bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anuario Meteorológico Cafetero 1988
Authors:   Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café
Published: June 2021

En este anuario meteorológico se publica información registrada en la red climática de la Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia operada por la Disciplina de Agroclimatología de Cenicafé.
Anuario Meteorológico Cafetero 1989
Authors:   Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café
Published: June 2021

En este anuario meteorológico se publica información registrada en la red climática de la Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia operada por la Disciplina de Agroclimatología de Cenicafé.
Anuario Meteorológico Cafetero 1994
Authors:   Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café
Published: June 2021

En este anuario meteorológico se publica información registrada en la red climática de la Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia operada por la Disciplina de Agroclimatología de Cenicafé.
Anuario Meteorológico Cafetero 1998
Authors:   Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café
Published: June 2021

En este anuario meteorológico se publica información registrada en la red climática de la Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia operada por la Disciplina de Agroclimatología de Cenicafé.
Anuario Meteorológico Cafetero 2003
Authors:   Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café
Published: June 2021

En este anuario meteorológico se publica información registrada en la red climática de la Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia operada por la Disciplina de Agroclimatología de Cenicafé.
Anuario Meteorológico Cafetero 2011
Authors:   Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café
Published: June 2021

En este anuario meteorológico se publica información registrada en la red climática de la Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia operada por la Disciplina de Agroclimatología de Cenicafé.
Dominando los Textos Argumentativos
Authors: Gómez García Pedro
Published: June 2021

La enseñanza de la lengua debe contemplar el desarrollo de cuatro habilidades: escuchar, hablar, leer y escribir; estas dos últimas habilidades, diferentes y a la vez muy relacionadas, tienen su grado de complejidad en cuanto a su adquisición, porque, por un lado, la lectura supone procesos cognitivos complejos como la comprensión inferencial y crítica; y, por el otro, la escritura, supone la producción textual. En ese sentido, la lectura no puede ser concebida únicamente como una habilidad gráfico-fónica, sin eximir los méritos que esta tiene; y, la escritura, no puede ser concebida solamente como una herramienta para copiar lo que otro escribe o dicta. De modo que, dentro de las diferentes manifestaciones de la actividad lingüística, la escuela debe involucrarse necesariamente en dos procesos inherentes a esa actividad: la comprensión lectora y la producción textual. La primera alude a la búsqueda del sentido; y, la segunda, se refiere a cómo el estudiante genera significado para compartir conocimientos o vivencias.
Data pre-processing methods for NPP equipment diagnostics algorithms: an overview
Authors: Katser Iurii D. , Kozitsin Vyacheslav O. , Maksimov Ivan V. , Larionov Denis A. , Kotsoev Konstantin I.
Published: June 2021

The main tasks of diagnostics at nuclear power plants are detection, localization, diagnosis, and prognosis of the development of malfunctions. Analytical algorithms of varying degrees of complexity are used to solve these tasks. Many of these algorithms require pre-processed input data for high-quality and efficient operation. The pre-processing stage can help to reduce the volume of the analyzed data, generate additional informative diagnostic features, find complex dependencies and hidden patterns, discard uninformative source signals and remove noise. Finally, it can produce an improvement in detection, localization and prognosis quality. This overview briefly describes the data collected at nuclear power plants and provides methods for their preliminary processing. The pre-processing techniques are systematized according to the tasks performed. Their advantages and disadvantages are presented and the requirements for the initial raw data are considered. The references include both fundamental scientific works and applied industrial research on the methods applied. The paper also indicates the mechanisms for applying the methods of signal pre-processing in real-time. The overview of the data pre-processing methods in application to nuclear power plants is obtained, their classification and characteristics are given, and the comparative analysis of the methods is presented.
Changement de cap de l’Allemagne en matière de politique européenne : un repositionnement avec des limites
Authors: Becker Peter , Gallouët Laure
Published: June 2021

En 2020, une étape à la fois importante et surprenante a été franchie par l’Union européenne sur la voie de l’intégration : avec le prochain cadre financier pluriannuel (CFP) pour la période 2021-2027 et le plan de relance européen « Next Generation EU » (NGEU), l’UE pourra disposer d’un budget d’une enveloppe globale impressionnante d’environ 1 800 milliards d’euros. Dans le même temps, et pour la première fois, la Commission européenne a été chargée de souscrire à des emprunts, afin de financer le plan de relance NGEU. Cette réponse commune apportée aux grands défis socio-économiques causés par la pandémie de la Covid-19 n’a été rendue possible que grâce à un profond changement de la politique européenne menée par l’Allemagne. Cet article tente d’expliquer et de retracer cette transformation fondamentale : Sur quels points le gouvernement fédéral était-il prêt à innover en profondeur, où a-t-il fixé des limites, quelles conditions a-t-il formulées, et enfin, quelles étaient les raisons et les motivations qui ont amené l’Allemagne à redéfinir sa position ? Pour finir, il convient de se demander s’il faut y voir le signe d’une transformation durable et en profondeur de la politique européenne menée par l’Allemagne.
L’Iran et sa (mal) représentation
Authors: Pourhosseini Behrang
Published: June 2021

L’Iran (notamment post-révolutionnaire) souffre deux fois de sa mal-représentation. Non seulement, à l’intérieur des frontières, le décalage entre la diversité sociale et l’État islamique installé depuis la révolution de 79 s’est creusé, mais également, dans sa perception à l’extérieur, cette révolution a réactivé des lectures culturalistes. Nous mobilisons dans cet article le concept de « représentation », qui implique des significations politiques et esthétiques, afin de dessiner un autre tableau des tensions entre la société iranienne et son État. Le blocage de la représentativité démocratique par le gouvernement a conduit la société iranienne, en quête de son image, à se tourner vers des modalités de plus en plus esthétiques. Ces sensibilités influencent le paysage politique, de même que les représentations esthétiques sont toujours susceptibles de prendre un sens politique. C’est à ce conflit des images dans le contexte iranien que nous nous intéressons.
Félibien, critique d’art ? Esthétique du « regard Félibien » dans l’œuvre de Raphaël et de Michel-Ange
Authors: Saudrais Anthony
Published: June 2021

Notre propos souhaite nuancer la doxa académique selon laquelle l’invention de la critique d’art serait née en France dans la seconde moitié du xviii e  siècle. En effet, la lecture des Entretiens de Félibien favorise par l’éloquence du dialogue la variété des points de vue. Cet article rend compte des tensions qui émanent des Entretiens , une œuvre incessamment située entre la théorie et la critique. La comparaison entre l’œuvre de Raphaël et celle de Michel-Ange illustre cette tension entre l’esthétique (le goût) et la théorie (les règles) dans le « regard Félibien » ; ne cachant pas sa préférence pour Raphaël, il conteste la hiérarchie vasarienne.
L’originarité des images
Authors: Devillers Jean-François
Published: June 2021

Les images sont-elles des imitations ou des signes conventionnels ? Sont-elles ressemblantes ou dénotatives ? Pour tenter de dépasser ces oppositions devenues classiques, cet article part du constat que les images sont d’abord et avant tout réalisées en fonction de certains moyens techniques de production et selon des attentes liées à l’usage qui en sera fait. Ce faisant, au lieu de récuser la ressemblance ou de nier qu’il puisse y avoir des conventions dans les images, il montre que la ressemblance est toujours relative à une visibilisation spécifique de la réalité, laquelle peut à l’occasion recourir à des conventions. Cet article défend ainsi l’idée que les images sont originaires : fondatrices de nos manières de voir.
« Stop linky, non merci »
Authors: Danieli Aude
Published: June 2021

Aujourd’hui plus de 4 foyers sur 5 disposent d’un compteur communicant Linky et pourtant, la polémique anti-Linky ne faiblit pas avec les prémices d’une judiciarisation des conflits ces dernières années. L’article vise à restituer les modalités de dénonciation et de mobilisation des consommateurs ordinaires et plus précisément de la frange des plus réfractaires d’entre eux. Dans une première partie, nous proposons un modèle d’engagement dans la cause « anti-Linky », de la suspicion à la scandalisation. Nous montrons que les clients procèdent à un travail de politisation en embarquant plusieurs registres de dénonciation (les ondes électriques et leurs effets sur la santé, la fausse promesse de la transition énergétique, les dérives marchandes et les risques de surveillance). L’engagement de ces consommateurs se nourrit de la mutualisation des arguments, permettant l’accusation contre les compteurs pour protéger leurs domiciles vécus comme des espaces intimes, mais aussi ceux des personnes vulnérables. La deuxième partie décrit les étapes de la « mobilisation à domicile » et les stratégies de « solidarité de voisinage ». Elles ont pour but de lutter pragmatiquement contre l’installation du compteur, mais aussi de promouvoir la recherche d’une société non Linky, appuyée par des normes de sobriété numérique, d’anticonsumérisme et d’une vie plus solidaire.
Effect of Internal Electromagnetic Stirrings DC Casting on Grain Refinement and Segregation of Large-Sized Billet of 2219 Alloy
Authors: Zhao Hao Dong , Zhang Zhi Feng , Li Bao , Gao Ming Wei , Bai Yue Long
Published: June 2021

An advanced method called internal electromagnetic stirring (I-EMS) was investigated to resolve the engineering problems like coarse-grain, inhomogeneous structure and macrosegregation. The electromagnetic stirrer functioned with internal-cooling was inserted in the melt during DC casting. In this study, a round billet of 2219 alloy DC cast with a diameter of 880mm under I-EMS process condition was produced, and its structure and composition distribution were comparatively characterized. The results show that the mean grain size decreased from the range of 872, 1023, 332 μm to the range of 317, 438, 271 μm at different billet positions with I-EMS. I-EMS consequently produce superior grain refinement and homogeneity. The effect of I-EMS on the grain-refinement and macrosegregation was also discussed.
Interface between FGH96 Superalloy and Refractory Slurry with Different Soaking Time
Authors: Zhang Yi Bo , Xu Wen Yong , Zheng Liang , Li Zhou , Zhang Guo Qing
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the contact interface between FGH96 superalloy melts and refractory slurry with corundum powder and silica sol at 1600°C with different soaking time in 10-240 min range was investigated. The morphology and composition of the contact interface were studied by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that the reaction layer formed on the contact interface between the melting superalloy and the refractory slurry, and is mainly consist of Alumina and contains a small amount of other metal elements such as Ti and Cr. The reaction layer was not smooth on the micro level, and there was a peninsula-like structure protruding into the internal part of the melting superalloy on the reaction zone, and even started to fall off at some places to form islands. With the increase of soaking time, the reaction between melt of superalloy and refractory slurry increased gradually and the reaction layer began to combine with the refractory slurry substrate and form obvious interaction layered structure, resulting in the corrosion of refractory slurry substrate. With the soaking time over 120 min, the stable contact interface was destroyed. Thermodynamic calculation shows that the substitution reaction between Al in superalloy and SiO2 in refractory slurry meets the thermodynamic conditions, and the reaction can proceed forward.
Phase Transformation of ER70-Ti for Gas Shielded Wire
Authors: Chen Xing Han , Song Ren Bo , Pei Zhong Zheng , Che Kun Peng
Published: June 2021

ER70-Ti is a high strength gas shielded welding wire steel, which is suitable for ships, bridges and other structures, and can be used for thick plate welding with high current. In the welding wire industry, ER70-Ti is a high-tech deep-processing product with high added value. In this study, the thermal expansion experiment of ER70-Ti wire rod was carried out. The critical temperature of ER70-Ti phase transformation was measured and the continuous cooling transformation curve (CCT curve) of undercooled austenite was drawn. The microstructure and hardness of the samples under different cooling rates were observed. The results show that Ac1 temperature of ER70-Ti sample was 690 °C, Ac3 temperature was 877°C, and Bs temperature was 575°C. When the cooling rate was low (0.1°C/s~2.5°C/s), the phase transformation products of ER70-Ti were equiaxed polygonal ferrite and granular bainite. With the increase of cooling rate, the grain size of ER70-Ti sample was refined and the bainite content increased from 53% to 85%. When the cooling rate was higher than 5°C/s, all the phase transformation products were bainite. The Vickers microhardness also increased with the increase of cooling rate, from 185HV to 325HV.
Phase Transformation Law of Nb Microalloyed Steel at Different Cooling Rates
Authors: Yu Ping , Song Ren Bo , Xiong Wen Ming , Huo Wei Feng , Wei Chen , Liu Zhi Jun , Qin Shuai
Published: June 2021

Through the Gleeble3500 thermal simulation test machine, the phase transformation law of Nb microalloyed steel was studied and tested. After the compression deformation, it was cooled to room temperature at different speeds. Obtain the dynamic continuous cooling transformation diagram and the scanning structure diagram of the test steel, and then analyze the phase composition under different cooling speeds through JMatPro material performance simulation. The results show that: at a lower cooling speed (0.1°C/s), austenite decomposition is a diffusion-type phase change that takes place in a high-temperature region, and carbon atoms can diffuse sufficiently. At a moderate cooling rate (1°C/s), the bainite phase transition is a semi-diffusion phase transition in which carbon atoms are displaced in a non-cooperative thermally activated transition mode. When the cooling rate is high (15°C/s), the martensitic transformation is a non-diffusion-type transformation carried out in the low temperature region, and the atoms are directly transferred from the austenite lattice to the martensite lattice. With the increase of the cooling rate and the decrease of the transition temperature, from low-speed cooling→medium-speed cooling→high-speed cooling, respectively, the diffusion type phase transition→semi-diffusion type phase transition→the non-diffusion type phase transition. At different cooling rates, the continuous cooling transition diagram simulated by JMatPro is basically the same as the phase transition in the dynamic continuous cooling transition diagram of the test steel, which proves that the simulation prediction of the dynamic continuous cooling transition of the test steel by the JMatPro software has high accuracy and applicability.
Comparison of Corrosion Behavior of an Epoxy Coating and a RGO Modified Epoxy Coating on N80 Tubing Steel in 10.0 wt% NaCl Solution at Different Temperatures
Authors: Zhu Li Juan , Feng Chun , Song Ya Chong , Cao Ya Qiong , Han Li Hong , Ge Hong Jiang
Published: June 2021

Epoxy coatings and Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) modified epoxy coatings were prepared on N80 tubing steel. The influence of temperature on the corrosion resistance of RGO modified epoxy coatings was studied. And the corrosion behavior of epoxy coatings and RGO modified epoxy coatings in 10.0 wt% NaCl solution at different temperatures was compared. The results showed that the corrosion resistance of both coatings decreased with the increase of temperature. However, the corrosion resistance of RGO modified epoxy coating was two to three orders of magnitude higher than that of epoxy coating at different test temperature. The addition of RGO nanosheets greatly enhanced the corrosion resistance of epoxy composite coatings in 10.0 wt% NaCl solution at high temperature due to their high impermeability and negative coefficient of thermal expansion.
Effect of the Binder on Properties of Molten Core and Co-Debinding Behavior in Silica-Based Ceramics
Authors: Si Yuan , Zhang Peng
Published: June 2021

The effects of molecular weight of the binder on the properties of molten cores were studied The results showed that the filling parameter had an inverse correlation to molecular weight and was consistent with the Market-Houwink Equation. The surface roughness of the cavity surface deteriorated from 2.468 μm to 11.998 μm as the molecular weight of the binder climbed from 2000 to 6000 due to the presence of residual carbon, which was confirmed by SEM and EDS results. At the debinding stage, the pores that occurred in the ceramic core, were insufficient for the liquid PEG binder to flow out, some of the liquid binder moved to the fringe side. More pores formed as the temperature increased and the rest of the binder flowed out through this channel to flow to the filler. Some of the higher molecular weight PEG binder remained as it could not flow away completely and became residual carbon in the cavity surface.
Research Progress on Preparation of SiC/Al for Electronic Packaging by Liquid Infiltration
Authors: Chen Meng Qin , Bai Yue Long , Zhang Zhi Feng
Published: June 2021

High volume fraction SiC/Al composite material, with its excellent thermal properties and flexible preparation process, has been widely used in the field of electronic packaging. In the paprer, the development of SiC/Al materials for electronic packaging and their preparation methods are reviewed. The preparation processes for preparing SiC/Al by liquid infiltration are mainly introduced. The advantages and disadvantages of several important processes are analyzed. Finally, the development trend of SiC/Al for electronic packaging prepared by liquid infiltration is prospected.
Effect of Heat Aging on Properties and Structure of SBS Modified Bitumen Waterproof Membrane
Authors: He Yan Heng , Cao Zhi Long , Ge Yang Yang , Liu Zhao Yang , Li Jiang Ting , Yu Jian Ying
Published: June 2021

The properties of SBS modified bitumen waterproof membrane (SMBM) will deteriorate under the action of heat. In this paper, SBS modified bitumen (SMB) and SMBM were aged at 80 °C for different times (0,10,20,30,40 days). The low temperature flexibility, softening point, viscosity and mass changes ratio of SMB and mechanical properties of SMBM before and after aging were tested, the microstructure and chemical structure of SMB were investigated by fluorescence microscope (FM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show that the low temperature flexibility, softening point and viscosity of SMB decrease significantly at the initial stage of heat aging (10 days), especially the influence of heat aging on the low temperature flexibility and viscosity of SMB is more obvious, and their properties degradation rate slowdown in the later stage of aging. The mass changes ratio of SMB first decreases and then increases with aging time. FM shows that the network crosslinking structure of SMB is destroyed gradually with the extension of aging time. The network crosslinking structure disappears after 40 days of heat aging. FTIR shows that carbonyl and sulfoxide compounds are increasing after aging, more carbonyl compounds than sulfoxide compounds are formed after aging for 10 days, and the degradation rate of SBS decreases. The maximum tension of SMBM first increases and then decreases, the elongation at maximum tension decreases with aging time.
A 96% Alumina based Packaging System for 500°C Test of SiC Integrated Circuits
Authors: Chen Liangyu , Neudeck Philip G. , Spry David J. , Beheim Glenn M. , Hunter Gary W.
Published: June 2021

Along with the development of silicon carbide (SiC) sensors and electronic devices for operation at 500°C, compatible packaging technologies are needed for long term high temperature test and deployment of these sensors and electronic devices. 96% Al2O3 ceramic is a good electrically insulating material with acceptable dielectric constant and low dielectric loss over wide temperature and frequency ranges. This paper presents a packaging system for low power integrated circuits including a prototype 8-I/O chip-level package and printed circuit board (PCB) based on 96% Al2O3 ceramic substrates and Au thick-film metallization for 500°C applications. The details related to designs of packages and PCBs, packaging materials, and specific packaging step recipes including wire - bonding and die-attach, are presented. Some test results of this prototype packaging approach applied to SiC integrated circuits at 500°C are reviewed.
470 Celsius Packaging System for Silicon Carbide Electronics
Authors: Chiolino N. , Francis A. M. , Holmes J. , Barlow M. , Perkowski C.
Published: June 2021

High temperature Silicon Carbide (SiC) integrated circuit (IC) processes have enabled devices that operate at >450°C for more than a year. These results have established the need for more advanced and practical packaging strategies. Off the shelf state of the art packages cannot withstand the same high temperatures as the semiconductor can for long periods of time. Packaging SiC die to survive temperatures >450°C, while also maintaining a reasonable packaging strategy that is agile, rapid, and modular, presents new challenges.

Presented is a technique for packaging SiC die with a focus on additive manufacturing, modular design scaling, and rugged survivability. This packaging strategy utilizes state of the art Additive Manufacturing (AM) methods, using an nScrypt 3Dn-Tabletop printer, together with stereolithography (SLA) digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing. Ultra-violet (UV) curable ceramic resins are used to create high temperature connectors. A design environment is also described, in which first time correct, interconnect layers are verified in software to reduce the risk of errors. A Ceramic Wiring Board Process Design Kit (CWBPDK) allows the design of single or multiple layers of metal, with fabricated SiC die. This interconnect is verified with standard design rule checking (DRC) and layout vs. schematic (LVS) software. Entire systems in packages can be verified using multiple SiC die. Input and output pins (I/O) are connected to these modules using metal connectors. After design, manufacturing can be performed in just a few days.

A system in package for driving a stepper motor was designed and fabricated using this packaging method. The motor actuator design utilizes four separate SiC die. These die contain large JFETs designed for sourcing current in a unipolar stepper motor architecture. This module was placed in a furnace at 470°C and demonstrated functional operation for over 1000 hours. These devices were able to source an average of 30 mA in >400°C temperatures to drive the room temperature stepper motor. A high I/O count, next generation package for discrete SiC chips was also designed using this packaging system. A single large JFET component was soaked for over 100 hours at both 500°C and 800°C. Utilizing Ozark IC’s automated test design environment, several DC and transient variables were captured for both tests and will be presented.
Designs for reliability and failure mode prevention of electrical feedthroughs in integrated downhole logging tools
Authors: Xia Hua , Settles Nelson , Grimm Michael , Rutherford Gaery , DeWire David
Published: June 2021

To enable an electrical feedthrough integrated downhole logging tool to maintain high reliability during its logging service in any hostile wellbores, it is critical to apply some guidelines for the electrical feedthrough designs. This paper introduces a safety factor based design guideline to ensure an integrated electrical feedthrough has sufficient compression or thermo-mechanical stress amplitude in the stress well against potential logging failures. It is preferred to have a safety actor of 1.5~2.0 for an electrical feedthrough at lowest temperature, such as −60°C, and a safety actor of 2.5~5.0 at operating temperature range of 200~260°C. Moreover, the designed ambient pressure capability should be 1.5~2.0 times higher than the maximum downhole pressure, such as 25,000~30,000PSI. To validate this thermo-mechanical stress model, several electrical feedthrough prototypes have been tested under simulated 200~260°C and 31,000~34,000PSI downhole conditions. The observed testing data have demonstrated that there is a maximum allowable operating pressure for an electrical feedthrough operating at a specific downhole temperature. It is clearly demonstrated that an electrical feedthrough may operate up to 60,000 PSI at ambient temperature in a real life application, but it may actually operate up to 30,000~35,000 PSI at 200~260°C downhole temperatures.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga can be Maintained in a Veteran Friendly Yoga Program
Authors: Schmid Arlene A. , Sternke Elizabeth A. , Do Ai-Nghia L. , Conner Nancy Schalk , Starnino Vincent R. , Davis Louanne W.
Published: June 2021

Background:

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may occur after a traumatic event and has deleterious effects on individuals, including decreased quality of life and function. Yoga is an intervention that may help with the management of PTSD symptoms, however yoga interventions in research studies frequently only include postures and breathwork, not all eight limbs of yoga.

Aims and Objectives:

The aims of this qualitative study was to examine whether participants with PTSD in a group yoga program discussed the benefits of yoga in a way that represented the eight limbs of yoga, when answering questions about their experience of the yoga program.

Methods:

Qualitative data were collected after participants completed a 16-week yoga intervention. Qualitative data were collected via survey, reviewed, coded, and categorized into themes representing each of the eight limbs of yoga.

Results:

Overall, 108 people were randomized to the yoga intervention and 67 individuals completed the intervention and follow up questions used in these analyses. The mean age of the 67 participants in this study was 52.4 years (±12.0), the majority were male (70.2%), and most had combat-related trauma (62.7%). All eight limbs of yoga were represented in the data, including each of the five yamas and niyamas, even though the yoga intervention did not explicitly include Sanskrit terms, definitions, or education about yoga philosophy or the eight limbs of yoga.

Conclusion:

Results may indicate that yoga, even when only including postures, breathwork, intentions, and relaxation/meditation, may still address all of the yamas, niyamas, and the other eight limbs of yoga.
A Study of Spectrum of Rheumatic Heart Disease in Children at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Western India
Authors: Vyas Pooja , Hasit Joshi , Dake Radhakisan , Patel Iva , Patel Krutika
Published: June 2021

Context:

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) predominantly affects adults. However, in developing countries like India, it is the most common acquired heart disease in children. The prevalence of RHD also varies from the region to region in the same country due to the differences in educational, economic, and social status as well as health-care facilities of the region.

Aim:

The aim of the study is to establish and discuss the spectrum of RHD in children from Western India and to explore the relationship between severity of valvular lesion by the age and sex of the children with RHD.

Methods:

Echocardiographic findings of children (N = 820) ≤18 years with RHD seen at our institute from January 2018 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. RHD was screened by echocardiography. All the echocardiogram were analyzed for the pattern and severity of various valve lesions and associated abnormalities.

Results:

Eight hundred and twenty children had a diagnosis of RHD. Maximum patients [476 (57.1%)] were from the age group of 13–18 years without any gender difference (418 male and 402 female). Mitral regurgitation (MR) was the most common lesion found in 81.46% children. Aortic regurgitation (AR) was seen in 29.76%, mitral stenosis (MS) was found in 20.48%, tricuspid regurgitation was seen in 66.83%, and aortic stenosis (AS) was found in 0.73% children. AR was found more common in males as compared to females (P = 0.0004). Majority of patients (69.5%) had single mitral valve involvement. Four hundred and eight patients (49.8%) had severe MR, 122 patients (14.9%) had severe MS, 62 patients (7.6%) had severe aortic regurgitation, and 2 (0.2%) patients had severe AS at the time of first presentation. Pulmonary hypertension was found in 69% of children. Children with MS and AS were older than those without MS and AS (P = 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Majority of children had severe valvular lesion and pulmonary hypertension at the time of first presentation. RHD is the leading cause of heart failure in children with requirement of surgical/catheter intervention and long-term medical management.
Effect of thermocycling on shear bond strength of cemented zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (Celtra Duo)
Authors: Abdulkader Kamilia Faisal , Kheiralla Lamia Sayed , Elhady Elnaggar Gihan Abd
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

The aim of the present in vitro study is to evaluate the effect of thermocycling on the shear bond strength (SBS) of cemented zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) discs (Celtra Duo).

Materials and Methods:

Thirty-six Celtra Duo ceramic discs cemented (n = 36) to composites discs background (Master dent) by adhesive resin cement (Biscem). The baseline group (n = 12) did not subject to thermocycling, the second group (n = 12) was subject to 2500 thermal cycle, and the third group was subject to 5000 thermal cycles, then SBS and the failure mode were evaluated.

Results:

There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.001) where the value of SBS (Mpa) was significantly decreased in both 2500 thermocycling group (P = 0.021) and 5000 thermocycling group (P = 0.001) when compared with their corresponding level measured at baseline group. In addition, there was a significant decrease in bond strength of 5000 thermocycling group when compared with its corresponding value in the 2500 thermocycling group (P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Based on the results of the present study and within the limitations of this in vitro study, it can be concluded that the SBS of cemented ZLS restorations will be decreased when samples are subjected to thermocycling to simulate the clinical situation.
Sudden onset of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is momentous marker
Authors: Chaturvedi Himani Tiwari , Chaturvedi Chandrashekher
Published: June 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presenting as global pandemic left no boundaries untouched worldwide. There are conglomerates of clinical and pathological presentation depending on population and geographic distribution. However amidst of such variable presentations, the sudden onset of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions, if present, remains the most consistent and reliable symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) infection. Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions can be present either isolated or as a part of the spectrum of common symptoms such as fever, cough, dyspnea, and fatigue in COVID-19. The pathophysiology of olfactory and gustatory loss is thought to be due to the neural and cytopathic effect of SARS CoV-2 on nasal and tongue mucosa and olfactory neuroepithelium. This review intends to provide a concise description of recent evidence for structure, pathophysiology, prognosis, and treatment for smell and taste dysfunction in SARS CoV-2-infected patients, subjected to further studies and research. Vigilant screening of anosmia and ageusia could probably be an important tool in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Penile fracture
Authors: Shimpi Rajendra K. , Patel Pranay J. , Bhondave Suraj T.
Published: June 2021

Background:

Penile fracture due to various causes is urological emergency condition, which can be diagnosed on history and clinical examination of the patient. Appropriate management in each case prevents patients from future physical and psychological consequences.

Materials and Methods:

Fourteen patients were included in the study. The study was carried out at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, India, between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019. All patients were evaluated by history and clinical examination and radiographic investigation in suspected urethral injury.

Results:

Fourteen patients with penile fracture, between 20 and 50 years, were in the study. The most common mechanism of injury was abnormal positional coital activity. About 85.71% of patients were diagnosed with a history and clinical examination. Ninety-three percent of patients were treated surgically and had a successful outcome. One patient had associated urethral injury. All patients had good sexual function posttreatment except one who later recovered well on medical management.

Conclusion:

Early diagnosis and treatment of patients with penile fracture depend on the history and clinical examination with less role of radiological investigations. The appropriate treatment gives a good outcome.
Comparative investigations of anatomy and physiology in mammalian noses (Homo sapiens--Artiodactyla)
Authors: Grutzenmacher S. , Robinson D.M. , Sevecke J. , Mlynski G. , Beule A.G.
Published: June 2021

Background: Knowledge of airflow in animal noses is sparse. Such knowledge could be important for selection of animal models used in environmental studies. From the phylogenetic and ontogenetic point of view, a comparison between the animal and human nose is interesting. Method: Nose models of 5 even-toed ungulate species (he-goat, sheep, cow, roebuck, wild boar) and two humans (new born infant and adult) were examined. Anatomical and physiological features of the nasal cavities of all species were compared. All models were rinsed with water and the flow was visualized for observation. Geometric and rhinoresistometric measurements were then performed. Results and conclusions: Even-toed ungulates have two turbinates directly in the main part of the nasal airflow (respiratory turbinates) and a different number of turbinates in a so-called dead space of the nasal airflow above the nasopharyngeal duct (ethmoidal turbinates). The latter correspond with the upper and middle turbinate in analogy to the human nose. Respiratory turbinates of even-toed ungulates insert immediately behind the external nasal ostium. Thus, the whole nasal cavity acts as a functional area with the exception of a small area acting as dead space only detectable in ruminants, possibly indicating a small evolutionary progress from suinae to bovidae. The shape of the animal nasal cavity is stretched and flat. The airflow runs nearly completely turbulent through the nose. The nasal cavity in the adult human is relatively short and high. The area between the external nasal ostium and the head of the inferior turbinate is called inflow area. It distributes the airflow over the whole nasal cross section and generates a turbulent flow. So the airflow is prepared to contact the mucosa in the functional area (turbinate area). The morphology of the inflow area is approximately formed by the shape of the external nose. The nasal cavity of a newborn child is also stretched and flat and more similar to the nasal shape of the investigated animals. The inflow area in the newborn nose is not yet developed and corresponds with the growing external newborn nose. One can hypothesize that the inflow area in human noses is a morphological adaptation in the changed length-height-ratio of the nasal cavity.
Treatment of smell loss with systemic methylprednisolone
Authors: Schriever V.A. , Merkonidis C. , Gupta N. , Hummel C. , Hummel T.
Published: June 2021

Background and aim: Olfactory dysfunction is a common complaint in a large number of people. As the aetiologies of olfactory dysfunction vary greatly so do the treatment approaches. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate treatment with systemic corticosteroids, particularly focusing on its effectiveness on the different olfactory dysfunction aetiologies. Although a prospective randomized control trail is preferred for such an investigation, using the current approach, we were able to test a very large patient population. Material and methods: A total of 425 patients with olfactory dysfunction were treated with systemic corticosteroids for 14 days. Olfactory performance was measured using the `Sniffin` Sticks` battery before and after the treatment. Results: The treatment with systemic corticosteroids significantly increased the performance on the TDI score and on each of the three subtests; threshold, discrimination and identification. In 26.6% of the patients improvement of more than six points of the TDI score was observed. The treatment proved to be more effective in patients with sinunasal olfactory dysfunction, where this percentage increased to 36.7, compared to other aetiologies. In addition, the increase in olfactory function was negatively correlated with the TDI score before the treatment. Conclusion: This study confirms the effectiveness of systemic corticosteroids on olfactory dysfunction in a large patient population. Specifically, the results show that treatment is: (a) more effective in patients with sinunasal than in patients with idiopathic olfactory dysfunction, (b) most effective in patients with sinunasal disease with nasal polyps, and (c), at best, effective in half of the patients. The current study may provide help in counselling patients.
Respecting nasal mucosa during turbinate surgery: end of the dogma?
Authors: Neri G. , Mastronardi V. , Traini T. , D'Orazio F. , Pugliese M. , Cazzato F.
Published: June 2021

Background: Chronic rhinitis with inferior turbinate hypertrophy is the most common cause of chronic nasal obstruction. Pharmacological treatment, mainly consisting of corticosteroids, is largely inadequate and, therefore, in the last few years several surgical techniques have been proposed (emptying, radiofrequency, cryotherapy, etc...). The aim of our work is to demonstrate that surgical removal of the inferior turbinate mucosa with the microdebrider, along with the submucosal chorion, results in a full restoration of mucosal physiological structure and function. Methodology: Thirteen symptomatic adult patients were subjected to bilateral inferior partial turbinoplasty with the microdebrider. All patients underwent endoscopic examination, functional nasal tests and nasal mucosa biopsy before and after surgery. Results: The sensitivity in open airspaces improved after nasal surgery, and the results of functional tests returned to within a normal range. SEM examination confirmed that complete mucosal regeneration was within 4 months. Conclusion: Total removal of the inferior turbinate mucosa with the microdebrider in patients suffering from hypertrophic chronic rhinitis allows the perfect regeneration of physiological respiratory tissue and doesn`t have a negative impact on healing time and offsets any adverse postoperative event.
Three-dimensional analysis of the surface registration accuracy of electromagnetic navigation systems in live endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Chang C.M. , Fang K.M. , Huang T.W. , Wang C.T. , Cheng P.W.
Published: June 2021

Background: Studies on the performance of surface registration with electromagnetic tracking systems are lacking in both live surgery and the laboratory setting. This study presents the efficiency in time of the system preparation as well as the navigational accuracy of surface registration using electromagnetic tracking systems. Methodology: Forty patients with bilateral chronic paranasal pansinusitis underwent endoscopic sinus surgery after undergoing sinus computed tomography scans. The surgeries were performed under electromagnetic navigation guidance after the surface registration had been carried out on all of the patients. The intraoperative measurements indicate the time taken for equipment set-up, surface registration and surgical procedure, as well as the degree of navigation error along 3 axes. Results: The time taken for equipment set-up, surface registration and the surgical procedure was 179 +- 23 seconds, 39 +- 4.8 seconds and 114 +- 36 minutes, respectively. A comparison of the navigation error along the 3 axes showed that the deviation in the medial-lateral direction was significantly less than that in the anterior-posterior and cranial-caudal directions. Conclusion: The procedures of equipment set-up and surface registration in electromagnetic navigation tracking are efficient, convenient and easy to manipulate. The system accuracy is within the acceptable ranges, especially on the medial-lateral axis.
Role of tranexamic acid in endoscopic sinus surgery - a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pundir V. , Pundir J. , Georgalas C. , Fokkens W.J.
Published: June 2021

Background: The role of tranexamic acid in patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is not clearly defined. The aim of our study is to systematically review the existing evidence on the role of tranexamic acid in patients undergoing ESS. Methodology: Systematic search of MEDLINE (1950 - 2013), EMBASE (1980 - 2013), metaRegister, Cochrane Library and ISI conference proceedings was carried out. Results: Five randomised controlled trials with 192 patients receiving tranexamic acid and 196 controls were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated that mean estimated blood loss was significantly lower, and surgical field quality was significantly better in tranexamic acid group. There was no significant difference in mean operative time between the two groups. No significant adverse effects were noted in either of the groups. Conclusion: Intra-operative use of local and systemic tranexamic acid in ESS, results in significantly reduced estimated blood loss and improved surgical field quality. There is no statistically significant difference seen in operative time and incidence of side effects. Well-conducted larger RCTs using validated objective outcome measures and reporting on minor and major complications are required.
Inflammasome gene expression alterations in Staphylococcus aureus biofilm-associated chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Jardeleza C. , Miljkovic D. , Baker L. , Boase S. , Tan N.C.W. , Koblar S.A. , Zalewski P. , Rischmueller M. , Lester S. , Drilling A. , Jones D. , Tan L.W. , Wormald P.J. , Vreugde S.
Published: June 2021

Background: The role of inflammasomes in chronic inflammation has been the subject of intense research in recent years. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), a persistent inflammatory disease, continues to be investigated hoping that a clearer pathophysiologic description will guide discovery of future treatment modalities. This study investigates the role of inflammasome complexes in CRS patients with Staphylococcus aureus biofilm infection, a key culprit associated with disease severity and recalcitrance. Methodology: Sinonasal tissue samples were collected from CRS patients with (P+) and without (P-) polyps and controls. S. aureus biofilm status was obtained using fluorescence in situ hybridization and classified as biofilm positive (B+) or negative (B-). RNA was analysed using a Human Inflammasome PCR array, profiling the expression of 84 genes involved in inflammasome function. Results: Sixteen samples were obtained: 5 B+P+, 5 B-P- and 6 controls. Comparing B+P+ vs. controls showed the greatest number of differentially expressed genes. In particular, Absent in Melanoma 2 (AIM2) was consistently and significantly up-regulated in the B+P+ vs. B-P- and controls. In contrast, when comparing the B-P- vs. controls, no genes showed significant changes. Conclusion: Our results indicate the involvement of inflammasome complexes and their signalling pathways in CRS patients with polyps and S. aureus biofilms. In particular, AIM2, activated by intracellular double-stranded DNA, is up-regulated in this group, implying that S. aureus may play a role in intracellular triggering of the inflammasome response. Studies with further patient stratification and assessing corresponding protein expression are needed to further characterize the role of inflammasomes in CRS.
External nasal valve collapse: validation of novel outcome measurement tool
Authors: Poirrier A.L. , Ahluwalia S. , Kwame I. , Chau H. , Bentley M. , Andrews P.
Published: June 2021

Background: We aim to validate a clinical scoring system of external nasal valve collapse. External nasal valve collapse is a rare and challenging condition. We attempted to simplify the examination of the external valve, the surgical planning and the outcome measure. To validate our external valve score, we first assessed its reliability (inter-rater agreement and test-retest repeatability). We secondly considered the clinical relevance by using our scoring system in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty for external valve collapse. Methodology: For validation, 16 Rhinologists scored patients separately on two occasions. For the clinical relevance, 26 patients with external valve collapse were scored pre- and post-operatively (responsiveness). The external valve score was correlated to peak nasal inspiratory flow. Results: The devised scoring system was reliable (substantial agreement between 16 surgeons with reproducibility over time). All patients in our prospective series showed significant improvement in their external valve score. The quality of life measured by the SNOT-22 tool showed significant improvement after surgery. Conclusion: External nasal valve collapse can be diagnosed and graded using this simple scoring system in the outpatient clinic. This paper reinforces the pivotal role of septorhinoplasty surgery in nasal airway reconstruction and the ongoing need to quantify success.
Bacterial biofilms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis: a confocal scanning laser microscopy study
Authors: Danielsen K.A. , Eskeland O. , Fridrich-Aas K. , Orszagh V.C. , Bachmann-Harildstad G. , Burum-Auensen E.
Published: June 2021

Background: Recent research into the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis suggests an important role for biofilms. They can be detected in both healthy and diseased nasal mucosa. Several different methods of detecting biofilms have been described. This study investigates the presence of biofilm in a larger group of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis undergoing primary functional endoscopic surgery. Methods: Sixty-one patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and 25 controls, with septal deviation, were included from 2010 to 2012. Endonasal biopsies were harvested during surgery, snap frozen in isopentane, cooled on dry ice and stored at -80oC. The samples were prepared with Invitrogens’ BacLight LiveDead kit, and investigated with confocal scanning laser microscopy for the presence of biofilm. Results: In the chronic rhinosinusitis group 55/61 were biofilm positive as opposed to 14/25 in the control group. The difference was highly significant. The odds ratio was 7.2. Conclusion: Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis have a highly significant increased point prevalence of biofilms compared to controls.