bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A numerical analysis of multiaxial fatigue in a butt weld specimen considering residual stresses
Authors: Llavori Iñigo , Etxebarria Unai , López-Jauregi Arkaitz , Ulacia Ibai , Ugarte Done , Esnaola Jon Ander , Larrañaga Miren
Published: May 2018

Residual Stress (RS) pattern changes considerably depending on the width of the plates and the welding parameters, having effect on the fatigue strength. Most of the standards do not consider them and in some works, yield stress is taken as residual stress value. It results in a very conservative estimation of fatigue life. Authors developed recently a numerical model to predict more properly the value of RS pattern depending on the plate thickness. In a welded joint, considering the RS and alternating axial loads, the evolution of the stresses is multiaxial, becoming necessary its study. Therefore, the aim of this work is to analyse different fatigue indicator parameters (Smith-Watson-Topper, Fatemi-Socie, and Critical Plane implementation of the Basquin equation) in order to predict the fatigue behaviour of butt-weld components. For that purpose, the numerical model to predict the RS pattern in welded joint developed by this research group is used.
Fatigue life and crack growth behavior of post welded Aluminum 5183 alloy
Authors: Gaur Vidit , Enoki Manabu , Okada Toshiya , Yomogida Syohei
Published: May 2018

In this study we investigated the fatigue life and crack growth behavior of Al-5183 alloy. Microscopic analysis revealed nearly equi-axed grains and no texture in longitudinal or cross-sectional plane of the welded plates. Gas porosities with an average size of 45 μm, comparable to grain size (55 μm), were present and often initiate fatigue failures. Load-controlled cyclic tests at different stress-ratios (R = -1, -0.5, 0.1, 0.5. 0.7 and 0.8) revealed decrease in fatigue lives with increase in R-ratio. At R > 0.7, no fatigue failure could be observed, suggesting a probable mean-stress saturation effect on fatigue. Mean stress also tends to control the crack initiation sites: surface initiated failures at low mean stresses while sub-surface pores induced failures at higher mean stresses. Fatigue-crack growth tests on CT specimens at different R-ratios (0.1, 0.5 and 0.8) revealed reduction in crack growth rates (and in threshold values) with increasing R-ratio. The ΔK applied for pores responsible for fatigue failures were often lower than or near to the threshold values and also, the size of such pores was of order of magnitude of grain size, thus crack initiated from pores are short cracks and further tests are progress.
Fatigue behaviour of an industrial synthetic rubber
Authors: Balutch Thomas , Huneau Bertrand , Marco Yann , Charrier Pierre , Champy Clément
Published: May 2018

For some automotive anti-vibration applications, for instance exhaust hangers, center bearing bushes or torsional vibration dampers, temperature constraints make the use of synthetic rubbers, such as EPDM, necessary because of their better heat aging resistance compared to natural rubber. The aim of this paper is to understand the features of the fatigue behaviour of an industrial EPDM compared to the wellknown natural rubber. To do so, fatigue tests are conducted on hourglass-shaped specimens, and fracture surfaces are analysed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It appears that every samples exhibit only one root cause of failure. Thus, two types of precursors are identified as responsible of the final fracture of samples: material’s inclusions and mold flaws. Interrupted fatigue tests are then performed and fatigued samples are observed with SEM. The built procedure allows us to follow fatigue cracks initiation and propagation along cycles, and to propose local damage mechanisms for each type of precursors. A global damage scenario is finally considered and compared to the one of natural rubber described in the literature.
Evaluation of the horizontal load-carrying capacity of a thin steel bridge pier by means of the Damage Subloading Surface model
Authors: Riccardo Fincato , Seiichiro Tsutsumi , Hideto Momii
Published: May 2018

The evaluation of the load-carrying capacity of a structure is an important aspect of the structural design. In particular, large seismic events can significantly compromise the performances of structures, or parts of them, due to the formation and accumulation of plastic deformation. In the present paper, we analyse the seismic performance of a thin steel bridge column by means of an unconventional elastoplastic and damage model. The idea is to evaluate the horizontal load-carrying capacity of the pier for different seismic events, analysing the conditions that can compromise the stability of the structure.
Case study of multiaxial criteria for rolling contact fatigue of bearing steels
Authors: Vaculka Miroslav , Nohál Libor , Vosynek Petr
Published: May 2018

A rolling contact fatigue (RCF) differs from the classic fatigue in a stress-state. Nowadays, a prediction of the RCF is still not on the sufficient level. A lot of researchers tried to apply different multiaxial fatigue criteria (MFC) to the RCF, respectively they modified some or even proposed new one. Our paper focuses on assessment of bearing life estimation based on mentioned methods with experimental validation in laboratory. Comparison and summarization of different methods used in MFC life estimation is presented, with inclusion of fatigue material properties, hardness and probability. Mainly bearing steels are used for evaluation and region of high-cycle and giga-cycle fatigue.
Sensitivity analysis for effects of displacement amplitude and loading frequency on low-cycle fatigue lifetime in carbon/epoxy laminated composites
Authors: Azadi Mohammad , Alizadeh Mohsen , Sayar Hassan
Published: May 2018

In the present article, the low-cycle fatigue lifetime of carbon/epoxy laminated composites has been investigated. The sensitivity analysis has been also performed to study effects of the displacement amplitude and the loading frequency on the low-cycle fatigue lifetimes in composites. For such objective, displacement-control low-cycle fatigue testing has been done on the open-hole standard specimen. Fatigue tests included 4 different displacement amplitudes at 200 mm/min of the loading frequency and 4 different loading frequencies under 7 mm of the displacement amplitude. The sensitivity analysis was carried out by the MINITAB software, considering a linear function for fitting experimental data by the predicting model. Experimental results showed that by increasing the displacement amplitude, the low-cycle fatigue lifetime decreased, as expected. In addition, when the loading frequency enhanced, the low-cycle fatigue lifetime of composites decreased. Besides, the maximum stress had a reverse behavior, compared to the fatigue lifetime. The sensitivity analysis depicted that the displacement amplitude was sensitive on both the fatigue lifetime and the maximum stress. The loading frequency was sensitive on the maximum stress and was not sensitive on the fatigue lifetime.
Rapid determination of the high cycle fatigue properties of high temperature aeronautical alloys by self-heating measurements
Authors: Roué Vincent , Doudard Cédric , Calloch Sylvain , Montel Frédéric , Pujol D’Andrebo Quentin , Corpace Fabien
Published: May 2018

The determination of high cycle fatigue (HCF) properties of a material with standard method requires a lot of specimens, and could be really time consuming. The self-heating method has been developed in order to predict S–N–P curves (i.e., amplitude stress – number of cycles to failure – probability of failure) with only a few specimens. So the time-saving advantage of this method has been demonstrated on several materials, at room temperature. In order to reduce the cost and time of fatigue characterization at high temperature, the self-heating method is adapted to characterize HCF properties of a titanium alloy, the Ti-6Al-4V (TA6V), at different temperatures. So the self-heating procedure is adjusted to conduct tests with a furnace. Two dissipative phenomena can be observed on self-heating curves. Because of this, a two-scale probabilistic model with two dissipative mechanisms is used to describe them. The first one is observed for low amplitudes of cyclic loading, under the fatigue limit, and the second one for higher amplitudes where the mechanisms of fatigue damage are activated and are dissipating more energy. This model was developed on steel at room temperature. Even so, it is used to describe the self-heating curves of the TA6V at several temperatures.
Complex fibers orientation distribution evaluation in short glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (PA66 GF50)
Authors: Santharam Prashanth , Parenteau Thomas , Charrier Pierre , Taveau Denis , Saux Vincent Le , Marco Yann
Published: May 2018

The use of composites made of polyamide 6.6 matrix and short-glass-fibers in automobile industry is progressive due to its low density and cost. The injection molded short glass fiber-reinforced (SGFR) thermoplastics structural parts such as intake, manifold and engine mount housing, induce complex fiber orientation distributions (FOD). This microstructure governs the macroscopic properties such as the mechanical stiffness and fatigue resistance. To estimate the FOD on such industrial parts at complex angles and ribs, we rely on simulation results and micro tomography analysis. The interest of this paper is to develop a semi-automated, quick and efficient orientation tensor identification approach from 2D microscopic images, which is capable of observing relatively larger surface compared to micro tomography. We finally conclude by comparing it with micro tomography and simulation results. Furthermore, we investigate its relevance with fatigue service ability.
Research of crack initiation in tension test specimen made of nickel alloy EI961sh
Authors: Karimbaev Kamaliddin , Pleshcheev Ivan , Bredihina Elena
Published: May 2018

In this paper method of numerical computations using explicit scheme, implemented in LSDyna (Ansys) software complex, is introduced and verified. Obtained solution explains experimental fact mentioned by P. Ludwik, that cracking in cylindrical test specimen made of plastic material starts in the middle of the smallest cross-section of the specimen. Introduced method allows verifying law, obtained by N.N. Davidenkov during unique experimental research in which he studied logarithmic strain in specimen’s neck by pickling of cross-sections in this zone. Additionally it is possible to estimate amount of heat, generated during rupture of specimen, using obtained solution and law of conservation of energy. For this purpose tensile tests, in which thermal camera was used for temperature measuring, were conducted. It was shown, that all deformation energy apart from elastic and shape-forming energy in volume element, calculated in the moment before rupture is transformed to heat. Also tensile tests with various rate of loading were conducted for more detailed research of rupture process.
The Effect of Overload on Crack Growth Behaviour in Biaxial Fatigue
Authors: Mokhtarishirazabad Mehdi , Lopez-Crespo Pablo , Moreno Belen
Published: May 2018

This paper focus on the study of biaxial fatigue cracks based on a methodology that enables evaluation of the overload effect in fatigue. The methodology is based on the experimental evaluation via full-field technique of digital image correlation of the effective stress intensity factor and the crack opening displacement (COD). The tests were performed on cylindrical specimens made of low carbon steel subjected to tension-tension and a combination of tension and torsion loads. The experimental data was used to compare the crack growth behaviour with an overload cycle under uniaxial and biaxial loading. A hybrid method was also employed to evaluate the value of the Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) before and after applying the overload. The results showed a reliable estimation of closure level and SIF for both uniaxial and biaxial loading condition. A new procedure previously developed for uniaxial loads was adapted to the study of biaxial loads. This new procedure was used to identify important differences produced by the overload event.
A proficiency-based learning algorithm applied to e-learning system for knowledge-oriented course
Authors: Li Cheng-Hsiu
Published: May 2018

In the cognitive psychology domain, the memorization of knowledge is one kind of representation of memory capability. Humans often get the knowledge with knowledge-oriented courses. These courses are composed of the question banks with the fixed knowledge-based content. Learners can obtain the required cognitive knowledge through the repeated memory process. This study proposed a proficiency-based learning algorithm to simulate this kind of learning behavior and then implement an instruction-assisted system called proficiency-based adaptive and guided e-learning system (PAGE system), in which learners can study independently through a guided mechanism. The PAGE system is quite suitable for the knowledge-oriented courses, which are designed by several items with standard answers. Obviously the study indicated the PAGE system is validated in the learning process of memorization. The experimental result proved that the PAGE system can help learners to remember efficiently. All participants got positive progress and 80% of them achieved their criterion for cognitive knowledge growth. In addition, the experiment also showed that the learning attitude and active performance are crucial factors that affect learners' learning growth.
IPTV program recommendation based on combination strategies
Authors: Li Hao , Xia Huan , Kang Yan , Uddin Mohammad Nashir
Published: May 2018

As a new interactive service technology, IPTV has been extensively studying in the field of TV pro-gram recommendation, but the sparse of the user-program rating matrix and the cold-start problem is a bottleneck that the program recommended accurately. In this paper, a flexible combination of two recommendation strategies proposed, which explored the sparse and cold-start problem as well as the issue of user interest change over time. This paper achieved content-based filtering section and collaborative filtering section according to the two combination strategies, which effectively solved the cold-start program and over the sparse problem and the problem of users interest change over time. The experimental results showed that this combinational recommendation system in optimal parameters compared by using any one of two combination strategies or not using any combination strategy at all, and the reducing range of MAE is [2.7%,3%].The increasing range of precision and recall is [13.8%95.5%] and [0,97.8%], respectively. The experiment showed better results when using combinational recommendation system in optimal parameters than using each combination strategies individually or not using any combination strategy.
Strength characteristics of artificial organic soils stabilized with copolymer stabilizer
Authors: Law Chia-Wen , Ling Felix Ngee-Leh , Ng Boon-Khiang
Published: May 2018

Organic soil is known as low strength material, and chemical stabilization is widely used to increase its bearing capacity. However, the use of traditional stabilizer has some limitations. Therefore, stabilization was carried out by using non-traditional stabilizer - Vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) copolymer emulsion in this study with the aim to determine its suitability to stabilize soil mixed with organic matter. Two types of artificial organic soil with kaolin: organic acid ratio of 5:5 (K5HA5) and 7:3 (K7HA3) were utilized. Control specimens were tested using pure kaolin. Different percentages of VAE (5%, 7.5%, 10%) were added in order to determine the minimum amount of stabilizer required to achieve a minimum strength increment of a 345 kPa. The strength of samples was determined with automated unconfined compressive test device. Specimens were air cured for 7 days prior to testing. Both K7HA3 with 7.5% VAE and K5HA5 with 10% VAE had achieved the minimum strength increment to be considered as effective stabilization. The strength of the artificial organic soil was found to be increasing with the increment of percentages of VAE used. Hence, it can be concluded that stabilizing mechanism of the artificial organic soils with VAE is not affected by organic matter.
The study for installing noise barrier on highway route no.9
Authors: Jiradecha Chaddanai , Singhatiraj Pruethipong
Published: May 2018

Highway Route No. 9 is a Bangkok bypass motorway that aims to alleviate traffic congestion in greater Bangkok areas. Presently, it is found a rapid expansion of new communities residing along both side of Highway No. 9. To lessen the noise level, Department of Highways installed the noise barrier on the sensitive locations. However, people from communities living on both sides of highway still demand some additional noise pollution improvement. To improve the efficiency of using noise barriers and to promote environmental and social quality for the people on the sensitive communities along the highway route, the Department of Highways, therefore, designs a new technique for installing noise barrier on the sensitive areas, i.e. education institutions, temple, residential area. In addition, the mathematic model is applied to 12 selected locations of sensitive areas for monitoring the effectiveness of the new installation technique. The mathematic model is used for predict the future noise level after installation of noise barrier in year 2037. The results confirm that the appropriate height and width of noise barrier can improve the comfortable of the people on the sensitive area.
Organic food consumption in China: the moderating role of inertia
Authors: Yen Tsai-Fa
Published: May 2018

Despite the progressive development of the organic food sector across Taiwan Strait, little is known about how consumers’ self congruity will influence organic food decision through various degrees of attitude and whether or not consumers with various degrees of inertia will vary in their intention to buy organic foods. The current study aims to examine the effect of consumption self congruity on behavioral intention related to organic food consumption under the mediating role of attitude as well as the moderating role of inertia. Research data were collected from organic food consumers across Taiwan Strait via a questionnaire survey, eventually obtaining 500 valid questionnaires for analysis. This study tested the overall model fit and hypotheses through structural equation modeling method (SEM). The results show that consumer attitude significantly mediates the effects of self congruity on organic food purchase intention. Moreover, the moderating effect of inertia is statistical significance, indicating that the relationship between attitude and purchase intention becomes weaker in the condition of consumers with higher degree of inertia. Several implications and suggestions are also discussed for organic food providers and marketers.
A research on innovative management of teaching assessment- using I.T. to implement students' on-line peer review of learning outcomes through rubric
Authors: Gu Huei-Zhen , Ku Chien-Wei
Published: May 2018

The assessment of a student’s learning outcome in a particular course is aimed not only to evaluate the learning effects but also to actively provide the student with immediate feedback to improve performance. However, the conventional methods for assessment are mostly concerned with the learning effects. In this study, the free software of General Public License is adopted to develop a database platform to let students of different learning teams conduct a peer review online, both quantitatively and qualitatively. With the system, inter and intra team peer reviews are also implemented. The findings help facilitate the conduct of online rubric quantitative and qualitative reviews, regardless of self or mutual ones. A multidimensional evaluation of learning outcome is therefore achieved. More crucially, the finding offer students an opportunity to drill down their learning effects, to understand current learning status, and to be acquainted with the feedback or comments made by peers. It also helps the learners modify their pace as well as strategies to eventually better their learning outcome.
Summarizing the image adjectives for the construction of the picture database for lifestyle image board
Authors: Liu Peng-Jyun , Chuang Ming-Chuen
Published: May 2018

Design targets the promotion consumers’ motivation to buy more products, whose sensual appeal has become the core of design. This research targets at the lifestyles of three major groups of people in Taiwan: “high-tech groups”, “LOHAS groups”, and “quality groups”. Using literature review, questionnaires, and expert interviews, the frequently used images syntaxes used in three major dimensions: product design, designers, and lifestyle clusters are collected and summarized into 237 items. These image syntaxes are further categorized and selected, yielding 122 image syntaxes in six categories. At last, experts in different areas of design are requested to pick frequently used image syntaxes in the primary stage when designing for these three groups in order to construct the appropriate image syntaxes used in and their association with different areas of design and lifestyle clusters. The results can become the foundation of the next stage of this research in order to construct a lifestyle oriented image board database.
Comparative study on two civil engine thrust reversers for their maintainability analysis
Authors: Xu Hua-Cong , Pan Yang , Xiong Yue-Xi , He Jing-Wu
Published: May 2018

Trade-offs studies on two kinds of existing engine thrust reverser design were carried out, applying virtual maintenance method and the basic theory of ergonomics. Analysis on the maintainability of the two kinds of configurations, the O-duct thrust reverser owning the integrated propulsion system (IPS) and the traditional portal D-duct thrust reverser, were compared. According to the differences of O-duct and D-duct thrust reverser in the structure, working principle and mode of motion during the maintenance, structure modelling and kinematics simulation of two kinds of thrust reverser were finished in the same space constraints. Taking DELMIA software as the platform, the partial ergonomic research and evaluation including accessibility analysis, visibility analysis, specific disassembling and assembling time estimation and workspace analysis were put forward through the virtual maintenance simulation of two civil engine thrust reversers. Supplied technical reserves on design and selection, scheme analysis and technical evaluations for domestic engine thrust reverser in the future.
Human reliability research of numerical control machining based on optimized Holistic Decision Tree
Authors: Chen Lu , Zhao Run-Jiang , Jiao Jian , Zhang Yan-Bo
Published: May 2018

Human reliability has been a focus in system reliability and safety researches since 1960s, and now human factor has become an increasingly important reason which affects system reliability. Numerical control machining system characterized by man-machine interaction can be applied to automatic parts machining with high efficiency. However, professional and technical staffs are still needed for clamping, positioning, inspection and others. So there is no doubt that the quality of the parts might be influenced by personnel behaviour. What’s more, on-site staff is responsible for handling potential fault directly. The study on human error plays an important role to ensure the quality and reduce industrial accident. Holistic Decision Tree (HDT) is a dynamic Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) method, emphasizing the wholeness of man-machine interaction. This paper tries to use an optimized HDT method to investigate human reliability in numerical control machining system. In order to obtain a rational order of the importance of each IF, this paper incorporates entropy weight method to the conventional expert method to determine the relative weight value of each human behaviour influence factor (IF), and finally calculates the human error probability (HEP).
Research on coalescence and probabilistic failure physics modeling of coplanar semiellipse cracks
Authors: Li Sufen , Sun Yufeng , Hu Weiwei , Liu Zhaoxia
Published: May 2018

Multiple fatigue cracks, causing transient fatigue fracture and resulting in great loss of life and property, are very commen in engineering structures. In order to predict the fatigue life of engineering alloys more accurately, the interaction and coalescence of adjacent cracks was investigated and the four stages of cracks growth were discussed in this paper. The SIF(stress intensity factor) value was found to growth rapidly in the ligament failure, and simulation method was used to find out the coalescence point. Then, the Paris’ law was chosen to discribe the crack growth process. Taking random factors like structure size, material properties, environment stress parameter into account, the probability physical of failure model of alloys can predict the failure life more accurate. Accordingly, the uncertain parameters of the Paris’ law were updated via Bayesian update method. The posterior distributions of uncertain parameters were obtained by the MCMC-Gibbs sampling. Finally, the probabilistic failure life models before and after coalescence were established by Monte Carlo simulation method. The probabilistic modeling method, which can greatly reduces the historical data or experimental data needed for the reliability evaluation of small sample products, can also be applied to other aspect of physic of failure , effectively saving time and cost.
An investigation on the cutting force of milling Inconel 718
Authors: Tsai Jhy-Cherng , Kuo Chung-Yu , Liu Zing-Ping , Hsiao Kelvin Hsi-Hung
Published: May 2018

Inconel alloy has been widely used in industry but is difficult to machine due to its rapid change in cutting force during machining. This paper investigated the cutting force for milling Inconel 718 as conventional force model is unable to handle the above situation. Theorectical force model is first reviewed and two-phase experiments of slot milling based on dry cutting are designed to measure the cutting force and the specific cutting force. Experiments in phase I are designed based on Taguchi method with spindle speed, feedrate per cutting edge and depth of cut as experimental parameters. The results showed that the first two parameters play more important roles in the cutting force. A phase II exhaust experiments is designed with spindle speed set from 400 to 800 rpm while the feedrate per cutting edge is set from 0.04 to 0.08 mm/tooth. The results are concluded as the following. (i) There exists a strong size effect in milling Inconel 718 as the cutting force changed with the chip thickness. Specific cutting force is larger at small thickness of cut and become smaller when the thickness increases. (ii) A 2ndorder non-linear cutting force model, which takes spindle speed N and feedrate fzinto account, for milling Inconel 718 is derived from the measured data and represented as Ft(N, fz)= (13910 -3.1N - 109900fz - 0.0028N2 +23.9Nfz+434500fz2) xapxh. The derived force model compensates the inaccuracy of conventional force model.
Peripheral osteoma of the mandibular crest: a short case study
Authors: Fourcade Arthur , Salmon Benjamin , Le Pelletier François , Ejeil Anne-Laure
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Osteoma is a benign slow-growing osteogenic neoplasm characterized by the proliferation of cancellous and/or cortical bone. Jaw bones are seldom affected. Observation: We observed a rare case of a patient with a peripheral mandibular osteoma, which was surgically removed. Comments: Frequently asymptomatic, a peripheral osteoma looks like a bony swelling that may be sessile or pedunculated. Imaging examinations show a well-circumscribed radio-opaque mass. Symptomatic osteomas must be surgically excised and submitted for histological evaluation. Conclusion: Excessive osseous healing following a tooth extraction may explain this rare form of osteoma.
Management of orofacial granulomatosis: a case report
Authors: Feugueur Guillaume , Konstantinou Maria Polina , Croze Jocelyn , Laurencin Sara , Cousty Sarah
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Orofacial granulomatosis is characterized by recurrent swelling affecting the lips, cheeks, and tongue. The rarity of this pathology and the lack of consensus in therapeutic management make the reporting of this clinical case relevant. Observation: A 48-year-old man consulted for labial and gingival orofacial granulomatosis. The treatment consisted of 40 mg/L injections of triamcinolone acetonide once weekly for 3 weeks. The symptoms improved after 1 week of treatment. Comments: The usual treatment for this condition targets the inflammation caused by the lesion. Corticosteroids (clobetasol, triamcinolone acetonide, prednisolone), monoclonal antibodies (infliximab, adalimumab), or TNF-α inhibitors are commonly used. Symptom recurrenceis frequently observed after treatment with corticosteroids. Biotherapies are often used as a second-line treatment. Conclusion: Orofacial granulomatosis symptoms are rare and difficult to diagnose due to its varying manifestations. Common treatments target one of the steps of the inflammatory response. The detection of specific cellular markers is a way to enable a more precise etiological diagnosis and allows for a more targeted therapy.
Central giant cell granuloma: a case report
Authors: Butel Antoine , Di Bernardo Gemma , Louvet Beatrice
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is an uncommon benign bony lesion that occurs in the mandible and maxilla. Observation: A 30-year-old woman was evaluated for a radiolucent lesion of the mandible, which was discovered by chance. This image was associated with a painless swelling covered by normal mucosa. No symptoms were associated. After surgical excision, histological examination of the surgical specimen concluded a CGCG. Surgical follow-up was simple, and the first radiological test performed 3 months after confirming the onset of bone healing. Comments: The clinical behavior of CGCG ranges from a slow-growing asymptomatic swelling to an aggressive lesion with pain, local osteolysis, root resorption and tooth displacement. Therapeutic options have greatly varied in recent years. Nonsurgical treatments with alpha-interferon, calcitonin, and corticosteroids have been described and their benefits may be worthy of consideration. Conclusion: A surgical approach is considered as the traditional treatment and is still the most accepted one. However, in some publications, authors disagree on the type of surgery that should be performed.
Maxillary ameloblastoma: results of the treatment in 11 patients
Authors: Béogo Rasmané , Konsem Tarcissus , Millogo Mathieu , Kohoun Hèra Michel , Coulibaly Toua Antoine , Traoré Ibraïma
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Surgery of maxilla ameloblastoma is mutilating and the tumor propensity for recurrence high. Patients and Methods: The oral and visual functions, facial morphology and tumor recurrence in 11 patients after maxillary ameloblastoma surgery are retrospectively reviewed. Results: Facial morphology was satisfactory in 7 patients who had all tumor removal by a type 1 or 2A maxillectomy and surgical wound closure. Out of these patients, 4 who had dental rehabilitation by conventional prosthesis presented satisfactory mastication. Four patients subjected to the tumor removal by a type 3 maxillectomy had all facial asymmetry. Out of these, 1 patient who did not have the orbital floor defect repair presented diplopia and enophtalmos, 2 patients subjected to the palate defect repair by a prosthetic obturator or oral mucosa had elocution impairment. The tumor recurrence occurred in 2 patients after tumor enucleation and in 1 patient after radical surgery out of 8 patients who had a postoperative follow-up. Discussion: In ameloblastoma surgery, achieving both the tumor recurrence prevention and a satisfactory facial reconstruction is challenging. Conclusion: Avoiding the tumor recurrence should be the major goal when patient post-surgical follow-up cannot be guaranteed.
Sjögren syndrome hidden by previous parotidectomy and cervicofacial radiotherapy
Authors: Desoutter Aline , Colin Angélique , Bodard Anne-Gaëlle
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory auto-immune disease of the exocrine glands which incidence increases with age. Sex ratio is 9.9 female for 1 male. Observation: A 67-year-old female patient presented for xerostomia leading to major functional impairment. The medical history of the patient was pulmonary sarcoidosis, with join and adenoid involvement, considered as cured; left partial parotidectomy, with a diagnosis of acinous carcinoma, followed 7 years later by a total parotidectomy due to tumor recurrence, and followed by external radiotherapy (70 Gy). Arterial hypertension, hypothyroïditis and diabetes mellitus were also noticed. She reported xerostomia and xerophtalmia. Seric anti-SSA antibodies were positive and histologic findings were compatible with SS. Commentaries: Despite other co-morbidities, the diagnosis was hidden by previous parotidectomy and cervical radiotherapy. Thus, SS should not be underdiagnosed in patients with complex medical history.
Development and validation of a computed assessment of cleansing score for evaluation of quality of small-bowel visualization in capsule endoscopy
Authors: Abou Ali Einas , Histace Aymeric , Camus Marine , Gerometta Rafaële , Becq Aymeric , Pietri Olivia , Nion-Larmurier Isabelle , Li Cynthia , Chaput Ulriikka , Marteau Philippe , Florent Christian , Dray Xavier
Published: May 2018

Background and study aims An objective and reliable scoring system is needed to assess quality of visualization in small bowel (SB) capsule endoscopy (CE), for both clinical practice and research purposes. The aim of this study was to establish and to validate a SB-computed assessment of cleansing (SB-CAC) score.

Patients and methods Thirty-three SB-CE were selected. A CAC score, defined as the ratio of the red over green pixels (R/G ratio), was calculated for each frame. Intervals were then determined, ranging from the lowest to the highest ratio among the extracted frames. Twelve frames were randomly selected in each of these intervals. Two hundred eighty-eight frames were shuffled and analyzed twice in random order by two experienced CE readers who were blinded to the CAC scores. Once an “adequately cleansed” or “inadequately cleansed” qualification was allotted to every still frame, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was created. In case of discrepancy between the two readers, the still frames were excluded. A second dataset of 288 different SB still frames was generated and read twice in random order by two other experienced SB-CE readers, using the same methodology.

Results A SB-CAC score threshold of 1.6 best achieved discrimination of adequately from inadequately cleansed frames, with a sensitivity of 92.7 % (95 %CI [89.7 – 95.8]) and a specificity of 92.9 % (95 %CI [89.9 – 95.9]). This threshold was validated using the second dataset, yielding the following performances: sensitivity 91.3 % (95 %CI [87.9 – 94.6]), specificity 94.7 % (95 %CI [92.1 – 97.3]).

Conclusion An SB-CAC score of 1.6 has the highest sensitivity and specificity to discriminate “adequately cleansed” from “inadequately cleansed” SB-CE still frames. This constitutes an objective, reproducible, reliable, and automated cleansing score for SB-CE.
Kompetenzen und Rollen(-erwartungen) von Genesungsbegleitern in der psychiatrischen Versorgung – Ein partizipativer Forschungsbericht
Authors: Heumann Kolja , Schmid Christine , Wilfer Antje , Bolkan Suzan , Mahlke Candelaria , von Peter Sebastian
Published: May 2018

Ziel Es werden die spezifischen Kompetenzen und Rollen(erwartungen) von und an Genesungsbegleiter (= GB) untersucht.

Methode Im Rahmen eines partizipativen Studiendesigns wurde ethnografisches Material in einer Fokusgruppe diskutiert und mithilfe eines multiple-coding-Ansatzes kollaborativ mithilfe der qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse GB zeichnen sich durch eine nahbare, offene und wenig klassifizierende Form der Kontaktaufnahme zu Patienten aus. Ihre Rolle in der Versorgung ist oft unklar. Sie ist durch einerseits mehr Flexibilität, andererseits durch mehr Abhängigkeiten geprägt.

Schlussfolgerungen Es ist wichtig, die Kompetenzen und Rollen von GB zu definieren und mit den Erwartungen der anderen Berufsgruppen abzugleichen.
Does the PillCam SB3 capsule endoscopy system improve image reading efficiency irrespective of experience? A pilot study
Authors: Omori Teppei , Hara Toshifumi , Sakasai Sachiyo , Kambayashi Harutaka , Murasugi Shun , Ito Ayumi , Nakamura Shinichi , Tokushige Katsutoshi
Published: May 2018

Background and study aims The aim of this study was tp compare the diagnostic efficiency of the PillCam SB3 capsule endoscopy (CE) system with the older system, PillCam SB2, taking into consideration the experience of the image reader.

Patients and methods Small intestinal CE was conducted on 64 patients around May 2014 when the SB3 was introduced in our hospital. Data obtained from 20 patients (SB2: 10 and SB3: 10) based on transit time were assessed by junior (experience: 20 images), intermediate (> 50), and expert readers (> 600).

Results Reading time with the CE down to the end of the small intestine was shorter in the SB3 group for each reader (SB2 vs. SB3: junior, 40.2 ± 10.1 vs. 23.7 ± 6.7 [P = 0.0009]; intermediate, 21.4 ± 4.9 vs. 10.3 ± 2.9 [P = 0.0003]; expert, 23.2 ± 5.6 vs. 11.1 ± 2.9 min [P = 0.0002]). Interpretation agreement rates between the findings by junior and intermediate readers and those by the expert reader were 84.6 % and 92.3 %, respectively. For the junior reader, rates of agreement using the SB2 and SB3 systems with those by the expert reader were 85.7 % and 83.3 %, respectively; no significant difference was noted between the two systems. Similarly, for the intermediate reader, the respective agreement rates using the SB2 and SB3 systems were 85.7 % and 100 %, respectively.

Conclusions The PillCam SB3 reduces the time burden on readers irrespective of their experience.
PH3 – eine spannende chemische Verbindung
Authors: Diem Günter , Dorner Thomas , Dratva Julia , Gerhardus Ansgar , von Mittelstaedt Gert
Published: May 2018

Am 19. und 20. Januar 2018 fand in Lochau bei Bregenz am österreichischen Bodenseeufer die erste gemeinsame Wintertagung der Public Health Organisationen aus Österreich, Deutschland und der Schweiz statt. Die von der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Public Health getragene Veranstaltung wird vor Ort von der Vorarlberger Gesellschaft für Public Health organisiert. Aus der 4. regionalen wurde damit die 1. internationale Wintertagung der Public Health Gesellschaften.
Primärversorgung im deutschsprachigen Raum
Authors: Mittelstaedt Gert von
Published: May 2018

Im Januar 2018 fand im deutschsprachigen Dreiländereck am Bodensee die erste gemeinsame Tagung von Vertretern aus Fachgesellschaften im Bereich Public Health und Sozialmedizin der Länder Deutschland, Österreich und Schweiz statt. Thema waren gegenwärtige und zukünftige Herausforderungen für die medizinische Versorgung, im Speziellen die Primärversorgung 1. In vielen Ländern, auch deutschsprachigen, sind die Vorzüge einer starken Primärversorgung für die Patientinnen und Patienten sowie für das gesamte Gesundheitssystem erkannt.
Medizinisch-beruflich orientierte Rehabilitation für onkologische Rehabilitanden – kurzfristige Ergebnisse einer clusterrandomisierten Multicenterstudie
Authors: Wienert Julian , Bethge Matthias
Published: May 2018

Hintergrund Rehabilitative Programme zur beruflichen Wiedereingliederung gewinnen für Krebsüberlebende an Relevanz. In Deutschland haben sich solche Programme als medizinisch-beruflich orientierte Rehabilitation (MBOR) etabliert. Die Studie untersucht, ob die MBOR im Vergleich zur medizinischen Rehabilitation (MR) günstigere Ergebnisse erzielt. Es werden Effekte auf sekundären Zielkriterien zu Reha-Ende berichtet.

Methodik Teilnehmer wurden in Clustern zufällig der MBOR und der MR zugewiesen. Eingeschlossen wurden Rehabilitanden im erwerbsfähigen Alter und einem erhöhten sozialmedizinischen Risiko für einen ungünstigen Wiedereingliederungsverlauf. Die Umsetzung der Interventionen wurde anhand der erbrachten und wahrgenommenen Behandlungsdosis erfasst. Weitere Zielkriterien waren Funktions- und Symptomskalen, Fatigue, Krankheitsbewältigung sowie die subjektive Arbeitsfähigkeit. Behandlungseffekte wurden mit gemischten Modellen berechnet.

Ergebnisse Von 232 geplanten randomisierten Teilnehmergruppen wurden 165 (71%) realisiert. Es wurden 476 Rehabilitanden eingeschlossen. Das mittlere Alter der Teilnehmer betrug 50,7 Jahre (SD=7,3). 67% waren weiblich. Die häufigsten Neubildungen waren bösartige Neubildungen der Brustdrüse. Die Teilnehmer der MBOR berichteten am Ende der Rehabilitation signifikant bessere Werte für Lebensqualität (SMD=0,17–0,25), Fatigue (SMD=0,18–0,27), Krankheitsbewältigung (SMD=0,17–0,22) und subjektive Arbeitsfähigkeit (SMD=0,16) als Teilnehmer der MR (alle p<0,05).

Schlussfolgerung Die Ergebnisse zeigen kurzfristig einen positiven Effekt der MBOR für onkologische Rehabilitanden mit einem erhöhten Risiko für Teilhabeeinschränkungen.
Cobalt-Catalyzed Formation of 2-Pyridylzinc Reagents and Their Subsequent Coupling
Authors: Linke Stephanie , Manolikakès Sofia , Auffrant Audrey , Gosmini Corinne
Published: May 2018

The preparation of pyridylzinc compounds from the corresponding pyridyl halides using a cobalt catalyst is described. The complex employed features a polydentate N-heterocyclic ligand and allows the reaction to be carried out in the absence of pyridine as co-solvent and also in THF in place of acetonitrile. First cross-coupling attempts are also presented. Satisfactory yields were obtained via a one-pot protocol without the addition of another catalyst.
Pineal Gland—A Spiritual Third Eye: An Odyssey of Antiquity to Modern Chronomedicine
Authors: Kumar Raj , Kumar Arushi , Sardhara Jayesh
Published: May 2018

Pineal gland or “spiritual third eye” is regarded as the gateway of spiritual life as per ancient concepts about the soul. Recently, modern neuroscience has proven that pineal gland is not only the melatonin-secreting neuroendocrine organ which controls the circardian rhythm, but it also has mystical and energetic associations with spirituality. It acts as a tremendous coordinator between molecular, hormonal, physiological, and chemical rhythmic orchestra. Thus, in this article, by highlighting the relation between ancient Indian methodology and modern chronomedicine, the author describes the odyssey of antiquity to modern science.
A Study of Effects of Addition of Coenzyme Q 10 to High Dose Statins in Patients of Coronary Artery Disease with Special Reference to Oxidative Balance
Authors: Dangeti Malleswara , Katkam Siva , Galla Raghu , Kiran Ravi , Garre Indrani
Published: May 2018

Background: Oxidative stress is one of the most potent inductors of endothelial dysfunction and is involved at all stages of atherosclerotic plaque evolution. Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors and are potent inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis. In clinical trials, statins are beneficial in the primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. Statins also possess direct free radical scavenging activity. However, the prooxidant effect of statins has also been reported as statins block the mevalonate pathway and the synthesis coenzyme Q10. This Additional Coenzyme Q10 depletion by statins in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) may be a critical issue as it may reduce absolute benefits of statins.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high dose statins on plasma Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and plasma glutathione levels in CAD patients who underwent recent PCI and to study whether addition of coenzyme Q10 (100 mg/d) has any additional effect on plasma Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and plasma glutathione levels in patients already receiving high dose statin therapy.

Methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in Department of Cardiology at our institute were studied. The cases (n = 21) were given high dose statins for first 1 week and then coenzyme Q10 (100 md /day) is added for next 1 week. Plasma Malondialdehyde(MDA) levels and plasma glutathione levels were analyzed at the time of admission before giving statins and at the end of 1 week of statin therapy and again after 1 week of Co-Q therapy.

Results: Our results indicate that a relation exists between high plasma Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and low plasma glutathione levels with coronary artery disease. High dose statins decrease MDA levels and increase plasma glutathione levels, even though they decrease coenzyme q levels in the body. It was also shown that addition of Coenzyme Q10 at 100 mg/d enhances plasma glutathione levels and decreases plasma MDA level still further in patients who have CAD, already receiving high dose statin therapy.

Conclusions: Addition of Coenzyme Q10 at 100 mg/d has an additive effect with high dose statins in decreasing oxidative stress. Particularly in light of the excellent tolerance and affordability of this natural physiological compound, supplemental Coenzyme Q10 may emerge as an attractive option in future, and merits evaluation in additional large studies.
Comparision Between Clopidogrel and Prasugrel On hs-CRP Levels Post Percutaneous Intervention
Authors: Kumar A. , Garre Indrani
Published: May 2018

Aims: This study investigated the effect of clopidogrel versus prasugrel treatment on inflammatory activity as evidenced by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels among patients who underwent percutaneous intervention (PCI). The effect in clinical outcomes between both the treatment groups is also explored.

Methods: The study included 53 patients into two cohorts with 30 from clopidogrel group and 23 from prasugrel group who underwent PCI for coronary artery disease. Patients were assigned either to clopidogrel or prasugrel group based on mehraan bleeding risk score. Hs-CRP was measured on 15thfollowup day. The predefined primary composite endpoint was myocardial infarction, stroke, vascular complications or death from cardiovascular causes.

Results: In both treatment groups the changes in hs-CRP levels over time were identical (2.97±3.2 in clopidogrel vs. 4.47±4.1in prasugrel p:0.14). Clinical outcomes occurred in 3 cases in clopidogrel group and one patient had puncture site hematoma in prasugrel group (p: 0.72). In contrast no significant difference in hs-CRP was noted among those had adverse clinical outcomes (1.67±2.2 vs 3.12±3.3 p: 0.47). Baseline parameters height (158.3±7.7 vs 157.8±7.7p:0.80) weight (63.4±9.7 vs 63.8±9.6 p: 0.87) hypertension (17 vs 11 p: 0.58) diabetes (11 vs 8 p: 1.00) smokers (1 vs. 5 p: 0.06) are matched between both the groups. Clopidogrel group were elderly (63.1±9.6 vs 53.7±9.5 p: 0.001) and had higher systolic blood pressure (154.7±26.2 vs 138.7±18.7 p: 0.01). Clinical scenario like type of presentation (CSA 16 vs 9 p: 0.29) LV dysfunction (10 vs 10 p: 0.57) previousPCI (5 vs 4 p: 0.94) previous CABG (2 vs 0 p: 0.143) are identical in both groups. Lesion characteristics like calcification (15 vs 11 p:0.97) tortuosity(4 vs 3 p:0.94) angulation (2 vs 0p:0.49) ostial lesion ( 8 vs 5 p:0.75) thrombotic (0 vs 1 p:0.30) was similar in both the groups. Bifurcation lesion (6 vs 1 p:0.06) usage of Gp2B3A inhibitors(3 vs 0 p:0.06) was higher in clopidogrel group.

Conclusions: Antiplatelet prasugrel and clopidogrel significantly did not affect inflammation post PCI as assessed by hs-CRP which is an established inflammatory marker. No significant difference in clinical outcomes in the follow-up between both the groups. Neither hs-CRP level was elevated in those with adverse clinical events.