bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studies in Austral Bryaceae (Bryopsida) I. New Combinations in Ptychostomum Hornsch. from southern South America

Authors: SPENCE JOHN R.
Published: March 2020

The genus Ptychostomum (Bryaceae, Bryopsida) is examined from southern South America including southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego regions of Argentina and Chile south of 50o S latitude. Five new combinations transferred from Bryum are made; Ptychostomum dicarpum (E.B. Bartram) J.R. Spence, Ptychostomum chorizodontum (Card. & Broth.) J.R. Spence, Ptychostomum lamprochaete (Dusén) J.R. Spence, Ptychostomum pauperculum (E.B. Bartram) J.R. Spence, and Ptychostomum vernicosum (Dusén) J.R. Spence. Bryum coelophyllum is placed into synonymy under P. nivale. Bryum macrosporum is placed into synonymy under P. chorizodontum. The type of B. pallidoviride represented undetermined material that could not be assigned to any species. A preliminary key to the 20 species of Ptychostomum currently recognized for the region is presented.
A new species of Wrightoporia (Wrightoporiaceae, Basidiomycota) from Sri Lanka

Authors: ZHOU MENG , CHEN JIAJIA , YUAN YUAN
Published: March 2020

A new resupinate polypore, Wrightoporia srilankensis sp. nov., is described from Sri Lanka. It is characterized by annual resupinate basidiocarps with buff yellow pores, margin and subiculum with rhizomorphs, a dimitic hyphal structure with yellowish crystals on both generative and skeletal hyphae, generative hyphae bearing clamp connections, dextrinoid and cyanophilous skeletal hyphae, the absence of gloeoplerous hyphae and gloeocystidia, and broadly ellipsoid, hyaline, thick-walled, finely asperulate, strongly amyloid, cyanophilous basidiospores measuring 3.8–4.2 × 2.8–3.2 µm. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on ITS and nLSU rDNA sequences confirmed that W. srilankensis nested in the Wrightoporia clade. W. srilankensis is closely related to Wrightoporia avellanea which, however, lacks cystidioles, and its hyphae are smooth (without crystals).
Pedicularis multicolor (Orobanchaceae), a new replacement name for the Pedicularis inconspicua

Authors: LI WENJUN , GUAN KAIYUN , ABDURAIMOV OZODBEK , FENG YING
Published: March 2020

Pedicularis inconspicua Vved (18 June, 1955: 811) was originally described as a new species from Uzbekistan and six years later considered as endemic for this country (1961:492). As part of the ongoing work for the preparation the checklist of vascular plant of Central Asia, we realized that the name P. inconspicua is an illegitimate later homonym of P. inconspicua Tsoong (18 January, 1955: 292), according to the Art. 53.1 of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) (Turland et al. 2018).
The Recent Decline and Recovery of Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall: Relative Roles of External Forcing and Internal Variability
Authors: Huang Xin , Zhou Tianjun , Turner Andrew , Dai Aiguo , Chen Xiaolong , Clark Robin , Jiang Jie , Man Wenmin , Murphy James , Rostron John , Wu Bo , Zhang Lixia , Zhang Wenxia , Zou Liwei
Published: March 2020

The Indian summer monsoon (ISM) rainfall affects a large population in South Asia. Observations show a decline in ISM rainfall from 1950 to 1999 and a recovery from 1999 to 2013. While the decline has been attributed to global warming, aerosol effects, deforestation, and a negative-to-positive phase transition of the interdecadal Pacific oscillation (IPO), the cause for the recovery remains largely unclear. Through analyses of a 57-member perturbed-parameter ensemble of model simulations, this study shows that the externally forced rainfall trend is relatively weak and is overwhelmed by large internal variability during both 1950–99 and 1999–2013. The IPO is identified as the internal mode that helps modulate the recent decline and recovery of the ISM rainfall. The IPO induces ISM rainfall changes through moisture convergence anomalies associated with an anomalous Walker circulation and meridional tropospheric temperature gradients and the resultant anomalous convection and zonal moisture advection. The negative-to-positive IPO phase transition from 1950 to 1999 reduces what would have been an externally forced weak upward rainfall trend of 0.01 to −0.15 mm day−1decade−1during that period, while the rainfall trend from 1999 to 2013 increases from the forced value of 0.42 to 0.68 mm day−1decade−1associated with a positive-to-negative IPO phase transition. Such a significant modulation of the historical ISM rainfall trends by the IPO is confirmed by another 100-member ensemble of simulations using perturbed initial conditions. Our findings highlight that the interplay between the effects of external forcing and the IPO needs be considered for climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in South Asia.
Evaluation of 24-h urine containers for urine copper measurement by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Robson Anna F , Lockett Philip , Tetlow Lesley , Chaloner Chris
Published: March 2020

Objective

To determine the necessity for acid-washed containers for 24-h urine copper analysis.

Methods

Copper solutions, with concentrations relevant to clinical decision limits, were prepared by spiking both assay diluent and unknown urine samples with the copper calibrator. Samples were split between plain and acid-washed 24-h urine containers, and copper analysis was performed using inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Results

Measurement of copper in both spiked diluent and spiked urine samples showed minimal concentration bias between acid-washed and plain 24-h urine containers.

Conclusions

Acid-washed containers are not required for the measurement of copper in 24-h urine samples.
Il diritto alla felicità: scrittrici “socialiste” fra Ottocento e Novecento
Authors: Nuvoli Giuliana
Published: March 2020

Il diritto alla felicità compare sia nella Dichiarazione d’indipendenza degli Stati Uniti d’America (1776) che nella Dichiarazione dei diritti dell’uomo e del cittadino (1789): fra Ottocento e primi del Novecento; le scrittrici di area o ideologia socialista lo assumono come filo conduttore delle loro opere e – più latamente – della loro attività. A differenza dei protagonisti delle lotte sociali di quel periodo, le scrittrici tendono al raggiungimento di un’armonia complessiva fra tutte le componenti della società, consapevoli che la felicità può essere raggiunta solo in assenza di conflitto. Nel presente saggio è stata operata una scelta esemplare che fa riferimento a categorie diverse di scrittrici; sono presenti Cristina Trivulzio Belgiojoso, Anna Maria Mozzoni, Anna Maria Torriani (Marchesa Colombi), Beatrice Speraz (Bruno Sperani), Alessandrina Ravizza, Ada Negri, Rina Faccio (Sibilla Aleramo).
The impact of mental health diagnoses on perceptions of risk of criminality
Authors: Garcia Jessica L , Johnson Adanna J , Carlucci Marianna E , Grover Rachel L
Published: March 2020

Background:

Previous research has examined the relation between mental illness (MI) and perceptions of dangerousness, but less research has focused on its relation to perceived risk of criminality. Individuals with MI are perceived to be more dangerous than those without, and individuals with schizophrenia or substance abuse diagnoses are viewed as being more dangerous. Research also supports that race of individuals with MI plays an important role in the conceptualization and experience of stigma.

Aims:

The current study investigated the relation between MI, perceived criminality and race of diagnosed individuals.

Method:

Two hundred ninety participants were randomly assigned to read one of the four vignettes and answer a series of questions. The first three vignettes depicted someone with MI (schizophrenia, depression or alcohol dependency), while the fourth vignette served as a control. Participants were asked to indicate likelihood of committing a future crime, severity of the future crime and the person’s potential for rehabilitation. Levels of sympathy and trust, as well as perceived race of the person, were also measured.

Results:

Presence of MI was a significant predictor where MI elicited higher levels of perceived risk of criminality. The remaining predictor variables (type of MI, familiarity with MI and criminality and perceived race) were not significant predictors. Exploratory analyses revealed the schizophrenia and alcohol dependency conditions elicited higher levels of perceived severity of future crimes. Perceived MI severity and likelihood of rehabilitation were all significantly correlated with perceived risk of criminality.

Conclusion:

Presence of MI appears to be the most important in influencing participant attitudes about perceived risk of criminality, though type of MI may influence beliefs about severity of future crimes. The impact of race could not be examined but should be examined in future studies.
Metal matrix production: Casting of recycled aluminum cans and incorporation of rice husk ash and magnesium
Authors: Holzschuh Gilson Gilmar , Dörr Dóris Sippel , Moraes Jorge André Ribas , Garcia Sérgio Boscato
Published: March 2020

This research experimented with different aluminum can casting compositions from recycled materials. The objective was to analyze the casting yield and the resulting chemical compositions of the process. In the first process, 20 kg of aluminum cans was melted, resulting in a 10.2 kg ingot, which presented a 51% yield. In the second process, 10 kg of 6063 T6 aluminum was used and 10.2 kg of the first casting was added. This mixture produced an ingot of 50% recycled aluminum and 50% 6063 aluminum that weighed 18.23 kg. Similarly, a second ingot was produced, but with the addition of 4 wt% of rice husk ash and 2 wt% of magnesium. From each ingot, the samples were removed for chemical analyses, which consisted of tests of the samples that had the incorporation of rice husk ash in the molten aluminum. These analyses included scanning by electron microscopy, density analysis, Brinell hardness, and Charpy impact force tests. The results of the second ingot analysis showed superior characteristics in Si and Mg levels due to the addition of rice husk ash and magnesium. Also, the second ingot presented increased hardness as well as a reduction fragility and density.
Using fractional derivatives for improved viscoelastic modeling of textile composites. Part I: Fabric yarns
Authors: Faal Reza T , Sourki Reza , Crawford Bryn , Vaziri Reza , Milani Abbas S
Published: March 2020

In this article, the viscoelastic behavior of fabric yarns is modeled by a new means of fractional calculus. First, the constitutive relation of the fractional “Poynting-Thomson” model is developed to investigate the behavior of yarns. The proposed material constitutive relation is a differential equation of fractional order, where the response to a unit step of stress (for determination of creep compliance), or a unit step of strain (for stress relaxation modulus) can be readily found in the literature. Here, focusing on the stress relaxation, the response function is fitted to the experimental data of yarns in a typical woven fabric prepreg, at both dry and partially consolidated conditions. The yarns were made of E-glass fibers comingled with polypropylene fibers. The results showed a significant agreement with experimental data along with improved predictions of the new fractional modeling approach when compared to other approaches such as the integer order model and Prony series. For early relaxation times, especially for [Formula: see text] a considerable discrepancy was observed between the values of relaxation modulus obtained by the experiments and that by the integer-order derivative model. However, the results extracted via the fractional derivatives were in close agreement with experimental results at all relaxation times. Using the fractional properties of the yarns, the variation of storage and loss moduli of the yarns with external frequency loading was also predicted, capturing both the rubbery and glassy regions of the material frequency response.
Finite element analysis of natural fiber composites using a self-updating model
Authors: Javanbakht Zia , Hall Wayne , Virk Amandeep Singh , Summerscales John , Öchsner Andreas
Published: March 2020

The aim of the current work was to illustrate the effect of the fibre area correction factor on the results of modelling natural fibre-reinforced composites. A mesoscopic approach is adopted to represent the stochastic heterogeneity of the composite, i.e. a meso-structural numerical model was prototyped using the finite element method including quasi-unidirectional discrete fibre elements embedded in a matrix. The model was verified by the experimental results from previous work on jute fibres but is extendable to every natural fibre with cross-sectional non-uniformity. A correction factor was suggested to fine-tune both the analytical and numerical models. Moreover, a model updating technique for considering the size-effect of fibres is introduced and its implementation was automated by means of FORTRAN subroutines and Python scripts. It was shown that correcting and updating the fibre strength is critical to obtain accurate macroscopic response of the composite when discrete modelling of fibres is intended. Based on the current study, it is found that consideration of the effect of flaws on the strength of natural fibres and inclusion of the fibre area correction factor are crucial to obtain realistic results.
The Impact of Economic Coercion on Public Opinion: The Case of US–China Currency Relations
Authors: Gueorguiev Dimitar , McDowell Daniel , Steinberg David A.
Published: March 2020

In recent years, the United States has increasingly tried to change other governments’ economic policies by threatening to punish those countries if they do not change course. To better understand the political consequences of these tactics, this paper examines how external threats influence public support for policy change in targeted states. We consider three mechanisms through which economic coercion might alter public opinion: by changing individuals’ interests, by activating their national identities, and by providing them with new information about a policy’s distributive effects. To test these rival explanations, we focus on the case of China–US currency relations. Using data from a survey experiment of Chinese internet users, we find strong support for the informational updating theory. Our evidence suggests that economic coercion can reduce support for policy change because it leads individuals to update their beliefs about who wins and loses from economic policy changes.
Single-digit fingerprint analysis for hand determination: A study of twinned loops
Authors: Kapoor Neeti , Mishra Swati Dubey , Badiye Ashish
Published: March 2020

In fingerprint analysis, the determination of hand (right or left) is one of the keys to resolving questions regarding the identity of the donor of the print. It is rare to encounter a complete set of 10-digit fingerprints from the scene of a crime. Although vital and imperative, except for a few studies on whorl patterns, the use of single-digit prints and patterns to ascertain the hand of the donor is scarcely reported in the literature. This research describes a novel approach whereby an analysis of twinned loops was carried out to identify the various parameters that may be helpful in ascertaining the hand of the donor. Bilateral rolled fingerprints from 180 healthy consenting adults belonging to a heterogeneous population of central India were collected. Out of the total of 1800 prints taken, 100 twinned loops (50 on the right hand and 50 on the left hand) were analysed. The following six parameters were considered: the slope of the flow of the apex ridges, the distance between the left delta and the ascending core, the distance between the right delta and the ascending core, mid-core position, the position of the loop and ridge tracing. On applying the chi-square test, the results were found to be statistically significant. Therefore, these parameters were found suitable for the determination of the hand from a single twinned-loop print.
Managing Coexistence: Resident Experiences of the Open Drug Scene and Drug Consumption Rooms in Inner Vesterbro, Copenhagen
Authors: Bancroft Morgan , Houborg Esben
Published: March 2020

The inner-city area of Inner Vesterbro in Copenhagen, Denmark, houses the largest open drug scene in Scandinavia. Since the 1980s, the area has been a gathering point for people who use, buy, and sell drugs. During the last two decades, urban redevelopments have resulted in marked demographic changes amid concerns about processes of gentrification. The drug scene, however, remains, and the last 7 years have seen the implementation of a new police strategy of “nonenforcement” of minor drug possession offences alongside the opening of two drug consumption rooms (DCRs) in the area. This article presents findings from a study of resident attitudes toward local DCRs and daily experiences of the open drug scene. Specifically, we draw on material generated via an online questionnaire distributed among residents in the area ( N = 566) and qualitative interviewing of 33 residents. The article also proposes a change in perspective toward drug scene encounters, one that is not hinged exclusively on a narrow understanding of nuisances understood as negative affective states. This new approach is employed in an analysis of resident experiences of drug scene encounters. The analysis shows that rather than experiencing drug users and the drug scene exclusively as a nuisance or threat to community order, most residents are supportive of DCRs and generally accept the presence of a drug scene in the area. The article concludes with a brief discussion of results and their relation to current debates on urban coexistence, progressive harm reduction initiatives, and public space management.
Decoupling control of high-purity heat integrated distillation column process via active disturbance rejection control and nonlinear wave theory
Authors: Cheng Yun , Chen Zengqiang , Sun Mingwei , Sun Qinglin
Published: March 2020

Although the heat integrated distillation is an energy-efficient and environment-friendly separation technology, it has not been commercialized. One of the reasons is that the nonlinear dynamics and the interactions between various control loops have limited the performance of the traditional control strategy. To achieve a high-purity product concentration, a dynamic decoupling control strategy based on active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) is proposed. The effects of interactions, uncertainties and external disturbances can be estimated and rejected by using extended state observer. Considering the constraints on manipulated variables, an optimized ADRC is designed for the first-order system. Moreover, a concentration observer based on a nonlinear wave model is formulated to reduce the number of sensors. In the simulation research, the related internal model control (IMC), multi-loop ADRC and model predictive control (MPC) are compared with the proposed control scheme. The simulation results demonstrate the advantages of the proposed control scheme on tight control, decoupling performance and disturbance rejection for the high-purity heat integrated distillation column.
Review of nature and biologically inspired metaheuristics for greenhouse environment control
Authors: Oliveira Paulo Moura , Solteiro Pires EJ , Boaventura-Cunha José , Pinho Tatiana Martins
Published: March 2020

A significant number of search and optimisation techniques whose principles seek inspiration from nature and biology phenomena have been proposed in the last decades. These methods have been successfully applied to solve a wide range of engineering problems. This is also the case of greenhouse environment control, which has been incorporating this type of techniques into its design. This paper addresses evolutionary and bio-inspired methods in the context of greenhouse environment control. Algorithm principles for reference techniques are reviewed, namely: simulated annealing, genetic algorithm, differential evolution and particle swarm optimisation. The last three techniques are considered using single and multiple objective formulations. A review of these algorithms within greenhouse environment control applications is presented, considering single and multiple objective problems, as well as their current trends.
An autonomy-supportive intervention to develop students’ resilience by boosting agentic engagement
Authors: Reeve Johnmarshall , Cheon Sung Hyeon , Yu Tae Ho
Published: March 2020

In the face of everyday classroom challenges, students display resilience by responding with increased agentic engagement. We hypothesized that this tendency toward greater initiative and lesser passivity was both an outcome of autonomy need satisfaction and autonomy-supportive teaching and a predictor of students’ future capacity to experience autonomy satisfaction and to recruit autonomy support. Twenty-two physical education (PE) teachers and their 1,422 Korean students (648 females, 773 males; 929 middle schoolers, 493 high schoolers) were randomly assigned to participate in an autonomy-supportive intervention program (ASIP), and we assessed their students’ autonomy satisfaction, autonomy dissatisfaction, agentic engagement, and agentic disengagement at the beginning, middle, and end of an academic year. By midyear, a multilevel structural equation modeling analysis showed that students of teachers who participated in the ASIP reported greater autonomy satisfaction and agentic engagement and lesser autonomy dissatisfaction and agentic disengagement and also that these gains in agentic engagement and declines in agentic disengagement then predicted those students who were able at year-end to self-generate autonomy need satisfaction and recruit teacher-provided autonomy support.
Social support in the process of household reorganization after divorce
Authors: Van Gasse Dries , Mortelmans Dimitri
Published: March 2020

Social support has been shown to be important in the world of single parents. As for divorce, social support is mostly studied in a static way in academic research. Divorcing and/or separating people are in a dynamic state of a changing need for social support. This need changes over time within their process of becoming a single parent. In this article, we propose a more dynamic perspective on social support in the process of household reorganization after divorce. We argue that single parents move on after divorce and work toward a new conciliation of their responsibilities at home and at the labor market, using their social network. This resulted from a grounded theory analysis, conducted using 30 unstructured interviews that were then compared within an elaborative population of an additional 244 semi-structured interviews in order to develop a six-phase model of family reorganization after divorce.
Touch me just enough: The intersection of adult attachment, intimate touch, and marital satisfaction
Authors: Wagner Samantha A. , Mattson Richard E. , Davila Joanne , Johnson Matthew D. , Cameron Nicole M.
Published: March 2020

Nonsexual physical affection plays an important role in marital functioning, but not all individuals are satisfied with the intimate touch they receive from their partner. Differences in adult attachment tendencies may be one way to understand the individual differences in touch satisfaction. Using a sample of 180 different-sex married couples, we explored how attachment associates with touch satisfaction in marriage in a cross-sectional investigation. Consistent with predictions, we found that husbands with greater attachment anxiety were less satisfied with touch, except when engagement in routine affection was relatively high, but especially when low. Lower routine affection diminished touch satisfaction regardless of attachment style, but greater avoidance appeared to buffer this effect for wives. However, wives with greater avoidance had husbands who reported lower touch satisfaction. We also explored the interplay of touch satisfaction and marital quality, finding that they associated positively, even when routine affection is statistically controlled. Lastly, our exploratory analyses suggest that touch satisfaction may serve as a mediating link between anxiety and marital quality. Overall, our findings support that attachment insecurities associate with engagement in and satisfaction with touch and that these processes are relevant to the overall marital quality.
Predicting cannulation difficulty in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography using CT image findings: a decision-tree analysis
Authors: Lee Sun Hwa , Lee Jae Min , Han Na Yeon , Kim Min Ju , Park Beom Jin , Sung Deuk Jae , Sim Ki Choon
Published: March 2020

Background

Difficult cannulation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is associated with increased complications; therefore, its prediction is important.

Purpose

To identify radiologic risk factors of difficult cannulation during ERCP based on computed tomography (CT) findings and to develop a predictive model for a difficult cannulation.

Material and Methods

A total of 171 patients with native papilla who underwent both enhanced CT and ERCP were recruited. Two radiologists independently measured the distal common bile duct (CBD) diameter and choledochoduodenal (CD) angle and analyzed CT images for presence of CBD stone and papilla bulging, size and type of periampullary diverticulum (PAD), and duodenal segment in which major papilla was located. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and decision-tree analysis were performed to identify risk factors for difficult cannulation.

Results

Thirty-nine patients underwent a difficult cannulation. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a smaller CBD diameter, presence of papilla bulging, location of the major papilla other than the descending duodenum, a smaller CD angle, and a higher worrisome PAD score were statistically relevant factors for difficult cannulation ( P < 0.049). In the decision-tree analysis, a higher worrisome PAD score was the strongest predictor of difficult cannulation, followed by the presence of papilla bulging, smaller CD angle, and a smaller CBD diameter. The predictive model had an 82.5% overall predictive accuracy.

Conclusion

The CT findings-based decision-tree analysis model showed a high accuracy in predicting cannulation difficulty and may be helpful for making pre-ERCP strategy.
Continuous positive airway pressure can improve depression in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: a meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials
Authors: Yang Xiangli , Yang Jun , Yang Chunwei , Niu Lin , Song Fucun , Wang Lin
Published: March 2020

Objective

Substantial research indicates a clear relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and depression. The study aim was to quantitatively evaluate whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy improves mood symptoms in OSAS patients.

Methods

PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched up to 2017 for publications on the impact of CPAP on mood symptoms in OSAS patients.

Results

For the final analysis, nine randomized controlled trials comprising 1,052 patients were selected. The pooled standard mean difference (SMD) of the effect of CPAP on depression was 0.31 (95% confidence interval 0.18, 0.43). A subgroup analysis showed that when CPAP use was greater than 4 hours per night, it tended to be effective in improving patients’ mood symptoms (SMD = 0.38; confidence interval 0.23, 0.54). Analysis of publication bias using Egger’s test found no evidence of publication bias.

Conclusion

CPAP treatment can improve depression in OSAS patients.
Correlation between lower extremity arterial disease and skeletal muscle mass in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhang Yinghui , Ren Lemeng , Zheng Fengjie , Zhuang Xianghua , Jiang Dongqing , Chen Shihong , Ni Yihong , Li Xiaobo
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To evaluate skeletal muscle mass in patients with both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and concomitant lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) and determine the contribution of skeletal muscle mass to macrovascular diseases.

Methods

In total, 112 patients with T2DM were divided into the T2DM and T2DM + LEAD groups. Hepatic function, renal function, uric acid, blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) were measured. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure visceral fat area and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI).

Results

Waist-to-hip ratio, uric acid, and body fat percentage were significantly higher in the T2DM+LEAD group than in the T2DM group; SMI was significantly lower in the T2DM+LEAD group than in the T2DM group. There were no significant differences in albumin, creatinine, fasting blood glucose, HbA1C, or blood lipids. Uric acid, SMI, and body fat percentage were significantly positively correlated with T2DM and concomitant LEAD. Logistic regression analyses suggested that SMI is an independent risk factor for LEAD in T2DM (odds ratio = 1.517; 95% confidence interval: 1.082–2.126).

Conclusions

Skeletal muscle mass is lower in patients with T2DM and concomitant LEAD than in patients with T2DM who do not exhibit LEAD. SMI is an important risk factor for LEAD.
Clinical efficacy and outcome of intelligently inflatable reduction in conjunction with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for treating thoracolumbar burst fractures
Authors: Shao Rong-Xue , Zhou Hui , Peng Liang , Pan Hao , Yue Jun , Hu Qing-Feng
Published: March 2020

Objective

This study was performed to describe a new minimally invasive surgical technique and to explore its effects and practical use in the clinical setting.

Methods

In total, 22 patients with single-segment thoracolumbar burst fractures underwent treatment with an intelligently inflatable reduction device before common percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. Complications were recorded and short-term effectiveness was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), kyphotic Cobb angle, and anterior edge height of the fractured vertebra preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results

The patients were followed up from 2 to 5 years. The differences in the VAS score and ODI reached statistical significance at different time points. Similar significant differences were observed in the kyphotic Cobb angle and the vertebral body anterior height except between the two postoperative measurements.

Conclusions

The current study indicated that use of the intelligently inflatable reduction device with conventional percutaneous pedicle screw fixation can improve the reduction and healing of single-segment thoracolumbar burst fractures in adult patients. This technique induces minimal trauma, provides reliable fixation, and has few complications.
Evaluation of two tools for the early screening of osteoporosis in postmenopausal Chinese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tang Jie-Long , Pan Bing-Bing , Shu Yi , Gu Yan-Fa , Liu Shuai
Published: March 2020

Objective

To evaluate two osteoporosis screening tools, the osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians (OSTA) and the osteoporosis screening tool for Chinese (OSTC), in postmenopausal Chinese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled postmenopausal female patients with T2DM. Bone mineral density at the lumbar spine (L1–4) and left femoral neck was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The OSTA and OSTC scores were calculated and compared with bone mineral density at the two anatomical sites.

Results

A total of 404 patients with T2DM were enrolled in this study. The detection rates for osteoporosis in the lumbar spine (L1–L4) and left femoral neck by DXA were 22.5% (91 of 404 patients) and 21.8% (88 of 404 patients), respectively; 14.4% (58 of 404 patients) and 18.1% (73 of 404 patients) by OSTA, respectively; and 21.5% (87 of 404 patients) at both sites by OSTC. At the femoral neck, the areas under the curve (AUC) of OSTA and OSTC for predicting osteoporosis were 0.73 and 0.78, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for OSTA were 64.9% and 72.7%, respectively; and for OSTC, they were 64.2% and 79.5%, respectively.

Conclusions

The OSTC assessment tool was superior to OSTA for osteoporosis screening in postmenopausal Chinese women with T2DM.
Primary solitary fibrous tumour in the pulmonary artery: a case report
Authors: Li Bo , Mao Miao-Miao , Adhikari Binay Kumar , Li Ze-Ya , Zhang Wei-Hua
Published: March 2020

This report presents a very rare case of fibrous tumour in the pulmonary artery. A 32-year-old male patient presented at the First Hospital of Jilin University with the chief complaint of chest pain accompanied by cough and haemoptysis. Laboratory test results showed a D-dimer level of 60 ng/ml, and protein S activity of 51.0%. Echocardiography and enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the lung revealed a thrombus-like mass in the main pulmonary artery trunk, and the left pulmonary artery and its branches. The patient was initially diagnosed with pulmonary embolism, but after performing arterial endarterectomy, the presence of a tumour in the corresponding areas was confirmed. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry indicated the presence of a malignant solitary fibrous tumour. Chemotherapeutic agents were administered following surgery. The patient was prescribed ongoing oral Apatinib (250 mg, once daily) as a tumour-targeting therapy. The patient refused permission for postoperative CT. The patient was still alive at the 2-year follow-up.
Subspecialty Employment Needs in Academic Radiology Settings Across Canada
Authors: Kurowecki Darya , Forster Bruce B. , Patlas Michael N.
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

The purpose of this survey was to identify current and projected subspecialty employment needs across Canadian academic radiology practices.

Methods:

An electronic survey was distributed to academic radiology department heads within the faculties of medicine at Canadian universities between September and October 2019. Respondents identified the number of partnership track radiologists hired in the last academic year, the number of fellowship-trained new hires, and the top 3 subspecialties for new and prospective hires. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.

Results:

Nine academic radiology department heads responded to the survey (75% response rate) with good regional representation across Canada. Ninety-five percent of new hires within the last academic year were subspecialty fellowship trained. The top subspecialties for new hires in the last year were abdominal imaging and interventional neuroradiology, with 77.8% and 44.4% of academic leaders reporting them as one of the top 3 subspecialties, respectively. The top 3 subspecialties for prospective hires in the next academic year included musculoskeletal imaging (n = 6, 66.7%), followed by abdominal imaging (n = 5, 55.6%), with pediatric radiology (n = 3, 33.3%) and cardiothoracic imaging (n = 3, 33.3%) tying for third place. There was some variability in the subspecialty needs for hires between regions.

Conclusions:

The survey results provide valuable information about the current and future subspecialty needs of academic radiology practices. The data obtained can provide guidance to trainees regarding fellowship training options that will optimize their future employability.
Combined Diagnosis of Whole-Lesion Histogram Analysis of T1- and T2-Weighted Imaging for Differentiating Adrenal Adenoma and Pheochromocytoma: A Support Vector Machine-Based Study
Authors: Liu Junhong , Xue Kangkang , Li Shujian , Zhang Yong , Cheng Jingliang
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

This study aimed to determine whether a combined diagnosis of whole-lesion histogram analysis of T1- and T2-weighted imaging based on support vector machine (SVM) can distinguish pheochromocytoma from adrenal adenoma.

Methods:

A pathology database was retrospectively appraised over a period of 7 years and we obtained 40 histopathologically proven adrenal adenomas and 20 pheochromocytomas with magnetic resonance images. The T1-weighted imaging (T1WI, including both in phase and opposed phase) and T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) images of each patients were analyzed using Mazda software. Nine parameters were selected as indicators of comparison: variance, skewness, kurtosis, mean, 1st percentile, 10th percentile, 50th percentile, 90th percentile, and 99th percentile. The parameters with differential-diagnosis significance were used to establish the combined diagnostic model of SVM.

Results:

Among the 9 parameters extracted using histogram analysis, the 1st percentile, 10th percentile, and 50th percentile of T1WI (in phase) and the skewness of T2WI and almost all parameters of T1WI (opposed phase), except variance and 99th percentile, showed statistical significance between groups. Among the above parameters, the area under the curve (AUC) of 10th percentile of T1WI (opposed phase) was the largest with the value of 0.909 (100.0% sensitivity and 80.0% specificity). After the analysis of combined diagnosis was performed, the AUC of SVM model in testing set showed the value of 0.917 (85.0% accuracy).

Conclusions:

Whole-lesion histogram analysis of T1WI and T2WI may help differentiate adrenal adenomas from pheochromocytomas. Furthermore, the combined diagnosis of T1WI and T2WI histogram based on SVM was more effective than most of individual histogram parameters.
Vascular Reactivity Index as an Effective Predictor of Mortality in Children With Refractory Septic Shock
Authors: Lee En-Pei , Zhao Lu-Lu , Hsia Shao-Hsuan , Chan Oi-Wa , Lin Chia-Ying , Su Ya-Ting , Lin Jainn-Jim , Wu Han-Ping
Published: March 2020

Background:

Vasoplegia is vascular hyporesponsiveness to vasopressors and is an important phenomenon in children with refractory septic shock. This study aimed to develop an objective formula correlated with vasoplegia and evaluate the predictive power for mortality in children with refractory septic shock.

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed children with refractory septic shock admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and monitored their hemodynamics via a pulse index continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) system. Serial hemodynamic data including cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistant index (SVRI) and vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) were recorded during the first 72 hours after PICU admission. We defined vascular reactivity index (VRI) as SVRI/VIS and analyzed the effect of VRI in predicting mortality in children with refractory septic shock.

Results:

Thirty-three children with refractory septic shock were enrolled. The SVRI was lower in the mortality group compared to the survival group ( P < .05). The average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of VRI within the first 72 hours was 0.8 and the serial values of VRI were significantly lower in the mortality group during the period from 0 to 48 hours ( P < .05). However, there were no significant differences in serial CI values between the survival and mortality groups.

Conclusions:

Vasoactive-inotropic score may potentially be used to quantify the severity of vasoplegia based on the clinical response of vessels after resuscitation with vasopressors. Lower VRI levels may indicate a higher risk of mortality in children with septic shock.
Is Exercise a Useful Intervention in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder? Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gür Fatih , Can Gür Ganime
Published: March 2020

Objectives:

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of exercise on individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) across multiple health outcomes.

Data Sources:

PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Academic Search complete, Sport Discuss, and ERIC databases.

Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria:

Interventional studies published between 2000 and 2018 focused on evaluating the effectiveness of exercise interventions in adults with AUD.

Data Extraction:

This protocol was prepared using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocols standard and the Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews of Observational Studies guidelines.

Data Synthesis:

Physical activity levels/fitness [VO2 max (Oxygen Uptake) and HRmax (Maximum Heart Rate)], levels of depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, quality of life, and alcohol consumption (number of standard drinks consumed per day and per week).

Results:

The findings indicated that exercise significantly improved physical fitness as assessed by VO2 max (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.487, P < .05) and HRmax (SMD: 0.717, P < .05). Similarly, exercise significantly improved mental health as assessed by quality of life (SMD: 0.425, P < .05), but levels of depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, and alcohol consumption did not change significantly. Aerobic exercise alleviated depression and anxiety symptoms more than that of yoga and mixed types. Duration of exercise also had a similar effect on anxiety and depression.

Conclusions:

Exercise can be an effective and persistent adjunctive treatment for individuals with AUDs.
Predictors of Cognitive Improvement Following Treatment for Late-Life Depression
Authors: Siddarth Prabha , Funes Cynthia M. , Laird Kelsey T. , Ercoli Linda , Lavretsky Helen
Published: March 2020

Objective:

Cognitive impairment is frequently comorbid with late-life depression (LLD) and often persists despite remission of mood symptoms with antidepressant treatment. Increasing understanding of factors that predict improvement of cognitive symptoms in LLD is useful to inform treatment recommendations.

Methods:

We used data from 2 randomized clinical trials of geriatric depression to examine the relationships between sociodemographic factors (resilience, quality of life) and clinical factors (age of depression onset, severity of depression, apathy) with subsequent cognitive outcomes. One hundred sixty-five older adults with major depression who had completed one of 2 clinical trials were included: (1) methylphenidate plus placebo, citalopram plus placebo, and citalopram plus methylphenidate or (2) citalopram combined with Tai Chi or health education. A comprehensive neuropsychiatric battery was administered; 2 measures of cognitive improvement were examined, one defined as an increase in general cognitive performance score of at least 1 standard deviation and the other 0.5 standard deviation pre–post treatment.

Results:

At posttreatment, 59% of participants had remitted, but less than a third of those who remitted showed cognitive improvement (29%). Cognitive improvement was observed in 18% of nonremitters. Lower baseline depression severity, greater social functioning, and depression onset prior to 60 years of age were significantly associated with cognitive improvement. None of the other measures, including baseline apathy, resilience, and depression remission status, were significantly associated with cognitive improvement.

Conclusions:

Lower severity of depression, earlier onset, and greater social functioning may predict improvement in cognitive functioning with treatment for depression in LLD.
Investigating the elastic behavior of carbon nanocone reinforced nanocomposites
Authors: Ardeshana Bhavik A , Jani Umang B , Patel Ajay M , Joshi Anand Y
Published: March 2020

This paper deals with the evaluation of the effective mechanical properties of carbon nanocone centered composites using a 3D nanoscale representative volume element based on continuum mechanics. For extracting the effective material constants, the authors have taken the basis of theories of elasticity. The results constituting the effective Young's modulus of the composite and Poisson's ratio for different parameters stated above have been presented and validated with rule of mixtures. It can be clearly visualized from the results that the load-carrying capacities of carbon nanocones in the representative volume elements are quite significant and the same has been demonstrated with subsequent cases. Simulation-based modeling can show a considerable part in the improvement of carbon nanocone-based composites by providing results that help in appreciative of the performance of composites. Moreover, for a volume fraction of the CNC as 2.33% in a cylindrical representative volume element and a 19.2° apex angle of the cone, the stiffness of the composite can increase as many as 4.9 times of the matrix. Similarly for hexagonal and square, the increase is in terms of 4.3 and 3.01 times respectively. Cylindrical representative volume element is the best as it provides the maximum reinforcement in terms of effective Young's modulus of the composite. Carbon nanocone-based composites provide results that help in understanding the elastic behavior of composites.
Tension-compression asymmetric mechanical behaviour of lattice cellular structures produced by selective laser melting
Authors: Raghavendra Sunil , Molinari Alberto , Fontanari Vigilio , Dallago Michele , Luchin Valerio , Zappini Gianluca , Benedetti Matteo
Published: March 2020

Additive manufacturing is an evolving technology for fabricating porous structures used in a broad array of applications, ranging from the aerospace industry to biomedical engineering. Porous titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) structures play a major role in biomedical implants and are preferred over conventional solid implants because their properties can be tailored to obtain the stiffness required to avoid stress shielding and improve osteointegration. The mechanical properties of these structures are dependent on unit cell topology and overall porosity. In the present work, three open cellular configurations were studied, namely regular (square), irregular (skewed square) and fully random structures, at three different porosity levels. The samples were manufactured using the selective laser melting of spherical Ti6Al4V powder. The deviations of manufactured samples from as designed were assessed using morphological characterisations and porosity analyses. The mechanical characterisations of the samples included monotonic and cyclic tensile tests, along with conventional compression tests under monotonic and cyclic conditions. The results from the study indicate a clear deviation of thickness values from as-designed values. The effect of inclination of the strut with respect to the loading axis has been studied in compression samples. The off-axis loading in compression led to the asymmetry in the Young's modulus in compression and tension. These led to finite element modelling of structures in the elastic regime and its validation using Gibson–Ashby model for cellular structures.
The homotopy analysis for the nonlinear dynamics of planetary gear trains
Authors: Xun Chao , Jiao Sujuan , Dai He , Long Xinhua
Published: March 2020

In this paper, the nonlinear oscillation of planetary gear trains is investigated by the homotopy analysis method. The nonlinearity of planetary gear trains due to the periodically time-varying mesh stiffness and contact loss are included. In contrast to the perturbation analysis, the homotopy analysis method is independent of the contact loss ratio, and then can be applied to both small and large contact loss ratios. In this article, firstly the closed-form approximations for the primary resonance, sub-harmonic resonance, and super-harmonic resonance are obtained by homotopy analysis method. The accuracy of homotopy analysis method solutions is evaluated by numerical integration simulations. Results indicate that with relatively large contact loss ratios, the amplitude–frequency curves obtained by homotopy analysis method agree better with the results obtained by numerical integration than those obtained by the method of multiple scales. This study lays a higher accurate foundation for more complex nonlinear dynamic analysis of planetary gear trains.