Value Of Different Parts Research Articles

Experimental study of renal damage assessment after injection of iodine contrast medium: the role of blood oxygen level-dependent functional MRI with a 3.0 T system

Objective To evaluate blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MRI on assessing renal damage after injection of iodine contrast medium with a 3.0 T system. Methods Routine MRI examination,including T1WI and T2WI, and BOLD MRI were performed in 29 SD rats with a 3.0 T system before the injection of iodine contrast agent and 20 min, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h after the injection, respectively. T2 * and R2 * ( = 1/T2 * ) measurements were obtained in the cortex, inner and outer medulla of kidney,respectively. The results obtained before contrast agent administration were considered as the self-controls.AVONA test were used for the comparison of R2 * values in different parts of both kidneys before contrast agent administration. Two-sample t test was used to compare R2 * values before and at each time point after contrast agent administration, and R2 * values in different parts of the kidneys. Results Before contrast agentadministration, R2 * values in outer medulla in both sides of kidney [R2 *left oM = (31.76 ± 2.73 ) / s,R2 * right OM = (32.77±3.07) /s] were higher than those in cortex [R2 * left c=(30.20±3.48) /s,R2 * right c = (28.84 ±3.11 )/s] and in inner medulla [ R2 * letf IM = (29.54 ± 2.42) /s, R2 * right IM =(28.37±2.80) /s ] ( F = 3.357 and 14.961, P＜ 0.05 ). There was no statistical significance in R2 *values in the three parts between left and right kidney, including cortex, outer and inner medulla (P＞0.05). After contrast agent administration, R2* values in outer medulla changed obviously, which reached to the peak values at 20 minutes after contrast agent administration [R2* left OM = ( 43.57 ± 3.84 )/s,R2*right OM= (44.58±3.13) /s] and dropped from 24 hours [R2*left OM = (42.07 ±4.82) /s,R2* right OM = (42.89±3.40) /s]. R2* values in inner medulla and cortex only presented slight changes.Conclusion R2* values reflected the changes of oxygen content in renal cortex and medulla quantitatively,which helped for detecting medullar ischemia and hypoxia. BOLD MR imaging could offer a feasible method for evaluating oxygen metabolism and renal injury in cortex and medulla. Key words: Contrast medium; Magnetic resonance imaging; Comparative study

Detection of Bleeding in Wireless Capsule Endoscopy Images Using Range Ratio Color

Wireless Capsule Endoscopy (WCE) is device to detect abnormalities in colon,esophagus,small intestinal and stomach, to distinguish bleeding in WCE images from non bleeding is a hard job by human reviewing and very time consuming. Consequently, automation for classifying bleeding frames not only will expedite the process but will reduce the burden on the doctors. Using the purity of the red color we can detect the Bleeding areas in WCE images. But, we could find various intensity of red color values in different parts of the small intestinal,so it is not enough to depend on the red color feature alone. We select RGB(Red,Green,Blue) because it takes raw level values and it is easy to use. In this paper we will put range ratio color for each of R,G,and B. Therefore, we divide each image into multiple pixels and apply the range ratio color condition for each pixel. Then we count the number of the pixels that achieved our condition. If the number of pixels grater than zero, then the frame is classified as a bleeding type. Otherwise, it is a non-bleeding. Our experimental results show that this method could achieve a very high accuracy in detecting bleeding images for the different parts of the small intestinal

The nutritional composition of fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare): Shoots, leaves, stems and inflorescences

The chemical composition and the nutritional value of different parts of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel): shoots, leaves, stems and inflorescences, were determined. The evaluation of chemical composition included the determination of moisture, total fat, crude protein, ash, carbohydrates, and nutritional value. The composition in individual sugars was determined, being fructose and glucose the most abundant sugars. The analysis of fatty acid composition, allowed the quantification of twenty one fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids were the main group in all the fennel parts; linoleic acid predominated in shoots, stems and inflorescences, while α-linolenic acid predominated in leaves. The higher levels of ω-3 fatty acids found in leaves contributed to its lowest ratio of ω-6 to ω-3 fatty acids. Also, the lower levels of ω-3 fatty acids found in inflorescences contributed to its highest ratio of ω-6 to ω-3 fatty acids.

PRESENCE OF BONE REMAINS IN THE OSSUARIES OF BEARDED VULTURES (GYPAETUS BARBATUS): STORAGE OR NUTRITIVE REJECTION?

Abstract Ossuaries, or bone-breaking sites, are used by Bearded Vultures (Gypaetus barbatus) to prepare and store bone remains. The different nutritive values of different parts of the skeleton and bones and the fact that many remains stay in the ossuary for long periods without being consumed suggest that they may have another use besides storage. I tested whether the presence of bone remains in ossuaries may result from selection (nutrient concentration hypothesis) and rejection of bone remains on the basis of nutritive value. Of the remains found at the study sites, 84.9% belonged to medium-sized ungulates, 11.6% to large mammals, 2.5% to carnivores, and 1% to Suidae. Bone remains found were principally scapulas (14.9%), vertebrae (13.2%), skulls (12.5%), tibias (10.7%), mandibles (9.3%), ribs (8.3%), and humeri (7.2%). The larger proportion of less-nutritious skeletal parts (i.e., containing less oleic acid) and the significantly smaller proportion of distal epiphyses, which are more nutritious, sup...

The variations of stable-carbon isotope ratios in Qilian juniper in northwestern China

This is the first study of δ13C values that considers elevational influences of the Qilian mountains of China. The δ13C values of different parts of the Qilian juniper (Sabina przewalskii Kom.) at different elevations of the Qilian mountains, China, were measured. Relatively constant differences in δ13C values existed between the tree leaves and the trunk wood. No strong dependency of δ13C values on elevation was found. The temporal changes of wood δ13C values with directions, elevations and height in the tree showed general similarity. These results suggest that the isotopic effects of environmental factors expressed initially at the site of photosynthesis, i.e., the leaves could be contained in the trunks of a tree. Regardless of elevation, direction or height in the tree, wood δ13C values have been decreasing during the past 60 years. A composite 600-year δ13C chronology developed from four trees showed that δ13C values remain relatively constant before 1800. After 1800 AD, however, δ13C values became significantly more negative. The trend in wood δ13C values was consistent with that obtained for δ13C values in atmospheric CO2. The results showed that for Qilian juniper, tree-ring δ13C chronology could be established to ascertain fluctuations of the atmospheric δ13C.

The curvaton web

We discuss nontrivial features of the large scale structure of the universe in thesimplest curvaton model proposed in our paper astro-ph/9610219. The amplitude ofmetric perturbations in this model takes different values in different parts of theuniverse. The spatial distribution of the amplitude looks like a web consistingof exponentially large cells. Depending on the relation between the cell sizeλ0 and the scaleof the horizon lH, one may either live in a part of the universe dominated by Gaussian perturbations (insidea cell with ), or in the universe dominated by non-Gaussian perturbations (for ). We show that the curvaton contribution to the total amplitude of adiabatic densityperturbations can be strongly suppressed if the energy density of the universe prior to thecurvaton decay was dominated not by the classical curvaton field but by the curvatonparticles produced during reheating. We describe the curvaton–inflaton transmutationeffect: the same field in different parts of the universe may play either the role ofthe curvaton or the role of the inflaton. Finally, we discuss an interplay betweenthe curvaton web and anthropic considerations in the string theory landscape.

Unambiguous Probabilities in an Eternally Inflating Universe

``Constants of Nature'' and cosmological parameters may in fact be variables related to some slowly-varying fields. In models of eternal inflation, such fields will take different values in different parts of the universe. Here I show how one can assign probabilities to values of the ``constants'' measured by a typical observer. This method does not suffer from ambiguities previously discussed in the literature.

Economy, State or Culture?

The proportion of women in top socioeconomic groups (managerial and professional jobs) is, apart from the size of the wages gap between women and men, the best measure of the degree of gender inequality in paid work. While there has been a remarkable quantitative expansion in female labourmarket participation in Switzerland and elsewhere, the proportion of women in positions with high-level decision-making power remains small. This article analyses the regional variations in gender inequality in Swiss employment for two different spatial dimensions: (a) 106 labour-market regions; and (b) four types of regions according to their position in the centre-periphery hierarchy. The results show that the proportion of women in positions of authority is considerably higher in the French and Italian-speaking regions than in similar German-speaking regions. Do these variations result from different cultural norms and values in different parts of Switzerland concerning gender relations? Are the French and Italian-speaking parts characterized by a more egalitarian gender culture? Or are there different concepts of the role of the welfare state inside Switzerland? Do the French and Italian-speaking cantons for instance offer better public provision to facilitate women's paid work? Or do these variations between the linguistic regions mainly conceal economic structures, for example different sectoral or branch structures in employment? This article discusses and assesses the usefulness of these three different theoretical approaches for providing an explanation of regional variations in gender inequalities in Swiss employment.

THE MAINTENANCE OF A CLINE IN THE MARINE SNAIL LITTORINA SAXATILIS: THE ROLE OF HOME SITE ADVANTAGE AND HYBRID FITNESS.

Steep clinal transitions in one or several inherited characters between genetically distinct populations are usually referred to as hybrid zones. Essentially two different mechanisms may maintain steep genetic clines. Either selection acts against hybrids that are unfit over the entire zone due to their mixed genetic origin (endogenous selection), or hybrids and parental types attain different fitness values in different parts of the cline (exogenous selection). Survival rate estimates of hybrids and parental forms in different regions of the cline may be used to distinguish between these models to assess how the cline is maintained. We used reciprocal transplants to test the relative survival rates of two parental ecotypes and their hybrids over microscale hybrid zones in the direct-developing marine snail Littorina saxatilis (Olivi) on the rocky shores of Galicia, Spain. One of the parental forms occupies upper and the other lower shores, and the hybrids are found at various proportions (1-38%) along with both parental forms in a midshore zone a few meters wide. The survival rate over one month was 39-52% of the native ecotype on upper shores, but only 2-8% for the lower-shore ecotype. In contrast, only 4-8% of the upper-shore ecotype but 53% of large (> 6 mm) and 8% of small (3-6 mm) native lower-shore ecotype survived in the lower shores. In the midshores, both the two parental ecotypes and the hybrids survived about equally well. Thus there is a considerable advantage for the native ecotypes in the upper and lower shores, while in the hybrid zone none of the morphs, hybrids included, are favored. This indicates that the dimorphism of L. saxatilis is maintained by steep cross-shore selection gradients, thus supporting the selection-gradient model of hybrid zones. We performed field and laboratory experiments that suggest physical factors and predation as important selective agents. Earlier studies indicate assortative mating between the two ecotypes in the midshore. This is unexpected in a hybrid zone maintained by selection gradients, and it seems as if the reproductive barrier compresses the hybrid zone considerably.

The influence of host nutritive value on the performance and food selection in Ceratitis capitata (Diptera, Tephritidae)

One of the purposes of this study was to verify the nutritive value of different parts of the same fruit for larvae of Ceratitis capitata; another was to ascertain if the larvae select the part of the fruit with better nutritive value, and also if the females prefer to oviposit in it. The results indicate that: (1) the lower part of the fruits tested has greater quantities of solute and sugars and therefore may have better nutritive value; (2) the larvae chose the more adequate part of the fruit; (3) when placed on the less nutritive part, they move to the more adequate part; and (4) it is not clear if the females prefer to oviposit in the part of the fruit which is more adequate for the larvae.

Pseudocolor display of regional organ blood flow determined by means of the radioactive microsphere technique

The measurement of regional blood flow (RBF) by means of the radioactive microsphere method yields large sets of raw data. In order to display this large volume of data, we have developed a program which provides the user with a graphical illustration of RBF in different organs (e.g., heart, kidney, brain) using various projections and sections. RBF is visualized by a pseudocolor representation. This set-up enables the user to perform a semiquantitative analysis of RBF and provides a tool for the compact representation of the spatial distribution of RBF values in different parts and layers of the organs being studied. The program runs on a standard microcomputer.

Plant growth analysis: towards a synthesis of the classical and the functional approach

A method of calculating relative growth rates (RGR) and net assimilation rates is presented. The method is based on the fitting of a polynomial through the relative growth rate values calculated by the ‘classical’ approach rather than through the In‐transformed plant weights as in the ‘functional’ method. Additional ways of reducing the harvest‐to‐harvest variation characteristic of the classical approach are discussed. The main advantages of the present approach over the functional one are: (1) The degree of the polynomial can be increased (within certain limits) without inducing spurious fluctuations in RGR. Thus, quite complex trends in RGR can be described. (2) There is little interference between RGR values in different parts of the experiment. The main advantages over the classical approach are: (1) The erratic fluctuations in RGR are dampened. (2) As frequent small harvests are allowed, the workload at each harvest can be diminished and a more reliable impression of ontogenetic drift in RGR can be obtained. (3) RGR is described by a continuous function, thus facilitating further calculations and compilations.

Alteration of [formula omitted] and [formula omitted] ratios of plant matter during the initial stages of diagenesis: Studies utilizing archaeological specimens from Peru

The stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of plants extracted from Peruvian archaeological sites, ranging in age from 400 to 4000 years B.P., have been measured. The δ 13 C and δ 15 N values of prehistoric plants that were carbonized prior to deposition are similar to those of modern plants which have the same carbon dioxide fixation or nitrogen assimilation mechanisms. In contrast, the δ 15 N values of prehistoric plants that were not carbonized are generally 10–20%. and as much as 35%. more positive than those of their modern counterparts. The δ 13 C and δ 15 N values of different parts of prehistoric uncarbonized plants differ by as much as 8%. and 21%. respectively, whereas the same parts of modern plants have δ 13 C or δ 15 N values that lie within 2%. of one another. SEM analysis etiminated the possibility that diagenetic alteration of the isotope ratios of the prehistoric uncarbonized plants was caused by the adsorption of particulate soil matter. Isotopic analysis of the organic residues that remained after the prehistoric uncarbonized plants were treated to remove fractions that might have been added in the depositional environment indicated that the alteration of the δ 13 C values resulted from the adsorption of humic and fulvic acids, whereas the diagenetic shifts of the nitrogen isotope ratios were not caused by adsorption of δ 15 N-enriched organic or inorganic forms of nitrogen from the soil. Our observations do not permit us to speculate on a mechanism that accounts for the δ 13 N-enrichment of the prehistoric uncarbonized plant remains, although the excellent state of preservation of these samples suggests that isotopic fractionation during microbial decomposition was not the cause. The observation that the isotope ratios of the prehistoric carbonized plants are similar to those of their modern counterparts indicates that it will be possible to separate carbonized plants residues into three groups—legumes, non-leguminous C 3 plants or C 4 and CAM plants—based on their δ 13 C and δ 15 N values. This method should provide useful information to archaeologists working in environments in which carbonized plant remains, often burned beyond morphological recognition, are the only archaeobotanical remains which are recovered.

Decimeter radio wave propagation in the turbulent plasma near the sun, using Venera 10 spacecraft

The 1976 Venus superior solar conjunction resulted in the occultation of the spacecraft Venera 10 by the sun at solar minimum. At the conjunction time, decimeter radio waves passed through the solar corona. The broadening of the spectrum line, as well as amplitude and frequency fluctuations, was observed over extensive distances of the radio link from the sun. The fluctuation characteristics of the radio waves are used to determine solar wind parameters. The fluctuations of the electron concentration have been shown to decrease rapidly with the increasing distance from the sun, but in the region between 12 and 20 solar radii (Rs) the irregularities have increased values. The shape of the spatial spectrum is closely described by the power function ΦN(q) ∝ q−p, but the spectral index may have different values in different parts of the spectrum. The spectral index of the small‐scale part of the spectrum decreases with the decreasing distance from the sun, and at radial distances shorter than 12 Rs its value is close to 3.0 ± 0.2. The inner scale of turbulence of the near‐sun plasma is of the order of several kilometers at distances between 6 and 10 Rs. Typical values of the velocity of motion of the inhomogeneities are 30–40 km/s at radial distances from 2 to 6 Rs, while at distances greater than 18 Rs the velocity exceeds 400 km/s.

Einfluß von Wachstumsbedingungen und Entwicklung auf δ13C-Werte in verschiedenen Organen und Inhaltsstoffen von Weizen, Hafer und Mais

Summary δ 13 C values of different parts of the wheat plant were found to range between -25 and -34 °against PDP standard. For oat plants the variation of δ 13 C values appeared to be smaller. Wheat when grown at higher temperatures (approx. 30 °C) or under saline conditions showed an increase up to 2 °for the isotope discrimination. The isotope discrimination also changed with growth phase: it increased up to the 4th–5th leaf, but then usually decreased in plant parts above the 5th leaf. With both wheat and maize leaves a correlation between δ 13 C values and the relative activities of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase was found. Among the constituents of oat plants and of oat, wheat and maize grains, organic acids and sugars had the less negative δ 13 C values while the values for proteins and lipids were more negative, probably due to an additional carbon discrimination during biosynthesis of these substances. The results indicate that variations of δ 13 C values caused by ecological conditions can be traced back to changes in carboxylase pattern and to formation of secondary metabolites.

Optimal niche space of the redwinged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). I. Nesting success in marsh and upland habitat

Survival value of different parts of the fundamental niche of the redwinged blackbird was determined by comparing nesting success in marsh and upland habitats. Marsh nesting populations had greater success than those in uplands because of a smaller proportion of nests destroyed by predators. Predation pressure in marshes was negatively correlated with the depth of water beneath the nest, and the synchrony and density of nesting in marshes in some cases has a swamping effect on local predator populations. The structure and phenology of marsh compared with upland vegetation is an important factor in determining nesting density and synchrony.Growth rates of nestlings and weight at fledging are similar between habitats. Genetic separation between marsh and upland populations is unlikely. Territoriality probably results in a limitation to breeding density in both habitats.The results support the hypothesis that where sympatric, redwings are excluded from their optimal niche space by yellow-headed blackbirds.