Comparison of organ doses and image quality between CT and flat panel XperCT scans in wrist and inner ear examinations.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare organ doses delivered to patients in wrist and petrous bone examinations using a multislice spiral computed tomography (CT) and a C-arm cone-beam CT equipped with a flat-panel detector (XperCT). For this purpose, doses to the target organ, i.e. wrist or petrous bone, together with those to the most radiosensitive nearby organs, i.e. thyroid and eye lens, were measured and compared. Furthermore, image quality was compared for both imaging systems and different acquisition modes using a Catphan phantom. Results show that both systems guarantee adequate accuracy for diagnostic purposes for wrist and petrous bone examinations. Compared with the CT scanner, the XperCT system slightly reduces the dose to target organs and shortens the overall duration of the wrist examination. In addition, using the XperCT enables a reduction of the dose to the eye lens during head scans (skull base and ear examinations).

Promoció de sistemes micro-eòlics i desenvolupament de capacitats en energia renovable en països en desenvolupament

Informe final del projecte realitzat per al Centre de Cooperació per al Desenvolupament de la UPC.

Micro-insurance through corporate-NGO partnerships in West Bengal : opportunities and constraints

This Practical Note examines the nascent micro-insurance sector in West Bengal, paying particular attention to the corporate- NGO partnership model for micro-insurance distribution,which has been enabled by India's unique regulatory framework. We challenge the popularconstruction of this model as a 'win - win' for all parties by analysing conflicting understandings of micro-insurance schemes and their purposes by insurance companies, NGOs, and poorvillagers. The article also considers the role of the specific political context of West Bengal inconstricting corporate- NGO micro-insurance

Proposta metodológica para ensino de micro-biologia do solo

A conseqüência mais interessante de inserir pesquisa no ambiente de atividade educacional é a assimilação do conceito de conhecimento como uma construção teórica compartilhada pela comunidade científica. A idéia de conhecimento temporário e subjetivo deve ser desenvolvida na sala de aula. Mas, como um problema pode ser criado durante o desenvolvimento do conteúdo? Em Microbiologia Agrícola da Faculdade de Ciências Agropecuárias (Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos), foi desenvolvido um trabalho de grupo durante cinco anos. Este trabalho foi caracterizado pelo princípio metodológico da resolução de problemas para auxiliar o processo de aprendizagem. Na sala de aula, os professores coordenaram as atividades e os estudantes desenvolveram e projetaram a experiência, baseando-se nos problemas levantados para obter resultados. Depois de analisados e discutidos, verificou-se que novos problemas e questões surgiram. Este método foi avaliado por meio de entrevista com os alunos leva a crer que sua utilização em sala de aula, tenha tornado a aprendizagem mais significativa.

Performance comparison of two commercial BGO-based PET/CT scanners using NEMA NU 2-2001.

Combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) scanners play a major role in medicine for in vivo imaging in an increasing number of diseases in oncology, cardiology, neurology, and psychiatry. With the advent of short-lived radioisotopes other than 18F and newer scanners, there is a need to optimize radioisotope activity and acquisition protocols, as well as to compare scanner performances on an objective basis. The Discovery-LS (D-LS) was among the first clinical PET/CT scanners to be developed and has been extensively characterized with older National Electrical Manufacturer Association (NEMA) NU 2-1994 standards. At the time of publication of the latest version of the standards (NU 2-2001) that have been adapted for whole-body imaging under clinical conditions, more recent models from the same manufacturer, i.e., Discovery-ST (D-ST) and Discovery-STE (D-STE), were commercially available. We report on the full characterization both in the two- and three-dimensional acquisition mode of the D-LS according to latest NEMA NU 2-2001 standards (spatial resolution, sensitivity, count rate performance, accuracy of count losses, and random coincidence correction and image quality), as well as a detailed comparison with the newer D-ST widely used and whose characteristics are already published.

1719. Noms des cols et passages qui se trouvent depuis Pratz de Moliou jusqu'au bord de la mer, avec tous les chemins qui aboutissent aux dits cols, tant du côté de France que du côté d'Espagne, fait au mois de février 1719

Ancien possesseur : Argenson, Antoine-René de Voyer (1722-1787 ; marquis de Paulmy d')

The role of laparoscopic biopsies in lumbar spondylodiscitis.

The infection of an intervertebral disk is a serious condition. The diagnosis often is elusive and difficult to make. It is imperative to have appropriate microbiologic specimens before the initiation of treatment. We report the case of a 51-year-old woman with lumbar spondylodiscitis caused by infection after the placement of an epidural catheter for postoperative analgesia. A spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan confirmed the diagnosis, but computed tomography (CT)-guided fine-needle biopsy did not yield adequate material for a microbiologic diagnosis. Laparoscopic biopsies of the involved disk provided good specimens and a diagnosis of Propionibacterium acnes infection. We believe that this minimally invasive procedure should be performed when CT-guided fine-needle biopsy fails to yield a microbiologic diagnosis in spondylodiscitis.