Correlation and current anomalies in helical quantum dots

We theoretically investigate the ground-state properties of a quantum dot defined on the surface of a strong three-dimensional time-reversal invariant topological insulator. Confinement is realized by ferromagnetic barriers and Coulomb interaction is treated numerically for up to seven electrons in the dot. Experimentally relevant intermediate interaction strengths are considered. The topological nature of the dot has interesting consequences: i) spin polarization increases and the ground state exhibits quantum phase transitions at specific angular momenta as a function of interaction strength ii) the onset of Wigner correlations takes place mainly in one spin channel, iii) the ground state is characterized by a persistent current which changes sign as a function of the radius of the dot.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Algorithm for defining skeletal structures in biomedical models

La descripción del comportamiento mecánico de tejidos duros mediante el empleo de modelos discretos pasa por diferentes etapas de análisis, desde el procesamiento digital de la imagen hasta la especificación de las propiedades físicas del tejido. Para ello, es necesario tener en cuenta un elemento clave: la descomposición del modelo en sus partes constitutivas. Se realizó un estudio bibliográfico de diversas propuestas para realizar la descomposición y se llegó a la conclusión de la inexistencia de una estrategia única. Existe un cúmulo de propuestas genéricas, pero estas no ofrecen una solución válida a los casos analizados, correspondientes a las articulaciones de la rodilla, la pelvis y el hombro. Por tanto, se propone un algoritmo para realizar la descomposición mediante el análisis de las relaciones espaciales entre los contornos presentes en planos consecutivos, que se basa en 4 etapas: la lectura de los cortes de imágenes de tomografía computarizada; la determinación de los contornos que definen el tejido óseo presente en cada corte; el agrupamiento de los contornos cuya relación espacial cumple un criterio determinado, y la eliminación de los volúmenes no válidos. Los resultados del algoritmo se compararon con otros obtenidos mediante el empleo de la librería Visualization ToolKit (VTK) y pyFormex, cuyos métodos se utilizan en la visualización y análisis de imágenes médicas y en la modelación de estructuras tridimensionales. Como resultado del algoritmo propuesto tenemos —bajo las mismas condiciones y en un corto tiempo de procesamiento— una descomposición de los modelos anatómicos superior a la realizada por VTK y pyFormex, con aproximadamente el 90% de confianza.Description of mechanical behavior of hard tissues by means of discrete models goes through various stages of analysis, which range from digital image processing to the specification of physical properties of tissue to the discrete model. This requires taking into account a key element: the decomposition of the model into its constituent parts. We conducted a bibliographic study of existing proposals for such decomposition, leading to the conclusion of the absence of a single strategy. There are several generic proposals, but these proved not to give a valid solution applicable to the cases examined corresponding to the articulations of the knee, hip and shoulder. In this paper we propose an algorithm to perform this decomposition by analyzing the spatial relationships between the contours present in consecutive planes. It is based on four stages: reading computer tomography (CT) slices; determining the contours that define bone tissue present on each slice; grouping of contours whose relationship meets a given criterion; and eliminating non-valid volumes. Results were compared with those obtained by means of Visualization ToolKit (VTK) and pyFormex, widely used in the visualization and analysis of medical imaging and modeling three-dimensional structures. As a main result, proposed algorithm under the same conditions and short processing time performs a better decomposition of anatomical models than the one made by VTK and pyFormex, with about a 90% of confidence.Peer Reviewe

Obtaining foot bone structure applying global and adaptive thresholding

La descripción del comportamiento mecánico de tejidos duros mediante el empleo de modelos discretos pasa por diferentes etapas de análisis, que van desde el procesamiento digital de la imagen hasta la especificación de las propiedades físicas del tejido al modelo discreto. Para lograr un buen resultado es esencial la descomposición de esos modelos en sus partes constitutivas. En este trabajo se discute un método para la descripción geométrica de los huesos del pie a partir de una secuencia de imágenes (cortes) de tomografía computarizada (TC). La investigación propone la combinación de la umbralización global y de la adaptativa para la determinación del dominio geométrico de los huesos en cada corte, así como el análisis de las relaciones espaciales entre contornos en planos consecutivos a fin de obtener las isosuperficies de los huesos. Se propone un algoritmo semiautomático basado en 4 etapas: la lectura de los cortes de imágenes de TC; la determinación de los contornos que definen el tejido óseo presentes en cada corte; la formación de los volúmenes a través del agrupamiento de los contornos cuya relación espacial cumple un criterio determinado; y la eliminación de las isosuperficies no válidas. Como resultado se obtiene la definición de la mayoría de los huesos del pie cuyo rango de valores en la escala de Hounsfield es [–1.000; 1.383].The description of the mechanical behavior of hard tissues by means of discrete models goes through various stages of analysis, which range from digital image processing to the specification of tissues physical properties to the discrete model. To achieve good results it is essential to decompose these models into their constituent parts. In this paper we discuss a method for geometrical description of foot bones from a sequence of computed tomography (CT) images. This research proposes a combination between global and adaptive thresholdings to determine the geometric domain of bones in each slice and the analysis of the spatial relationships between contours in consecutive planes in order to obtain bones’ isosurfaces. The algorithm proposed is based on 4 stages: the reading of computed tomography (CT) images; the determination of the contours that define the bone tissue present on each slice; the grouping of contours whose relationship meet a given criteria; the elimination of non-valid volumes. As a result, it is possible to obtain the geometrical domain of a great number of foot bones whose range in the Hounsfield is [–1000; 1383].Peer Reviewe

Subacute combined spinal degeneration caused by cobalamin deficiency.

A 51-year-old woman consulted the department of neurology with a 5 month-history of progressive numbness and tingling in a glove and stocking distribution. The problems started in both feet, resulting in unsteadiness and difficulty walking. Motor weakness and impairment of sensation of fine touch were also noticed

Patient-specific image-based computer simulation for theprediction of valve morphology and calcium displacement after TAVI with the Medtronic CoreValve and the Edwards SAPIEN valve

AIMS: Our aim was to validate patient-specific software integrating baseline anatomy and biomechanical properties of both the aortic root and valve for the prediction of valve morphology and aortic leaflet calcium displacement after TAVI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Finite element computer modelling was performed in 39 patients treated with a Medtronic CoreValve System (MCS; n=33) or an Edwards SAPIEN XT (ESV; n=6). Quantitative axial frame morphology at inflow (MCS, ESV) and nadir, coaptation and commissures (MCS) was compared between multislice computed tomography (MSCT) post TAVI and a computer model as well as displacement of the aortic leaflet calcifications, quantified by the distance between the coronary ostium and the closest calcium nodule. Bland-Altman analysis revealed a strong correlation between the observed (MSCT) and predicted frame dimensions, although small differences were detected for, e.g., Dmin at the inflow (mean±SD MSCT vs. MODEL: 21.6±2.4 mm vs. 22.0±2.4 mm; difference±SD: -0.4±1.3 mm, p<0.05) and Dmax (25.6±2.7 mm vs. 26.2±2.7 mm; difference±SD: -0.6±1.0 mm, p<0.01). The observed and predicted calcium displacements were highly correlated for the left and right coronary ostia (R2=0.67 and R2=0.71, respectively p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Dedicated software allows accurate prediction of frame morphology and calcium displacement after valve implantation, which may help to improve outcome

Mdct imaging before transcutanous aortic valve implantation: rationale and measurements

Since its introduction in 2002, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has assumed growing importance in the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), because it offers a much less invasive alternative for those in high risk for surgery. Good early results and advances in percutaneous valve technology have led to a substantial increase in procedural success rate and number of patients undergoing this less invasive treatment. Pre-procedural screening of several anatomic factors to assess the feasibility of this technique is important. Multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) is the technique of choice in assessing these factors. This technical note aims to describe and illustrate the key elements that need to be evaluated before the procedure

Análisis e influencia de los sistemas de referencia en la cinemática del hombro

The shoulder is one of the most complex systems in the human body. To know how its work is essential to understand the biomechanics of the body. The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of Local Coordinate Systems in the kinematic analysis of GlenoHumeral joint. The motion tracking was performed using passive sensors attached to pins. Trabecular pins were placed on the shoulder and scapula. The data processing was performed using the free open software pyFormex. The joint displacements were determined by two different variants of Coordinate Systems, being detected a difference from 2 to12 degrees

Good Random Matrices over Finite Fields

The random matrix uniformly distributed over the set of all m-by-n matrices over a finite field plays an important role in many branches of information theory. In this paper a generalization of this random matrix, called k-good random matrices, is studied. It is shown that a k-good random m-by-n matrix with a distribution of minimum support size is uniformly distributed over a maximum-rank-distance (MRD) code of minimum rank distance min{m,n}-k+1, and vice versa. Further examples of k-good random matrices are derived from homogeneous weights on matrix modules. Several applications of k-good random matrices are given, establishing links with some well-known combinatorial problems. Finally, the related combinatorial concept of a k-dense set of m-by-n matrices is studied, identifying such sets as blocking sets with respect to (m-k)-dimensional flats in a certain m-by-n matrix geometry and determining their minimum size in special cases.Comment: 25 pages, publishe

Biomarker discovery and redundancy reduction towards classification using a multi-factorial MALDI-TOF MS T2DM mouse model dataset

Diabetes like many diseases and biological processes is not mono-causal. On the one hand multifactorial studies with complex experimental design are required for its comprehensive analysis. On the other hand, the data from these studies often include a substantial amount of redundancy such as proteins that are typically represented by a multitude of peptides. Coping simultaneously with both complexities (experimental and technological) makes data analysis a challenge for Bioinformatics