Change of support correction in mineral resource estimation

The success of any mining operation greatly, if not entirely, depends on the accuracy of prediction of recoverable mining reserves. However, prior to mining, knowledge about the distribution of the Selective Mining Unit (SMU) is limited. The SMU represents the volume on which extraction of ore takes place and on which recoverable mining reserves are based. Realistic recoverable reserve estimates can be obtained from the grade-tonnage curve that corresponds to the unknown distribution of the SMU rather than to the distribution of exploration sample data. In general, if the reserve calculation, at the given cut-off grade, is based upon exploration drill samples, with much smaller support than the SMU, then there is a high probability of incorrect estimation of the tonnage and the grade of ore, and this can have serious implications for the economic side of the mining project. Various techniques for correction for the change of support of data, in other words change of the volume on which the data are defined, enable more accurate estimates of the distribution of the variable of interest (that is grade of a precious metal). The fact that the volume (support) represented by the variable is taken into account makes the estimates more reliable and, as we will show in the study, closer to reality. The distribution of the SMU is derived from the known distribution of samples by applying a correction model. Among these techniques arc two recent methods these arc a conditional simulation method detailed by I. Glacken and a kriging method due to A. Arik. This study aims to examine these two methods and compare them with the standard techniques. The methods will be applied to real data acquired from the Boddington Gold Mine in the south-west of Western Australia. In addition to accuracy, the practicality and simplicity of implementation of each method will also be discussed

Spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) in evaluation of advanced neuroendocrine tumours

Introduction: 4D Ultrasound technology merging the Power Doppler option called High-Definition Flow (HDF) with Spatio-Temporal Image Correlation (STIC) is used in gynaecology and obstetrics. It seems to be a promising tool in assessing tissue vascularisation. The aim of the paper was to assess whether HDF STIC technique could be a useful tool for the evaluation of gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (GEP-NEN) advancement. Material and methods: Forty-eight patients [mean age 57.7 ± 10.3 years; male 40.9% (n = 18)] diagnosed with metastatic GEP-NENs were included in the analysis. All subjects were enrolled in the Department of Endocrinology and Neuroendocrine Tumours, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice. We analysed liver metastases. Patients with G3 grading or faintly vascularised lesions were excluded. HDF STIC volumes were acquired during USG examination. 4D indices [volumetric pulsatility index (vPI) and volumetric systolic/diastolic index (vS/D)] were calculated using dedicated software. Results: There were no correlations between vS/D and Ki-67 [p = 0.67; r = –0.19; (–0.28–0.19)], CgA [p = 0.47; r = –0.11; (–0.38–0,19)], 5-HIAA [p = 0.52; r = –0.09 (–0.37–0.2)], serotonin [p = 0.83; r = –0.03 (–0.32–0.26)], and VCAM-1 (p = 0.62; r = 0.09 (–03–0.47)]. The were no correlations between vPI and Ki-67 [p = 0.29; r = –0.16 (–0.45–0.14)], CgA (p = 0.46; r = –0.11 (–0.39–0.19)], 5-HIAA [p = 0.52; r = –0.09 (–0.37–0.2)], serotonin [p = 0.82; r = –0.03 (–0.32–0.26)], and VCAM-1 (p = 0.62; r = –0.09 (–03–0.47)]. There was no significant difference between carcinoid versus non-carcinoid patients if compared by vS/D and vPI (p = 0.62, p = 0.61, respectively). Conclusions: HDF STIC seems not to be an efficient marker to assess advancement of NENs, due to lack of correlation with widely used and approved markers of progression.

Blood Pressure Variability, Metabolic Profile and Target Organ Damage in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Cel pracy Próba określenia powiązań między ciśnieniem tętniczym krwi, jego zmiennością a profilem metabolicznym i zmianami narządowymi u chorych z łagodnym i umiarkowanym nadciśnieniem tętniczym. Materiał i metody Badanie przeprowadzono u 71 mężczyzn z nadciśnieniem tętniczym pierwotnym łagodnym i umiarkowanym w wieku 20–60 lat. U wszystkich badanych wykonano 24-godzinną automatyczną rejestrację ciśnienia (ABPM). Ocena zmian narządowych obejmowała badanie echograficzne, ultrasonograficzne badanie tętnic szyjnych i ocenę dobowego wydalania albumin z moczem. Oznaczono stężenie lipidów we krwi, cholesterolu całkowitego (TC), cholesterolu frakcji HDL i LDL, triglicerydów (TG) oraz glukozy i insuliny na czczo, a także po 1 i 2 godzinach od obciążenia glukozą (INS 0, INS 1, INS 2). Wyniki Grupę arbitralnie podzielono według stężenia INS 0 – 12 j.m./ml i 25 j.m./ml oraz INS 1 poniżej i powyżej średniej (102,1 j.m./ml). Chorzy z INS 0 powyżej 12 j.m./ml charakteryzowali się wyższym wskaźnikiem masy ciała (BMI), większym wymiarem lewej komory w rozkurczu (LVIDD) oraz większą masą lewej komory (LVM). Spadek nocny ciśnienia rozkurczowego był w tej grupie niższy. W grupie z INS 0 powyżej 25 j.m./ml stwierdzono większe BMI oraz wyższe wartości odchyleń standardowych ciśnienia skurczowego i rozkurczowego w nocy. Chorzy ze stężeniem INS 1 przekraczającym średnią charakteryzowali się większym odchyleniem standardowym ciśnienia rozkurczowego w ciągu dnia oraz większym BMI. U chorych z mikroalbuminurią stwierdzono wyższe wartości ciśnienia skurczowego i rozkurczowego oraz mniejszy spadek nocny ciśnienia rozkurczowego. W ocenie niezależnych czynników ryzyka rozwoju powikłań narządowych nadciśnienia tętniczego wykorzystano metodę regresji logistycznej. Zarówno INS 0, jak i INS 1, cholesterol całkowity, frakcji LDL, niskie stężenie cholesterolu frakcji HDL oraz wartości ciśnienia skurczowego i rozkurczowego wydają się być niezależnymi czynnikami ryzyka przerostu błony środkowej i wewnętrznej tętnic (IMT). Ryzyko wystąpienia mikroalbuminurii wiąże się z wartościami ciśnienia skurczowego w ciągu dnia i odchylenia standardowego ciśnienia skurczowego w nocy. Wnioski: Chorzy z wyższymi stężeniami insuliny, w porównaniu z pacjentami ze stężeniami niższymi, charakteryzują się większą zmiennością ciśnienia w godzinach nocnych, mniejszym spadkiem nocnym ciśnienia rozkurczowego oraz bardziej zaawansowanymi zmianami narządowymi. U chorych z nadciśnieniem łagodnym i umiarkowanym oraz mikroalbuminurią stwierdza się wyższe wartości ciśnienia skurczowego i rozkurczowego oraz niższy spadek nocny ciśnienia rozkurczowego. Czynnikami ryzyka powikłań naczyniowych są: hiperinsulinemia, podwyższone stężenie cholesterolu całkowitego i frakcji LDL, obniżone stężenie cholesterolu frakcji HDL, wartości ciśnienia skurczowego i rozkurczowego w ABPM oraz zmienność ciśnienia skurczowego w godzinach nocnych. Czynnikiem ryzyka wystąpienia mikroalbuminurii jest zmienność ciśnienia skurczowego w ciągu dnia i wartości ciśnienia skurczowego w godzinach nocnych.Background To assess the connection between metabolic profile, blood pressure and blood pressure variability, and target organ damage in patients (pts) with essential hypertension. Material and methods 71 men with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension (HT) (age 20–60 years). In all pts 24 hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed. Echocardiography, Doppler ultrasound examination of common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and microalbumin excretion (MA) were performed to evaluate target organ status. Blood sample were taken to assess cholesterol — total (CHOL), LDL, HDL, trigliceryde (TG) level, glucose serum concentration and insulin during the glucose load test (INS 0, INS 1, INS 2). Results According to the insulin level 3 groups of pts were analyzed — group one: INS 0 above vs. below 12mIU/ml, group two: INS 0 above vs. below 25mIU/ml and group three: INS 1 above vs. below mean values for the whole group — 102mIU/ml. The pts in group one with INS 0 above 12 uIU/ml were characterized by higher BMI, left ventricle diastolic diameter (LVIDD) and left ventricle mass (LVM) and decreased fall of blood pressure at night in comparison to pts with INS 0 below this level. In group two increased BMI and higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability at night were observed in patients with INS 0 above 25 uIU/ml. In group three greater BMI and greater diastolic blood pressure variability during the day were observed in pts with INS 1 above mean values. According to the albumin excretion two groups of pts were assessed — with MA above and below 30 mg/24 h. Pts with MA above 30 mg/24 h were characterized by higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the day and the night as well as by lower night fall of diastolic blood pressure. To assess independent risk factors of target organ damage, the logistic regression was applied. It seems probable that high level of INS 0, INS 1, total cholesterol, LDL–cholesterol as well as low level of HDL–cholesterol are risk factors for hypertrophy of carotid artery wall in pts with hypertension. The risk of MA seems to be connected with values of systolic blood pressure during the day and systolic blood pressure variability at night. Conclusions The hypertensives with higher insuline levels are characterized by higher blood pressure variability and lower diastolic blood pressure fall at night as well as more pronounced target organ lesions than hypertensives with lower insulin levels. In hypertensives with MA higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure values and lower diastolic blood pressure fall at night are observed. Hyperinsulinemia, high level of cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and low level of HDL-cholesterol seem to be the independent risk factors of vascular complications in hypertensive pts. LDL-cholesterol, and low level of HDL-cholesterol seem to be the independent risk factors of vascular complications in hypertensive pts. The risk of microalbuminuria is connected with systolic blood pressure during the day and with systolic blood pressure variability at nigh

THE ROLE OF HORMONES AND INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS

Background: In the literature we can find evidence that immunological processes are involved the alterations of cognition in schizophrenic patients. Another factor, which may have an impact on cognitive domains in this clinical group are hormones. Objective: The objective of this review was to explore studies, in which the role of both immunological and endocrine factors on cognitive functions in schizophrenia are analyzed. Methods: The search of papers covering this topic in PubMed and Google Scholar was performed. Results: The studies focusing on this co-relation are not numerous. The role such hormones like cortisol, insulin and sex hormones may be important in the immunomodulatory processes influencing cognition in schizophrenia. Conclusions: More studies are necessary to confirm these possible co-relations

THE ROLE OF HORMONES AND INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS

Background: In the literature we can find evidence that immunological processes are involved the alterations of cognition in schizophrenic patients. Another factor, which may have an impact on cognitive domains in this clinical group are hormones. Objective: The objective of this review was to explore studies, in which the role of both immunological and endocrine factors on cognitive functions in schizophrenia are analyzed. Methods: The search of papers covering this topic in PubMed and Google Scholar was performed. Results: The studies focusing on this co-relation are not numerous. The role such hormones like cortisol, insulin and sex hormones may be important in the immunomodulatory processes influencing cognition in schizophrenia. Conclusions: More studies are necessary to confirm these possible co-relations

TELEPSYCHIATRY AND VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE TEATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Background: Treatment and rehabilitation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is a multidisciplinary challenge, which require implementing new attitudes. The use of modern technology solutions like telepsychiatry or virtual reality may be a valuable addition to the traditional methods. Objective: The objective of this review was to explore the usability of new technological solutions in this special population of patients. Methods: The search in the PubMed was conducted using the following terms: (intellectual disability (Title/Abstract) OR developmental disability OR learning disorder (Title/Abstract)) AND virtual reality (Title/Abstract) OR telepsychiatry OR telemedicine OR e-mental health AND English (lang) AND (1995/01/01(PDAT): 2017/07/31(PDAT)). Results: Telepsychiatry may be a useful tool in situations, when the direct access to professional assistance is limited, in solving particular problems like e.g. managing challenging behavior, also to support patients’ parents and for diagnostic and educational purposes. Virtual reality can be a safe and effective method of improving different skills, developing physical fitness, and enriching the ways of spending the leisure time. Conclusions: Using modern technology is a relatively new and promising field in which new ideas may develop to support the already existing services for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities

TELEPSYCHIATRY AND VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE TEATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Background: Treatment and rehabilitation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is a multidisciplinary challenge, which require implementing new attitudes. The use of modern technology solutions like telepsychiatry or virtual reality may be a valuable addition to the traditional methods. Objective: The objective of this review was to explore the usability of new technological solutions in this special population of patients. Methods: The search in the PubMed was conducted using the following terms: (intellectual disability (Title/Abstract) OR developmental disability OR learning disorder (Title/Abstract)) AND virtual reality (Title/Abstract) OR telepsychiatry OR telemedicine OR e-mental health AND English (lang) AND (1995/01/01(PDAT): 2017/07/31(PDAT)). Results: Telepsychiatry may be a useful tool in situations, when the direct access to professional assistance is limited, in solving particular problems like e.g. managing challenging behavior, also to support patients’ parents and for diagnostic and educational purposes. Virtual reality can be a safe and effective method of improving different skills, developing physical fitness, and enriching the ways of spending the leisure time. Conclusions: Using modern technology is a relatively new and promising field in which new ideas may develop to support the already existing services for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Controlled growth of hexagonal gold nanostructures during thermally induced self-assembling on Ge(001) surface

Nano-sized gold has become an important material in various fields of science and technology, where control over the size and crystallography is desired to tailor the functionality. Gold crystallizes in the face-centered cubic (fcc) phase, and its hexagonal closed packed (hcp) structure is a very unusual and rare phase. Stable Au hcp phase has been reported to form in nanoparticles at the tips of some Ge nanowires. It has also recently been synthesized in the form of thin graphene-supported sheets which are unstable under electron beam irradiation. Here, we show that stable hcp Au 3D nanostructures with well-defined crystallographic orientation and size can be systematically created in a process of thermally induced self-assembly of thin Au layer on Ge(001) monocrystal. The Au hcp crystallite is present in each Au nanostructure and has been characterized by different electron microscopy techniques. We report that a careful heat treatment above the eutectic melting temperature and a controlled cooling is required to form the hcp phase of Au on a Ge single crystal. This new method gives scientific prospects to obtain stable Au hcp phase for future applications in a rather simple manner as well as redefine the phase diagram of Gold with Germanium

Intravascular lithotripsy for the treatment of stent underexpansion : the multicenter IVL-Dragon Registry

Background: Whereas the efficacy and safety of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) have been confirmed in de novo calcified coronary lesions, little is known about its utility in treating stent underexpansion. This study aimed to investigate the impact of IVL in treating stent underexpansion. Methods and Results: Consecutive patients with stent underexpansion treated with IVL entered the multicenter IVL-Dragon Registry. The procedural success (primary efficacy endpoint) was defined as a relative stent expansion >80%. Thirty days device-oriented composite endpoint (DOCE) (defined as a composite of cardiac death, target lesion revascularization, or target vessel myocardial infarction) was the secondary endpoint. A total of 62 patients were enrolled. The primary efficacy endpoint was achieved in 72.6% of patients. Both stent underexpansion 58.5% (47.5–69.7) vs. 11.4% (5.8–20.7), p < 0.001, and the stenotic area 82.6% (72.4–90.8) vs. 21.5% (11.1–37.2), p < 0.001, measured by quantitative coronary angiography improved significantly after IVL. Intravascular imaging confirmed increased stent expansion following IVL from 37.5% (16.0–66.0) to 86.0% (69.2–90.7), p < 0.001, by optical coherence tomography and from 57.0% (31.5–77.2) to 89.0% (85.0–92.0), p = 0.002, by intravascular ultrasound. Secondary endpoint occurred in one (1.6%) patient caused by cardiac death. There was no target lesion revascularization or target vessel myocardial infarction during the 30-day follow-up. Conclusions: In this real-life, largest-to-date analysis of IVL use to manage underexpanded stent, IVL proved to be an effective and safe method for facilitating stent expansion and increasing luminal gain