bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sampling and modelling rare species: Conceptual guidelines for the neglected majority
Authors: Jeliazkov Alienor , Gavish Yoni , Marsh Charles J. , Geschke Jonas , Brummitt Neil , Rocchini Duccio , Haase Peter , Kunin William E. , Henle Klaus
Published: January 2022

Biodiversity conservation faces a methodological conundrum: Biodiversity measurement often relies on species, most of which are rare at various scales, especially prone to extinction under global change, but also the most challenging to sample and model. Predicting the distribution change of rare species using conventional species distribution models is challenging because rare species are hardly captured by most survey systems. When enough data are available, predictions are usually spatially biased towards locations where the species is most likely to occur, violating the assumptions of many modelling frameworks. Workflows to predict and eventually map rare species distributions imply important trade‐offs between data quantity, quality, representativeness and model complexity that need to be considered prior to survey and analysis. Our opinion is that study designs need to carefully integrate the different steps, from species sampling to modelling, in accordance with the different types of rarity and available data in order to improve our capacity for sound assessment and prediction of rare species distribution. In this article, we summarize and comment on how different categories of species rarity lead to different types of occurrence and distribution data depending on choices made during the survey process, namely the spatial distribution of samples (where to sample) and the sampling protocol in each selected location (how to sample). We then clarify which species distribution models are suitable depending on the different types of distribution data (how to model). Among others, for most rarity forms, we highlight the insights from systematic species‐targeted sampling coupled with hierarchical models that allow correcting for overdispersion and spatial and sampling sources of bias. Our article provides scientists and practitioners with a much‐needed guide through the ever‐increasing diversity of methodological developments to improve the prediction of rare species distribution depending on rarity type and available data.
Two‐stage development, allocation strategies' effect, and industrial land policies' adjustment, China
Authors: Zhang Danxia , Zhang Juanfeng , Han Rui , Zhan Dongsheng
Published: January 2022

Local governments are faced with ‘financial’ and ‘political’ double‐pressure to attract business investment with the low‐price industrial land in China. This study tests the effect of industrial land allocation strategy on local tax and employment using the Driscoll‐Kraay (D‐K) standard error fixed‐effect model in different stages. The empirical results indicate that the taxation and employment‐pulling effects are still effective in the full‐sample model. However, in the stage of rapid economic development (2007–2012), the interaction term coefficient between industrial land scale and price is –0.026 and is significant at 5% level. This result suggests that the low‐price and large‐scale industrial land allocation strategies of local governments have a significant impact on the tax. For every 1% decrease in industrial land price, the regional employment growth is 0.071%. In the structure transformation stage (2013–2019), the industrial land scale can influence increasing local taxation. The effectiveness of local government industrial land allocation strategy on regional employment is weakened.
Evaluation of Extensive Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedances Following Remediation by In Situ Chemical Oxidation
Authors: Herman John P. , Missimer Thomas M.
Published: January 2022

In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) with activated persulfate is commonly used for the remediation of petroleum impacted soil and groundwater because of its proven efficiency and the perception that reaction end products are completely innocuous. While the reaction products are less hazardous compared to the contaminants being treated, they may inadvertently prolong site closure in areas that have adopted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) as enforceable standards. This study examines the occurrence and persistence of iron, manganese, sulfate, sodium, and total dissolved solids (TDS) in groundwater following persulfate ISCO. The concentrations of these chemicals were observed remaining above their respective regulatory criteria almost 3 years following the chemical application. Background concentrations and mobilization due to the petroleum contamination and ISCO application are also evaluated. Baseline sampling revealed substantially higher iron and manganese concentrations inside the plume area compared to the upgradient and downgradient wells suggesting mobilization due to redox reactions occurring inside of the plume. Iron was not a component in the applied chemical formula, yet the iron concentration spiked by 366% in the key monitoring well during the first post‐remediation monitoring event. Ionic interactions between the ISCO amendment and native soils are believed to be responsible for displacing significant quantities of iron from the soil. Sulfate, sodium, and TDS exceedances are primarily associated with decomposition products of the ISCO amendments. The iron, manganese, sulfate, sodium, and TDS concentrations are trending downward over time, but still exceed regulatory criteria or pre‐ISCO concentrations.
Extracellular vesicles from helicobacter pylori‐infected cells and helicobacter pylori outer membrane vesicles in atherosclerosis
Authors: Qiang Liming , Hu Jianguo , Tian Mingyuan , Li Yu , Ren Chao , Deng Yi , Jiang Yuan
Published: January 2022

Background

The role of H. pylori infection has been reported in various extragastric diseases, particularly, the correlation between H. pylori and atherosclerosis (AS) have received lots of attention. Some scholars demonstrated that the presence of H. pylori‐specific DNA in the sclerotic plaques of atheromatous patients provides biological evidences, with indicating that H. pylori infection is a potential factor of AS. However, the underlying mechanism of H. pylori or their products cross the epithelial barriers to enter the blood circulation remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that the extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from H. pylori‐infected gastric epithelial cells encapsulated H. pylori virulence factor cytotoxin‐associated gene A (CagA) and existed in the blood samples of patients or mice, which indicating that they can carry CagA into the blood circulation. Based on these findings, some researchers proposed a hypothesis that H. pylori is involved in the pathogenesis of AS via EVs‐based mechanisms. In addition, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) serve as transport vehicles to deliver H. pylori virulence factors to epithelial cells. It is necessary to discuss the role of H. pylori OMVs in the development of AS.

Objectives

This review will focus on the correlation between H. pylori infection and AS and tried to unveil the possible role of EVs from H. pylori‐infected cells and H. pylori OMVs in the pathogenesis of AS, with a view to providing help in refining our knowledge in this aspect.

Methods

All of information included in this review was retrieved from published studies on H. pylori infection in AS.

Results

H. pylori infection may be an atherosclerotic risk factor and drives researchers to reevaluate the role of H. pylori in the pathogenesis of AS. Some findings proposed a new hypothesis that H. pylori may be involved in the pathogenesis of AS through EVs‐based mechanisms. Besides EVs from H. pylori‐infected cells, whether H. pylori OMVs may play some role in the pathogenesis of AS is still remain unclear.

Conclusion

Existing epidemiological and clinical evidence had shown that there is a possible association between H. pylori and AS. However, except for the larger randomized controlled trials, more basic research about EVs from H. pylori‐infected cells and H. pylori OMVs is the need of the hour to unveil the possible role of H. pylori infection in the pathogenesis of AS.
Arabic‐language manuscript and print as a source for Indian Ocean Islamic history: The case of East Africa
Authors: Bang Anne K.
Published: January 2022

In the Indian Ocean Islamic world, Arabic‐language texts have been the foundation of what has been called an Arabic cosmopolis and a Sunni Islamic ecumene. In East Africa, this historical material can be found in extant collections in manuscript and printed form, and has formed the basis of research over the past decades that investigate local, regional and trans‐oceanic Islamic histories. The nature of this corpus means that it is spread across several modern nation states and a diverse range of custodians. Here is offered an overview of the material available for research in the Western part of the Indian Ocean, also known as the Swahili world. The Arabic textual material that can be found in this part of the Indian Ocean has a strong potential to enrich the study of Islam in the region, but also to inform the wider field of Islamic history. This article offers pointers to avenues for future research.
Grain coalescence in (Ti0.2Zr0.2Hf0.2Nb0.2Ta0.2)C during spark plasma sintering
Authors: Xu Jingkun , Zhao Fangnan , He Shan , Liu Zetan , Xie Zhipeng
Published: January 2022

High‐entropy (Ti0.2Zr0.2Hf0.2Nb0.2Ta0.2)C ceramics (HEC) are fabricated via spark plasma sintering using different die configurations, including the conductive and insulating dies. Compared to the conductive die, the grain sizes of samples sintered in the insulating die are significantly larger, which is attributed to the higher local temperature as a result of the higher current density in the sample. Furthermore, the microstructure evolution and grain growth mechanism of HEC are investigated for the first time. We find that at moderate temperatures (∼1600°C), the grain growth of HEC can occur by a grain coalescence mechanism, forming numerous irregular grains in the porous sample. Three factors are crucial to induce grain coalescence, including the formation of partial melting layers on particle surfaces, nanograin rearrangement via rotation and sliding, and the formation of low‐angle grain boundaries. During the final sintering stage, the irregular grains will change into polyhedral shapes by grain boundary migration. These findings are of assistance to better understand and control the microstructure evolution of HEC and other ultrahigh‐temperature carbide ceramics.
Preparation of high entropy nitride ceramic nanofibers from liquid precursor for CO2 photocatalytic reduction
Authors: Li Wei , Sun Yanan , Ye Li , Han Weijian , Chen Fenghua , Zhang Jianling , Zhao Tong
Published: January 2022

Subjected to the manufacturing methods (sputtering or mechanochemical synthesis), the reported high entropy nitrides (HENs) were limited to the forms of coating and powder. Here, we report a novel strategy in preparing HEN ceramic nanofibers (HENCNFs) from liquid precursor via electrospinning followed by high‐temperature NH3 atmosphere nitridation. The as‐prepared HENCNFs include five uniform dispersed metal elements, Ti, Hf, Nb, Ta, and Mo, and have a single face‐centered cubic structure. Interestingly, the obtained HENCNFs show photocatalyst activity in CO2 reduction. The product selectivity of photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction is 96.4%, and no performance degradation was detected during five cycles photocatalysis test.
(Re)defining their place at the table: Frank discussions by adults with disabilities on contemporary self‐advocacy
Authors: Miller Amanda L. , Frye David , Green Thelma , Mitchell Cheri , Garcia George , Huereña Juliana , Moore Teresa , Turnage Vicki
Published: January 2022

Adults with disabilities have long been at the forefront of disability advocacy in the United States. Grounded in the tenets of radical disability studies and principles of disability justice, this study explored the lived experiences of 12 adults with disabilities, including intellectual disability and developmental disabilities, with a particular focus on self‐advocacy. Two focus groups were primary data sources. Three participants and one university‐based researcher analyzed the data collaboratively. Iterative data collection and analysis yielded 8 primary codes and 22 subcodes. We discuss a subset of our findings, focusing on three major themes. The findings illuminated how adults with disabilities conceptualised self‐advocacy expansively, including self, other, and the collective. Participants also described problems they faced advocating. Finally, adults with disabilities shared solutions to inequities at individual, group, and societal levels. This project illustrates the importance of centering adults with disabilities in research and policy with implications for future thought.
Quantitative evaluation of insulin‐induced abdominal subcutaneous dystrophic tissue using shear wave elastography
Authors: Sato Genki , Uchino Hiroshi , Shimizu Yosuke , Tatebe Junko , Morita Toshisuke , Hirose Takahisa
Published: January 2022

Aims/Introduction

Subcutaneous dystrophic tissue (DT) produced by insulin injection causes dysglycemia owing to inadequate absorption of insulin. However, precise techniques for measuring DT have not been established. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is an imaging technology that can quantify tissue stiffness. In this study, insulin injection‐induced DT was quantified using SWE to generate whole‐abdominal wall subcutaneous tissue by three‐dimensional (3D) imaging in patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated with multiple insulin injections.

Materials and Methods

Seven patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited who received long‐standing multiple insulin injections. Using SWE, the shear wave velocity (SWV) of DT and control (normal subcutaneous tissue) was measured. Furthermore, two of seven patients underwent whole‐abdominal SWE examination to calculate the proportion of DT. A subcutaneous insulin tolerance test was also performed in both the DT and control tissues.

Results

The SWV in DT was significantly higher than that in the control tissue (2.87 [2.66–2.98] vs 1.29 [1.23–1.44] m/s, P < 0.01). The proportion of the DT volume was 0.67% and 5.21% for two individuals from the entire abdominal subcutaneous tissue volume. The area under the curve for the subcutaneously injected insulin aspart concentration at the DT sites was lower than that of the control tissue (75.0 [52.1–111] vs 116 [86.9–152.5] h*mU/L, P = 0.1).

Conclusions

SWE can be useful in quantifying abdominal subcutaneous insulin‐induced DT, especially the 3D volume of insulin injection‐induced DT from the entire abdominal subcutaneous tissue. This study is the first to examine the volume and distribution of abdominal subcutaneous DT using SWE.
Stable isotopes demonstrate seasonally stable benthic‐pelagic coupling as newly fixed nutrients are rapidly transferred through food chains in an estuarine fish community
Authors: Cobain Matthew R. D. , McGill Rona A. R. , Trueman Clive N.
Published: January 2022

Seasonal differences in the availability of resources potentially result in the food web architecture also varying through time. Stable isotope analyses are a logistically simple but powerful tool for inferring trophic interactions and food web structure, but relatively few studies quantify seasonal variations in the food web structure or nutrient flux across multiple trophic levels. We determined the temporal dynamics in stable isotope compositions (carbon, nitrogen and sulphur) of a fish community from a highly seasonal, temperate estuary sampled monthly over a full annual cycle. Sulphur isotope values in fish tissues discriminated among consumers exploiting pelagic and benthic resources but showed no seasonal variation. This implied limited change in the relative consumption of pelagic and benthic resources by the fish community over the study period despite major seasonal changes in phytoplankton biomass. Conversely, carbon and nitrogen isotope values exhibited seasonality marked by the commencement of the spring phytoplankton bloom and peak chlorophyll concentration, with δ13C values following expected trends in phytoplankton growth physiology and variation in δ15N values coinciding with changes in major nitrogen sources to plankton between nitrate and ammonium. Isotope shifts in fish muscle were detected within 2 weeks of the peak spring phytoplankton bloom, suggesting a rapid trophic transfer of carbon and nitrogen along food chains within the estuarine food web during periods of high production. Therefore we caution against the assumption that temporal averaging effectively dampens isotopic variability in tissues of higher trophic‐level animals in highly dynamic ecosystems, such as temperate estuaries. This work highlights how stable isotope analyses can be combined with environmental data to gain a broader understanding of ecosystem functioning, while emphasising the need for temporally appropriate sampling in stable isotope‐based studies.
Development of a quality of life questionnaire for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (the PANNET module)
Authors: Ramage John K. , Friend Elizabeth , Randell Jordan , KING Barbara , Fernandez Ortega Paz , McNamara Mairéad G. , Kaltsas Gregory , Falconi Massimo , Cwikla Jaroslav , Capdevila Jaume , Grozinsky‐Glasberg Simona , Mandair Dalvinder , Gamper Eva , Srirajaskanthan Raj , O Weickert Martin , Gray Debra ,   the EORTC Quality of Life Group
Published: January 2022

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (panNET) are heterogeneous neoplasms usually characterised by slow growth and secretion of hormones, which often cause symptoms. The effect of these symptoms on quality of life (QoL) has not previously been examined in detail. EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) guidelines were followed in phases 1–3 to produce a potential module of questions usable for trials in panNET, focusing on three common types of panNET. For two less common types, a list of symptoms was constructed. Following an extensive literature search and phase 1a interviews with patients and healthcare workers, a long list of potential issues (169) was obtained. This list was shown to 12 patients from three countries in phase 1b interviews to check that no items were missed. The list was reduced to 57 issues. The list of issues was converted to questions, mainly from existing validated questions within the EORTC item library. The list of questions was then used in a phase 3 international study in eight countries using seven languages. A provisional module of 24 items is presented for use in nonfunctioning panNET, gastrinoma and insulinoma. This module increases knowledge concerning QoL in this condition and may be a useful adjunct in clinical trials. A phase 4 trial is being considered for validation of this questionnaire.
Favorable effect after single treatment session of 755‐nm‐picosecond laser with a diffractive optic lens on facial wrinkles and pore size in Asians
Authors: Sun Yng , Yang Ting‐Ting , Chih Pei‐Ling , Chen Yin‐Chun , Lan Cheng‐Che Eric
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Laser therapy has become one of the mainstay treatments for improving signs of aging including wrinkles, large pores, and skin pigmentation. However, in patients with pigmented skin, an increase in complications including post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) has been noted. The purpose of this study is to investigate not only the safety profile of 755‐nm picosecond laser with diffractive lens array (DLA) at approximately 2250 pulses on the face in people with darker skin, but also to evaluate its efficacy in treating wrinkles and pore sizes after one treatment session among different age groups.

Methods

This single‐center, retrospective study enrolled patients between age 22 and 65 with both facial wrinkles and enlarged pore sizes. A total of 46 patients (7 male, 39 female, mean age 43) with Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV were enrolled. Two independent data‐blinded dermatologists assessed and scored the improvements of patients’ wrinkles and pore sizes using photographs.

Results

After one treatment session, statistically significant improvements were observed in lateral canthal wrinkles (p < 0.001) and facial wrinkles (p = 0.014). In addition, greater percentage of the patients from the aged group (50–65 years) showed clinically significant improvement as compared with the younger group.

Conclusions

For patients with type III and IV skin, one session of DLA picosecond laser treatment at around 2250 pulses to the face is safe and effective for clinically meaningful improvement of the wrinkles and pore sizes, especially for the patients from 50‐ to 65‐years of age.
Subcutaneous tissue necrosis with fat liquefaction, hematoma, inflammatory mass after microwave‐based treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis
Authors: Zhang Bo , Huang Lvping
Published: January 2022

Axillary hyperhidrosis (AH) and bromhidrosis are common complaints in Asians for consultation in dermatology. A microwave‐based device has gradually become a first option option during this decade because of the safety and efficacy both for AH and osmidrosis. Other complications reported are transient median and ulnar neuropathy and brachial plexus injury with sensory and motor dysfunction. We herein report a rare case of subcutaneous tissue necrosis with fat liquefaction, hematoma that occurred after microwave‐based treatment. It took 3 weeks for both sides to recover completely. The case prompt us that one pass treatment for the same treatment area and cooling to relieve the pain for 24 h. Appropriate restriction of movement should be emphasized within 1 month after treatment. Moreover, caution is needed when bumps enlarged rapidly.
The impact of narratives of the future on fertility intentions in Norway
Authors: Lappegård Trude , Kristensen Axel Peter , Dommermuth Lars , Minello Alessandra , Vignoli Daniele
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study examines the effect of exposure to different economic narratives of the future on fertility intentions of Norwegian couples.

Background

Fertility patterns should not only be interpreted in relation to economic uncertainty conceptualized as objective constraints. One should also consider that subjective narratives of economic uncertainty may have a significant role in fertility decision‐making.

Method

Data were collected from a controlled laboratory experiment of both partners in heterosexual couples in fall 2019 in Oslo, Norway (N = 838). The participants were randomly assigned to read either a negative or a positive future economic scenario, while a control group was not assigned to any scenario.

Results

The economic scenarios influenced couples' fertility intentions, with the negative scenario causing a clear decrease in fertility intentions and the positive scenario causing an increase in fertility intentions. Men and women responded in similar ways to the scenarios. The effect of exposure to the scenarios is not moderated by objective measures such as couple employment status and income, except in one case.

Conclusion

Our experimental setting demonstrates that people's fertility intentions are shaped by their subjective view of the future economic situation.
Patent waiver on COVID‐19 vaccine: Indonesian law perspective
Authors: Ramli Ahmad M. , Ramli Tasya S. , Hutauruk Gabriela M.
Published: January 2022

The second year of the COVID‐19 pandemic has not shown any sign of decline. Considering that COVID‐19 is a new virus variant, and vaccines are pharmaceutical and life science products that are full of inventions and innovations, the issue of vaccine patents is in the spotlight and attention of the world. Previously, Indonesia had taken the Government's Patent Implementation mechanism for antiviral and antiretroviral drugs used for HIV and Hepatitis B in an effort to reduce the price of these drugs. In light of the global impact of the COVID‐19 Pandemic that causes a large number of victims, the idea arose to apply a patent waiver to the COVID‐19 vaccine. Second, to formulate what efforts the Government of Indonesia can take in responding to the patent waiver. Results of this study indicate that a patent waiver will actually have an impact on the exclusive rights attached to the inventor, but efforts to implement patents by the Government while respecting patent holders are considered appropriate in emergency conditions such as the COVID‐19 pandemic situation, to increase the supply of vaccines globally and provide convenience for the public to access the COVID‐19 vaccine. Second, in an effort to address the COVID‐19 vaccine patent waiver, Indonesia can apply the Government's Patent Implementation for the COVID‐19 vaccine to reduce the price of the vaccine to fulfill public health rights in the midst of the pandemic, while still respecting the vaccine inventors.
Ecosystem consequences of introducing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria to managed systems and potential legacy effects
Authors: Moore Jessica A. M. , Abraham Paul E. , Michener Joshua K. , Muchero Wellington , Cregger Melissa A.
Published: January 2022

The rapidly growing industry of crop biostimulants leverages the application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to promote plant growth and health. However, introducing nonnative rhizobacteria may impact other aspects of ecosystem functioning and have legacy effects; these potential consequences are largely unexplored. Nontarget consequences of PGPR may include changes in resident microbiomes, nutrient cycling, pollinator services, functioning of other herbivores, disease suppression, and organic matter persistence. Importantly, we lack knowledge of whether these ecosystem effects may manifest in adjacent ecosystems. The introduced PGPR can leave a functional legacy whether they persist in the community or not. Legacy effects include shifts in resident microbiomes and their temporal dynamics, horizontal transfer of genes from the PGPR to resident taxa, and changes in resident functional groups and interaction networks. Ecosystem functions may be affected by legacies PGPR leave following niche construction, such as when PGPR alter soil pH that in turn alters biogeochemical cycling rates. Here, we highlight new research directions to elucidate how introduced PGPR impact resident microbiomes and ecosystem functions and their capacity for legacy effects.
Secondary production increases with species richness but decreases with species evenness of benthic invertebrates
Authors: Clare David S. , Culhane Fiona , Robinson Leonie A.
Published: January 2022

Biodiversity is known to regulate ecosystem functioning under controlled experimental conditions. However, the ‘real‐world' consequences of biodiversity change remain uncertain, as biodiversity–ecosystem function (BEF) relationships observed in nature may be influenced by other drivers. Attempts to disentangle BEF relationships from the effects of confounding factors have so far focused mainly on primary producers, leaving comparatively little known about the impact of changes in consumer diversity despite ecosystems experiencing species extirpations and introductions across trophic levels. Using data from 176 benthic invertebrate assemblages distributed throughout the North Sea, we studied how a fundamental ecological function – secondary production – varies in relation to two components of biodiversity – consumer species richness and evenness – while statistically controlling the effects of abiotic and biotic covariates. Production was enhanced as richness increased or evenness decreased. The relationship with evenness was attributable to its negative covariance with the abundance of small organisms; however, the relationship with richness could not be fully explained by other drivers. Our study reaffirms experimental findings about the functional importance of biodiversity and suggests that losing or gaining consumer species will affect secondary production over a broad range of species richness (20–118 species) in natural ecosystems.
Locking Plate Alone or in Combination with Cannulated Screws for Hoffa Fractures: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Li Zhen , Chen Zhenyue , Wang Xiaotan , Li Jingyin , Jing Lizhong , Li Zehui , Cao Xuewei
Published: January 2022

Objective

To determine the efficacy of distal femur condyle locking plate (DFCLP) alone or in combination with cannulated screws for Hoffa fractures.

Methods

In this study, between May 2014 and February 2019, 13 patients between 26 and 64 years with isolated Hoffa fractures were enrolled during the study period and retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation by DFCLP alone or in combination with cannulated screws followed by early active rehabilitation postoperatively. The primary outcome was evaluated using range of movement (ROM), Knee Society Score (KSS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scoring system, and the fracture healing time of the patients during the 24‐month follow‐up period. Postoperative complications were also used to assess the patients’ conditions.

Results

A total of 13 patients completed the 24‐month follow‐up assessment and achieved bone re‐union at Hoffa fracture sites. The average follow‐up period was 24.5 months (ranging from 24 to 28 months). Six patients were treated by DFCLP in combination with cannulated screws and the remaining seven patients were treated by DFCLP alone. The mean ROM was determined as 119° (ranging from 100° to 130°). The mean KSS score was 87.9 (ranging from 80 to 92 points), with 11 patients evaluated as excellent, two as good, and zero bad cases. The mean IKDC score was 84.2 (ranging from 74.7 to 89.7 points), with 10 evaluated as excellent, three as good, and zero bad cases. The mean IKDC score was 83.3 for patients with medial Hoffa fractures and 84.4 for those with lateral Hoffa fractures. The average time to healing was 3.5 months (ranging from 3 to 4 months), and at month 3, the fracture healing was evident in seven patients (54%), and at month 4, fracture healing was seen in six patients (46%). It is worth mentioning that two patients suffered from knee joint stiffness and osteoarthritis during the 24 months follow‐up. Eleven patients (84.6%) achieved satisfactory knee joint function through early postoperative rehabilitation.

Conclusion

In patients with Hoffa fractures, treatment with DFCLP alone or in combination with cannulated screws followed by early active rehabilitation resulted in great stability and satisfactory functional outcomes after 24 months. Our findings may provide surgeons with a new way to treat Hoffa fractures.
Retropharyngeal Reduction Plate for Atlantoaxial Dislocation: A Cadaveric Test and Morphometric Trajectory Analysis
Authors: Li Jian‐yi , Du Yu‐kun , Meng Zhao , Zhao Zheng , Hu Hui‐qiang , Shao Jia‐le , Tang Xiao‐jie , Kong Wei‐qing , Xu Tong‐shuai , Shao Cheng , Zhang Yi‐xin , Xi Yong‐ming
Published: January 2022

Objective

To evaluate the placement feasibility and safety of the newly designed retropharyngeal reduction plate by cadaveric test and to perform morphometric trajectory analysis.

Methods

The five cadaveric specimens with intact atlantoaxial joint were enrolled in this study. They were used for simulating the placement process and evaluating the placement feasibility of the retropharyngeal reduction plate. The atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) of five cadaveric specimens were obtained by proper external force after dissecting ligaments. The retropharyngeal reduction plate was placed on atlantoaxial joint of cadaveric specimens. The X‐ray and three‐dimensional (3D) spiral CT were used for evaluating the placement safety of retropharyngeal reduction plate. The DICOM data was obtained after 3D spiral CT scanning for the morphometric trajectory analysis.

Results

The reduction plates were successfully placed on the atlantoaxial joint of five cadaveric specimens through the retropharyngeal approach, respectively. The X‐ray and 3D spiral CT showed the accurate screw implantation and satisfying plate placement. The length of the left/right atlas screw trajectory (L/RAT) was, respectively, 1.73 ± 0.01 cm (LAT) and 1.71 ± 0.02 cm (RAT). The length of odontoid screw trajectory (OST) was 1.38 ± 0.02 cm. The length of the left/right axis screw trajectory (L/RAXT) was, respectively, 1.67 ± 0.02 cm (LAXT) and 1.67 ± 0.01 cm (RAXT). There was no statistical significance between left side and right side in terms of AT and AXT (P > 0.05). The angles of atlas screw trajectory angle (ASTA), axis screw trajectory angle (AXSTA), and odontoid screw trajectory angle (OSTA) were 38.04° ± 2.03°, 56.92° ± 2.66°, and 34.78° ± 2.87°, respectively.

Conclusion

The cadaveric test showed that the retropharyngeal reduction plate is feasible to place on the atlantoaxial joint, which is also a safe treatment choice for atlantoaxial dislocation. The meticulous preoperative planning of screw trajectory based on individual differences was also vital to using this technique.
Inference of photosynthetic capacity parameters from chlorophyll a fluorescence is affected by redox state of PSII reaction centers
Authors: Han Jimei , Gu Lianhong , Wen Jiaming , Sun Ying
Published: January 2022

Solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) has been used to infer photosynthetic capacity parameters (e.g., the maximum carboxylation rateVcmax, and the maximum electron transport rateJmax). However, the precise mechanism and practical utility of such approach under dynamic environments remain unclear. We used the balance between the light and carbon reactions to derive theoretical equations relating chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) emission and photosynthetic capacity parameters, and formulated testable hypotheses regarding the dynamic relationships between the true total ChlF emitted from PSII (SIFPSII) andVcmaxandJmax. We employed concurrent measurements of gas exchanges and ChlF parameters for 15 species from six biomes to test the formulated hypotheses across species, temperatures, and limitation state of carboxylation. Our results revealed thatSIFPSIIalone is incapable of informing the variations inVcmaxandJmaxacross species, even whenSIFPSIIis determined under the same environmental conditions. In contrast, the product ofSIFPSIIand the fraction of open PSII reactionsqL, which indicates the redox state of PSII, is a strong predictor of bothVcmaxandJmax, although their precise relationships vary somewhat with environmental conditions. Our findings suggest the redox state of PSII strongly influences the relationship betweenSIFPSIIandVcmaxandJmax.
Numerical Study of Platelet Transport in Flowing Blood
Authors: Fiechter Jerome , Ku David N.
Published: January 2022

Platelet transport in flowing blood is a critical issue in the prediction of thrombus formation. Since available data on platelet aggregation are essentially from experiments, the goal of this work is to investigate numerical solutions for platelet transport and predict the relative influence of convection and diffusion on platelet deposition at the arterial wall. The results obtained for laminar flow in an aneurysm show that both species transport and discrete phase models predict accurately the effects of convective and diffusive mechanisms and match experimental data closely. The species transport model also appears to estimate correctly platelet deposition in turbulent flow through a stenosis.
Load Sharing Between Solid and Fluid Phases in Articular Cartilage
Authors: Mukherjee Nilay , Wayne Jennifer S.
Published: January 2022

Articular cartilage, a connective tissue that helps in lubrication and load distribution in diarthrodial joints, is thought to be biphasic, i.e., it consists of a porous solid phase in which exists a fluid phase that is mostly water (Mow et al., 1980). Unlike most tissues, the fluid phase is thought to play a significant role in the behavior of cartilage under loading and is considered to be one of the factors responsible for the many unique biomechanical and wear resistant properties that the tissue possesses. The current work seeks to quantify the contribution of the fluid phase to the load bearing capability of articular cartilage and determine how that changes from normal to repair articular cartilage.
Accuracy Assessment of Computational Blood Flow Modelling in Realistic Arterial Geometries
Authors: Moore J. A. , Steinman D. A. , Karlik S. J. , Rutt B. K. , Holdsworth D. W. , Ethier C. R.
Published: January 2022

It is now possible to reconstruct patient-specific models of arterial geometries, and to use these models to obtain detailed information about in vivo hemodynamics. Several methods can be used to obtain such patient-specific arterial geometries, including in vivo medical imaging, vascular casting and pressure fixation of vessels. Ideally, any of these methods, when applied to a single artery, would yield the same ‘true’ arterial geometry. The objective of this study was to test this supposition.
Impact Analysis of Whiplash Injuries in Rear-End Collisions
Authors: Yoshida Hiroaki , Miyajima Yoichi , Tsutsumi Sadami
Published: January 2022

Neck injury by rear-end collision occurs frequently in automobile accidents, yet its pathomechanical process has not been investigated. We performed impact analysis using finite element model, and a new neck model in rear-end collisions to investigate whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. Compressive stresses localized in soft tissues, reached its maximum value at 140ms after collision at a speed of 5.7km/h. It is clear that the new neck model in rear-end collision behaves closer to that of human neck than the dummy neck.
The Development of a Finite Element Human Thorax Model
Authors: Wang Kevin H.-C. , Yang King H.
Published: January 2022

Auto safety has become the second most important issue when making the decision to purchase a vehicle. Unfortunately, research in this field has been greatly hindered by the lack of available tools. Specifically, crash dummies used to design crash energy management and restraint systems are not very human-like. Because testing of cadavers, which is needed to obtain human injury tolerance data, is very expensive to conduct, an alternative is to develop and validate a numerical model for the evaluation of vehicle crashworthiness. The purpose of this study is to develop a finite element model of the 50th percentile male human thorax.
Ionic Polarization in Charged Hydrated Soft Tissues
Authors: Ateshian G. A. , Lai W. M. , Gu W. Y. , Mow V. C.
Published: January 2022

In the development of the continuum-based macroscopic theories for charged-hydrated soft tissues (Frank and Grodzinsky, 1987; Lai et al., 1991; Gu et al., 1993, 1998; Huyghe and Janssen, 1997), as well as in the classical physical chemistry theories for electrolyte solutions (Donnan, 1924; Katchalsky and Curran, 1975, Maroudas, 1979) it is assumed that electroneutrality is satisfied at every point in the continuum, i.e., there is no net charge at any point in the material. This assumption signifies that the electric displacement is divergence free, according to Maxwell’s macroscopic equations of classical electromagnetic theory. Some studies of electromagnetic interactions in biological tissues have suggested that, consequently, the electric field should also be divergence free for the electroneutrality condition to be strictly correct (e.g., Friedman, 1986; Hart, 1988). In this abstract we review basic concepts which establish that in general the electric field is not divergence free because of ionic polarization, and we derive a general expression for calculating the equivalent polarization charge using the triphasic theory of Lai et al. (1991).
Effects of Aggregate Modulus Inhomogeneity on Cartilage Compressive Stress-Relaxation Behavior
Authors: Wang C. B. , Mow V. C.
Published: January 2022

The viscoelastic behaviors of articular cartilage, such as stress-relaxation, depend on its biphasic material properties. These material properties are directly related to the composition and the structure of the tissue [3]. It is known there are four zones within the tissue, i.e. superficial zone, middle zone, deep zone and calcified zone. These zones can be identified, from the articular surface to the subchondral bone, according to the morphological appearances of the chondrocytes and the collagen ultrastructure within its organic matrix. This zonal organization appears to be related to the inhomogeneous biphasic material properties of the tissue.
Warping Template Finite Element Models Into Alignment With Subject Specific Image Data
Authors: Bowden Anton E. , Rabbitt Richard D. , Weiss Jeffrey A.
Published: January 2022

Detailed finite element (FE) models of biological tissues and structures are typically generated from medical image data collected from one individual subject — a process which draws from an array of segmentation and mesh generation tools. The geometric model is augmented with material constitutive properties as well as natural and essential boundary conditions. This is a time consuming process which is exacerbated by the inhomogeneity and anisotropy of biological structures. Even after the model is complete its application is usually limited to a single subject owing to geometric and constitutive variations between individuals. In many cases, however, it is possible to account for geometric variations by deforming the geometry of the detailed FE model to reflect the anatomy of an individual subject. In the present work this alignment is achieved automatically by using medical image data to drive a nonlinear deformation process termed anatomical warping.
In Vitro Measurement of Center of Pressure Changes of Selected Muscles Acting About the Ankle Joint Under Weight-Bearing
Authors: Kim Kyu-Jung , Kitaoka Harold B. , Uchiyama Eiichi , Kaufman Kenton R. , An Kai-Nan
Published: January 2022

Electromyography (EMG) measurement has been the one of the major sources of information to understand the neuromuscular control of human locomotion, while a limited amount of knowledge is available due to its complicate signal structure. Other measurable parameters may be of little value in extracting the neuromuscular information without having a precise mechanical relationship.
Quantitative Evaluation of an Isometric and a Position Joystick for Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Rao Raghavendra S. , Rahman Tariq , Seliktar Rahamim
Published: January 2022

Study of the interaction between individuals with disability and the computer has implications in the design of input devices, such as the mouse and keyboard, and leads to greater knowledge about movement control. The present work evaluated the performance of non-disabled individuals and those with cerebral palsy in the use of a spring-centered position joystick versus a position-control isometric joystick. The subjects acquired differently sized targets at different distances by positioning a cursor on the target. Performance with the position joystick was superior when compared with the performance with the isometric joystick. It was found that due to the high stiffness of the isometric joystick, physiological noise was recorded. This led to uncontrolled movement of the cursor on the screen, which added to the distance traversed by the cursor and increased the time needed to reach the target. With the position joystick, the inertial load due to the displacement of the stick and the elastic action of the spring provides damping of the physiological noise. Movement time was directly proportional to the cursor-target distance, and inversely proportional to the target size. The phase-plane plot and trajectory of the cursor movement revealed the presence of one primary movement that accounts for the peak velocity, and several submovements. Fitts’ paradigm was a good predictor of cursor positioning task for the non-disabled individuals. Subjects chose to move more slowly towards the smaller and closer targets, and they increased speed for larger and more distant targets.
Forced Vibration of a Disk/Spindle System With Hydrodynamic Bearings
Authors: Jintanawan Thitima , Shen I. Y.
Published: January 2022

This paper presents forced vibration of a rotating disk/spindle system with hydrodynamic bearings (HDB). The system consists of multiple elastic disks clamped on a rigid spindle, which spins at constant speed and performs infinitesimal rigid-body translation and rocking. The spindle is mounted on a flexible, stationary shaft through radial and thrust HDB’s. In addition, the disk/spindle system is subjected to two types of excitations: concentrated force excitations and base excitations. Moreover, the base excitations consist of an in-plane and an angular component. Equations of motion are derived through Lagrange equations and discretized in terms of spindle rocking, spindle translation, disk eigenmodes, and shaft eigenmodes. Transfer functions and transient response of the system are obtained by using Laplace transform and Green’s functions. As an example, both frequency response functions (FRF) and shock response of a hydro-spindle subject to in-plane and angular base excitations are presented numerically. Typical FRF presents resonances of a half-speed whirl and two pairs of rocking modes. To verify the mathematical model, theoretical predictions of FRF and shock response are compared with experimental measurements. The close agreement of the results validates the mathematical model of the disk/spindle system.
Multiple Defect Analysis of a Sensor Integrated Ball Bearing
Authors: Holm-Hansen Brian T. , Gao Robert X.
Published: January 2022

This paper presents an analysis of a deep groove, radial ball bearing with a raceway embedded sensor for measuring structural vibration within the bearing. A mechanistic model of the bearing was used to simulate its response to various defect configurations. The simulations demonstrated how multiple defects interact in the frequency domain. It was found that multiple bearing defects could be grouped into families according to their location, and each family has a characteristic vibration spectrum.
Design for Locomotion Interface in a Large Scale Virtual Environment ATLAS: ATR Locomotion Interface for Active Self Motion
Authors: Noma Haruo , Miyasato Tsutomu
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we focus on the sense of locomotion, in particular, the sense one feels while walking in a large space. Walking is the most basic way of moving around, and a lot of information can be obtained by doing so, e.g., sensing, hardness, humidity, and so on of the space. The locomotion interface we have developed is named ATLAS (ATR locomotion interface for active self motion). Our design goal was to eliminate the need for a walker to “learn” how to walk and for equipping the walker with obstructive sensors. We employ a treadmill approach for ATLAS. In the initial trial state, ATLAS can estimate the working speed from the walking motion visually, and control the speed of a belt to synthesize the real feeling of walking in a virtual space. First, we describe related works of locomotion interfaces and our design. Next, we show the method utilized for motion analysis and how to control the belt speed. Finally, we conclude with a description of our first trial ATLAS and the experimental results.
Preliminary Tests of an Arm-Grounded Haptic Feedback Device in Telemanipulation
Authors: Turner Michael L. , Gomez Daniel H. , Tremblay Marc R. , Cutkosky Mark R.
Published: January 2022

This paper investigates the use of arm-grounded force feedback applied to an operator’s fingertips while performing telemanipulation tasks with a dexterous robot hand. The forces were applied by a cable-driven feedback device used in conjunction with an instrumented glove. Experiments were conducted to evaluate subjects’ ability to discriminate between objects of different size and stiffness, and to regulate grasp forces. The results indicate that object size discrimination was comparable to using a conventional haptic feedback interface grounded to the environment, though still not as effective as direct human contact. The force regulation indicated that the user could maintain a fairly constant force, but was subject to some system noise. Discrimination of object stiffness was the most difficult task, due to the inherent compliances of the system and yielded a 75% success rate for distinguishing between compliant (150 N/m) and rigid objects.