comment on “Application of AI-MR in the Planning of PCNL for Special Types of Complex Upper Urinary Stones: A Pilot Study”

Editorial Comment on “Application of AI-MR in the Planning of PCNL for Special Types of Complex Upper Urinary Stones: A Pilot Study”

Insulin Resistance in Hypercalciuric Calcium Kidney Stone Patients

Rational and ObjectiveDiabetes and uric acid kidney stones are strongly associated. Patients with calcium kidney stones also have higher risk of developing diabetes compared to non-kidney stone patients yet this has not been further investigated. We aimed to characterize insulin resistance in calcium kidney stone patients. Study DesignObservational Setting & PopulationThis study was performed in the University of Chicago Clinical Research Center. Kidney stone patients (N=42) were selected for having idiopathic hypercalciuria and calcium stones with no other medical conditions and controls (N=27) were healthy. ExposuresAll participants presented to the Clinical Research Center in a fasting state and at least 2 timed fasting blood and urine were collected prior to a fixed breakfast. Six additional timed blood and urine collections were performed after breakfast. OutcomesWe compared fasting and fed indices of insulin resistance between the groups. Analytic ApproachWe used t-tests and multivariable linear regression models. A sensitivity analysis removing all patients who had ever been on a thiazide diuretic was also performed. ResultsIn separate multivariable linear models, kidney stone patients had higher fasting serum insulin (24 (3 to 46pmol/L), p=0.03) and higher homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (1.0 (0.2 to 1.8), p=0.02). In separate multivariable linear models, kidney stone patients had higher fed serum glucose (10 (2 to 18mg/dL), p=0.01). Results were similar in a sensitivity analysis removing all patients who had ever been on a thiazide diuretic. There were no differences in urine composition based on HOMA-IR levels. LimitationsSingle institution. Small sample size limited subanalyses by different calcium stone types. ConclusionsCalcium kidney stone patients without diabetes or other medical conditions demonstrated signs of insulin resistance compared to healthy matched controls.

Cystine and urate cystoliths in dogs are frequently visible on radiographs prior to surgical or nonsurgical removal.

To investigate the frequency at which cystine and urate cystoliths (stones) are visible on radiographs prior to surgical or nonsurgical retrieval. Records of client-owned dogs (n = 331) were analyzed between January 2019 and December 2023 for cystoliths submitted for stone analysis after surgical removal or nonsurgical retrieval. Records were analyzed for cystolith type; when cystine or urate stones were identified, records were analyzed for signalment, procedure, presence of mineral opaque cystoliths on pre-procedural radiographs, urine pH and crystalluria, history of previous cystoliths, prior prescription diet attempt, recurrence, and genetic, congenital and acquired comorbidities. Descriptive statistics were generated after data collection. 31 of 331 (9%) were cystine stones, 49 of 331 (15%) were urate, and 1 of 331 (0.3%) was a mix of urate and cystine. When radiographs were taken prior to stone removal, 24 of 28 (85%) of urate, 24 of 26 (92%) of cystine, and 1 of 1 (100%) of urate/cystine were visible on radiographs. Cystine and urate stones are visible on survey radiography at a high frequency in dogs. While cystine and urate stones have been historically designated as radiolucent, they are frequently radiopaque on radiographs. Radiopacity is commonly used as one of the criterion to determine whether a dissolution or prevention diet is an appropriate management technique, particularly when determination of the stone type has yet to be performed. As a result, these findings may prompt clinicians to investigate other patient-specific factors before a specific dietary recommendation is made.

Prospective study investigating the influence of nutritional intervention on biochemical profiles in patients with recurrent urolithiasis.

Urolithiasis, commonly known as kidney stones, is a condition significantly impacted by dietary habits. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of a tailored dietary plan on the crystalluria and biological parameters of patients with different types of kidney stones over a 3-month period. We conducted a prospective study of 3 months. The study involved patients with recurrent nephrolithiasis. Alongside the medical consultation, a comprehensive dietary survey was performed to assess the patients' nutritional habits. Urinary parameters, including volume, calcium, oxalate, uric acid, and power of hydrogen (pH), were evaluated both before and after the dietary intervention. 69 patients were involved. There were 17 patients diagnosed with cystine lithiasis, 33 with oxalocalcic lithiasis and 19 with uric lithiasis. After 3 months, only 32 patients revisited for follow-up. There were significant changes (p = 0.002 and 0.04) in urine crystalluria for cystinic and uric lithiasis. For the urinary oxalate variation, there was a significant decrease from T1 (before dietary intervention) to T2 (after dietary intervention), with levels dropping from 0.289 ± 0.10 umol/l to 0.215 ± 0.079 umol/l (p = 0.02).Regarding urinary calcium (calciuria), there was a trend toward a decrease from T1 to T2, although the change was not statistically significant, with levels decreasing from 2.42 ± 1.68 umol/l to 2.14 ± 1.62 umol/l (p = 0.1). Our research underscores the favorable effects of a tailored and well-balanced diet on both the crystalluria and biological parameters of individuals with recurrent lithiasis.

FT-IR Spectroscopy Analysis of Kidney Stone Variability in Styria

Urolithiasis is a medically significant crystallization process affecting the urinary tract. Kidney stones exhibit considerable diversity as they form in complex environments containing various molecules and pathogens. Understanding the formation and occurrence of kidney stones is essential for developing strategies to prevent or reduce the invasiveness of treatments. In this study, we investigated over 300 cases of urolithiasis in Styria, Austria. The composition of the stones was evaluated using infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Most stones were found to be heterogeneous, predominantly composed of calcium oxalate, followed by calcium phosphate. Other components such as struvite, uric acid, and cystine were present to a lesser extent and were more likely to form homogeneous crystals. Analyzing the occurrence of these different stone types provides valuable insights into the formation processes of kidney stones and can aid in the prevention of urolithiasis in the future.

Noise and frequency propagation in natural stone processing plants

In this study, 510 noise measurements recorded in eight natural stone processing plants operating in Sivas City, Turkey were evaluated and the noise levels and dominant frequency bands of 11 different processing machines used in these plants were determined. The daily equivalent noise level of all natural stone processing plants was around or above the exposure limit value (87 dBA) specified in relevant regulations. Considering the machines and plant environment, the frequency ranges for the highest noise levels were mostly between 630 Hz - 5000 Hz, centering around 3150 Hz. Variations in the noise level of the processing machines in separate plants where similar processes were carried out was primarily related to the plant size and machine layout, the number of machines operating simultaneously and the type of natural stone processed. While the difference between the noise levels of gangsaws, bridge cutting, ST cutting, head/side cutting, trimming, cement filling, slab polishing, narrow polishing, chamfering and splitting machines were statistically significant, aging machines generated similar noise levels.

Development of Environmentally Friendly and Economical Flood-Prevention Stones Based on the Sediments of the Yellow River.

The deposition of Yellow River sediment in the middle and lower reaches is a significant factor in the siltation of reservoirs and the occurrence of serious flooding along the river. The efficient and valuable utilization of Yellow River sediment has already become a key research topic in this field. In this study, we have employed Yellow River sediment as the primary material, in conjunction with commercially available slag, fly ash, and quicklime as the binder, to develop a novel type of artificial flood-prevention stone. Following a 28-day standard curing procedure, the highest compressive strength of the prepared artificial stone was recorded at 4.29 MPa, with a value exceeding 0.7 MPa under wet conditions. The results demonstrated that the prepared artificial stone met the specifications for artificial flood-prevention stones. The curing mechanism, as evidenced by analyses from SEM and XRD testing, indicated that the alkali excitation process in the binder, which produced C-A-S-H gel, was the key factor in enhancing the compressive strength of the specimens. Notably, an evaluation of the amount of CO2 emissions and the cost of the artificial stone concluded that the preparation process was both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Rib-on-pelvis deformity: a modifiable driver of pain and poor health-related quality of life in cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) often presents with a sweeping thoracolumbar scoliosis and pelvic obliquity. With severe pelvic obliquity, the ribs come into contact with the high side of the oblique pelvis, termed rib-on-pelvis deformity (ROP). ROP can result in costo-iliac impingement, or pain associated with ROP, and can also adversely affect breathing and sitting balance. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether CP patients with ROP have worse health-related quality of life (HRQOL) before surgery and a greater improvement in HRQOL after surgery. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected, multicenter, international registry was performed for all nonambulatory patients with CP treated with spinal fusion with at least two-year follow-up. HRQOL was measured via the Caregiver Priorities & Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD) questionnaire domains (0 = most disability, 100 = least disability). ROP was defined as having a rib distal to the superior portion of the iliac crest on preop upright radiographs. The ROP group and control group without ROP were compared regarding six domain scores and total score of CPCHILD. Multiple linear regression was used to control for curve apex location, major coronal Cobb angle, type of tone, and pelvic obliquity. 340 patients met inclusion criteria (52% female, mean age 14.0years). The mean major coronal Cobb angle was 81 degrees and mean pelvic obliquity was 22 degrees. 176 patients (51.8%) had ROP while 164 patients (48.2%) did not. ROP was independently associated with worse preoperative Positioning/Transfers/Mobility (PTM), Comfort & Emotions (C&E), and total CPCHILD score via the CPCHILD questionnaire (p < 0.05). Patients with preoperative ROP experienced a greater improvement in the C&E and PTM domains as well as total CPCHILD score than patients without ROP (p < 0.05). CP patients with rib-on-pelvis deformity experience more pain and worse HRQOL than patients without this deformity. These patients experienced a greater improvement in HRQOL after spinal fusion measured via the CPCHILD questionnaire.