OBJECTIVE Tissue accumulation of (18)F-FDG is quantified as standardised uptake value (SUV), which may be expressed as the voxel maximum (SUVmax) or mean (SUVmean). SUVmax/SUVmean may be a marker of hepatic steatosis, while the coefficient of variation (CV) of SUV may be a marker of hepatic fat distribution heterogeneity (HFDH). Alternatively, they may reflect low signal-to-noise ratio ('noise'...

The early identification of graft failure would improve patient management. (18)F-fluoride is a suitable tracer for quantifying bone metabolism. Performance of parametric images constructed by Patlak graphical analysis (PGA) with various time periods was evaluated in the analysis of dynamic (18)F-fluoride PET studies of eight patients with fibula bone grafts after limb salvage surgery. The PGA ...

We discuss the implications of the recent upward revision of the LMC microlensing rate by the MACHO Collaboration. We conclude: (i) A good case for the existence of baryonic dark matter in the halo has been made; (ii) The case for the existence of cold dark matter is unaffected and still compelling; and (iii) The Galactic halo is still an excellent place to search for cold dark matter particles...

The dilator function of the vascular endothelium is critical for optimal tissue perfusion, and this is brought into stark reality in a number of diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and preeclampsia, in which endothelium-dependent vasodilator function is impaired. Prostacyclin and nitric oxide (NO) were the earliest identified endothelium-dependent vasodilators, but it was soon found that ...

An anticipatory system for guiding plot development in interactive narratives is described. The executable model is a finite automaton that provides the implemented system with a lookahead. The identification of undesirable future states in the model is used to guide the player, in a transparent manner. In this way, too radical twists of the plot that lead to behaviors of the autonomous fellow ...