1,782 research outputs found
Uniform Penalty inversion of two-dimensional NMR Relaxation data
The inversion of two-dimensional NMR data is an ill-posed problem related to
the numerical computation of the inverse Laplace transform. In this paper we
present the 2DUPEN algorithm that extends the Uniform Penalty (UPEN) algorithm
[Borgia, Brown, Fantazzini, {\em Journal of Magnetic Resonance}, 1998] to
two-dimensional data. The UPEN algorithm, defined for the inversion of
one-dimensional NMR relaxation data, uses Tikhonov-like regularization and
optionally non-negativity constraints in order to implement locally adapted
regularization. In this paper, we analyze the regularization properties of this
approach. Moreover, we extend the one-dimensional UPEN algorithm to the
two-dimensional case and present an efficient implementation based on the
Newton Projection method. Without any a-priori information on the noise norm,
2DUPEN automatically computes the locally adapted regularization parameters and
the distribution of the unknown NMR parameters by using variable smoothing.
Results of numerical experiments on simulated and real data are presented in
order to illustrate the potential of the proposed method in reconstructing
peaks and flat regions with the same accuracy
Hornets and Honey Bees: A Coevolutionary Arms Race between Ancient Adaptations and New Invasive Threats
Hornets and honey bees have a long history of coevolution resulting in a plethora of captivating adaptations and counteradaptations between predator and prey. From simple physiological mechanisms to complex behavioral strategies, some Vespa hornets have specialized in hunting honey bees, while the latter have put in place effective defenses to counteract their attack. Both hornets and honey bees have evolved the ability to detect the odors and the pheromones emitted by the other to locate the prey or to spot foraging predators. Hornets often rely on their bigger size, heavily armored body and destructive attacks, while honey bees differentiated collective defense responses finely coordinated to deter or kill the hornet menace. However, when new species of hornets and honey bees come into contact, the absence of coevolution can have a heavy impact on the defenseless bees. The evolutionary arms race between hornets and honey bees provides not only compelling examples of adaptations and counteradaptations between predator and prey, but could also represent a starting point for the development of effective and sustainable strategies to protect honey bees and beekeeping activities and to control invasive alien species of hornets
MUPen2DTool: A new Matlab Tool for 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance relaxation data inversion
A great variety of applications requires to process two-dimensional NMR (2DNMR) data to obtain information about the materials properties. In order to face the increasing request for software to easily process 2DNMR data, in (Bortolotti et al. (2019) [1]), the authors released Upen2dTool, an open source MATLAB software tool implementing nonnegatively constrained uniform penalty locally adapted
norm-based regularization for 2DNMR data inversion. This paper presents MUPen2DTool a new open-source MATLAB software tool implementing an unconstrained multipenalty regularization method based on
and
norms. The new software MUPen2DTool outperforms Upen2dTool since the implemented uniform multipenalty method allows to compute very accurate 2DNMR data inversion at reduced computational cost. By means of MUPen2DTool, the user can choose among several types of NMR experiments, and the free software provides codes that can be used and extended easily. Furthermore, a MATLAB interface makes it easier to include users own data. The practical use is demonstrated in the reported examples of both synthetic and real NMR data
Characterization of structural bone properties through portable single-sided nmr devices: State of the art and future perspectives
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is a well-suited methodology to study bone composition and structural properties. This is because the NMR parameters, such as the T2 relaxation time, are sensitive to the chemical and physical environment of the1H nuclei. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows bone structure assessment in vivo, its cost limits the suitability of conventional MRI for routine bone screening. With difficulty accessing clinically suitable exams, the diagnosis of bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, and the associated fracture risk estimation is based on the assessment of bone mineral density (BMD), obtained by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). However, integrating the information about the structure of the bone with the bone mineral density has been shown to improve fracture risk estimation related to osteoporosis. Portable NMR, based on low-field single-sided NMR devices, is a promising and appealing approach to assess NMR properties of biological tissues with the aim of medical applications. Since these scanners detect the signal from a sensitive volume external to the magnet, they can be used to perform NMR measurement without the need to fit a sample inside a bore of a magnet, allowing, in principle, in vivo application. Techniques based on NMR single-sided devices have the potential to provide a high impact on the clinical routine because of low purchasing and running costs and low maintenance of such scanners. In this review, the development of new methodologies to investigate structural properties of trabecular bone exploiting single-sided NMR devices is reviewed, and current limitations and future perspectives are discussed
Effects of experimental insoles on body posture, mandibular kinematics and masticatory muscles activity. A pilot study in healthy volunteers
BACKGROUND:
It has been hypothesized that different plantar sensory inputs could influence the whole body posture and dental occlusion but there is a lack of evidence on this possible association.
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effects of experimental insoles redistributing plantar pressure on body posture, mandibular kinematics and electromyographic (EMG) activity of masticatory muscles on healthy subjects.
METHODS:
A pilot study was conducted on 19 healthy volunteers that wore custom-made insoles normalizing the plantar pressure distribution for 2 weeks. Body posture parameters were measured by means of an optoelectronic stereophotogrammetric analysis; mandibular kinematics was analyzed by means of gothic arch tracings; superficial EMG activity of head and neck muscles was performed. Measurements were carried out 10 days before the insertion of the insoles, immediately before the insertion, the day after, 7 and 14 days after, in four different exteroceptive conditions.
RESULTS:
The outcomes of the present study show that insoles do not modify significantly over time the parameters of body posture, SEMG activity of head and neck muscles and mandibular kinematics.
CONCLUSIONS:
In this pilot study the experimental insoles did not significantly influence the body posture, the mandibular kinematics and the activity of masticatory muscles during a 14-day follow up perio
Awareness and Sources of Knowledge about Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Cross Sectional Survey Study
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a multifactorial sleep breathing disorder, seriously impacting quality of life and involving approximately 1 billion of the world’s population. It is characterized by episodes of total cessation of breathing or decreases in airflow during sleep. Available data suggest that most cases of OSA remain undiagnosed even in developed countries. This is due to a lack of widespread knowledge about this pathology and the medical morbidities and mortality it brings about, among both laypeople and physicians. Moreover, despite receiving indications about the need to undergo specific evaluations for OSA signs and symptoms, sometimes patients do not pay sufficient attention to the problem. This is probably due to a lack of correct information on these issues. The present investigation analyzed the level of knowledge about OSA pathology and the sources through which a group of OSA patients gained information on their condition. A survey of 92 patients diagnosed with OSA (mean age 60.55 ± 10.10) and referred to the Unit of Orthodontics and Dental Sleep Medicine of the University of Bologna was conducted by means of a questionnaire investigating sociodemographic characteristics, the level of general knowledge on OSA pathology and its possible medical consequences. Despite about two third (67.38%) of the population demonstrating extensive knowledge, remarkably, a group of subjects (20.65%) had poor awareness of the OSA condition. A statistically significant correlation emerged between the level of knowledge about OSA and the level of education (p = 0.002). A great effort should be made to improve the quality of information and the communication modalities for OSA to enable a fully appropriate awareness of the condition among patients
The Power Manager for the LHCb On-Line Farm
The Power Manager is a tool of the LHCb FMC (Farm Monitoring and Control System) which allows - in an OS-independent manner and without requiring expensive network-controlled power distributors - to switch the farm nodes on and off, and to monitor their physical condition: power status (on/off), temperatures, fan speeds and voltages. The Power Manager can operate on farm nodes whose motherboards and network interface cards implement the IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) specifications, version 1.5 or subsequent, and copes with several IPMI limitations
- …