Case History Data Research Articles

Evaluation of liquefaction potential of soil using the shear wave velocity in Tehran, Iran

Shear-wave velocity (VS) offers a means to determine the seismic resistance of soil to liquefaction by a fundamental soil property. Iwasaki’s (1982) method is used to measure the liquefaction potential index for both of them. It follows the general format of the Seed-Idriss (1685) simplified procedure based on standard penetration test blow count and shear wave velocity (VS) on the basis of Andrus et al. (2004) using case history data from 43 boreholes in soils ranging from fine sand, silty sand, gravely sand to profiles including silty clay layers and the average soil shear wave velocity (VS30) in the south Tehran. Liquefaction resistance curves were established by applying a modified relationship between the shear-wave velocity and cyclic stress ratio for the constant average cyclic shear strain. The study area is the south-east of Tehran and the route of Tehran Metro Line 7. It is observed that there is not a perfect agreement between the results of the two methods based on five empirical relationships assuming cemented and non-cemented condition for soils. Moreover, the liquefaction potential index (PL) value in the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) method is more than that of the VS method. Liquefaction potential index (PL) values based on shear wave velocity (VS) using five empirical relationships in two un-cemented and cemented soil show that the used relations are overestimated and most of them have shown non-liquefaction condition for soils in the studied area.

Результаты комплексного изучения минеральной плотности костной ткани у больных туберкулезным спондилитом

Introduction Osteoporosis is one of the most common and important symptoms of tuberculous involvement along with the classic symptomology. Aim To evaluate bone tissue mineral density and microstructure in patients with tuberculous spondylitis. Materials and Methods The results of studying 75 patients with active tuberculous spondylitis admitted to the Department of Bone and Joint Tuberculosis of Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Phthisiology and Pulmonology in 2015 formed the basis of the present work according to the intended purpose. Complex examination of the patients included their case history, clinical and laboratory data, and orthopedic status evaluation. Radilogical examination consisted of performing sagittal and frontal radiographic views, CT, and/or MRI of the involved segments. Both tomographic examinations (CT and MRI) were performed, if indicated, for differential diagnosis to identify the pathological process. Results Male patients of working age prevailed in the group of patients with normal bone mineral density. The number of patients with decreased bone mineral density was twice more as compared with those with normal bone mineral density. One-third of the patients were over 50 years of age. The value of bone tissue resorption exceeded the normal rate by two-fold. The values of bone tissue formation in middle-aged patients were increased irrespective of gender but remained within the limits of the two-fold increase. Conclusion Tuberculous spondylitis causes general changes in the bone metabolism values in 90 % of the patients. Intensive bone resorption takes place in tuberculous spondylitis that exceeds twice the rate of bone tissue formation.

Prevalence of progressive supranuclear palsy in Yonago: change throughout a decade.

BackgroundProgressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is sometimes confused with Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and other disorders. The typical clinical features are categorized as Richardson's syndrome (RS), but other clinical subtypes include PSP‐parkinsonism (PSP‐P) and PSP‐pure akinesia with gait freezing (PSP‐PAGF). In this study, we determined the prevalence of PSP in a Japanese rural area compared to our previous 1999 report.MethodsWe collected data in Yonago City from 2009 to 2014 using a service‐based study of PSP. We collected case history data from PSP patients in the area from our hospital. The crude prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the population demographics on the prevalence day of 1 October 2010. Age‐ and sex‐adjusted prevalence was calculated by direct standardization to the population demographics in Yonago City on the prevalence day of 1 April 1999.Material and ResultsWe identified 25 patients: 16 with probable RS, 4 with possible RS, 3 with clinical PSP‐P, and 2 with clinical PSP‐PAGF. The prevalence per 100,000 was 17.90 (male = 18.05; female = 17.76). The prevalence of PSP in Yonago in 2010 increased compared to the measurements from 1999.ConclusionThe prevalence of PSP in Japan increased from 1999 to 2010.

Nonparametric Liquefaction Triggering and Postliquefaction Deformations

AbstractThis study evaluates granular liquefaction triggering case-history data using a nonparametric approach. This approach assumes no functional form in the relationship between liquefied and nonliquefied cases as measured using cone penetration test (CPT) data. From a statistical perspective, this allows for an estimate of the threshold of liquefaction triggering unbiased by prior functional forms, and also provides a platform for testing existing published methods for accuracy and precision. The resulting threshold exhibits some unique trends, which are then interpreted based on postliquefaction deformation behavior. The range of postliquefaction deformations are differentiated into three zones: (1) large deformations associated with metastable conditions; (2) medium deformations associated with cyclic strain failure; and (3) small deformations associated with cyclic stress failure. Deformations are further defined based on the absence or presence of static driving shear stresses. This work presents ...

Lateral response of piles in weak calcareous sandstone

Existing design methods for laterally loaded piles in soft rock have insufficient supporting case history data and consequently cannot be regarded as having a high level of reliability. This paper addresses the shortage of experimental data by describing the results from four instrumented lateral load tests on drilled and grouted piles installed in weak calcareous sandstone. The derived lateral load transfer (p–y) curves are first compared with existing approaches for weak rock and cemented soils. The paper then examines the potential of using cone penetration test (CPT) data directly for the design analysis of laterally loaded piles in weak rock. It is shown that equivalent elastic moduli of the rock controlling values of qcat the test site are very similar to those controlling lateral pile response. This finding is used to formulate a simple bilinear p–y approximation of the lateral response that requires qcdata and an estimate of the rock’s effective stress strength parameters. It is shown that such an approach is likely to be sufficient for many practical purposes if the moment capacity of the pile section is incorporated in the analysis.

Diagnosis of anaphylactic death in forensics: Review and future perspectives.

The diagnosis of anaphylaxis in a pre- or post-mortal phase involves the formulation of problems not yet solved by the international scientific literature, due to the complexity of pathogenic factors and pathophysiological processes that characterizes it. For forensic autopsies, further problems of differential diagnosis arise and often leave the forensic pathologist unable to express an opinion of certainty, as a result of lack of case history, circumstantial and autoptical-histopathological data. Nevertheless, in routine cases the postmortem diagnosis of anaphylactic death continues to be based on exclusion and circumstantial evidence. The author, after an extensive review of the literature relating to deaths from anaphylaxis of forensic pathological interest, and a discussion of the microscopical and biochemical findings, proposes a diagnostic protocol for forensic purposes and evaluates the diagnostic perspectives enabled by the newly available analytic techniques and markers. Maybe, the application of omics methodologies could help in the future for anaphylaxis diagnosis.

PEER-NGL project: Open source global database and model development for the next-generation of liquefaction assessment procedures

The Next-Generation Liquefaction (NGL) project was launched to (1) substantially improve the quality, transparency, and accessibility of case history data related to ground failure; (2) provide a coordinated framework for supporting studies to augment case history data for conditions important for applications but poorly represented in empirical databases; and (3) provide an open, collaborative process for model development in which developer teams have access to common resources and share ideas and results during model development. Work to date has focused on compiling high-value case histories, developing a database template, and planning for needed supporting studies. We describe the project motivation, explain and illustrate how data resources will be compiled and organized, summarize preliminary results from ongoing data collection, describe needed supporting studies, and review project status and next steps.

Recurrent Fever in Children.

Children presenting with recurrent fever may represent a diagnostic challenge. After excluding the most common etiologies, which include the consecutive occurrence of independent uncomplicated infections, a wide range of possible causes are considered. This article summarizes infectious and noninfectious causes of recurrent fever in pediatric patients. We highlight that, when investigating recurrent fever, it is important to consider age at onset, family history, duration of febrile episodes, length of interval between episodes, associated symptoms and response to treatment. Additionally, information regarding travel history and exposure to animals is helpful, especially with regard to infections. With the exclusion of repeated independent uncomplicated infections, many infective causes of recurrent fever are relatively rare in Western countries; therefore, clinicians should be attuned to suggestive case history data. It is important to rule out the possibility of an infectious process or a malignancy, in particular, if steroid therapy is being considered. After excluding an infectious or neoplastic etiology, immune-mediated and autoinflammatory diseases should be taken into consideration. Together with case history data, a careful physical exam during and between febrile episodes may give useful clues and guide laboratory investigations. However, despite a thorough evaluation, a recurrent fever may remain unexplained. A watchful follow-up is thus mandatory because new signs and symptoms may appear over time.

The effect of anesthesia on cognitive functions

Aim of the study - General anesthetics, arterial hypotension and hypoxia developing during anesthesia may result in impaired memory and a decline in other abilities (such as attention, concentration, linguistic and writing abilities). Our aim was to detect changes in cognitive functions due to surgery and anesthesia with controlled arterial hypotension. Materials and methods - We studied combined and intravenous anesthesia detecting pre-and postoperative cognitive functions, intraoperative haemodynamic parameters, demographic data, other data of case history and surgical data. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment test was applied in the randomized, prospective study. The preoperative data served as basis for comparison. The second test was performed following surgery when patients were fully awake. Both groups included 30 patients. Results and conclusion - After both narcosis methods (postoperative second hour) cognitive functions were significantly deteriorated (p<0.05). Median MoCA before sevoflurane anesthesia was 24 points (interquartile range: 22-25), postoperative value was 20 (19-21) (p<0.05). Median MoCA before propofol anesthesia was 24 points (23-26), postoperative value was 20 (18-22) (p<0.01). Intraoperative arterial blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen saturation values did not correlate with worsening of cognitive function (Pearson correlation coefficient values between -0.19 and 0.42). Execution is influenced by age (negative correlation) and education (positive correlation).

Time effects on shaft capacity of jacked piles in sand

This paper examines the effects of time on the shaft capacity of jacked piles in sand through an experimental program performed at three separate test sites in Western Australia. A total of 18 instrumented pile tests were conducted to track the changes of radial stress on the pile shafts, as well as shaft friction, up to a maximum of 72 days after installation. The results confirm that the gains in shaft capacity of jacked piles are small after a period of about 1 day. This observation is in keeping with limited available case history data, but is in stark contrast to the significant capacity gains reported for driven piles. Further examination reveals that set-up effects for jacked piles in sand are relatively significant within one day of installation, and that the increased friction is associated primarily with larger increases in radial effective stress during shearing.

Use of fully softened shear strength in slope stability analysis

Fully softened shear strength is an important empirical engineering concept for slope stability analyses of cuts in stiff clays and compacted embankments constructed of high-plasticity clays. This concept has been used to explain many first-time failures for which the back calculated shear strength is below the peak strength measured in the laboratory. A comprehensive review of case histories and laboratory studies related to fully softened shear strength was used to assess the application of this concept. The case history data were also used to provide guidelines on the soil types for which fully softened shear strength is appropriate, how and when this shear strength should be used in slope stability analysis, and how the fully softened failure envelope should be characterized. This paper contains specific guidelines on when and how the fully softened shear strength concept should be used in slope stability analyses.

Influence of initial stress distribution on liquefaction-induced settlement of shallow foundations

During earthquakes, saturated sandy soils may generate significant excess pore pressures and approach a state of liquefaction. Structures founded on shallow foundations above such soils may consequently undergo large settlements. Recent case history analysis has shown that the stress imposed by the foundation is a key factor in the estimation of such settlements. However, the case history data showed that although increasing bearing pressure caused an increase in settlements as expected, this was only true up to a point, and that very heavy structures appeared to settle less than some lighter structures. This work aims to investigate these counter-intuitive results by means of controlled experimental testing using a geotechnical centrifuge. Results of the centrifuge tests show that the trend derived from case histories is correct and that liquefaction-induced settlements peak for a given bearing stress (90 kPa for the models tested) and reduce for greater applied stresses. Further, by analysis of excess pore pressure distributions beneath the foundations it is shown that the main factor inhibiting pore pressure generation beneath the footings is not so much the confining pressure as the in-situ static shear stress around the edge of the foundation. This is supported by element test data from the literature. When this initial static shear stress is so high that the applied cyclic shear stress cannot exceed it (i.e. the direction of shear stress does not reverse) then pore pressure generation is greatly reduced, thus causing the observed reduction in expected settlements.

The concept of risk factors in assessing the impact of smoking on an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

By using the risk concept, to determine a quantitative relationship between smoking in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the development of an exacerbation. Case history data were studied in 166 patients admitted for a COPD exacerbation in 2009 to 2012. There were 2 exacerbations for a year or longer. The patients were divided into 2 groups: smokers (n=110) and nonsmokers (n=56). The concept for estimating the risks was based on the calculation of absolute risk in the exposed and unexposed groups, attributable risk, relative risk, and population attributable risk and on the determination of standard errors for each type of risk and confidence interval. The methodological aspects of determining the quantitative relationship between smoking in patients with COPD and the development of its exacerbations (twice or more per year) were considered on the basis of the statistical concept of risk factors. A risk factor concept-based analysis has shown that the impact of smoking is directly related to the worsening of COPD. The frequency of exacerbations is 71.8% in the group of smoking patients and 32.1 % in that of nonsmoking patients; the risk factor increases the likelihood of this event by 39.7%. Smoking leads to a 2.2-fold increase in the frequency of COPD exacerbations. The potential hazard index was 2.5.

2nd Ishihara Lecture: SPT- and CPT-based relationships for the residual shear strength of liquefied soils

An evaluation of post-earthquake stability of earth embankments or slopes that contain, or are founded on, soils that may liquefy requires estimating the liquefied soil׳s residual shear strength, Sr. Decisions regarding the need for expensive mitigation efforts, including ground improvement work, often hinge on the selected Sr values. This paper presents recommended SPT- and CPT-based relationships for estimating the residual shear strength ratio, Sr/σ′vo, of liquefied nonplastic soils in the field based on a review of prior case history studies, laboratory testing studies, and recent findings regarding void redistribution mechanisms. The recommended relationships provide guidance regarding the unavoidable task in practice of having to extrapolate beyond the available case history data. Limitations in the state of knowledge are discussed.

Botulism in Bihor County during 2002-2014

Methods We conducted a retrospective study of cases of botulism admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department I and II in Oradea during 2001-2014, July. All patients in the study were diagnosed with food poisoning by Clostridium botulinum, the food most commonly involved being smoked pork bacon, homemade and untreated by heat. Diagnosis was based on case history data, clinical and toxin identification (often late).

Numerical stability analysis of submerged slopes subject to rapid sedimentation processes

In this paper, the stability of infinitely long submerged slopes subject to rapid sedimentation processes is theoretically/numerically investigated. In particular, rapid deposition is considered as a potential triggering factor for static liquefaction in inclined loose sand layers. The corresponding initial boundary value problem is numerically analysed by employing a one-dimensional finite difference scheme in conjunction with two distinct versions of the same constitutive model—elasto-plastic and elasto-viscoplastic (EV). The EV approach is shown to be the most suitable for describing the onset of liquefaction phenomena, since its mathematical well-posedness and numerical stability are never lost. The results of parametric analyses for both homogeneous and inhomogeneous strata are critically discussed in the light of some case history data concerning natural and anthropic sedimentation processes.

PACIENTŲ PO GALVOS SMEGENŲ INSULTO FUNKCINĖS BŪKLĖS POKYČIAI REABILITACIJOS PROCESE

Visuomenėje pripažinta, kad galvos smegenų insultas (GSI) yra gyvybei pavojinga būklė. Nors mirtingumas nuo insulto mažėja, cerebrovaskulinės ligos lieka viena pagrindinių mirties ir negalios priežasčių daugelyje Europos Sąjungos šalių, o aukšti sergamumo rodikliai ir sunkios insulto pasekmės yra viena svarbiausių šiandieninės medicinos problemų. Darbo tikslas buvo įvertinti asmenų po GSI funkcinės būklės pokyčius reabilitacijos procese. Tirti 112 GSI sergančių ir besigydančių reabilitacijos įstaigoje pacientų, kurių amžiaus vidurkis 46 metai. Iš jų 53,6 proc. sudarė moterys. Pacientams buvo taikomas kompleksinis reabilitacinis gydymas, kurio metu su pacientais dirbo visa reabilitacijos komanda. Duomenų analizei buvo panaudoti ligos istorijos duomenys. Pacientų sveikatos būklė buvo vertinama du kartus, pacientams atvykus ir išvykstant iš gydymo įstaigos. Jų pažintinės funkcijos buvo vertintos naudojant standartizuotą trumpą protinės būklės tyrimą (MMSE), o savarankiškumas kasdieniame gyvenime vertintas standartizuotu funkcinio nepriklausomumo testu (FNT). Tyrimo duomenys apdoroti SPSS ir STATSTICA programiniais paketais. Statistinės duomenų analizės rezultatai parodė, kad pacientų po GSI funkcinės būklės pokyčiai kito teigiamai, nes reabilitacijos metu pagerėjo tiek pažintinės, tiek kasdienės apsitarnavimo funkcijos. Bendra pacientų pažintinių funkcijų būsena statistiškai reikšmingai skyrėsi, reabilitacijos eigoje gautas stiprus teigiamas ryšys, ką parodo p koeficientas (0,85), kuris reiškia stiprų teigiamą ryšį. O analizuojant bendrą tiriamųjų būklę priklausomai nuo insulto tipo, buvo išsiaiškinta, kad pacientų, sergančių išeminiu GSI, bendroji pažintinių funkcijų būklė buvo geresnė prieš reabilitaciją negu pacientų, sergančių hemoraginiu GSI. Sveikdami jie taip pat pasiekė geresnių rezultatų, jų duomenys statistiškai reikšmingai skiriasi (p0,05). Bendra pacientų savarankiškumo kasdieniame gyvenime būsena taip pat statistiškai reikšmingai skyrėsi reabilitacijos eigoje, o koreliacijos koeficientas p (0,93) parodė labai stiprų teigiamą ryšį. Mūsų tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad pagerėjo pacientų po GSI, tiek pažintinės, tiek savirūpos funkcijų pokyčiai stacionarinės reabilitacijos eigoje. Taip pat nustatyta, kad gerėjant pažintinėms funkcijoms gerėja ir apsitarnavimas kasdieniame gyvenime. Tą parodo koreliacijos koeficientas p (0,54). Analizuojant sergančiųjų GSI reabilitacijos efektyvumą priklausomai nuo demografinių rodiklių, išsiaiškinta, kad pacientų funkcinės būklės dinamika statistiškai reikšmingai gerėjo priklausomai nuo insulto tipo. Taip pat nustatyta, kad geriau jautėsi pacientai, gyvenantys mieste, negu kaime, nors šie duomenys statistiškai reikšmingai nesiskiria. Išanalizavus funkcinės būklės pokyčius priklausomai nuo lyties, nustatyta, kad geresnė bendra savijauta buvo vyrų nei moterų. Taip pat jų reabilitacija buvo sėkmingesnė nei moterų, nors šie duomenys statistiškai reikšmingai nesiskyrė.

EPA-0284 – Pedophiles and (or) child molesters

It is often discussed whether sexual offenders of children are pedophiles or child molesters. It depends on exact definition and operationalization of the categories and on the difference between socio-legal and psychopathological classification. Practical question from forensic point of view is whether there are any differences between the group of ‘pedophiles’, who have sexually offended child and the group of child molesters, who do not meet criteria for pedophilia. Experimental sample consists of 146 forensic cases (all men), they committed child molestation in years 2005–2012. According to the criteria (DSM-IV-TR) for pedophilia, penile plethysmography (PPG), actual clinical and case history data were used for the diagnosis determination. Obtained clinical and sociodemographic data were statistically evaluated. Only a small part (16,2 %) of sexual offenders against children meet the criteria (DSM-IV-TR) for pedophilia. There is significant difference in occurrence of other psychopathological features between groups of ‘pedophiles’ and non-pedophilic ‘child molesters’, i.a. alcohol abuse/dependence, sexual dysfunction, personality disorder, increased aggressiveness, mental deficit, etc. Research helps increase understanding of correlations and differences between terms that describe sexual offenders of children. It confirms the opinion that not all of child sexual offenders are pedophiles. Regarding pedophilia remains the problem of its definition in conditions of practical acceptance of courts.

Case Report Familial primary open-angle glaucoma: a case report

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a disease that is often inherited, but the rules governing its inheritance are inconclusive. Herein, we report a case of POAG in a Chinese family. A 25-year-old female patient was referred to our department with progressive visual acuity decline in her left eye for the past 3 years. Ophthalmological examination supported our diagnosis of POAG in both eyes. We recorded the case history and clinical data of the proband and her family members and followed standard genetic study procedures. In this family, there were 8 individuals (4 male and 4 female) diagnosed with POAG, 2 of whom died. Genetic analysis revealed that the inheritance pattern of POAG in this family is autosomal dominant.

An international effort towards developing standards for best practices in analysis, interpretation and reporting of clinical genome sequencing results in the CLARITY Challenge

BackgroundThere is tremendous potential for genome sequencing to improve clinical diagnosis and care once it becomes routinely accessible, but this will require formalizing research methods into clinical best practices in the areas of sequence data generation, analysis, interpretation and reporting. The CLARITY Challenge was designed to spur convergence in methods for diagnosing genetic disease starting from clinical case history and genome sequencing data. DNA samples were obtained from three families with heritable genetic disorders and genomic sequence data were donated by sequencing platform vendors. The challenge was to analyze and interpret these data with the goals of identifying disease-causing variants and reporting the findings in a clinically useful format. Participating contestant groups were solicited broadly, and an independent panel of judges evaluated their performance.ResultsA total of 30 international groups were engaged. The entries reveal a general convergence of practices on most elements of the analysis and interpretation process. However, even given this commonality of approach, only two groups identified the consensus candidate variants in all disease cases, demonstrating a need for consistent fine-tuning of the generally accepted methods. There was greater diversity of the final clinical report content and in the patient consenting process, demonstrating that these areas require additional exploration and standardization.ConclusionsThe CLARITY Challenge provides a comprehensive assessment of current practices for using genome sequencing to diagnose and report genetic diseases. There is remarkable convergence in bioinformatic techniques, but medical interpretation and reporting are areas that require further development by many groups.