Objectives: Small field of view gamma detection and imaging technologies for monitoring in vivo tracer uptake are rapidly expanding and being introduced for bed-side imaging and image guided surgical procedures. The Hybrid Gamma Camera (HGC) has been developed to enhance the localization of targeted radiopharmaceuticals during surgical procedures; for example in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsies and for bed-side imaging in procedures such as lacrimal drainage imaging and thyroid scanning. In this study, a prototype anthropomorphic head and neck phantom has been designed, constructed, and evaluated using representative modelled medical scenarios to study the capability of the HGC to detect SLNs and image small organs. Methods: An anthropomorphic head and neck phantom has been designed to mimic the adult head and neck including some internal organs and tissues of interest, such as the thyroid gland and sentinel lymph nodes. The design of the head and neck phantom included an adjustable inner jig holding the simulated SLNs and thyroid gland. The simulated thyroid gland was designed and 3D printed taking into consideration the size and the shape of a healthy adult thyroid gland. The inner sealed space of the thyroid was filled with 15MBq of 99mTc through two upper filling valves. Sealed micro-tubes (0.2ml) have been employed to simulate SLNs containing various 99mTc activity concentrations ranging between 0.1MBq and 1MBq, and can be positioned at any desired place in the head and neck region. An active background was simulated through mixing 10MBq of 99mTc solution with the water used to fill the outer shell of the head and neck phantom. Results: The head and neck phantom was employed to simulate a situation where there are four SLNs distributed at two different vertical levels and at two depths within the neck. Contrast to noise ratio (CNR) calculations were performed for the detected SLNs at an 80mm distance between both pinhole collimators (i.e. 0.5mm and 1.0mm diameters) and the surface of the head and neck phantom with a 100s acquisition time. The recorded CNR values for the simulated SLNs are higher when the HGC was fitted with the 1.0mm diameter pinhole collimator. For instance, the recorded CNR values for the superficially simulated SLN containing 0.1MBq of 99mTc using 0.5mm and 1.0mm diameter pinhole collimators are 6.48 and 16.42, respectively (~87% difference). The anatomical context provided by the hybrid imaging aided the localization process of radioactivity accumulation in simulated SLNs. Gamma and hybrid optical images were acquired using the HGC with both available pinhole collimators for the simulated thyroid gland. The thyroid images produced varied in terms of spatial resolution and detectability. The count profiles through the middle of the simulated thyroid gland images provided by both pinhole collimators were obtained. The HGC could clearly differentiate the individual peaks of both thyroid lobes in the gamma image produced by the 0.5mm pinhole collimator. In contrast, the recorded count profile for the acquired image using the 1.0mm diameter pinhole collimator showed broader peaks for both lobes, reflecting the degradation of the spatial resolution with increasing the diameter of the pinhole collimator. Conclusion: The capability of the HGC has been evaluated utilizing a prototype anthropomorphic head and neck phantom, and the gamma and hybrid images obtained demonstrate that it is ideally suited for intraoperative SLNs detection and small organ imaging. The standardization of test phantoms and protocols for SFOV portable gamma systems will provide an opportunity to collect data across various medical centers and research groups. Moreover, it will provide a technical baseline for researchers and clinical practitioners to consider when assessing their SFOV gamma imaging systems. The anthropomorphic head and neck phantom described is cost effective, reproducible, flexible and anatomically representative.
Many isolated rural communities are located in regions where there is an abundant and reliable supply of solar energy, but where the distance to the nearest power station is many tens or even hundreds of kilometre. It is therefore mainly in these areas that rural electrification is now being provided by PV generators. since Stand-Alone PV generator can offer the most cost-effective and reliable option for providing power needed in remote places. Accordingly these isolated rural canters are fitted with PV for lighting, a refrigerator, a television and socket to supply kitchen appliances
Geotechnical soil problems underneath foundation of hydraulic structures occurs due to engineering soil properties, geological setting and hydraulic properties of the projects. Two finite element programs of Geoslope 2012 software, SIGMA/W and SEEP/W, were used for analysis of in situ stresses, load deformation behavior, seepage quantity and vertical gradient below Teeb weir foundation, to compute factors of safety against seepage uplift. The site soil is a granular (gravel, sand and silt), weakly cemented soil cohered by gypsum and clay materials. The area has low lying topography, with slightly tectonic activities. The model results show that the upstream side stresses are reduced while the pore pressure are in
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Abstract:
Sought the search to find out what small businesses, the importance of funding, and the role of funders in supporting such projects, which have been addressed in the search through a sample of government banks (Rafidain and Rasheed) and private banks (the Middle East, the Gulf, North, Assyria) and a sample of Small projects borrowed from these banks, but in order to achieve that rely researchers on scientific methods discreet marked by the curriculum descriptive analytical method which is based on the compilation of facts and information then collated and analyzed to reach acceptable results, as well as data collection tool (checklist) was whereby examine questions of a sample of
... Show MoreThe purpose of the search definition on factors superior this whoever impact on the improvement the exploitation decision this detect on stock exchange markets assumption , and using questioners to data accumulate and the Iraq market of financial papers battleground to search annoy chose the eyeball extension (47) peoples from peoples employees on the market , and using the bought statistic program (SPSS) on input and analysis search data , and machinate the search outputs to their group of factors internal and external which impact on exploitation decision on financial papers markets , and the search commend on necessary rise the incumbency direction in the stock exchange
... Show MoreIt has become clear to see the role of the small and medium enterprises in the economy, and for the continuity of these projects it is necessary to supply finance from the banks, How ever the latter suffers risk of lending.
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the reality of small and medium enterprises analysis reflects weaknesses plaguing these enterprises and strengths that are characterized by, and thus the formulation of appropriate solutions to the obstacles faced by these enterprises to enhance its contribution to the achievement of economic and social development. Iraqi small and medium enterprises suffer from several obstacles stand in front of development and support their competitiveness, the finance one of the main obstacles which impede growth and development of these enterprises, noting the banking system in Iraq reluctance to lend to small and medium-sized enterprises, as a result of the high cost of lending these enterprises compared to large projects, as well as
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Background: Anastomosis may be done with the help of stapling devices, by using double layered suturing technique or by a single layer technique.
Patients and methods: A prospective study conducted in Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Iraq. A total of sixty- four patients were included in this study. They were divided into two groups; group A, 28 patients, single layer seromuscular continuous anastomosis was done and group B, 36 patients underwent conventional double layered anastomosis.Objective: The aim of the study is to prove that a single layer continuous technique can be constructed in a significantly less time with similar rate of complications compared with two layers technique
Collaborative learning in class‐based teaching presents a challenge for a tutor to ensure every group and individual student has the best learning experience. We present Group Tagging, a web application that supports reflection on collaborative, group‐based classroom activities. Group Tagging provides students with an opportunity to record important moments within the class‐based group work and enables reflection on and promotion of professional skills such as communication, collaboration and critical thinking. After class, students use the tagged clips to create short videos showcasing their group work activities, which can later be reviewed by the teacher. We report on a deployment of Group Tagging in an undergraduate Computing Scie
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