text:
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Renal Perfusion and
Hemodynamics: Accurate in Vivo
To prospectively evaluate the accuracy of computed tomo-
graphic (CT) perfusion measurements of renal hemody-
namics and function obtained by using images acquired
with one-tenth the typical radiation dose and postpro-
cessed with a highly constrained back-projection (HYPR)–
local reconstruction (LR) noise-reduction technique.
This study was approved by the institutional Animal Care
and Use Committee. Two consecutive CT perfusion acqui-
sitions were performed in 10 anesthetized pigs over 180
seconds by using routine (80 kV, 160 mAs) and one-tenth
(80 kV, 16 mAs) dose levels. Images obtained with each
acquisition were reconstructed with identical parameters,
and the one-tenth dose images were also processed with a
HYPR-LR algorithm. Attenuation changes in kidneys were
determined as a function of time to form time-attenuation
curves (TACs). Extended gamma-variate curve-fitting was
performed, and regional perfusion, glomerular filtration
rate, and renal blood flow were calculated. Image quality
was evaluated (in 10 pigs), and the agreement for renal
perfusion and function between the routine dose and the
one-tenth dose HYPR-LR images was determined (for 20
kidneys) by using statistical methods. Statistical analysis
was performed by using the paired t test, linear regres-
sion, and Bland-Altman analysis.
TACs obtained with the one-tenth dose were similar to those
obtained with the routine dose. Statistical analysis showed
that there were no significant differences between the rou-
tine dose and the one-tenth dose acquisitions in renal perfu-
sion and hemodynamic values and that there were slight but
statistically significant differences in some values with the
one-tenth dose HYPR-LR–processed acquisition. The image
quality of the one-tenth dose acquisition was improved by
using the HYPR-LR algorithm. Linear regression and Bland-
Altman plots showed agreement between the images ac-
quired by using the routine dose and those acquired by using
the one-tenth dose with HYPR-LR processing.
A 10-fold dose reduction at renal perfusion CT imaging can
be achieved in vivo, without loss of accuracy. The image
quality of the one-tenth dose images could be improved to
be near that of the routine dose images by using the
HYPR-LR noise-reduction algorithm.
Materials and
Supplemental material: http://radiology.rsna.org/lookup
1From the CT Clinical Innovation Center, Department of
Radiology (X.L., A.N.P., L.Y., C.H.M.), and Divisions of
Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine
(J.D.K., L.O.L.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester,
MN 55905. Received September 19, 2008; revision re-
quested November 11; revision received February 23,
2009; accepted March 19; final version accepted April
29. A.N.P. and C.H.M. supported by Siemens Healthcare.
Address correspondence to C.H.M. (e-mail: mccollough
radiology.rsna.org ▪ Radiology: Volume 253: Number 1—October 2009
Note: This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies for
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Page 2
more of serial stationary scans. The time-
attenuation curve (TAC) over the tissue
or organ of interest is used, with various
models of single- and multiple-compart-
ment flow, to estimate parameters such
as absolute blood flow and volume and
vascular permeability (1–3). For onco-
logic applications, increased tissue perfu-
sion has been studied to assess tumor
malignancy and potential response to
therapy, while in ischemic disease appli-
cations, blood flow is correlated to tissue
viability (1,4–7). Thus, CT perfusion im-
aging may have a clinical role in both on-
cologic and cardiovascular applications.
Although the radiation dose for medically
indicated CT examinations may present a
very small increase in risk for an individ-
ual, concern about the increase in popu-
lation cumulative dose has heightened
with the increase in CT utilization. Addi-
tionally, with CT perfusion studies, skin
injury (deterministic risk) is possible if
the examination is improperly per-
formed. To avoid such injury, the tech-
nique factors per serial scan must be kept
relatively low so that the cumulative ex-
amination skin dose is below the thresh-
old for skin injury. This, however, results
in increased noise and artifact levels that
may compromise the quantitative accu-
racy of the technique. Hence, methods to
decrease image noise at the same or de-
creased radiation dose levels are highly de-
sirable. The highly constrained back-pro-
jection (HYPR) technique allows recon-
struction of serial images from highly
undersampled data (8). In HYPR, individ-
ual time frames are obtained by unfiltered
back projection of normalized sinograms
using anatomic constraints provided by a
urrent computed tomographic
(CT) perfusion techniques require
the acquisition of 30 seconds or
composite image. A modified algorithm—
HYPR–local reconstruction (LR)—permits
the use of a longer temporal window in the
quantitative reconstruction accuracy (9).
Despite the potential clinical utility,
in vivo CT assessment of renal hemody-
namics and function in patients is not
common, primarily because of concerns
regarding radiation dose. The purpose
of this study was to prospectively evalu-
ate the accuracy of CT perfusion mea-
surements of renal hemodynamics and
function obtained by using images ac-
quired with one-tenth the typical radia-
tion dose and postprocessed with the
HYPR-LR noise-reduction technique.
Materials and Methods
Experimental Protocol
This animal study was approved by our
institutional Animal Care and Use Com-
Ten anesthetized domestic female
pigs (weight range, 43–51 kg) (Manthei
Hog Farm, Elk River, Minn) underwent
CT perfusion imaging performed by using
a dual-source 64-section multidetector
CT system (Definition DS; Siemens
Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany) at both
the typical radiation dose level and a one-
tenth dose level. A pigtail catheter (Super
Torque; Cordis, Warren, NJ) was ad-
vanced through one jugular vein into the
right atrium for contrast medium injec-
tion. Each CT study was performed to as-
blood flow (RBF), and glomerular filtration
rate (GFR) (10–16). One to 2 seconds be-
fore scanning, a 0.5-mL bolus of contrast
medium (Isovue 370; Bracco Diagnostics,
a 36-inch contrast medium–filled tube (10–
16). For the routine CT perfusion acquisi-
tion, scanning was performed at 80 kV and
1.2-mm collimation and a 0-mm table feed
(17). By using a 0.33-second gantry rota-
tion time and full reconstruction, 70 multi-
scan exposures (vascular phase) were ac-
quired with a 0.66-second interval, fol-
lowed by another 70 scans (tubular phase)
with a 1.98-second interval, bringing the
relatively long scan duration results in a
high dose level (volume CT dose index ?
386.4 mGy). The estimated skin dose level
index (approximately 193.2 mGy) (18). As
a reference, deterministic effects may oc-
cur for skin doses as low as 1000 mGy in a
single dose (19). After a 2000-mGy single
dose, skin reddening may occur (20).
For each exposure, four contiguous
7.2-mm sections were scanned and re-
constructed with a B35f kernel (medium
smooth). However, only one of the four
images was used in the perfusion analy-
sis, which resulted in 140 consecutive
Published online before print
Radiology 2009; 253:98–105
GFR ? glomerular filtration rate
HYPR ? highly constrained back projection
LR ? local reconstruction
RBF ? renal blood flow
ROI ? region of interest
SNR ? signal-to-noise ratio
TAC ? time-attenuation curve
Author contributions:
Guarantors of integrity of entire study, X.L., L.Y.; study
concepts/study design or data acquisition or data analy-
sis/interpretation, all authors; manuscript drafting or
manuscript revision for important intellectual content, all
authors; manuscript final version approval, all authors;
literature research, X.L., L.Y., L.O.L.; experimental stud-
ies, X.L., A.N.P., J.D.K., L.Y., L.O.L.; statistical analysis,
X.L., J.D.K., L.O.L.; and manuscript editing, X.L., A.N.P.,
This research was supported by the National Institutes of
Health (grants R01EB007986, RR-18898, HL085307, and
Advance in Knowledge
? By using a highly constrained
back-projection–local reconstruc-
tion noise-reduction algorithm,
the feasibility of in vivo quantita-
tion of renal hemodynamics and
function by using one-tenth of the
radiation dose typically used at
renal perfusion CT was
Implications for Patient Care
? Our study results may lead to in
vivo assessment CT perfusion im-
aging for measurement of renal
hemodynamics and function in
? Our study results also may facili-
tate CT myocardial perfusion
studies in vivo in humans.
EXPERIMENTALSTUDIES:Low-DoseCTofRenalPerfusionandHemodynamics Liuetal
Radiology: Volume 253: Number 1—October 2009 ▪ radiology.rsna.org
Page 3
time sequence images. We usually se-
lected the section that best showed the
renal hilus, because the structures (cor-
tex, medulla, main vessels) were easily
discernible at that level and renal curva-
ture was minimal, thus decreasing the
risk of volume averaging artifacts. Res-
piration was suspended at end expira-
tion for the first 70 scans, and assisted
ventilation was provided between scans
during the last 70 scans.
After a 15-minute rest, studies were
repeated by using a low-dose CT perfu-
sion acquisition. The low-dose acquisi-
tion used identical scanning and recon-
struction parameters as our routine CT
perfusion acquisition except that the ra-
diation dose level was reduced to one-
tenth the original dose (volume CT dose
index ? 39.2 mGy) by lowering the tube
current–time product to 16 mAs.
HYPR-LR Image Processing
The images acquired with both the
routine dose level and the one-tenth
dose level were reconstructed on the
CT console by using a filtered back-
projection algorithm. However, the
images acquired with the one-tenth
dose level were further processed by
using the HYPR-LR noise-reduction al-
gorithm, which can markedly improve
the SNR in this time-resolved applica-
tion. Compared with other noise-
reduction methods, HYPR-LR can
greatly reduce the noise while pre-
serving edges (ie, high spatial resolu-
tion), with minimum computational
cost (21). Mathematically, the algo-
rithm can be expressed as follows:
IH(t)?IC?F ? It
where IH(t) is the HYPR-LR processed
individual time frame, F is a convolu-
tion kernel, Itis the normal filtered
back-projection reconstruction of an
individual time frame, ICis the compos-
ite image and V represents the convolu-
tion operation. The composite images
were formed by superimposing several
or all of the acquired time frames. Obvi-
ously, one constraint of using HYPR-LR
is that the algorithm requires motion-
free images across the scan duration.
The other constraint is the convolution
kernel size. The kernel size should be as
small as possible to avoid signal overav-
eraging between different areas. The
SNR level of HYPR-LR–processed im-
ages is primarily determined by the SNR
level of the composite image, provided the
number of pixels in the convolution kernel
used to form the composite images (9,21).
As a rule of thumb, a composite of 10
frames would save roughly 10 times the
radiation dose because the ensemble
average of the 10 frames can be
viewed as an image with exposure 10
times higher than that of a single im-
age. A more detailed description of
the working mechanism of HYPR-LR is
provided in Appendix E1 (Appendix
E1 [online]). In our studies, we used
sliding composite images with a tem-
poral window of 11 frames centered at
each frame. A 5 ? 5-pixel uniform
square kernel was used for the convo-
lution kernel F.
Image Analysis
Images acquired with the routine dose, the
one-tenth dose, and the HYPR-LR–pro-
cessed one-tenth dose were transferred to
software package (ANALYZE; Biomedical
Imaging Resource, Mayo Clinic, Roches-
ter, Minn). Image quality was evaluated
in terms of the background SNR (in 10
pigs). The background SNR was mea-
sured by calculating the ratio of the mean
CT number over the standard deviation
of pixels within the region of interest
(ROI). The ROI was set at the erector
used for the background SNR calculation
was 4.76 cm2over 1998 pixels. ROIs in
the kidney were manually traced on the
cross-sectional images that showed the
vascular phase from the aorta, bilateral
renal cortex, and medulla (in 20 kidneys)
(J.D.K., with 9 years of experience).
These ROIs were transferred to the other
images in the series automatically. Aver-
age tissue attenuation in each image was
automatically calculated, and the changes
in attenuation over time were plotted as
TACs. These TACs were fitted by using
extended gamma-variate curve-fitting al-
gorithms and the curve-fitting parameters
used to obtain measures of renal function
(15). The parameters obtained from the
vascular curve in each region of the kid-
ney were used to calculate regional per-
function, and subsequent peaks were not
analyzed for tubular dynamics. For each
peak observed in the ROI, the area under
the curve and its first moment were cal-
culated. Blood volume (BV) was subse-
quently calculated as the area under the
tissue vascular curve divided by the area
under the aortic curve. The first moment
of the curve was assumed to represent
mean transit time (MTT) in seconds,
milliliters per minute per cubic centime-
ter of tissue) was then calculated as BV
/MTT. RBF (in milliliters per minute) was
subsequently calculated as the sum of cor-
tical and medullary blood flows, each ob-
tained as the product of the perfusion and
volume of the respective region. GFR (in
milliliters per minute) was calculated from
the right and left cortical TACs by utilizing
the slope of the proximal tubular curve,
aortic area, and cortical volume (15).
Renal volumes were determined by us-
ing data from a separate scan during the
same study (14). In that scan, a short cen-
tral venous injection of iopamidol (0.5
mL/kg over 5–6 seconds) was adminis-
ation (vascular phase) throughout the vol-
ume scan. The renal volume scan was per-
formed in the helical mode (240 mAs; 120
kV; pitch, 1.2; and B40 medium kernel) to
obtain contiguous 5-mm-thick levels from
pole to pole for measurements of cortical,
medullary, and whole-kidney volumes.
Statistical Analysis
Statistical comparisons among routine
dose, one-tenth dose, and one-tenth dose
with HYPR-LR processing acquisitions
were performed by using the paired t test
the overall significance level was 5%, each
comparison was performed at a signifi-
cance level of P ? .0167 (ie, .05/3). Corre-
lation coefficients and least-square regres-
to assess the relationship between the rou-
tine dose and the one-tenth dose with
EXPERIMENTALSTUDIES:Low-DoseCTofRenalPerfusionandHemodynamics Liuetal
radiology.rsna.org ▪ Radiology: Volume 253: Number 1—October 2009
Page 4
HYPR-LR processing assessments. Bland-
Altman analysis was also applied to further
evaluate the agreement between the rou-
tine dose and the one-tenth dose with
HYPR-LR processing assessments (22).
Image Quality Improvement with HYPR-LR
Image quality was evaluated in terms
of the background SNR (in 10 pigs)
(Fig 1). The mean background SNRs
(the ratios of mean CT number over the
standard deviation of pixels within the
ROI) for the routine dose, one-tenth
dose, and one-tenth dose HYPR-LR
images were 4.18, 1.29, and 2.96, re-
spectively. The SNR was improved to
3.83 with the use of a 10 ? 10 convo-
lution kernel. However, further in-
creasing the kernel size is not very
helpful because the SNR is primarily
determined by the number of frames
used in the composite image (9). In
addition, there is also a risk of
crosstalk from different anatomic ar-
eas if a larger kernel is used (9).
TAC Findings
In the renal cortical TAC, three sequen-
tial peaks represented displacement of
the contrast material bolus along the
cortical vascular compartment, proxi-
mal tubule, and distal tubule (Fig 2), as
inferred from the timing, sequence, and
location of the peaks. The medullary
TAC (Fig 2) exhibited two peaks, corre-
sponding to the transit of the contrast
Figure 1
Radiology: Volume 253: Number 1—October 2009 ▪ radiology.rsna.org
Page 5
material in the blood vessels, followed
by tubular fluid arrival via the loop of
Henle. TACs obtained with the routine
dose and the one-tenth dose HYPR-LR–
processed images were qualitatively
similar in shape.
Renal Hemodynamics
The quantitative values of single-kidney
processing were similar (Table 1). The
paired t test analysis (Table 2) showed
that there was no statistically signifi-
cant difference between the routine
dose and the one-tenth dose data,
while some values were slightly but
statistically significantly higher with the
one-tenth dose HYPR-LR processed data.
Nevertheless, further analysis showed that
the RBF and GFR values obtained with the
routine dose level and those obtained with
the HYPR-LR processed one-tenth dose
level were significantly correlated (R2?
0.92 and R2? 0.91, respectively), and the
slopes were close to 1 (Fig 3). The corre-
sponding Pearson product-moment corre-
.0001) and 0.95 (P ? .0001), respectively.
Bland-Altman plots showed good agree-
ment between the routine dose level and
the HYPR-LR–processed one-tenth dose
estimation with HYPR-LR (Fig 4).
Despite the high level of noise in images
obtained with the one-tenth radiation
dose, we observed that cortical perfu-
sion assessments obtained with the one-
tenth dose were similar to those ob-
tained with the routine dose, and the two
correlated significantly. Medullary perfu-
sion, RBF, and GFR assessments were
tenth dose and the routine dose data.
This fact could be explained by the strong
iodine attenuation signal in the highly per-
fused kidney, which was much higher
than the noise level in the images ob-
tained with the one-tenth dose. Notably,
the parameters (cortical perfusion, med-
ullary perfusion, RBF, GFR) obtained
with the one-tenth dose were slightly
higher than the parameters obtained with
Figure 2
Table 1
Renal Hemodynamic and Function Measurements Obtained in Pigs with Routine Dose,
One-Tenth Dose, and One-Tenth Dose HYPR-LR–Processed 64-Section Multidetector
CT Images
Routine Dose
One-Tenth Dose
One-Tenth Dose HYPR-LR–
Processed Images‡
Cortical perfusion (mL/min/cm3)
Medullary perfusion (mL/min/cm3)
RBF (mL/min)
GFR (mL/min)
GFR normalized to volume (mL/min/cm3)
4.20 ? 0.92
2.82 ? 1.29
356.95 ? 117.38 367.95 ? 116.74 395.35 ? 130.08
56.08 ? 22.2660.52 ? 24.46
0.71 ? 0.100.77 ? 0.14
4.30 ? 0.84
3.18 ? 1.66
4.65 ? 1.00
3.20 ? 1.65
63.42 ? 25.65
0.80 ? 0.14
Note.—Data are means ? standard deviations.
* In 20 kidneys.
†Obtained with 80 kV and 160 mAs.
‡Obtained with 80 kV and 16 mAs.
EXPERIMENTALSTUDIES:Low-DoseCTofRenalPerfusionandHemodynamics Liuetal
radiology.rsna.org ▪ Radiology: Volume 253: Number 1—October 2009


text:
Additional file 8: Figure S7.
The stiffness of wsc1Δ unstressed was similar to wild-type yeast exposed at 42°C during 1 h. Distribution of Young modulus values calculate with 4 elasticity maps (n = 4096) from individual wsc1Δ yeasts unstressed.
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When I graduated from Seattle Pacific's MFA program, I was sorely disappointed to hear Greg Wolfe announce The Brothers Karamazov as the next common reading selection. Upon returning home from my final residency at Whidbey Island, I pulled Dostoyevsky's great novel down from the shelf as my first post-graduation self-assigned reading. It was such a decrepit old copy that it fell apart as I read, grew smaller as glue gave out and pages fell away—a visual gauge of my progress. When I finished, I had to go out and buy a new copy for my bookshelf.
So I was delighted last month when, over brioche, fresh fruit, and coffee, the summer reading group I attend settled on The Brothers Karamazov for next summer. Though my teaching load is heavy, I have decided to read my way back through all my Dostoyevsky in preparation for our summer with Brothers. I have returned to Brothers and Crime and Punishment several times over the years, and I often teach Notes from the Underground in spring semester, so I've decided to start with Dostoyevsky's books I've only read once.
When I was a young man in my last year of seminary, I read Dostoyevsky for the first time. As many do, I started with Crime and Punishment; as maybe not so many do, I went on a Dostoyevsky bender that lasted through his novels and notebooks, to criticism and biographies. This eventually spread to Tolstoy, Chekhov, Pasternak, and then on to the likes of Berdyaev, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Unamuno, Camus. Dostoyevsky diverted me down a whole new stream of literature that I've been riding for the past two decades. [Read more...]


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Hotel Novotel Praha Wenceslas Square
No prices found through our partners. Please contact the business directly or check some of our recommended alternatives.
How has this hotel rated in the past?
- Suites
- Shuttle bus service
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Historical Traveler Reviews Hotel Novotel Praha Wenceslas Square Prague
A good base for viewing a lovely city
This proved to be a very good base for veiwing a lovely city. Our stay went very well from arrival at the airport to departure. A good taxi journey to the hotel, nice driver who gave us some tips on places to go and things to do. Hotel: Good first impression, looked newish, clean fresh reception. A very professional and efficient check in, shown to our room by a friendly member of staff. Room: Very good size for two. In room safe, no charge. Always handy for a city break. Breakfast was good, worth the effort. Hotel pool and gym, very good, if you've got any energy after walking about. Hotel reception we found to be very helpful, for information. The all day tram ticket was recommended and excellent value. Hotel location perfect for trams and metro. A great city, made enjoyable by a good choice of hotel. I would stay here again. The hotel taxi to the airport was also worthwhile and not overpriced.
Nice Hotel
We were very dissapointed to have booked one of the hotel taxis to collect us from the airport and then to be told one was not booked when I had e-mail confirmation from the hotel(!) Once that problem was sorted we checked into the hotel and found majority of the staff to be helpful but some reception staff unhelpful. We enjoyed our stay at the hotel and would recommend staying there for its great location - very near the metro/tram links and 5 mins from the City Centre. The hotel breakfast was a bit pricey but included in our hotel cost. Breakfast was very nice and there was plenty of food on offer. We really liked our stay in Prague and baring the problems are glad we chose this hotel.
Great location
Just got back from the "Novotel Praha City" having had an excellent time.
The hotel is typical of a large chain with everything clean and working. Bonuses over other hotels include the small gym, pool and jacuzzi for relaxing at the end of the day. The selection of foods at breakfast is excellent with something for nearly all tastes and you can have as much as you like to keep you going for the hard days walking around the city ahead.
The hotel is ideally located just 100m from the I.P.Pavlova metro station and about 10 mins walk to Wencelas Square. You can get a taxi directly from the airport but I'd recommend the public transport (Bus no.119 then metro) it's really easy, clean and a lot cheaper.
If you need a bite to eat try Banditos (Tex-Mex) directly opposite the entrance. It's reasonably priced and I guarantee you will not be hungry when you leave and the staff are really friendly.
Great place
the hotel is 100 metres from 1.p.pavlova metro station 10 mins walk to main square and 15 mins on tram 23 or 22 to the castle.some very good places to eat localy, banditos and the local own brew bar are worth a visit. hotel was very good with a fantastic choice for breakfast.the air conditioning in rooms a plus.
Not that sublime thank you
I believe that all previous reviews have enough info to make a balanced decision but, I believe the phrase "sublime area" is blatantly untrue. I have no comment to make about the rooms/service/cost etc. The hotel is situated 4km or five metro stations from Wenceslas Square (it is built over the "Zelivskeho" station). It is located on a crossroads with bus and tramlines in all directions. It borders a small international bus terminus and two cemetaries. You would have to walk 500 metres to get to the first shop that wasn't selling flowers. It is a hotel with worldwide Novotel standards (except you get bigger rooms i.e. it was not built originally as a Novotel) and that is not in question. The hotel has good public transport connections but, the area is most definitely not "sublime".
Excellent, no bad comments. We loved it.
We have just come back from 4 lovely days in Prague staying at the Novotel Praha City. We found the hotel was great, queit, clean, maid daily, comfortable, staff friendly and helpful, breakfast lovely, lots to choose from egg, bacon, sausages, continental cheese, ham etc. Fruit, cereal, toast too much to list but plenty enough to fill you up for a long day sightseeing. Excellent pool, sauna and jacuzi to relax in after a hard day, just before an enjoyable night ahead. A good location on a quiet side street, no noise so a good night sleep!! But with the metro and tram stops just around the corner. A few bars nearby, we found an excellent one over the road from the hotel, Barritos. Lovely food, beer and service at its best. Prague is a wonderful place to visit, lots to see and do. A word of advice, flat shoes is a must to survive the lovely cobbled streets, and of course all the walking.
Great stay at the novotel
The hotel was clean and not far at all from Wenclas Square. We had a lovely big room with double bed and sofa and the toilet was separate to bathroom. Breakfasts were good lots of choice continental and hot breakfast. Lovely gym, jacuzzi and sauna which was free and we used.
We had a great stay there, staff not over friendly but we came to realise that, that was the Czechs in general, would recommend.
Nice but impersonal hotel
This is a chain hotel, so a little impersonal, but the room was quiet and big, the service was good, the breakfast was very good (a lot of things, ham, eggs, cakes, yogourth....).
The hotel is placed very near a Metro station an a lot of trams also stop near the hotel. You are only 10 minutes walking from the Wenceslao and there are some places near to take the dinner.
The hotel has also a interior swiming pool that it�s wonderful after a day walking by the city.
Pleasant ,modern, clean & comfortable.
This is the sort of hotel the guidebooks might typically describe as soulless and lacking in character, but, on the other hand, the air conditioning & elevators work, there's a swimming pool & sauna, and it is generally pleasant, modern, clean and comfortable. Excellent buffet breakfast with plenty of choice. Location OK, 8/10 minute walk to Wenceslaus Square, at least 15 minutes to Old Town but only 2 minutes away from metro/tram stop & plenty of taxis available at hotel entrance.
Great Facility
This hotel is on a quiet side street in old town and just a few mins. walk to all the historical sites. It is extremely clean, has a garage, pool, fitness room and sauna and I found to be an excellent stay in this city. It is family friendly and the breakfast buffet was huge.
TripAdvisor Reviews Hotel Novotel Praha Wenceslas Square Prague
Travel Blogs from Prague
Day 21 Prague
... a cliche moment because I needed to go back to the room to pack my bag as we were leaving in an hour and we were both so tired we could hardy stay awake but neither of us wanted to say goodbye to each other. Super cliche but hey.
Anyways I packed my bag and slept for about half an hour - big mistake. Its best to just stay awake the whole time than sleep for only a few minutes otherwise you end up more tired than you would have been if you just stayed ...
Day 19 - Arrival in Prague
"So long. Farewell. Auf wiedersehen. Goodbye!" Just as the von Trapp children said these words to their houseguests before bed, we said these words to the city of Berlin (no singing, though, and fewer suspenders were worn). Today, we left Berlin, and our group of 17 (welcome, Steve!) ventured to our next destination of Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. We enjoyed one last superb breakfast at our hotel in Berlin, packed up all of our belongings, ...
Escape from Germany to Prague
... rooms we went and had dinner in the bar of Bread, Pasta, Chips, Broccoli, Chicken & Pork. Then our driver Ameleo wanted to go out on the town with us (Because he has a day off tomorrow) so the all the people who were up for going out assembled in the reception. With a force about 18 strong we went out on the town. Boys went to the Beer museum first and ladies to the bed lounge. We entered the beer museum and it looked like a dark dingy bar. Once ...
Old Town, New Shopping
... to practically assault someone to get the check at dinner.
It was a nice night tonight- much more beautiful weather than any of us anticipated. We sort of strolled back through the square and hit the Metro station back in Wenceslas to get in at an early 9:15 pm! We have to pack up tonight because tomorrow we are going on a castle tour to Karlsteijn and Konopiste and will be gone all day, but have to switch hotels when we get back. Still in Prague but over to the Hilton.
... the 1400 (or somewhere around then) and it was amazing it had two different times roman and one other, a dial that would tell you what position the moon was in (like when it was a full moon/ quarter moon etc) and then it also had a zodiac hand so it told you what zodiac month we were in and yup you guessed it we are in LEO!!! We also visited the palace / castle area and that was lovely it was up on the top of the hill and gazed down on the city below, ...


text: 000 FXUS63 KPAH 020644 AFDPAH AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 144 AM CDT FRI OCT 2 2015 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Sunday night) Issued at 131 AM CDT FRI OCT 2 2015 The upper low over the Tn valley will continue its dive southward with time...as Joaquin advances toward the East Coast. The surface gradient will respond by tightening between high pressure over Eastern Canada and low pressure over the southeast U.S. This will keep a fetch of nice cool n-nelys across the lower Ohio river valley. Winds may be gusty at times during the pm hours, when the PGF is maxed. Radar mosaic shows Pops closeby, just to the southeast of the FA. Until the Tn Valley Low gets sufficiently far enough south/east, the bulk columnar moisture over the Eastern Seaboard states will continue to be pulled back westward, and into the Commonwealth. This will result in a continuation of Pops for us. Mid to High chance cat pops for our eastern counties will taper to slgts and less as you go westward thru our CWA. This will include into at least the first half of the weekend (Saturday). It still looks like drier air will work into the region Sunday, as high pressure aloft ridges in from the west, and Joaquin appears to make a more northward/eastward track each successive run. We`ll have to watch that closely for any weekend changes should it move further westward. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Thursday) Issued at 247 PM CDT THU OCT 1 2015 The medium-range models are in good agreement from Sunday through the first half of next week, but really diverge by next Thursday. Overall confidence is pretty high. In general, we can expect dry and rather mild conditions well into next week. High pressure aloft will build over the region Sunday, as the influence of the pesky upper-low finally pushes east of the region. We did leave in a slight chance in the east Sunday to give the low a wide berth and blend in with our neighboring forecast offices. High pressure will be in control both at the surface and aloft to begin the week. This will result in a warming trend to near normal levels by Monday and into the lower 80s by Wednesday, and possibly into Thursday. The 12Z ECMWF and GFS agree in bringing an upper-level storm system eastward into the Rockies by the end of the day Wednesday. The problem is that it is caught within a progressive split flow. The GFS has been consistently pushing this system eastward into our area Wednesday night and Thursday, while the ECMWF has been slower to move it out of the Rockies. The 12Z ECMWF has trended farther south with the system and now has it over northern Mexico Thursday evening with continued ridging over our region. This is not a high confidence scenario, and neither solution can be ruled out at this time. We will keep a slight chance of showers over the west Wednesday night and over the entire region Thursday given the GFS`s consistency, but significant adjustments may ultimately be necessary. Even if the GFS is close, it does not look like a major cool down for the end of next week. && .AVIATION... Issued at 131 AM CDT FRI OCT 2 2015 Low VFR to at times MVFR cigs are closeby, just to our east, and already (still) impact KEVV/KOWB flight terminals. This will continue thru early morning. But then, we`ll see PM stratocu develop again, straddling the MVFR/VFR cat, including cigs at times (most prominent east). Showers too may develop/become scattered in the east, where the better moisture resides. We may have to include vicinity mention to hit upon this, at least in our eastern most terminal (KOWB). Chances drop the further west you go away from the bulk moisture. N-NElys continue and will include diurnal gusts, not unlike yesterday. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...NONE. MO...NONE. IN...NONE. KY...NONE. && $$


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This page is dedicated to magic reviews.
I will be reviewing both new and old magic tricks that I own and use.
The magic review will go into detail on the performance, teaching and what is included with the magic trick.
I will also discuss what kinds of situations you can use the magic in and whether it is worth purchasing.
Magic Trick Reviews
Envylope from Paul Harris Presents
A Single Needle by Wayne Houchin
Moser's Miracle Monte from Wolfgang Moser


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More bald than bold.
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Bid to hush Rush
House Republican lawmakers are preparing to fight anticipated Democratic efforts to regulate talk radio by reviving rules requiring stations to balance conservative hosts, such as Rush Limbaugh, with liberals, the Hill newspaper reports.
Conservatives fear that forcing stations to make equal time for liberal talk radio would cut into profits so drastically that radio executives would opt to scale back on conservative radio programming to avoid escalating costs and interference from the Federal Communications Commission, reporter Alexander Bolton writes.
They say radio stations would take a financial hit if forced to air balanced programming because liberal talk radio has not proved itself to be as profitable as conservative radio. Air America, the liberal counterpunch to conservative talk radio, filed for bankruptcy in October.
But Democratic leaders say that government has a compelling interest to ensure that listeners are properly informed.
"It's time to reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine," saidSenate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin of Illinois. "I have this old-fashioned attitude that when Americans hear both sides of the story, they're in a better position to make a decision."
The Fairness Doctrine, which the FCC discarded in 1985, required broadcasters to present opposing viewpoints on controversial political issues. Before 1985, government regulations called for broadcasters to "make reasonable judgments in good faith" on how to present multiple viewpoints on controversial issues.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California Democrat and Senate Rules Committee chairman, said she planned to "look at the legal and constitutional aspects of" reviving the Fairness Doctrine. Democrats on the Senate Energy and Commerce Committee have also begun to focus on what they regard as a lack of diversity in talk radio, and may hold hearings later this year.
DeLay's victory
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals refused yesterday to reinstate a dropped conspiracy charge against former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.
Travis County prosecutor Ronnie Earle had charged Mr. DeLay and two associates with conspiracy to violate the state's election code in connection with corporate funds used in 2002 state legislative elections.
A state district judge threw out that charge after defense lawyers argued that conspiracy couldn't be applied because the law he is accused of violating didn't take effect until 2003. A regional appeals court upheld the judge's decision.
Prosecutors then went to the state's highest criminal appeals court, leading to yesterday's ruling.
Mr. DeLay, who resigned from office last year, still faces a money-laundering charge and a charge of conspiring to launder money. Lawyers are arguing about those charges before an appeals court, and no trial date has been set.
Mr. DeLay's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, said he was pleased with yesterday's ruling but sorry that it took so long and resulted in Mr. DeLay's resignation from Congress, where he represented Houston's southwest suburbs for more than 20 years.


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TV News: Confab unveils plans for Jan. 24-26 gathering in Miami — Organizers at NATPE are betting that the confab's move to Miami will score higher attendance numbers and more market attention than years past.
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Publications (7)67.32 Total impact
Article: Microarray-based CGH detects chromosomal mosaicism not revealed by conventional cytogenetics[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Somatic chromosomal mosaicism is a well-established cause for birth defects, mental retardation, and, in some instances, specific genetic syndromes. We have developed a clinically validated, targeted BAC clone array as a platform for comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) to enable detection of a wide range of pathologic copy number changes in DNA. It is designed to provide high sensitivity to detect well-characterized submicroscopic micro-deletion and duplication disorders while at the same time minimizing detection of variation of uncertain clinical significance. In the course of studying 2,585 samples submitted to our clinical laboratory, chromosomal mosaicism was detected in 12 patient samples; 10 of these cases were reported to have had a normal blood chromosome analysis. This enhanced ability of aCGH to detect mosaicism missed by routine chromosome analysis may be due to some combination of testing multiple cell lineages and/or failure of cytogenetically abnormal T lymphocytes to respond to mitogens. This suggests that aCGH may detect somatic chromosomal mosaicism that would be missed by conventional cytogenetics.American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A 08/2007; 143A(15):1679-86. DOI:10.1002/ajmg.a.31740 · 2.16 Impact Factor
Article: Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) detects a large X chromosome deletion including FMR1, FMR2, and IDS in a female patient with mental retardation[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) by array-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a new clinical test for the detection of well-characterized genomic disorders caused by chromosomal deletions and duplications that result in gene copy number variation (CNV). This powerful assay detects an abnormality in approximately 7-9% of patients with various clinical phenotypes, including mental retardation. We report here on the results found in a 6-year-old girl with mildly dysmorphic facies, obesity, and marked developmental delay. CMA was requested and showed a heterozygous loss in copy number with clones derived from the genomic region cytogenetically defined as Xq27.3-Xq28. This loss was not cytogenetically visible but was seen on FISH analysis with clones from the region. Further studies confirmed a loss of one copy each of the FMR1, FMR2, and IDS genes (which are mutated in Fragile X syndrome, FRAXE syndrome, and Hunter syndrome, respectively). Skewed X-inactivation has been previously reported in girls with deletions in this region and can lead to a combined Fragile X/Hunter syndrome phenotype in affected females. X-inactivation and iduronate 2-sulfatase (IDS) enzyme activity were therefore examined. X-inactivation was found to be random in the child's peripheral leukocytes, and IDS enzyme activity was approximately half of the normal value. This case demonstrates the utility of CMA both for detecting a submicroscopic chromosomal deletion and for suggesting further testing that could possibly lead to therapeutic options for patients with developmental delay.American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A 06/2007; 143A(12):1358-65. DOI:10.1002/ajmg.a.31781 · 2.16 Impact Factor
Article: Clinical Implementation of Chromosomal Microarray Analysis: Summary of 2513 Postnatal Cases[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (a-CGH) is a powerful molecular cytogenetic tool to detect genomic imbalances and study disease mechanism and pathogenesis. We report our experience with the clinical implementation of this high resolution human genome analysis, referred to as Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA). CMA was performed clinically on 2513 postnatal samples from patients referred with a variety of clinical phenotypes. The initial 775 samples were studied using CMA array version 4 and the remaining 1738 samples were analyzed with CMA version 5 containing expanded genomic coverage. Overall, CMA identified clinically relevant genomic imbalances in 8.5% of patients: 7.6% using V4 and 8.9% using V5. Among 117 cases referred for additional investigation of a known cytogenetically detectable rearrangement, CMA identified the majority (92.5%) of the genomic imbalances. Importantly, abnormal CMA findings were observed in 5.2% of patients (98/1872) with normal karyotypes/FISH results, and V5, with expanded genomic coverage, enabled a higher detection rate in this category than V4. For cases without cytogenetic results available, 8.0% (42/524) abnormal CMA results were detected; again, V5 demonstrated an increased ability to detect abnormality. Improved diagnostic potential of CMA is illustrated by 90 cases identified with 51 cryptic microdeletions and 39 predicted apparent reciprocal microduplications in 13 specific chromosomal regions associated with 11 known genomic disorders. In addition, CMA identified copy number variations (CNVs) of uncertain significance in 262 probands; however, parental studies usually facilitated clinical interpretation. Of these, 217 were interpreted as familial variants and 11 were determined to be de novo; the remaining 34 await parental studies to resolve the clinical significance. This large set of clinical results demonstrates the significantly improved sensitivity of CMA for the detection of clinically relevant genomic imbalances and highlights the need for comprehensive genetic counseling to facilitate accurate clinical correlation and interpretation.PLoS ONE 03/2007; 2(3):e327. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0000327 · 3.23 Impact Factor
Article: Prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities using array-based comparative genomic hybridization[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of using a targeted array-CGH strategy for prenatal diagnosis of genomic imbalances in a clinical setting of current pregnancies. Women undergoing prenatal diagnosis were counseled and offered array-CGH (BCM V4.0) in addition to routine chromosome analysis. Array-CGH was performed with DNA directly from amniotic fluid cells with whole genome amplification, on chorionic villus samples with amplification as necessary, and on cultured cells without amplification. Ninety-eight pregnancies (56 amniotic fluid and 42 CVS specimens) were studied with complete concordance between karyotype and array results, including 5 positive cases with chromosomal abnormalities. There was complete concordance of array results for direct and cultured cell analysis in 57 cases tested by both methods. In 12 cases, the array detected copy number variation requiring testing of parental samples for optimal interpretation. Array-CGH results were available in an average of 6 and 16 days for direct and cultured cells, respectively. Patient acceptance of array-CGH testing was 74%. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using array-CGH for prenatal diagnosis, including reliance on direct analysis without culturing cells. Use of array-CGH should increase the detection of abnormalities relative to the risk, and is an option for an enhanced level of screening for chromosomal abnormalities in high risk pregnancies.Genetics in Medicine 12/2006; 8(11):719-27. DOI:10.1097/01.gim.0000245576.47154.63 · 7.33 Impact Factor
Article: Peiffer DA, Le JM, Steemers FJ, Chang W, Jenniges T, Garcia F et al.. High-resolution genomic profiling of chromosomal aberrations using Infinium whole-genome genotyping. Genome Res 16: 1136-1148[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Array-CGH is a powerful tool for the detection of chromosomal aberrations. The introduction of high-density SNP genotyping technology to genomic profiling, termed SNP-CGH, represents a further advance, since simultaneous measurement of both signal intensity variations and changes in allelic composition makes it possible to detect both copy number changes and copy-neutral loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) events. We demonstrate the utility of SNP-CGH with two Infinium whole-genome genotyping BeadChips, assaying 109,000 and 317,000 SNP loci, to detect chromosomal aberrations in samples bearing constitutional aberrations as well tumor samples at sub-100 kb effective resolution. Detected aberrations include homozygous deletions, hemizygous deletions, copy-neutral LOH, duplications, and amplifications. The statistical ability to detect common aberrations was modeled by analysis of an X chromosome titration model system, and sensitivity was modeled by titration of gDNA from a tumor cell with that of its paired normal cell line. Analysis was facilitated by using a genome browser that plots log ratios of normalized intensities and allelic ratios along the chromosomes. We developed two modes of SNP-CGH analysis, a single sample and a paired sample mode. The single sample mode computes log intensity ratios and allelic ratios by referencing to canonical genotype clusters generated from approximately 120 reference samples, whereas the paired sample mode uses a paired normal reference sample from the same individual. Finally, the two analysis modes are compared and contrasted for their utility in analyzing different types of input gDNA: low input amounts, fragmented gDNA, and Phi29 whole-genome pre-amplified DNA.Genome Research 10/2006; 16(9):1136-48. DOI:10.1101/gr.5402306 · 14.63 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although radiation can directly induce DNA damage and is a known human and animal carcinogen, the number of genetic changes in radiation-induced tumors, and the pathways responsible for generating them, are unknown. We have used high-density BAC arrays covering >95% of the mouse genome for analysis of genomic patterns of aberrations in spontaneous and radiation-induced mouse lymphomas. The majority of radiation-induced tumors exhibit one of three 'signatures' based on gene copy number changes. Some exhibit extensive scrambling of the genome, with very high numbers of recurrent gains and losses. Two other signatures are characterized by excess gains but relatively few losses, or vice versa. Changes in spontaneous tumors often involve whole chromosomes, whereas radiation-induced tumors exhibit a high frequency of localized deletion/amplification events. The number of copy number abnormalities does not correlate with the latency or pathology of the tumors. We propose that specific early events following radiation exposure induce changes in 'caretaker' genes that control specific downstream pathways involved in DNA damage repair. The nature of these early events may determine the overall genomic signature observed in the resulting tumor.Oncogene 11/2005; 24(53):7924-34. DOI:10.1038/sj.onc.1208926 · 8.46 Impact Factor
Article: Li, J. et al. Genomic segmental polymorphisms in inbred mouse strains. Nat. Genet. 36, 952-954[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: By analyzing genomic copy-number differences using high-resolution mouse whole-genome BAC arrays, we uncover substantial differences in regional DNA content between inbred strains of mice. The identification of these apparently common segmental polymorphisms suggests that these differences can contribute to genetic variability and pathologic susceptibility.Nature Genetics 10/2004; 36(9):952-4. DOI:10.1038/ng1417 · 29.35 Impact Factor
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Opexa TherapeuticsThe Woodlands, Texas, United States
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics


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We propose a pattern classification based approach for simultaneous three-dimensional (3-D) object modeling and segmentation in image volumes. The 3-D objects are described as a set of overlapping ellipsoids. The segmentation relies on the geometrical model and graylevel statistics. The characteristic parameters of the ellipsoids and of the graylevel statistics are embedded in a radial basis function (RBF) network and they are found by means of unsupervised training. A new robust training algorithm for RBF networks based on α-trimmed mean statistics is employed in this study. The extension of the Hough transform algorithm in the 3-D space by employing a spherical coordinate system is used for ellipsoidal center estimation. We study the performance of the proposed algorithm and we present results when segmenting a stack of microscopy images
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NEW DETAILS: Manhunt pix of Boston bomber suspect Dzhokar TSARNAEV release sends harsh message to rock mag idolatry. Cop who snapped pix suspended. Read More
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by Brandon Sanderson
Tom Doherty Associates
August 31, 2010
Widely acclaimed for his work completing Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time saga, Brandon Sanderson now begins a grand cycle of his own, one every bit as ambitious and immersive.
Roshar is a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep across the rocky terrain so frequently that they have shaped ecology and civilization alike. Animals hide in shells, trees pull in branches, and grass retracts into the soilless ground. Cities are built only where the topography offers shelter.
It has been centuries since the fall of the ten consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor that transform ordinary men into near-invincible warriors. Men trade kingdoms for Shardblades. Wars were fought for them, and won by them.
One such war rages on a ruined landscape called the Shattered Plains. There, Kaladin, who traded his medical apprenticeship for a spear to protect his little brother, has been reduced to slavery. In a war that makes no sense, where ten armies fight separately against a single foe, he struggles to save his men and to fathom the leaders who consider them expendable.
Brightlord Dalinar Kholin commands one of those other armies. Like his brother, the late king, he is fascinated by an ancient text called The Way of Kings. Troubled by over-powering visions of ancient times and the Knights Radiant, he has begun to doubt his own sanity.
Across the ocean, an untried young woman named Shallan seeks to train under an eminent scholar and notorious heretic, Dalinar's niece, Jasnah. Though she genuinely loves learning, Shallan's motives are less than pure. As she plans a daring theft, her research for Jasnah hints at secrets of the Knights Radiant and the true cause of the war.
The result of over ten years of planning, writing, and world-building, The Way of Kings is but the opening movement of the Stormlight Archive, a bold masterpiece in the making.
Speak again the ancient oaths,
Life before death.Strength before weakness.Journey before Destination.and return to men the Shards they once bore.
The Knights Radiant must stand again.
1008 pages, 9.47 × 6.38 × 1.97 in
August 31, 2010
Tom Doherty Associates
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by Brandon Sanderson
BRANDON SANDERSON grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He lives in Utah with his wife and children and teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University. In addition to completing Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time®, he is the author of such bestsellers as the Mistborn trilogy, Warbreaker, The Alloy of Law, The Way of Kings, Rithmatist, and Steelheart. He won the 2013 Hugo Award for "The Emperor's Soul," a novella set in the world of his acclaimed first novel, Elantris.
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