Correlation between carotid bifurcation calcium burden on non-enhanced CT and percentage stenosis, as confirmed by digital subtraction angiography

Objectives: Previous evidence supports a direct relationship between the calcium burden (volume) on post-contrast CT with the percent internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis at the carotid bifurcation. We sought to further investigate this relationship by comparing non-enhanced CT (NECT) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Methods: 50 patients (aged 41-82 years) were retrospectively identified who had undergone cervical NECT and DSA. A 64-multidetector array CT (MDCT) scanner was utilised and the images reviewed using preset window widths/levels (30/300) optimised to calcium, with the volumes measured via three-dimensional reconstructive software. Stenosis measurements were performed on DSA and luminal diameter stenoses >40% were considered "significant". Volume thresholds of 0.01, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09 and 0.12 cm(3) were utilised and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was calculated to correlate the calcium volume with percent stenosis. Results: Of 100 carotid bifurcations, 88 were available and of these 7 were significantly stenotic. The NECT calcium volume moderately correlated with percent stenosis on DSA r=0.53 (p<0.01). A moderate-strong correlation was found between the square root of calcium volume on NECT with percent stenosis on DSA (r=0.60, p<0.01). Via a receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.06 cm(3) was determined to be the best threshold (sensitivity 100%, specificity 90.1%, negative predictive value 100% and positive predictive value 46.7%) for detecting significant stenoses. Conclusion: This preliminary investigation confirms a correlation between carotid bifurcation calcium volume and percent ICA stenosis and is promising for the optimal threshold for stenosis detection. Future studies could utilise calcium volumes to create a "score" that could predict high grade stenosis.

Troposphere Calibration Techniques for Deep Space Probe Tracking

Ground-based Earth troposphere calibration systems play an important role in planetary exploration, especially to carry out radio science experiments aimed at the estimation of planetary gravity fields. In these experiments, the main observable is the spacecraft (S/C) range rate, measured from the Doppler shift of an electromagnetic wave transmitted from ground, received by the spacecraft and coherently retransmitted back to ground. If the solar corona and interplanetary plasma noise is already removed from Doppler data, the Earth troposphere remains one of the main error sources in tracking observables. Current Earth media calibration systems at NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) stations are based upon a combination of weather data and multidirectional, dual frequency GPS measurements acquired at each station complex. In order to support Cassini’s cruise radio science experiments, a new generation of media calibration systems were developed, driven by the need to achieve the goal of an end-to-end Allan deviation of the radio link in the order of 3×〖10〗^(-15) at 1000 s integration time. The future ESA’s Bepi Colombo mission to Mercury carries scientific instrumentation for radio science experiments (a Ka-band transponder and a three-axis accelerometer) which, in combination with the S/C telecommunication system (a X/X/Ka transponder) will provide the most advanced tracking system ever flown on an interplanetary probe. Current error budget for MORE (Mercury Orbiter Radioscience Experiment) allows the residual uncalibrated troposphere to contribute with a value of 8×〖10〗^(-15) to the two-way Allan deviation at 1000 s integration time. The current standard ESA/ESTRACK calibration system is based on a combination of surface meteorological measurements and mathematical algorithms, capable to reconstruct the Earth troposphere path delay, leaving an uncalibrated component of about 1-2% of the total delay. In order to satisfy the stringent MORE requirements, the short time-scale variations of the Earth troposphere water vapor content must be calibrated at ESA deep space antennas (DSA) with more precise and stable instruments (microwave radiometers). In parallel to this high performance instruments, ESA ground stations should be upgraded to media calibration systems at least capable to calibrate both troposphere path delay components (dry and wet) at sub-centimetre level, in order to reduce S/C navigation uncertainties. The natural choice is to provide a continuous troposphere calibration by processing GNSS data acquired at each complex by dual frequency receivers already installed for station location purposes. The work presented here outlines the troposphere calibration technique to support both Deep Space probe navigation and radio science experiments. After an introduction to deep space tracking techniques, observables and error sources, in Chapter 2 the troposphere path delay is widely investigated, reporting the estimation techniques and the state of the art of the ESA and NASA troposphere calibrations. Chapter 3 deals with an analysis of the status and the performances of the NASA Advanced Media Calibration (AMC) system referred to the Cassini data analysis. Chapter 4 describes the current release of a developed GNSS software (S/W) to estimate the troposphere calibration to be used for ESA S/C navigation purposes. During the development phase of the S/W a test campaign has been undertaken in order to evaluate the S/W performances. A description of the campaign and the main results are reported in Chapter 5. Chapter 6 presents a preliminary analysis of microwave radiometers to be used to support radio science experiments. The analysis has been carried out considering radiometric measurements of the ESA/ESTEC instruments installed in Cabauw (NL) and compared with the requirements of MORE. Finally, Chapter 7 summarizes the results obtained and defines some key technical aspects to be evaluated and taken into account for the development phase of future instrumentation.

Wertigkeit der Magnetresonanzangiographie der Fußgefäße unter Verwendung eines intravaskulären Kontrastmittels

In der vorliegenden Arbeit soll der Stellenwert der ce-MRA unter Verwendung von MS-325, einem neuen intravaskulären Kontrastmittel, bei der Untersuchung der Fußgefäße im Vergleich zur DSA bewertet, und das Übereinstimmen der Befunde zweier unterschiedlich erfahrener Untersucher untersucht werden. Im Rahmen einer klinischen Phase-III-Studie wurden 18 Patienten mit pAVK und / oder diabetischem Fußsyndrom rekrutiert. Die ce-MRA-Untersuchungen wurden in einem 1,5-Tesla-Magnetom durchgeführt. Dabei wurden dynamische Serien und eine hochaufgelöste Steady-state-Sequenz des zu untersuchenden Fußes akquiriert. Als Kontrastmittel wurde MS-325 in einer an das Körpergewicht adap-tierten Dosis appliziert. Die DSA-Untersuchung enthielt eine komplette Becken-Bein-Angiographie mit selektiver Darstellung der Fußgefäße. Vor der Befundung wurden die Bilddaten der MR-Angiographie nachbearbeitet und MIP-Projektionen erstellt. Zwei Untersucher befundeten unabhängig voneinander und in zufälliger Reinfolge die MRA, die DSA wurde in einem Konsensusverfahren beider Unter-sucher beurteilt. In eine qualitative Analyse gingen die Bewertung der Bildquali-tät, die Sichtbarkeit von sieben Gefäßsegmenten und deren hämodynamisch relevanter Stenosegrad ein. Quantitativ wurde das Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis und das Kontrast-Rausch-Verhältnis untersucht. Die Bildqualität beider Modalitäten wurde im Median mit gut bewertet. Hinsichtlich der Sichtbarkeit der Gefäßsegmente zeigte sich die ce-MRA der DSA überlegen. Von insgesamt 126 Gefäßsegmenten waren nur 80 in der DSA sichtbar, dagegen waren 106 Gefäßsegmente in der ce-MRA sichtbar (p-Wert <0,001, McNemar-Test). Die Übereinstimmung zwischen beiden Untersuchern der ce-MRA war sehr gut, beide erkannten 105 von 126 Gefäßsegmenten (Kappa-Maß κ=0,97). Beide Modalitäten werteten übereinstimmend 46 Gefäßsegmente als hämodynamisch relevant stenosiert. 16 Gefäßstenosen wurden durch die ce-MRA im Gegensatz zur DSA überbewertet. Zwischen Untersucher 1 und Untersucher 2 der ce-MRA fand sich erneut eine sehr gute Übereinstimmung (Kappa-Maß к = 0,89). Die Messungen des SNR und des CNR ergaben sowohl in den dynamischen Se-quenzen als auch in der später akquirierten hochaufgelösten Steady-state Unter-suchung hohe Werte. Die Bildqualität der hochaufgelösten Steady-state ce-MRA war hervorragend, jedoch beeinträchtigt venöse Überlagerung die Interpretation. In der Literatur wird die ce-MRA als ein geeignetes Verfahren zur Darstellung von Fußgefäßen beschrieben. Zahlreiche Studien zeigen, dass mit der ce-MRA mehr Gefäßsegmente dargestellt werden können. Dieses Ergebnis konnte in der vor-liegenden Arbeit bestätigt werden. Eine mit MS-325 verstärkte Magnetresonanz-angiographie der Fußgefäße ist der selektiven DSA überlegen. Die Tatsache, dass mit der ce-MRA mehr Gefäßsegmente dargestellt werden können, hat den Begriff des angiographisch „verborgenen“ Blutgefäßes initiiert. In vielen klini-schen Zentren hat die ce-MRA die DSA weitgehend verdrängt. Aus diesem Grund wird in der Literatur vorgeschlagen, dass die ce-MRA die DSA als einen „verbes-serten Goldstandard“ ersetzten könnte. Kann mit der DSA kein passendes An-schlussgefäß für eine Revaskularisationsmaßnahme mittels Bypass gefunden werden, so sollte auf jeden Fall eine ce-MRA der Fußgefäße durchgeführt wer-den, um eine Amputation zu verhindern. In der Literatur wird von der Änderung der Behandlungsstrategie nach der Durchführung der ce-MRA berichtet. Bei der Klassifikation von Gefäßstenosen wertet die ce-MRA öfter höher als die DSA, diese Überbewertung ist in der Literatur bekannt und konnte ebenfalls in der vorliegenden Arbeit bestätigt werden. Diese Überschätzung resultiert aus „Spin-Dephasierung“ durch turbulente Blutströmung im Bereich einer Stenose oder besteht auf Grund von Partialvolumeneffekten. Die Verwendung eines intravaskulären Kontrastmittels, wie bsw. MS-325, zur MR-Angiographie bringt den Vorteil, dass sowohl dynamische als auch Steady-state Untersuchungen aller vaskulären Strukturen im menschlichen Körper durchge-führt werden können. Da eine hohe Signalintensität über einen langen Zeitraum besteht, können auch mehrere Körperregionen während einer einzigen Untersu-chung dargestellt werden. Nachteilig ist jedoch die Beeinträchtigung der Bildge-bung durch venöse Überlagerung. Mittels computergestützter Bildnachbearbeitung ist es jedoch möglich, Venen in Steady-state-Sequenzen zu unterdrücken und daraus ergibt sich die Möglichkeit, hochaufgelöste, überlage-rungsfreie Datensätze zu erhalten. Diese könnten dann der erste Schritt in Rich-tung einer Perfusionsbildgebung am Fuß sein, um bsw. den Erfolg von Revaskularisationsmaßnahmen auch auf Kapillarebene beurteilen zu können.

Analisi di “Copy Number Variants” ed identificazione di nuovi geni candidati per l’Autismo e Ritardo Mentale

I disturbi dello spettro autistico (DSA) ed il ritardo mentale (RM) sono caratterizzati da un’eziologia genetica complessa ed eterogenea. Grazie ai recenti sviluppi nella ricerca genomica, è stato possibile dimostrare il ruolo di numerose copy number variants (CNVs) nella patogenesi di questi disturbi, anche se nella maggior parte dei casi l’eziologia rimane ancora sconosciuta. Questo lavoro riguarda l’identificazione e la caratterizzazione dei CNVs in famiglie con DSA e RM. E’ stata studiata una microdelezione in 7q31 che coinvolge i geni IMMP2L e DOCK4, trasmessa dalla madre con dislessia a due figli con autismo ed una figlia con dislessia. Nella stessa famiglia segrega una seconda microdelezione in 2q14 che inattiva il gene CNTNAP5 ed è trasmessa dal padre (con tratti autistici) ai due figli con autismo. Abbiamo quindi ipotizzato che i geni DOCK4 e CNTNAP5 potessero essere implicati, rispettivamente, nella suscettibilità a dislessia e DSA. Lo screening di numerosi individui affetti ha supportato la nostra ipotesi, con l’identificazione di una nuova microdelezione di DOCK4 che segrega con la dislessia, e 3 nuove varianti missenso in CNTNAP5 in individui con autismo. Dall’analisi genomica comparativa su array (aCGH) di individui con RM, è stata identificata una delezione nella regione 7q31.32, che coinvolge il gene CADPS2, in due fratelli con RM e tratti autistici, probabilmente ereditata dalla madre. Lo screening di mutazione di questo gene in individui con autismo o RM, ha portato all’identificazione di 3 varianti non sinonime, assenti nei controlli, ed ereditate per via materna. Poiché CADPS2 risiede in una regione genomica che contiene loci soggetti ad imprinting, abbiamo ipotizzato che il gene CADPS2 possa essere anch’esso caratterizzato da imprinting, con espressione monoallelica materna. Lo studio di espressione di CADPS2 in cellule del sangue ha avvalorato questa ipotesi, implicando perciò CADPS2 come un nuovo gene di suscettibilità per il RM e DSA.

Discalculia e scuola secondaria di II grado

In questa tesi ho trattato l'argomento dei Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), in particolar modo mi sono interessata alla Discalculia e a come si potrebbe affrontare a livello di Scuola Secondaria di II Grado. Ho approfondito in particolar modo l'argomento dell'algebra alla base dei curricula di matematica nel biennio, attraverso il supporto del software Aplusix.

Progettualità e interventi educativi nella dislessia. Il progetto ProDSA e le prospettive future di ricerca.

Il presente lavoro è strutturato in quattro parti analizzando e comparando le pubblicazioni del settore scientifico italiano, anglofono e tedesco di riferimento. Nel primo capitolo della tesi viene proposta una riflessione sulle parole che ruotano attorno al tema dei DSA e della disabilità. Nel secondo capitolo vengono presentati, a partire dalla letteratura scientifica di riferimento, gli indicatori di rischio che segnalano possibili disturbi specifici di apprendimento e le caratteristiche di apprendimento dei DSA mettendo in luce potenzialità e talenti spesso intrinseci. Nel terzo capitolo viene vagliata la normativa di riferimento, in particolare la recente Legge 170/2010 e le relative Linee Guida. Nel quarto capitolo, partendo dal tema della diffusione delle tecnologie dell’informazione e della comunicazione (da ora in poi TIC) nel mondo della scuola, sono ampiamente trattati i principali strumenti compensativi (sintesi vocale, libri digitali, mappe concettuali, Lavagna Interattiva Multimediale) e le misure dispensative adottabili. Nel quinto capitolo viene analizzato in tutte le sue parti il Piano Didattico Personalizzato (da ora in poi PDP) e viene proposto un possibile modello di PDP pubblicato sul sito dell'Ufficio per l’Ambito Territoriale di Bologna. Nel sesto capitolo della tesi viene presentato il Progetto Regionale ProDSA. Il Progetto, rivolto a studenti, con diagnosi di DSA, delle scuole secondarie di primo grado e del primo biennio delle secondarie di secondo grado dell’Emilia-Romagna, ha visto, grazie a un finanziamento della Regione, la consegna in comodato d'uso gratuito di tecnologie compensative agli alunni che hanno aderito. La sezione empirica del presente lavoro indaga l’uso reale che è stato fatto degli strumenti proposti in comodato d’uso e le motivazioni legate alla scelta di non utilizzarli in classe. Nel settimo capitolo vengono proposti strumenti progettati per rispondere concretamente alle criticità emerse dall'analisi dei dati e per sensibilizzare il mondo della scuola sulle caratteristiche dei DSA.

Reactive halogen compounds in the marine boundary layer: method developments and field measurements

Reactive halogen compounds are known to play an important role in a wide variety of atmospheric processes such as atmospheric oxidation capacity and coastal new particle formation. In this work, novel analytical approaches combining diffusion denuder/impinger sampling techniques with gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric (GC–MS) determination are developed to measure activated chlorine compounds (HOCl and Cl2), activated bromine compounds (HOBr, Br2, BrCl, and BrI), activated iodine compounds (HOI and ICl), and molecular iodine (I2). The denuder/GC–MS methods have been used to field measurements in the marine boundary layer (MBL). High mixing ratios (of the order of 100 ppt) of activated halogen compounds and I2 are observed in the coastal MBL in Ireland, which explains the ozone destruction observed. The emission of I2 is found to correlate inversely with tidal height and correlate positively with the levels of O3 in the surrounding air. In addition the release is found to be dominated by algae species compositions and biomass density, which proves the “hot-spot” hypothesis of atmospheric iodine chemistry. The observations of elevated I2 concentrations substantially support the existence of higher concentrations of littoral iodine oxides and thus the connection to the strong ultra-fine particle formation events in the coastal MBL.

Glycomics as an innovative technology to identify biomarkers of aging

Introduction. Glycomic analysis allows investigating on the global glycome within body fluids (as serum/plasma), this could eventually lead to identify new types of disease biomarkers, or as in this study, biomarkers of human aging studying specific aging models. Recent studies demonstrated that the plasma N-glycome is modified during human aging, suggesting that measurements of log-ratio of two serum/plasma N-glycans (NGA2F and NA2F), named GlycoAge test could provide a non-invasive biomarker of aging. Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder in which multiple major aspects of senescent phenotype occur much earlier than in healthy age-matched subjects and has been often defined as an accelerated aging syndrome. The aim of this study was to compare plasma N-glycome of patients affected by DS with age- and sex matched non-affected controls, represented by their siblings (DSS), in order to assess if DS is characterized by a specific N-glycomic pattern. Therefore, in order to investigate if N-glycans changes that occur in DS were able to reveal an accelerated aging in DS patients, we enrolled the mothers (DSM) of the DS and DSS, representing the non-affected control group with a different chronological age respect to DS. We applied two different N-glycomics approaches on the same samples: first, in order to study the complete plasma N-glycome we applied a new high-sensitive protocol based on a MALDI-TOF-MS approach, second, we used DSA-FACE technology. Results: MALDI-TOF/MS analysis detected a specific N-glycomics signature for DS, characterized by an increase of fucosylated and bisecting species. Moreover, in DS the abundance of agalactosylated (as NA2F) species was similar or higher than their mothers. The measurement of GlycoAge test with DSA-FACE, validated also by MALDI-TOF, demonstrated a strongly association with age, moreover in DS, it’s value was similar to their mothers, and significantly higher than their age- and sex matched not-affected siblings

Integrazione tra Sistemi di Autenticazione Dipartimentale e d'Ateneo

Il documento illustra il lavoro di analisi dei requisiti, progettazione, implementazione e valutazione di un sistema per l’autenticazione degli utenti delle workstation della sede di Scienze del Dipartimento di Informatica — Scienza ed Ingegneria (DISI) che si integri al sistema di autenticazione d’Ateneo. Il sistema descritto è entrato in produzione il 24 settembre 2014 ed è tuttora operante. Il lavoro percorre le modalità di gestione degli account utente in uso presso il DISI e le nuove modalità di organizzazione del DSA d’Ateneo discutendo le motivazioni per cui le soluzioni standard non possono essere adottate nel caso esposto. Analizzato il processo di login dei sistemi Unix e le librerie coinvolte verrà esposto il nuovo progetto, le particolarità dello sviluppo delle nuove librerie PAM e di Name Service Switch e la loro modalità di funzionamento e configurazione all’interno del cluster Unix. In conclusione vengono presentate una serie di valutazioni che mostrano i vantaggi e il rispetto dei requisiti della nuova implementazione.

Imaging Diagnostico utilizzato in neuroradiologia per lo studio degli Aneurismi Cerebrali

Durante la mia tesi mi sono occupata di una grave patologia, l’Aneurisma Cerebrale, che rappresenta una delle principali cause di ospedalizzazione provocando il 10/12% della mortalità globale annua nei paesi industrializzati. In Italia , l’incidenza di aneurismi cerebrali è di 100.000 nuovi casi all’anno. In generale , nei paesi industrializzati, la prevalenza è stimata a circa 600 per 100.000 abitanti . Tuttavia la prevalenza degli aneurismi cerebrali nelle popolazioni in generale , è molto più elevato stimato intorno al 2,3%,il che suggerisce indirettamente che la maggior parte degli aneurismi non va mai incontro a rottura. Negli ultimi vent’anni lo sviluppo della tecnologia ha visto significativi progressi che ci hanno permesso di agire sul problema in modo sempre migliore. Nei primi capitoli ho descritto alcune apparecchiature biomediche che sono di fondamentale importanza nello studio degli aneurismi cerebrali, mettendo in evidenza le varie peculiarità che le contraddistinguono. A seguire, ho parlato del trattamento endovascolare, che consiste nell’esclusione della cavità aneurismatica dal flusso di sangue, il quale viene incanalato in una protesi posizionata all’interno del lume vasale eliminando il rischio di rottura o di embolizzazione di materiale trombotico proveniente dalla sacca aneurismatica. I vantaggi della tecnica endovascolare consistono nella minore invasività rispetto alla tecnica chirurgica standard, la craniotomia. A fronte di ciò, si deduce quanto l’ingegneria biomedica sia una disciplina in evoluzione. Le condizioni di vita delle persone che subiscono questi tipi di interventi sono notevolmente migliorate ottenendo risultati di completa o semi-completa guarigione.

Comparison of contrast-enhanced multi-station MR angiography and digital subtraction angiography of the lower extremity arterial disease

PURPOSE: To compare diagnostic accuracy of multi-station, high-spatial resolution contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) of the lower extremities with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 485 consecutive patients undergoing a run-off CE-MRA, 152 patients (86 male, 66 female; mean age, 71.6 years) with suspected peripheral arterial occlusive disease were included into our Institutional Review Board approved study. All patients underwent MRA and DSA of the lower extremities within 30 days. MRA was performed at 1.5 Tesla with a single bolus of 0.1 mmol/kg body weight of gadobutrol administered at a rate of 2.0 mL/s at three stations. Two readers evaluated the MRA images independently for stenosis grade and image quality. Sensitivity and specificity were derived. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity ranged from 73% to 93% and 64% to 89% and were highest in the thigh area. Both readers showed comparable results. Evaluation of good and better quality MRAs resulted in a considerable improvement in diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced MRA demonstrates good sensitivity and specificity in the investigation of the vasculature of the lower extremities. While a minor investigator experience dependence remains, it is standardizable and shows good inter-observer agreement. Our results confirm that the administration of Gadobutrol at a standard dose of 0.1 mmol/kg for contrast-enhanced runoff MRA is able to detect hemodynamically relevant stenoses. Use of contrast-enhanced MRA as an alternative to intra-arterial DSA in the evaluation and therapeutic planning of patients with suspected peripheral arterial occlusive disease is well justified. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1427-1435. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

In Vitro and In Vivo Imaging Characteristics Assessment of Polymeric Coils Compared with Standard Platinum Coils for the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Conventional platinum coils cause imaging artifacts that reduce imaging quality and therefore impair imaging interpretation on intraprocedural or noninvasive follow-up imaging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate imaging characteristics and artifact production of polymeric coils compared with standard platinum coils in vitro and in vivo.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Polymeric coils and standard platinum coils were evaluated in vitro with the use of 2 identical silicon aneurysm models coiled with a packing attenuation of 20% each. DSA, flat panel CT, CT, and MR imaging were performed. In vivo evaluation of imaging characteristics of polymeric coils was performed in experimentally created rabbit carotid bifurcation aneurysms. DSA, CT/CTA, and MR imaging were performed after endovascular treatment of the aneurysms. Images were evaluated regarding visibility of individual coils, coil mass, artifact production, and visibility of residual flow within the aneurysm.RESULTS:Overall, in vitro and in vivo imaging showed relevantly reduced artifact production of polymeric coils in all imaging modalities compared with standard platinum coils. Image quality of CT and MR imaging was improved with the use of polymeric coils, which permitted enhanced depiction of individual coil loops and residual aneurysm lumen as well as the peri-aneurysmal area. Remarkably, CT images demonstrated considerably improved image quality with only minor artifacts compared with standard coils. On DSA, polymeric coils showed transparency and allowed visualization of superimposed vessel structures.CONCLUSIONS:This initial experimental study showed improved imaging quality with the use of polymeric coils compared with standard platinum coils in all imaging modalities. This might be advantageous for improved intraprocedural imaging for the detection of complications and posttreatment noninvasive follow-up imaging.

Slow Strain Rate Testing and Stress Corrosion Cracking of Ultra-Fine Grained and Conventional Al-Mg Alloy

Stress corrosion cracking susceptibility was investigated for an ultra-fine grained (UFG) AI-7.5Mg alloy and a conventional 5083 H111 alloy in natural seawater using slow strain rate testing (SSRT) at very slow strain rates between 1E(-5) s(-1), 1E(-6) s(-1) and 1E(-7) s(-1). The UFG Al-7.5Mg alloy was produced by cryomilling, while the 5083 H111 alloy is considered as a wrought manufactured product. The response of tensile properties to strain rate was analyzed and compared. Negative strain rate sensitivity was observed for both materials in terms of the elongation to failure. However, the UFG alloy displayed strain rate sensitivity in relation to strength while the conventional alloy was relatively strain rate insensitive. The mechanical behavior of the conventional 5083 alloy was attributed to dynamic strain aging (DSA) and delayed pit propagation while the performance of the UFG alloy was related to a diffusion-mediated stress relaxation mechanism that successfully delayed crack initiation events, counteracted by exfoliation and pitting which enhanced crack initiation. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Contrast-enhanced 3-D MRA in decision making for carotid endarterectomy: a 6-year experience

BACKGROUND: Systematic need for angiography in diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis and indication of surgical therapy is still debated. Noninvasive imaging techniques such as MR angiography (MRA) or CT angiography (CTA) offer an alternative to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and are increasingly used in clinical practice. In this study, we present the radiological characteristics and clinical results of a series of patients operated on the basis of combined ultrasonography (US)/MRA. METHODS: This observational study included all the patients consecutively operated for a carotid stenosis in our Department from October 1998 to December 2004. The applied MRA protocol had previously been established in a large correlation study with DSA. DSA was used only in case of discordance between US and MRA. The preoperative radiological information furnished by MRA was compared with intraoperative findings. The outcome of the operation was assessed according to ECST criteria. RESULTS: Among 327 patients, preoperative MRA was performed in 278 (85%), DSA in 44 (13.5%) and CT angiography in 5 (1.5%). Most of DSA studies were performed as emergency for preparation of endovascular therapy or for reasons other than carotid stenosis. Eleven additional DSA (3.3%) complemented US/MRA, mostly because diverging diagnosis of subocclusion of ICA. No direct morbidity or intraoperative difficulty was related to preoperative MRA. Combined mortality/major morbidity rate was 0.9% (3 patients) and minor morbidity rate 5.5% (18 patients). CONCLUSIONS: This observational study describes a well-established practice of carotid surgery and supports the exclusive use of non invasive diagnostic imaging for indicating and deciding the operation.

Magnetic resonance angiography in infrapopliteal arterial disease: prospective comparison of 1.5 and 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging

PURPOSE: To prospectively determine the accuracy of 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3 T magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) versus digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the depiction of infrageniculate arteries in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective 1.5 T, 3 T MRA, and DSA comparison was used to evaluate 360 vessel segments in 10 patients (15 limbs) with chronic symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. Selective DSA was performed within 30 days before both MRAs. The accuracy of 1.5 T and 3 T MRA was compared with DSA as the standard of reference by consensus agreement of 2 experienced readers. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and signal-difference-to-noise ratios (SDNRs) were quantified. RESULTS: No significant difference in overall image quality, sufficiency for diagnosis, depiction of arterial anatomy, motion artifacts, and venous overlap was found comparing 1.5 T with 3 T MRA (P > 0.05 by Wilcoxon signed rank and as by Cohen k test). Overall sensitivity of 1.5 and 3 T MRA for detection of significant arterial stenosis was 79% and 82%, and specificity was 87% and 87% for both modalities, respectively. Interobserver agreement was excellent k > 0.8, P < 0.05) for 1.5 T as well as for 3 T MRA. SNR and SDNR were significantly increased using the 3 T system (average increase: 36.5%, P < 0.032 by t test, and 38.5%, P < 0.037 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Despite marked improvement of SDNR, 3 T MRA does not yet provide a significantly higher accuracy in diagnostic imaging of atherosclerotic lesions below the knee joint as compared with 1.5 T MRA.