Safety and reliability of Radio Frequency Identification Devices in Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography

BACKGROUND: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices are becoming more and more essential for patient safety in hospitals. The purpose of this study was to determine patient safety, data reliability and signal loss wearing on skin RFID devices during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scanning. METHODS: Sixty RFID tags of the type I-Code SLI, 13.56 MHz, ISO 18000-3.1 were tested: Thirty type 1, an RFID tag with a 76 x 45 mm aluminum-etched antenna and 30 type 2, a tag with a 31 x 14 mm copper-etched antenna. The signal loss, material movement and heat tests were performed in a 1.5 T and a 3 T MR system. For data integrity, the tags were tested additionally during CT scanning. Standardized function tests were performed with all transponders before and after all imaging studies. RESULTS: There was no memory loss or data alteration in the RFID tags after MRI and CT scanning. Concerning heating (a maximum of 3.6 degrees C) and device movement (below 1 N/kg) no relevant influence was found. Concerning signal loss (artifacts 2 - 4 mm), interpretability of MR images was impaired when superficial structures such as skin, subcutaneous tissues or tendons were assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Patients wearing RFID wristbands are safe in 1.5 T and 3 T MR scanners using normal operation mode for RF-field. The findings are specific to the RFID tags that underwent testing

Questioning cultural narratives of economic development—an investigation of Kitchener-Waterloo

The version of record [Spigel, B. & Bathelt, H. (2019). Questioning cultural narratives of economic development - An investigation of Kitchener-Waterloo. Canadian Geographer, 63(2), 267-283.] is available online at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cag.12512This paper investigates the relationship between culture and economy and scrutinizes cultural narratives of economic development in Kitchener-Waterloo, southern Ontario. It argues for the need to carefully conceptualize the link between culture and economic development to avoid boosting deterministic stereotypes. In the case of Kitchener-Waterloo, a notable hub of high-technology firms and technology development, a link is frequently drawn between the German community and culture and the region’s technology economy and entrepreneurial culture. A social capital analysis, however, reveals that the German ethnic community neither has the strong professional internal ties nor the external social ties to other regional communities that could constitute a lead role in economic development. Rather, the legacy of Kitchener-Waterloo’s ethnic German population has been absorbed into the region’s self-image and creates a feeling of belonging and common reference points for joint social and economic initiatives in the region

Ornamental plants, 1979: a summary of research

An analysis of production costs for containerized nursery products / David E. Hahn, Jerry L. Robertson, and Elton M. Smith -- Monoterpene investigations with creeping juniper cultivars (Juniperus horizontalis Moench.) / Thomas A. Fretz -- Woody flora in Hokkaido adaptable to the north central United States / Makoto Kawase -- An evaluation of microfoam on plant quality following overwintering of container-grown woody ornamentals / Christopher F. Rizzo, Elton M. Smith, and Thomas A. Fretz -- Evaluation of winter barrels as a heat source in woody ornamental winter storage structures / Christopher F. Rizzo, Elton M. Smith, and Thomas A. Fretz_ -- Effective utilization of applied fertilizer in relation to multiple flushes of growth on 'Helleri' holly / C. H. Gilliam and R. D. Wright -- Tissue nitrogen changes during a growth flush on 'Helleri' holly / C. H. Gilliam and R. D. Wright -- Controlling winter annual and perennial weeds in field-grown Cotoneaster divaricata / Elton M. Smith and Sharon A. Treaster -- Evaluation of oxadiazon for weed control in container-grown nursery stock / Thomas A. Fretz and Wendy J. Sheppard -- A 10-year evaluation of flowering crabapple susceptibility to apple scab in Ohio / Elton M. Smith -- Fungicides for the control of diseases of ornamental plants: results of 1977 trials / C. C. Powell and James A. Chatfield -- An evaluation of fungicides on container-grown woody ornamentals during winter storage under microfoam / Christopher F. Rizzo, Elton M. Smith, and Thomas A. Fretz -- Resistance of maple cultivars and species to verticillium wilt: a preliminary report / H. A. J. Hoitink, T. D. Sydnor, and C. L. Wilso

An investigation into the depth of penetration of low level laser therapy through the equine tendon in vivo

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is frequently used in the treatment of wounds, soft tissue injury and in pain management. The exact penetration depth of LLLT in human tissue remains unspecified. Similar uncertainty regarding penetration depth arises in treating animals. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that transmission of LLLT in horses is increased by clipping the hair and/or by cleaning the area to be treated with alcohol, but is unaffected by coat colour. A LLLT probe (810 nm, 500 mW) was applied to the medial aspect of the superficial flexor tendon of seventeen equine forelimbs in vivo. A light sensor was applied to the lateral aspect, directly opposite the laser probe to measure the amount of light transmitted. Light transmission was not affected by individual horse, coat colour or leg. However, it was associated with leg condition (F = 4.42, p = 0.0032). Tendons clipped dry and clipped and cleaned with alcohol, were both associated with greater transmission of light than the unprepared state. Use of alcohol without clipping was not associated with an increase in light transmission. These results suggest that, when applying laser to a subcutaneous structure in the horse, the area should be clipped and cleaned beforehand

Radiographic closure time of appendicular growth plates in the Icelandic horse

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Icelandic horse is a pristine breed of horse which has a pure gene pool established more than a thousand years ago, and is approximately the same size as living and extinct wild breeds of horses. This study was performed to compare the length of the skeletal growth period of the "primitive" Icelandic horse relative to that reported for large horse breeds developed over the recent centuries. This information would provide practical guidance to owners and veterinarians as to when the skeleton is mature enough to commence training, and would be potentially interesting to those scientists investigating the pathogenesis of osteochondrosis. Interestingly, osteochondrosis has not been documented in the Icelandic horse.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The radiographic closure time of the appendicular growth plates was studied in 64 young Icelandic horses. The results were compared with previously published closure times reported for other, larger horse breeds. The radiographs were also examined for any signs of developmental orthopaedic diseases. In order to describe further the growth pattern of the Icelandic horse, the total serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was determined and the height at the withers was measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Most of the examined growth plates were fully closed at the age of approximately three years. The horses reached adult height at this age; however ALP activity was still mildly increased over baseline values. The growth plates in the digits were the first to close at 8.1 to 8.5 months of age, and those in the regions of the distal radius (27.4 to 32.0 months), tuber olecrani (31.5 to 32.2 months), and the stifle (27.0 to 40.1 months) were the last to close. No horse was found to have osteochondrosis type lesions in the neighbouring joints of the evaluated growth plates.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The Icelandic horse appears to have similar radiographic closure times for most of the growth plates of its limbs as reported for large new breeds of horses developed during the past few centuries. It thus appears that different breeding goals and the intensity of breeding have not altered the length of the growth period in horses. Instead, it can be assumed that the pristine and relatively small Icelandic horse has a slower rate of growth. The appendicular skeleton of Icelandic horses has completed its bone growth in length at approximately 3 years of age, and therefore may be able to enter training at this time.</p