bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
8. Critical Mass
Authors: O'Donnell Daniel Paul
Published: January 2020

In this chapter, O’Donnell considers the state of ‘revolutionary stasis’ in today’s scholarly communication by examining LISTSERV and the early online community as a case study. Beginning with a brief history of the early online community (with the rise of email and the LISTSERV mailing list distribution utility), O’Donnell goes onto distinguish two approaches to the design of online, email-based communities: to act as a computer-mediated representation of an existing academic form, as well as to treat mailing lists as an informal, conversational space. O’Donnell engages with Patrick Connor’s discussions on the importance of para-academic social practices over more formal scholarly elements and argues that we are looking for change in the wrong place – our work practices are changing not as a result of digital technology innovations replacing our previous methods, but by supplementing and building on them. O’Donnell argues that it is the expansion of informal channels that has revolutionised in-group para-disciplinary communications. The chapter ends with O’Donnell’s thoughts on where currently emerging innovations can lead us.
An Intelligent Wellness Assessment System for the Elderly Healthcare
Authors: Li Teng , Li Lingling , Wu Yuan , Liu Li , Liu Ye , Khan Aamir , Hashmi Ammarah
Published: January 2020

Due to the rapidly increasing aged population in China, the demand for institutional healthcare service is growing. In this paper, we proposed an intelligent system which could use the daily activity data of the elderly living in a stable environment, like nursing home, to predict their
wellness conditions. This system has many advantages, such as high flexibility, high reliability, and low cost. Daily activities of the elderly could be recognized by analyzing their location information, and the location data can be collected by using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
devices. The wellness conditions could be determined by using a novel framework integrating temporal and spatial contextual information. We initiated this research with the development of the intelligent system and conducted the testing experiments at the geriatrics department in the third
people's hospital of Lanzhou. Daily location data of 5 male elderly patients were collected for data analysis. A Support Vector Machine (SVM) model and a Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) model were constructed to determine the wellness conditions of the subjects. The experimental results
were encouraging and it indicated that this proposed intelligent system could assist in providing prompt healthcare services to elderly people.
Indian Network Project on Carbonaceous Aerosol Emissions, Source Apportionment and Climate Impacts (COALESCE)
Authors: Venkataraman C. , Bhushan M. , Dey S. , Ganguly D. , Gupta T. , Habib G. , Kesarkar A. , Phuleria H. , Raman R. Sunder
Published: January 2020

Climate change and air pollution have important societal consequences, especially in emerging economies, wherein transitions from polluting technologies to cleaner alternatives coincide with high population vulnerability to environmental threats. India is home to a fifth of the world’s population and a gamut of human activities, employing a far ranging spectrum of technologies and fuels, with consequent emissions. Atmospheric fine particles or aerosols in the region predominate in carbonaceous constituents and dust. Multi-institutional studies in the region have earlier focused on natural and anthropogenic climate forcing by aerosols and feedbacks on regional and global climate. Important gaps remain in understanding human activities influencing emissions, emission aerosol properties, and regional atmospheric processes, specifically those related to carbonaceous aerosol impacts on climate and air quality. With an aim to address these gaps, the COALESCE (Carbonaceous Aerosol Emissions, Source Apportionment and Climate Impacts) project was launched on 7 July 2017. The project adopts integration of scientific methods developed by both the climate and air quality research communities. New fundamental knowledge from the project and strong links to India’s policy framework would enable climate and clean-air action in the region. The article describes the scientific rationale, objectives, and planned activities under COALESCE to explore engagement with the international climate and air quality research communities and to enable eventual dissemination of research findings, knowledge products, and decision-support tools.
Impacts of Anthropogenic Heat Flux and Urban Land-Use Change on Frontal Rainfall near Coastal Regions: A Case Study of a Rainstorm over the Pearl River Delta, South China
Authors: Wen Junpeng , Chen Ji , Lin Wenshi , Jiang Baolin , Xu Suishan , Lan Jing
Published: January 2020

This study investigated heavy frontal rainfall that occurred on 13–14 October 2011 over the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in China. The frontal rainstorm was simulated using the WRF-ARW Model (version 3.3), which included its urban canopy model. Although the model-simulated convection occurred 2 h early and the second precipitation peak was underestimated, the model represented the formation, development, and extinction of the frontal rainfall and captured the distribution of the peak value. In addition, the averaged value of 49.7 W m−2was taken as the anthropogenic heat flux (AHF) of the PRD, and two land-use datasets were adopted: one for 1992 and the other for 2011. The simulation revealed that AHF and urban land-use change (ULUC) increased the total rainfall over the PRD by 6.3% and 7.4% and increased the maximum hourly rainfall intensity by 24.6% and 21.2%, respectively. Furthermore, to elucidate the mechanism of AHF and ULUC influence, the rainstorm structure, low-level jet (LLJ), and CAPE of the rainfall event were analyzed. It was found that AHF and ULUC enhanced two strong southward LLJs located over the urban areas, which carried abundant water vapor to the PRD and generated additional upper-level CAPE. This not only sustained steady ascent of the air, but it also created conditions favorable for downward motion, resulting in large persistent convective clouds and heavy frontal rainfall.
The Time-Scale-Dependent Response of the Wintertime North Atlantic to Increased Ocean Model Resolution in a Coupled Forecast Model
Authors: Roberts C. D. , Vitart F. , Balmaseda M. A. , Molteni F.
Published: January 2020

This study uses initialized forecasts and climate integrations to evaluate the wintertime North Atlantic response to an increase of ocean model resolution from ~100 km [low-resolution ocean (LRO)] to ~25 km [high-resolution ocean (HRO)] in the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Integrated Forecasting System (ECMWF-IFS). Importantly, the simulated impacts are time-scale dependent such that impacts in subseasonal and seasonal forecasts cannot be extrapolated to climate time scales. In general, mean biases are reduced in HRO relative to LRO configurations and the impact is increased at longer lead times. At subseasonal to seasonal lead times, surface heating anomalies over the Gulf Stream are associated with local increases to the poleward heat flux associated with transient atmospheric eddies. In contrast, surface heating anomalies in climate experiments are balanced by changes to the time-mean surface winds that resemble the steady response under linear dynamics. Some aspects of air–sea interaction exhibit a clear improvement with increased resolution at all lead times. However, it is difficult to identify the impact of increased ocean eddy activity in the variability of the overlying atmosphere. In particular, atmospheric blocking and the intensity of the storm track respond more strongly to mean biases and thus have a larger response at longer lead times. Finally, increased ocean resolution drives improvements to subseasonal predictability over Europe. This increase in skill seems to be a result of improvements to the Madden–Julian oscillation and its associated teleconnections rather than changes to air–sea interaction in the North Atlantic region.
Connections between Spring Arctic Ozone and the Summer Circulation and Sea Surface Temperatures over the Western North Pacific
Authors: Wang Tao , Tian Wenshou , Zhang Jiankai , Xie Fei , Zhang Ruhua , Huang Jinlong , Hu Dingzhu
Published: January 2020

Using various observations, reanalysis datasets, and a general circulation model (CESM-WACCM4), the relationship between the Arctic total column ozone (TCO) and the tropospheric circulation and sea surface temperatures (SSTs) over the western North Pacific (30°–45°N, 130°E–170°W) was investigated. We find that anomalies in the circulation and SSTs over the western North Pacific in June are closely related to anomalies in the Arctic TCO in March; that is, when the Arctic TCO in March decreases, the anomalous tropospheric cyclone and negative SST anomalies (SSTAs) will occur over the western North Pacific in June. Further analysis indicates that the decreased Arctic TCO in March tends to result in positive Victoria mode (VM)-like SSTAs over the North Pacific in April, which persist and develop an anomalous cyclone over the eastern North Pacific in May via atmosphere–ocean coupling. This anomalous cyclone over the eastern North Pacific subsequently induces an anomalous cyclone over the western North Pacific in June via westward-propagating Rossby waves in the lower troposphere. Furthermore, the negative SSTAs over the western North Pacific are enhanced by the anomalous northerly wind related to the anomalous cyclone in June. The effects of increased Arctic TCO in March on the tropospheric circulation and SSTs are almost opposite to those of decreased Arctic TCO. These results are also supported by our numerical simulations. Moreover, 10%–20% of the anomalies in the tropospheric circulation and SSTs over the western North Pacific in June are affected by the anomalies in the Arctic TCO in March.
Reexamining the Mechanisms of East Asian Summer Monsoon Changes in Response to Non–East Asian Anthropogenic Aerosol Forcing
Authors: Wang Zhili , Mu Junyu , Yang Meilin , Yu Xiaochao
Published: January 2020

This study examines the mechanisms by which the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) changes in response to non–East Asian (NEA) anthropogenic aerosol forcing by distinguishing the fast direct atmospheric response and slow ocean-mediated response to forcing using a global aerosol–climate coupled model. The results show that NEA aerosol forcing significantly exacerbates the weakening of the EASM due to local aerosol forcing. The fast response is dominant in the weakening of the EASM and an anomalous precipitation pattern over eastern China resembling the “southern flood and northern drought” pattern in the total response to NEA aerosol forcing. Changes in upper-tropospheric temperature caused by the fast response play a major role in the impact of NEA aerosol forcing on the EASM. Anomalous cooling occurs during summer in the upper troposphere (at ~40°N) over East Asia caused by the fast response. This is due to the combined effects of strong eastward cold advection in the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes caused by increased aerosol loading in Europe and the resulting change in local meridional heat transport in East Asia. Subsequently, the zonal wind speed changes on either side of the anomalous cooling, and the East Asian subtropical jet shifts equatorward, thereby weakening the EASM. The changes in atmospheric temperature and the local Hadley cell caused by the slow response to NEA aerosol forcing are conducive to strengthening the southwesterly winds over eastern China. Our study suggests the importance of NEA aerosol forcing in driving changes in the EASM on a fast time scale.
Shipborne MAX-DOAS Observations of Tropospheric Trace Gases over a Coastal City and the Yellow Sea near Qingdao, China
Authors: Li Xianxin , Wang Zhangjun , Du Libin , Liu Xingtao , Wang Xiufen , Chen Chao , Meng Xiangqian , Li Hui , Zhuang Quanfeng , Deng Wei , Pan Xin , Chu Xinzhao
Published: January 2020

Observations of the atmospheric trace gases are crucial for quality assessment of the human living environment. Multiaxis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) is the most promising candidate to meet the requirements on observations of atmospheric trace gases with high sensitivity, good stability, and a wide range of regional monitoring. The shipborne observations of tropospheric trace gases (NO2, SO2, and O3) over a coastal city, Qingdao, with MAX-DOAS were conducted by a Chinese oceanographic research vessel, XiangYangHong 08 (XYH 08). During the observational campaign, the shipborne MAX-DOAS equipment was used to make anchor measurements for 3 days, and a sailing measurement along Qingdao coast for half an hour. Measurement results are presented for both sailing and anchor point measurements in this paper. Combining geometry characteristic of the monitoring area, it can be concluded from the sailing measurements that the traffic emissions may play an important role in the boundary layer (BL) pollution of a coastal city’s atmosphere. The anchor point measurements showed that the NO2 vertical column density (VCD) mean value of Jiaozhou Bay is about 2.7 times of the value of the Qingdao offshore sea area. Likewise, the tropospheric VCDs of SO2 and O3 have an increase of 30% and 40%, respectively, on 1 September in Jiaozhou Bay, compared to the other 2 days in Qingdao offshore sea area.
Smoothing and Interpolating Noisy GPS Data with Smoothing Splines
Authors: Early Jeffrey J. , Sykulski Adam M.
Published: January 2020

A comprehensive method is provided for smoothing noisy, irregularly sampled data with non-Gaussian noise using smoothing splines. We demonstrate how the spline order and tension parameter can be chosen a priori from physical reasoning. We also show how to allow for non-Gaussian noise and outliers that are typical in global positioning system (GPS) signals. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our methods on GPS trajectory data obtained from oceanographic floating instruments known as drifters.
Comparison of Lightning Forecasts from the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh Model to Geostationary Lightning Mapper Observations
Authors: Blaylock Brian K. , Horel John D.
Published: January 2020

The ability of the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model to forecast the location of convective storms is of interest for a variety of applications. Since lightning is often present with intense convection, lightning observations from the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) on GOES-East are used to evaluate the performance of the HRRR lightning forecasts from May through September during 2018 and 2019. Model skill is presented in terms of the fractions skill score (FSS) evaluated within circular neighborhoods with radial distances from 30 to 240 km. Case studies of individual events illustrate that the HRRR lightning forecasts FSS varies from storm to storm. Mean FSS is summarized for the months with peak lightning activity (June–August) for the west, central, and east United States. Our results suggest that forecasters should use HRRR lightning forecasts to indicate general tendencies for the occurrence, region, and timing of thunderstorms in a broad region rather than expect high forecast accuracy for lightning locally. For example, when FSS is evaluated within small neighborhoods (30-km radius), mean FSS drops sharply after the first two hours of model integration in all regions and during all hours of the day. However, when evaluated within larger neighborhoods (60-km radius and larger), FSS in the western United States and northern Mexico remains high for all lead times in the late afternoon and early evening. This result is likely due to the model capturing the tendency for convection to break out over higher terrain during those hours.
Strength characterization of glass/epoxy plain weave composite under different biaxial loading ratios
Authors: Kobeissi A , Rahme P , Leotoing L , Guines D
Published: January 2020

Over the past years, various studies have been investigated in order to characterize the behavior of composite materials under different multi-axial loading conditions. One of the most used biaxial techniques is the in-plane biaxial test on cruciform specimens. To achieve reliable biaxial failure results, the design of the cruciform specimen presents a crucial part. Previous studies show that there is no well-adapted cruciform geometry for the composite biaxial tests. In this paper, an optimal cruciform specimen has been defined numerically for the composite characterization test. The specimen is composed of two aluminum tabs glued on top and bottom side of the plain-weave glass/epoxy composite. Finite element simulations have been carried out in order to study the influence of the aluminum grade and thickness on the stress distribution in the composite. An experimental validation confirms the failure of the specimen in the central zone under three different biaxial tensile ratios. The experimental strains were evaluated using the digital image correlation method. The traction/traction quadrant of the failure envelop was obtained and compared with different failure criteria. The maximum strain criterion shows a good agreement with the experimental results.
Experimental analysis on tribo-performance of aluminum composites
Authors: Sardar Santanu , Pradhan Susanta K , Karmakar Santanu K , Das Debdulal
Published: January 2020

Two-body abrasion is of critical interest in engineering applications due to the severity of material and dimensional loss. In the present work, composites were manufactured through advanced stir-casting route by reinforcing Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy with 0 to 20 wt.% alumina particles. Microstructures of the developed materials were characterized through optical and field emission scanning electron microscopic examinations along with energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses besides measurements of porosity and Vickers hardness. Experimentation on two-body abrasion was carried out over a wide range of loads (20–80 N) and sliding velocities (0.125–1.50 m s−1) against silicon carbide abrasive medium. Tribological performances of base alloy and composites were assessed via evaluation of wear rate and coefficient of friction (COF) in addition to the estimation of surface roughness (SR) of abraded specimens. Composites exhibited higher SR, but lower wear rate and COF than alloy; the extents of those increased with raising reinforcement quantity. With rise in load, wear rate and abraded SR of the developed materials rose but COF decreased. Influence of sliding velocity was nominal on material loss for composites unlike base alloy, whereas SR was found to increase considerably and COF diminished slightly at higher velocities for all materials. Influences of various in-situ and ex-situ parameters on observed tribo-responses were explained through identification of different wear micromechanisms which were established via extensive postwear analyses of surface topography, worn surface, debris, and abraded paper.
Sports Participation Correlates With Academic Achievement: Results From a Large Adolescent Sample Within the 2017 U.S. National Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Authors: Burns Ryan D. , Brusseau Timothy A. , Pfledderer Christopher D. , Fu You
Published: January 2020

This study sought to examine associations between (a) sports team participation; (b) lifestyle behaviors (e.g., sleeping, alcohol, and tobacco use); and (c) dietary behaviors with self-reported academic achievement using data derived from the 2017 U.S. National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. A multistage cluster sampling procedure was employed to obtain a representative sample of U.S. adolescents from among whom the number with usable data was 14,765. We used weighted logistic regression models to examine the associations between sports participation, lifestyle behaviors, and diet with reported academic achievement (mostly A’s and B’s), adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and race/ethnicity. After controlling for lifestyle behaviors, diet, and other potentially confounding variables, we found that adolescents participating in one or more sport teams throughout the past year also reported higher academic achievement (A’s and B’s) compared with adolescents participating in zero sports teams (odds ratio [ OR] = 1.39 to 2.40, p <  .001). This relationship was dose-dependent, as participating in multiple sports teams (i.e., > 3) showed a stronger association with academic achievement than participating on only one sports team ( p <  .001). Other independent behavioral correlates with similarly high grades included daily breakfast consumption ( OR = 1.40, p <  .001), sleeping at least eight hours per night ( OR = 1.21, p <  .001), and regular consumption of vegetables ( OR = 1.56, p <  .001) and salads ( OR = 1.30, p <  .001). We discuss the meaning and implication of these findings.
Health and wellbeing in design studio briefs – Architecture and engineering graduating students’ motivations and approaches
Authors: Oliveira Sonja , Griffin Emma , Cash Dan , Marco Elena
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this paper is to reflect upon architecture and environmental engineering students’ approaches to health and wellbeing issues in design studio project briefs. The design studio project is a key aspect of the students’ fourth year programme in a dual accredited (RIBA/ARB and CIBSE) BEng course in the SW of England. Whilst the overarching site and brief are set by the studio leader, each student develops their own project agenda drawing on extensive urban and site analysis as well as precedent research. Particular detailed aspects of the brief are then further analysed and researched as part of an engineering report study. The research draws on first author’s earlier work on effects of non-prescriptive briefs on transdisciplinary studio working in architecture and engineering programmes. Drawing on visual ethnography methods, the preliminary observations drawn out of the study begin to consider key intrinsic/extrinsic motivations and assumptions students draw on to develop a health and wellbeing agenda in their projects and the way these motivations further inform analysis in the engineering reports. The implications of the research are twofold. First, the preliminary analysis enables new insights into assumptions graduating architecture and engineering students draw on to develop a health and wellbeing motivated agenda. Second the study has benefits for design studio education brief setting approaches in particular, increasingly drawn upon in engineering and multidisciplinary built environment pedagogy.

Practical application: This paper enables new initial insights into ways designers (architects and building services engineers) approach health and wellbeing issues at early stages of design, drawing on a higher education empirical setting. It is particularly relevant to professionals as well as educators in the built environment.
Comprehensive model of linear PMSM-based ropeless lift for comparing control algorithms – Field-oriented control versus direct torque control
Authors: So Albert , Chan Wai L
Published: January 2020

This is a further study of two previous articles of the authors. The simulation model includes saliency and almost all common imperfections of linear permanent magnet synchronous machine. Based on the same model, three types of control have been applied to drive the lift car for a typical fully loaded upward journey, namely field-oriented control, which was used in two previous articles, direct force control (conventional direct torque control on a linear machine) and a newly proposed direct speed control (a new direct torque control method that could be used in the lift industry). The performances in terms of speed accuracy during start-up and rated speed operation, power and energy consumption have been studied. The conclusion is that for such a new application in the lift industry, at this moment in time, the more conventional field-oriented control is highly recommended. Two new findings are reported. Direct speed control that involves a simpler circuitry and reasonable speed control is proposed, although there is always a small steady-state error due to the absence of a proportional–integral controller. Conventional direct torque (force) control involves continuous integration to estimate the magnetic fluxes, which is not applicable to a permanent magnet synchronous machine with saliency. A new definition to analytically estimate the magnetic flux linkages in real time is also proposed. It should be noted that field-oriented control is superior at this time. When technology continues to get advanced, direct force control and direct speed control may one day be more appropriate for linear permanent magnet synchronous machine application. The software to perform the simulation has been uploaded to the BSER&T/SAGE website.

Practical application: It is generally agreed by the lift industry that the installation of multi-dimensional lifts employing linear permanent magnet synchronous machines is a clear trend in the future. This article is a follow up of two previous ones, studying the performance of three types of control for linear permanent magnet synchronous machine. Necessary equations of the machine model, imperfections, digital control loops are included. Some findings regarding the differences in performance are reported. It is hoped that this article is useful for lift manufacturers to enter this new market of vertical transportation.
A Spline Interpolation–based Data Reconstruction Technique for Estimation of Strain Time Constant in Ultrasound Poroelastography
Authors: Islam Md Tauhidul , Righetti Raffaella
Published: January 2020

Ultrasound poroelastography is a cost-effective and noninvasive imaging technique, which can be used to reconstruct mechanical parameters of tissues such as Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, interstitial permeability, and vascular permeability. To estimate interstitial permeability and vascular permeability using poroelastography, accurate estimation of the strain time constant (TC) is required. This can be a challenging task due to the nonlinearity of the exponential strain curve and noise affecting the experimental data. Due to motion artifacts caused by the sonographer, animal/patient, and/or the environment, noise affecting some strain frames can be significantly higher than the strain signal. If these frames are used for the computation of the strain TC, the resulting TC estimate can be highly inaccurate, which, in turn, can cause high errors in the reconstructed mechanical parameters. In this paper, we introduce a cubic spline–based interpolation method, which allows to use only good quality strain frames (i.e., frames with sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio [SNR]) to estimate the strain TC. Using finite element simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed interpolation method can improve the estimation accuracy of the strain TC by 46% with respect to the case where no interpolation and filtering are used and by 37% with respect to the case where the strain frames are Kalman filtered before TC estimation (at an SNR of 30 dB). We also prove the technical feasibility of the proposed technique using in vivo experimental data. While detecting the bad frames in both simulations and experiments, we assumed the lower limit SNR to be below 10 dB. Based on our results, the proposed technique may be of great help in applications relying on the accurate assessment of the temporal behavior of strain data.
Actuator-assisted Subpitch Translation-capable Transducer for Elastography: Preliminary Performance Assessment
Authors: Selladurai Sathiyamoorthy , Thittai Arun K.
Published: January 2020

In conventional linear array (CLA)–based elastography tissue compression in one direction (e.g., axial) leads to an expansion in all other directions (lateral, elevation). Therefore, the estimation of the lateral displacements and strains may provide additional information on the tissue mechanical properties. However, these are not exploited fully due to the inherent limitation in lateral sampling. Recently, a method named actuator-assisted beam translation (ABT) was demonstrated to address this issue, wherein the focused beam was translated at subpitch locations using an external bench-top setup. However, because such bench-top setup may be impractical for routine clinical use, an ultrasound transducer was customized to have an internal actuator. The performance of the customized transducer was studied through experiments on phantoms for rotation elastography application, which requires precise lateral displacement estimation. Furthermore, the results obtained from ABT was compared against the currently practiced spatial displacement compounding (SDC) method, which is known to yield better quality lateral displacement estimates than conventional approaches. The results show that the ABT method yields a full-width half-maximum (FWHM) value, taken from the lateral profile across a point scatterer, which is 65% and 24% smaller than that obtained using CLA and SDC methods, respectively. Furthermore, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) estimated from rotation elastogram obtained using ABT method is better by 300% and 35% compared with that obtained by using CLA and SDC methods, respectively. Furthermore, the results demonstrate an additional advantage of having larger field of view (FoV) for the ABT method compared with spatial compounding approach.
Severe hypoxia caused by ascending aorta elongation due to aortic arch aneurysm
Authors: Naganuma Masaaki , Itagaki Kota , Suzuki Nobuaki , Masuda Shinya , Nagaya Koichi
Published: January 2020

Patent foramen ovale, sometimes associated with clinical manifestation, is frequently detected during adulthood. Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome, a rare condition characterized by dyspnea and hypoxia aggravated in the upright position, is caused by a right-to-left shunt across a patent foramen ovale. We present a case of a 73-year-old man with severe hypoxia caused by an aortic arch aneurysm that distorted the atrial septal geometry and worsened the right-to-left shunt. Clinicians should consider a right-to-left shunt via a patent foramen ovale when an aortic arch aneurysm causes counterclockwise cardiac rotation. Furthermore, the alveolar-arterial oxygen difference can be used to diagnose platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome.
‘The space between’: Role-play as a tool in the treatment of child sexual abuse
Authors: Iordanou Christiana
Published: January 2020

Child sexual abuse is a traumatic experience which may have a negative impact on a child’s attachment processes and sense of safety. A dramatherapy model that has been proposed for the treatment of child sexual abuse is the regenerative model. The regenerative model utilises role-play as a form of treatment and allows children to experiment with different roles in order to gain control of their experience and feel safe again. This article discusses a dramatherapy approach to the treatment of child sexual abuse on the basis of the regenerative model. It first introduces the model, and more specifically the concept of ‘the space between’ the therapist and the child. It then describes a case example and the use of role-play as a vehicle to explore emotions and thoughts and to process the traumatic experience symbolically. It concludes with the contention that dramatherapy, grounded on the regenerative model, may provide a safe space to work through the trauma relevant to child sexual abuse, in order to help a child heal and be able to form new, healthy attachment relationships.
The International Association of Empirical Aesthetics Congress, Cardiff, 1983
Authors: Crozier Ray
Published: January 2020

Attention is drawn to the program of the Psychology of the Arts Conference held in Cardiff in 1983, which incorporated the eighth Congress of the International Association of Empirical Aesthetics. A link is provided to the hitherto unpublished conference program. Three features of the program are highlighted: the strength of the psychology of music, the interest in children’s art, and the absence of research methods that required advances in technology.
Multivariate analyses of MRI findings for predicting osteomyelitis of the foot in diabetic patients
Authors: Jang Yong-ho , Park Sunghoon , Park Young Uk , Kwack Kyu-Sung , Jeon Seong Woo , Lee Hyun Young
Published: January 2020

Background

There have been no previous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies using multivariable analysis to diagnose osteomyelitis in patients with diabetic foot.

Purpose

To retrospectively investigate the MRI findings of osteomyelitis in patients with diabetic foot using multivariate analyses.

Material and Methods

From November 2015 to March 2018, 118 patients who underwent MRI of the foot to evaluate suspected osteomyelitis were included in this study. The patients were categorized into the presence or absence of osteomyelitis. The primary and secondary MRI findings were retrospectively reviewed. To identify independent predictive MRI findings, multivariate analyses with binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed including all 118 patients and 93 patients presenting decreased T1 signal intensity, respectively.

Results

T1 signal intensity, T1 marrow pattern, T1 marrow distribution, T2 signal intensity, concordance of marrow signal intensity, cortical interruption, ulcer depth, abscess, and wet gangrene were significantly different between the two groups ( P < 0.05). Multivariate analyses indicated that fluid equivalent T2 signal intensity, deep ulcer, and confluent T1 marrow pattern were major factors associated with osteomyelitis. The area under the curve of predicted probabilities for the combination of these factors was 0.799 across all 118 patients and 0.761 across 93 patients with decreased T1 signal intensity.

Conclusion

Confluent T1 marrow pattern is a reliable finding to suggest osteomyelitis in patients with diabetic foot. In addition, fluid equivalent T2 signal intensity and deep ulcer are important findings that may suggest osteomyelitis, irrespective of T1 signal intensity change.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for assessment of mitral stenosis before and after percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty in comparison to two- and three-dimensional echocardiography
Authors: Abdelaziz Hanaa MM , Tawfik Ahmed M , Abd-Elsamad Ayman A , Sakr Sherif A , Algamal Abdulsalam M
Published: January 2020

Background

The experience with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in mitral stenosis (MS) is limited in contrast to mitral regurgitation.

Purpose

To compare CMR versus 2D and 3D transthoracic (TTE) and 3D transesophgeal (TEE) echocardiography in assessment of rheumatic MS before and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV).

Material and Methods

Twenty consecutive symptomatic patients with MS were evaluated prospectively and independently by CMR, TTE, and TEE pre-PBMV, and by CMR and TTE post-PBMV. Mitral valve area (MVA) was assessed by CMR planimetry, TTE and TEE planimetry, and pressure half time (PHT). Further assessment included trans-mitral velocity, mitral regurgitation (MR), and left atrial (LA) volume.

Results

PBMV was successful in 18 patients and failed in two patients (one with MVA <1.5 cm2, one developed severe MR). Pre-PBMV and MVA by CMR, 2D TTE, biplane, 3D TTE, 3D TEE, and PHT were 1.16, 1.16, 1.10, 1.02, 1.05, and 0.99 cm2, respectively. Post-PBMV, a significant increase in MVA was observed (2.15, 2.06, 2.07, 2.04, and 2.03 cm2, respectively). High agreement was observed between CMR and echocardiography before and after PBMV, except for PHT method. CMR significantly underestimated trans-mitral velocity and gradients compared to echocardiography (P<0.001). Before PBMV, mild MR was observed in 11, 12, and 19 patients by 2D TTE, 3D TTE, and CMR. After PBMV, MR was observed in all patients (19 mild, one severe) by all modalities. Echocardiography significantly underestimated LA volume compared to CMR (P<0.001). LA volume decreased significantly after PBMV (P<0.001).

Conclusion

CMR provides comprehensive assessment of several parameters in MS patients before and after intervention. Agreement with echocardiography is acceptable.
Infusion of chimeric antigen receptor T cells against dual targets of CD19 and B-cell maturation antigen for the treatment of refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: Tang Fang , Lu Yin , Ge Yongqin , Shang Jingjing , Zhu Xiaming
Published: January 2020

Objective

To investigate the safety and efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell infusion in patients with refractory multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods

Sixteen patients diagnosed with refractory MM were included in this study. Patients received initial infusions of T-derived CD19/B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CAR-T cells with 100% CD19, followed by second infusions with 40% BCMA and third infusions with 60% BCMA. The total doses were 0.5–1 × 107/kg CD19 and 1.2 − 6.2 × 107/kg BCMA. Patients were monitored after infusion. Levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was observed in all 16 patients. Thirteen patients with CRS stage II−IV had persistent hyperthermia from 5−14 days after infusion, while most patients developed hyperthermia from 1 day after infusion and their temperatures returned to normal within 2−10 days. Levels of all factors were significantly elevated 2 days after infusion, peaked at 5 days, and then gradually decreased to normal levels. All inflammatory factors showed normal levels by 10 days after infusion.

Conclusion

Body temperature and levels of inflammatory factors all increased dramatically after infusion of CD19/BCMA CAR-T cells, but recovered to normal levels after appropriate treatment and nursing.
Saturated hydrogen alleviates CCl4-induced acute kidney injury via JAK2/STAT3/p65 signaling
Authors: Wu Song , Fang Zheng , Zhou Shujun
Published: January 2020

Objectives

This study assessed the protective effects of saturated hydrogen against CCl4-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice, and investigated signaling pathways activated by exposure to saturated hydrogen.

Methods

A mouse model of CCl4-induced AKI was established; some mice were treated with saturated hydrogen. Levels of cystatin C and kidney injury molecule 1 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were measured on a fully automated biochemical analyzer. Interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ in serum and kidney tissues were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in kidney tissues were measured using biochemical kits. Oxidative stress in kidney tissues was analyzed using nitrotyrosine staining. Expression levels of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, and p-p65 signal protein were assayed by immunohistochemistry and western blotting.

Results

Compared with untreated mice with CCl4-induced AKI, mice that were treated with saturated hydrogen exhibited improved renal function and reduced oxidative stress. Moreover, expression levels of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, and p-p65 were significantly reduced in mice treated with saturated hydrogen, compared with expression levels in untreated mice.

Conclusions

Treatment with saturated hydrogen can reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine activation, potentially through inhibition of JAK2/STAT3/p65 signaling, thereby protecting against AKI.
Severe idiopathic granulomatous mastitis treated with systemic medication; A case report
Authors: Yu Haijing , Wang Qi
Published: January 2020

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is a benign chronic inflammatory breast disease and a confused treatment plan may result in worsening of the disease, unacceptable cosmetic damage for the patient and even mastectomy. We report a case of a 39-year-old Chinese woman with a two-month history of painful, solid, diabrotic, left breast lesions that measured 10 × 15 cm. Misdiagnosis had led to delayed wound healing with extensive ulcerative skin lesions. The patient was successfully treated with oral corticosteroids and bromocriptine without requirement for surgery.
HER-2 overexpression is a negative predictive factor for recurrence in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer on intravesical therapy
Authors: Moustakas Georgios , Kampantais Spyridon , Nikolaidou Anastasia , Vakalopoulos Ioannis , Tzioufa Valentini , Dimitriadis Georgios
Published: January 2020

Objective

HER-2 is overexpressed in a variety of human malignant tumors and has been widely used in the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer. In urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder, some reports have shown an association between HER-2 overexpression and worse outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the association between HER-2 expression and other clinicopathologic parameters in 48 patients treated for primary non-muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Methods

The initial expression of HER-2 in tumor specimens and its expression upon disease recurrence following instillation therapy (BCG, Mitomycin, or Epirubicin) were studied.

Results

HER-2 expression was significantly increased between these two timepoints. In multivariate analysis, HER-2 expression at the time of diagnosis was found to be the only independent factor and was associated with reduced recurrence free survival.

Conclusions

HER-2 status could be an additional biomarker for predicting the outcome of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, which could help identify high-risk patients for recurrence and possible progression who require close observation and perhaps radical treatment, such as early cystectomy.
Cannulated iliac screw fixation combined with reconstruction plate fixation for Day type II crescent pelvic fractures
Authors: Li Ming , Huang Dichao , Yan Hailin , Li Haiyang , Wang Liping , Dong Jianghui
Published: January 2020

Objective

This study was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single cannulated iliac screw combined with reconstruction plate fixation for crescent pelvic fractures (Day type II).

Method

Thirty adult patients (23 men, 7 women) with a mean age of 42.3 years (range, 22–81 years) were retrospectively reviewed. The time interval between the injury and the operation ranged from 3 to 14 days. The duration of screw insertion, the frequency of C-arm X-ray examination, and the intraoperative blood loss volume were recorded. The minimum follow-up was 12 months (mean, 29 months; range, 12–36 months). Radiographic evaluation was performed using the Matta and Tornetta criteria.

Results

According to the Matta and Tornetta radiological criteria, the reduction was rated as excellent in 20 patients and good in 10 patients. Based on the Majeed functional evaluation at the follow-up appointment, the outcome was rated as excellent in 28 patients and good in 2 patients.

Conclusion

This technique can restrict damage to the surrounding soft tissues, decrease complications, and promote good clinical results.
Intraoperative ultrasound-guided lumpectomy versus wire-guided excision for nonpalpable breast cancer
Authors: Hu Xin , Li Si , Jiang Yi , Wei Wei , Ji Yinan , Li Qiuyun , Jiang Zongbin
Published: January 2020

Objective

This study was designed to compare the margin clearance and re-excision rates of ultrasound (US)- and wire-guided excision in a large number of patients with nonpalpable breast cancer.

Methods

In total, 520 women who were histologically diagnosed with nonpalpable breast cancer were recruited in this study. All nonpalpable lesions were visible by US. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: those who underwent wire-guided breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and those who underwent US-guided BCS. Re-excision rates and positive surgical margins were recorded.

Results

A total of 262 patients underwent US-guided excision and 258 patients underwent wire-guided excision. No differences were found in tumor or patient characteristics. The positive margin rate was 4.6% in the US-guided group and 19.4% in the wire-guided group with a significant difference. Age, menopausal status, excision volume, histological grade, and tumor type significantly influenced the positive surgical margin rate. The intraoperative re-excision rate was significantly lower in the US-guided group than wire-guided group (11.1% vs. 24.0%, respectively).

Conclusions

US-guided BCS seems to be more effective than wire-guided BCS for treatment of nonpalpable breast cancers in terms of the margin clearance and re-excision rates. Patients can avoid the discomfort caused by preoperative wire placement.
Clinical and laboratory characteristics of acute kidney injury in infants with diarrhea: a cross-sectional study in Bangladesh
Authors: Shahrin Lubaba , Sarmin Monira , Rahman Abu SMMH , Hasnat Waliel , Mamun Gazi MS , Shaima Shamsun N , Shahid Abu SMSB , Ahmed Tahmeed , Chisti Mohammod J
Published: January 2020

Objective

We described the clinical and laboratory characteristics of acute kidney injury (AKI) in infants with diarrhea.

Methods

This medical record analysis was conducted in Dhaka Hospital of the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh from January to December 2015. Infants with elevated serum creatinine (>50 µmol/L) constituted cases (n = 146). We randomly selected 150 infants with normal creatinine levels as the controls. Both groups had diarrhea. Events occurring from admission to discharge were analyzed and compared to assess differences in characteristics of the groups.

Results

Among the 146 patients with AKI, 130 (89%) were discharged after recovery. Logistic regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounders (such as oral rehydration salt intake at home, convulsions, abnormal mentation, and hypoxemia) showed that infants with AKI were independently associated with hypernatremia (odds ratio (OR) = 8.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.88–19.22), sepsis (OR = 4.71, 95% CI = 2.07–10.73), and severe dehydration (OR = 3.76, 95% CI = 1.78–7.95). Persistently elevated creatinine was associated with radiological pneumonia (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.09–4.31) and sepsis (OR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.14–4.40).

Conclusion

Dehydration, sepsis, and hypernatremia were found to be associated with AKI in diarrheal infants. After proper correction of dehydration, persistently elevated creatinine could be associated with sepsis and pneumonia.