The Relationship Between the Bulk Modulus of Elasticity of a Complex Tissue and the Mean Modulus of its Cells

SummaryIn a collaborative trial of eleven laboratories which was performed mainly within the framework of the European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR), a second reference material for thromboplastin, rabbit, plain, was calibrated against its predecessor RBT/79. This second reference material (coded CRM 149R) has a mean International Sensitivity Index (ISI) of 1.343 with a standard error of the mean of 0.035. The standard error of the ISI was determined by combination of the standard errors of the ISI of RBT/79 and the slope of the calibration line in this trial.The BCR reference material for thromboplastin, human, plain (coded BCT/099) was also included in this trial for assessment of the long-term stability of the relationship with RBT/79. The results indicated that this relationship has not changed over a period of 8 years. The interlaboratory variation of the slope of the relationship between CRM 149R and RBT/79 was significantly lower than the variation of the slope of the relationship between BCT/099 and RBT/79. In addition to the manual technique, a semi-automatic coagulometer according to Schnitger & Gross was used to determine prothrombin times with CRM 149R. The mean ISI of CRM 149R was not affected by replacement of the manual technique by this particular coagulometer.Two lyophilized plasmas were included in this trial. The mean slope of relationship between RBT/79 and CRM 149R based on the two lyophilized plasmas was the same as the corresponding slope based on fresh plasmas. Tlowever, the mean slope of relationship between RBT/79 and BCT/099 based on the two lyophilized plasmas was 4.9% higher than the mean slope based on fresh plasmas. Thus, the use of these lyophilized plasmas induced a small but significant bias in the slope of relationship between these thromboplastins of different species.

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Evaluation of the Efficacy of ST2 and NT-proBNP in the Diagnosis and Prediction of Short- Term Prognosis in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.25258/ijpcr.v9i04.8539 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (04) ◽

Author(s):

Shivananda B Nayak ◽

Dharindra Sawh ◽

Brandon Scott ◽

Vestra Sears ◽

Kareshma Seebalack ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Cardiac Biomarkers ◽

Double Blind Study ◽

Short Term ◽

Double Blind ◽

Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽

The Mean ◽

Design And Methods ◽

The Relationship

Purpose: i) To determine the relationship between the cardiac biomarkers ST2 and NT-proBNP with ejection fraction (EF) in heart failure (HF) patients. ii) Assess whether a superiority existed between the aforementioned cardiac markers in diagnosing the HF with reduced EF. iii) Determine the efficacy of both biomarkers in predicting a 30-day cardiovascular event and rehospitalization in patients with HF with reduced EF iv) To assess the influence of age, gender, BMI, anaemia and renal failure on the ST2 and NT-proBNP levels. Design and Methods: A prospective double-blind study was conducted to obtain data from a sample of 64 cardiology patients. A blood sample was collected to test for ST2 and NT-proBNP. An echocardiogram (to obtain EF value), electrocardiogram and questionnaire were also obtained. Results: Of the 64 patients enrolled, 59.4% of the population had an EF less than 40%. At the end of the 30- day period, 7 patients were warded, 37 were not warded, one died and 17 were non respondent. Both biomarkers were efficacious at diagnosing HF with a reduced EF. However, neither of them were efficacious in predicting 30-day rehospitalization. The mean NT-proBNP values being: not rehospitalized (2114.7486) and 30 day rehospitalization (1008.42860) and the mean ST2 values being: not rehospitalized (336.1975), and 30-day rehospitalization. (281.9657). Conclusion: Neither ST2 or NT-proBNP was efficacious in predicting the short- term prognosis in HF with reduced EF. Both however were successful at confirming the diagnosis of HF in HF patients with reduced EF.

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Prediction of Maritime Pine Boards Modulus of Elasticity by Means of Sonic Testing on Green Timber

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11041748 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 1748

Author(s):

Giovanna Concu

Keyword(s):

Modulus Of Elasticity ◽

Structural Timber ◽

Maritime Pine ◽

Manufacturing Costs ◽

Sonic Waves ◽

Wet Condition ◽

Structural Grade ◽

The Relationship ◽

Grade Yield

Timber buildings are experiencing a rapid diffusion due to their good performance and their sustainability; however, some steps of structural timber production process, such as drying, are energy-intensive and environmentally impactful, and many wood species are also affected by low yield. Therefore, it would be important to determine the quality of the green material, that is, in wet condition, before undergoing the most impactful and expensive production steps. This paper describes a research aimed at quantifying the variation of the dynamic modulus of elasticity MoEdyn, which is commonly used for structural timber mechanical grading, from wet to dry condition in Sardinian maritime pine boards to be used for the production of laminated timber, and to examine the relationship between wet and dry MoEdyn. The MoEdyn was determined from measurements of the velocity of sonic waves propagating through the boards. The results show that the dry MoEdyn can be estimated starting from boards sonic testing in the wet condition, so providing a basis for implementing Sardinian maritime pine pre-grading in order to obtain the reduction of manufacturing costs, the abatement of environmental impact, and the increase of structural grade yield.

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Correlation between fundus autofluorescence and visual function in patients with cone-rod dystrophy

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-81597-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Satoru Kanda ◽

Takumi Hara ◽

Ryosuke Fujino ◽

Keiko Azuma ◽

Hirotsugu Soga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Field ◽

Significant Relationship ◽

Fundus Autofluorescence ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Retrospective Chart Review ◽

Mean Deviation ◽

Wide Field ◽

The Mean ◽

The Relationship ◽

Field Imaging

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between autofluorescence (AF) signal measured with ultra-wide field imaging and visual functions in patients with cone-rod dystrophy (CORD). A retrospective chart review was performed for CORD patients. We performed the visual field test and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) measurement and visualized retinal structures with optical coherence tomography (OCT) on the same day. Using binarised FAF images, we identified a low FAF area ratio (LFAR: low FAF/30°). Relationships between age and logMAR visual acuity (VA), central retinal thickness (CRT), central choroidal thickness (CCT), mean deviation (MD) value, and LFAR were investigated. Thirty-seven eyes of 21 CORD patients (8 men and 13 women) were enrolled. The mean patient age was 49.8 years. LogMAR VA and MD were 0.52 ± 0.47 and − 17.91 ± 10.59 dB, respectively. There was a significant relationship between logMAR VA and MD (p = 0.001). LogMAR VA significantly correlated with CRT (p = 0.006) but not with other parameters. Conversely, univariate analysis suggested a significant relationship between MD and LFAR (p = 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, LFAR was significantly associated with MD (p = 0.002). In conclusion, it is useful to measure the low FAF area in patients with CORD. The AF measurement reflects the visual field deterioration but not VA in CORD.

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Heart Rate and Neurological Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Targeted Temperature Management

Journal of Intensive Care Medicine ◽

10.1177/0885066620982502 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 088506662098250

Author(s):

Chad M. Conner ◽

William H. Perucki ◽

Andre Gabriel ◽

David M. O’Sullivan ◽

Antonio B. Fernandez

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Positive Association ◽

Targeted Temperature Management ◽

Temperature Management ◽

Neurological Outcomes ◽

Neurologic Outcomes ◽

Resuscitation Guidelines ◽

The Mean ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Introduction: There is a paucity of data evaluating the impact of heart rate (HR) during Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) and neurologic outcomes. Current resuscitation guidelines do not specify a HR goal during TTM. We sought to determine the relationship between HR and neurologic outcomes in a single-center registry dataset. Methods: We retrospectively studied 432 consecutive patients who completed TTM (33°C) after cardiac arrest from 2008 to 2017. We evaluated the relationship between neurologic outcomes and HR during TTM. Pittsburgh Cerebral Performance Categories (CPC) at discharge were used to determine neurological recovery. Statistical analysis included chi square, Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney U. A logistic regression model was created to evaluate the strength of contribution of selected variables on the outcome of interest. Results: Approximately 94,000 HR data points from 432 patients were retrospectively analyzed; the mean HR was 82.17 bpm over the duration of TTM. Favorable neurological outcomes were seen in 160 (37%) patients. The mean HR in the patients with a favorable outcome was lower than the mean HR of those with an unfavorable outcome (79.98 bpm vs 85.67 bpm p < 0.001). Patients with an average HR of 60-91 bpm were 2.4 times more likely to have a favorable neurological outcome compared to than HR’s < 60 or > 91 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61-3.46, p < 0.001). Specifically, mean HR’s in the 73-82 bpm range had the greatest rate of favorable outcomes (OR 3.56, 95% CI 1.95-6.50), p < 0.001. Administration of epinephrine, a history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension all were associated with worse neurological outcomes independent of HR. Conclusion: During TTM, mean HRs between 60-91 showed a positive association with favorable outcomes. It is unclear whether a specific HR should be targeted during TTM or if heart rates between 60-91 bpm might be a sign of less neurological damage.

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Relationship between 24-h venous blood glucose variation and mortality among patients with acute respiratory failure

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-87409-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoling Zhang ◽

Jingjing Zhang ◽

Jiamei Li ◽

Ya Gao ◽

Ruohan Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Glucose ◽

Respiratory Failure ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Acute Respiratory Failure ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Icu Mortality ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

The Mean ◽

The Relationship

AbstractEvidence indicates that glucose variation (GV) plays an important role in mortality of critically ill patients. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the coefficient of variation of 24-h venous blood glucose (24-hVBGCV) and mortality among patients with acute respiratory failure. The records of 1625 patients in the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care II (MIMIC II) database were extracted. The 24-hVBGCV was calculated as the ratio of the standard deviation (SD) to the mean venous blood glucose level, expressed as a percentage. The outcomes included ICU mortality and in-hospital mortality. Participants were divided into three subgroups based on tertiles of 24-hVBGCV. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between 24-hVBGCV and mortality. Sensitivity analyses were also performed in groups of patients with and without diabetes mellitus. Taking the lowest tertile as a reference, after adjustment for all the covariates, the highest tertile was significantly associated with ICU mortality [odds ratio (OR), 1.353; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.018–1.797] and in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.319; 95% CI, 1.003–1.735), especially in the population without diabetes. The 24-hVBGCV may be associated with ICU and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute respiratory failure in the ICU, especially in those without diabetes.

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Association between obstructive sleep apnea and persistent-postural perceptual dizziness

Journal of Vestibular Research ◽

10.3233/ves-201508 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Anand K. Bery ◽

Jayson Lee Azzi ◽

Andre Le ◽

Naomi S. Spitale ◽

Judith Leech ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Berlin Questionnaire ◽

Future Studies ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Chronic Dizziness ◽

Patients At Risk ◽

The Mean ◽

The Relationship

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked to vestibular dysfunction, but no prior studies have investigated the relationship between Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD), a common cause of chronic dizziness, and OSA. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We determined the frequency of OSA in an uncontrolled group of PPPD patients from a tertiary dizziness clinic based on polysomnogram (PSG). We then assessed the sensitivity and specificity of common OSA questionnaires in this population. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with PPPD underwent PSG (mean age 47, 60% female, mean BMI 29.5). A majority, or 56%, of patients were diagnosed with OSA, and in most, the OSA was severe. OSA patients were older (56 years versus 40 years, p = 0.0006) and had higher BMI (32 versus 26, p = 0.0078), but there was no clear gender bias (56% versus 64% female, p = 1.00). The mean sensitivity and specificity of the STOP BANG questionnaire for detecting OSA was 86% and 55%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of the Berlin Questionnaire was 79% and 45%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of OSA was much higher in our small PPPD group than in the general population. Screening questionnaires appear to demonstrate good sensitivity to detect PPPD patients at risk of OSA in this small study. Future studies should confirm these findings and determine whether treatment of OSA improves symptoms in PPPD.

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Team Networks and Team Identification: The Role of Leader-Member Exchange

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.2013.41.7.1115 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 41 (7) ◽

pp. 1115-1123 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

KeXin Guan ◽

ZhengXue Luo ◽

JiaXi Peng ◽

Zhen Wang ◽

HaiTing Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Exchange ◽

Social Identity Theory ◽

Social Exchange Theory ◽

Team Identification ◽

Leader Member Exchange ◽

Exchange Relationships ◽

Member Exchange ◽

The Mean ◽

The Relationship

We examined the relationship among team networks, leader-member exchange (LMX), and team identification in the workplace. Social network theory, social exchange theory, and social identity theory served as references for our theoretical propositions and analyses. We collected data from a sample of 223 teams of military personnel, serving in the artillery in West China. We found that the team networks had a significant effect on team identification. Further, the variance and the mean for LMX in teams interacted in influencing team identification (β =-.893, p < .01). Our findings indicated that creating productive networks in teams would be useful to enhance team identification, the effect of which may be carried on through to building exchange relationships between leader and follower.

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A Taxonomic Review of Patient Complaints in Adult Hospital Medicine

Journal of Patient Experience ◽

10.1177/23743735211007351 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 237437352110073

Author(s):

Richard M Elias ◽

Karen M Fischer ◽

Mustaqeem A Siddiqui ◽

Trevor Coons ◽

Cindy A Meyerhofer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hospital Admissions ◽

Hospital Medicine ◽

Patient Complaints ◽

Period Data ◽

The Mean ◽

Key Features ◽

Person Characteristics ◽

The Relationship ◽

Adult Hospital

Previous studies show that patient complaints can identify gaps in quality of care, but it is difficult to identify trends without categorization. We conducted a review of complaints relating to admissions on hospital internal medicine (HIM) services over a 26-month period. Data were collected on person characteristics and key features of the complaint. The complaints were also categorized into a previously published taxonomy. Seventy-six unsolicited complaints were identified, (3.5 per 1000 hospital admissions). Complaints were more likely on resident services. The mean duration between encounter and complaint was 18 days, and it took an average of 12 days to resolve the complaint. Most patients (59%) had a complaint in the Relationship domain. Thirty-nine percent of complaints mentioned a specific clinician. When a clinician was mentioned, complaints regarding communication and humaneness predominated (68%). The results indicate that the efforts to reduce patient complaints in HIM should focus on the Relationships domain.

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Evaluating the Effects of Sediment Transport on Pipe Flow Resistance

Water ◽

10.3390/w13152091 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 2091

Author(s):

Vito Ferro ◽

Alessio Nicosia

Keyword(s):

Velocity Profile ◽

Pipe Flow ◽

Power Distribution ◽

Flow Resistance ◽

Unit Length ◽

Particle Diameter ◽

Self Similarity ◽

Sediment Size ◽

The Mean ◽

The Relationship

In this paper, the applicability of a theoretical flow resistance law to sediment-laden flow in pipes is tested. At first, the incomplete self-similarity (ISS) theory is applied to deduce the velocity profile and the corresponding flow resistance law. Then the available database of measurements carried out by clear water and sediment-laden flows with sediments having a quasi-uniform sediment size and three different values of the mean particle diameter Dm (0.88 mm, 0.41 mm and 0.30 mm) are used to calibrate the parameter of the power-velocity profile). The fitting of the measured local velocity to the power distribution demonstrates that (i) for clear flow the exponent δ) can be estimated by the equation of Castaing et al. and (ii) for the sediment-laden flows δ is related to the diameter Dm. A relationship for estimating the parameter Гv obtained by the power-velocity profile) and that Гf of the flow resistance law) is theoretically deduced. The relationship between the parameter Гv, the head loss per unit length and the pipe flow Froude number is also obtained by the available sediment-laden pipe flow data. Finally, the procedure to estimate the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor is tested by the available measurements.

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