bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anatomical and Functional Recovery of Neurotized Remnant Rectus Abdominis Muscle in Muscle-Sparing Pedicled Transverse Rectus Abdominis Musculocutaneous Flap
Authors: Jeong Woonhyeok , Son Daegu , Yeo Hyeonjung , Jeong Hoijoon , Kim Junhyung , Han Kihwan , Lee Soyoung
Published: July 2013

Background Pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps typically sacrifice the entire muscle. In our experience, the lateral strip of the rectus abdominis muscle can be spared in an attempt to maintain function and reduce morbidity. When the intercostal nerves are injured, muscle atrophy appears with time. The severed intercostal nerve was reinserted into the remnant lateral strip of the rectus abdominis muscle to reduce muscle atrophy.

Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed 9 neurotized cases and 10 non-neurotized cases. Abdominal computed tomography was performed to determine the area of the rectus muscles. Electromyography (EMG) was performed to check contractile function of the remnant muscle. A single investigator measured the mean areas of randomly selected locations (second lumbar spine) using ImageJ software in a series of 10 cross-sectional slices. We compared the Hounsfield unit (HU) pre- and postoperatively to evaluate regeneration quality.

Results In the neurotization group, 7 of 9 cases maintained the mass of remnant muscle. However, in the non-neurotization group, 8 of 10 lost their mass. The number of totally atrophied muscles in each of the two groups was significantly different (P=0.027). All of the remnant muscles showed contractile function on EMG. The 9 remaining remnant rectus abdominis muscles showed declined the HU value after surgery but also within a normal range of muscle.

Conclusions Neurotization was found to be effective in maintaining the mass of remnant muscle. Neurotized remnant muscle had contractile function on EMG and no fatty degeneration by HU value.
Usefulness of a Lateral Thoracodorsal Flap after Breast Conserving Surgery in Laterally Located Breast Cancer
Authors: Yang Jung Dug , Ryu Dong Wan , Lee Jeong Woo , Choi Kang Young , Chung Ho Yun , Cho Byung Chae , Park Ho Yong , Byun Jin Suk
Published: July 2013

Background Breast-conserving surgery is widely accepted as an appropriate method in breast cancer, and the lateral thoracodorsal flap provides a simple, reliable technique, especially when a mass is located in the lateral breast. This study describes the usefulness of a lateral thoracodorsal flap after breast conserving surgery in laterally located breast cancer.

Methods From September 2008 to February 2013, a lateral thoracodorsal flap was used in 20 patients with laterally located breast cancer treated at our institution. The technique involves a local medially based, wedge shaped, fasciocutaneous transposition flap from the lateral region of the thoracic area. Overall satisfaction and aesthetic satisfaction surveys were conducted with the patients during a 6-month postoperative follow-up period. Aesthetic results in terms of breast shape and symmetry were evaluated by plastic surgeons.

Results The average specimen weight was 76.8 g. The locations of the masses were the upper lateral quadrant (n=15), the lower lateral quadrant (n=2), and the central lateral area (n=3). Complications developed in four of the cases, partial flap necrosis in one, wound dehiscence in one, and fat necrosis in two. The majority of the patients were satisfied with their cosmetic outcomes.

Conclusions Partial breast reconstruction using a lateral thoracodorsal flap is well matched with breast color and texture, and the surgery is less aggressive than other techniques with few complications. Therefore, the lateral thoracodorsal flap can be a useful, reliable technique in correcting breast deformity after breast conserving surgery, especially in laterally located breast cancer.
A Comparative Study of CG CryoDerm and AlloDerm in Direct-to-Implant Immediate Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Lee Jun Ho , Park Ki Rin , Kim Tae Gon , Ha Ju-Ho , Chung Kyu-Jin , Kim Yong-Ha , Lee Soo Jung , Kang Soo Hwan
Published: July 2013

Background To date, various types of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) have been developed for clinical use. AlloDerm is the most familiar type of ADM to most surgeons in breast reconstruction. It is prepared by freeze-drying. CG CryoDerm is the first form of ADM that requires no drying process. Therefore, theoretically, it has a higher degree of preservation of the dermal structures than AlloDerm. We conducted this study to compare the clinical course and postoperative outcomes of patients who underwent direct-to-implant breast reconstructions using AlloDerm and those who did using CG CryoDerm.

Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical records in a consecutive series of 50 patients who underwent direct-to-implant breast reconstruction using AlloDerm (n=31) or CryoDerm (n=19). We then compared the clinical course and postoperative outcomes of the two groups based on the overall incidence of complications and the duration of drainage.

Results The mean follow-up period was 16 months. There were no significant differences in the overall incidence of complications (seroma, infection, skin flap necrosis, capsular contracture, and implant loss) between the two groups. Nor was there any significant difference in the duration of drainage.

Conclusions CG CryoDerm has the merits of short preparation time and easy handling during surgery. Our results indicate that CG CryoDerm might be an alternative allograft material to AlloDerm in direct-to-implant breast reconstruction.
Distribution of Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Facial Esthetic Unit
Authors: Choi Jung Hun , Kim Young Joon , Kim Hoon , Nam Sang Hyun , Choi Young Woong
Published: July 2013

Background The most common cutaneous malignant masses are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma. The predominant site of a malignant mass is the face, which has many opportunities to be exposed to ultraviolet radiation. However the predilection sites of malignant masses have been equivocal due to the use of general regions, rather than anatomical landmarks, in surveys. A facial esthetic unit is an anatomical site classified as an area of similar facial contour characteristics that can be distinguished from other areas. The purpose of this study is to determine widely accepted anatomical landmarks using the esthetic unit.

Methods We retrospectively analyzed 118 cases of malignant masses in our clinic from January 2005 to October 2012. We evaluated the patients' age, gender, and predilection site of the malignant mass by esthetic unit through pathology, medical records and patient photographs. We mapped the occurrence site of the malignant mass on schematic drawings of the esthetic units.

Results Most of the malignant masses were BCC. The ratio of males to females was 1:1.41. The frequent predilection site of a malignant mass was on the nasal unit (33.1%), followed by the buccal unit (11.0%). Primary closure was the most common method of repairing a surgical defect (38.9%), followed by a local flap (35.5%).

Conclusions This review described the relationship between clinical characteristics and esthetic units by proposing objective predilection sites for malignant masses, which can be used commonly as a framework in the study of malignant masses by unifying equivocal occurrence sites.
Glomus Tumors: Symptom Variations and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Diagnosis
Authors: Ham Ki Weon , Yun In Sik , Tark Kwan Chul
Published: July 2013

Background The typical clinical symptoms of glomus tumors are pain, tenderness, and sensitivity to temperature change, and the presence of these clinical findings is helpful in diagnosis. However, the tumors often pose diagnostic difficulty because of variations in presentation and the nonspecific symptoms of glomus tumors. To the best of our knowledge, few studies have reported on the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing glomus tumors in patients with unspecific symptoms.

Methods The inclusion criteria of this study were: having undergone surgery for subungual glomus tumor of the hand, histopathologic confirmation of glomus tumor, and having undergone preoperative MRI. Twenty-one patients were enrolled. The characteristics of the tumors and the presenting symptoms including pain, tenderness, and sensitivity to temperature change were retrospectively reviewed.

Results Five out of 21 patients (23%) did not show the typical glomus tumor symptom triad because they did not complain of pain provoked by coldness. Nevertheless, preoperative MRI showed well-defined small soft-tissue lesions on T1- and T2-weighted images, which are typical findings of glomus tumors. The tumors were completely resected and confirmed as glomus tumor histopathologically.

Conclusions Early occult lesions of glomus tumor in the hand may not be revealed by physical examination because of their barely detectable symptoms. Moreover, subungual lesions may be particularly difficult to evaluate on physical examination. Our cases showed that MRI offers excellent diagnostic information in clinically undiagnosed or misdiagnosed patients. Preoperative MRI can accurately define the character and extent of glomus tumor, even though it is impalpable and invisible.
Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Using Matriderm In Comparison with a Skin Graft
Authors: Jeon Hyojin , Kim Junhyung , Yeo Hyeonjung , Jeong Hoijoon , Son Daegu , Han Kihwan
Published: July 2013

Background For patients with neuropathy, vasculopathy, and impairment of wound healing, treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer poses many challenges. A large number of dermal analogues have been invented in an effort to overcome these challenges. Matriderm, a dermal analogue, is made from bovine collagen and elastin. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness of Matriderm for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, in comparison with skin grafting.

Methods Sixty patients with diabetic foot ulcer were included in this prospective study. The average age of the patients, who had type II diabetes mellitus, was 58 years old. The patients were allocated to an experimental or control group with their consents. The patients were selected with their consent for inclusion in an experimental group and a control group. Patients in the experimental group received a Matriderm appliance and a split-thickness skin graft, while those in the control group received only a split-thickness skin graft.

Results A shorter hospitalization period (7.52 weeks) was observed in the experimental group than in the control group (9.22 weeks), and a shorter period of time (8.61 weeks) was required for complete healing, compared with the control group (12.94 weeks), with statistical significance (P<0.05). A higher elasticity ratio of the affected side to the non-affected side was observed in the experimental group, compared with the control group (P<0.01).

Conclusions Matriderm enables effective healing and improves elasticity in treatment of patients with diabetic foot ulcer.
Modified Double-Eyelid Blepharoplasty Using the Single-Knot Continuous Buried Non-Incisional Technique
Authors: Moon Kyung-Chul , Yoon Eul-Sik , Lee Jun-Mun
Published: July 2013

Background Buried non-incisional double-eyelid blepharoplasty is a popular aesthetic procedure. Although various modified continuous suture techniques have been used to create a more natural appearance and to reduce downtime, complications such as loosening of the double fold, asymmetry, and foreign body reactions have been observed.

Methods This study included 250 patients who underwent double-eyelid blepharoplasty between March 1997 and November 2012 using a modified single-knot continuous buried non-incisional technique. With 4 stab incisions in the upper eyelids, one of two needles loaded with double-armed 7-0 nylon was passed in one direction alternately through the dermis and the conjunctiva, while the other needle was passed subconjunctivally in the opposite direction. Both ends of the sutures were knotted within a lateral stab incision of the upper eyelids and were buried in the orbicularis oculi muscle.

Results Most patients displayed satisfactory aesthetic results, and no significant complications occurred. There was no obvious regression of the double fold; however, 3 patients required reoperation to correct loosening of the fold on one side during the follow-up period. One patient presented with the suture knot subcutaneously, and the knot was removed in the clinic.

Conclusions The modified single-knot continuous buried non-incisional technique is a simple and less time-consuming method for a durable double fold and provides satisfactory aesthetic results.
Personal Factors that Affect the Satisfaction of Female Patients Undergoing Esthetic Suture after Typical Thyroidectomy
Authors: Kim Hyo Young , Kim Jung Won , Park Jin Hyung , Kim Jung Hun , Han Yea Sik
Published: July 2013

Background In esthetic surgery, understanding the factors that influence patient satisfaction is important for successful practice. We hypothesize that the factors that influence patient satisfaction include not only aesthetic and functional outcomes, but also personal factors such as the level of familiarity with factors affecting wound healing and expectations regarding aesthetic outcome.

Methods One hundred patients who underwent esthetic closure after thyroidectomy were included in this study. In order to evaluate the individual characteristics of the patients, a preoperative survey was administered to the patients. We estimated the patient satisfaction six months postoperatively and assessed the aesthetic and functional outcomes using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale.

Results According to the results of correlation analysis, level of familiarity with wound healing factors had a positive correlation with satisfaction. High expectations, pain, itching, and high observer scale score had negative correlations with satisfaction. The factors that were correlated with satisfaction were included in the multiple regression analysis. Level of familiarity with wound healing factors was found to have a positive relationship with satisfaction, while itching and observer scale were found to have a negative relationship with satisfaction. After excluding 10 patients who had hypertrophic scars, only level of familiarity with wound healing factors and expectations affected satisfaction.

Conclusions The level of familiarity with factors affecting wound healing and expectations were found to independently affect satisfaction. Improving patients' level of familiarity with wound healing factors and reducing their expectations by providing suitable preoperative education has the potential to improve patient satisfaction.
The Utility of a Three-Dimensional Approach with T-Shaped Osteotomy in Osseous Genioplasty
Authors: Jegal Jung Jae , Kang Seok Joo , Kim Jin Woo , Sun Hook
Published: July 2013

Background Facial beauty depends on the form, proportion, and position of various units of the face. In terms of the frontal view and facial profile, the chin is the most prominent aesthetic element of the lower third of the face. Many methods have been implemented to obtain good proportions of the lower face. In this study, we applied the T-shaped genioplasty method to correcting chin deformities.

Methods All of the procedures in 9 cases were performed under general anesthesia. For genioplasty, a horizontal cutting line and 1 or 2 vertical cutting lines were drawn 5 mm below the mental foramen. Osteotomed bone segments of the chin were used for horizontal widening using bone grafts or for horizontal shortening. Likewise, they were used as bone grafts for vertical lengthening or vertical shortening. The bone segments were approximated in the midline and held in place using miniplates.

Results The postoperative appearance of the 9 cases showed that the lower third of the face had been naturally changed. At the same time, vertical lengthening or shortening, and horizontal widening or shortening could be implemented during the operation. Satisfactory results were obtained based on reviews of the patients' preoperative and postoperative photographs. The patients were also satisfied with the outcomes.

Conclusions Using T-shaped genioplasty, we efficiently adjusted the shape and position of the chin to obtain good proportions of the lower face and change its contour to obtain an aesthetically appealing oval face in accordance with East Asians' aesthetic preferences.
Le gender mainstreaming, entre objectivation institutionnelle et apprentissage de l’égalité1
Authors: Perrier Gwenaëlle
Published: July 2013

L’article analyse les modalités concrètes de la mise en oeuvre du gender mainstreaming dans les politiques d’emploi à Berlin et en Île-de-France au cours des années 2000. Il analyse les logiques de fonctionnement et les usages des deux principaux instruments qui opérationnalisent cette approche de l’égalité entre les sexes : les postes de promotion de l’égalité et les formations à l’égalité au sein des services publics de l’emploi français et allemand. Si l’introduction de ces instruments légitime la prise en compte de l’objectif d’égalité au sein des services publics de l’emploi et marque un changement important dans le diagnostic porté sur les causes des inégalités entre les sexes dans l’emploi, leur réappropriation par la majorité des acteurs de ces politiques reste limitée.
Le gender mainstreaming et la loi sur la violence domestique contre les femmes au Mozambique : les raisons de la controverse1
Authors: Mendy Angèle Flora
Published: July 2013

Dans le domaine du genre, le Mozambique est présenté comme un bon exemple en Afrique. Le pays est signataire de nombreuses conventions et est associé aux grandes déclarations internationales dédiées à l’égalité des droits entre hommes et femmes. Soutenue par les organisations nationales et internationales, la loi très controversée sur « la violence domestique contre les femmes », adoptée en juillet 2009, est une action prioritaire pour mettre en oeuvre legender mainstreamingmême si le pays est caractérisé par une forte diversité ethnique et deux traditions de genre fort différentes.
Quand l’institutionnalisation du genre s’ethnicise. Le cas bolivien
Authors: Nagels Nora
Published: July 2013

L’accession au pouvoir en Bolivie d’Evo Morales transforme l’institutionnalisation du genre. La lutte contre les discriminations de genre, tout comme celles d’origine ethnique, ne se concentre désormais plus uniquement dans des entités institutionnelles spécifiques. À partir d’une analyse de discours, cet article pose la question de la politisation ambivalente des rapports sociaux de sexe concomitants à ces changements institutionnels. L’association du concept de genre aux principes andins permet une politisation des rapports sociaux de sexe. Cependant, ce processus est affaibli par l’invisibilité du genre aux expériences autochtones et l’assimilation du patriarcat à la colonisation, qui tendent à une dépolitisation du genre.
Résidence alternée : la justice face aux rapports sociaux de sexe et de classe
Authors: Bessière Céline , Biland Émilie , Fillod-Chabaud Aurélie
Published: July 2013

En 2002, en introduisant dans le Code civil la possibilité de résidence alternée des enfants suite à la séparation de leurs parents, les législateurs français ont institutionnalisé le principe de « coparentalité ». Dix ans après, la résidence des enfants chez leur mère continue pourtant de s’imposer massivement lors du règlement judiciaire des ruptures conjugales. À la lumière d’une enquête menée dans quatre tribunaux entre 2009 et 2010, l’article interroge les raisons de la progression limitée de la résidence alternée. Il explique pourquoi les pères et surtout les mères occupant des positions professionnelles stables, les affiliant souvent aux classes moyennes voire supérieures, ont nettement plus de chances de recourir à la résidence alternée que les hommes et les femmes des catégories populaires.
Maintien en emploi et inégalités de sexe
Authors: Kuehni Morgane , Rosende Magdalena , Schoeni Céline
Published: July 2013

S’appuyant sur les données statistiques recueillies dans le cadre d’une recherche sur l’égalité entre les hommes et les femmes séniors en Suisse, l’article propose une analyse de la seconde partie de carrière sous l’angle de la division sexuelle du travail. Les taux élevés d’emploi des deux sexes dans ce pays tendent à masquer les inégalités de genre en matière d’insertion professionnelle, d’accès à la retraite et de cumul de charges de travail professionnelle et domestique. Fortement structurés par un « régime de genre traditionnel », les politiques publiques et le marché du travail concourent à allonger la durée de vie active des femmes afin qu’elles puissent assurer leur subsistance économique.
Politique de la merveille : Le Charlatan ou le Docteur Sacroton (1780) de Mercier, préfiguration de la première société du spectacle
Authors: Poirson Martial
Published: July 2013

Le Charlatan ou le Docteur Sacroton(1780) de Louis-Sébastien Mercier est propice à l’analyse d’une sorte de « première société du spectacle ». La comédie-parade interroge, par cette figure éminemment théâtrale, la civilisation du simulacre qui éclot au coeur du Siècle des Lumières. Le personnage du bonimenteur surjoue le rapport à l’illusion théâtrale, multiplie les effets d’ostentation spectaculaire et suggère l’existence d’une relation désintermédiée entre orateur et auditeur. En tant que figure de comédien, mais également du tribun, susceptible de haranguer les foules et d’anticiper sur les effets de réception, il apparaît comme un procédé commode d’« artification », susceptible de porter le doute sur l’espace public structuré par la représentation. Mercier met ainsi en place une véritable politique de la merveille : au-delà de la satire du charlatan et des croyances populaires, la plaisante évocation de cette parole susceptible de donner vie, à la manière du mystère de l’Eucharistie, lui permet non seulement de sublimer l’efficacité symbolique du dispositif théâtralisé, mais encore d’entacher l’autodétermination et la conscience critique du public dont il vient pourtant de glorifier la capacité de jugement. Il s’agit de proposer une analyse dramaturgique précise de l’économie des affects et de l’anthropologie de l’attention qui s’y jouent.
« La lâcheté n’est point un crime, le courage n’est pas une vertu » : défaillances de l’Histoire, défaillances du corps dans Lorenzaccio, Chatterton et Ruy Blas
Authors: Forest Marjolaine
Published: July 2013

Intermédiaire essentiel des enjeux idéologiques, politiques ou esthétiques portés par une pièce, le corps s’agrège par là même aux diverses médiations d’une réflexion ayant pour objet la socialité au théâtre. Le corps en scène suscite un intérêt tout particulier dès lors qu’il s’agit de son traitement par le drame romantique, dont l’efficacité démonstrative est servie aussi par l’incarnation. Dans Lorenzaccio, Chatterton et Ruy Blas, cette efficacité repose notamment sur la conception et la représentation d’un protagoniste dont la présence scénique s’élabore sur le mode de la carence : on tentera ainsi de montrer que le corps de chacun de ces trois héros romantiques est le symbole d’une Histoire défaillante par le spectacle de sa défaillance même.
Le théâtre, la littérature et les valeurs marchandes. Une analyse sociocritique de Chatterton et de Ruy Blas entre hier et aujourd’hui
Authors: Loncle Stéphanie
Published: July 2013

Chatterton(1835) etRuy Blas(1838) proposent une réflexion sur la marchandisation des valeurs de l’art et de la politique au moment même où l’organisation marchande des activités théâtrales crée des tensions dans le monde des théâtres. Dans ces deux pièces, les personnages sont pris dans une relation marchande qui contraint leur action ou leur travail. Leurs discours produisent une compréhension (plus ou moins critique, plus ou moins cohérente) de cette situation qui concerne, en fait, une grande partie de la société de l’époque. Ces pièces offrent ainsi aux acteurs la possibilité de faire dialoguer leur personnage avec leur propre situation de travail (une performance scénique rémunérée dans un système théâtral en cours de libéralisation) et aux spectateurs, celle de s’interroger sur ce nouveau fait de société que constitue l’institutionnalisation du marché du travail.
La scène espagnole contemporaine et le « suprathéâtre » d’Angélica Liddell : un défi pour la sociocritique ?
Authors: Muñoz Cristina Vinuesa
Published: July 2013

Face à un contexte social incertain, de jeunes dramaturges espagnols contemporains cherchent à s’interroger sur l’Histoire et leur société à travers la remise en cause de la représentation. Certains auteurs font de leur création une performance analytique déconstruisant le fond (un contexte social mis en forme par un texte) par la forme (les signes non verbaux de la représentation) et vice versa. L’article analyse cette double posture au moyen de la pièce intitulée Perro muerto en tintorería: los fuertes (2007) d’Angélica Liddell (née en Espagne en 1966). Elle répond à la fois à cette tendance destructrice du code établi et à une réutilisation du théâtre dans sa dimension sociopolitique. Cette pièce complexe offre une relecture innovante et personnelle du Contrat social de Rousseau : Liddell saccage la scène et torture le texte, lui imposant un rythme sans cesse changeant. La sociocritique permet de mieux comprendre cette démarche suprathéâtrale en faisant du tout historique, pour reprendre la notion crosienne et les éléments qui la composent, un point de départ pour la réflexion.
Le bouffon, le zombie et l’idiot. Trois figures de la folie politique et sociale sur les scènes contemporaines
Authors: Losco-Lena Mireille
Published: July 2013

L’article propose une approche sociocritique du comique dans le théâtre contemporain à travers l’examen de trois figures de la folie – politique et sociale – présentes dans un corpus de pièces écrites en Europe depuis une quinzaine d’années, et dessinant les contours d’un théâtre des fous à l’usage de notre temps. Ces trois figures, le « bouffon », le « zombie » et l’« idiot », mettent en lumière des problématiques différentes de la société occidentale contemporaine. Le bouffon, et plus particulièrement l’« ubuesque », est la figure du grand écart entre le pouvoir et l’indignité de celui qui l’exerce ; il renvoie aux inquiétudes européennes relatives à la fragilité de la démocratie. Le zombie est relié à la société de consommation : il est le vivant déjà mort parce que mortellement aliéné à la marchandise, et dont la vie a perdu consistance, authenticité et subjectivité. L’idiot, enfin, par son inadaptation foncière au monde et son improbable naïveté, entretient un commerce minimal avec les représentations dominantes et, par cela même, semble le seul « fou » du théâtre contemporain à savoir encore manifester de la puissance de vie.
Lire le social à travers le théâtre, lire le théâtre à travers le social : les représentations théâtrales du (monde du) travail en France aujourd’hui, entre sociologie critique et sociologie esthétique de la critique
Authors: Hamidi-Kim Bérénice
Published: July 2013

Inspiré par le cadre d’une réflexion collective sur ce que pourrait être une sociocritique du théâtre, l’enjeu de cet article est de proposer une réflexion connexe qui se fixe pour objectif, partant d’une caractérisation assez souple de cette façon d’approcher les objets artistiques selon une démarche plus largement sociologique, de formuler un certain nombre d’hypothèses sur un objet d’étude – la façon dont le théâtre représente le travail et le monde du travail en France aujourd’hui – et sur le geste d’analyse qu’il implique. Située à la croisée de l’esthétique et du social, d’un geste scientifique et d’un geste politique, la proposition critique consiste, dans un mouvement de balancier, à « lire le social à travers le théâtre » tout autant qu’à « lire le théâtre à travers le social ».
“My body’s a 50 year‐old but my brain is definitely an 85 year‐old”: exploring the experiences of men ageing with HIV‐associated neurocognitive challenges
Authors: Hopcroft Lisa , Bester Laura , Clement Daniel , Quigley Adria , Sachdeva Manisha , Rourke Sean B , Nixon Stephanie A
Published: July 2013

Introduction

Research investigating HIV, neurocognition and ageing is well developed using neuropsychometric or other quantitative approaches; however, little is known about individuals’ subjective experiences. The purpose of this article is to explore the experiences of men aged 50 and older who self‐identify as having HIV‐associated neurocognitive challenges. In particular, this study uses the Episodic Disability Framework (EDF) to explore participants’ perceptions regarding: 1) symptoms/impairments, difficulties with day‐to‐day activities, challenges with social inclusion and uncertainty; 2) ageing as related to their HIV‐associated neurocognitive challenges, and 3) the episodic nature of their HIV‐associated neurocognitive challenges.

Methods

This qualitative, interpretive study involved in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with 12 men aged 50 years and older who self‐identified as having HIV‐associated neurocognitive challenges. Participants were recruited from a neurobehavioural research unit (NBRU) at a large hospital in Toronto, Canada. Data were analyzed thematically and with reference to the EDF.

Results

Participants’ experiences reflected all concepts within the EDF to some extent. Difficulties with daily activities were diverse but were addressed using similar living strategies. Participants described challenges with work and social relationships resulting from neurocognitive challenges. Participants downplayed the significance of uncertainty in their lives, which they attributed to effective living strategies. Most men reported confusion regarding the link between their neurocognitive challenges and ageing. Others discussed ageing as an asset that helped with coping.

Conclusions

This is the first study to use a disability framework to examine the subjective experiences of men ageing with HIV‐associated neurocognitive challenges. Findings reframe the episodic disability experienced by these individuals as being predictably linked to certain triggers. As such, support for managing neurocognitive challenges could focus on triggers that exacerbate the condition in addition to the impairments themselves. The study also describes ageing as not only a source of problems but also as an asset among men growing older with HIV.
Enhancement of Focused Ultrasound Treatment by Acoustically Generated Microbubbles
Authors: Umemura Shin-ichiro , Yoshizawa Shin , Takagi Ryo , Inaba Yuta , Yasuda Jun
Published: July 2013

Microbubbles, whether introduced from outside the body or ultrasonically generated in situ, are known to significantly enhance the biological effects of ultrasound, including the mechanical, thermal, and sonochemical effects. Phase-change nanodroplets, which selectively accumulate in tumor tissue and whose phase changes to microbubbles can be induced by ultrasonic stimulation, have been proposed for high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) tumor treatment with enhanced selectivity and efficiency. In this paper, a purely acoustic approach to generate microbubble clouds in the tissue to be treated is proposed. Short pulses of focused ultrasound with extremely high intensity, named trigger pulses, are used for exposure. They are immediately followed by focused ultrasound for heating with an intensity similar to or less than that of normal HIFU treatment. The localized generation of microbubble clouds by the trigger pulses is observed in a polyarylamide gel by a high-speed camera, and the effectiveness of the generated clouds in accelerating ultrasonically induced thermal coagulation is confirmed in excised chicken breast tissue. The use of second-harmonic superimposed waves as the trigger pulses is also proposed. The highly reproducible initiation of cavitation by waves with the negative peak pressure emphasized and the efficient expansion of the generated microbubble clouds by waves with the positive peak pressure emphasized are also observed by a high-speed camera in partially degassed water.
Simultaneous Measurement of Air Temperature and Humidity Based on Sound Velocity and Attenuation Using Ultrasonic Probe
Authors: Motegi Takahiro , Mizutani Koichi , Wakatsuki Naoto
Published: July 2013

In this paper, an acoustic technique for air temperature and humidity measurement in moist air is described. The previous ultrasonic probe can enable the estimation of temperature from sound velocity in dry air by making use of the relationship between sound velocity and temperature. However, temperature measurement using the previous ultrasonic probe is not suitable in moist air because sound velocity also depends on humidity, and the temperature estimated from the sound velocity measured in moist air must be adjusted. Moreover, a method of humidity measurement by using only an ultrasonic probe has not been established. Thus, we focus on sound attenuation, which depends on temperature and humidity. Our proposed technique utilizes two parameters, sound velocity and attenuation, and can measure both temperature and humidity simultaneously. The acoustic technique for temperature and humidity measurement has the advantages that instantaneous temperature and humidity can be measured, and the measurement is not affected by thermal radiation because air itself is used as a sensing element. As an experiment, temperature and humidity are measured in a chamber, and compared with the reference values. The experimental results indicate the achievement of a practical temperature measurement accuracy of within ±0.5 K in moist air, of which the temperature is 293–308 K and relative humidity (RH) is 50–90% RH, and the simultaneous measurement of temperature and humidity.
Interval of Observation Plane in Visualization of Region near Defects in Billets Using Ultrasonic Computerized Tomography Method
Authors: Kakuma Koichi , Norose Yoko , Mizutani Koichi , Wakatsuki Naoto
Published: July 2013

We performed defect detection simulation considering billets with a deep-hole or spherical defect. We conducted defect detection in a billet of duralumin with a deep-hole defect and found no discrepancy between our previous and present research results because the images obtained are similar. We also conducted defect detection in a billet of steel with a spherical defect. We obtained visualization images in multiple measurement planes. We also obtained three-dimensional visualization images by binarizing the pseudo sound velocity. From the images, we found that the three-dimensional visualization of spherical defects is possible and that the scanning pitch in the longitudinal direction is about 10 mm at maximum.
Three-Dimensional Sound Field Analysis Using Compact Explicit-Finite Difference Time Domain Method with Graphics Processing Unit Cluster System
Authors: Ishii Takuto , Tsuchiya Takao , Okubo Kan
Published: July 2013

In this study, the compact explicit-finite difference time domain (CE-FDTD) method is applied to the three-dimensional sound field analysis to reduce computer resources. There are various derivative schemes in the CE-FDTD method. They are first examined theoretically to evaluate the numerical accuracy. As a theoretical result, it is found that the interpolated wide band (IWB) scheme has the widest bandwidth in which the cut-off frequency is in agreement with the Nyquist frequency. The calculation performance is theoretically estimated, then experimentally evaluated with the graphics processing unit cluster system. As a result, it is found that the memory usage of the IWB scheme is less than one-third of that of the standard leapfrog (SLF) scheme to achieve the same cut-off frequency. It is also found that the calculation time of the IWB scheme with the shared memory is about 19% compared with that of the SLF scheme with the graphics processing unit (GPU) cluster system. The impulse response is calculated for a large room with a volume capacity of about 4500 m3 in which the sampling rate was 40 kHz. It is confirmed that the three-dimensional sound field with the natural reverberation can be calculated by the IWB scheme.
Basic Study on Estimating Water Stress of a Plant Using Vibration Measurement of Leaf
Authors: Sano Motoaki , Sugimoto Tsuneyoshi , Hosoya Hiroshi , Ohaba Motoyoshi , Shibusawa Sakae
Published: July 2013

A new noninvasive method for estimating the water stress of a plant was proposed. In order to investigate this method, we first examined the characteristic frequency of an individual leaf picked from the plant, and obtained the result that its characteristic frequency decreased in proportion to the reduction in the water content of the leaf. Next, we applied this method to a leaf on a branch and confirmed the same tendency when the water stress was increased by stopping the water supply of a plant cultured in water. From these results, it was suggested that the water stress of the plant could be estimated from the vibration measurement of the leaf. Lastly, the relationship between the water potential of the leaf and its elastic constant was discussed with the soil-plant-atmosphere-continuum model (SPAC model), and Young's modulus of a tomato leaf was roughly estimated.
High-Accuracy Measurement of Small Movement of an Object behind Cloth Using Airborne Ultrasound
Authors: Hoshiba Kotaro , Hirata Shinnosuke , Hachiya Hiroyuki
Published: July 2013

The acoustic measurement of vital information such as breathing and heartbeat in the standing position whilst the subject is wearing clothes is a difficult problem. In this paper, we present the basic experimental results to measure small movement of an object behind cloth. We measured acoustic characteristics of various types of cloth to obtain the transmission loss through cloth. To observe the relationship between measurement error and target speed under a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), we tried to measure the movement of an object behind cloth. The target was placed apart from the cloth to separate the target reflection from the cloth reflection. We found that a small movement of less than 6 mm/s could be observed using the M-sequence, moving target indicator (MTI) filter, and tracking phase difference, when the SNR was less than 0 dB. We also present the results of theoretical error analysis in the MTI filter and phase tracking for high-accuracy measurement. Characteristics of the systematic error were clarified.
Study of Spurious Response near the Fast Shear Wave in SiO2/Al/LiNbO3 Structure
Authors: Goto Rei , Fujiwara Joji , Nakamura Hiroyuki , Tsurunari Tetsuya , Nakanishi Hidekazu , Hamaoka Yosuke
Published: July 2013

The shear horizontal (SH) mode on the SiO2/Al/LiNbO3 structure is studied because of its sufficient electromechanical coupling factor (K
2) and good temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF). The authors proposed a method of suppressing the spurious response of the Rayleigh mode and the transverse mode for narrow duplex gap applications. For the narrow duplex gap application, the SiO2 thickness must be increased to achieve good TCF characteristics. However, another spurious response appears near the fast shear wave with increasing SiO2 thickness. In this paper, we discuss the suppression mechanism of the spurious response near the fast shear wave.
Examinations of Behavior of Liquid Irradiated with High-Intensity Aerial Ultrasonic Waves in a Long Pore
Authors: Ito Youichi , Kato Ryo , Osumi Ayumu
Published: July 2013

We experimentally verified the method of using the radiation force of high-intensity aerial ultrasonic waves at a frequency of 20 kHz to remove a liquid that entered a long pore. It was found that, on the wall surface of a cavity formed in the pore after the liquid had been removed by irradiating with ultrasonic waves, a small number of residual liquid drops linearly accumulated at multiple positions along the internal circumference of the cavity wall. The positions irregularly changed as the removal progressed. It can be considered that this phenomenon was mainly caused by the acoustic radiation force produced by nonlinear aerial ultrasonic waves. To explain this phenomenon, we observed in detail the behavior of the liquid; in addition, we performed a simulation of the acoustic radiation force produced by nonlinear aerial ultrasonic waves in a long pore, and compared the results of the simulation with the observed behavior of the liquid.
Optical Phase Contrast Mapping of Highly Focused Ultrasonic Fields
Authors: Harigane Soichiro , Miyasaka Ryo , Yoshizawa Shin , Umemura Shin-ichiro
Published: July 2013

The most common method of measuring an ultrasonic pressure field is a hydrophone scan. However, this method has a long scanning time and disturbs the acoustic field. In this study, we used an optical phase contrast method for the measurement. Because this method uses light, fast and noninvasive measurement can be performed. The projections of an ultrasonic pressure field were obtained with a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, and the three-dimensional (3D) acoustic pressure field was reconstructed using a computed tomography (CT) algorithm from these projections. The result was compared with that of hydrophone measurement and demonstrated the successful reconstruction of a focal ultrasonic pressure field.
Efficient Generation of Cavitation Bubbles in Gel Phantom by Ultrasound Exposure with Negative-Followed by Positive-Peak-Pressure-Emphasized Waves
Authors: Yasuda Jun , Asai Ayumu , Yoshizawa Shin , Umemura Shin-ichiro
Published: July 2013

Cavitation bubbles have much potential for emphasizing therapeutic treatments such as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment, histotripsy, and sonodynamic therapy. Their highly efficient as well as controlled generation is important to utilize them effectively as well as safely. However, producing negative pressure over the cavitation threshold by focused ultrasound is difficult because of the nonlinear propagation combined with the focal phase shift. We have suggested a dual-frequency ultrasound exposure method, in which N- and P-waves emphasizing either the peak negative or positive pressure, respectively, are synthesized by superimposing the second harmonic onto the fundamental frequency. In this study, high-speed camera observation demonstrated that the exposure with N-waves immediately followed by P-waves could generate cavitation bubbles most efficiently in gel phantom. Furthermore, the measured negative and positive pressure distributions of the N- and P-wave fields, respectively, agreed well with the optically observed distributions of cavitation inception and cavitation cloud growth.
Improvement of Automated Identification of the Heart Wall in Echocardiography by Suppressing Clutter Component
Authors: Takahashi Hiroki , Hasegawa Hideyuki , Kanai Hiroshi
Published: July 2013

For the facilitation of analysis and elimination of the operator dependence in estimating the myocardial function in echocardiography, we have previously developed a method for automated identification of the heart wall. However, there are misclassified regions because the magnitude-squared coherence (MSC) function of echo signals, which is one of the features in the previous method, is sensitively affected by the clutter components such as multiple reflection and off-axis echo from external tissue or the nearby myocardium. The objective of the present study is to improve the performance of automated identification of the heart wall. For this purpose, we proposed a method to suppress the effect of the clutter components on the MSC of echo signals by applying an adaptive moving target indicator (MTI) filter to echo signals. In vivo experimental results showed that the misclassified regions were significantly reduced using our proposed method in the longitudinal axis view of the heart.
Ultrasonic Measurement of Microdisplacement Induced by Acoustic Radiation Force
Authors: Nagaoka Ryo , Izumi Takuya , Komatsu Yosuke , Kobayashi Kazuto , Saijo Yoshifumi
Published: July 2013

Quantitative evaluation of human skin aging is achieved by measuring the viscoelasticity of the skin. In the present study, microdisplacement induced by acoustic radiation force (ARF) is quantitatively measured by high-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS) and the result is confirmed by laser-Doppler velocimetry (LDV). Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with 1% cellulose particles was used as the biological phantom. A concave piezoelectric zirconate titanate (PZT) transducer with a diameter and focal length of 3 cm was used as an applicator to generate ARF. Microdisplacement at each depth of PVA was measured by the phased tracking method at 100 MHz of ultrasound with a repetition rate of 2000 Hz. When 80 tone-burst pulses were applied, the displacement measured by HFUS was 9 µm and the same result was obtained by LDV. As the displacement at each depth of PVA is measurable using ARF and the HFUS system, the system could be applied to measuring the viscoelasticity of the layered structure of the human skin.
Calibration Method in Elasticity Evaluation of Regenerating Cartilage Based on Ultrasonic Particle Velocity
Authors: Nitta Naotaka , Hyodo Koji , Misawa Masaki , Hayashi Kazuhiko , Shirasaki Yoshio , Homma Kazuhiro , Shiina Tsuyoshi
Published: July 2013

It is important in regenerative medicine to evaluate the maturity of regenerating tissue. In the maturity evaluation of regenerating cartilage, it is useful to measure the temporal change in elasticity because the maturity of regenerating tissue is closely related to its elasticity. In this study, a quantitative elasticity evaluation of extracted regenerating cartilage samples, which is based on the laser Doppler measurement of ultrasonic particle velocity and calibration, was experimentally investigated using agar-based phantoms with different Young's moduli and regenerating cartilage samples extracted from beagles in animal experiments. The experimental results verified the feasibility of the proposed method for the elasticity evaluation of regenerating cartilage samples.
Examination of Absorbing Boundary Condition Using Perfectly Matched Layer for Collocated Orthogonal Grid in Method of Characteristics
Authors: Adachi Junpei , Okubo Kan , Tagawa Norio , Tsuchiya Takao , Ishizuka Takashi
Published: July 2013

The time domain numerical analysis of sound wave propagation has been performed widely as a result of computer development. The method of characteristics (MOC) is used as a time domain numerical analysis method. In multidimensional MOC sound wave analysis, the so-called automatically absorbing boundary (without additional outer boundary treatment) does not have excellent absorbing performance. To overcome this problem, we introduce the perfectly matched layer (PML) technique into MOC simulation. Through this study, it is clarified that the PML (L = 16) reflection at a vertical incidence is approximately 22 dB lower than the automatically absorbing boundary (without PML) in the simulation by the QUICKEST method.
Localization of Acoustic Reflective Boundary Using a Pair of Microphones and an Arbitrary Sound Source
Authors: Zempo Keiichi , Mizutani Koichi , Wakatsuki Naoto
Published: July 2013

Compassing the spatial shape is sometimes performed to develop a surround speaker system or enhance a signal. Although the spatial shape is reconstituted from the boundary position, conventional methods offer arrays consisting of a large number of elements (microphones and loudspeakers). In this research, we developed a method of localizing the acoustic reflective boundary based on the direction-of-arrival (DOA) of direct and reflected sounds using a pair of microphones. This method offers the DOA values of direct and reflected arbitrary sound sources. Although the estimation involves some estimation errors caused by approximations in the calculation, the correction function was obtained from several conditions numerically. Results indicate that it is possible to localize the reflective boundary almost accurately (the average error ratio from the true value is below 10%) through the presented method.