Correlation between semitendinosus and gracilis tendon cross-sectional area determined using ultrasound,magnetic resonance imaging and intraoperative tendon measurements

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation in semitendinosus (ST) and gracilis (GT) tendon cross-sectional area (CSA) evaluated directly during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery and pre-operatively using ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A total of 14 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with a quadruple ST–GT graft by the same orthopaedic surgeon participated in this study. Pre-operative evaluation included determination of ST and GT CSA area using US and MRI. Intraoperative measurement of the diameters of the ST, GT and the final ACL graft using a closed-hole sizing block with 0.5-mm increments was made and this diameter was used to estimate tendon CSA. The correlation between graft diameter and CSA were 0.563 (GT) and 0.807 (ST) for MRI and 0.498 (GT) and 0.612 (ST) for US. The final ACL graft diameter displayed a correlation coefficient of 0.813 with MRI CSA and 0.518 with US CSA. No differences in CSA were observed between intraoperative, MRI and US methods (p > 0.05). The intraclass correlation coefficients between the US, MRI and intraoperative graft methods for the ST and GT data ranged from 0.502 to 0.903 with an estimation error ranging from 1.41% to 2.26%. These results indicate that in clinical situations where MRI is contra-indicated or not accessible, US can provide measurable values which could predict sufficient diameter of the ACL graft. In addition, determination of tendon CSA using US displays errors less than 2% which is similar to that observed using MRI. This suggests that the application of US can be applied to in vivo examination of the ST and GT CSA.     

The estimation of the cross-sectional area of the ulna and radius

Postero-anterior radiographs of 20 clean, dry ulnae were taken. The width of each bone was measured on its radiograph at 30 sites along the length of the bone. The ulnae were then sectioned at these sites and the cross-sectional areas of the sections were determined. For each measurement site, a regression equation, together with its associated standard error of estimate and correlation coefficient, was derived for the estimation of the cross-sectional area of the bone from its width. A set of 20 clean, dry radii was examined in the same way. The relevance of the results to the assessment of osteoporosis from densitometric scan information is discussed.     

A linear laser scanner to measure cross-sectional shape and area of biological specimens during mechanical testing

Measure of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of biological specimens is a primary concern for many biomechanical tests. Different procedures are presented in literature but besides the fact that noncontact techniques are required during mechanical testing, most of these procedures lack accuracy or speed. Moreover, they often require a precise positioning of the specimen, which is not always feasible, and do not enable the measure of the same section during tension. The objective of this study was to design a noncontact, fast, and accurate device capable of acquiring CSA of specimens mounted on a testing machine. A system based on the horizontal linear displacement of two charge-coupled device reflectance laser devices next to the specimen, one for each side, was chosen. The whole measuring block is mounted on a vertical linear guide to allow following the measured zone during sample tension (or compression). The device was validated by measuring the CSA of metallic rods machined with geometrical shapes (circular, hexagonal, semicircular, and triangular) as well as an equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in static condition. We also performed measurements during mechanical testing of three SDFTs, obtaining the CSA variations until tendon rupture. The system was revealed to be very fast with acquisition times in the order of 0.1 s and interacquisition time of about 1.5 s. Measurements of the geometrical shapes yielded mean errors lower than 1.4% (n=20 for each shape) while the tendon CSA at rest was 90.29 ± 1.69 mm(2) (n=20). As for the tendons that underwent tension, a mean of 60 measures were performed for each test, which lasted about 2 min until rupture (at 20 mm/min), finding CSA variations linear with stress (R(2)>0.85). The proposed device was revealed to be accurate and repeatable. It is easy to assemble and operate and capable of moving to follow a defined zone on the specimen during testing. The system does not need precise centering of the sample and can perform noncontact measures during mechanical testing; therefore, it can be used to measure variations of the specimen CSA during a tension (or compression) test in order to determine, for instance, the true stress and transverse deformations.     

Design and validation of a novel method to measure cross-sectional area of neck muscles included during routine MR brain volume imaging

Introduction

Low muscle mass secondary to disease and ageing is an important cause of excess mortality and morbidity. Many studies include a MR brain scan but no peripheral measure of muscle mass. We developed a technique to measure posterior neck muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) on volumetric MR brain scans enabling brain and muscle size to be measured simultaneously.

Methods

We performed four studies to develop and test: feasibility, inter-rater reliability, repeatability and external validity. We used T1-weighted MR brain imaging from young and older subjects, obtained on different scanners, and collected mid-thigh MR data.

Results

After developing the technique and demonstrating feasibility, we tested it for inter-rater reliability in 40 subjects. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) between raters were 0.99 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.98–1.00) for the combined group (trapezius, splenius and semispinalis), 0.92 (CI 0.85–0.96) for obliquus and 0.92 (CI 0.85–0.96) for sternocleidomastoid. The first unrotated principal component explained 72.2% of total neck muscle CSA variance and correlated positively with both right (r = 0.52, p = .001) and left (r = 0.50, p = .002) grip strength. The 14 subjects in the repeatability study had had two MR brain scans on three different scanners. The ICC for between scanner variation for total neck muscle CSA was high at 0.94 (CI 0.86–0.98). The ICCs for within scanner variations were also high, with values of 0.95 (CI 0.86–0.98), 0.97 (CI 0.92–0.99) and 0.96 (CI 0.86–0.99) for the three scanners. The external validity study found a correlation coefficient for total thigh CSA and total neck CSA of 0.88.

Discussion

We present a feasible, valid and reliable method for measuring neck muscle CSA on T1-weighted MR brain scans. Larger studies are needed to validate and apply our technique with subjects differing in age, ethnicity and geographical location.     

The cross-sectional geometry of the hand and foot bones of the hominoidea and its relationship to locomotor behavior

Cheiridia are valuable indicators of positional behavior, as they directly contact the substrate, but systematic comparison of the structural properties of both metacarpals and metatarsals has never been carried out. Differences in locomotor behavior among the great apes (knuckle-walking vs. quadrumanous climbing) can produce biomechanical differences that may be elucidated by the parallel study of cross-sectional characteristics of metacarpals and metatarsals. The aim of this work is to study the cross-sectional geometric properties of these bones and their correlation with locomotor behavior in large-bodied hominoids. The comparisons between bending moments of metacarpals and metatarsals of the same ray furnished interesting results. Metacarpals III and especially IV of the knuckle-walking African apes were relatively stronger than those of humans and orangutans, and metatarsal V of humans was relatively stronger than those of the great apes. Interestingly, the relative robusticity of the metacarpal IV of the quadrumanous orangutan was between that of the African apes and that of humans. The main conclusions of the study are: 1) cross-sectional dimensions of metacarpals and metatarsals are influenced by locomotor modes in great apes and humans; 2) interlimb comparisons of cross-sectional properties of metacarpals and metatarsals are good indicators of locomotor modes in great apes and humans; and 3) the results of this study are in accord with those of previous analyses of plantar pressure and morphofunctional traits of the same bones, and with behavioral studies. These results provide a data base from which it will be possible to compare the morphology of the fossils in order to gain insight into the locomotor repertoires of extinct taxa.     

Proposal of a marine protected area surveillance system against illegal vessels using image sensing and image processing

Conservation of marine fauna is a great concern in the present days for a number of reasons. Implementation of marine protected area is considered to be a common practice for the conservation of marine fauna at a specific area. However, in many cases, the present management system of the marine protected areas fails to protect marine fauna. This paper proposes a marine protected area surveillance system that uses airborne image sensing and digital image processing to monitor the marine protected area against illegal vessels efficiently. The system architecture, including the system structure, execution planning, and algorithm, has been described for the proposed surveillance system. It is apparent from this study that the currently proposed marine protected area surveillance system is better than the previously proposed ones.     

矿区可持续发展系统动力学模拟与调控

矿区是由资源、环境、经济和社会等子系统构成的复杂系统。矿区的可持续发展依赖于矿各子系统的合理结构和发展模式以及人们对系统的有效调控,将可持续发展思想 模拟方法相结合,在系统地分析矿区ＲＥＥＳ系统结构的基础上,构建了矿区ＲＥＥＳ系统动力学模型,并以铁法矿为例论述了矿区ＲＥＥＳ系统的模拟和调控等有关问题。     

干旱区城市化与生态环境交互耦合的规律性及其验证

在分析干旱区城市化与生态环境交互耦合关系的基础上,系统阐述了城市化与生态环境之间的交互耦合函数、耦合轨迹、耦合类型和耦合阶段,并以河西走廊为例,对干旱区城市化与生态环境交互耦合的规律进行了验证.在干旱区城市化与生态环境之间,既有相互胁迫的过程,也有相互促进的环节,它们之间是一种在交互胁迫中相互促进的动态耦合关系;这种耦合关系在其演化周期内呈现出双指数函数的变化规律,其耦合演化轨迹是一条双指数曲线;在城市化与生态环境的交互耦合过程中,可能会出现低级协调型、生态主导型、同步协调型、城市化滞后型、逐步磨合型、城市化超前型、生态脆弱型、低级磨合型和不可持续型等九种基本耦合类型,并经历低水平协调、拮抗、磨合、好转和高水平协调等5个耦合阶段.河西走廊各城市城市化与生态环境交互耦合的演进过程符合双指数函数的变化规律,其耦合轨迹均呈现出双指数曲线的变化形式;嘉峪关市属于逐步磨合型,目前处于好转阶段;金昌市属于城市化超前型,处于磨合阶段;酒泉市属于生态主导型,处于拮抗阶段;张掖市属于同步协调型,处于拮抗阶段;武威市属于生态脆弱型,处于拮抗阶段;玉门市属于低级磨合型,处于好转阶段;敦煌市属于生态脆弱型,处于拮抗阶段;河西走廊属于生态脆弱型,处于拮抗阶段.     

The design and development of a biosensor to measure the concentration of meconium in amniotic fluid

Meconium aspiration syndrome occurs in 0.2% to 1% of all deliveries and has a mortality rate as high as 18%. The disease is responsible for 2% of all perinatal deaths. Meconium may be classified as being thick or thin, but this assessment is normally performed visually by clinicians. A "meconiumcrit" analysis has been developed to objectively define the concentration of meconium. However, this analysis does not provide real-time continuous readings. This study focused on the design and development of a sensor to provide an objective, continuous, real-time assessment of meconium thickness. Meconium has an absorption spectrum centered at 410 nm and observes Beer's law. Blue light centered at 430 nm was delivered through meconium solutions, and a photodiode translated the strength of the incoming light into a voltage. This voltage was analyzed by a microcontroller to determine the concentration of meconium.     

The Systematic Reconnaissance Flight (SRF) as a tool in assessing the ecological impact of a rural development programme in an extensive area of the Lowveld of South Africa

Land use cover and the current ecological condition of the natural resources of a 71,300 ha area were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. The Systematic Reconnaissance Flight (SRF) was used to achieve the above within severe time constraints set by the terms of reference for the project. North–south grid lines, spaced 1 and 2 km apart, were flown using a helicopter. Changes in land use classes along flight transects were documented using a Global Positioning System. The co-ordinates were transformed within a Geographic Information System into land cover values. The SRF with sampling intensities ranging from 5.13 to 9.89% yielded a difference of only 0.2% between the estimated cover of sugar cane compared to the known area under sugar cane. The other land cover classes were considered adequately quantified. The qualitative assessment shows the natural resources to be under severe strain, in particular within the riparian zone. Recommendations as to future agricultural expansion are made. The SRF was highly cost-effective in achieving the stated objectives of the project.     

荒漠化治理中生态系统、社会经济系统协调发展问题探析——以中国北方半干旱荒漠区沙漠化防治为例

全球变暖导致的区域干旱使得干旱区水资源日益匮乏,而迅速增长的人口和社会经济发展进一步加剧水资源危机,使得有限的水资源成为全球沙漠化防治瓶颈,严重制约了沙化土地治理进程,影响了联合国"土地退化总面积零增长"目标的实现,也影响了中国社会经济的可持续和协调发展。传统的沙化土地治理生物措施重视植被盖度增加,忽视生态系统其他要素,如土壤水分、养分等与植被的相互关系,导致一些治理措施相对简单,生态系统不能协调发展。而沙化土地治理的物理措施和化学措施由于忽视了沙区社会和经济效益,其可持续性也受到科学家质疑。近期获批的国家重点研发计划项目"中国北方半干旱荒漠区沙漠化防治关键技术与示范"(2016YFC0500900)拟针对此问题开展研究,以沙化土地稳定恢复为首要目标,在认识半干旱荒漠区沙化土地正/逆过程演变机制和荒漠生态系统稳定性的基础上,研究沙化土地稳定恢复的生态阈值;以毛乌素沙地、库布齐沙漠东部、科尔沁沙地西部和呼伦贝尔沙地为典型区,针对不同沙化土地特点,研发防沙治沙关键技术,开展模式优化和试验示范;在防沙治沙模式与工程效益评估基础上,集成产业化技术体系,为国家防沙治沙工程建设提供理论基础与技术支撑。     

The evolution of femoral osteology and soft tissues on the line to extant birds (Neornithes)

Femoral osteology and soft tissues evolved in a stepwise pattern in archosauromorph reptiles on the line to crown group birds. Crocodylia retains most ancestral archosaurian traits, whereas Dinosauromorpha (including birds) acquired many more derived traits. The complex sequence of changes included major shifts of several thigh muscle insertions. Medial rotation of the proximal femur (e.g. the femoral head) in archosaurs moved the greater trochanter laterally, bringing along the insertion of M. pubo-ischio-femoralis externus. Within Dinosauromorpha, the lesser trochanter moved proximally away from the trochanteric shelf. Presumably the lesser trochanter indicates the insertion of M. iliotrochantericus caudalis whereas the trochanteric shelf indicates the insertion of M. iliofemoralis externus. An accessory trochanter at the base of the lesser trochanter marks the insertion of M. pubo-ischio-femoralis internus 2 in tetanuran theropods. I propose hypotheses for the homologies of several intermuscular lines and other features on the femoral shaft. On the line to Neornithes, most changes of femoral morphology predated Aves and the origin of flight; few femoral features are unique to birds. Overall, the pattern of morphological evolution is consistent with stepwise functional evolution of the hindlimb within Dinosauromorpha on the line to Neornithes. The clade Ornithurae evolved the last few hindlimb apomorphies that characterize extant birds, in conjunction with more flexed hip and knee joints.     

The evolution of pelvic osteology and soft tissues on the line to extant birds (Neornithes)

Substantial differences in pelvic osteology and soft tissues separate crown group crocodylians (Crocodylia) and birds (Neornithes). A phylogenetic perspective including fossils reveals that these disparities arose in a stepwise pattern along the line to extant birds, with major changes occurring both within and outside Aves. Some character states that preceded the origin of Neornithes are only observable or inferable in extinct taxa. These transitional states are important for recognizing the derived traits of neornithines. Palaeontological and neontological data are vital for reconstructing the sequence of pelvic changes along the line to Neornithes. Soft tissue correlation with osteological structures allows changes in soft tissue anatomy to be traced along a phylogenetic framework, and adds anatomical significance to systematic characters from osteology. Explicitly addressing homologies of bone surfaces reveals many subtleties in pelvic evolution that were previously unrecognized or implicit. I advocate that many anatomical features often treated as independent characters should be interpreted as different character states of the same character. Relatively few pelvic character states are unique to Neornithes. Indeed, many features evolved quite early along the line to Neornithes, blurring the distinction between 'avian' and 'non-avian' anatomy.     

A bioreactor test system to mimic the biological and mechanical environment of oral soft tissues and to evaluate substitutes for connective tissue grafts

Gingival cells of the oral connective tissue are exposed to complex mechanical forces during mastication, speech, tooth movement and orthodontic treatments. Especially during wound healing following surgical procedures, internal and external forces may occur, creating pressure upon the newly formed tissue. This clinical situation has to be considered when developing biomaterials to augment soft tissue in the oral cavity. In order to pre‐evaluate a collagen sponge intended to serve as a substitute for autogenous connective tissue grafts (CTGs), a dynamic bioreactor system was developed. Pressure and shear forces can be applied in this bioreactor in addition to a constant medium perfusion to cell‐material constructs. Three‐dimensional volume changes and stiffness of the matrices were analyzed. In addition, cell responses such as cell vitality and extracellular matrix (ECM) production were investigated. The number of metabolic active cells constantly increased under fully dynamic culture conditions. The sponges remained elastic even after mechanical forces were applied for 14 days. Analysis of collagen type I and fibronectin revealed a statistically significant accumulation of these ECM molecules (P < 0.05–0.001) when compared to static cultures. An increased expression of tenascin‐c, indicating tissue remodeling processes, was observed under dynamic conditions only. The results indicate that the tested in vitro cell culture system was able to mimic both the biological and mechanical environments of the clinical situation in a healing wound. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107: 1029–1039. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

利用马尾松年轮资料重建江苏暖湿地区气候的初步研究

利用树木年轮气候学方法,根据马尾松生长对气候变量具非线性响应,尝试重建江苏暖湿地区过去１１６年（１８７４～１９９０）的年平均气温和降水量。温度的重建效果优于降水量,实测值与重建值两者的缩减误差（ＲＥ）分别为０．１２和０．１０,两者的平均偏差百分率分别为２．３％和２０％。绝大部分重建结果可从观测记录和历史文献中得到验证,但在温度较高或降水量较多的若干年份,实测值与重建值有较大偏差。     

Development and validation of the Vitiligo Extent Score for a Target Area (VESTA) to assess the treatment response of a target lesion

Since localized treatment for vitiligo is as essential as systemic treatment, a reliable instrument for target evaluation is needed besides those for whole body evaluation. We developed the Vitiligo Extent Score for a Target Area (VESTA) using reference images of both marginal and perifollicular repigmentation to measure the repigmentation rate (%) in a target lesion. In the validation study, a total of 65 dermatologists in 10 institutes evaluated 17 pairs of vitiligo images (pre‐ and post‐treatment) using both a rough estimate and the VESTA. The VESTA (concordance correlation coefficient: 0.949, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.942–0.955) was significantly more accurate than the rough estimate (0.896, 95% CI: 0.883–0.908). It was also associated with better inter‐rater reliability over the rough estimate, albeit not significant. The VESTA can afford intuitive, convenient, and reliable assessment of the treatment response in a target area, and would be useful in clinical practice as well as retrospective studies.     

Assessment of blue-stain resistance according to the EN 152 and a reverse test method using visual and computer-aided techniques

A computer technique for assessing blue-stained coated wood has been implemented for evaluating the discoloration of coatings and analysing the interior wood staining of samples subjected to testing according to European Standard EN 152. The comparison of visual assessment and computer-evaluated percentages of blue staining is based on a combination of correlation measures, principal components and cluster analysis. It appears difficult to imitate human evaluation with image processing, since computer ratings represent exact percentages, while subjective evaluations do not. Additionally, more specific techniques for exploring fungal growth in coated wood have been described. As EN 152 was specifically developed for testing efficacy of wood preservatives, a modified test methodology was elaborated for testing the efficacy of wood coatings, called here as the EN 152-reverse method. Furthermore three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction is validated as a tool for in-depth analysis of blue-stain disfigurement. This 3D visualisation indicates important differences in fungal infestation and proves its suitability for blue-stain resistance testing.     

The relationship between the solvent-accessible surface area of a protein and the number of native contacts in its structure

The degree of protein folding is characterized either by the solvent-accessible surface area (S _ASA ) or the actual number of native contacts (N _cont). Evidently, these values should correlate with each other, as a decrease in S _ASA caused by the change in protein conformation during its folding must be accompanied by the corresponding increase in the number of native contacts. It is shown that this correlation does exist and is very strong (the correlation coefficient exceeds 99%), which can be used for an accurate and rapid estimation of the protein surface area from the number of native contacts. Among the methods commonly used for calculating the native contacts, the atom-atom approach gives the best fit if hydrogen atoms are taken into account and the cutoff value for the distance between the centers of atoms is taken to be 8 Å. The latter means that two layers of surface atoms are required to shield the protein core from the solvent.     

基于土地多功能的黄土丘陵沟壑区生态保护与发展情景评估及多主体模拟

黄土高原丘陵沟壑区生态环境脆弱,近几十年生态保护工程的实施带来显著的生态恢复效果,也对农户的生计策略与区域粮食安全产生了影响。刻画生态脆弱区人-地系统复杂响应过程,可以为区域可持续的土地利用管理模式提供依据。研究从土地多功能出发,着眼于黄土丘陵沟壑区河谷川地、梁峁区域、黄土塬地、土石山地以及城郊区域等不同的典型地貌类型与代表区域,采用多层次利益相关者参与式的评估框架,以农户的耕地利用行为及生态工程影响与未来发展为切入点,设置惯性发展情景、发展优先兼顾生态情景、农业优先兼顾生态情景以及生态优先兼顾发展情景,构建多智能体模型对区域土地利用与土地多功能的时空变化开展模拟。主要结果表明：(1)生态优先兼顾发展情景综合影响最高且对各维度影响相对均衡,而农业优先兼顾生态情景对区域土地的经济维度的功能和社会维度具有更为明显的提升效应;(2)根据土地多功能空间变化模拟结果,区域土地利用破碎化明显且耕地的撂荒对全域土地多功能均表现出明显的限制作用,农业优先兼顾生态情景中土地功能发生下降的面积最少;(3)发生土地功能下降的区域主要分布在土地质量较差、坡度处于5—15°范围内、地形起伏度较大以及距离道路较远...