bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental study on the effect of bionic flap parameters on airfoil aerodynamic performance
Authors: Hao Lishu , Gao Yongwei , Shang Yunbin
Published: June 2021

The effects of bionic flap on airfoil performance were experimentally studied to provide theoretical support for the application of the bionic flap in aeronautical engineering. Seven kinds of bionic flaps were used to study the effects of the key flap parameters, including the flap angle, length, shape, and position, at a Reynolds number of Re = 0.8 × 106. At small angle of attacks (AoAs), the drag and pitching moment increased and the lift reduced when using the bionic flap. While at high AoAs, the lift increased and the drag reduced, which improved the airfoil stall characteristics. The configuration of deflection bionic flap had the smallest initial AoA for improving the airfoil stall characteristics in the seven kinds of bionic flaps. More than eight degrees of the effective AoA range for improving lift characteristics could be achieved. The maximum lift coefficient could be increased by 3.9%. Additionally, the control mechanisms of the flap under different flow conditions (attached flow and separated flow) were deeply studied. In the attached flow, the effective camber and thickness of the basic airfoil could be changed by the flap, resulting that the flow around the airfoil was affected, which in turn affected the Cl and the slope of the lift line. In the separated flow, the flap affected the flow around the airfoil by controlling the development of the trailing edge separation vortex. These research results confirmed the aerodynamic mechanisms for the formation of double layered feathers when birds land, and provided insight into application of bionic flaps in aeronautical engineering.
Numerical study on mean flow field of turbulent dual offset jet
Authors: Mondal Tanmoy , Pramanik Shantanu
Published: June 2021

A numerical investigation on the mean flow and turbulence characteristics of dual offset jet for various separation distances between the two jets with a fixed offset height of the lower jet from the bottom wall is reported in this study. The numerical simulations have been performed by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS) with two-equation standard [Formula: see text] turbulence model. The Reynolds number based on the jet width and the inlet turbulence intensity are considered as 15,000 and 5%, respectively. The computational results for the mean flow reveal that after issuing from the nozzles, the adjacent shear layers of the offset jets meet together at the merging point and then the merged jets reattaches on the bottom wall at the reattachment point before they combine together at the combined point forming a single jet flow. In the far downstream, the flow field behaves like a classical single wall jet flow. The self-similarity of mean flow field is achieved at far down stream of combined point. An increase in separation distance between the two jets [Formula: see text] results in a decrease in magnitude of the streamwise maximum velocity of the combined jet but with same rate of decay. The converging region of the jets has depicted considerable growth of turbulence as the jet centrelines bend towards the merging point. According to the mean flow results, the distances of the reattachment point and the combined point from the nozzle exit gradually increase with the progressive increase in separation distance between the two jets within the range d/ w = 3–8.
Heat transfer in nano fluid from a stretching (shrinking), porous and heated sheet of variable thickness
Authors: Ali Azhar , Marwat Dil Nawaz Khan , Alam Aftab
Published: June 2021

Heat transfer in Nano fluid from a stretching (shrinking) and porous sheet of variable thickness is investigated in this paper. A set of unseen transformations is generated and the new variables are consequently used for the solution of partial differential equations under consideration. The classical models of heat transfer in Nano fluids from rigid/porous and stretching/shrinking sheets with Brownian motion and thermophoresis effects will be the special case of current study. The set of generalized similarity variables is introduced into the systems of boundary layer equations and boundary conditions and a system of coupled and non-linear ODE’s is formed. The final ODE’s are characterized by several dimensionless parameters and their effects are examined on field quantities. The governing parameters are: suction (injection), stretching (shrinking) parameters, Brownian motion number ( Nb), Thermophoresis number ( Nt) and Lewis number ( Le). The numerical observations are shown in different graphs and tables, whereas, effects of physical parameters are seen on the rate of heat transfer [Formula: see text] and mass transfer [Formula: see text], defined at the surface of the sheet. Moreover, the new results are presented in the respective sections. The remarkable aspects of the present simulations are scrutinized, however, special cases of current simulations give the previous problems, which are highlighted in the consequent sections.
Practical profile tracking for a hydraulic press using sliding mode controller
Authors: Thomas A Tony , Parameshwaran R , Sathiyavathi S , Starbino A Vimala
Published: June 2021

Electro Hydraulic Servo Systems (EHSS) offer fast response in different industrial aspects such as heavy machines, cranes and robots. To obtain a precise piston profile and to achieve the designed speed, a Sliding Mode Controller (SMC) for the duration of piston extension and retraction is presented in this paper. The novelty lies in the development of a practical profile connecting the system supply pressure dynamics to the duration of piston extension and retraction. Based on the curve fitting technique, a quadratic profile is designed for a practical hydraulic press. The Sliding Mode Controller is employed to achieve repeatable tracking of the profile generated with guaranteed soft seating velocity, thereby increasing the lifetime of the hydraulic press. The performance of the proposed controller is compared with the baseline Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller with square wave as well as exponential wave tracking tests in simulation and experimentation which confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Placebos and Movies: What Do They Have in Common?
Authors: Benedetti Fabrizio
Published: June 2021

Placebos are fake therapies that can induce real therapeutic effects, called placebo effects. It goes without saying that what matters for inducing a placebo effect is not so much the fake treatment itself, but rather the therapeutic ritual that is carried out, which is capable of triggering psychobiological mechanisms in the patient’s brain. Both laypersons and scientists often accept the phenomenon of the placebo effect with reluctance, as fiction-induced clinical improvements are at odds with common sense. However, it should be emphasized that placebo effects are not surprising after all if one considers that fiction-induced physiological effects occur in everyday life. Movies provide one of the best examples of how fictitious reality can induce psychological and physiological responses, such as fear, love, and tears. In the same way that a horror movie induces fear-related physiological responses, even though the viewer knows everything is fake, so the sight of a syringe may trigger the release of pain-relieving chemicals in the patient’s brain, even if the patient knows there is a fake painkiller inside. From this perspective, placebos can be better conceptualized as rituals, actions, and fictions within a more general framework that emphasizes the power of psychological factors in everyday life, including the healing context.
Dealing with Common Method Variance in International Marketing Research
Authors: Baumgartner Hans , Weijters Bert
Published: June 2021

Common method variance (CMV) is an important concern in international marketing research because presumed substantive relationships may actually be due to shared method variance. Because method effects may vary systematically across cultures and countries, accounting for method effects in international marketing research is particularly critical. A systematic review of Journal of International Marketing articles published during a five-year period (2015–2019, N = 93) shows that (1) authors often report post hoc CMV tests but usually conclude that CMV is not an issue and (2) many post hoc tests are conducted using the Harman one-factor test and the marker variable technique, which have serious deficiencies for detecting and controlling CMV. Drawing on a classification and comparative evaluation of the most common statistical approaches for dealing with CMV, the authors recommend two approaches and propose a procedure for dealing with CMV in international marketing research. The procedure, which is based on multisample structural equation modeling, is illustrated with data from a cross-national pan-European survey (N = 11,970, 14 countries), which shows that even though method variance is present in the data, method effects do not seriously bias the substantive conclusions in this particular study.
Comparison between autogenous brachial–brachial upper-arm elevated direct arteriovenous fistulas and prosthetic brachial-antecubital indirect forearm arteriovenous grafts
Authors: Kim Hyokee , Ahn Sanghyun , Kim Minseob , Chung Chris Tae Young , Choi Kwang woo , Ko Hyunmin , Han Ahram , Min Sangil , Min Seung-Kee , Ha Jongwon
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

The National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF-KDOQI) guidelines recommend forearm arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) as an alternative procedure to transposed basilic vein fistulas for providing secondary access during hemodialysis. Recently, autogenous elevated brachial-brachial vein fistulas (BVE) have become increasingly popular. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of BVE and forearm loop AVG (AVG) for secondary access in hemodialysis.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who had received a BVE or forearm AVG at a single center from January 2015 to April 2019. In total, 19 BVE were created via two-stage operations and two via a one-stage operation; 53 forearm AVG’s were performed.

Results:

The AVG group was twice as likely to suffer loss of primary patency compared with the BVE group (odds ratio [OR], 2.666; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.108–6.412; p = 0.029) per the multivariate analysis. The primary patency and primary assisted patency of the BVE group were superior those of the AVG group, except for secondary patency ( p = 0.02, p = 0.07, p = 0.879, respectively). In subgroup analysis, there were no significant differences in primary, primary assisted, or secondary patency between AVG and BVE when brachial vein was used for AVG outflow. In addition, no significant differences were noted regarding the infection rate (12.5% vs 12.3%, p = 0.331, severity >0), postoperative bleeding rate (14.5% vs 3.5%, p = 0.191, severity >1), early thrombus rate (0.0% vs 10.5%, p = 0.122), and early failure rate (7% vs 4.8%, p = 0.591).

Conclusions:

The primary patency and primary assisted patency rates of BVE were significantly better than those observed in AVGs, but the complication rates were similar. The appropriate procedure to provide vascular access should be determined by the individual patient’s condition and the surgical skill of the operating surgeon.
The influence of parental age on timing of puberty: A study in the Danish National Birth Cohort
Authors: Thomsen Anne Marie Ladehoff , Ramlau-Hansen Cecilia Høst , Olsen Jørn , Brix Nis , Andersen Anne-Marie Nybo , Lunddorf Lea Lykke Harrits , Ernst Andreas
Published: June 2021

Aims: Concerns have been raised about the potential negative biological effect of postponed parenthood upon the health of subsequent generations, including reproductive health. This study aimed to estimate if high parental age at birth was associated with accelerated pubertal timing in offspring. Methods: In this large-scale cohort study, 15,819 children born by mothers in the Danish National Birth Cohort from 2000 to 2003 participated in a nationwide puberty cohort (participation rate 71%). Between 2012 and 2018, the children reported half-yearly information on pubertal status using web-based questionnaires from 11 years throughout puberty or 18 years of age. Information on parental age was drawn from nationwide registers. We estimated adjusted mean differences in months for age at attaining the pubertal milestones and pubertal timing overall between the pre-specified parental age groups: 20–29 (reference), 30–34 and advanced parental age groups (35–44 years for mothers and >35 years for fathers). Results: Overall, parental age at birth of the child was not associated with pubertal timing in daughters or sons. For sons of older fathers (>35 years), we observed indications towards slightly earlier pubertal timing in the range of 0.3–2.4 months for nearly all pubertal milestones, but all confidence intervals were wide, and many included the null. Conclusions: We found no strong association between parental age and timing of puberty, and we find it unlikely that the decreasing age in pubertal timing is a result of parental decision to delay childbearing.
Playful mobilities in the Global South: A study of Pokémon Go play in Rio de Janeiro and Nairobi
Authors: de Souza e Silva Adriana , Glover-Rijkse Ragan , Njathi Anne , de Cunto Bueno Daniela
Published: June 2021

Pokémon Go is the most popular location-based game worldwide. As a location-based game, Pokémon Go’s gameplay is connected to networked urban mobility. However, urban mobility differs significantly around the world. Large metropoles in South America and Africa, for example, experience ingrained social, cultural, and economic inequalities. With this in mind, we interviewed Pokémon Go players in two Global South cities, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Nairobi (Kenya), to understand how players navigate urban spaces not only based on gameplay but with broader concerns for safety. Our findings reveal that players negotiate their urban mobilities based on perceptions of risk and safety, choosing how to move around and avoiding areas known for violence and theft. These findings are relevant for understanding the social and political aspects of networked urban spaces as well as for investigating games as venues through which we can understand ordinary life, racial, gender, and socioeconomic inequalities.
Development and Interrater Reliability of an Observational School Environment Checklist: A Practical, Comprehensive Tool to Assess Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Opportunities in Schools
Authors: Lane Hannah , Campbell Katherine , Zhang Anne , Deitch Rachel , Litz Aaron , Shropshire Jasmia , Turner Lindsey , Hager Erin
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Comprehensive, objective assessment of schools’ eating and physical activity environments is critical to developing and evaluating policies and interventions to reduce pediatric obesity inequities; however, few tools exist that describe the entire school comprehensively and are feasible with restricted resources. This study describes development and reliability of the observational school environment checklist (OSEC), a comprehensive observational audit tool.

Method

We developed the OSEC through iterative adaptations of existing instruments and pilot testing. The tool assesses four focus areas: cafeteria, lobby/hallway, gym, and outdoor areas. For reliability testing, two trained auditors independently completed the OSEC and met to resolve disagreements. For items with poor agreement, a third independent coder coded photographs taken during auditing. Percent agreement and Cohen’s kappa were calculated for all items and across four evidence-based constructs: atmosphere, accessibility, attractiveness, and advertising.

Results

After iterative development, the 88-item OSEC was tested for reliability in 18 schools. Items with poor (<80%) agreement or redundancy were discarded or reworded ( n = 16 items). All four constructs had acceptable agreement, ranging by focus area: 72.3% (attractiveness), 86.3% to 97.1% (atmosphere), 82.9% to 100% (accessibility), and 92.9% (advertising). Cohen’s kappa ranges were acceptable: 0.66–0.91 (atmosphere), 0.60–1.00 (accessibility), 0.46 (attractiveness), and 0.77 (advertising). After adding similar items across domains ( n = 49) to improve comprehensiveness, the final tool contained 121 binary items.

Implications

The OSEC reliably and comprehensively captures the school environment. It requires few resources or expertise to administer, has acceptable reliability, and can assess atmosphere, accessibility, attractiveness, and advertising in school areas where students engage in eating and physical activity.
Dermal Matrices: Game Changers in Leg and Foot Soft Tissue Reconstruction? A Case Series
Authors: Kakagia Despoina D. , Georgiadis George , Drosos George
Published: June 2021

The present article aims to present the use of dermal matrices in severe degloving, avulsion, and necrotizing injuries of the leg and foot in 3 patients. Conventional reconstruction would require the use of free flaps, since exposure of vessels, nerves, joints, and tendons rendered the mere resurfacing with skin grafts insufficient, and extensive cutaneous detachment precluded the use of local fasciocutaneous flaps. All injuries underwent thorough and repeated surgical debridements and wash outs, followed by negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Once negative tissue cultures were obtained, the extremities were resurfaced with dermal matrix and immediately covered by split thickness skin grafts. NPWT on the grafted area for a week effectively secured the grafts on the recipient area. Complete healing was achieved in all grafted areas within 7 to 12 days. The function of joints and tendons as well as the quality of resurfacing at the weight bearing areas were tested and found satisfactory within a follow-up period of 5 to 15 months. The use of combined NPWT and dermal matrices in carefully selected patients provides a reliable and durable reconstructive option for leg and foot injuries with satisfactory functional outcomes.
Slippery Slopes: Skiing-Related Facial Trauma in Adults
Authors: Galgano Alissa C. , Cohn Jason E. , Licata Jordan J. , Othman Sammy , Stucker Fred J. , Bundrick Paige
Published: June 2021

Study Design:

Retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study.

Objective:

To determine the incidence of skiing-related facial trauma and to identify their patterns in terms of potential risk factors, mechanism of injury, anatomical location, and degree of severity.

Methods:

Data was collected using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and included snow skiing-related incidents during the years 2009 to 2018. Specifically, injuries limited to the facial region including the head, face, eye(s), mouth, neck or ear(s) were reported. Patients with fractures were further classified by the study variables. Descriptive statistics were used to classify continuous variables while chi-square analysis was used to compare categorical variables.

Results:

A total of 514 (n = 514) patients met the inclusion criteria within the study period. The majority of injuries were due to concussions (59%), followed by lacerations (18%), fractures (11%), contusions (11%) and dental injuries (1%). Of the fractures seen, the majority were nasal (30%) and cervical spine (30%), followed by midface (27%), mandible (9%) and skull (4%). In our population, head injuries were more common in females (80%) than in males (60%), whereas, mouth injuries were more common in males (8%) than females (1%) [χ2 = 30.2, p < 0.001].

Conclusions:

Skiing-related craniofacial trauma remains a significant mechanism of injury. Our data illustrates a need to correlate these injuries to the use of personal protective equipment. Furthermore, this data calls for the strict implementation of such equipment and the development of safety protocols to further prevent deleterious injury.
Prediction of pelvic mobility using whole-spinal and pelvic alignment in standing and sitting position in total hip arthroplasty patients
Authors: Watanabe Shintaro , Choe Hyonmin , Kobayashi Naomi , Ike Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Daigo , Inaba Yutaka
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

Dislocation is a major complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA), and pelvic stiffness is reportedly a significant risk factor for dislocation. This study aimed to investigate spinopelvic alignment, and identify preoperative factors associated with postoperative pelvic mobility.

Methods:

We enrolled 78 THA patients with unilateral osteoarthritis. The sagittal spinopelvic alignment in the standing and sitting position was measured using an EOS imaging system before and 3 months after THA. We evaluated postoperative pelvic mobility, and defined cases with less than 10° of sacral slope change as pelvic stiff type. The preoperative characteristics of those with postoperative stiff type, and preoperative factors associated with risk of postoperative stiff type were evaluated.

Results:

Sagittal spinopelvic alignment except for lumbar alignment were significantly changed after THA.A total of 13 patients (17%) were identified as postoperative pelvic stiff type. Preoperative lower pelvic and lumbar mobility were determined as significant factors for prediction of postoperative pelvic stiff type. Among these patients, nine patients (69%) did not have pelvic stiffness before THA. Preoperative factor associated with the risk of postoperative pelvic stiff type in those without preoperative stiffness was lower lumbar lordosis in standing position by multivariate regression analysis.

Conclusion:

Spinopelvic alignments except lumber alignment was significantly changed after THA. The lower pelvic mobility and lumbar alignment were identified as the preoperative predictive factors for postoperative pelvic mobility. Evaluation of preoperative lumbar alignment may be especially useful for the prediction in patients with hip contractures, for these patients may possibly experience the extensive perioperative change in pelvic mobility.
Koolen-de Vries Syndrome: Preliminary Observations of Topiramate Efficacy
Authors: Paolo Piccinelli , Matteo Ferri , Rossella Lipari , Anna Mercuri , Rosario Casalone , Paola Granata , Cristiano Termine , Giorgio Rossi
Published: June 2021

We describe the case of a baby-girl affected by the Koolen-de Vries syndrome (KdVS), with epilepsy. Our patient has microdeletions in the 17q21.31 region (array CGH). Therapy with Levetiracetam showed a relatively lack of efficacy, while adding a low dose of Topiramate in the therapy allowed the complete seizures control. KdVS is a rare syndrome and its epilepsy features and seizures treatment are not well known by pediatric neurologists. However, with broader use of array CGH, an increasing number of cases are likely to be identified and their description, including response to specific medications, can facilitate recognition and treatment. The complex treatment of epilepsy should be part of the global management and counseling in these composite patients.
Small intestine duplication cyst with recurrent hematochezia: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zhang Zhicheng , Huang Xiaowei , Chen Qian , Li Demin , Zhou Qi , Huang Jinjin , Feng Yongdong , Hu Junbo , Qin Hua
Published: June 2021

Background

Small intestine duplication cysts (SIDCs) are rare congenital anatomical abnormalities of the digestive tract and a rare cause of hematochezia.

Case presentation

We describe an adult female presented with recurrent hematochezia. The routine gastric endoscope and colonic endoscope showed no positive findings. Abdominal CT scan indicated intussusception due to the "doughnut" sign, but the patient had no typical symptoms. Two subsequent capsule endoscopes revealed a protruding lesion with bleeding in the distal ileum. Surgical resection was performed and revealed a case of SIDC measuring 6 * 2 cm located inside the ileum cavity. The patient remained symptom-free throughout a 7-year follow-up period.

Conclusion

SIDCs located inside the enteric cavity can easily be misdiagnosed as intussusception by routine radiologic examinations.
Changing trends in liver transplantation indications in Saudi Arabia: from hepatitis C virus infection to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Alqahtani Saleh A. , Broering Dieter C. , Alghamdi Saad A. , Bzeizi Khalid I. , Alhusseini Noara , Alabbad Saleh I. , Albenmousa Ali , Alfaris Nasreen , Abaalkhail Faisal , Al-hamoudi Waleed K.
Published: June 2021

Background

Several trend analyses on liver transplantation (LT) indications have been published in the U.S. and in other countries, but there are limited data on LT indication trends in Saudi Arabia (SA), especially since the availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV). This study aimed to analyze trends in the frequency of LT indications among LT recipients in SA over a 19-year period and examine associations between etiologic-specific trends and clinicodemographic characteristics.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed clinical and surgical data of adult patients (n = 1009) who underwent LT at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (Riyadh, SA) between 2001 and 2019. Spearman’s rank correlation, Poisson regression, and Joinpoint regression analysis were employed to assess changes in LT etiologic trends.

Results

In the first period (2001–2010), the main LT indications were HCV (41.9%) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) (21.1%), but nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (29.7%) surpassed HCV (23.7%) as the leading LT indication in the second period (2011–2019); and the trends were significant in correlation analyses [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.09 (1.06–1.13) for NASH; IRR = 0.93 (0.91–0.95) for HCV]. In the Joinpoint regression analysis, increases in NASH from 2006 to 2012 (+ 32.1%) were statistically significant, as were the decreases in HCV from 2004 to 2007 (− 19.6%) and from 2010 to 2019 (− 12.1%). Similar patterns were observed in LT etiological comparisons before and after the availability of DAAs and within hepatocellular carcinoma stratifications.

Conclusions

Trends in the epidemiology of LT indications among LT recipients in SA have changed over a 19-year period. Most notably, NASH has eclipsed HCV in the country due to the effective treatment strategies for HCV. These trends in NASH now need an aggressive public health response to minimize and avert future onset of additional clinical and economic strains on health care systems and LT centers in SA.
Refinement of response assessment in neuro-oncology (RANO) using non-enhancing lesion type and contrast enhancement evolution pattern in IDH wild-type glioblastomas
Authors: Moon Hye Hyeon , Kim Ho Sung , Park Ji Eun , Kim Young-Hoon , Kim Jeong Hoon
Published: June 2021

Background

Updated response assessment in neuro-oncology (RANO) does not consider peritumoral non-enhancing lesion (NEL) and baseline (residual) contrast enhancement (CE) volume. The objective of this study is to explore helpful imaging characteristics to refine RANO for assessing early treatment response (pseudoprogression and time-to-progression [TTP]) in patients with IDH wild-type glioblastoma.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 86 patients with IDH wild-type glioblastoma who underwent consecutive MRI examinations before and after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). NEL was classified as edema- or tumor-dominant type on pre-CCRT MRI. CE evolution was categorized into 4 patterns based on post-operative residual CE (measurable vs. non-measurable) and CE volume change (same criteria with RANO) during CCRT. Multivariable logistic regression, including clinical parameters, NEL type, and CE evolution pattern, was used to analyze pseudoprogression rate. TTP and OS according to NEL type and CE evolution pattern was analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Pseudoprogression rate was significantly lower (chi-square test, P = .047) and TTP was significantly shorter (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.03, P = .005) for tumor-dominant type than edema-dominant type of NEL. NEL type was the only predictive marker of pseudoprogression on multivariate analysis (odds ratio = 0.26, P = .046). Among CE evolution patterns, TTP and OS was shortest in patients with residual CE compared with those exhibiting new CE (HR = 4.33, P < 0.001 and HR = 3.71, P = .009, respectively). In edema-dominant NEL type, both TTP and OS was stratified by CE evolution pattern (log-rank, P = .001), whereas it was not in tumor-dominant NEL.

Conclusions

NEL type improves prediction of pseudoprogression and, together with CE evolution pattern, further stratifies TTP and OS in patients with IDH wild-type glioblastoma and may become a helpful biomarker for refining RANO.
Intraoperative rotational kinematics and its influence on postoperative clinical outcomes differ according to age in Unicompartmental knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Kawaguchi Kohei , Inui Hiroshi , Taketomi Shuji , Yamagami Ryota , Kono Kenichi , Sameshima Shin , Kage Tomofumi , Tanaka Sakae
Published: June 2021

Background

Although Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is used in patients of wide age ranges, there is no clear information regarding the age differences in terms of intraoperative femorotibial rotational kinematics and its influence on clinical outcomes. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the age differences in terms of intraoperative rotational kinematics and postoperative clinical outcomes and to analyze their relationship with classification according to the age group.

Methods

We investigated 111 knees of patients who underwent Oxford UKA using a navigation system and divided them into two groups: elderly (aged ≥75 years; 48 knees) and nonelderly (aged < 75 years; 63 knees). Intraoperative tibial internal rotational angles relative to the femur during passive knee flexion were measured using a navigation system, and clinical outcomes were evaluated using knee range of motion, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the Knee Society Functional Score at 2 years postoperatively. The relationships between intraoperative tibiofemoral rotational angles and clinical outcomes were also evaluated in the two groups.

Results

The intraoperative tibial internal rotational angle relative to the femur during knee flexion was significantly larger in the nonelderly group (13.5°) than in the elderly group (9.0°). The intraoperative tibial internal rotational angle showed a positive correlation with the pain subscale of KOOS only in the nonelderly group.

Conclusion

Intraoperative rotational kinematics and its influence on clinical outcomes were different between elderly and nonelderly patients, and the tibial internal rotational angle could be a more important factor for successful UKA in nonelderly patients.
The TBAg/PHA ratio in T-SPOT.TB assay has high prospective value in the diagnosis of active tuberculosis: a multicenter study in China
Authors: Liu Yidian , Yao Lan , Wang Feng , Sun Ziyong , Tan Yaoju , Sha Wei
Published: June 2021

Background

The positive rate of pathogenic examination about tuberculosis is low. It is still difficult to achieve early diagnosis for some TB patients. The value of Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) in the diagnosis of active tuberculosis remains controversial. The purpose of this multicenter prospective study was to verify and validate the role of TBAg/PHA ratio (TB-specific antigen to phytohaemagglutinin) of T-SPOT.TB assay in diagnosing ATB.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 2390 suspected pulmonary tuberculosis patients with positive T-SPOT assay results from three tertiary hospitals.

Results

A total of 1549 ATB (active tuberculosis) patients (including 1091 confirmed and 458 probable ATB) and 724 non-tuberculosis (non-TB) patients with positive T-SPOT results were included. The results of this study showed that ESAT-6 and CFP-10 in the T-SPOT.TB assay were significantly higher in the ATB group compared with the non-TB group, while PHA was lower in the ATB group. Results of ESAT-6, CFP-10 and PHA show a certain diagnostic performance, but moderate sensitivity and specificity. The TBAg/PHA ratio, a further calculation of ESAT-6, CFP-10 and PHA in T-SPOT.TB assay showed improved performance in the diagnosis of active Tuberculosis. If using the threshold value of 0.2004, the specificity and sensitivity of TBAg/PHA ratio in distinguishing ATB from non-TB were 92.3% and 74.4%, PPV was 95.4, PLR was 9.6.

Conclusion

By recalculating the results of T-SPOT.TB Assay, the TBAg/PHA ratio shows high prospect value in the diagnosis of active tuberculosis in high prediction areas.
Percutaneous periarticular analgesic injection at one day after simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty: an open-label randomized control trial
Authors: Iseki Takuya , Tsukada Sachiyuki , Wakui Motohiro , Kurosaka Kenji , Yoshiya Shinichi , Tachibana Toshiya
Published: June 2021

Background

The postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a critical issue. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical effectiveness of percutaneous periarticular injection at 1 day following simultaneous bilateral TKA.

Methods

A total of 88 knees in 44 patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral TKA were randomly assigned to receive a percutaneous periarticular injection at 1 day following surgery (n = 22 patients) or no injection (n = 22 patients). In the additional injection group, we injected a solution including methylprednisolone, ropivacaine, and epinephrine into the muscle belly of the vastus medialis at 1 day after surgery. In both groups, patients received an intraoperative periarticular multi-drug injection and postoperative intravenous and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The primary outcome measure was the postoperative pain at rest using a visual analog scale (VAS) and analyzed with Student’s t test.

Results

Compared to the no additional injection group, the additional periarticular injection group had significantly lower VAS score at 8:00 PM postoperative day 1, 6:00 AM postoperative day 2, 12:00 PM postoperative day 2, 6:00 AM postoperative day 5, 12:00 PM postoperative day 5, and 8:00 PM postoperative day 5 (p < 0.05). The rate of complication did not differ between groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Additional percutaneous periarticular injection at 1 day following TKA adding to intraoperative periarticular injection provided better postoperative pain relief.

Trial registration

Registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network (registration number: UMIN000029759).
Tractotomy using the Penrose drain guide for deep lung injury caused by chest drainage: a case report
Authors: Oyamatsu Hironori , Tsubouchi Hideki , Narita Kunio
Published: June 2021

Background

Pulmonary tractotomy effectively treats deep pulmonary penetrating injuries; however, it requires the accurate insertion of forceps or a stapler into the wound tract. This report describes a case of tractotomy using the Penrose drain guide for a deep lung injury caused by chest drainage.

Case presentation

A 75-year-old man suffered multiple rib fractures and hemothorax. After admission, chest tube drainage was performed because the patient’s respiratory condition deteriorated due to increased right pleural effusion. However, as the chest tube was stabbing into the right upper lobe, a pulmonary tractotomy was performed to treat the injury. Cutting the visceral pleura just over the tip of the chest tube caused the tube to completely penetrate the lung. A Penrose drain tube was fixed to the chest tube, which was then removed. The Penrose drain tube completely penetrated the lung and was coupled to the anvil side of the stapler to guide it smoothly into the wound tract. After stapling left the wound tract open, selective suture ligation of the damaged vessel and bronchioles was performed.

Conclusions

Although the indications for tractotomy using the Penrose drain guide are limited, we believe that this technique can be useful in patients with deep stabbing or penetrating lung injuries with rod- or tube-shaped foreign body remnants.
Gunshot residue detection technologies—a review
Authors: Shrivastava Priya , Jain V. K. , Nagpal Suman
Published: June 2021

Background

Gunshot residue (GSR) is a shred of important trace evidence which helps forensic scientists solve a huge range of incidents related to firearms. The identification of the shooter to bullet identification from a gunshot wound help reconstruct a scene of the crime.

Main body

The review of this scientific paper is based on gunshot residue, its composition, and the growing advanced technology which allow us to study about how GSR analysis help to identify and detect residues. Various methods are acquired to identify and analyze organic and inorganic residues present when ammunition is fired. The review highlights the composition of GSR, its collection methods, and analysis part which emphasize on all the methods developed so far. The use of conventional methods including colorimetric and instrumentation-based analysis and advanced technology including electrochemical technique for detecting residues from the last 50 years. Spot tests or chemical tests were performed but they degrade the sample and can sometimes cause hindrance with some other nearby material present at the crime scene. Instrumentation techniques including AAS, ICP-MS, SEM, SEM-EDX, GC, HPLC, etc. are discussed in detail. Mostly advanced electrochemical methods developed are for inorganic gunshot residues (IGSR), but some researchers worked on both residues. Also, the fabricated electrochemical cells are replaced by a single strip-based technique for easy detection. So, to combat these issues, various scientists are moving towards sensor-based methods for rapid and reliable detection. These methods are more user-friendly, sensitive, and cost-effective and provide rapid detection results.

Conclusions

This review results in the composition of GSR, its collection methods, and analysis using sophisticated methods that emphasize all the methods developed so far and it also culminates the merits and demerits of all detection methods.
Effects of state-wide implementation of the Los Angeles Motor Scale for triage of stroke patients in clinical practice
Authors: Behnke Stefanie , Schlechtriemen Thomas , Binder Andreas , Bachhuber Monika , Becker Mark , Trauth Benedikt , Lesmeister Martin , Spüntrup Elmar , Walter Silke , Hoor Lukas , Ragoschke-Schumm Andreas , Merzou Fatma , Tarantini Luca , Bertsch Thomas , Guldner Jürgen , Magull-Seltenreich Achim , Maier Frank , Massing Christoph , Fischer Volkmar , Gawlitza Michael , Donnevert Katrin , Lamberty Hans-Michael , Jung Stefan , Strittmatter Matthias , Tonner Silke , Schuler Johannes , Liszka Robert , Wagenpfeil Stefan , Grunwald Iris Q. , Reith Wolfgang , Fassbender Klaus
Published: June 2021

Background

The prehospital identification of stroke patients with large-vessel occlusion (LVO), that should be immediately transported to a thrombectomy capable centre is an unsolved problem. Our aim was to determine whether implementation of a state-wide standard operating procedure (SOP) using the Los Angeles Motor Scale (LAMS) is feasible and enables correct triage of stroke patients to hospitals offering (comprehensive stroke centres, CSCs) or not offering (primary stroke centres, PSCs) thrombectomy.

Methods

Prospective study involving all patients with suspected acute stroke treated in a 4-month period in a state-wide network of all stroke-treating hospitals (eight PSCs and two CSCs). Primary endpoint was accuracy of the triage SOP in correctly transferring patients to CSCs or PSCs. Additional endpoints included the number of secondary transfers, the accuracy of the LAMS for detection of LVO, apart from stroke management metrics.

Results

In 1123 patients, use of a triage SOP based on the LAMS allowed triage decisions according to LVO status with a sensitivity of 69.2% (95% confidence interval (95%-CI): 59.0–79.5%) and a specificity of 84.9% (95%-CI: 82.6–87.3%). This was more favourable than the conventional approach of transferring every patient to the nearest stroke-treating hospital, as determined by geocoding for each patient (sensitivity, 17.9% (95%-CI: 9.4–26.5%); specificity, 100% (95%-CI: 100–100%)). Secondary transfers were required for 14 of the 78 (17.9%) LVO patients. Regarding the score itself, LAMS detected LVO with a sensitivity of 67.5% (95%-CI: 57.1–78.0%) and a specificity of 83.5% (95%-CI: 81.0–86.0%).

Conclusions

State-wide implementation of a triage SOP requesting use of the LAMS tool is feasible and improves triage decision-making in acute stroke regarding the most appropriate target hospital.
Reducing metal artifacts by restricting negative pixels
Authors: Zeng Gengsheng L. , Zeng Megan
Published: June 2021

When the object contains metals, its x-ray computed tomography (CT) images are normally affected by streaking artifacts. These artifacts are mainly caused by the x-ray beam hardening effects, which deviate the measurements from their true values. One interesting observation of the metal artifacts is that certain regions of the metal artifacts often appear as negative pixel values. Our novel idea in this paper is to set up an objective function that restricts the negative pixel values in the image. We must point out that the naïve idea of setting the negative pixel values in the reconstructed image to zero does not give the same result. This paper proposes an iterative algorithm to optimize this objective function, and the unknowns are the metal affected projections. Once the metal affected projections are estimated, the filtered backprojection algorithm is used to reconstruct the final image. This paper applies the proposed algorithm to some airport bag CT scans. The bags all contain unknown metallic objects. The metal artifacts are effectively reduced by the proposed algorithm.
Association between PTX3 and PVT1 genetic polymorphisms and the risk of diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Varghese Sindhu , Kumar Subburaj Gowtham
Published: June 2021

Background

Very few studies have investigated the role of PTX3 and PVT1 genetic polymorphisms and their association in the progression of diabetic kidney diseases. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a prominent reason of end-stage renal disease and also known to be involved in the high mortality rate of cardiovascular diseases. The current study has examined the role of PTX3 and PVT1 genetic polymorphisms in the development of diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetic patients.

Results

A significant difference between the genotypes and alleles of the rs2305619 polymorphism was observed in the diabetic patients with DKD when compared with the control group. The frequency of GG genotype was observed to be high in diabetic patients with DKD when compared to the other two groups. This specified that diabetic patients with GG genotype are at an increased risk to develop DKD. However, PVT1 (G/A) polymorphism did not show any association in the allele and genotypic frequencies with DKD when compared with T2DM and controls.

Conclusion

Our results propose a major influence of GG genotype of rs2305619 polymorphism to be significantly linked with an increased risk of DKD in type 2 diabetic patients.
Foundation News: SEG student programs — Empowering future geoscientists
Authors: Burk Katie
Published: June 2021

The leaders of tomorrow are being educated today. We are in an age when all students need high levels of literacy and proficiency as well as a range of soft skills for a successful future. SEG is committed to providing its student members with authentic, unique, and innovative learning experiences that will foster the development of these essential skills as they grow into their geophysical careers. The following information reflects the impact that SEG student programs had in 2020 throughout our global geophysical community.
The role of geomechanical modeling in the measurement and understanding of geophysical data collected during carbon sequestration
Authors: Meng Chunfang , Fehler Michael
Published: June 2021

As fluids are injected into a reservoir, the pore fluid pressure changes in space and time. These changes induce a mechanical response to the reservoir fractures, which in turn induces changes in stress and deformation to the surrounding rock. The changes in stress and associated deformation comprise the geomechanical response of the reservoir to the injection. This response can result in slip along faults and potentially the loss of fluid containment within a reservoir as a result of cap-rock failure. It is important to recognize that the slip along faults does not occur only due to the changes in pore pressure at the fault location; it can also be a response to poroelastic changes in stress located away from the region where pore pressure itself changes. Our goal here is to briefly describe some of the concepts of geomechanics and the coupled flow-geomechanical response of the reservoir to fluid injection. We will illustrate some of the concepts with modeling examples that help build our intuition for understanding and predicting possible responses of reservoirs to injection. It is essential to understand and apply these concepts to properly use geomechanical modeling to design geophysical acquisition geometries and to properly interpret the geophysical data acquired during fluid injection.
Seismic Soundoff
Authors: Geary Andrew
Published: June 2021

In this episode, Andrew Geary speaks with John Bradford about SEG's recent statement on climate change. Bradford provides an overview of SEG's position on climate change, the role geophysics plays in achieving a net-zero-carbon future, and solutions available to address the current climate change. Hear the full episode at https://seg.org/podcast/post/12427 .
Breaking Barriers: Addressing Issues of Inequality in Trial Enrollment and Clinical Outcomes for Patients With Kidney and Bladder Cancer
Authors: Hoffman-Censits Jeannie , Kanesvaran Ravindran , Bangs Rick , Fashoyin-Aje Lola , Weinstock Chana
Published: June 2021

Despite recent treatment advances, kidney and bladder cancer cases have continued to rise in both incidence and mortality over the last few decades. Not every demographic subgroup of patients diagnosed with these cancers has an equivalent outcome. Women diagnosed with bladder cancer have worse overall survival than men diagnosed with bladder cancer. Older adults with muscle-invasive bladder cancer have worse cancer-specific outcomes than do younger patients. Black patients diagnosed with kidney and bladder cancers appear to have worse overall survival than White patients diagnosed with these cancers. Although these differences in outcomes are likely multifactorial, in many cases they may be based on modifiable approaches to screening, diagnosing, and treating patients. We explore various causes of these differences in outcomes between patients and address patient engagement strategies and avenues to effect change. In 2021, equity in cancer and cancer care delivery has a more prominent place in the hierarchy of the continuum of medicine. Continued focus on this topic is critical, with clear accountabilities established and barriers to best care for patients eliminated.