A Content-based search engine on medical images for telemedicine

Retrieving images by content and forming visual queries are important functionality of an image database system. Using textual descriptions to specify queries on image content is another important component of content-based search. The authors describe a medical image database system MIQS which supports visual queries such as query by example and query by sketch. In addition, it supports textual queries on spatial relationships between the objects of an image. MIQS is designed as a client-server application in which the client accesses the database and its images via the WWW.published_or_final_versio

Restoring proximal caries lesions conservatively with tunnel restorations

The tunnel restoration has been suggested as a conservative alternative to the conventional box preparation for treating proximal caries. The main advantage of tunnel restoration over the conventional box or slot preparation includes being more conservative and increasing tooth integrity and strength by preserving the marginal ridge. However, tunnel restoration is technique-sensitive and can be particularly challenging for inexperienced restorative dentists. Recent advances in technology, such as the contemporary design of dental handpieces with advanced light-emitting diode (LED) and handheld comfort, offer operative dentists better vision, illumination, and maneuverability. The use of magnifying loupes also enhances the visibility of the preparation. The advent of digital radiographic imaging has improved dental imaging and reduced radiation. The new generation of restorative materials has improved mechanical properties. Tunnel restoration can be an option to restore proximal caries if the dentist performs proper case selection and pays attention to the details of the restorative procedures. This paper describes the clinical technique of tunnel restoration and reviews the studies of tunnel restorations.published_or_final_versio

Outcome of endodontic therapy with thermafil and lateral condensation technique

Journal of Dental Research, 2003, v. 82 Spec. Iss. C, p. C-635, abstract no. 19published_or_final_versio

Growth of N, N′-di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N, N′-diphenyl-benzidine dome structures

N,N′-di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N′-diphenyl-benzidine samples exhibiting interesting nano/microstructure were fabricated by thermal evaporation in a tube furnace under Ar gas flow. We investigated the influence of the substrate type, substrate temperature, source temperature, and the gas flow rate on the obtained morphology. The deposited material was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence. We found that the substrate temperature was the factor which significantly affected the obtained morphology, while other factors such as substrate type, source temperature, and gas flow mainly affected the size distribution of the features but not the type of morphology observed. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.published_or_final_versio

Atypical manifestations in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease associated with the production of various autoantibodies and involvement of multiple organs. Necropsy findings in a 65 year old woman with SLE who had multiple aortic aneurysms and dissections, as well as other unusual manifestations, are described. The case illustrates the occurrence of and the difficulties encountered in the diagnosis of several diseases, namely aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, acute pancreatitis, and Penicillium marneffei infection.published_or_final_versio

Potential use of Niti implant for intra-articular fracture of phalax

Session - New Developments in Orthopaedic Implant Materialspublished_or_final_versio

Relationships of trace gases and aerosols and the emission characteristics at Lin'an, a rural site in eastern China, during spring 2001

We present measurements of trace gases and fine aerosols obtained from a rural site in eastern China during 18 February to 30 April 2001. The field program aimed to characterize the variations in aerosol and gaseous pollutant concentrations and the emission signatures from the inland region of eastern China in the spring season. The data included O3, CO, NO, NOy*, SO2, methane, C2-C8 nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), C 1-C2 halocarbons, and the chemical composition of PM2.5. The average hourly mixing ratios (±standard deviation) of CO, SO2, and NOy* were 677 (±315) ppbv, 15.9 (±14.6) ppbv, and 13.8 (±7.2) ppbv, respectively. The mean daytime ozone mixing ratio was 41 (± 19) ppbv. The most abundant NMHC was ethane (3189 ± 717 pptv), followed by ethyne (2475 ± 1395 pptv), ethene (1679 ± 1455 pptv), and toluene (1529 ± 1608 pptv). Methyl chloride was the most abundant halocarbon (1108 ± 653 pptv). The average concentrations of particulate organic matter (POM, as organic carbon, OC, times 1.4) and elemental carbon (EC) in PM2.5 were 21.5 (±7) μg/m3 and 2.5 (±0.7) μg/m3, respectively, and sulfate and nitrate levels were 17.3 (±6.6) and 6.5 (±4) μg/m3, respectively. CO showed moderate to good correlation with NOy* (r2 = 0.59), OC (r2 = 0.65), CH3Cl (r2 = 0.59), soluble potassium (r2 = 0.53), and many NMHCs, indicating contributions from the burning of biofuel/biomass. CO also correlated with an industrial tracer, C2Cl4, indicative of some influence from industrial sources. SO2, on the other hand, correlated well with EC (r2 = 0.56), reflecting the contribution from the burning of coal. Ammonium was sufficiently abundant to fully neutralize sulfate and nitrate, indicating that there were strong emissions of ammonia from agricultural activities. Silicon and calcium had poor correlations with iron and aluminum, revealing the presence of source(s) for Si and Ca other than from soil. Examination of C2H2/CO, C3H8/C 2H6, nitrate/(nitrate + NOy* , and sulfate/(SO2 + sulfate) suggested that relatively fresh air masses had been sampled at the study site in the spring season. Comparison of the observed ratios/slopes with those derived from emission inventories showed that while the observed SO2/NO y* ratio (1.29 ppbv/ppbv) in March was comparable (within 20%) to the inventory-derived ratio for the study region, the measured CO/NOy* slope (37 ppbv/ppbv) was about 200% larger. The observed slope of CO relative to NMHC (including ethane, propane, butanes, ethene, and ethyne) also indicated the presence of excess CO, compared to the ratios from the inventories. These results strongly suggest that emissions of CO in eastern China have been underrepresented. The findings of this study highlight the importance of characterizing trace gases and aerosols within source regions of the Asian continent. The springtime results were also compared with data previously collected at the site in 1999-2000 and with those obtained on the Transport and Chemical Evolution over the Pacific (TRACE-P) aircraft and from a coastal site in South China for the same study period. Copyright 2004 by the American Geophysical Union

Influence of indium-tin-oxide thin-film quality on reverse leakage current of indium-tin-oxide/n-GaN Schottky contacts

Author name used in this publication: X. M. Tao2006-2007 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

"Faith Maturity Scale" for Chinese: A Revision and Construct Validation

Using a large sample of Chinese Christians (n = 2,196), we examined the internal structure, reliability, and validity of the Faith Maturity Scale (FMS). Despite its being developed in North America, and for a mainline Protestant population, the FMS was shown to have validity among non-Western, non-mainline Protestants. There is convergent validity with self-reported religious practices and a belief measure of religiosity. Our analyses also confirmed good construct validity with the Big Five personality dimensions, social axioms, attributional style, and quality of life. FMS remained associated with religious practices and high quality of life after personality was statistically controlled. Findings supported that the Chinese version of the FMS assesses the same theoretical construct as does the original scale and that the distinction between the vertical and horizontal dimensions of faith maturity is meaningful. © 2011 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.postprin