Incremental diagnostic value of virtual non-contrast dual-energy CT for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis over conventional unenhanced CT.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incremental diagnostic value of virtual non-contrast (VNC) images derived from unenhanced dual-energy computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis by comparison with conventional unenhanced CT.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-nine patients with gallbladder stones who had undergone both abdominal unenhanced dual-energy CT and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) were retrospectively included. There were 53 men and 36 women, with a mean age of 54 ± 13 (standard deviation) years (age range: 41-67 years).

Gadolinium Enhances Dual-energy Computed Tomography Scan of Pulmonary Artery.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of using gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) for dual-energy computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA).

Methods: Sixty-six patients were randomly divided into three groups and underwent CTPA. Group A had a turbo flash scan using an iohexol injection, Group B had a turbo flash scan using Gd-DTPA, and Group C had a dual-energy scan using Gd-DTPA.

Mesoscopic and macroscopic investigation of a dolomitic marble subjected to thermal damage.

Thermal loading is an important factor that could lead to the weakening and deterioration of rock materials. Understanding the thermal properties of rocks and their evolution under different high temperatures is important in the post-fire-hazard evaluation and cultural heritage conservation. Yet it is challenging to understand the evolution of thermally-induced changes in rock properties and to quantitatively study degrees of thermal damage when samples are limited.

Reconfigurable meta-radiator based on flexible mechanically controlled current distribution in three-dimensional space.

In this paper, we provide an experimental proof-of-concept of this dynamic three-dimensional (3D) current manipulation through a 3D-printed reconfigurable meta-radiator with periodically slotted current elements. By utilizing the working frequency and the mechanical configuration comprehensively, the radiation pattern can be switched among 12 states. Inspired by maximum likelihood method in digital communications, a robustness-analysis method is proposed to evaluate the potential error ratio between ideal cases and practice.

Enhanced piezocapacitive response in zinc oxide tetrapod-poly(dimethylsiloxane) composite dielectric layer for flexible and ultrasensitive pressure sensor.

We demonstrate polymeric piezocapacitive pressure sensors based on a novel composite dielectric film of poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomeric silicone and zinc oxide tetrapod. With an appropriate loading of zinc oxide tetrapods, composite piezocapacitive pressure sensors show a 75-fold enhancement of pressure sensitivity over pristine devices, achieving a marked value as high as 2.55 kPa.

Characteristics and weathering mechanisms of the traditional Chinese blue brick from the ancient city of Ping Yao.

The traditional blue brick was the dominant clay brick used in Chinese architecture before the mid-nineteenth century. The ancient city of Ping Yao, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) heritage site, is an outstanding example of blue brick architecture. The Ping Yao bricks within the damp areas (up to 4 m at highest) of the ancient city's walls and private houses are subjected to various weathering, including contour scaling, flaking, powdering and salt crystallization.

Liver metastasis from adenoid cystic carcinoma of the submandibular gland: a case report.

Background: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy of epithelial origin. It involves a variety of histologic types and often has distant metastasis. ACC metastasis to the liver is rare and usually involves spread to other organs.

Imaging findings of inflammatory pseudotumor-like follicular dendritic cell tumors of the liver: Two case reports and literature review.

Background: Inflammatory pseudotumor-like follicular dendritic cell (IPT-like FDC) tumors of the liver is an uncommon tumor with extremely low incidence. To date, the radiologic findings of this tumor in multiphase computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging have not been described.

Case Summary: Patient 1 is a 31-year-old Chinese female, whose complaining incidentally coincided with the finding of multiple liver masses.

Three-dimensional metacrystals with a broadband isotropic diamagnetic response and an all-angle negative index of refraction.

Metamaterials (MMs) and photonic crystals (PhCs) exhibiting artificially engineered physical properties have been widely studied in the past decade. However, abnormal properties could only be proposed under a limited range of polarization and directions in most of the previous studies. It is still a challenge to realize an isotropic artificial material with multiple exotic electromagnetic properties.

Thermally induced deterioration behaviour of two dolomitic marbles under heating-cooling cycles.

Thermally induced deterioration behaviour can cause severe weathering in marbles. Most previous studies focus on the deterioration behaviour of calcitic marbles. Relevant studies of dolomitic marbles are generally carried out under a 'high temperature and low cycling times' condition.

[Evaluation standards and application for photography of schistosomiasis control theme].

Objective: To set up and apply the evaluation standards for photography of schistosomiasis control theme, so as to offer the scientific advice for enriching the health information carrier of schistosomiasis control.

Methods: Through the literature review and expert consultation, the evaluation standard for photography of schistosomiasis control theme was formulated. The themes were divided into 4 projects, such as new construction, natural scenery, working scene, and control achievements.

Post-traumatic High-flow Priapism: Multidetector Computed Tomography Demonstration.

High-flow priapism due to pseudoaneurysm is a relatively rare urologic condition. Clear anatomic delineation of the number and origin of feeding vessels facilitates pre-embolization planning. Computed tomographic angiography can afford a three-dimensional display of the feeding vessels.

Aroma-active compounds in jinhua ham produced with different fermentation periods.

The aroma-active compounds in Jinhua ham processed and stored for 9, 12, 15 and 18 months were extracted by dynamic headspace sampling (DHS) and solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE) and analyzed by gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry (GC-O-MS). In GC-O-MS, volatile compounds were identified based on their mass spectrum, linear retention index (LRI), odor properties, or reference compound comparisons. The results showed that a total number of 81 aroma-active compounds were identified by GC-O-MS.

Analysis of Geographic and Pairwise Distances among Chinese Cashmere Goat Populations.

This study investigated the geographic and pairwise distances of nine Chinese local Cashmere goat populations through the analysis of 20 microsatellite DNA markers. Fluorescence PCR was used to identify the markers, which were selected based on their significance as identified by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG). In total, 206 alleles were detected; the average allele number was 10.

[Discussion of indoor quality control method of MPAIA antibody test of Schistosoma japonicum].

Objective: To explore the scientific and effective indoor quality control method to ensure the results of Magnetic Particle Antibody Immunoassay (MPAIA) antibody test of Schistosoma japonicum reliable.

Methods: The MPAIA antibody test indoor quality control work was performed with the combination of the crubbs method, Z-scores figure and Westgard multi-rules quality control method.

Results: The crubbs test entered the quality control condition state from the third times, after 20 times, the test switched to Z-scores conventional quality control, and the Westgard multi-rules quality control method could help analyze the type of errors.

Transparent luminescent bulk nanocomposites of polysiloxane embedded with CdS nanocrystallines by a direct dispersion process.

Transparent luminescent bulk nanocomposites of polysiloxane (PSO) embedded with semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) have been fabricated by the direct dispersion of CdS NCs in alkyl-(poly)siloxane (APS) followed by co-polymerization. The non-polar characteristics of the APS precursor are compatible with the CdS NC surface (oleylamine), which allows the direct dispersion of the CdS NCs without the need of any surfactant exchange. Chemical crosslinking of the NC-APS dispersion via hydrosilylation between Si-H and the vinyl group in APS immobilizes the CdS NCs in the polysiloxane network.

[The risk factor for low bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory bowel disease].

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of low bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)and to identify its risk factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in IBD patients. Anthropometric measures, biochemical markers of nutrition and bone mineral density measurement were completed for these patients as well as healthy control subjects.

Nickel and zinc complexes with a monodentate heterocycle and tridentate Schiff base ligands: self-assembly to one- and two-dimensional supramolecular networks via hydrogen bonding.

In the complex (morpholine)[2-hydroxy-N'-(5-nitro-2-oxidobenzylidene)benzohydrazidato]nickel(II), [Ni(C(14)H(9)N(3)O(5))(C(4)H(9)NO)], (I), the Ni(II) center is in a square-planar N(2)O(2) coordination geometry. The complex bis[mu-2-hydroxy-N'-(2-oxidobenzylidene)benzohydrazidato]bis[(morpholine)zinc(II)], [Zn(2)(C(14)H(10)N(2)O(3))(2)(C(4)H(9)NO)(2)], (II), consists of a neutral centrosymmetric dimer with a coplanar Zn(2)(mu(2)-O)(2) core. The two Zn(II) centers are bridged by phenolate O atoms.

Gene expression and MR diffusion-weighted imaging after chemoembolization in rabbit liver VX-2 tumor model.

Aim: To investigate the dynamic characteristics and the correlation between PCNA, Bax, nm23, E-cadherin expression and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) after chemoembolization in rabbit liver VX-2 tumor model.

Methods: Forty New Zealand rabbit liver VX-2 tumor models were included in the study. DWI was carried out periodically after chemoembolization.

Characteristics of liver on magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging: dynamic and image pathological investigation in rabbit liver VX-2 tumor model.

Aim: To investigate dynamical and image pathological characteristics of the liver on magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the rabbit VX-2 tumor model.

Methods: Forty New Zealand rabbits were included in the study and VX-2 tumor piece was implanted intrahepatically. Fifteen animals received two intrahepatic implantations while 25 had one intrahepatical implantation.

Characteristics and pathological mechanism on magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging after chemoembolization in rabbit liver VX-2 tumor model.

Aim: To investigate dynamic characteristics and pathological mechanism of signal in rabbit VX-2 tumor model on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) after chemoembolization.

Methods: Forty New Zealand rabbits were included in the study and forty-seven rabbit VX-2 tumor models were raised by implanting directly and intrahepatically after abdominal cavity opened. Forty VX-2 tumor models from them were divided into four groups.

Process of rice straw degradation and dynamic trend of pH by the microbial community MC1.

The process of the rice straw degradation in the fermentor with aeration at 290 ml/h was studied. The results of dissolved oxygen (DO) indicated that the optimum DO during cellulose degradation by microbial community MC1 ranged from 0.01 to 0.