Measurements and modeling enhancements for the NPS minimum resolvable temperature difference model, VISMODII

Minimum Resolvable Temperature Difference (MRTD) measurement has long been used to describe the performance of thermal imaging systems. Computer models such as U.S. Armyαs FLIR92, that were developed to predict the MRTD, were reported to have deficiencies in dealing with sampling and aliasing effects. The models also include assumptions regarding the observer recognition process and therefore cannot predict the MRTD of an imager that incorporates an βobjectiveγ automatic target recognition device instead of a βsubjectiveγ human observer. The Visibility Model II developed for second generation thermal imaging systems at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in the mid 90αs takes sampling and aliasing issues into account and makes no assumptions about the observer. Modeling enhancements in VISMODII and its extension to predict objective MRTD are proposed and tested in this thesis. A parallel thesis at the NPS has shown that aliasing effects on image appearance are fundamentally different from noise. The improved VISMODII model accounts for the fact that unlike noise, aliasing may have a visual enhancing effect and therefore may lower MRTD. Experiments were conducted to measure subjective and objective MRTD. Experimental results demonstrated that the VISMODII model successfully predicts the MRTD both for the subjective and the objective schemes.http://archive.org/details/measurementsndmo109451772Turkish Army autho

Comparison of Effects of Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco “Maras Powder” Use on Humoral Immune System Parameters

Background. The aim of this study is to assess the impacts of “Maras powder” and cigarette smoking on the parameters of the humoral immune system. Material and Methods. One hundred seventy seven subjects were included in the study. The IgA, IgG, IgM, C3 and C4 levels were detected via nephelometric method. Results. In 1.4% of the control group IgM levels were below normal where it was 10.8% and 18.6% in Maras powder group and in cigarette smoking group respectively. The IgM levels of both groups were significantly lower compared to the control group (P < .05). Nonetheless, the IgE levels of Maras powder group and smoking group were found to be remarkably higher compared to the control group (P < .01). Conclusion. Effects of Maras powder on humoral immune response were found to be similar to that of smoking

Ankle-brachial index in coronary artery disease

Ankle-brachial index in coronary artery diseas

Echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic functions in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A comperative study of diastolic functions in sub-phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder among reproductive-aged women. It is known to be associated with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the echocardiographic data of patients according to the phenotypes of PCOS. Methods: This study included 113 patients with PCOS and 52 controls. Patients were classified into four potential PCOS phenotypes. Laboratory analyses and echocardiographic measurements were performed. Left ventricular mass was calculated by using Devereux formula and was indexed to body surface area. Results: Phenotype-1 PCOS patients had significantly higher homeostasis model assessment — insu­lin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.023), free testosterone (p &lt; 0.001), LDL cholesterol levels (p &lt; 0.001) and free androgen index (p &lt; 0.001) compared with the control group. There were significant differences between groups regarding the septal thickness, posterior wall thickness, Left ventricular ejection frac­tion, E/A ratio and left ventricular mass index (for all, p &lt; 0.05). PCOS patients with phenotype 1 and 2 had significantly higher left ventricular mass index than the control group (p &lt; 0.001). In univariate and multivariate analyses, PCOS phenotype, modified Ferriman-Gallwey Score and estradiol were found as variables, which independently could affect the left ventricular mass index. Conclusions: This study showed that women in their twenties who specifically fulfilled criteria for PCOS phenotype-1 according to the Rotterdam criteria, had higher left ventricular mass index and decreased E/A ratio, which might be suggestive of early stage diastolic dysfunction. (Cariol J 2017; 24, 4: 364–373

Epicardial fat thickness and cardiovascular involvements.

No Abstrac

Designing an Online Case-Based Library for Technology Integration in Teacher Education

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an interactive online case-study library website developed in a national project. The design goal of the website is to provide interactive, enhanced, case-based and online educational resource for educators through the purpose and within the scope of a national project. The ADDIE instructional design model was used in the development of the website for interactive case-based library. This library is developed on a web-based platform, which is important in terms of manageability, accessibility, and updateability of data. Users are able to sort the displayed case-studies by their titles, dates, ratings, view counts, etc. The usability test is used and the expert opinion is taken for the evaluation of the website. This website is a tool to integrate technology into education. It is believed that this website will be beneficial for pre-service and in-service teachers in terms of their professional developments

Designing an Online Case-Based Library for Technology Integration in Teacher Education

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an interactive online case-study library website developed in a national project. The design goal of the website is to provide interactive, enhanced, case-based and online educational resource for educators through the purpose and within the scope of a national project. The ADDIE instructional design model was used in the development of the website for interactive case-based library. This library is developed on a web-based platform, which is important in terms of manageability, accessibility, and updateability of data. Users are able to sort the displayed case-studies by their titles, dates, ratings, view counts, etc. The usability test is used and the expert opinion is taken for the evaluation of the website. This website is a tool to integrate technology into education. It is believed that this website will be beneficial for pre-service and in-service teachers in terms of their professional developments

Atherosclerosis burden and coronary artery lesion complexity in acute coronary syndrome patients

Background: Syntax score (SS) is a prognostic marker in patients with acute coronary sydromes (ACS). Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) are well known surrogate marker of atherosclerosis burden. But association between atherosclerosis burden and coronary artery disease (CAD) complexity in ACS patients has not been investigated yet. Methods and Results: Consecutive patients with first time diagnosis of ACS (n = 172) were enrolled. SS, a marker of CAD complexity, was assessed by dedicated computer software. CIMT was examined by B-mode ultrasound. CAVI was assessed by VaSera VS-1000 cavi instrument. SS for low, intermediate and high tertiles of CIMT value were 10.1 &#177; 8.2 vs 11.4 &#177; &#177; 7.9 and 15.2 &#177; 8.8; p = 0.02). SS for normal, borderline and abnormal CAVI values were 4 &#177; 3.7 vs 11.1 &#177; 7.2 and 14.1 &#177; 9.1, respectively p = 0.009). Also, there was independent association between SS and CIMT (95% coinfidence interval [CI] 2.1&#8211;19, p = 0.014) and CAVI (95% CI 15&#8211;29, p = 0.021]. Neither traditional cardiovascular risk factor nor thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score was independent determinant of SS. Conclusions: We have shown that patients with higher atherosclerosis burden have more complex coronary artery lesions. Also these patients may be identified early by using surrogate markers of atherosclerosis. Its clinical significance requires further research

Increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts persistent coronary no-flow after wire insertion in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVES: Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients presenting persistent no-flow after wire insertion have a lower survival rate despite successful mechanical intervention. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio has been associated with increased mortality and worse clinical outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We hypothesized that an elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio would also be associated with a persistent Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade of 0 after wire insertion in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: A total of 644 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention within 12 hours of symptom onset were included in our study. Blood samples were drawn immediately upon hospital admission. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade: Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 0 after wire insertion, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 1-3 after wire insertion and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 1-3 at baseline. RESULTS: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in the group with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 0 after wire insertion compared with the group with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 1-3 after wire insertion and the group with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 1-3 at baseline. The group with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 0 after wire insertion also had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate. Persistent coronary no-flow after wire insertion was independently associated with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. CONCLUSIONS: An increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on admission is significantly associated with persistent coronary no-flow after wire insertion in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Determining the instantaneous bruising pattern in a sample potato tuber subjected to pendulum bob impact through finite element analysis

Potato bruising resulting from mechanical impact during production operations including harvest and postharvest is a significant concern within the potato production sector, leading to consumer complaints and economic losses. The detection of instantaneous internal bruising poses a particular challenge as it can progress over time during storage or transportation, making it difficult to identify immediately after external impact. This study aims to investigate the progression of bruising and accurately represent the instantaneous dynamic deformation behavior of potato tubers under four pendulum bob impact cases (pendulum arm angles of 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°). To analyze the dynamic impact deformation characteristics of the tubers, solid modeling based on a reverse engineering approach and explicit dynamic engineering simulations were employed. The simulation results yielded valuable numerical data and visual representation of the deformation progression. The loading conditions considered in this study indicated that the maximum stress values, reaching 0.818 MPa at a pendulum arm angle of 90°, remained below the bio-yield stress point of the tuber flesh (1.05 MPa) determined through experimental compression tests. Therefore, it was concluded that the impact did not cause permanent deformation (i.e., permanent bruising) in the tuber. However, the numerical analysis clearly demonstrated the sequence of stress occurrences, which is a key contributing factor to potential permanent bruising. In this regard, the bruising energy threshold of 318.314 mJ (R2: 0.96) was extrapolated. The numerical findings presented in this study can aid in evaluating the susceptibility of tuber samples to bruising. By employing nonlinear explicit dynamics simulations, this research contributes to the advancement of understanding complex deformation and bruising in solid agricultural products. Moreover, the application of these techniques holds significant industrial implications for enhancing the handling and transportation of agricultural produce. Practical applications: This research aims to tackle the challenge of accurately representing the immediate internal bruising pattern in potato tubers resulting from mechanical impact. Conventional methods, such as physical or analytical expressions, may not fully capture the distribution of bruising experienced by the tubers. To overcome this limitation, an engineering simulation approach is proposed to provide a more precise depiction of the instantaneous bruising pattern. By advancing the understanding of complex deformation and bruising in solid agricultural products, this research contributes to improving the efficiency and quality of agricultural production in the industry. Additionally, this study offers a step-by-step guide on how to conduct these simulations effectively