Search results for "STING"
showing 10 items of 3756 documents
Comparison of Functional Network Connectivity and Granger Causality for Resting State fMRI Data
2017
Functional network connectivity (FNC) and Granger causality have been widely used to identify functional and effective connectivity for resting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. However, the relationship between these two approaches is still unclear, making it difficult to compare results. In this study, we investigate the relationship by constraining the FNC lags and the causality coherences for analyzing resting state fMRI data. The two techniques were applied respectively to examine the connectivity within default mode network related components extracted by group independent component analysis. The results show that FNC and Granger causality provide complementary result…
Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis of the brain of pathological gamblers
2018
Purpose . Gambling disorder has been recently reclassified under the category ‘‘substance-related and addictive disorders”. Recent studies performed through functional MRI (fMRI) have shown that the perseverance of some behaviors can alter brain activation [1,2]. In this work we aim at investigating functional connectivity changes in pathological gamblers (PGs) in comparison to healthy controls (HCs) by means of resting state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rs-fMRI). Methods and materials. Thirteen HCs and fourteen PGs were recruited (all right handed males; drugs free; mean age 36 ± 10 yrs). All acquisitions were performed through a 1,5 T MRI scanner using a 8-channels phased-array …
Structural assessment of a reinforced concrete water tower
2019
The paper presents a structural appraisal of a reinforced concrete water tower at the Public Abattoir in Malta. The water tower was constructed in the first half of the 20th century and consists in a reinforced concrete thin shell structure supported on twelve columns. Detailed drawings and a refined 3D model were prepared based on detailed site measurements of the structure. The concrete was assessed through non-destructive tests and with reference to extracted concrete core samples from different parts of the structure and extracted steel reinforcement samples. Detailed deterioration mapping was conducted for the entire structure. This data was used to model the structure and analyse it t…
Effect of retention interval on the simultaneous cognate-noncognate and remember-know mirror effects.
2006
Recognition memory for Spanish-Catalan cognate and noncognate words was tested at retention intervals of 30 minutes, 3 days, and 7 days using a remember/know response procedure. We observed a clear mirror effect for the cognate-noncognate stimulus class and a remember-know response categorisation at the immediate retention interval. However, the cognate and noncognate mirror was still observed at 3 and 7 days, whereas the remember-know mirror disappeared at both retention intervals. Also, we ran a repeated testing condition to be able to carry out a sequential item analysis and observe the fate of the original remember and know responses 3 or 7 days later. The analysis supported the idea th…
Molecular genetics of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP): a comprehensive study of 43 Italian families
2005
Retinitis pigmentosa is the most common form of retinal degeneration and is heterogeneous both clinically and genetically. The autosomal dominant forms ( ADRP) can be caused by mutations in 12 different genes. This report describes the first simultaneous mutation analysis of all the known ADRP genes in the same population, represented by 43 Italian families. This analysis allowed the identification of causative mutations in 12 of the families (28% of the total). Seven different mutations were identified, two of which are novel (458delC and 6901C --> T (P2301S), in the CRX and PRPF8 genes, respectively). Several novel polymorphisms leading to amino acid changes in the FSCN2, NRL, IMPDH1, and…
Mutation Analysis Identifies GUCY2D as the Major Gene Responsible for Autosomal Dominant Progressive Cone Degeneration
2008
PURPOSE. Heterozygous mutations in the GUCY2D gene, which encodes the membrane-bound retinal guanylyl cyclase-1 protein (RetGC-1), have been shown to cause autosomal dominant inherited cone degeneration and cone–rod degeneration (adCD, adCRD). The present study was a comprehensive screening of the GUCY2D gene in 27 adCD and adCRD unrelated families of these rare disorders. METHODS. Mutation analysis was performed by direct sequencing as well as PCR and subsequent restriction length polymorphism analysis (PCR/RFLP). Haplotype analysis was performed in selected patients by using microsatellite markers. RESULTS. GUCY2D gene mutations were identified in 11 (40%) of 27 patients, and all mutation…
Commissioning and periodic tests of the Esteya® electronic brachytherapy system
2015
A new electronic brachytherapy unit from Elekta, called Esteya(®), has recently been introduced to the market. As a part of the standards in radiation oncology, an acceptance testing and commissioning must be performed prior to treatment of the first patient. In addition, a quality assurance program should be implemented. A complete commissioning and periodic testing of the Esteya(®) device using the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), Groupe Europeen de Curietherapie and the European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (GEC-ESTRO) guidelines for linacs and brachytherapy units as well as our personal experience is described in this paper. In addition to the methodology, r…
Comments to the paper "do we really need new medical information about the Turin Shroud?".
2015
Abstract Following the interesting arguments raised in a recent letter to the editor, about a paper recently published in this journal, the authors are happy to take a cue from them to clarify some facts that have not been sufficiently treated for space. After a description of the methods used, arguments regarding a blunt trauma on the right shoulder with consequent dislocation, the position of the hands on the pubis with brachial plexus injury, and the wrist nailing that caused retracted thumbs are discussed in detail.
Optimization of depth increment distribution in the ring-core method
1996
The integral equation method is the most suitable calculation procedure for the determination of non-uniform residual stresses by semi-destructive mechanical methods such as hole and ring-core drilling. However, the high sensitivity to strain measurement errors due to the ill-conditioning of the equation sets has prevented its practical use. Examination of the influence of the strain measurement error on the calculated stresses and its propagation has shown that, for given maximum groove depth and total steps number, the error sensitivity depends on the particular depth increment distribution used. By means of an alternative matrix formulation of the equation sets the depth increment distr…
Experimental determination of viscous damper parameters in low velocity ranges
2017
In the last decades many strategies for seismic vulnerability mitigation of structures have been developed through analytical studies and experimental tests. Among these, energy dissipation by external devices assumes a great relevance for the relative design simplicity, even if applied to complex structures, and the effectiveness in reducing seismic demand. In particular, the use of fluid viscous dampers represents a very attractive solution because of their velocity-dependent behaviour and relatively low costs. The application on structures requires specific study under seismic excitation and a particular care of structural details. In this context the use of proper constitutive models fo…