Composite slice‐selective adiabatic excitation for prostate MRSI

Higher magnetic field strengths, such as 7 T, offer increased spectral resolution and higher signal‐to‐noise ratio. These properties can be very advantageous for MRSI. In particular, signals that generally overlap at lower fields, such as choline, polyamines and creatine, can be resolved at 7 T. However, higher magnetic field strengths suffer from strong radiofrequency (RF) field nonuniformities. These nonuniformities become even stronger when using surface transceivers, such as an endorectal coil for prostate imaging. In order to obtain uniform excitations for accurate MRSI measurements, adiabatic sequences are therefore recommended. Conventional adiabatic MRS sequences (i.e. localization by adiabatic selective refocusing, LASER) have relatively long TEs, especially when optimized to measure the strongly coupled spins of citrate in the prostate. The semi‐LASER (sLASER) sequence has a significantly shorter TE, although it does not provide adiabatic excitation. Therefore, we propose an adiabatic sLASER sequence that either has a composite adiabatic slice‐selective excitation (cLASER) or a non‐slice‐selective adiabatic excitation (nsLASER), allowing for shorter TEs, whilst maintaining the adiabatic spin excitation. Furthermore, the spatial properties of the composite adiabatic excitation allow for a high slice excitation bandwidth, resulting in negligible chemical shift displacement artifacts. Exclusion of the slice selection can be considered once the field of view extends beyond the transmit field of the RF coil. The use of a transceiver at high magnetic field strengths has shown that the cLASER and nsLASER sequences are suitable for MRSI of the prostate in both phantom and in vivo validations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Static and Flexural Fatigue Behavior of GFRP Pultruded Rebars

This paper presents the experimental results of composite rebars based on GFRP manufactured by a pultrusion system. The bending and radial compression strength of rods was determined. The elastic modulus of GFRP rebars is significantly lower than for steel rebars, while the static flexural properties are higher. The microstructure of the selected rebars was studied and discussed in light of the obtained results—failure processes such as the delamination and fibers fracture can be observed. The bending fatigue test was performed under a constant load amplitude sinusoidal waveform. All rebars were subjected to fatigue tests under the R = 0.1 condition. As a result, the S-N curve was obtained, and basic fatigue characteristics were determined. The fatigue mechanism of bar failure under bending was further analyzed using SEM microscopy. It is worth noting that the failure and fracture mechanism plays a crucial role as a material quality indicator in the manufacturing process. The main mechanism of failure under static and cyclic loading during the bending test is widely discussed in this paper. The results obtained from fatigue tests encourage further analysis. The diametral compression test reflects the weakest nature of the composite materials based on the interlaminar compressive strength. The proposed methodology allows us to invariantly describe the experimental transversal strength of the composite materials. Considering the expected durability of the structure, the failure mechanism is likely to significantly improve their fatigue behavior under the influence of cyclic bending. The reasonable direction of searching for reinforcements of composite structures should be the improvement of the bearing capacity of the outer layers. In comparison with steel rebars (fatigue tensile test), the obtained results for GFRP are comparable in the HCF regime. It is worth noting that in the near fatigue endurance regime (2–5 × 10⁶ cycles) both rebars exhibit similar behavior.     

Innovative Bioactive Ag-SiO2/TiO2 Coating on a NiTi Shape Memory Alloy: Structure and Mechanism of Its Formation

In recent years, more and more emphasis has been placed on the development and functionalization of metallic substrates for medical applications to improve their properties and increase their applicability. Today, there are many different types of approaches and materials that are used for this purpose. Our idea was based on a combination of a chemically synthesized Ag-SiO₂ nanocomposite and the electrophoretic deposition approach on a NiTi shape memory substrate. As a result, silver-silica coating was developed on a previously passivated alloy, which was then subjected to sintering at 700 °C for 2 h. The micrometer-sized coat-forming material was composed of large agglomerates consisting of silica and a thin film of submicron- and nano- spherical-shaped particles built of silver, carbon, and oxygen. Structurally, the coatings consisted of a combination of nanometer-sized silver-carbonate that was embedded in thin amorphous silica and siloxy network. The temperature impact had forced morphological and structural changes such as the consolidation of the coat-forming material, and the partial coalescence of the silver and silica particles. As a result, a new continuous complex ceramic coating was formed and was analyzed in more detail using the XPS, XRD, and Raman methods. According to the structural and chemical analyses, the deposited Ag-SiO₂ nanocomposite material’s reorganization was due to its reaction with a passivated TiO₂ layer, which formed an atypical glass-like composite that consisted of SiO₂-TiO₂ with silver particles that stabilized the network. Finally, the functionalization of the NiTi surface did not block the shape memory effect.     

The Adolescent Drug Abuse Diagnosis Composite Scores in Swedish Normal and Antisocial Adolescents

The present study evaluates the utility and issues around the composite scores in Adolescent Drug Abuse Diagnosis (ADAD). Participants were Swedish normal adolescents (121) and adolescents manifesting antisocial problems (1,168), ages 10 to 21. The results show that the interviewer severity ratings seem to be the most appropriate outcome when the objective is to differentiate between normal and antisocial adolescents. The composite scores appear to function as an indicator of current problems in all areas except for Medical and Alcohol sections. The critical items within the Medical and Alcohol composite scores are explored and discussed.     

Effect of SiC Addition to Al2O3 Ceramics Used in Cutting Tools

In this study, the effect of the addition of silicon carbide to alumina ceramics commonly used in cutting tool applications is addressed. Performance of Al₂O₃–SiC composite cutting inserts during the machining of hardened steels and ductile iron was compared to the results obtained for a cutting tool made out of 99 wt.% Al₂O₃, Al₂O₃–TiC, Al₂O₃–TiC–ZrO₂, and Al₂O₃–TiN. In almost all tests, the composite with silicon carbide demonstrated better wear resistance, longer tool lifetime, and the ability to cut at higher speeds. The enhanced properties of cutting tools with SiC can be attributed to the morphology and dimensions of the inclusions in the matrix as well as to the strength of the interphase boundaries, small porosity, and lack of high inner stresses in the volume.     

Effects of Anthocyanins in Composite Meals on Cardiometabolic Outcomes—A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Feeding Trials

Accumulating epidemiological evidence suggests that anthocyanin intake is associated with reduced risks of cardiometabolic disorders, highlighting the importance of incorporating the phytochemical in our diets. Numerous food-based intervention studies have examined, in controlled meal settings, the role of anthocyanin on cardiometabolic health; but their effects have not been systematically summarized. This study aims to systematically review and summarize the effects of anthocyanin consumption with composite meals on cardiometabolic health from randomized controlled feeding trials. A systematic literature search for relevant human nutritional intervention studies was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, and Scopus databases. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the study quality. Eighteen articles involving 371 participants were included in this review. Consistent improvements from anthocyanin intake were found in glycemic, gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) responses. Anthocyanin intake did not significantly affect other markers of energy metabolism, vascular functions, oxidative stress and antioxidant status, as well as inflammatory responses. Inconsistencies in successful outcomes between epidemiological studies and included interventions were largely attributed to matrix effects, which may impede the bioaccessibility of anthocyanins and consequently, limiting its health benefits when co-delivered with some foods.     

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融合牙和多生牙是临床常见的牙齿发育异常。融合牙常由两个正常牙胚融合而成，可以是完伞融合的，也可以是不完全融合的，多出现在下前牙区；多生牙则是正常牙数之外多生的牙，多见于上颌两中切牙之间；然而两者同时出现的概率较小。现报告1例下颌第二磨牙与多生牙融合并伴有牙周疾病和牙体龋损的复杂病例及其治疗体会。     

复方丹参注射液治疗门脉高压性胃病出血41例

目的观察复方丹参注射液对门脉高压性胃病(PHG)引起的上消化道出血的疗效.方法81例PHG出血患者随机分为治疗组(41例)和对照组(40例).对照组采用垂体后叶素、心得安等药物治疗;治疗组在对照组治疗基础上加用复方丹参注射液(20ml/d)静滴,观察2组的止血时间.结果治疗组显效21例,有效15例,无效5例(重度出血),总有效率87.8%;对照组显效15例,有效13例,无效12例(中度出血8例,重度出血4例),总有效率70.0%,治疗组总有效率显著高于对照组(P<0.05).结论复方丹参注射液是基层医疗单位治疗PHG引起的轻、中度上消化道出血的较好药物.     

异种无细胞真皮活性复合皮的制备

目的体外重建异种无细胞真皮活性复合皮.方法将表皮细胞、成纤维细胞种植于异种无细胞真皮基质表面,体外培养约1周,定时取材行真皮表面HE染色、常规组织切片HE染色及扫描电镜观察.结果表皮细胞、成纤维细胞种植后24h即贴附于真皮表面,电镜观察可见有伪足形成.培养5～7d可融合为致密单层细胞膜.结论以无细胞真皮为支架,采用细胞培养技术可于体外重建复合皮.