The Measurement and Conceptualization of Coping Responses in Pediatric Chronic Pain Populations: A Scoping Review

Background: Pediatric chronic pain is a prevalent condition that requires significant coping to encourage optimal functioning; however, relevant research is vast, heterogeneous, and difficult to interpret. To date, no attempt has been made to map and summarize the measurement and conceptualization of coping responses in the context of pediatric chronic pain.Objectives: A scoping review was conducted to map and summarize the participant characteristics, methodologies, theoretical frameworks, and measures used to assess coping responses in youth with chronic pain. The extent to which authors used definitions and examples of coping responses (conceptual clarity) as well as consistently used measures (measurement consistency) and their corresponding conceptualizations (conceptual consistency) relative to how they were intended to be used were assessed.Methods: Searches were conducted through MEDLINE (PubMed) and PsycINFO. Following title/abstract screening, full-text extractions were performed on 125 English-language publications on coping in youth with chronic pain.Results: Of the 125 studies, only 12.8% used a theoretical framework to explain the coping responses assessed, and even fewer (7.2%) used theory to guide measure selection. Conceptual clarity was rated “low/very low” (i.e., no definitions and/or examples) for 47.2% of studies. The majority of studies were conducted in the United States (67%) and a preponderance of White and female participants was sampled. The research primarily used quantitative methods (85%) and cross-sectional designs (67%). Parent- or self-report questionnaires were the most common methods for assessing coping (86%). Of the 95 studies that utilized one of the 14 questionnaires with known psychometric properties, 33.7 and 55.8% had one or more discrepancies for conceptual and measurement consistency, respectively.Conclusions: This review highlights the lack of clear descriptions and theoretical frameworks of coping responses for pediatric chronic pain. Inconsistencies in the measurement and conceptualization of coping responses limit research and clinical advancements. As a field, we need to strive toward using well-developed theory to create fewer, more well-established standardized measures with clearly defined coping responses. Opportunities for qualitative and observational research in more diverse patient populations should be considered for theory construction and measure validation.Clinical Trial Registration:https://osf.io/xvn2a/?view_only=eff04e0c0b9649be89d403b10e9ff082.

Trial applications at gymnasiums of in-situ sound absorption measurement method by ensemble averaging technique

The authors have been published a series of papers on a measurement method for sound absorption characteristics of materials using ensemble averaging technique, i.e., EA method. The papers' results included measurement mechanisms, measurement uncertainty, and so on. Herein, to examine adaptability, especially in in-situ conditions, the EA method is applied to measure absorption characteristics of materials installed in two gymnasiums. A glass-wool panel with the dimension of 0.5 m by 0.5 m by 0.05 m and with the density of 32 kg m^-3 was brought around and measured to check the measurement consistency. Several measurements were conducted during badminton plays were undergoing. Measured sound absorption coefficients revealed that most results agree well with those measured in reverberation rooms. Certain improvement is necessary for the specimen brought to the in-situ measurement to keep the consistency. The inconsistency is considered to originate from unstable conditions between the specimen and floor.

Study on Ultrasonic Phased Array Detection and Imaging Techniques for Oil Storage Tank Floor Covered With Sludge

Ultrasonic testing is one of the most common non-destructive testing (NDT) methods for periodic inspection of crude oil storage tanks. Ultrasonic phased array system can effectively and efficiently image different types of defects in the structures through direct contact method. However, the sludge remained on the tank floor gives rise to difficulties on detecting the defects in the floor plate using existing techniques. Therefore, this paper focuses on the development of novel phased array testing methods without requiring complete removal of the sludge. The appropriate experimental apparatus and its parameters used for through-sludge testing are selected based on the acoustic characteristics of the oil sludge composition. Furthermore, a novel phased array full matrix capture method is explored based on firings of multi-element aperture. The total focusing method (TFM) is studied by considering the existence of sludge. The experimental results from the sludge thickness study demonstrate that the TFM imaging technique can more accurately measure the change in thickness of the metal sample at the submillimeter scale. Additionally, high resolution imaging of side drilled holes in size of 1 millimetre can be realized on the samples covered with sludge. Last, the effect of aperture size on the detectability is investigated. Consequently, the results obtained from different sludge experiments show good reliability and measurement consistency of our proposed methods. It delivers great potential to accurately locate and quantitatively evaluate the corrosion defects frequently found in the tank floor.

Deep learning for semi-automated unidirectional measurement of lung tumor size in CT

Background Performing Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECISTS) measurement is a non-trivial task requiring much expertise and time. A deep learning-based algorithm has the potential to assist with rapid and consistent lesion measurement. Purpose The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate deep learning (DL) algorithm for semi-automated unidirectional CT measurement of lung lesions. Methods This retrospective study included 1617 lung CT images from 8 publicly open datasets. A convolutional neural network was trained using 1373 training and validation images annotated by two radiologists. Performance of the DL algorithm was evaluated 244 test images annotated by one radiologist. DL algorithm’s measurement consistency with human radiologist was evaluated using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plotting. Bonferroni’s method was used to analyze difference in their diagnostic behavior, attributed by tumor characteristics. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The DL algorithm yielded ICC score of 0.959 with human radiologist. Bland-Altman plotting suggested 240 (98.4 %) measurements realized within the upper and lower limits of agreement (LOA). Some measurements outside the LOA revealed difference in clinical reasoning between DL algorithm and human radiologist. Overall, the algorithm marginally overestimated the size of lesion by 2.97 % compared to human radiologists. Further investigation indicated tumor characteristics may be associated with the DL algorithm’s diagnostic behavior of over or underestimating the lesion size compared to human radiologist. Conclusions The DL algorithm for unidirectional measurement of lung tumor size demonstrated excellent agreement with human radiologist.

Does the Type of MRI Sequence Influence Perceived Quality and Measurement Consistency in Investigations of the Anatomy of the Velopharynx?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate perceived image quality, confidence in identifying key velopharyngeal landmarks, and reliability of making velopharyngeal measures between 3-dimensional (3-D) and 2-D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods and between T1-, T2-, and proton density (PD)-weighted sequences. Methods: Twelve healthy participants completed an MRI study. Three raters assessed overall image quality and their ability to identify key anatomic features within the images. A single rater evaluated the reliability of making measures between imaging methods and sequence types to determine if image type (2-D and 3-D) or image sequence (T1, T2, PD weighted) resulted in different values for key velopharyngeal landmarks. Results: An analysis of variance test revealed image quality was rated significantly different based on the scan type ( P < .001) and the sequence used ( P = .015). Image quality was rated higher among 2-D MR images compared to 3-D, and higher among T2 sequences compared to T1- and PD-weighted imaging methods. In contrast, raters favored 3-D sequences over 2-D sequences for identifying velopharyngeal landmarks. Measures of reliability revealed scan type significantly impacted 2 of the 6 variables but to a minimal degree; however, sequence type had no impact on measures of reliability across all variables. Conclusion: Results of the study suggest the scan type and sequence used are factors that likely do not impact the reliability of measures. Based on image quality, the recommended technique for velopharyngeal imaging would be using a 2-D T2-weighted technique. However, based on the ability to identify key landmarks, a 3-D T1- or PD-weighted technique was favored.

Measurement consistency of dynamic stretching muscle stiffness evaluated using shear wave elastography: comparison among different stretched levels and ROI sizes

Aim: To investigate the reliability of quantitative analysis of dynamic stretching muscle stiffness using shear wave elas-tography (SWE), and to evaluate the influence of stretched levels and region of interest (ROI) sizes on the repeatability of SWE measurements. Materials and methods: SWE videos of the gastrocnemius medius were collected during ankle movement from plantar flexion (PF) 40° to dorsiflexion (DF) 30°. Shear wave imageswere collected of ankle angles at PF 25°, 0°, DF 15°, and DF 30°, representing the slack status, mildly stretched level, moderately stretched level, and maximal stretched level of the gastrocnemius medius, respectively. ROI circles with diameters of 2 mm, 5 mm, and 8 mm were applied to measure the shear modulus. Intra-observer, and inter-observer repeatability of the measurements were compared among different stretched levels and ROI sizes. Results: Twenty-one healthy volunteers were enrolled. Muscle stiffness increased as the ankle DF increased. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of intra-observer and inter-observer repeatability obtained for ROI sizes of 2 mm, 5 mm and 8 mm indicated good to excellent repeatability at all stretched levels. Conclusions: Shear wave elastography appeared to be a reliable tool to evaluate the dynamic stretching muscle stiffness with satisfactory repeatability at various stretched levels of gastrocnemius medius. Good to excellent repeatability was found using different ROI sizes.

Comparison of 2 Sagittal Craniosynostosis Repair Techniques: Spring-Assisted Surgery Versus Endoscope-Assisted Craniectomy With Helmet Molding Therapy

Introduction: This study compares anthropometric outcomes of 2 sagittal synostosis repair techniques: spring-assisted surgery and endoscope-assisted craniectomy with molding helmet therapy. Methods: Patients undergoing spring-assisted surgery (n = 27) or endoscope-assisted craniectomy with helmet therapy (n = 40) at separate institutions were retrospectively reviewed. Pre- and 1-year postoperative computed tomography (CT) or laser scans were analyzed for traditional cranial index (CI), adjusted cranial index (aCI), and cranial vault volume (CVV). Nine patient-matched scans were analyzed for measurement consistency. Results: The spring-assisted group was older at both time points ( P < .050) and spring-assisted group CVV was larger preoperatively and postoperatively ( P < .01). However, the change in CVV did not differ between the groups ( P = .210). There was no difference in preoperative CI (helmet vs spring: 70.1 vs 71.2, P = .368) between the groups. Postoperatively, helmet group CI (77.0 vs 74.3, P = .008) was greater. The helmet group also demonstrated a greater increase in CI (6.9 vs 3.1, P < .001). The proportion of patients achieving CI of 75 or greater was not significantly different between the groups (helmet vs spring: CI, 65% vs 52%, P = .370). There was no detectable bias in CI between matched CT and laser scans. Differences were identified between scan types in aCI and CVV measurements; subsequent analyses used corrected CVV and aCI measures for laser scan measures. Conclusions: Both techniques had equivalent proportions of patients achieving normal CI, comparable effects on cranial volume, and similar operative characteristics. The study suggests that there may be greater improvement in CI in the helmet group. However, further research should be performed.

Automatic Sorting System for Rigid Piezoelectric Transducer Wafers Used in Displacement Adjustment

Piezoelectric transducer wafers are usually used in pairs to adjust the resonant cavity length of the ring laser gyro. In practice, the paired wafers are required to have similar piezoelectric charge coefficient d31. To handle the pairing operation in-batch, an automatic sorting system was developed on the basis of deformation measurement, which adopted a frame of a Cartesian-coordinate robot. The wafers were self-aligned in the vertical direction, and a vacuum holder was used to pick up, transfer, and then place them on thee testing desk one by one. The excitation voltage was loaded on the wafer by a specifically designed electrode, and the resulting micro deformation was measured by dual opposite inductive micrometers using the relative measurement principle. This particular electrode has the function of attitude self-adjustment and vacuum adsorption, which is conducive to loading the voltage reliably and protecting the wafer from undesired damage. Finally, the wafers were transported to different stock bins based on the measuring results. This system is suited to handle a mass of wafers by continuous processing on site for its high reliability and measurement consistency. The measurement accuracy, validated by laser interferometry, was better than 0.5 μm and the repeatability was superior to 0.1 μm.