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.

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.

Eco-Friendly Selection of Diesel Generator Based on Genset-Synchro Technology for Off-Grid Remote Area Application in the North of Quebec

For most of their energy requirements, greater part of remote communities and small islands around the world rely on imported fossil fuels. The economical cost of energy is therefore very high not only due to inherent cost of fuel, but also due to transportation and due to maintenance costs. One solution for saving fuel in a diesel generator is to allow the engine to operate directly in relation to the request for electrical load at variable speeds. Genset-Synchro Technology has developed an innovative variable speed?generator technology (patent pending) that allows applications where power demand varies widely to benefit from the new technology that maintains constant voltage and frequency while adjusting the generator stator speed to power demand. This paper will present an innovative approach for optimizing the energy production based from the fact that the structure that contains the stator windings of the generator is mounted on roller bearings, which allows its free rotation around the axis of the rotor, consequently stopping the stator structure from being static and aims to minimize the unit cost of electricity. Case study on application in remote area in the north of Quebec is described. A saving of 7%?-?9% on fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) under low winter ambient temperatures has been registered.

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.

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.

双并列转子永磁电机非对称负载运行特性

双并列转子电机在驱动两侧非对称负载时,轻载侧电机的功角较低,产生了电机材料浪费,效率低等问题。为提升电机整体输出功率,基于双并列转子电机基本理论采用解析法求得电机驱动转矩平均值的表达式,进而提出轻载侧绕组提前的结构设计。而后以一台12极72槽双并列转子电机为例,建立其磁网络模型,通过麦克斯韦应力张量法得出驱动转矩的解析计算式,分析转子偏差角对电机基本转矩脉动的影响,得出最佳绕组提前槽数。最后,针对电机转矩脉动较大的问题,使用响应曲面法,以基本转矩脉动为目标函数,以永磁体偏心距、永磁体极弧系数、并接区高度作为自变量对电机进行优化,有效降低电机转矩脉动,验证了绕组前置的结构改进对提升电机非对称状态下的输出转矩具有显著效果。

基于改进遗传算法的倾转旋翼无人机区域覆盖路径规划

基于改进遗传算法研究倾转旋翼无人机(TRUAV)在多障碍物约束下的区域覆盖路径规划问题.运用最小跨度算法和往返路径生成算法进行任务区域内的覆盖路径初规划,将区域覆盖问题转化为旅行商问题以优化覆盖路径顺序.为了避开区域内的障碍物,提出鱼尾形避障策略.引入最近邻算法,生成比传统遗传算法质量更高的初始种群,设计三点式交叉算子和动态区间变异算子进行遗传操作以提高所提算法的全局搜索能力,避免算法陷入局部最优.在含多个障碍物的多边形区域算例内仿真验证所提算法的性能.结果表明,相比于逐行路径覆盖算法和传统遗传算法,所提算法的覆盖路径长度减少了7.80%,TRUAV的任务区域覆盖效率显著提升.

罗茨真空泵新型偏心渐开线型不对称转子的构建与性能研究

罗茨转子作为罗茨真空泵的重要组成部件,对罗茨真空泵性能影响极大。为了解决传统渐开线型转子在渐开线与圆弧连接处存在不光滑连接点,导致泄漏加剧,运行效率下降的问题,文章采用偏心渐开线与齿顶、齿根圆弧平滑相连,提出了一种偏心渐开线型不对称转子。建立了偏心渐开线型不对称转子的几何模型,分析了转子的几何参数对面积利用率等性能的影响。结果表明:随着圆心角增大及节圆半径减小,所提出的偏心渐开线型不对称转子的面积利用率提高;与传统渐开线型转子相比,所提出的偏心渐开线型不对称转子每转排量提升了17.2%,出口流量脉动降低9.8%,出口压力脉动降低7.9%。研究内容对罗茨真空泵的发展具有重要的意义。

The Optimization Design of the Nozzle Section for theWater Jet Propulsion System Applied in Jet Skis

The performance of a water jet propulsion system is related to the inlet duct,rotor,stator,and nozzle.Generally,the flow inlet design must fit the bottom line of the hull,and the design of the inlet duct is often limited by stern space.The entire section,from the rotor to the nozzle through the stator,must be designed based on system integration in that the individual performance of these three components will influence each other.Particularly,the section from the rotor to the nozzle significantly impacts the performance of a water jet propulsion system.This study focused on nozzle design and established referable analysis results to facilitate subsequent integrated studies on the design parameters regarding nozzle contour.Most existing studies concentrate on discussions on rotor design and the tip leakage flow of rotors or have replaced the existing complex computational domain with a simple flow field.However,research has yet to implement an integrated,optimal design of the section from the rotor to the nozzle.Given the above,our program conducted preliminary research on this system integration design issue,discussed the optimal nozzle for this section in-depth,and proposed design suggestions based on the findings.This program used an existing model as the design case.This study referred to the actual trial data as the design conditions for the proposed model.Unlike prior references’simple flow field form,this study added a jet ski geometry and free surface to the computational domain.After the linear hull shape was considered,the inflow in the inlet duct would be closer to the actual condition.Based on the numerical calculation result,this study recommends that the optimal nozzle outlet area should be 37%of the inlet area and that the nozzle contour should be linear.Furthermore,for the pump head,static pressure had a more significant impact than dynamic pressure.

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.

功角稳定支路暂态输电能力与扩展等面积准则方法之关联评析与互补应用

大扰动冲击下,机群与网络受扰响应中均含有可表征功角稳定性的信息。该文首先针对两机系统,揭示了功角摇摆过程中不同空间位置的网络节点电压相位具有“分群归属”的差异特性,关键支路两端节点电压相位差与机群功角差则具有变化一致性;针对基于网络响应的支路暂态输电能力(branch transient transmission capability,BTTC)方法和基于机组响应的扩展等面积准则(extended equal area criterion,EEAC)方法,系统梳理了两种功角稳定降维评估方法的关联差异,以及两种方法在划分同调机群、确定临界指数上的技术互补性。面向跨大区单支路互联电网和局部多支路外送电网,仿真验证了BTTC方法可为EEAC方法快速划分同调机群,EEAC方法则可为BTTC方法提供不稳定平衡点进而确定临界稳定指数。

行波型超声波电机定转子接触粘滑分布特性

考虑了摩擦层剪切变形,对行波型超声波电机定转子接触区域内的粘滑分布特性进行研究。首先假设超声波电机定转子接触区域内完全为粘滞分布的情况下,求得接触区域内摩擦材料的切向应力;再与滑动摩擦应力进行比较,从而确定接触区域内粘滑分布情况及其分布规律,并根据所获得的粘滑分布计算电机运行性能。最后,对理论分析的结果进行实验验证,实验结果与理论分析结果相吻合,验证了理论分析的正确性,为超声波电机的设计与分析提供了理论依据。

水泵水轮机稳定性预判与对策

基于已有工程经验或解决方案,提出了水泵水轮机水轮机工况空载稳定性、水泵工况高扬程区稳定性和导叶小开度振动在水力研发和试验阶段的初步判断方法,并探讨了预防不稳定性的措施。

渐开线型罗茨真空泵转子型线的改进研究

通过对罗茨泵转子型线关键指标的分析,找出限制罗茨泵工作效率提高的原因,在此基础上,对传统渐开线型线进行改进。与传统型线关键指标的对比表明:改进后型线的径距比及面积利用系数有了明显的提高,转子型线平滑度得到改善。

基于WAMS的电力系统受扰轨迹预测

基于相量测量单元(PMU)上传的实时功角数据,应用曲线拟合理论,提出了一种电力系统事故后功角轨迹快速预测的新方法。该方法从一个简单电力系统调速控制模型出发,推导出了功角与时间关系的数学模型,即功角随时间呈正弦衰减变化。由此提出了利用三角函数曲线拟合技术,对功角受扰轨迹进行预测。对IEEE 9节点系统与华北电网进行了仿真计算,结果验证了该方法的有效性。此外,与多项式曲线拟合法的对比分析表明,该方法优于传统的多项式曲线拟合法,具有更好的预测效果。

偏心圆弧罗茨转子型线的研究

罗茨真空泵的转子型线有很多种。本文主要介绍一种国内未见使用的新型转子型线——偏心圆弧转子型线。实际上,偏心圆弧转子型线在国外已有提出,只是由于计算困难等原因,这种型线没有在国内得到应用。本文对该种型线进行了设计研究并予以完善,该型线的众多优点也即显示出来,希望能够供同行参考。

非线性油膜力轴承上不平衡弹性转子的稳定裕度

探讨了弹性转子系统的稳定性和稳定裕度问题,采用短轴承油膜力的解析表达式和数值模拟的方法研究了系统的分岔和混沌特性。希望把电力系统广泛应用的高维轨线约化扩展相平面稳定性量化理论推广到非线性转子系统中,提出了相比正面积准则,给出了转子系统稳定裕度的定义,对滑动轴承不平衡转子系统进行了稳定性量化分析。