Trends in Organ Donation and Transplantation in the United States, 1999–2008

Received 30 September 2009, revised 14 December 2009 and accepted for publication 18 December 2009Note on sources: The articles in this report are based on the reference tables in the 2009 OPTN/SRTR Annual Report . Table numbers are noted in brackets and may be found online at: http://ustransplant.org .Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/79137/1/j.1600-6143.2010.03021.x.pd

Phase Image Texture Analysis for Motion Detection in Diffusion MRI (PITA-MDD)

Purpose Pronounced spin phase artifacts appear in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with only minor subject motion. While DWI data corruption is often identified as signal drop out in diffusion-weighted (DW) magnitude images, DW phase images may have higher sensitivity for detecting subtle subject motion. Methods This article describes a novel method to return a metric of subject motion, computed using an image texture analysis of the DW phase image. This Phase Image Texture Analysis for Motion Detection in dMRI (PITA-MDD) method is computationally fast and reliably detects subject motion from diffusion-weighted images. A threshold of the motion metric was identified to remove motion-corrupted slices, and the effect of removing corrupted slices was assessed on the reconstructed FA maps and fiber tracts. Results Using a motion-metric threshold to remove the motion-corrupted slices results in superior fiber tracts and fractional anisotropy maps. When further compared to a state-of-the-art magnitude-based motion correction method, PITA-MDD was able to detect comparable corrupted slices in a more computationally efficient manner. Conclusion In this study, we evaluated the use of DW phase images to detect motion corruption. The proposed method can be a robust and fast alternative for automatic motion detection in the brain with multiple applications to inform prospective motion correction or as real-time feedback for data quality control during scanning, as well as after data is already acquired

Developing Organ Offer and Acceptance Measures: When ‘Good’ Organs Are Turned Down

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75521/1/j.1600-6143.2007.01784.x.pd

Negotiating stairs with an inconsistent riser: Implications for stepping safety

Stairs are associated with falls, especially when step dimensions are inconsistent. However, the mechanisms by which inconsistencies cause this higher risk are mostly theoretical. In this experimental study we quantified the effect of inconsistent rise heights on biomechanical measurements of stepping safety from younger (n = 26) and older adults (n = 33). In ascent, both groups decreased foot clearance (~9 mm) over the inconsistently higher step (F(1,56) = 48.4, p < 0.001). In descent, they reduced foot contact length on the higher step by 3% (F(1,56) = 9.1, p < 0.01). Reduced clearance may result in a toe-catch potentially leading to a trip, while reduced foot contact lengths increase the risk of overstepping which may also lead to a fall. These effects occurred because participants did not alter their foot trajectories, indicating they either did not detect or were not able to adjust to the inconsistent rise, increasing the likelihood of a fall. Consistent stair construction is vital, and existing inconsistencies should be identified and safety interventions developed

A thesis on chronic disease

early student thesis: 'A Thesis on Chronic Disease', Elmina M. Roy

Safe as houses?

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:2363.668(458) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

The real cost of poor housing

The relationship between poor housing and poor health has been recognised for a long time, but until recently it has not been possible to estimate the cost to society of poor housing. Although the problems of disease associated with slum living have largely been eradicated in England, a significant number of health and safety hazards in the home remain. �Poor housing� is defined as housing which fails to meet the statutory minimum standard for housing in England, as assessed by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. This report highlights weaknesses in existing models of the housing stock and proposes a new model which overcomes them. The model uses data from the English House Condition Survey to illustrate the effects of various scenarios and repair options. It allows all the hazards measured in the Survey to be compared, and identifies repair solutions which provide direct benefit to the NHS through reduced injury rates and treatment costs. This model allows the total health cost of poor housing in England to be estimated as over £600 million per year. The total cost to society each year may be greater than £1.5 billion