Relationship between sonographically measured median nerve cross-sectional area and presence of peripheral neuropathy in diabetic subjects

BACKGROUND Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus resulting from direct damage by hyperglycemia to the nerves and/or ischemia by microvascular injury to the endoneurial vessels which supply the nerves. Median nerve is one of the peripheral nerves commonly affected in diabetic neuropathy. The median nerve size has been studied in non-Nigerian diabetic populations. In attempt to contribute to existing literature, a study in a Nigerian population is needed.AIM To evaluate the cross-sectional area(CSA) of the median nerve using B-mode ultrasonography(USS) and the presence of peripheral neuropathy(PN) in a cohort of adult diabetic Nigerians.METHODS Demographic and anthropometric data of 85 adult diabetes mellitus(DM) and 85 age-and sex-matched apparently healthy control(HC) subjects were taken. A complete physical examination was performed on all study subjects to determine the presence of PN and modified Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument(MNSI) was used to grade its severity. Venous blood was taken from the study subjects for fasting lipid profile(FLP), fasting blood glucose(FBG) and glycated haemoglobin(HbA1 c) while their MN CSA was evaluated at a point 5 cm proximal to(5 cmCATL) and at the carpal tunnel(CATL) by high-resolution Bmode USS. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.RESULTS The mean MN CSA was significantly thicker in DM subjects compared to the HC at 5 cmCATL(P < 0.01) and at the CATL(P < 0.01) on both sides. The presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN) further increased the MN CSA at the CATL(P < 0.05) but not at 5 cmCATL(P > 0.05). However, the severity of DPN had no additional effect on MN CSA 5 cm proximal to and at the CATL. There was no significant association between MN CSA and duration of DM and glycemic control.CONCLUSION Thickening of the MN CSA at 5 cmCATL and CATL is seen in DM. Presence of DPN is associated with worse thickening of the MN CSA at the CATL but not at5 cmCATL. Severity of DPN, duration of DM, and glycemic control had no additional effect on the MN CSA.

Ultrasonographic measurement of median nerve cross-sectional area reference values in a healthy Han population from Guiyang,China

High-resolution ultrasonography was used to analyze the nerve cross-sectional area （CSA） of the median nerve at 7 sites： the wrist crease, pisiform bone, hamate bone, 6 cm proximal to the tip of the wrist crease, proximal forearm （where the nerve enters the pronator teres muscle）, 4 cm proximal to the tip of the medial epicondyle, and mid-humerus （mid-point between elbow crease and axilla） in 200 healthy volunteers from Guiyang, China. Results showed similar CSA values between the left and right sides, but the CSA 6 cm proximal to the tip of the wrist crease, proximal forearm, 4 cm proximal to tip of the medial epicondyle, and mid-humerus in males was greater than that of females. Moreover, CSA values at the wrist crease, pisiform bone, and hamate bone were greater in the middle-aged and old groups when compared to the young group, and correlated with body mass and height. Thus, reference values of median nerve CSA of the upper limbs can facilitate the analysis of abnormal nerve conditions.

Measurements of the effective mass transfer areas for the gas–liquid rotating packed bed

Rotating packed bed(RPB) is one of the most effective gas–liquid mass transfer enhancement reactors, its effective specific mass transfer area(ae) is critical to understand the mass transfer process. By using the NaOH–CO_(2) chemical absorption method, the aevalues of three RPB reactors with different rotor sizes were measured under different operation conditions. The results showed that the high gravity factor and liquid flow rate were major affecting factors, while the gas flow rate exhibited minor influence.The radius of packing is the dominant equipment factor to affect aevalue. The results indicated that the contact area depends on the dispersion of the liquid phase, thus the centrifugal force of rotating packed bed greatly influenced the aevalue. Moreover, the measured ae/ap(effective specific mass transfer area/specific surface area of packing) values were fitted with dimensionless correlation formulas. The unified correlation formula with dimensionless bed size parameter can well predict the experimental data and the prediction errors were within 15%.

Does the ratio of the carpal tunnel inlet and outlet cross-sectional areas in the median nerve reflect carpal tunnel syndrome severity?

Although ultrasound measurements have been used in previous studies on carpal tunnel syndrome to visualize injury to the median nerve, whether such ultrasound data can indicate the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome remains controversial. The cross-sectional areas of the median nerve at the tunnel inlet and outlet can show swelling and compression of the nerve at the carpal. We hypothesized that the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet to outlet accurately reflects the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome. To test this, high-resolution ultrasound with a linear array transducer at 5–17 MHz was used to assess 77 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The results showed that the cut-off point for the inlet-to-outlet ratio was 1.14. Significant differences in the inlet-to-outlet ratio were found among patients with mild, moderate, and severe carpal tunnel syndrome. The cut-off point in the ratio of cross-sectional areas of the median nerve was 1.29 between mild and more severe（moderate and severe） carpal tunnel syndrome patients with 64.7% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity. The cut-off point in the ratio of cross-sectional areas of the median nerve was 1.52 between the moderate and severe carpal tunnel syndrome patients with 80.0% sensitivity and 64.7% specificity. These results suggest that the inlet-to-outlet ratio reflected the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Usefulness of the acromioclavicular joint cross-sectional area as a diagnostic image parameter of acromioclavicular osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND Acromioclavicular joint(ACJ)space narrowing has been considered to be an important diagnostic image parameter of ACJ osteoarthritis(ACJO).However,the morphology of the ACJ space is irregular because of osteophyte formation,subchondral irregularity,capsular distention,sclerosis,and erosion.Therefore,we created the ACJ cross-sectional area(ACJCSA)as a new diagnostic image parameter to assess the irregular morphologic changes of the ACJ.AIM To hypothesize that the ACJCSA is a new diagnostic image parameter for ACJO.METHODS ACJ samples were obtained from 35 patients with ACJO and 30 healthy individuals who underwent shoulder magnetic resonance(S-MR)imaging that revealed no evidence of ACJO.Oblique coronal,T2-weighted,fat-suppressed SMR images were acquired at the ACJ level from the two groups.We measured the ACJCSA and the ACJ space width(ACJSW)at the ACJ on the S-MR images using our imaging analysis program.The ACJCSA was measured as the cross-sectional area of the ACJ.The ACJSW was measured as the narrowest point between the acromion and the clavicle.RESULTS The average ACJCSA was 39.88±10.60 mm;in the normal group and 18.80±5.13 mm;in the ACJO group.The mean ACJSW was 3.51±0.58 mm in the normal group and 2.02±0.48 mm in the ACJO group.ACJO individuals had significantly lower ACJCSA and ACJSW than the healthy individuals.Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses demonstrated that the most suitable ACJCSA cutoff score was 26.14 mm^(2),with 91.4%sensitivity and 90.0%specificity.CONCLUSION The optimal ACJSW cutoff score was 2.37 mm,with 88.6%sensitivity and 96.7%specificity.Even though both the ACJCSA and ACJSW were significantly associated with ACJO,the ACJCSA was a more sensitive diagnostic image parameter.

Correlation between current and cross-sectional area of parallel fixed-movable dual electrodes in ESC

Electroslag casting with parallel fixed-movable dual electrodes is a new method for achieving better quality of castings in complex mold cavities.In this work,a mathematical model,y=kx^2+(k+1)x,was established to describe the ideal correlation between the current ratio(y)and the cross-sectional area ratio(x)of the dual electrodes,where k is the filling ratio.Investigation was conducted on the electroslag casting process with dual electrodes of various cross-sectional areas,but at a constant k value.The experimental results indicated that the ideal correlation was obtained at the stable casting stage,and the fitting results were consistent with the experimental results at certain k values.The experimental findings show that better castings can be obtained when the current ratio is greater than 1.536 and the cross-sectional area ratio is greater than 0.5.

Realizing high efficiency and large-area sterilization by a rotating plasma jet device

By tilting a plasma jet and rotating 360°,a large-area can be scanned and sterilized in a short time.Compared with the previous array device,this pipe has the significant advantages of high sterilization uniformity and low gas consumption.Firstly,a rotatable plasma jet device,which can control the swing and rotation of a jet pipe,is designed,and a corresponding theoretical model is established to guide the experiment.Secondly,with Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)and Escherichia coli(E.coli)as the target bacteria,the device achieves a short sterilization time of 158 s—the minimum sterilization flow of S.aureus and E.coli is 0.8 slm and 0.6 slm,respectively.The device is compared with an array plasma sterilization device in terms of sterilization speed and gas consumption.The results show that the device is not only better than an array plasma sterilization device with respect to scanning uniformity,but also far less than the array plasma sterilization device in gas consumption of 5 slm.Therefore,the device has great potential in applications involving efficient,large-area sterilization.

湖北襄阳地区水稻落粒、杆枯等不正常生长现象的解析

襄阳地区是湖北省重要的粮仓地,稻-麦轮作是当地主要的栽培模式。农户多年自留种后水稻生产上出现落粒和穗腐,为了探讨引起水稻不良生长的原因,进行现场取样和调查分析。采用形态特征观察以及分子生物学鉴定,以市场所购‘黄华占’作对照、经41对水稻分子特异性标记检测,以及使用生长速率法测定化学药剂对分离到的病原菌的毒力。结果表明:病样分离获得4种致病菌,分别为稻黑孢菌、层出镰孢菌、木贼镰孢菌和禾谷镰孢菌;显示农户连续6年自留的‘黄华占’种子未发生变异,连续6年自留的稻种播于免耕田中,所获的稻谷有12个指纹不同于对照,表明自留6年的‘黄华占’稻种在田间生长中出现变异;70%唑醚·丙森锌WG和23%醚菌·氟环唑SC对致病菌的生长均有抑制作用。多年连续留种会引起稻种生命力衰减,导致田间水稻长势衰弱,易遭受病害侵袭,出现异常生长现象。正确用种、科学管理及适期药剂防治是保障水稻安全生产的重要举措。

基于视觉图像的飞行区大型目标监视方法改进研究

机场飞行区现使用的场面监视方法存在着定位偏差较大、不稳定、易跳变、皆为点源定位等问题。针对这些问题,设计了基于视觉图像的飞行区监视方法,实现快速准确的目标检测和轮廓定位,使飞行区监视更加稳定精确。提出了一种基于MobileNetV3和YOLOv5的网络模型(以下称为MobileNetV3-YOLOv5),即在YOLOv5的主干中使用MobileNetV3,来提高对目标的检测速度和准确度;提出了一种基于优化特征点提取的改进定向快速旋转简报(Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF,ORB)算法,将图像分割成多个区域,分别提取每个区域的特征点,从而提高目标识别框内区域的特征点识别数量,再进行特征点聚类筛选,最后根据识别目标类型采用最小包围盒进行轮廓划分,得到目标的轮廓定位。试验结果表明:MobileNetV3-YOLOv5方法对比原始YOLOv5模型,在识别目标准确率方面提升5百分点,在效率方面提升14张/s;同时在0~60 m的范围内,轮廓估计误差仅为2.9%;体现了所提出的监视方法的有效性,可以提升飞行区监视定位准确性和运行安全性。

煤油燃料宽域冲压旋转爆震燃烧特性

通过三维数值仿真的方法,研究了Ma=3~7飞行工况下,煤油燃料冲压旋转爆震燃烧特性。在Ma=3飞行工况下,由于燃料雾化蒸发效果较差,无法实现煤油燃料的爆震燃烧。Ma=4, 5, 6的飞行工况下,随着飞行Mach数的增大,波头数目整体上逐渐增多,分别为单波、三波、五波模态;但传播速度逐渐减小;冲压模态下,液态燃料雾化蒸发效果较好,但流场内均不同程度地残存有煤油蒸气,其未参加反应便排出燃烧室。Ma=7的飞行工况下,由于来流接近CJ速度,流场将以驻定爆震模态组织燃烧。

Modeling Blood Flow in Veins of Uniform Properties (Giraffe Jugular Vein)

This paper models the giraffe’s jugular veins as a uniform collapsible tube from a rigid skull. The equations governing one-dimensional steady flow through such a tube for various conditions have been developed. The effects of inertial and inclination angles that have not been discussed previously have been included. It has been shown that different flows for a uniform tube (vein) are possible. However, this flow matches that of a jugular vein which is supercritical, and the steady solution has been given by the balance between the driving forces of gravity and the viscous resistance to the flow at the right atrium of the heart must be sub-critical for a fixed right-atrium pressure which means that an elastic jump is required to return the flow to sub-critical from the supercritical flow upstream this type of relationship gives rise to flow limitation at the same time given any right atrium fixed pressure there exists a maximum flow rate which when exceeded the boundary conditions of the flow do not hold boundary conditions at the right atrium are not satisfied hence making the steady flow impossible this mechanism of flow limitation is slightly different from the other one in that causes airways through forced expiration from the observation made it is clearly shown that there is an intravascular pressure difference with a change in height.

唐山地区主要断裂应力状态

利用唐山地区断层位置、速度结构和292个震源机制解数据,对断裂段进行应力场反演空间网格划分,采用网格搜索法反演唐山地区整体及主要断裂应力场。研究发现:1)2011年日本东北M_W9.0地震发生前后,唐山地区整体区域构造应力场发生较小的顺时针旋转,且由走滑型应力状态变为正走滑型应力状态,该变化可能主要由震源机制解空间位置变化引起。2)日本东北地震使唐山部分地区σ_(1)轴倾伏角由陡倾斜变为水平,且应力场发生较小的顺时针旋转。3)当前唐山地区整体区域应力场特征为σ_(1)轴NEE-SWW向,σ_(3)轴近NS向,R值为0,与前人研究结果一致。表明唐山地区应力场已调整至1976年唐山M_W7.8地震前的状态,且应力状态偏张性性质。4)当前巍山-丰南、陡河、滦县-乐亭断裂段6~20 km、陡河断裂段11~20 km为走滑型应力状态;陡河断裂段0~10 km为正走滑型应力状态;雷庄、陈官屯和卢龙断裂段6~20 km、巍山-丰南断裂段0~5 km为正断型应力状态。以上断裂σ_(1)轴方向与该区域主应变方向和剪切波分裂的快波偏振方向等结果一致。5)唐山地区整体处于一个相对统一的NNW-SSE向的拉张作用控制,但古冶、滦县地区处于NEE-SWW向的挤压作用控制。

不同因素对调节级气动性能影响研究

影响汽轮机调节级性能的因素有叶栅型线、栅距、冲角,同时,动静面积比(表征级反动度)、速比和盖度也是重要因素,研究其对气动性能的影响具有重大意义。以高参数小流量工业汽轮机调节级为研究对象,在喷嘴相对叶高分别为0.24和1.0的条件下,采用数值方法对不同动静面积比、速比和盖度的调节级流场进行了模拟计算,分析上述3个因素对调节级气动性能的影响规律。研究表明:调节级轮周效率随动静面积比的增加而增大;喷嘴相对叶高为0.24条件下,动静面积比超过1.5之后,轮周效率增速放缓,在面积比为1.65时达到最大值;喷嘴相对叶高增大为1.0后,级轮周效率随动静面积比的变化曲线向坐标轴右上方平移;轮周效率随速比增加而增大,速比为0.6~0.75时轮周效率处于较高水平;保持其他条件不变,相对盖度约0.08时,轮周效率达到最大值。研究成果可为工业汽轮机高性能调节级的设计研发提供参考。

基于冷暖季放牧区划分的玉树州草畜平衡估算及变化分析

玉树州作为三江源高寒生态屏障区以牧为主农牧业结合发展的核心地区,草畜平衡不仅关系生态屏障安全,也对实现科学的畜牧业经济管理具有重要的指导意义。因此,本研究以探究高寒生态屏障区天然草地的草畜平衡变化为目的,选择玉树州为研究区,利用2014-2019年MOD13A1 NDVI产品数据和MOD17A3H NPP产品数据、统计数据、植被类型数据,在划分县域冷暖两季放牧区的基础上,以“木桶效应”确定了各县(市)天然草地的合理载畜量并对其草畜平衡进行了评估。结果表明:1)按照理论上的自然轮牧规律,参考固定面积比例和年内NDVI的时空分布规律划分的玉树州各县(市)冷季放牧区分布于较温暖的沟谷地区,暖季放牧区处于高寒区域,且冷季放牧区产草量大于暖季放牧区。2)年际间冷暖季放牧区干草产量均呈波动增长趋势,年均增长率均在3.00%以上且暖季放牧区年产草量增长率大于冷季放牧区。3)2014-2019年玉树州整体的草畜平衡状态由临界超载和超载波动转为平衡,但各县(市)草畜平衡状态存在差异,推测可能是因为自然保护区和国家公园生态工程支持的空间范围差异引起的。本研究对进一步修订三江源自然保护区和国家公园建设方案,实施高寒生态屏障区生态和畜牧业经济的良性发展策略具有一定的参考价值。

Use of axial dispersion model for determination of Sherwood number and mass transfer coefficients in a perforated rotating disc contactor

The mass transfer process in a perforated rotating disk contactor(PRDC) using a toluene-acetone-water system was investigated.The volumetric overall mass transfer coefficients are calculated in a PRDC column.Both mass transfer directions are considered in experiments.The influences of operating variables containing agitation rate,dispersed and continuous phase flow rates and mass transfer in the extraction column are studied.According to obtained results,mass transfer is significantly dependent on agitation rate,while the dispersed and continuous phase flow rates have a minor effect on mass transfer in the extraction column.Furthermore,a novel empirical correlation is developed for prediction of overall continuous phase Sherwood number based on dispersed phase holdup,Reynolds number and mass transfer direction.There has been great agreement between experimental data and predicted values using a proposed correlation for all operating conditions.

Exposed Cross-section of the Archaean Lower Crustin the Shanxi-Hebei-Inner Mongolia Border Region:Problems and Prospects

The Archaean lower crust represented by granulite facies rocks, which is rare in China, is found to be exposed in the Shanxi-Hebei-Inner Mongolia border region. Studies of the regional structure and deformation and metamorphism of the region indicate that there occurred at least two phases of deformation and metamorphism in the region. Early-phase nearly E-W-directed deformational structure is well preserved in the Zhangjiakou-Xuanhua area. Observations of the features of the geological structure from north to south (in the Hengshan metamorphic terrain) have revealed a possible exposed cross-section through the Archaean lower crust. The structure was superimposed by a NE-SW-trending high-temperature ductile shear zone in the Datong area in the late phase, thus reworking the Archaean sequence.

Prediction of mass transfer coefficients in an asymmetric rotating disk contactor using effective diffusivity

Mass transfer characteristics have been investigated in a 113 mm diameter asymmetric rotating disk contactor of the pilot plant scale for two different liquid–liquid systems. The effects of operating parameters including rotor speed and continuous and dispersed phase velocities on the volumetric overall mass transfer coefficients are investigated. The results show that the mass transfer performance is strongly dependent on agitation rate and interfacial tension, but only slightly dependent on phase flow rates. In this study, effective diffusivity is used instead of molecular diffusivity in the Gr?ber equation for estimation of dispersed phase overall mass transfer coefficient.The enhancement factor is determined experimentally and there from an empirical expression is derived for prediction of the enhancement factor as a function of Reynolds number. The predicted results compared to the experimental data show that the proposed correlation can efficiently predict the overall mass transfer coefficients in asymmetric rotating disk contactors.

玉豆轮作下黑土区轮耕模式对土壤坚实度及玉米产量的影响

土壤轮耕有利于改善土壤理化性质、提高土壤结构稳定性、促进增产增收。为探寻适宜东北黑土区玉豆轮作田长期生产轮耕模式,于黑龙江省哈尔滨市香坊区设置4种轮耕模式:翻耕/深松/翻耕(PSP)、旋耕/深松/旋耕(RSR)、免耕/深松/免耕(NSN)、免耕覆秸/深松/免耕覆秸(SSS)(均在秸秆全量还田条件下处理)。分析不同轮耕模式对土壤坚实度、玉米各时期长势及产量的影响。结果表明,①SSS轮耕模式可有效改善土壤结构,0~80 cm土层土壤坚实度低于其他处理13.4%~22.3%,且各土层之间变化较为平缓。②SSS轮耕处理下,玉米在中、后期生长最优,株高显著高于其他处理7.1%~11.3%,茎粗显著高于PSP、RSR处理10.3%、11.6%。③SSS轮耕处理显著提高作物产量,平均产量高达11033.45 kg·hm^(-2)。综上,从黑土资源长期保护角度考虑,SSS轮耕模式为适宜黑土区玉米/大豆轮作田最佳轮耕模式,可为东北黑土垄作区蓄水保墒耕作技术体系构建提供理论依据。

Optimal Minimum Number of CT Slices Required to Measure Cross Sectional Areas of Small Pulmonary Vessels

The cross-sectional area (CSA) of small pulmonary vessels can be quantified by CT, which is a reliable method of evaluating vascular alterations in such vessels. However, the optimal number of slices required for accurate quantitation remains unknown. We evaluated relationships among all slices at 10-mm interval and all slices at 3-cm interval, 6-cm interval, and 3-slices and found the closest correlation (0.939) between all slices at 10-mm intervals and 3-cm intervals. Thus, all slices at 3-cm intervals are suitable for accurately measuring CSA.

盆底超声在产后盆底功能障碍性疾病诊断中的价值分析

目的 分析在产后盆底功能障碍性疾病诊断中盆底超声的应用价值。方法 从2020年1月—2021年12月于三明市第二医院接受产后复查的产妇中随机选择280例作为研究对象,均接受盆底超声检查,根据检查结果显示,150例产妇患有产后盆底功能障碍性疾病(纳入研究组),未发生盆底功能障碍性疾病者产妇有130例(纳入对照组)。对比两组不同状态下盆底超声检查结果。结果 静息状态、缩肛状态和Valsalva状态下患者产后盆底功能障碍性疾病诊断中,研究组膀胱移动度、尿道旋转角、肛提肌裂孔面积大于对照组(P <0.05)。结论在产后盆底功能障碍性疾病诊断中,盆底超声检查的应用能结合患者症状和动态进行无创检测,借助超声检查观察患者盆底结构和功能发生的变化,并运用该技术更直观的观察各脏器之间的关系,为医生诊断疾病提供参考依据。