Multiacquisition Variable-Resonance Image Combination Selective Can Improve Image Quality and Reproducibility for Metallic Implants in the Lumbar Spine

The aim of this study is to evaluate how metallic artifacts in the lumbar spine can affect images obtained from magnetic resonance (MR) sequences. We performed a phantom experiment by scanning an agar containing an orthopedic metallic implant using 64-channel multidetector row computed tomography (CT) and a 3-tesla MR unit. We compared the reproducibility in each measurement, enlargement or reduction ratio of the CT and MR measurements, and signal deviation in each voxel from the control. The reproducibility on CT and multiacquisition variable-resonance image combination selective (MAVRIC SL) was good, but that on the other MR sequences showed either fixed bias or proportional bias. The reduction ratios of the distance between the nails were significantly smaller in MAVRIC SL than in the other MR sequences after CT measurements (p<0.001, respectively). MAVRIC SL was able to reduce the metallic artifact, permitting observation of the tissue surrounding the metal with good reproducibility

Regional forest biomass estimation using ICESat/GLAS spaceborne LiDAR over Borneo

Background: We aimed to clarify the potential of spaceborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) to meet the increased demand for large-scale monitoring of forest resources.Results: We developed empirical models to estimate aboveground biomass (AGB) and canopy height in Borneo from Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat)/Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) data, and obtained root-mean-square errors of 38.7 Mg ha(-1) and 4.0 m, respectively. GLAS-estimated AGB averaged 191.8 Mg ha(-1). From 2004 to 2007, AGB decreased by an average of 33.1 Mg ha(-1), and the rate of forest loss was 2.4% year(-1). The total AGB in Borneo was estimated as 10.34 Gt.Conclusions: The results demonstrate the potential of spaceborne LiDAR for monitoring forest resources, and its potential to play an important role in REDD+ implementations

A Rare Mutation in Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Gene in a Recurrent Pancreatitis Patient Without Respiratory Symptoms

http://journals.lww.com/pancreasjournal/pages/default.aspx This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in © 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc, Koyano, Shin ; Hirano, Yoshiki ; Nagamori, Tsunehisa ; Tanno, Satoshi ; Murono, Koichi ; Fujieda, Kenji, Pancreas, 39(5), 2010, 686-688