Subcutaneous, Paracardiac, and Epicardial Fat CT Density Before/After Contrast Injection: Any Correlation with CAD?

Adipose tissue, in particular epicardial adipose tissue, has been identified as a potential biomarker of cardiovascular pathologies such as coronary artery disease (CAD) in the light of its metabolic activity and close anatomic and pathophysiologic relationship to the heart. Our purpose was to evaluate epicardial adipose tissue density at both unenhanced and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), along with CT densities of paracardiac and subcutaneous adipose tissue, as well as the relations of such densities with CAD. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent cardiac CT at our institution for CAD assessment. We segmented regions of interest on epicardial, paracardiac, and subcutaneous adipose tissue on unenhanced and contrast-enhanced scans. A total of 480 patients were included, 164 of them presenting with CAD. Median epicardial adipose tissue density measured on contrast-enhanced scans (-81.5 HU; interquartile range -84.9 to -78.0) was higher than that measured on unenhanced scans (-73.4 HU; -76.9 to -69.4) (p < 0.001), whereas paracardiac and subcutaneous adipose tissue densities were not (p >= 0.055). Patients with or without CAD, did not show significant differences in density of epicardial, paracardiac, and subcutaneous adipose tissue either on unenhanced or contrast-enhanced scans (p >= 0.092). CAD patients may experience different phenomena (inflammation, fibrosis, increase in adipose depots) leading to rises or drops in epicardial adipose tissue density, resulting in variations that are difficult to detect

Orochi: Investigating Requirements and Expectations for Multipurpose Daily Used Supernumerary Robotic Limbs

Supernumerary robotic limbs (SRLs) present many opportunities for daily use. However, their obtrusiveness and limitations in interaction genericity hinder their daily use. To address challenges of daily use, we extracted three design considerations from previous literature and embodied them in a wearable we call Orochi. The considerations include the following: 1) multipurpose use, 2) wearability by context, and 3) unobtrusiveness in public. We implemented Orochi as a snake-shaped robot with 25 DoFs and two end effectors, and demonstrated several novel interactions enabled by its limber design. Using Orochi, we conducted hands-on focus groups to explore how multipurpose SRLs are used daily and we conducted a survey to explore how they are perceived when used in public. Participants approved Orochi's design and proposed different use cases and postures in which it could be worn. Orochi's unobtrusive design was generally well received, yet novel interactions raise several challenges for social acceptance. We discuss the significance of our results by highlighting future research opportunities based on the design, implementation, and evaluation of Orochi

Bcl-2-regulated cell death signalling in the prevention of autoimmunity

Cell death mediated through the intrinsic, Bcl-2-regulated mitochondrial apoptosis signalling pathway is critical for lymphocyte development and the establishment of central and maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Defects in Bcl-2-regulated cell death signalling have been reported to cause or correlate with autoimmunity in mice and men. This review focuses on the role of Bcl-2 family proteins implicated in the development of autoimmune disorders and their potential as targets for therapeutic intervention

Combined Cycle Plants With Frame 9F Gas Turbines

The new 200 MW-class MS 9001F gas turbines allow combined cycle plants to reach even higher output levels and greater efficiency ratings. Size factor and higher firing temperatures, with a 3-pressure level steam reheat cycle, offer plant efficiencies in excess of 53 %. Heat recovery steam generators have been designed to accommodate catalytic reduction elements limiting flue gas NOx emissions to as low as 10 ppm VD (15 % O2). A range of steam turbine models covers the different possible configurations. Various arrangements based on the 350 or 650 MW power generation modules can be optimally configured to the requirements of each site.</jats:p

A quasi-static two-dimensional induction heating problem. I: Modelling and analysis

We consider a nonlinear elliptic-parabolic system modelling induction heating processes when a sinusoidal electromagnetic field is applied at the boundary of the inductor. The magnetic field satisfies an elliptic equation whereas the temperature equation is parabolic. These equations are coupled together due to the conductivities and the Joule effect. We show the existence of a weak solution to the corresponding problem and under additional assumptions, we study the uniqueness of the solution

A quasi-static two-dimensional induction heating problem II. Numerical analysis

We consider a nonlinear elliptic-parabolic system which stems from the modelling of heat induction processes in which a sinusoidal electromagnetic field is applied at the boundary of the inductor. The magnetic field satisfies an elliptic equation whereas the temperature equation is parabolic. These two equations are coupled due to the Joule effect and to the conductivity dependence on temperature. A Galerkin method for our problem is analyzed and shown to yield error estimates in L-2 and H-1

A QUASI-STATIC TWO-DIMENSIONAL INDUCTION HEATING PROBLEM II: NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

We consider a nonlinear elliptic–parabolic system which stems from the modelling of heat induction processes in which a sinusoidal electromagnetic field is applied at the boundary of the inductor. The magnetic field satisfies an elliptic equation whereas the temperature equation is parabolic. These two equations are coupled due to the Joule effect and to the conductivity dependence on temperature. A Galerkin method for our problem is analyzed and shown to yield error estimates in L2 and H1. </jats:p