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Background: The narrower focal zone (FZ) size of modern lithotripter was considered as one of the factors that resulted in suboptimal treatment result of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). Therefore, we investigate the efficacy and safety of standard narrow or extended (FZ) sizes in SWL for patients with renal stones. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study conducted between April 2018 and October 2022, patients with renal stones were randomized to receive SWL with either standard or extended FZ. Treatment was delivered using a Modulith SLX-F2 lithotripter with a maximum of 3000 shocks at 1.5 Hz. The primary outcome was treatment success 12 weeks after a single SWL session, defined as the absence of a stone or stone fragment <4 mm on computed tomography. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of perinephric hematoma, stone-free rate (SFR), and changes in the urinary levels of acute renal injury markers. Results: A total of 320 patients were recruited, and 276 patients were randomized into the two groups. The two groups had similar baseline parameters. The treatment success rate was significantly better for standard FZ (74.3%) than the extended FZ group (59.3%) (p = 0.009). Standard FZ also had a significantly better SFR (Grade-A, 36.8% vs 23.0%, p = 0.013) and less pain after treatment. Both groups had similar perinephric hematoma formation rates, unplanned hospital admission rates, and changes in urinary acute renal injury markers. Conclusions: The standard narrow FZ has better treatment efficacy and similar safety compared with the extended FZ during SWL for renal stones. This clinical trial has been registered in the public domain (CCRBCTR) under trial number CUHK_CCRB00510. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents major and trace elements, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope data of the Mokolo-Kosséhone volcanic rock (basanite, trachybasalt, trachyte, and rhyolite) from the northernmost segment of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL). The basanite sample exhibits primitive character (MgO: 12–14 wt%; Mg#: 69–72; Ni: 327–427 ppm; Cr: 524–599 ppm; Co: 57–60 ppm). Trace element and isotopic signatures of the mafic lavas are similar to those of OIB. The trends observed in the major oxides and compatible trace elements against SiO2 from basanite to rhyolite are attributed to the fractionation of different mineral phases such as Fe-Ti oxides, olivine, clinopyroxene, feldspar, and quartz. The enrichment in LREEs and depletion in HREEs associated with (La/Yb)N > 5 (12.39–32.65), (Tb/Yb)N > 1.7 (1.71–2.89), and Dy/Yb > 2 (2.16–3.63), suggest the presence of a garnet phase in a mantle source. The lavas were produced at varying depths by low degrees of partial melting (< 4%) of a source containing less than 5% of garnet peridotite. The 206Pb/204Pb values of basanite (19.69630–19.79122) are similar to those of FOZO (206Pb/204Pb > 19.5). The trachybasalt samples with 206Pb/204Pb values of 19.25 and 19.37 suggest the probable enrichment of magma with a high-μ (HIMU) signature (206Pb/204Pb < 19.5) by a crustal component. Trace elements and isotopic compositions (87Sr/86Sr: 0.70308–0.70378, 143Nd/144Nd: 0.51287–0.51296, 206Pb/204Pb: 19.24652–19.79122) of the Mokolo-Kosséhone lavas are consistent with a mixture of different source material from the sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) and the asthenosphere with minor crustal contamination. The composition of the source is analogous to those described in the northern portion of the CVL and other volcanic massifs along the CVL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnostic ultrasound or sonography is an image that can provide valuable information for diagnosing and treating a variety of diseases and conditions. The aim of this research study is to examine the performance and accuracy of the ultrasonic imaging system for the guarantee of diagnosis quality assurance, and to adjust the penetration settings to minimize the time of repeat scans and maintenance duration during research experiments. Measurements in this experiment included the resolution (axial and lateral) and focal zones. Moreover, the evaluation was done by completing all the measurements at different depths on a multipurpose phantom model 539. The phantom was bought from the market and was not fabricated by the author. The measurements were achieved by applying two different transducers: curved and linear (flat). The ultrasound images were obtained and tested by using calipers (electronic), and the estimations and observations were read by using all the taken measurements and images. As a result, because the phantom depths were different, the penetration settings were different too, indicating that the depth impacted the penetrations of the created ultrasound image. Moreover, after the comparison of the recorded measurements and results, it was found that all measurements were within the accepted (standard) value and that the true value was specified by the production of the phantom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: B‐lines are a lung ultrasound (LUS) artifact that often indicate pathology. Little is known about the optimal ultrasound machine settings to assess B‐lines. We compared settings typically used to evaluate B‐lines at our institution with adjusted settings based on recent studies. Methods: In order to determine typical settings for B‐line assessment, we retrospectively reviewed LUS images obtained at our institution. We then prospectively performed LUS with both typical and adjusted settings, using curvilinear and phased array probes, in 20 patients presenting to the emergency department with shortness of breath. The prospectively obtained clips were rated for quality and quantity of B‐lines by 14 clinicians with experience in LUS, with 1 assigned for typical settings "much greater," 2 for typical settings "slightly greater," 3 for both settings "similar," 4 for adjusted settings "slightly greater," and 5 for adjusted settings "much greater." Results: Mean ratings and 95% confidence intervals significantly exceeded the null value of 3 for both B line quality (curvilinear probe: 4.68, 4.50–4.85; phased array probe: 4.02, 3.70–4.35) and B line quantity (curvilinear probe: 4.16, 3.84–4.49; phased array probe: 3.68, 3.41–3.96). Conclusions: B‐line quality and quantity were rated higher using adjusted settings based on recently published evidence than when using settings that are typically employed in our institution. Our findings suggest that B‐line assessment should be performed with focal zone at the level of the pleura, harmonics off, and gain increased in the far field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnostic ultrasound or sonography is an image that can provide valuable information for diagnosing and treating a variety of diseases and conditions. The aim of this research study is to examine the performance and accuracy of the ultrasonic imaging system for the guarantee of diagnosis quality assurance, and to adjust the penetration settings to minimize the time of repeat scans and maintenance duration during research experiments. Measurements in this experiment included the resolution (axial and lateral) and focal zones. Moreover, the evaluation was done by completing all the measurements at different depths on a multipurpose phantom model 539. The phantom was bought from the market and was not fabricated by the author. The measurements were achieved by applying two different transducers: curved and linear (flat). The ultrasound images were obtained and tested by using calipers (electronic), and the estimations and observations were read by using all the taken measurements and images. As a result, because the phantom depths were different, the penetration settings were different too, indicating that the depth impacted the penetrations of the created ultrasound image. Moreover, after the comparison of the recorded measurements and results, it was found that all measurements were within the accepted (standard) value and that the true value was specified by the production of the phantom.

In this work, in order to develop a low-acoustic-intensity, high-efficiency and precise-treatment strategy, the vaporization of droplets and the inertial cavitation of vaporized microbubbles, using a dual-frequency focused ultrasound transducer, were investigated. The effect of a low frequency (LF), 1.1-MHz, sonication on droplet vaporization and the following inertial cavitation by the introduction of a high frequency (HF), 5-MHz, sonication was studied. It is shown that acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) threshold is the lowest at dual-frequency sonication (LF of 18.9 W/cm 2 and HF of 4.1 W/cm 2 ); moreover, the ADV efficiency is the highest at intensity threshold. The ADV area can be minimized to 2 mm 2 using a dual-frequency sonication (LF of 38.1 W/cm 2 and HF of 8.5 W/cm 2 ). The IC area and efficiency can also be modulated using a dual-frequency sonication. Consequently, it can be concluded that in contrast to the single-frequency sonication, using the dual-frequency ultrasound, the vaporization of nanodroplets and the following inertial cavitation of the vaporized microbubbles can be modulated. Besides, a dual-frequency can result in the minimum ADV/IC area, lowest ADV/IC threshold, and highest ADV/IC efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The publication presents a review of the structure and seismotectonic features of the Pacific margin of the NorthEastern Honshu Island on the basis of data from seismic reflection and CDP, drilling and detailed seismic studies in view of the megaearthquake (Mw=9.0) which occurred in Japan on March 11, 2011. The megaearthquake is discussed in terms of its position in the succession of the strongest events (M≥7.6) in the area under study within the historical period and in the recent timeline. It is suggested that the period of recurrence is about 40 years for great events and about 1000+ years for megaearthquakes. A number of facts suggesting a probability of a planetaryscale earthquake in the Honshu Island region are revealed. Specifically, a seismic gap with a total length of about 800 km is determined in the study area. It is located southward of 39° north latitude has already manifested aftershocks of the megaearthquake of March 11, 2011. It is probable that the megaearthquake was related to the deep thrust along the Benioff zone and the Oyashio nappe being its structural cap rock in the middle Pacific slope. The sequence of its aftershocks is compared with those of the SumatraAndaman (Mw=9.3, 2004) and Simushir (Mw=8.3, 2006) earthquakes. It is established that development of the aftershock sequences of the first and second events was very similar in time, and development of the areas of aftershock epicentres of the first and third earthquakes is similar in space. The above similarities give grounds to suggest that an aftershock (M~8.0) is possible with a relative shifting from the main shock towards the deep trench.

The purpose of the paper is to try to find ULF electromagnetic precursors to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake (EQ), on the basis of extensive investigation of radiations in vertical component of the magnetic field or with a large ratio of the vertical to full horizontal component. Nighttime records have been analyzed of three Japanese fluxgate magnetometers located in a distance from 300 to 1300 km from the epicenter of the main shock, and the frequency range from 10 to 150 mHz was used for the analysis. We have applied wavelet analyses to improve the detection of pulsed signals. All obtained scalograms have been averaged over the nighttime interval from 01 h to 05 h JST and flattened by means of multiplication by square of frequency. The sequence of spectra thus obtained has been compared with the evolution of seismicity, which has resulted in that the radiation in the vertical component has been detected. It exhibits seasonal variations with winter maxima, but it increases further by approaching the moment of the EQ and decreases after that. This radiation seems to be correlated with atmospheric parameters – air humidity, temperature, vapor pressure and rainfall. So, we consider that this radiation cannot be caused by subsurface sources, but its possible sources can be atmospheric discharges. The evolution of this phenomenon can be explained by a seasonal variation of atmospheric parameters and also its variations under the influence of injection of gas from the focal zone of a forthcoming EQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]