How to use magnetic field information for coronal loop identification?

The structure of the solar corona is dominated by the magnetic field because the magnetic pressure is about four orders of magnitude higher than the plasma pressure. Due to the high conductivity the emitting coronal plasma (visible e.g. in SOHO/EIT) outlines the magnetic field lines. The gradient of the emitting plasma structures is significantly lower parallel to the magnetic field lines than in the perpendicular direction. Consequently information regarding the coronal magnetic field can be used for the interpretation of coronal plasma structures. We extrapolate the coronal magnetic field from photospheric magnetic field measurements into the corona. The extrapolation method depends on assumptions regarding coronal currents, e.g. potential fields (current free) or force-free fields (current parallel to magnetic field). As a next step we project the reconstructed 3D magnetic field lines on an EIT-image and compare with the emitting plasma structures. Coronal loops are identified as closed magnetic field lines with a high emissivity in EIT and a small gradient of the emissivity along the magnetic field.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figure

Randomized controlled trial comparing three different modalities of lithotrites for intracorporeal lithotripsy in pcnl

Purpose: To compare the efficiency (stone fragmentation and removal time) and complications of three models of intracorporeal lithotripters in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Materials and Methods: Prospective, randomized controlled trial at nine centers in the North America from 2009 to 2016. Patients were randomized to one of three lithotripter devices: the Cyberwand, a dual probe ultrasonic device; the Swiss Lithoclast Select, a combination pneumatic and ultrasonic device; and the StoneBreaker, a portable pneumatic device powered by CO2 cartridges. Since the StoneBreaker lacks an ultrasonic component, it was used with the LUS‐II ultrasonic lithotripter to allow fair comparison with combination devices. Results: 270 patients were enrolled, 69 were excluded after randomization. 201 patients completed the study: 71 in the Cyberwand group, 66 in the Lithoclast Select, and 64 in the StoneBreaker group. The baseline patient characteristics of the three groups were similar. Mean stone surface area was smaller in the StoneBreaker group at 407.8mm2 vs 577.5mm2 (Lithoclast Select) and 627.9mm2 (Cyberwand). The stone clearance rate was slowest in the StoneBreaker group at 24.0 mm2/min vs 28.9 mm2/min and 32.3 mm2/min in the Lithoclast Select and Cyberwand groups respectively. After statistically adjusting for the smaller mean stone size in the StoneBreaker group, there was no difference in the stone clearance rate among the three groups (p=0.249). Secondary outcomes, including complications and stone free rates, were similar between the groups. Conclusions: The Cyberwand, Lithoclast Select, and the StoneBreaker lithotripters have similar adjusted stone clearance rates in PCNL for stones > 2cm. The safety and efficacy of these devices are comparable

Junkie love : romance and addiction on the big screen

This article investigates the filmic construction of two disparate but intertwining cultural practices: those engaging in the life-affirming rituals of romantic love and those performing the potentially self-destructive rituals of hard drug consumption. Discussing a number of key feature films from the (mini) genre “junkie love”, it aims to show what happens when elements of mainstream romantic drama merge with the horror conventions of the heroin addiction film. Drawing amongst others on Murray Smith’s theory of “levels of [spectator] engagement” and Greg Smith’s concept of the “emotion system”, the article concludes that junkie love films, using tropes of the romantic tragedy in the tradition of Romeo and Juliet, present a more complex and nuanced approach to drug addicts than the predominantly condemnatory media coverage—one that arguably invites the spectator’s understanding and compassion

The Behavioral Assessment Screening Tool for Mobile Health (BASTmHealth): Development and Compliance in Two Weeks of Daily Reporting in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury

Objectives: To develop and evaluate the feasibility of a short form of the Behavioral Assessment Screening Tool (BASTmHealth) for high frequency in situ self-reported assessment of neurobehavioral symptoms using mobile health technology for community-dwelling adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design: Prospective, repeated measures study of mHealth assessment of self-reported neurobehavioral symptoms in adults with and without a lifetime history of TBI over a two-week period. Setting: Community Participants: Community-dwelling adults with (n=52) and without (n=12) a lifetime TBI history consented to the study. Interventions: Not applicable Main Outcome Measures: BASTmHealth subscales (2-items each): Negative Affect, Fatigue, Executive Function, Substance Abuse, Impulsivity; Feasibility measured via compliance (assessments assigned/assessments completed) and participant-reported usability. Results: We developed the 10-item BASTmHealth as a screener for high frequency in situ self-reported assessment of neurobehavioral symptoms leveraging mHealth. Compliance for two-weeks of BASTmHealth supports its feasibility. Fifty-six of 64 participants (87.5%) who completed baseline assessments completed the two-weeks of daily assessments; all 8 participants who did not complete EMA had a history of TBI. Overall compliance was 81.4% (496 completed of 609 assigned assessments) among all 52 participants with TBI and 96.7% (494 completed of 511 assigned assessments) among the 44 who completed any daily measures, compared to 91.8% (135 completed of 147 assigned assessments) among those with no TBI history. Participants thought the daily surveys were easy to understand and complete and the number of prompts were reasonable. Conclusions: Conducting daily high frequency in situ self-reported assessment of neurobehavioral symptoms using the BASTmHealth is feasible among individuals with and without a lifetime history of TBI. Developing and evaluating self-reported assessments for community-based assessment is a critical step towards expanding remote clinical monitoring systems to improve post-TBI outcomes

Metabolic diagnosis and medical prevention of calcium nephrolithiasis and its systemic manifestations: a consensus statement

Background: Recently published guidelines on the medical management of renal stone disease did not address relevant topics in the field of idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis, which are important also for clinical research. Design: A steering committee identified 27 questions, which were proposed to a faculty of 44 experts in nephrolithiasis and allied fields. A systematic review of the literature was conducted and 5216 potentially relevant articles were selected; from these, 407 articles were deemed to provide useful scientific information. The Faculty, divided into working groups, analysed the relevant literature. Preliminary statements developed by each group were exhaustively discussed in plenary sessions and approved. Results: Statements were developed to inform clinicians on the identification of secondary forms of calcium nephrolithiasis and systemic complications; on the definition of idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis; on the use of urinary tests of crystallization and of surgical observations during stone treatment in the management of these patients; on the identification of patients warranting preventive measures; on the role of fluid and nutritional measures and of drugs to prevent recurrent episodes of stones; and finally, on the cooperation between the urologist and nephrologist in the renal stone patients. Conclusions: This document has addressed idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis from the perspective of a disease that can associate with systemic disorders, emphasizing the interplay needed between urologists and nephrologists. It is complementary to the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology guidelines. Future areas for research are identified