Autotract: Automatic cleaning and tracking of fibers

We propose a new tool named Autotract to automate fiber tracking in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Autotract uses prior knowledge from a source DTI and a set of corresponding fiber bundles to extract new fibers for a target DTI. Autotract starts by aligning both DTIs and uses the source fibers as seed points to initialize a tractography algorithm. We enforce similarity between the propagated source fibers and automatically traced fibers by computing metrics such as fiber length and fiber distance between the bundles. By analyzing these metrics, individual fiber tracts can be pruned. As a result, we show that both bundles have similar characteristics. Additionally, we compare the automatically traced fibers against bundles previously generated and validated in the target DTI by an expert. This work is motivated by medical applications in which known bundles of fiber tracts in the human brain need to be analyzed for multiple datasets

Making Things Right: Nurses' Experiences with Workplace Bullying—A Grounded Theory

While bullying in the healthcare workplace has been recognized internationally, there is still a culture of silence in many institutions in the United States, perpetuating underreporting and insufficient and unproven interventions. The deliberate, repetitive, and aggressive behaviors of bullying can cause psychological and/or physical harm among professionals, disrupt nursing care, and threaten patient safety and quality outcomes. Much of the literature focuses on categories of bullying behaviors and nurse responses. This qualitative study reports on the experiences of nurses confronting workplace bullying. We collected data from the narratives of 99 nurses who completed an open-ended question embedded in an online survey in 2007. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to analyze the data and shape a theory of how nurses make things right when confronted with bullying. In a four-step process, nurses place bullying in context, assess the situation, take action, and judge the outcomes of their actions. While many nurses do engage in a number of effective yet untested strategies, two additional concerns remain: inadequate support among nursing colleagues and silence and inaction by nurse administrators. Qualitative inquiry has the potential to guide researchers to a greater understanding of the complexities of bullying in the workplace

Incorporating 3-dimensional models in online articles

Introduction The aims of this article are to introduce the capability to view and interact with 3-dimensional (3D) surface models in online publications, and to describe how to prepare surface models for such online 3D visualizations. Methods Three-dimensional image analysis methods include image acquisition, construction of surface models, registration in a common coordinate system, visualization of overlays, and quantification of changes. Cone-beam computed tomography scans were acquired as volumetric images that can be visualized as 3D projected images or used to construct polygonal meshes or surfaces of specific anatomic structures of interest. The anatomic structures of interest in the scans can be labeled with color (3D volumetric label maps), and then the scans are registered in a common coordinate system using a target region as the reference. The registered 3D volumetric label maps can be saved in.obj,.ply,.stl, or.vtk file formats and used for overlays, quantification of differences in each of the 3 planes of space, or color-coded graphic displays of 3D surface distances. Results All registered 3D surface models in this study were saved in.vtk file format and loaded in the Elsevier 3D viewer. In this study, we describe possible ways to visualize the surface models constructed from cone-beam computed tomography images using 2D and 3D figures. The 3D surface models are available in the article's online version for viewing and downloading using the reader's software of choice. These 3D graphic displays are represented in the print version as 2D snapshots. Overlays and color-coded distance maps can be displayed using the reader's software of choice, allowing graphic assessment of the location and direction of changes or morphologic differences relative to the structure of reference. The interpretation of 3D overlays and quantitative color-coded maps requires basic knowledge of 3D image analysis. Conclusions When submitting manuscripts, authors can now upload 3D models that will allow readers to interact with or download them. Such interaction with 3D models in online articles now will give readers and authors better understanding and visualization of the results

White matter fiber-based analysis of T1w/T2w ratio map

Purpose: To develop, test, evaluate and apply a novel tool for the white matter fiber-based analysis of T1w/T2w ratio maps quantifying myelin content. Background: The cerebral white matter in the human brain develops from a mostly non-myelinated state to a nearly fully mature white matter myelination within the first few years of life. High resolution T1w/T2w ratio maps are believed to be effective in quantitatively estimating myelin content on a voxel-wise basis. We propose the use of a fiber-tract-based analysis of such T1w/T2w ratio data, as it allows us to separate fiber bundles that a common regional analysis imprecisely groups together, and to associate effects to specific tracts rather than large, broad regions. Methods: We developed an intuitive, open source tool to facilitate such fiber-based studies of T1w/T2w ratio maps. Via its Graphical User Interface (GUI) the tool is accessible to non-technical users. The framework uses calibrated T1w/T2w ratio maps and a prior fiber atlas as an input to generate profiles of T1w/T2w values. The resulting fiber profiles are used in a statistical analysis that performs along-tract functional statistical analysis. We applied this approach to a preliminary study of early brain development in neonates. Results: We developed an open-source tool for the fiber based analysis of T1w/T2w ratio maps and tested it in a study of brain development

Aspectos Epidemiológicos do Câncer de Mama em Jau-SP e a Alta Incidência de Casos Avançados em Mulheres Idosas

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise estatística dos casos de câncer de mama atendidos no Hospital Amaral Carvalho no período de 1987 a 1990. Também se estuda sua distribuição por estadiamento clínico, tipo histológico e idade. Se faz referência à alta incidência de casos de câncer de mama avançado em mulheres idosas. Finalmente, se sugere a prevenção e dia gnóstico precoce nessas pacientes, para diminuir sua incidência

The UNC-Wisconsin rhesus macaque neurodevelopment database: A structural MRI and DTI database of early postnatal development

Rhesus macaques are commonly used as a translational animal model in neuroimaging and neurodevelopmental research. In this report, we present longitudinal data from both structural and diffusion MRI images generated on a cohort of 34 typically developing monkeys from 2 weeks to 36 months of age. All images have been manually skull stripped and are being made freely available via an online repository for use by the research community

Diagnostic index: An open-source tool to classify TMJ OA condyles

Osteoarthritis (OA) of temporomandibular joints (TMJ) occurs in about 40% of the patients who present TMJ disorders. Despite its prevalence, OA diagnosis and treatment remain controversial since there are no clear symptoms of the disease, especially in early stages. Quantitative tools based on 3D imaging of the TMJ condyle have the potential to help characterize TMJ OA changes. The goals of the tools proposed in this study are to ultimately develop robust imaging markers for diagnosis and assessment of treatment efficacy. This work proposes to identify differences among asymptomatic controls and different clinical phenotypes of TMJ OA by means of Statistical Shape Modeling (SSM), obtained via clinical expert consensus. From three different grouping schemes (with 3, 5 and 7 groups), our best results reveal that that the majority (74.5%) of the classifications occur in agreement with the groups assigned by consensus between our clinical experts. Our findings suggest the existence of different disease-based phenotypic morphologies in TMJ OA. Our preliminary findings with statistical shape modeling based biomarkers may provide a quantitative staging of the disease. The methodology used in this study is included in an open source image analysis toolbox, to ensure reproducibility and appropriate distribution and dissemination of the solution proposed

Distribution and Abundance of Marine Debris on Intertidal Zone at Three Selected Small Islands, Sabah

The issue of marine debris has become worldwide attention since it occurs almost everywhere globally Thus, it is crucial to focus on this area to sustain the life below the water as stated by United Nations (SDG 14). This study evaluated the distribution, abundance, and composition of marine debris in three selected islands at Sabah namely Manukan, Mamutik and Sapi Islands. Marine debris was identified according to its categories as stated by the Department of Environment (DOE). The study was carried out to compare the waste abundance of three islands since the different beach types represent various activities that produce debris. The sampling design was conducted with two plot areas plotted and observed on each island for three consecutive weeks. Based on the assessment done, Mamutik Island recorded the most abundance of marine debris with 12.185 kg (66.2%) of debris found followed by Manukan Island with 5.487 kg (29.8%) of debris and Sapi Island with 0.746 kg (4.1%). It was observed that plastic debris especially plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic straws, general plastics, polystyrene, and plastic cups were the main contributors to marine debris pollution. While among all the three islands studied, Sapi Island is considered the cleanest and smallest Island compared to others since the location of this island is quite far from the mainland. The solid and waste management on each island has been identified in order to formulate a new strategy to reduce the impact of marine debris on the intertidal zone especially on human health and the environment. These studies have provided a clear understanding of the distribution of marine debris in these islands. Several recommendations and suggestions have been listed to reduce and prevent marine debris pollution

Kepekatan logam berat dalam sedimen dan Meretrix sp. di pesisir pantai Bongawan dan Lok Kawi, Sabah

Kajian ini bertujuan menentukan kepekatan logam berat iaitu Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe dan Cu di dalam Meretrix sp. dan sedimen di kawasan pesisir pantai Bongawan dan Lok Kawi, Sabah. Logam berat dianalisis menggunakan ICP-OES setelah tisu Meretrix sp. dan sedimen dihadamkan menggunakan larutan aqua regia (HNO3: HCl). Hasil analisis menunjukkan kepekatan Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe dan Cu dalam Meretrix sp. adalah masing-masing dalam julat 0.08 – 0.50 mgkg-1, < 0.01 - 0.05 mgkg-1, 5.46 – 12.0 mgkg-1, 78.54 – 237.45 mgkg-1 dan 0.45 – 1.2 mgkg-1 manakala dalam sedimen adalah masing-masing berjulat 0.25 – 2.95 mgkg-1, < 0.01 – 0.35 mgkg-1, 1.22 – 16.35 mgkg-1, 422.0 – 1028.95 mgkg-1 dan 0.13 – 1.90 mgkg-1. Analisis korelasi Pearson menunjukkan terdapatnya pengaruh kepekatan logam berat daripada sedimen dalam Meretrix sp. yang signifikan pada aras p < 0.01 khususnya bagi logam Pb, Cd dan Zn. Ini turut dibuktikan daripada nilai pengiraan faktor biokepekatan (BCF) di antara sedimen dan Meretrix sp. yang berada pada julat logam Pb (0.12 – 0.56), Cd (0.14 – 4.00), Zn (0.73 – 6.52), Fe (0.12 – 0.56) dan Cu (0.16 – 5.14) masing-masing. Secara keseluruhannya, kepekatan semua logam berat dalam Meretrix sp. tidak melebihi had yang ditetapkan dalam Akta Makanan 1983

Kepekatan logam berat dalam sedimen dan Meretrix sp. di pesisir pantai Bongawan dan Lok Kawi, Sabah

This study aims to determine the concentration of Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe and Cu in the Meretrix sp. and sediments in coastal areas of Bongawan and Lok Kawi, Sabah. The heavy metals were analyzed using ICP-OES after the tissue of Meretrix sp. and sediments were digested using a solution of aqua regia (HNO3: HCl). Retrieved concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe and Cu in Meretrix sp. were each in the range of 0.08 - 0.50 mgkg-1 , < 0.01 - 0.05 mgkg-1 , 5.46 - 12.0 mgkg-1 , 78.54 - 237.45 mgkg-1 and 0.45 - 1.2 mgkg-1 , while in the sediment, the range was 0.25 - 2.95 mgkg-1 , < 0.01 – 0.35 mgkg-1 , 1.22 - 16.35 mgkg-1 , 422.0 - 1028.95 mgkg-1 and 0.13 - 1.90 mgkg-1 . Pearson correlation analysis shows that Pb, Cd and Zn concentration in Meretrix sp. has been significantly influenced by the heavy metal content in the sediment (p < 0.01). This is also supported by the BCF value between the sediment and the Meretrix sp. which is in the range of Pb (0.12 - 0.56), Cd (0.14 – 4.00), Zn (0.73 – 6.52), Fe (0.12 - 0.56) and Cu (0.16 - 5.14) respectively. Overall, the heavy metal concentrations in Meretrix sp. were not exceed the limit as stated in the Food Act 1983