Ground penetrating radar (GPR) attribute technology has been applied to many aspects in recent years but there are very few examples in the field of archaeology. Especially how can we extract effective attributes fr...Ground penetrating radar (GPR) attribute technology has been applied to many aspects in recent years but there are very few examples in the field of archaeology. Especially how can we extract effective attributes from the two- or three-dimensional radar data so that we can map and describe numerous archaeological targets in a large cultural site? In this paper, we applied GPR attribute technology to investigate the ancient Nanzhao castle-site in Tengchong, Yunnan Province. In order to get better archaeological target (the ancient wall, the ancient kiln site, and the ancient tomb) analysis and description, we collated the GPR data by collected standardization and then put them to the seismic data processing and interpretation workstation. The data was processed, including a variety of GPR attribute extraction, analysis, and optimization and combined with the archaeological drilling data. We choose the RMS Amplitude, Average Peak Amplitude, Instantaneous Phase, and Maximum Peak Time to interpret three archaeological targets. By comparative analysis, we have clarified that we should use different attributes to interpret different archaeological targets and the results of attribute analysis after horizon tracking is much better than the results based on a time slice.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3D-EAUS) in the assessment of anal fistulae with and without H202 enhancement. METHODS: Sixty-one patients (37 males, aged 17-74 years...AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3D-EAUS) in the assessment of anal fistulae with and without H202 enhancement. METHODS: Sixty-one patients (37 males, aged 17-74 years) with anal fistulae, which were not simple low types, were evaluated by physical examination and 3D-EAUS with and without enhancement. Fistula classification was determined with each modality and compared to operative findings as the reference standard. RESULTS: The accuracy of 3D-EAUS was significantly higher than that of physical examination in detecting the primary tract (84.4% vs 68.7%, P = 0.037) and secondary extension (81.8% vs 62.1%, P = 0.01) and localizing the internal opening (84.2% vs 59.7%, P = 0.004). A contrast study with H202 detected several more fistula components including two primary suprasphincteric fistula tracks and one supralevator secondary extension, which were not detected on non-contrast study. However, there was no significant difference in accuracy between 3D-EAUS and H202- enhanced 3D-EAUS with respect to classification of the primary tract (84.4% vs 89.1%, P = 0.435) or secondary extension (81.8% vs 86.4%, P = 0.435) or localization of the internal opening (84.2% vs 89.5%, P = 0.406). CONCLUSION: 3D-EAUS was highly reliable in the diagnosis of an anal fistula. H2O2 enhancement was helpful at times and selective use in difficult cases may be economical and reliable.展开更多
The cheer pheasant Catreus wallichi is a globally threatened species that inhabits the western Himalayas. Though it is well established that the species is threatened and its numbers declining, updated definitive esti...The cheer pheasant Catreus wallichi is a globally threatened species that inhabits the western Himalayas. Though it is well established that the species is threatened and its numbers declining, updated definitive estimates are lacking, so in 2011, we conducted a survey to assess the density, population size, and threats to the species in Jhelum valley, Azad Kashmir, which holds the largest known population of cheer pheasants in Pakistan. We conducted dawn call count surveys at 17 points clustered in three survey zones of the valley, 11 of which had earlier been used for a 2002-2003 survey of the birds. Over the course of our survey, 113 birds were recorded. Mean density of cheer pheasant in the valley was estimated at 11.8±6.47 pairs per km2, with significant differences in terms of both counts and estimated density of cheer were significantly different across the three survey zones, with the highest in the Chinari region and the lowest, that is the area with no recorded sightings of the pheasants, in Gari Doppata. The total breeding population of cheer pheasants is estimated to be some 2 490 pairs, though this does not consider the actual area of occupancy in the study area. On the whole, more cheer pheasants were recorded in this survey than from the same points in 2002-2003, indicating some success in population growth. Unfortunately, increasing human settlement, fires, livestock grazing, hunting, and the collection of non-timber forest products continue to threaten the population of cheer in the Jhelum valley. To mitigate these potential impacts, some degree of site protection should be required for the conservation of cheer pheasants in Pakistan, and more effective monitoring of the species is clearly needed.展开更多
AIM: To find the most reproducible quantitative parameter of a standard 13C-methacetin breath test (13C-MBT). METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers (10 female, 10 male) underwent the 13C-MBT after intake of 75 mg 13C-met...AIM: To find the most reproducible quantitative parameter of a standard 13C-methacetin breath test (13C-MBT). METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers (10 female, 10 male) underwent the 13C-MBT after intake of 75 mg 13C-methacetin p.o. on three occasions. Short-and medium-term reproducibility was assessed with paired examinations taken at an interval of 2 and 18 d (medians), respectively. RESULTS: The reproducibility of the 1-h cumulative 13C recovery (AUC0-60), characterized by a coefficient of variation of 10%, appeared to be considerably better than the reproducibility of the maximum momentary 13C recovery or the time of reaching it. Remarkably, as opposed to the short gap between consecutive examinations, the capacity of the liver to handle 13C-methacetin increased slightly but statistically significantly when a repeat dose was administered after two to three weeks.Regarding the AUC0-60, the magnitude of this fixed bias amounted to 7.5%. Neither the time gap between the repeat examinations nor the gender of the subjects affected the 13C-MBT reproducibility. CONCLUSION: 13C-MBT is most reproducibly quantified by the cumulative 13C recovery, but the exactitude thereof may be modestly affected by persistent stimulation of CYP1A2 on repeat examinations.展开更多
Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effect of breast conservation with breast intensitymodulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for early-stage breast cancers.Methods:Pub Med,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,Chine...Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effect of breast conservation with breast intensitymodulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for early-stage breast cancers.Methods:Pub Med,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were searched to identify relevant original published trails,and the references of eligible studies were manually screened.Randomized controlled trails reported in any language,comparing breast IMRT with conventional radiotherapy (RT) in patients with early-stage breast cancer were eligible for inclusion.Two investigators independently assessed the quality of included trials and extracted data.The RevMan 5.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:Four trials involving 1440 patients were included.The results showed that in the IMRT group,the occurrence of acute moist dermatitis,the edema of the mammary gland and the occurrence of hyperpigmentation were lower than those of RT group,the pooled risk ratio value and 95% confidence interval were 0.28 (0.17-0.48),0.03 (0.00-0.21) and 0.06 (0.02-0.15) respectively.The use of IMRT did not correlate with pain and quality of life,but the presence of moist desquamation did significantly correlate with pain and reduced quality of life.Conclusion:The currently available evidence showed that IMRT significantly reduces the occurrence of moist acute dermatitis anywhere in the breast and alleviates the suffering of patients and improves the quality of life of patients.Future large-scale,high-quality,double-blind trials are needed.展开更多
基金sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41176167)the Projects of Cultural Heritage Protection,Zhejiang Province(Grant No.2010001 and No.2011008)
文摘Ground penetrating radar (GPR) attribute technology has been applied to many aspects in recent years but there are very few examples in the field of archaeology. Especially how can we extract effective attributes from the two- or three-dimensional radar data so that we can map and describe numerous archaeological targets in a large cultural site? In this paper, we applied GPR attribute technology to investigate the ancient Nanzhao castle-site in Tengchong, Yunnan Province. In order to get better archaeological target (the ancient wall, the ancient kiln site, and the ancient tomb) analysis and description, we collated the GPR data by collected standardization and then put them to the seismic data processing and interpretation workstation. The data was processed, including a variety of GPR attribute extraction, analysis, and optimization and combined with the archaeological drilling data. We choose the RMS Amplitude, Average Peak Amplitude, Instantaneous Phase, and Maximum Peak Time to interpret three archaeological targets. By comparative analysis, we have clarified that we should use different attributes to interpret different archaeological targets and the results of attribute analysis after horizon tracking is much better than the results based on a time slice.
文摘AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3D-EAUS) in the assessment of anal fistulae with and without H202 enhancement. METHODS: Sixty-one patients (37 males, aged 17-74 years) with anal fistulae, which were not simple low types, were evaluated by physical examination and 3D-EAUS with and without enhancement. Fistula classification was determined with each modality and compared to operative findings as the reference standard. RESULTS: The accuracy of 3D-EAUS was significantly higher than that of physical examination in detecting the primary tract (84.4% vs 68.7%, P = 0.037) and secondary extension (81.8% vs 62.1%, P = 0.01) and localizing the internal opening (84.2% vs 59.7%, P = 0.004). A contrast study with H202 detected several more fistula components including two primary suprasphincteric fistula tracks and one supralevator secondary extension, which were not detected on non-contrast study. However, there was no significant difference in accuracy between 3D-EAUS and H202- enhanced 3D-EAUS with respect to classification of the primary tract (84.4% vs 89.1%, P = 0.435) or secondary extension (81.8% vs 86.4%, P = 0.435) or localization of the internal opening (84.2% vs 89.5%, P = 0.406). CONCLUSION: 3D-EAUS was highly reliable in the diagnosis of an anal fistula. H2O2 enhancement was helpful at times and selective use in difficult cases may be economical and reliable.
基金This study was supported by the Rufford Small Grant Foundation (8213-1) Acknowledgments: Pheasant Association We are grateful to the World and IUCN/SSC/Galliformes Specialist group for the technical support provided during the project implementation. We are thankful to the State Wildlife and Fisheries Department for logistic support and to the Department's field staff for their help during the surveys. Prof. Z.B. Mirza kindly provided guidance during the fieldwork.
文摘The cheer pheasant Catreus wallichi is a globally threatened species that inhabits the western Himalayas. Though it is well established that the species is threatened and its numbers declining, updated definitive estimates are lacking, so in 2011, we conducted a survey to assess the density, population size, and threats to the species in Jhelum valley, Azad Kashmir, which holds the largest known population of cheer pheasants in Pakistan. We conducted dawn call count surveys at 17 points clustered in three survey zones of the valley, 11 of which had earlier been used for a 2002-2003 survey of the birds. Over the course of our survey, 113 birds were recorded. Mean density of cheer pheasant in the valley was estimated at 11.8±6.47 pairs per km2, with significant differences in terms of both counts and estimated density of cheer were significantly different across the three survey zones, with the highest in the Chinari region and the lowest, that is the area with no recorded sightings of the pheasants, in Gari Doppata. The total breeding population of cheer pheasants is estimated to be some 2 490 pairs, though this does not consider the actual area of occupancy in the study area. On the whole, more cheer pheasants were recorded in this survey than from the same points in 2002-2003, indicating some success in population growth. Unfortunately, increasing human settlement, fires, livestock grazing, hunting, and the collection of non-timber forest products continue to threaten the population of cheer in the Jhelum valley. To mitigate these potential impacts, some degree of site protection should be required for the conservation of cheer pheasants in Pakistan, and more effective monitoring of the species is clearly needed.
基金Supported by The Medical University of Silesia, contracts No. NN-1-106-06, KNW-1-043/08 and KNW-1-154/09
文摘AIM: To find the most reproducible quantitative parameter of a standard 13C-methacetin breath test (13C-MBT). METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers (10 female, 10 male) underwent the 13C-MBT after intake of 75 mg 13C-methacetin p.o. on three occasions. Short-and medium-term reproducibility was assessed with paired examinations taken at an interval of 2 and 18 d (medians), respectively. RESULTS: The reproducibility of the 1-h cumulative 13C recovery (AUC0-60), characterized by a coefficient of variation of 10%, appeared to be considerably better than the reproducibility of the maximum momentary 13C recovery or the time of reaching it. Remarkably, as opposed to the short gap between consecutive examinations, the capacity of the liver to handle 13C-methacetin increased slightly but statistically significantly when a repeat dose was administered after two to three weeks.Regarding the AUC0-60, the magnitude of this fixed bias amounted to 7.5%. Neither the time gap between the repeat examinations nor the gender of the subjects affected the 13C-MBT reproducibility. CONCLUSION: 13C-MBT is most reproducibly quantified by the cumulative 13C recovery, but the exactitude thereof may be modestly affected by persistent stimulation of CYP1A2 on repeat examinations.
基金Supported by a grant from the National Nature Science Foundation of China(No. 096RJZA036)
文摘Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effect of breast conservation with breast intensitymodulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for early-stage breast cancers.Methods:Pub Med,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were searched to identify relevant original published trails,and the references of eligible studies were manually screened.Randomized controlled trails reported in any language,comparing breast IMRT with conventional radiotherapy (RT) in patients with early-stage breast cancer were eligible for inclusion.Two investigators independently assessed the quality of included trials and extracted data.The RevMan 5.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:Four trials involving 1440 patients were included.The results showed that in the IMRT group,the occurrence of acute moist dermatitis,the edema of the mammary gland and the occurrence of hyperpigmentation were lower than those of RT group,the pooled risk ratio value and 95% confidence interval were 0.28 (0.17-0.48),0.03 (0.00-0.21) and 0.06 (0.02-0.15) respectively.The use of IMRT did not correlate with pain and quality of life,but the presence of moist desquamation did significantly correlate with pain and reduced quality of life.Conclusion:The currently available evidence showed that IMRT significantly reduces the occurrence of moist acute dermatitis anywhere in the breast and alleviates the suffering of patients and improves the quality of life of patients.Future large-scale,high-quality,double-blind trials are needed.