To obtain data for both the upward radiance of the vegetation canopy and downward irradiance data with a high SNR in relatively short time intervals, the single-step integration time optimization algorithm is proposed. To optimize the extraction accuracy of SIF, the FluorMOD model is used to simulate sets of data according to the spectral resolution, spectral sampling interval and SNR of the spectrometer in this continuous observation system. These data sets are used to determine the best parameters of Fraunhofer Line Depth (FLD), Three FLD (3FLD) and the spectral fitting method (SFM), and 3FLD and SFM are confirmed to be suitable for extracting SIF from the spectral measurements. This system has been used to observe the SIF values in O2-A and O2-B absorption bands and some commonly used vegetation index from sweet potato and bare land, the result of which shows: (1) the daily variation trend of SIF value of sweet potato leaves is basically same as that of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR); and (2) the bare land is a non-fluorescent emitter, the SIF of which is significantly smaller than that of sweet potato; and (3) analysis result based on the measured data is basically same as that based on simulated data. The above results verified the reliability of the SIF extracted from the measured data and the feasibility of comparatively observing the SIF value and the commonly used vegetation index of multiple vegetation canopy with this continuous observation system. This approach is beneficial for comprehensively analysing the stress response characteristics of vegetation canopies.Detecting sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) offers a new approach for remote sensing photosynthesis. However, to analyse the response characteristics of SIF under different stress states, a long-term time-series comparative observation of vegetation under different stress states must be carried out at the canopy scale, such that the similarities and differences in SIF change law can be summarized under different time scales. A continuous comparative observation system for vegetation canopy SIF is designed in this study. The system, which is based on a high-resolution spectrometer and an optical multiplexer, can achieve comparative observation of multiple targets. To simultaneously measure the commonly used vegetation index and SIF in the O Referencing Damm et al. , the simTo simulate the influence of the random noise of the QE65pro spectrometer on the fluorescence extraction accuracy, noise is further added to each wavelength of the simulated spectral curve; thus, 1000 solar downward radiance curves and 1000 target upward radiance curves including noise are generated. The noise added is calculated according to the Gaussian distribution; the mean value is 0, and the standard deviation is the ratio of the radiance to the SNR. Because the magnitude of the radiance differs at different wavelengths, the actual SNR at different wavelengths is different. Equation (3)  is used velength .2-A and O2-B absorption bands. To optimize the fluorescence extraction accuracy of the ground experimental data, the simulated data are first used to analyse the best parameters and accuracy of each algorithm. These algorithms and their best parameters are then used to extract the fluorescence from the ground experimental data. To test the optimized effect of each fluorescence extraction algorithm, the accuracy of each algorithm after parameter optimization is compared by extracting the fluorescence using other parameters. The parameters set of each fluorescence extraction algorithm are shown in The Fraunhofer Line Depth (FLD), Three FLD (3FLD) and spectral fitting method (SFM) ,17 are uThis system was used to observe the diurnal variation of spectra for sweet potato and bare land on 12 October 2015 . The reset al. [2-A and O2-B absorption bands are summarized in Through repeated trials of different parameters of each algorithm and referencing the method of Meroni et al. , the set2-A absorption band, the fluorescence extraction accuracy of FLD clearly changes under the different parameters, whereas the accuracy of 3FLD and SFM do not show obvious changes under the parameters in this study. In the O2-B absorption band, the accuracy of every algorithm changes to a different degree under different parameters, with the accuracies of FLD and 3FLD showing large variations and that of SFM showing a relatively small variation. The variation in the accuracy of each algorithm in the O2-B absorption band is larger than that in the O2-A absorption band. This may be because the shape of the reflectance curve cannot be expressed using a straight line and the reflectance curve also cannot be fitted by the polynomial with a low degree  in a large range of wavelengths. However, in the O2-A absorption band, the shape of the reflectance curve within the range of 10 nm is close to a straight line; therefore, the accuracies of 3FLD and SFM basically do not change under the different parameters set used in this study.Taking the simulation with a chlorophyll content of 40 and with a Leaf area index of 4 as an example, the parameter optimization effect of each fluorescence extraction algorithm is tested . The difThe above analyses are based on data for which the chlorophyll content is 40 and the leaf area index is 4. However, for data with other leaf and canopy parameters, the results are essentially not different. Nonetheless, some details are different; for example, the degree of change in the accuracy of each algorithm under different parameters set is different due to the different shape of the reflectance near the oxygen absorption band, especially for FLD and 3FLD. The slope of the reflectance near the oxygen absorption band positively correlates with the degree of change in the accuracy of FLD, and the curvature of the reflectance near the oxygen absorption band correlates with the degree of change in the accuracy of 3FLD.2-A and O2-B absorption bands are shown in 2-A absorption band gradually increases with the increase in chlorophyll content, resulting in a gradual increase in the ratio of overestimation. However, in the O2-B absorption band, the ratio of overestimation gradually decreases with an increase in chlorophyll content. The fluorescence extraction accuracy of 3FLD and SFM are relatively high and close to the simulated value of fluorescence. In addition, they are not materially influenced by the chlorophyll content. This result is fundamentally similar to that of Hu et al. [2-B absorption band.For data with different chlorophyll contents, the fluorescence extraction results of each algorithm and the simulated value of fluorescence in the Ou et al. . HoweverIn 3FLD, if the wavelengths on each side of the absorption band are far from the bottom of the absorption band, the accuracy is largely influenced by the curvature of the reflectance curve near the absorption band; therefore, the range of accuracy changing with chlorophyll content is very large. Thus, the change in fluorescence extraction accuracy with the change in chlorophyll content differs due to the different parameter settings. Moreover, with changes in the spectral resolution and spectral sampling interval, the parameter setting of each fluorescence extraction algorithm and the rule of accuracy changing with chlorophyll content may also change. In addition, the influence of noise on the standard deviation of the fluorescence value of each algorithm is very obvious in 2-A and O2-B absorption bands are basically same as shown in 2-A and O2-B absorption bands are shown in 2-B absorption band, the tendency is for the accuracy of each algorithm to increase with an increase in leaf area index. However, in the O2-A absorption band, the accuracy of each algorithm essentially does not change with a change in leaf area index, which is associated with variation in the curvature and slope of the trend line of the reflectance curve in the absorption band and also with the rate of fluorescence in the upward radiance. In addition, for the O2-B absorption band, when the leaf area index is relatively small, the reflectance curve is close to a straight line ). However, with an increase in leaf area index, the fluorescence extraction accuracy of SFM  decreases gradually. In contrast, the accuracy of using a quadratic function and a linear function to fit reflectance and fluorescence, respectively, ) gradually increases and exceeds that of SFM  when the leaf area index reaches a certain number. For 3FLD, when the leaf area index is relatively small, the fluorescence value is overestimated under the parameter settings in this paper. Because 3FLD also assume the fluorescence to be a constant value and only change to assume the reflectance vary linearly comparing with FLD, similar to the parameters setting method of FLD analysed by Meroni et al. [For data with different leaf area indices, the parameter setting of each algorithm in the Oi et al. , appropr2-A and O2-B absorption bands at different solar zenith angles are shown in 2-B absorption band is larger than that of vegetation. In addition, the O2-A absorption band is deeper than the O2-B absorption band. Therefore, the degree of sensitivity of SIF extraction accuracy in the O2-A absorption band is smaller than that in the O2-B absorption band, which results in the standard deviation of the SIF of bare land in the O2-A absorption band being much smaller than that in the O2-B absorption band. However, for vegetation, radiance in the O2-B absorption band is much smaller than that in the O2-A absorption band, and thus the noise in the O2-B absorption band is much smaller than that in the O2-A absorption band. The influence of the amplitude of the noise integrates with the influence of the depth of the absorption band, resulting in the difference between the vegetation SIF standard deviations in the O2-A and the O2-B absorption bands being much smaller than those of bare land.The fluorescence extraction results of each algorithm and the simulated value of fluorescence in the O2-A and O2-B absorption bands, with relatively high accuracy in the analysis of the simulation data. In this process, the parameter settings of the simulation data are used to set the parameters for the measured data.For the measured data, 3FLD and SFM are used to extract fluorescence in the O−2·s−1, the measurement time for the entire group of can still be approximately 7 s. Therefore, this continuous observation system can decrease the uncertainty of fluorescence extraction caused by variation in illumination during the period of measurement.et al. [et al. .2-B absorption band is much smaller than that of the O2-A absorption band, the fluorescence extracted in the O2-B absorption band is strongly affected by noise [2-B absorption band. Moreover, the fluctuation in the SIF687 of bare land is much larger than that of vegetation, which is related to the fact that the noise of the bare land spectrum at this wavelength is larger than that of the vegetation spectrum according to Equations (3) and (4). Although the noise of the bare land spectrum in the O2-A absorption band is also very large, the depth of the O2-A absorption band is much larger than that of the O2-B absorption band. The influence of the noise to fluorescence value is therefore small, which results in the SIF760 fluctuation of bare land being relatively small. These results are essentially the same as those based on the simulated data, and the daily variation in SIF760 obtained by this observation system is essentially consistent with previous studies based on other continuous observation systems [The SIF values at 687 nm and 760 nm (SIF687 and SIF760) of the sweet potato canopy and bare land extracted by 3FLD and by SFM and the diurnal variation curve of PAR are shown in by noise , which r (3) and . Althoug systems . In addiThe diurnal variation in the Red-Edge Chlorophyll Index and PRI of sweet potato is shown in In the short term, the PRI value is linked to the xanthophyll cycle of the photo-protection mechanism at the leaf scale, which can reflect the state of photosynthesis . Althoug2-A and O2-B absorption bands but also can synchronously measure commonly used vegetation indices. To improve the SNR of the observed data, a type of single‑step optimization algorithm of integration time is proposed. This can rapidly optimize the integration time in each measurement, thus greatly reducing the influence on the results of fluorescence extraction from both random noise and irradiation variation between up-welling and down-welling measurements under cloudy conditions.To satisfy the demand for long-term comparative observation of different vegetation canopies, an automated comparative observation system for vegetation canopy SIF is designed in this study. This system is based on a QE65pro spectrometer and an MPM-2000 optical multiplexer, which has good expandability and can realize the comparative observation of multiple features. The spectral response range of this system is 475.9 to 862.2 nm, the spectral resolution is 0.9 nm, and the spectral sampling interval is 0.4 nm. This system not only can extract SIF in the Oet al. [To optimize the accuracy of each fluorescence extraction algorithm, the vegetation canopy fluorescence model FluorMOD is used to simulate a set of simulated data that include different noise configurations, chlorophyll contents and leaf area indices according to the spectral sampling interval and SNR of the QE65pro spectrometer. This simulation method is similar to that used by Köhler et al. . Based o2-A and O2-B absorption bands from the sweet potato canopy and bare land, and the reflectivity spectral curve is used to calculate the Red-Edge Chlorophyll Index and PRI of the sweet potato canopy. The experiment shows that the results of field measurements are essentially the same as those for the simulated data, with the daily variation trend of the vegetation canopy SIF being essentially the same as that for PAR. The SIF of bare land is close to 0 and much smaller than that of vegetation. The above results verify the reliability of SIF in O2-A and O2-B absorption bands and the comparative ability of this observation system. Moreover, this system can synchronously obtain some commonly used vegetation indices such as the Red-Edge Chlorophyll Index and PRI, which is beneficial for comprehensively analysing the stress response characteristics of the vegetation canopy.In field spectral measurement, 3FLD, SFM and their optimal parameters tested from simulated data are used to extract SIF values in O


Objectives. To investigate the availability of correction of mandibular plane using software for vertical measurements in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) according to the sites of the mandible. Methods. CBCT scans of six dry mandibles were performed at 0-, 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-degree angles relative to CBCT scanning table. Using the imaging software, mandibular planes of the different angles were corrected to that of 0-degree angle on the CBCT images. Before and after correction of the mandibular planes, the distance from the mandibular canal to the alveolar crest was measured at M1, M2, and M3 areas of the mandible and vertical measurements were statistically compared with those of 0-angle location using the paired t-test. Results. Prior to correction, the vertical measurements increased as the angle increased. The greatest differences of measurements were observed in M3 areas (P < 0.05). After correction, a strong correlation was found in measurements between the 0-degree angle and the other angles in all sites of the mandible (P > 0.05). Conclusions. The vertical measurements of CBCT were significantly influenced by mandibular positioning. When CBCT scans are performed at angles other than 0-degree angle, software-based correction of the mandibular plane can be a reliable tool for the accurate vertical measurements in CBCT. The assessment of the available bone height is one of the significant factors which influences the decision regarding the length of the implant prior to dental implant placement . ComputeRecently, due to the advantages of low radiation exposure and relatively low cost, CBCT scans have come to be preferred over CT for evaluations of bone quantity prior to dental implant placement , 7, 8. AOur previous study reported that vertical measurements based on CT scans can be significantly influenced by mandibular positioning angle . In CBCTAn imaging software program has been developed to improve the applicability of CBCT imaging for dental treatments , 11, 12.This study aimed at evaluating the influence of mandibular position changes on the vertical measurements from CBCT scans and investigating the availability of software-based correction of mandibular plane on CBCT images for vertical measurements according to the sites of the mandible.The CBCT scans were conducted with reference to the experimental procedure that we have previously reported for CT scans . Six dryAt a positive 5-degree angle to the scanning table (5-degree location).At a positive 10-degree angle to the scanning table (10-degree location).At a positive 15-degree angle to the scanning table (15-degree location).At a positive 20-degree angle to the scanning table (20-degree location).The inferior border of the mandible (mandibular plane) was positioned parallel to the CBCT scanning table of 0-degree location and at the following positions:An Alphard 3030 CBCT unit  was used. All images were recorded at 80 kVp and 5 mA over 17 s using a 102 × 102 mm field of view and an axial slice thickness of 0.2 mm. To obtain accurate results, the images of the remnant teeth and the extraction sockets were excluded.Before the correction of the mandibular plane, a total of 56 areas  were obtained, and the 280 cross-sectional images taken from the 56 areas at 0-, 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-degree angles were used.Using the In2Guide software OnDemand3D , the distances from the top of the mandibular canal to the alveolar crest were measured on the cross-sectional images at the marked areas at which the gutta-percha was highly visible  at the 0-, 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-degree angles . All meaThe imaging software OnDemand3D has the functionality to make the adjustment of the axes of CBCT data. This function is used for correction of the mandibular planes of CBCT images that are obtained at angles other than the 0-degree angle. In the adjustment of CBCT data, the base plane is dragged to reslice as newly aligned DICOM data. Rotation degrees will be shown on the 3D plane automatically. The mandibular planes in the CBCT images taken at the 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-degree angles were corrected to that of the 0-degree position for M1, M2, and M3 areas of the mandibles using the software program  and 224 t-test (P < 0.05). The data set was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science software ver. 19.0 .To assess intraobserver difference, Wilcoxon matched-pairs test was used for repeated measurements of the same observer. All vertical measurements before and after correction were statistically compared with those obtained at 0-degree location according to the M1, M2, and M3 areas using the paired P > 0.05). Intraobserver consistency was rated at 95% between two measurements.There was no statistically significant intraobserver difference in repeated measurements of CBCT images (P > 0.05). However, at the 15-degree and 20-degree angles, there were statistically significant differences for the M2 and M3 areas . However, in the M1 area, there were no statistically significant differences between 0-degree angle and the other angles . Regarding the marked areas of the mandible, there was no statistically significant effect in the M1, M2, and M3 areas (P > 0.05; In contrast, after the correction of the mandibular plane with software, the vertical measurements were relatively constant across different angles of the mandibular planes regardless of sites of the mandible . There wDuring evaluations of preimplant sites of the mandible, accurate measurements of the distance from the mandibular canal to the alveolar crest on radiographs have been linked to primary implant success . InsertiPrior to the correction of mandibular planes, the vertical measurements based on CBCT scans were affected by changes in the position of the mandible. As the angle between the mandibular plane and the CBCT scanning table increased, the vertical measurements increased. Because the cross sections of CBCT images that were taken at angles other than the 0-degree angle were not perpendicular to the long axis of the mandible, the vertical measurements from the CBCT images taken at different angles might be overestimated compared to those at 0-degree angle location of the mandible.Regarding the sites of the mandible, before correction, the greatest differences of vertical measurements were observed in the posterior regions, and the difference of measurements decreased toward the more anterior regions. Because the M3 areas are the farthest from the axis of rotation in terms of angle, the cross-sectional images of the areas were oblique to the long axis of the mandible. So the measurements in the M3 areas were likely greater than those of the other sites in the mandibles.Large errors in measurements of available bone height might cause nerve injury during the insertion of the implant. When patients are not accurately positioned in CBCT scans, CBCT rescans might be necessary for accurate evaluations of preimplant site. When patients are not accurately positioned in CBCT scans, CBCT rescan might be necessary for accurate evaluation of preimplant site, and it results in unnecessary radiation exposure to the patient.Today, imaging software has been developed for dental treatment, and the software has the functionality to rotate the axis of CBCT image. We thought that this function should be used for the correction of mandibular plane on all CBCT images that were at angles other than the 0-degree angle. After correction, the vertical measurements at different angles corresponded relatively well with those at the 0-degree angle. Additionally, a strong correlation was found in the vertical measurements between the 0-degree angle and the other angles in all sites of the mandible. Therefore, the correction of the mandibular plane using software is thought to be a reliable tool for the accurate measurements of the vertical distance in preimplant site of CBCT images.In conclusion, changes of mandibular position in CBCT scan affected the vertical measurements from the cross-sectional images according to the sites of the mandible. However, when CBCT scans are performed at angles other than the 0-degree angle, software-based correction of the mandibular plane can provide satisfactory information about the vertical measurements without requiring an additional CBCT scanning.


As part of a continuing effort to validate the radiometric scales assigned to integrating sphere sources used in the calibration of Earth Observing System (EOS) instruments, a radiometric measurement comparison was held in May 1998 at Raytheon/Santa Barbara Remote Sensing (SBRS). This comparison was conducted in support of the calibration of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) instruments. The radiometric scale assigned to the Spherical Integrating Source (SIS100) by SBRS was validated through a comparison with radiometric measurements made by a number of stable, well-characterized transfer radiometers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA’s GSFC), and the University of Arizona Optical Sciences Center (UA). The measured radiances from the radiometers differed by ±3 % in the visible to near infrared when compared to the SBRS calibration of the sphere, and the overall agreement was within the combined uncertainties of the individual measurements. In general, the transfer radiometers gave higher values than the SBRS calibration in the near infrared and lower values in the blue. The measurements of the radiometers differed by ±4 % from 800 nm to 1800 nm compared to the SBRS calibration of the sphere, and the overall agreement was within the combined uncertainties of the individual measurements for wavelengths less than 2200 nm. The results of the radiometric measurement comparison presented here supplement the results of previous measurement comparisons on the integrating sphere sources used to calibrate the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, CA and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) at NEC Corporation, Yokohama, Japan. The Earth Observing System (EOS) is an 18 year international multi-satellite, multi-instrument program in remote sensing of the Earth. The goal of the program is to advance the scientific understanding of the Earth system and its changes on a global scale. To achieve this goal, EOS instruments will make global, continuous, long time series radiance and reflectance measurements of the Earth. The first EOS satellite, Terra, launched in December 1999, is comprised of five instruments designed to monitor the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land, cryosphere, and their interaction with the incident solar radiation. The five EOS Terra instruments include the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) , the MulThe capability for researchers to combine radiometric measurements and derived geophysical products from multiple EOS instruments on the same or different satellite platforms is essential. The accuracy of these analyses is critically linked to the pre-launch calibration of the instruments and the assessment of the post-launch calibration. Accurate radiometric calibration and characterization is by reference to a common set of recognized physical standards, good measurement practice, and realistic uncertainty budgets. With respect to the pre-launch calibration of the EOS Terra and Landsat 7 ETM+ instruments, a set of transfer radiometers operating in the visible through shortwave infrared wavelength region (from 400 nm to 2500 nm) has been independently developed and calibrated by several metrology laboratories and used to assess standard sources of spectral radiance. These laboratories include the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA’s GSFC), the University of Arizona Optical Sciences Center (UA), and the National Metrology Institute of Japan/National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology—NMIJ/AIST  in Tsukuba, Japan. Under the direction of the EOS Project Science Office, these radiometers make simultaneous, comparative measurements of the integrating sphere sources used to calibrate EOS instruments  to assesIn May 1998, NIST, UA, NASA’s GSFC, and Raytheon Santa Barbara Remote Sensing (SBRS) participated in a radiometric measurement comparison using the SBRS Spherical Integrating Source (SIS100). The SIS100 is the large aperture, uniform radiant source used to calibrate the EOS Terra and Aqua MODIS instruments and the Landsat 7 ETM+ instrument. The 1998 measurement comparison addressed the validation of the SBRS-assigned radiometric values, sphere repeatability, and sphere stability. During the comparison, measurements were made by the participating radiometers on 37 sphere radiance levels. This paper presents and discusses the results from that radiometric measurement comparison.The results are relevant to the calibration and characterization of current and future satellite and ground instruments. The radiance calibration approaches employed by SBRS on the SIS100 and described in this paper are used by a number of other institutions. The results presented here constitute the first, careful examination and validation of those approaches. The SIS100 will be used in the pre-launch radiance calibration of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) scheduled to fly on both the National Polar-orbiting Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) and the National Polar-orbiting Environmental Satellite System Preparatory (NPP) projects. The stability, repeatability, and radiance measurement methodologies of the SIS100 examined in this paper will provide important guidance to SBRS in their use of the SIS100 in the calibration of VIIRS.k = 1), SBRS calculated that the spectral radiance calibration uncertainty of the SIS100 must be less than ± 3 % (k = 1). To meet the MODIS spectral radiance calibration uncertainty specification of ± 5 % , was calculated using fr is the spectral 0°/45° bidirectional reflectance distribution function of the halon plaque at wavelength λ, λE is the spectral irradiance of the standard lamp, λV,SIS (n) is the signal from the measurement of the SIS100 at wavelength λ and with n lamps illuminated, and λV,STD is the signal from the measurement of the illuminated plaque.A modified Cary-14 spectroradiometer configured for radiance measurements viewed the lamp/diffuser source and compared the measured detector output to that measured while viewing the SIS100. For measurements from 360 nm to 1000 nm, a photomultiplier tube (PMT) detector was used. For measurements from 700 nm to 2300 nm, an indium antimonide (InSb) detector was used. The SIS100 spectral radiance at wavelength Measurements were made at the wavelengths in the standard lamp test report (at 20 wavelengths from 360 nm to 2300 nm), and the measurement results were calculated at 1 nm and 2 nm intervals using cubic-spline interpolation. The calibration of the SIS100 was performed three times in the visible/near infrared and twice in the shortwave infrared, and the results of the individual calibrations were compared for consistency and repeatability.For the April 1998 SIS100 calibration, the sphere was operated by Raytheon SBRS in the following manner. SBRS initially measured the sphere radiance with all 200 W, 45 W, and 8 W lamps illuminated. Radiance measurements continued as individual 200 W lamps were successively extinguished, followed by individual 45 W lamps, followed by individual 8 W lamps. This procedure was repeated twice and the results were averaged. This multiple lamp wattage-type operation of the SIS100 was used in the calibration of the MODIS Aqua satellite instrument. A table with the SBRS calibration results was provided to the comparison participants before the start of the May comparison measurements.The multiple lamp wattage-type operational approach differed from the approach used by SBRS prior to April 1998 in calibrating the SIS100 for the MODIS Terra and ETM+ satellite instruments. For those calibrations, measurements were performed with all lamps of one wattage type illuminated. Successive measurements were made after turning off individual lamps in that wattage type until only one lamp was illuminated. This process was repeated for all three lamp types, that is, with only lamps of the same type in operation at a particular time. Radiance values for the SIS100 lamp combinations used in the calibration of the MODIS Terra and ETM+ instruments were calculated by adding the results of the appropriate identical wattage measurements. SBRS and the comparison participants agreed that the multiple wattage-type operation should be adopted as the basis for the measurement comparison. However, it was also agreed that SIS100 radiances be measured for the identical wattage-type operation and a comparison of SIS100 radiances obtained through identical wattage-type and multiple wattage-type operational approaches should be performed.The principal measurements in the May 1998 campaign were made at six SIS100 operating levels: (10-9-11), (10-9-4), (10-9-0), (10-5-0), (10-0-0), and (4-0-0). The values in parenthesis give the number and type of lamps illuminated in the sphere, with the lowest wattage listed first. For example, (10-9-11) refers to ten 8 W lamps illuminated, nine 45 W lamps illuminated, and eleven 200 W lamps illuminated. For the brightest level, (10-9-11), the SBRS values in the visible/near infrared extend from 360 nm to 900 nm in 1 nm intervals. For this level, there is no calibration in the shortwave infrared. For the other five levels, the SBRS calibration is from 360 nm to 1000 nm in 1 nm intervals and from 700 nm to 2300 nm in 2 nm intervals. The sphere spectral radiance curves from SBRS are shown in The five transfer radiometers in the May 1998 radiometric measurement comparisons are briefly described below.In the May 1998 radiometric comparisons, NIST participated with the EOS Visible/Near Infrared Transfer Radiometer (VXR) and the EOS Shortwave Infrared Transfer Radiometer (SWIXR). The VXR is a six channel filter radiometer of similar optical design to the SeaWiFS Transfer Radiometer (SXR) . The VXRλ are calculated using λR is the relative spectral response at wavelength λ, and the maximum value of λR is normalized to unity. The relative spectral responsivities were determined using the NIST visible spectral comparator facility, which utilizes a lamp-illuminated prism-grating monochromator [λC are calculated as weighted means, using hromator . For allThe VXR was calibrated in advance of the SBRS comparison using a NIST integrating sphere source, model number OL420, manufactured by Optronic Laboratories, Incorporated. At NIST’s request, a monitor photodiode was mounted in the sphere wall. In March 1998, the OL420 was calibrated for spectral radiance in NIST’s Facility for Automated Spectroradiometric Calibrations (FASCAL) . In DeceThe UA VNIR is a simple, single detector radiometer with a manual rotating filter wheel containing seven filters , 18. UnlThe laboratory calibration of the UA VNIR also utilized lamp standards of spectral irradiance, in this case one lamp was calibrated by NIST (irradiance lamp number F330) and one was obtained from a commercial standards laboratory . The principal (irradiance-mode) calibration of the instrument is made by viewing the irradiance standard with the front aperture removed . A seconThe Landsat Transfer Radiometer (LXR)  is a sixThe radiometric calibration of the LXR radiometer was performed by NIST using the OL420 source. As with the VXR, the source was calibrated using FASCAL. The LXR viewed the OL420 at a 1 m distance in April 1997 and January 1999; the OL420 was calibrated by FASCAL in October 1996, March 1998, November 1998 and May 1999. The two calibrations of the LXR agreed to within 1 %. The relative standard uncertainty in the transfer of the calibration from the FASCAL to the LXR was 0.5 % to 1 %, depending on the channel. The overall relative standard uncertainty of the LXR is 2 % to 3 %, also depending on the channel.The UA SWIR  is a tweThe UA SWIR is calibrated for spectral radiance responsivity in the laboratory using a standard irradiance lamp and a diffusely reflecting Spectralon™ plaque. The lamp and plaque are the same as those used in the calibration of the UA VNIR radiometer, so the assignment of the spectral irradiance and reflectance values, including their relationship to NIST standards, is as described in Sec. 2.2.2. For the UA SWIR radiometer, the plaque is placed 2.33 m from the standard lamp to provide calibration radiances for the radiometer that approximate the typical on-orbit radiances for the MODIS and ASTER instruments. The relative standard uncertainty for the UA SWIR is estimated to be between 3.3 % and 3.9 % .For the May 1998 comparison, the SWIXR made measurements of the SIS100 at 29 wavelengths, in 50 nm wavelength intervals from 850 nm to 2250 nm. The SWIXR [The radiometric measurement comparison at SBRS in May 1998 was the first field deployment of the SWIXR. The SWIXR was calibrated at NIST immediately after the SBRS comparison in June 1998. This calibration was performed using an Optronic Laboratories, Incorporated OL450 integrating sphere source calibrated for spectral radiance using a variable temperature blackbody located in the NIST Radiance Temperature Laboratory . For theLB, which are calculated as weighted averages of the spectral radiance at wavelength λ, LλλL values are either from SBRS , the results are given at every nanometer from 360 nm to the upper limit of the measurements, either 900 nm or 1000 nm (depending on lamp configuration in the SIS100). For the SBRS shortwave infrared spectral radiance curves, the spacing is every 2 nm from 700 nm to 2300 nm. For the channels of the two UA instruments and of the EOS SWIXR, the wavelength intervals for the spectral responses (λR’s) are 0.1 nm. For the EOS VXR channels, the wavelength spacings are 0.5 nm.The wavelength spacings provided by SBRS in the spectral radiance curves do not match the wavelength spacings for the transfer radiometers. For the SBRS visible/near infrared spectral radiances  + λL, SIS(0-m-0) = λL, SIS(n-m-0)? In all cases, the same individual lamps were utilized.In addition to the these goals, as explained in Sec. 2.1 we wanted to examine the validity of the SBRS identical-wattage method of assigning spectral radiance values, which assumes separate measurements for configurations utilizing lamps of the same wattage , when added are the same as the spectral radiances when all of the corresponding lamps are illuminated. Stated symbolically as an example for the 45 W and 8 W lamps, does On May 12 and 13, the SBRS assigned sphere radiances were validated for the six principal lamp configurations; these involved lamps of different wattages see  and 2. SOn May 14, the EOS VXR and the UA SWIR were positioned slightly off-axis in front of the SIS100 and viewed an area in the back of the sphere corresponding to the area viewed by MODIS during its calibration. The positioning of the VXR and the UA SWIR for these measurements is shown in S is the net signal for a channel of a transfer radiometer and the subscript “cal” refers to calibration of the transfer radiometer. Therefore, the measurements at SBRS are a comparison of the spectral radiance values of the calibration sources with the SIS100 values, assuming that the radiometric calibration coefficients and spectral responsivities of the transfer radiometers are constant.The comparison results are presented in terms of the difference, in percent, of the measurement by the transfer radiometer from a calculated value. The calculated values are obtained using The primary purpose of the comparison measurements is the validation of the SBRS-assigned sphere radiances. This is accomplished through comparisons at six lamp levels that span the sphere levels from bright, (level 10-9-11) to dim, (level 4-0-0).As described above, the SBRS calibration of the (10-9-11) lamp level did not extend beyond 900 nm. This level and the others between (10-9-18) to (10-9-5) provide sufficient flux to calibrate satellite instruments in the blue and green portions of the spectrum, from about 400 nm to 550 nm. For wavelengths beyond 900 nm, these levels produce more than the maximum spectral radiances to ever be observed by satellite instruments on orbit. This eliminates the need to calibrate the sphere into the shortwave infrared for these levels. The brightest lamp level with a SBRS calibration past 900 nm is (10-9-4), and it was included for study in this comparison.With its relatively broad bandwidth of 109.3 nm, the 827.0 nm channel of the GSFC LXR has significant response for wavelengths from 900 nm to 950 nm. Since SBRS provided no spectral radiance values for the SIS100 in this spectral range for the (10-9-11) level, the band-averaged spectral radiance cannot be calculated for this LXR channel, and consequently this data point is missing from k = 1 uncertainties, illustrated using the vertical lines, intersect the line at zero difference. For the complete ensemble of comparison points in For 110 of the 113 measurement results in At least a portion of the relative differences among the three radiometers at each SIS100 radiance level are due, in all likelihood, to differences in the calibration of each radiometer. For each spectral grouping in The results in 5 Pa, a temperature of 25 °C, and a relative humidity of 30 %. No attempt is made to apply the atmospheric transmittances as corrections to the comparison results; however, there is strong evidence to link the atmospheric effects to the large comparison differences near 1350 nm and 1850 nm. There are two issues to consider related to atmospheric absorption. First, the NIST-assigned values of spectral irradiance are selected to avoid these regions, which results in calibration values at 800 nm, 900 nm, 1050 nm, 1150 nm, 1200 nm, 1300 nm, 1540 nm, 1600 nm, 1700 nm, 2000 nm, 2100 nm, 2300 nm, and 2400 nm. Interpolation by SBRS to values within regions of atmospheric absorption results in an overestimate of the radiance of the SIS100. Second, the atmospheric conditions of the relevant optical paths during each step in the measurement chain  most likely differ, which results in variability. For the SIS100, the optical pathlength inside the sphere depends on the wall reflectance and conditions inside the sphere, which may depend on thermal history.A cursory examination of As a result of these issues, we have removed the EOS SWIXR measurements from 1350 nm to 1500 nm and from 1850 nm to 2000 nm from the comparison results. In addition, we have removed the UA SWIR measurement at 1380 nm from the comparison results. The revised comparison data set is shown in k = 1 .The level of agreement can be described by noting that for the data in For the first three spectral regions , the differences of the two radiometers from the SBRS-derived values are nearly independent of the SIS100 radiance. At these wavelengths, the EOS SWIXR radiances are consistently higher than those from the UA SWIR, with differences ranging from 3 % to 7 %. If the transfer radiometers are linear,As shown in For the UA transfer radiometers, the differences from the SBRS-based radiances are shown in For the EOS VXR and the EOS SWIXR, the differences from the SBRS-based radiances are shown in On May 14, the EOS VXR and the UA SWIR instruments were placed in front of the SBRS integrating sphere see , and theThe results of the May 14 and 15 off-axis measurements of the SIS100 using the EOS VXR are shown in For most of the measurements on May 14, the differences between the VXR and SBRS are reasonably constant, within ±0.5 %, with SIS100 lamp configuration for each measurement wavelength. However, when the (10-9-14) lamp configuration was repeated on the May 15, the results disagree by more than 0.5 %, see Other features exist, and they are most evident by plotting the results in We use the term repeatability to describe the agreement of separate measurements of the SIS100, where “separate” denotes the SIS100 lamp configuration was changed, including turned off, or the transfer radiometer was moved or realigned, and so forth. We use the term stability to describe the temporal behavior of continuous measurements by a single radiometer. There are two estimators of stability: a) the results at a particular channel (wavelength) for a transfer radiometer during each on-axis measurement of the six principal levels ; and b) the results at a particular channel (wavelength) for the EOS VXR and the UA SWIR during the off-axis monitoring of one of the six principal lamp configurations. This off-axis monitoring was possible only when these radiometers were not themselves measuring the SIS100. The EOS VXR recorded monitor data in its six channels while the UA SWIR recorded monitor data in its 1600 nm channel. Note that, for either repeatability or stability, the performance of the transfer radiometer as well as the SIS100 are equally important.There are different types of measurements that speak to the repeatability. First, the EOS VXR measured each of the six principal levels twice, at the start and end of a measurement sequence for that particular lamp configuration. The measurements were made on-axis with the VXR moved in and out to accommodate the other transfer radiometers, without changing the SIS100. Second, the (10-9-4) and (10-5-0) configurations were measured twice on-axis by the EOS VXR and the UA SWIR. Third, during the off-axis studies on May 14, the six principal levels were measured by the EOS VXR and the UA SWIR. For three channels of the EOS VXR, these results are summarized in The repeatability demonstrated in The (10-9-4) and (10-5-0) configurations were measured once by the EOS VXR on May 13, the day after the full study was performed see . These rDuring the on-axis measurements of the six principal levels, the EOS VXR acquired data for about 6 min, except for the two dimmest levels, when this interval was doubled. This resulted in 8 or 15 samples at each measurement channel. The resulting relative standard deviations were between 0.03 % and 0.3 %; generally speaking the bluer measurement wavelengths and dimmer SIS100 radiances resulted in larger standard deviations.During the off-axis monitoring of the six principal levels, the SIS100 was monitored for between 1.5 h and 2 h. Two examples are shown in The data of In principle, data from a monitor radiometer can be used to correct results to a common scale, if the monitor radiometer is very stable and used in a repeatable fashion. This type of correction has not been applied to the results of this comparison, but to demonstrate the feasibility, we fitted the monitoring data to a 5th order polynomial and report the maximum deviations in The EOS VXR monitor data indicated that the stability of the SIS100 for each sequentially measured sphere radiance level was a function of the preceding conditions. This was particularly true for blue wavelengths. For example, on May 12, the SIS100 was turned on at 07:11 PDT to lamp configuration (10-9-18). At the request of the comparison participants and 15 min before the beginning of the measurements of the various levels, the lamp configuration was changed (10-9-4). Over the next 105 min, the VXR detected a 0.53 % and 0.33 % increase in the radiance of the SIS100 at 412 nm and 441 nm, see During changes in the lamp configuration of the SIS100, the monitor data acquired by the VXR indicated that the radiance of the new sphere radiance level was realized to within 0.7 % of its final value within 1 min of the level change, this value being a complex function of the magnitude of the radiance change between levels and the wavelength. The final radiance value of the new radiance level was stabilized to within the measurement uncertainty of the VXR monitor data 8 min to 10 min after the level change. The SBRS practice of waiting 15 min after changing lamp configuration before calibrating or utilizing the SIS 100 is justified and supported by the VXR monitor data.For the preflight calibration of Terra MODIS and the Landsat 7 ETM+, SBRS determined the radiances for multiple (wattage) lamp configurations from sums of measured radiances at individual (wattage) lamp configurations. For example, SBRS made measurements of the sphere output with ten 8 W lamps illuminated, level (10-0-0). SBRS also made measurements of the output with nine 45 W lamps illuminated (0-9-0) and with fourteen 200 W lamps illuminated (0-0-14). For SBRS, the SIS100 radiance at lamp configuration (10-9-14) is calculated as the sum of the radiances from the three measurements.On May 15, measurements of the SIS100 were made to verify this superposition method used by SBRS. Measurements were made by the EOS VXR and the UA SWIR at several lamp configurations involving lamps of identical wattage. These results were used to calculate the radiances at several multiple lamp levels. These calculated radiances were compared with actual measurements at the multiple lamp levels.For the EOS VXR, k = 2) measurement uncertainties. In conclusion, we have validated the SBRS goal of calibrating the SIS100 to ±3.0 % in the visible and near infrared spectral region.The primary goals of the May 1998 radiometric measurement comparison at Raytheon SBRS were to independently measure the radiance of the SIS100 and to validate the uncertainties assigned by SBRS to these values. In the visible and near infrared, the results of comparing the SBRS assigned radiance scale with the measurements of the VXR, UA VNIR, and LXR radiometers indicated that the SBRS radiances agreed with the values determined by the transfer radiometer measurements to within ±3.0 %. In the shortwave infrared, the corresponding result using the EOS SWIXR and the UA SWIR was to within ±4.0 % for wavelengths not affected by atmospheric absorption, e.g., from 850 nm to 1300 nm, 1540 nm to 1800 nm, and 2050 nm to 2270 nm. The latter region, at the longest wavelengths, resulted in the largest discrepancies; this spectral region corresponds to MODIS band 7 at 2130 nm. Overall, the SBRS and transfer radiometer measurements agreed to within their combined expanded  lamp configuration. The stability of the SIS100 was monitored by the VXR and UA SWIR. The SIS100, when afforded sufficient warm up time, e.g. 15 min, exhibited stability of 0.08 % or better.The linearity characterizations performed for MODIS and ETM+ by SBRS utilized the SIS100 over its different radiance levels. Because the transfer radiometers used in this comparison are linear to 0.25 % or better, the measurements over the range of radiance levels using these instruments indicates the radiances assigned by SBRS to the SIS100 for this comparison activity are in the correct proportion to within about 1 %, except for the dimmest level, configuration (4-0-0), and then only at 2250 nm.A secondary goal of the May 1998 radiometric comparison was to compare SIS100 radiances determined by addition of the radiances observed with either 200 W, 45 W, or 8 W lamps illuminated and comparison to the radiance observed with the corresponding multiple wattage configuration. For all levels examined, the disagreement was less than 1 %. This result effectively and retrospectively validated Raytheon SBRS’s calibration technique for the SIS100 for the MODIS instruments on the EOS Terra platform.k = 2).The comparison afforded an opportunity to compare the transfer radiometers. The first result was that different radiometers from the same institute gave consistent results in the spectral regions where they could be compared. The second result was measurements of the separate SIS100 radiance levels, to the extent that the SIS100 was stable, allow us to compare all of the radiometers, and hence the accuracy of their radiometric calibration, for the overlap spectral regions. All of these results agree to within the combined expanded uncertainty (


To investigate the length variation of the posterior auricular artery and propose a novel classification of the posterior auricular artery based on angiographical appearance.A series of 234 consecutive patients who had undergone conventional cerebral angiography was analyzed. The posterior auricular artery was examined on the lateral projection of the external carotid or common carotid arteriography. The posterior auricular artery was classified into four groups by length, using the external auditory canal and the top of the helix as radiographical landmarks. Our proposed classification is as follows: Type A, posterior auricular artery terminates between its origin and the center of the external auditory canal; Type B, posterior auricular artery terminates between the center of the external auditory canal and the top of the helix; Type C, posterior auricular artery terminates between the top of the helix and the vertex; and Type D, posterior auricular artery reaches up to the vertex.A total of 424  posterior auricular arteries were analyzed in 111 men and 123 women aged 11 to 91 years  examined for aneurysms in 78 cases, occlusive vascular diseases in 56, intracranial hemorrhages in 41, tumors in 35, and others in 24. Types A, B, C, and D were found in 15.1%, 34.9%, 48.8%, and 1.2% of the patients, respectively.A novel classification of the posterior auricular artery identifies four types based on its length on cerebral angiography. The posterior auricular artery (PAA) is recognized as one of the small branches arising from the external carotid artery and supplies a relatively small area of the skin posterior to the ear and the ear itself ,2. AnatoThe present study investigated the variation in angiographical length of the PAA and proposes a novel classification of the PAA based on angiographical appearance.The present study included 234 consecutive patients who had undergone conventional cerebral angiography in our institute. The PAA was observed on the lateral projection of the conventional external carotid or common carotid arteriography. Cases were excluded of PAAs ipsilateral to the history of major head injury or laceration of the head skin, patients with tumors with possible blood supply from the external carotid artery such as meningiomas, and patients with history of craniotomy, because these conditions may cause change in the balance of the distribution of the blood supply to the skin. The PAAs were classified into four groups by length, using the external auditory canal and the top of the helix as the radiographical landmarks. This classification did not consider the size or the diameter of the PAA. The PAA was observed on cine angiography until disappearance at the end of the arterial phase to ensure evaluation of the full length of the artery. Our proposed classification is as follows: Type A, PAA terminates between the origin and the center of the external auditory canal; Type B, PAA terminates between the origin and the top of the helix; Type C, PAA terminates between the top of the helix and the vertex; and Type D, PAA reaches up to the vertex. Representative cases of each type are shown in Figs All data was collected retrospectively, so no patients were exposed to ionizing radiation purely for the purpose of this study. Patient records and information were anonymized and de-identified prior to analysis and the study was approved by the institutional ethics committee of Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital. The individual patients used as representative cases in this manuscript have given written informed consent as outlined in the PLOS consent form to publish their angiographical images.A total of 424  PAAs were analyzed in 111 men and 123 women aged 11 to 91 years  examined for unruptured aneurysms in 78 cases, occlusive vascular diseases in 56, intracranial hemorrhages in 41, tumors in 35, arteriovenous malformations or fistulas in 14, traumas 8, and miscellaneous diseases in 2. The total number of PAAs in each type were as follows: 64 (15.1%) in Type A, 148 (34.9%) in Type B, 207 (48.8%) in Type C, and 5 (1.2%) in Type D . Type A The PAA has been examined in a number of anatomical studies ,2,6–9. TThe present findings may be important in the fields of plastic surgery and neurosurgery. In plastic surgery, the PAA is frequently used for a pedicled skin flap –12. If tThe present study found that Types A and B are too small for use as a donor artery, and no case of Type C was larger than the STA. However, four of the five Type D cases had equivalent size to the STA, and one was obviously larger than STA. Following our case report, three more similar case reports were published . A serieDefinitive discussion of the function of the extralarge PAA requires more data to establish the relationships between the major arteries including the STA, PAA, and OA in the distribution of the skin.A novel classification of the PAA into four types based on angiographical length found more than 80% of the arteries were Type B or C, whereas the extralarge Type D was as rare as 1%. Type D PAA is of considerable interest in certain clinical situations.


The dynamic characteristics have been verified primarily by detecting the tenderness reaction on Diji (SP 8) in primary dysmenorrhea patients. In this study, finger pressing and algometer were applied in Diji (SP 8) area of participants in menstrual period and nonmenstrual period, respectively, to detect the tenderness occurrence rate, the VAS score of the tenderest point, the tenderness threshold of the tenderest point, and the location of the tenderest point. The result suggests that the acupoint may not be a fixed location but a point in a dynamic state within a certain range in time and space varying with different physiological and pathological status.In TCM theory, acupoint is not a fixed point but a portal with dynamic characteristics where the channel  The standardization of the acupoint location has to some extent normalized clinical operation and promoted the dissemination and development of the acupuncture and moxibustion worldwide. However what catches our attention is that while promoting the standard of the acupoint location, parts of the clinical practitioners stick too much to the fixed location of the acupoint and ignore the importance and necessity of searching and seeking acupoint along the meridian, leading to dissatisfactory clinical effect.Acupoints are specific locations where applied . Therefo Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, the classic of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupoint is a portal where the channel qi enters and flows out and not a fixed point attaching to the skin, vessel, muscle, tendon, and bone. Therefore, acupoint is not isolated or static structure in the body. It is related to the movement of channel qi. It is not only able to reflect the changes of qi in channel, but also able to be used for adjusting the channel qi, showing dynamic characteristics. Whereas most of the researches on dynamic performance of acupoints have been theoretical, clinical research is lacking.According to the description in theDiji (SP 8) is the most important and commonly used point for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Diji (SP 8) is the Xi-cleft point of the Spleen meridian of Foot Taiyin, where the meridian qi accumulates deeply and is suitable for treating acute pain and blood disease. Primary dysmenorrhea, a medical condition of cramping pain in the lower abdomen occurring before and during menstruation, is just ascribed to acute pain and blood disease in TCM. Therefore, this research focuses on patients with primary dysmenorrhea to observe the changes in tenderness in Diji (SP 8) in different physiological and pathological states, so as to explore the dynamic characteristic of acupoint and to provide clinical data for the study of acupoint dynamism from the clinical perspective. Dongzhimen Hospital affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. 30 healthy female volunteers from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine were recruited as the control group during the same period of time.30 patients with primary dysmenorrhea were recruited as the observation group between April and December of 2013 inAs some patients with primary dysmenorrhea may resolve or be relieved spontaneously after giving birth, all the participants included were nulliparous, so as to reduce selection bias. In the observation group, the oldest participant was 34 years old, the youngest was 21 years old, and the mean of their age was 26 ± 5 years. In the control group, the oldest was 32 years old, the youngest was 32 years old, the smallest age was 23 years, and the mean of their age was 25 ± 2 years. After the statistical analysis of the distribution of age and disease duration between the control group and the observation group, the differences were not statistically significant. See details in (1) Diagnosis Criteria. Referring to the Canadian Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Association in 2005 primary dysmenorrhea clinical guideline [(1) The first one is women with lower abdominal pain that begins somewhere between several hours before and a few hours after the onset of the menstrual bleeding, usually persisting up to 2-3 days; (2) the pain is characteristically colicky or dull and located in the midline of the lower abdomen but may extend to both lower quadrants, the lumbar area, and the thighs; (3) the pain is frequently associated with symptoms including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, light-headedness, headache, dizziness, and, rarely, syncope and fever; (4) the symptoms are more or less reproducible from one menstrual period to the other; (5) type B ultrasonic examination and gynecological examination exclude the organic pathological changes in the reproductive organs.(2) Inclusion Criteria. These criteria include the following: (1) patients who fulfill the diagnostic standard of the primary dysmenorrhea; (2) patients of ages between 18 and 35 years; (3) patients who have never given birth; (4) patients who have disease duration ≥6 months; (5) patients who have regular menstrual cycle (28 ± 7) d; (6) patients who have abdominal pain which occurs 48 hrs within the onset of menstruation; (7) patients with COX Dysmenorrhea Symptom Scale (CMSS) [(3) Exclusion Criteria. These criteria include the following: (1) patients with life threatening disorders, such as cardiovascular, liver, kidney, hematopoietic system disorders, and mental diseases; (2) patients who have skin problem on and near Diji (SP 8), such as soft tissue damage, ulceration, scar, and skin calluses; (3) patients who received other related treatments within a month or intake of pain killers, sedatives, and hormone drugs within 2 weeks; (4) patients who are physically weak or judged not suitable to participate in this research by researchers.(1) Inclusion Criteria. These criteria include the following: (1) healthy women with no abnormalities in the physical examination within the recent semester; (2) patients of ages between 18 and 35 years; (3) patients who have never given birth; (4) patients who have no history of dysmenorrhea in the past; (5) patients who have mostly regular menstrual cycle (28 ± 7) d; (6) patients who signed informed consent.(2) Exclusion Criteria. These criteria include the following: (1) patients suffering from frequent lower abdominal pain of unknown reason; (2) patients with skin problems on and near Diji (SP 8), such as soft tissue damage, ulceration, scar, and skin calluses; (3) patients who received other related treatments within a month or intake of pain killers, sedatives, and hormone drugs within 2 weeks; (4) patients with mental disorders or judged not suitable to participate in this research by researchers.In order to guarantee the quality of the study, every segment of the operation was performed by the same researcher, who had received training over six months, to ensure the standardization and unity of the operation.Diji (SP 8) on both sides of the legs and their surrounding areas of a total of 60 participants in both the observation group and control group was detected.The participants were instructed to lie supine with legs straightened in a relaxed manner while fully exposing the parts below the knees.Diji (SP 8) was located referring to WHO standard acupuncture point locations in the Western Pacific Region [ Diji (SP 8).c Region , which i Diji (SP 8), the researcher pressed spirally with the tip of the thumb pulp in a circular area 2 cm long in radius. The intensity of the pressing force was consistent and even to the level of muscle. The tenderness was recognized when pain, soreness, or distension sensation was expressed through the immediate and fleeting reactions of participants' eyes or words.Starting from the standard position ofWhen tenderness reaction appeared, the participants were instructed to face the reverse side of the VAS card without graduation and then move the cursor to the position that best represented the pain intensity. The researcher facing the side with calibration recorded VAS scores and marked the position. The point with highest VAS scores was the tenderest point; if there is no tenderness upon pressure, the result was just recorded with no VAS detection.After the VAS assessment, the participants were instructed to rest for 10 minutes. Then, the pain threshold of the tenderest point was detected using an algometer  . Diji (SP 8) area, with the left one coming first.Firstly set the tester to zero. Then put the probe tip (0.5 cm in diameter) of the tester vertically onto the mark point. Apply pressure gradually and evenly downward (the maximum pressure should not exceed 600 kpa for avoiding tissue damage caused by excessive force). Once the participant reports pain or a radiating pain was elicited, then the algometer was removed and the data on the tester screen was recorded as the pain threshold value. Such a procedure was conducted on both sides of the Diji (SP 8) was measured with a soft tape measure and then recorded.The distance between the center of the tenderest point and the standard position ofFor the observation group, detection of time point occurred during the first day or second day following the onset of dysmenorrhea and the seventh day after menstruation .For the control group, detection of time point took place the first or second day following menstrual onset and the seventh day after menstruation .x2 test. One-way ANOVA was adopted for sets of normally distributed data which went through paired comparison using S-L-D method. t-test was used for the data from two groups and the data were expressed by the mean plus or minus standard deviation. Skewed data were tested using the nonparametric Wilcoxon test and expressed in M (QR), that is, the median (interquartile range). All statistical tests were tested and verified using the two-sided test. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.SPSS17.0 statistical software was used for analysis. Count data were tested using  Diji (SP 8) area during acute onset period. Total TOR was 88.3%. During nonmenstrual period, there were 8 one-side tenderness cases and 7 pain-free cases, and the rest presented with tenderness on both sides. Total TOR was 63.3%. In control group, there were 11 one-side tenderness cases and 9 pain-free cases, and the rest of the cases presented with tenderness on both sides in Diji (SP 8) area during menstrual period. Total TOR was 51.7%. During nonmenstrual period, there were 5 one-side tenderness cases and 18 pain-free cases, and the rest presented with tenderness on both sides. Total TOR was 31.7%.In observation group, there were 5 one-side tenderness cases and 1 pain-free case; the rest of the cases presented with tenderness on both sides inP′ = 0.00833). In the observation group, the TOR during menstrual period was significantly higher than that in the nonmenstrual period, P < P′. In the control group, the TOR during menstrual period was also significantly higher than that in the nonmenstrual period, P < P′. During nonmenstrual period, the TOR of the observation group was also significantly higher than that of the control group, P < P′ . VAS score of the observation group in the menstrual period was significantly higher than that in the nonmenstrual period, while there was no significant difference between two periods in the control group. In menstrual period, VAS score of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group, P < P′. In nonmenstrual period, VAS score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group, while there was no significant difference, P > P′  area in menstrual and nonmenstrual period. The results showed F = 4.983, P = 0.003 < 0.05, indicating that there was difference in threshold value between two groups in menstrual or nonmenstrual period. S-L-D method was used for further analysis. Tenderness threshold value in the menstrual period of the observation group was significantly lower than that in the nonmenstrual period, P < P′, while there was no significant difference between two periods in the control group. In menstrual period, tenderness threshold value of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group, P < P′. In nonmenstrual period, tenderness threshold value of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, while there was no significant difference, P > P′  as datum point, distribution range of the tenderest point in observation group was 0.565–0.903 cm in menstrual period and 0.515–0.974 cm in nonmenstrual period, respectively  of the patients who suffered from primary dysmenorrheal to study the dynamism of acupuncture points on reflecting disease in this research. First, according to the channel and acupuncture point theory in TCM, Diji (SP 8) is the Xi-cleft point of the Spleen meridian of Foot Taiyin. Xi-cleft points are where the meridian qi accumulates deeply and are indicated for the acute and pain disease of the respective Zang-fu organs and meridians, while the Xi-cleft points of the Yin meridians are also indicated for blood diseases [ Diji (SP 8) is the most important and commonly used point for the treatment of dysmenorrhea [ Zang-fu organs through the pathway of the meridians; thereby the condition of the diseased Zang-fu organs will be reflected on the acupuncture point through the transmission of the meridians [ Diji (SP 8) on the dysmenorrhea.There are four reasons for applying the pressing examination ondiseases . Primary Diji SP  of the penorrhea . Second,eridians . Third, eridians –17 and teridians , 19, theeridians –22. FourDiji (SP 8) of the 30 patients with primary dysmenorrhea and 30 healthy women was palpated by hand and detected by algometer. The result of the research and the concerning issues are discussed as follows. Diji (SP 8) in menstrual period of the observation group were higher than that in nonmenstrual period and the menstrual period in the control group. The tenderness threshold of Diji (SP 8) in the menstrual period of observation group was lower than that in the nonmenstrual period of observation group and the menstrual period in the control group. The result showed that there exist dynamic characteristics in Diji (SP 8) in the tender reaction in both the physiological and pathological conditions, including the different stages in the pathological condition. The tenderness reaction was more likely to occur and more intensive and sensitive in the menstrual period of the primary dysmenorrhea patient.The tenderness occurrence rates and the VAS score of Diji (SP 8) in the physiological state and the alteration of the physiological rhythm. Comparing the data in the nonmenstrual period of the test and control group, the tenderness occurrence rate of observation group is higher than that of the control group, but there is no statistical difference between the two groups in VAS value and the tenderness threshold. The results might be considered as follows: in the nonmenstrual period, the dysmenorrhea patients were still in the pathological states of blood deficiency failing to nourish the uterus or blood stasis blocking the meridian in the uterine, which makes Diji (SP 8) become more sensitive to pressing; however the severity was not intensive. Or it might be that the patients enrolled were not enough to show the statistical difference. From an anatomical perspective, there are parts of the saphenous nerve in shallow layer of Diji (SP 8) area and sympathetic nerve governing the myometrium contraction coming from the same nerve segments. Accordingly, the same situation also occurs between the tibial nerve in deep layer and parasympathetic nerve controlling the sense of uterus. It can thus be seen that Diji (SP 8) has a close relationship with uterus in anatomy [ Diji (SP 8) might reflect the pathological condition in the menstrual period of the dysmenorrhea patients, which also validate the viewpoint that pathological reaction in meridian and acupuncture points relates to timing [There is no statistical difference in the tenderness occurrence rates, VAS score, and tenderness threshold in both the menstrual period and nonmenstrual period in the control group. It indicates that there is no remarkable change in the tenderness reaction on anatomy . Howevero timing . Diji (SP 8) area, the tenderest points were divergent from the standardized location of Diji (SP 8) in the majority of dysmenorrheal patients, which indicates that the location of Diji (SP 8) in pathological state is different from the standardized location. Acupuncture point is both the reflective point of diseases and where the needles and moxibustion are applied for the treatment of disease in the meridian and acupuncture point theory [ qi exist when patient suffered from a disease. If the meridian qi fails to dispel the pathological qi out of the body in time, the pathological factors accumulate in the acupuncture point; consequently, there might be pathological reactions such as pain, tenderness, and other changes on the acupuncture point [ Diji (SP 8) area might be the veracious point of Diji (SP 8) in the pathological state and it might also be the most effective point for treatment. We have found in clinic that, in the acute stage of dysmenorrhea, the part between Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) on the pathway of Spleen meridian is the main reaction region. Tender, sore, or distending points, especially distinctive around the Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Diji (SP 8), and Yinlingquan (SP 9) area, will be found when palpating along the meridian. Needling on the tender point will bring instinctive effect of relieving the pain. Of course, large scale clinical trial is required to confirm our clinical observation.This research found out that, int theory . Wang ilre point . Zeng etre point , 28. As re point . Accordi Standard Acupuncture Nomenclature (second edition) was published in 1993 [ Zusanli (ST 36) is “on the anterior aspect of the leg, on the line connecting ST35 with ST41, 3 B-cun  inferior to ST35.” Then, Zusanli (ST 36) is stated as the crossing point of the two intersecting lines. Accordingly, this locating method makes some acupuncture practitioners stick to the standardized location of acupoints and ignore the dynamic character of the acupoint. However, this might result in the less satisfied effect in clinic. The description of the location of some extra acupuncture point in textbook of acupuncture and moxibustion before the standardization of acupuncture point location in China embodies the dynamic character of acupuncture point. For example, Lanwei (appendix) point is located around 2 cun inferior to Zusanli (ST 36), and Danang  is 1-2 cun inferior to Yanglingquan (GB 34) [There have been 2 Chinese national standards of acupuncture location (1990 and 2006) and in 1993 –34. The In acupuncture clinical trials, selecting the nontraditional-acupoint site near the acupoint for treatment as the placebo control is called adjacent nonacupoint control method , which iThis research is an exploratory study on the dynamism of acupuncture points through detecting the tenderness reaction on Diji (SP 8) in primary dysmenorrhea patients. Further studies are required for answering questions concerning the dynamism of acupuncture points, such as what the changes of the acupuncture points in different physiological and pathological conditions as well as in different stages of the pathological conditions are and whether or not needling on the tender site of the acupuncture point might improve the treatment effect.


Dental materials, in general, are tested in different animal models prior to their clinical use in humans, except for bleaching agents. 2O2 gel in the pulp tissue during in-office bleaching of rats’ vital teeth. To evaluate an experimental rat model for comparative studies of bleaching agents by investigating the influence of different concentrations and application times of H2O2 gels, respectively, for 5, 10, 15, 30, or 45 min (n=10 rats/group). Ten animals (control) were untreated. The rats were killed after 2 or 30 days, and the maxillae were examined by light microscopy. Inflammation was evaluated by histomorphometric analysis with inflammatory cell counting in the coronal and radicular thirds of the pulp. The counting of fibroblasts was also performed. Scores were attributed to the odontoblastic layer and to vascular changes. The tertiary dentin area and the pulp chamber central area were histomorphometrically measured. Data were compared by the analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). The right and left maxillary molars of 50 Wistar rats were bleached with 20% and 35% H After 2 days, the amount of inflammatory cells increased in the occlusal third of the coronal pulp until the time of 15 min for both concentrations of bleaching gels. In 30 and 45 min groups of each concentration, the number of inflammatory cells decreased along with the appearance of necrotic areas. After 30 days, a reduction in the pulp chamber central area and an enlargement of tertiary dentin area were observed without the detection of inflammation areas. The rat model of extra coronal bleaching showed to be adequate for bleaching protocols studies, as it was possible to observe alterations in the pulp tissues and in the tooth structure caused by different concentrations and periods of application of bleaching agents. Some of these changes, such as inflammation and bleeding, reversed after 60 days2O2 gel resulted in necrosis near the pulp horns in rats2O2 gel on human premolars did not cause pathological changes in the dental pulpin vivo model analyzed, as well as the bleaching protocols employed, determined different results.An increase in vascular permeability that is dependent of the bleaching procedures duration has been observed in rats’ incisors2O2, consequently causing more damages to pulp tissues2O2 damage to pulp tissues. This model will enable the evaluation of new dosages, formulations, and concentrations of bleaching agents that arise in the market, and also of the potential therapeutic agents that may be used to minimize the damage caused by H2O2 in different application protocols,Thus, the lesser thickness of enamel and dentin in teeth of rats might allow a greater penetration of H,.The choice by the rats in this animal model was due to the easiness in standardizing and controlling these animals, and the possibility of performing other tests2O2 gel during in-office bleaching of rats’ vital teeth. We hypothesized that: (I) the H2O2 bleaching gel is capable of penetrating the pulp tissue and causing greater damages when the time of application and the concentration of H2O2 are increased; (II) the pulp tissue is capable of recovering from the damages caused by H2O2 after long periods of time.Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize an experimental animal model for comparative studies of bleaching agents by investigating the influence of different concentrations and application times of HSixty male Wistar rats (180-200 g) were used in this study. The animals were housed in a temperature-controlled environment (22°C ± 1°C) in a standard light-dark schedule with unrestricted access to food and water. The experimental protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee (CEUA 2013-01253) and conducted according to Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the National Institutes of Health .2O2 , respectively, for 5, 10, 15, 30, or 45 min (n=10 rats/group). Ten animals (controls) did not receive any treatment.The rats were anesthetized with intramuscular injections of ketamine  and xylazine . The right and left molars in every animal were bleached with 20%  and 35% HAnimals were killed by the anesthetic solution overdose 2 or 30 days after the bleaching sessions. Their bilateral maxillae were separated, dissected, and fixed in a 10% buffered formalin solution for 24 h. Specimens were decalcified in a 10% EDTA solution for three months and then dehydrated in a graded ethanol series, embedded in paraffin, cut into 6 μm sagittal cross-sections, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The serial histological sections of each specimen were selected from the point where the mesial root of the first molar was seen in all its longitudinal extension.2 field in each third of the pulp tissue of each specimen, examined under light microscopy .The coronal pulp was divided into occlusal, middle, and cervical thirds and the radicular pulp was divided into cervical, middle, and apical thirdsScores were attributed to the odontoblastic layer in each third of the pulp tissue as follows: 1- intact odontoblastic layer; 2- disorganized odontoblastic layer; or 3- disruption of the odontoblastic layer. Scores to vascular changes were also assigned as follows: 1- normality; 2- increase in the number of blood vessels; or 3- necrosis.The mean of central area of the pulp chamber was measured by image processing software  . By takiAfter the application of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test of normality, the data obtained in the counting of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts were submitted to the Two-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests for intergroup comparisons at a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). The scores obtained in the analysis of the odontoblastic layer and of vascular changes were submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (p<0.05). The values obtained in the mean of central area of the pulp chamber were submitted to Kolmogorov-Smirnov test of normality and One-way analysis of variance test (p<0.05).The dental pulp of control animals exhibited well-defined acellular and cell-rich layers under an intact odontoblastic layer and even distribution of cells, blood vessels, and extracellular matrix structures .This group exhibited no inflammatory infiltrate. The dental pulp appeared to be similar to that in the control group. The odontoblastic layer was intact and blood vessels showed normal characteristics. The cementum, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and other supporting structures also appeared to be normal .This group did not exhibit a considerable amount of inflammatory cells. There was a reduction in the amount of fibroblasts in the occlusal and middle thirds of the coronal pulp. The odontoblastic layer was partially disorganized in the occlusal third, and there was an increase in the number of blood vessels in the occlusal and middle thirds of the coronal pulp .There was an increase in the amount of inflammatory cells in the occlusal and middle thirds of the coronal pulp, a reduction in the amount of fibroblasts, and an increase in the amount of blood vessels. The odontoblastic layer was partially disorganized in the occlusal third .In this group, the higher number of inflammatory cells was found in the middle third of the coronal pulp. There was a large reduction in the amount of fibroblasts in the occlusal third, where there was disruption of the odontoblastic layer. The amount of blood vessels increased in the occlusal and middle thirds of the coronal pulp . The radThis group showed increased number of inflammatory cells in the cervical and middle thirds of the coronal pulp. The occlusal third showed necrotic areas. A reduction in the number of fibroblasts was observed in the cervical third of the crown. The odontoblastic layer was absent in the occlusal third and partly disorganized in the middle third of the coronal pulp. There was an insignificant amount of inflammatory cells in the cervical third of the radicular pulp .The amount of inflammatory cells in this group was not significant. The amount of fibroblasts reduced in the occlusal third of the coronal pulp, where the odontoblastic layer was partially disorganized. An increase in the number of blood vessels was observed in all areas of the coronal pulp .In this group, there was an increase in the number of inflammatory cells in the occlusal and middle thirds of the coronal pulp. The amount of fibroblasts reduced in the occlusal third. The odontoblastic layer was absent in the occlusal third and was partly disorganized in the middle third of the coronal pulp. There was an increase in the number of blood vessels throughout the coronal pulp .There was an increase in the number of inflammatory cells in the occlusal and middle thirds of the coronal pulp, while the number of fibroblasts reduced. The odontoblastic layer was absent in the occlusal third, and partly disorganized in the middle third of the coronary pulp. There was an increase in the number of blood vessels throughout the coronal pulp .The number of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts reduced in the occlusal third, where there was the presence of necrotic areas. There was an increase in the number of inflammatory cells in the middle and cervical thirds of the coronary pulp. The amount of fibroblasts was still low in the middle third of the coronary pulp. The odontoblastic layer was absent in occlusal and middle thirds of the crown. There was an increase in the number of blood vessels in the middle and cervical thirds of the coronal pulp. The occlusal third were characterized as necrosis. A small amount of inflammatory cells was found in the cervical third of the radicular pulp .There was necrosis in the occlusal third of this group with absence of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts. The number of inflammatory cells increased in the cervical and middle thirds of the coronal pulp, and in the cervical third of the radicular pulp. The number of fibroblasts reduced in these thirds. There was no odontoblastic layer in the occlusal and middle thirds of the crown, and this layer was partially disorganized in the cervical third. The number of blood vessels increased in the cervical third of coronary and radicular pulps. The remaining thirds seemed to be normal .Thirty days after the bleaching sessions, all specimens showed normal dental pulp. However, the central area of the pulp chamber reduced, and the tertiary dentin area increased .<0.05). In the middle third of the coronal pulp, the difference remained between the 35%-45 min group with the control and 20%-5 groups (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the cervical third and in radicular thirds (p>0.05).After 30 days, the specimens showed a gradual increase in the tertiary dentin area. Significant differences were observed between the 35%-45 min and the other groups, except for the 35%-30 min group (p<0.05). The groups 20%-5 min, 20%-10 min, 20%-15 min, and 35%-5 min did not differ significantly from the control group (p>0.05) .Tooth bleaching is an aesthetic alternative for discolored teeth, but it has potential adverse effects that are not completely understood yetin vitro studies have shown the ROS generated by H2O2 of bleaching gels is capable of causing histochemical and morphological changes in enamel and dentin,A large number of In vivo studies showed cellular damage, classified as mild to severe. These include studies performed in dogs,,,. Studies on cell cultures also demonstrated cellular damage not only to DNA cells,ex vivo manipulated cells have significant importance in the preliminary studies on bleaching agents. However, in those studies, pulp cells are not examined as organized tissues. Teeth have vital pulp components that can prevent or hinder the H2O2 effects in pulp tissues, as dentinal fluid, cytoplasmatic extensions,2O2,in vivo experiments are the ones that best represent the reality of bleaching effects.Studies predominantly with 2O2 gel in human premolars does not cause pathological changes in the dental pulpThe application of 38% HEven though variations of the pulp response have been shown in human teeth, our study aimed to characterize an experimental animal model of ease reproduction and standardization to the study of new bleaching agents, posology, concentrations, and application time.2O2 showed greater changes immediately beneath the region where the gel was applied2O2 gel applied for 30 or 45 min, and 20% H2O2 gel for 45 min in this study. Severe pulp damage may occur when bleaching agents are applied in the buccal surface of teeth with thin enamel and dentin,,In dogs’ teeth, dental bleaching using 35% HThe use of rats in the experimental model presents advantages such as straightforwardness in the handling and in the reproduction, and mainly, the easiness for controlling, predictingvs. 100 µm, respectively), they both show the same proportion of these structures,,Despite the difference in enamel and dentin thickness between humans’ and rats’ teeth ,2O2 20%). Our results allow us to choose the concentration and the time of application to analyze comparatively the initial inflammatory process (after two days) as well as in the subsequent reparative process (after 30 days).The amount of H2O2 gel can diffuse through enamel and dentin and cause significant cell damage,In our evaluation by 30 days after bleaching, we observed that all groups showed signs of repair. Tertiary dentin was formed to protect the dental pulp, reducing pulp chamber central area. Inflammatory cells were absent. The low-concentration/application time groups showed significant differences as to compare the high-concentrations/application time groups. Studies of the effects of high concentrations of bleaching gels on pulp cell cultures have shown that products released by 35% H2O2, increase alkaline phosphatase activity, induce apoptosis in the periodontal ligament and dental pulpCell membrane can be penetrated by HThe characterization of this experimental model does not replace human trials, but allows us to know the action mechanisms of new bleaching agents; to compare bleaching protocols; and to study desensitizing and remineralizing agents used before and after bleaching to minimize its effects on pulp tissues.2O2 gel causes immediate inflammation and accelerates the aging of the dental pulp by inducing the deposition of the tertiary dentin, and the degree of damage grew with the increasing concentrations and application times of the bleaching agent.Therefore, the rat model of extra coronal bleaching showed to be adequate to study bleaching protocols, as it was possible to observe alterations in the pulp tissues and in tooth structure caused by different concentrations and periods of application of bleaching agents. In-office bleaching with H