Detailed radiological study of the patent ductus arteriosus: a computed tomography study in the Polish population

Background: The aim of the study was to perform qualitative and quantitative computed tomography (CT) angiography-based evaluation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) morphology and its influence on morphology of the great vessels. Materials and methods: Two-thousand twenty-two patients underwent 64-slice or dual-source CT and were retrospectively screened for the presence of PDA. Those who had presence of PDA underwent evaluation of its anatomy and morphology. Results: Thirty-two adult patients with PDA were evaluated (mean age 41.4 ± 17.4 years). Subjects with PDA had a higher value of aortic isthmus (p = 0.0148), main pulmonary artery (p < 0.0001), right (p =0.0007) and left (p = 0.0074) pulmonary arteries diameters than individuals from control group (16 adults, median age 43.3 ± 12.4 years). Types A, B, C, D, and E of PDA morphology occurred in 16 (50%), 3 (9%), 9 (28%), 2 (6%), and 2 (6%) patients, respectively. Subjects with the type A configuration of PDA tended to have a larger diameter at the aortic orifice (10.2 ± 5.2 mm vs. 6.4 ± 4.9 mm, p = 0.09) and a larger maximal diameter (10.3 ± 5.3 mm vs. 7.1 ± 4.7 mm, p = 0.14) compared to subjects with the type C configuration. The values of minimal, mean, and maximal diameters of PDA were 4.7 ± 1.9 mm, 7.0 ± 3.2 mm, and 9.4 ± 5.0 mm, respectively. The Spearman correlation coefficient between the main pulmonary artery and PDA diameters demonstrated a good correlation for minimal (r = 0.70, p < 0.001), mean (r = 0.62, p = 001), and maximal (r = 0.60, p = 0.0003) PDA diameters. Conclusions: Computed tomography enables quantitative and qualitative evaluation of PDA, including its type of morphology, length, and diameters. In the evaluated adult population with PDA, the majority of patients had dilation of the aortic isthmus and pulmonary arteries. PDA diameters correlate with diameters of the pulmonary arteries and this correlation is strongest between PDA diameter at the narrowest site and main pulmonary artery

Computed tomography in the evaluation of the anomalous origin of the coronary artery: coexistence with other congenital heart disease in an adult population

Background: The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of anomalous origin of the coronary artery in cardiac computed tomography (CT) and to evaluate its coexistence with other congenital heart disease. Materials and methods: 7,115 patients, who underwent 64-slice or dual source cardiac CT in the years 2005–2011 were screened for the presence of anomalous origin of the coronary artery. Results: Anomalous origin of coronary artery was found in 62 (0.87%) patients (34 males, mean age 57.4 ± 15.1 years). Anomalous aortic and pulmonary origin of coronary artery concerned 59 (0.83%) and 3 (0.04%) cases, respectively. Concomitant heart defects were observed in 5 (0.07%) patients, all with anomalous aortic origin of coronary artery. Malformations included transposition of great arteries (4 patients) and single ventricle in (1 patient). Conclusions: The incidence of anomalous origin of a coronary artery in cardiac CT is similar to invasive coronary angiography. In an adult population the vast majority of those anomalies are isolated abnormalities without concomitant other congenital heart defects

Development of a plasmapause model derived from Van-Allen-Probe data and IMAGE RPI data via automatic detection

The outer boundary of the plasmasphere, the plasmapause, is characterised by a sharp electron density gradient which changes under varying space weather conditions. With NEPPM (Neustrelitz ESOC Plasmapause Model), we introduce a new model of the plasmapause location Lpp based on electron density measurements made by the Van Allen probes from 2012 to 2016 and the IMAGE satellite from 2000 to 2005 that were automatically processed, yielding an improved performance for plasmapause detection. A 2D model provides a simple elliptical approach in the equatorial plane determined by the semi-major axis, the eccentricity, and the orientation angle. The Lpp varies as a function of Dst index and magnetic local time (MLT), resulting in a tighter fit compared to the GCPM (Global Core Plasma Model). The distinctive bulge in the evening hours follows the level of solar activity. By extending the ellipse fitting from the equatorial plane to a 3D approach, the NEPPM also allows non-dipole B vectors, providing 3D positions on the plasmapause torus for given latitude, longitude, epoch and Dst

Experimental measuring and numerical simulation of a combustion engine powered by Compressible Natural Gas

W artykule zamieszczono treści dotyczące możliwości zastosowania sprężonego gazu ziemnego jako paliwa alternatywnego do zasilania silników spalinowych stosowanych w ciężkim transporcie górniczym. Przedstawiono sposób pomiarów wykonanych na jednym z grupy wymienionych pojazdów. Uzyskane wyniki pomiarów posłużyły następnie jako warunki wejściowe do badań numerycznych, mających na celu określenie jakości stosowanych instalacji CNG. Prace numeryczne sprowadzono do symulacji pól stężeń substratów w mieszaninie zasilającej cylindry silnika spalinowego. Analizując stężenia substratów określono nieprawidłowości w funkcjonowaniu instalacji CNG oraz konsekwencje dla warunków pracy silnika spalinowego.The paper presents results of investigations of such alternative fuel as Compressible Natural Gas (CNG) for Compression Ignition combustion engines used in heavy transportation for surface raining. What was characterized was a vehicle, its engine along with in-depth methodology of numerical investigation. Very Important date in numerical analysis are boundary conditions therefore the first part of this paper presents measuring air inflow of the cylinder existing combustion engines. The second part this paper presents the goal of the numerical tests was the determination of correctness in use of existing CNG systems. The outcome was to determine the fields of methane concentrations in a mixture supplying the cylinder of the internal combustion engine. Based on the concentration analysis, the irregularity in functioning of methane had been identified along with the consequences in operation of the combustion engines

Using computed tomography images for a heart modeling

In this paper the quality and analysis of the computed tomography scan sets are presented in the context of creating a 3DD model of a heart for the ultrasonography simulator. Data was collected during regular patients examination, using various equipment and technique, therefore not every set has required quality. CT data can be fast characterized with histogram that can show if the brightness ranges of objects (heart structures) are selective. This makes CT data usable for simulation by applying a transform function on the CT images to produce ultrasonographylike images. The aim is to use a PACS system of Hospital, which is the source of data. Therefore a proper technique and system for analysis is needed

A new model for plasmapause locations derived from IMAGE RPI and Van Allen probe data

The outer boundary of the plasmasphere, the plasmapause, is characterized by a sharp electron density gradient that changes under varying space weather conditions. We developed a new model, called Neustrelitz/ESOC PlasmaPause Model (NEPPM), for providing plasmapause location in terms of L-shell utilizing electron density measurements from the Van Allen probes from 2012 to 2018 and the IMAGE satellite data from 2001 to 2005. Both datasets were preprocessed, and algorithms were developed for automatic detection of plasmapause location Lpp where L denotes the McIlwain parameter. The suggested model provides a simple ellipse-based approach determined by the semi-major axis, the eccentricity, and the orientation angle of the semi-major axis. The modelled Lpp varies as a function of the Dst index and magnetic local time MLT. The NEPPM results are compared with the Global Core Plasma Model (GCPM). The plasmapause bulge in the evening hours follows the level of geomagnetic activity. The NEPPM will complete the NPSM (Neustrelitz PlasmaSphere Model), which was derived from dual-frequency GPS measurements on-board the CHAMP satellite mission