Number Of Ribs Research Articles

Morphological characterization of endemic Agave cupreata species of Mexico

The agave papalote (<i>Agave cupreata</i> Trelease) which is endemic to the Guerrero state, Mexico, is propagated exclusively by seed, but it is overutilized and knowledge of its diversity is needed for its protection. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the morphological variation in wild and cultivated populations of <i>Agave cupreata</i> in five areas of Guerrero. Ninety one characters were evaluated <i>in situ</i>, and only 51 qualitative and quantitative morphological characters of the plant, leaf spine, flower, fruit, seed and flower stalk were selected. The work was carried out in five different altitudinal zones, according to the level of production of mezcal. In each area we selected 20 plants. We used multivariate and cluster analysis. The principal component analysis indicated that the first six principal components (PC) accounted for 60.1% of the total variation. The CP1 was related to plant height, and CP2 to growth habit and leaf shape. We identified five groups. Morphological characterization <i>in situ</i> allowed detecting morphological variation in wild and cultivated agave. This variation was detected in growth habit, rosette height, stem length, leaf shape, margin shape, number of ribs, terminal spine width, length and thickness of the marginal bone. We also propose 37 varietal descriptors that differentiate ecotypes of <i>A. cupreata</i>. This will contribute to perform the legal protection of this type of agave endemic to Mexico, and thereby promote its conservation and sustainable use.

An unusual case of rib anomalies in number and morphology with association of vertebral and sternum anomalies: Computed tomography diagnosis

A significantly less number of ribs with multiple developmental anomalies in ribs, spine, and sternum is very rare anomaly. We report a case of a 50-year-old man with 15 number of ribs, absent first, second, fourth, seventh and eleventh ribs on the left and absent first, third, eight and tenth ribs on the right side, along with a bifid anterior end of the left sixth rib, fused posterior ends of right fifth and sixth ribs, and bilateral hypoplastic 12th ribs. These anomalies were also associated with thoracolumbar block and hemivertebrae as well as a small sternum. All findings were identified incidentally on computed tomography. No similar type of rib anomalies was found in previous literature. We discuss the details of this case, and suggest a perspective of morphology and developmental biology.

Use of the Thoracolumbar Facet Transition as a Method of Identifying the T12 Segment

Purpose: Evaluate the reliability of the change from the flat, posterolaterally oriented facets of the thoracic segments to the curved, posteromedially oriented facets of the lumbar spine, the “facet transition”, as a marker for the T12 segment and determine if variations in rib number are associated with lumbosacral transitional segments. Materials and methods: 244 patients underwent whole spine CT examinations and the positions of the thoracolumbar facet transition, type of thoracolumbar facet transition (gradual or abrupt), position of the lowest thoracic ribs, and presence or absence of lumbosacral transitional anatomy were recorded. A Fisher Exact Test was used to determine if there was an association between a variant number of ribs and transitional anatomy at the lumbosacral junction. Results: The thoracolumbar facet transition was located at the eighteenth segment in 50/244 (20%), nineteenth segment in 184/244 (75%), and twentieth segment in 10/244 (4%) of cases. The thoracolumbar facet transition was abrupt in 227/244 (93%). The lowest set of ribs was observed at the nineteenth segment in 225/244 (92%), twentieth segment in 11/244 (5%), and eighteenth segment in 8/244 (3%). The lowest fully-formed intervertebral disc was located between the twenty-third and twenty-fourth segments in 9/244 (4%), twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth segments in 216/244 (88%), and twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth segments in 19/244 (8%). Coexistent lumbosacral transitional anatomy was seen in 5/7 (71%) with eleven, 8/11 (73%) with thirteen, and 24/234 (10%) with twelve ribs. There was an association between variant numbers of ribs and coexistent lumbosacral transitional anatomy (p<0.5). Conclusion: The thoracolumbar facet transition is not a reliable method of identifying the T12 segment. There are no known landmarks that reliably identify the lumbar segments. Accurate numbering of the lumbar spine requires counting caudally from C2.

Abnormal rib count in scoliosis surgery: impact on the reporting of spinal fusion levels.

PurposeVariation in rib numbering has been noted in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), but its effect on the reporting of fusion levels has not been studied. We hypothesized that vertebral numbering variations can lead to differing documentation of fusion levels.MethodsWe examined the radiographs of 161 surgical AIS patients and 179 control patients without scoliosis. For AIS patients, the operative report of fusion levels was compared to conventional vertebral labeling from the first thoracic level and proceeding caudal. We defined normal counts as 12 thoracic (rib-bearing) and five lumbar (non-rib-bearing) vertebrae. We compared our counts with data from 181 anatomic specimens.ResultsAmong AIS patients, 22 (14 %) had an abnormal number of ribs and 29 (18 %) had either abnormal rib or lumbar count. In 12/29 (41 %) patients, the operative report differed from conventional labeling by one level, versus 3/132 (2 %) patients with normal numbering (p < 0.001). However, there were no cases seen of wrong fusion levels based on curve pattern. Among controls, 11 % had abnormal rib count (p = 0.41) compared to the rate in AIS. Anatomic specimen data did not differ in abnormal rib count (p = 1.0) or thoracolumbar pattern (p = 0.59).ConclusionsThe rate of numerical variations in the thoracolumbar vertebrae of AIS patients is equivalent to that in the general population. When variations in rib count are present, differences in numbering levels can occur. In the treatment of scoliosis, no wrong fusion levels were noted. However, for both scoliosis patients and the general population, we suggest adherence to conventional labeling to enhance clarity.

Influence of Vehicle Kinematic Components on Chest Injury in Frontal-Offset Impacts

Objective: Frontal crashes in which the vehicle has poor structural engagement, such as small-overlap and oblique crashes, account for a large number of fatalities. These crash modes are characterized by large intrusion and vehicle yaw rotation. Results from previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the importance and effects of these parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate how vehicle yaw rotation, instrument panel intrusion, and the time history of the pulse angle influence chest injury outcomes.Method: This study was conducted using kinematic boundary conditions derived from physical crash tests, which were applied on a finite element simulation model of a vehicle interior including a finite element human model. By performing simulations with different levels of simplified boundary conditions and comparing the results to a simulation with a full set of boundary conditions, the influence of the simplifications was evaluated. The injury outcome measure compared between the simulations was the expected number of fractured ribs. The 3 simplifications simulated were (1) removal of vehicle yaw rotation, (2) removal of vehicle yaw rotation plus an assumption of a constant pulse angle between the x- and y-acceleration, and (3) removal of instrument panel intrusion.The kinematic boundary conditions were collected from 120 physical tests performed at the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety; 77 were small-overlap tests, and 43 were moderate overlap tests. For each test, the full set of boundary conditions plus the 3 simplifications were simulated. Thus, a total of 480 simulations were performed.Results: The yaw rotation influences occupant interaction with the frontal airbag. For the approximation without this kinematic boundary component, there was an average error in injury outcome of approximately 13% for the moderate overlap cases. Large instrument panel intrusion increases the risk of rib fracture in nearside small-overlap crashes. The mechanism underlying this increased fracture risk is a combination of increased airbag load and a more severe secondary impact to the side structure. Without the intrusion component, the injury risk was underestimated by 8% for the small-overlap crashes.Conclusion: The approximation with least error was version 2; that is, a model assuming a constant pulse angle, including instrument panel intrusion but no vehicle yaw rotation. This approximation simulates a sled test with a buck mounted at an oblique angle. The average error for this approximation was as low as 2–4%.

Development of a metric technique for identification of rib number (position) in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): an initial attempt

Zooarchaeologists have traditionally largely ignored ungulate ribs because they are seldom identifiable to genus or species, and they cannot be sorted as to which rib is represented (first, seventh, twelfth). Measurements of six dimensions of 287 ribs from 15 individual white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) reveal that four dimensions do not differentiate ribs as to position. The ratio of costal facet height to costal facet width, however, gives a >90 percent chance of correctly categorizing proximal ribs as either anterior (ribs 1–6) or posterior (ribs 9–13). Future research should incorporate frequencies of anterior and posterior ribs into studies of skeletal part frequencies. The metric technique of rib seriation could be applicable to other ungulate taxa.

Leaf anatomical structures in Central European populations of the broad-leavedFestucataxa

This work deals with the leaf blade anatomical structures of the broad-leaved fescue taxa, natural populations of temperate forage grasses, collected from various habitats in Central Europe. The following anatomical features were examined and quantitatively characterised: the ribs of leaves, type of the mesophyll, number of the sclerenchyma ribs, quantity of sclerenchyma tissue, presence of the colourless cells, number of bulliform cells, stomatal complexes and presence of papilla number. It was concluded that the anatomical structures and the main leaf blade characteristics of broad-leaved fescues show several differences between the taxa of Schenodorus and Drymanthele subgenus. The populations of the Schenodorus subgenus present heterogeneous mesophyll, with radial parenchyma, and colourless cells. Strong correlations exist between the bulliform cells and the quantity of sclerenchyma and papillae. The populations of Drymanthele subgenus also present heterogeneous mesophyll, but this is not evident for every taxa and populations. The radial parenchyma and the colourless cells are not specific. There is a positive correlation between the bulliform cells and the quantity of sclerenchyma. The comparative leaf anatomical analysis, could contribute to the better understanding of taxonomic and anatomical diversity in this group.

Morphometric comparisons of the scanning electron micrographs of the eggs of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) darlingi Root (Diptera: Culicidae)

Anopheles darlingi Root is the principal vector of Plasmodium in Brazil, but its biological variability is not well known. Morphometric analyses of scanning electron microscopy images of the eggs of An. darlingi were conducted using individuals collected in nine states of Brazil (Acre, Amapá, Espírito Santo, Pará, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Rondônia, São Paulo, and Tocantins). Ten attributes of the eggs (seven continuous variables and three discrete variables) were respectively measured or counted and analyzed to determine if populations from different geographical regions or biomes could be distinguished. Univariate analysis showed that the eggs from Espírito Santo were the narrowest whereas representatives from Tocantins populations had the smallest floats. Results of multivariate analyses of continuous variables showed that the first principal component (PC1), mainly represented by all four float attributes, helped to differentiate populations. The second principal component (PC2) comprised roughly the length and width of the egg. PC1 of discrete variables corresponded to the number of ribs on the float whereas PC2 was approximately equivalent to the number of discs on the micropyle. Based on those variables (continuous and discrete separately), multivariate discriminant analysis indicated that eggs from individuals collected in Tocantins were distinct from the other populations. Among sampled localities, the one from the state of Tocantins was situated within the Cerrado biome whereas the locality from São Paulo state was at the border of Cerrado, within a transition zone of the Atlantic Forest biome. Generally, the climate in the Cerrado biome was more arid than in areas of the Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes, and the temperature had the highest range. Coincidentally, based on morphometric data, cluster analysis distinguished the population from Cerrado, Tocantins from all other populations. Results of multiple regression analysis of the variables showed no correlation between egg variables and latitude or climatic variables. We concluded that eggs were polymorphic and that some morphological patterns were regional. Although no environmental influence on the egg attributes was unequivocally detected, a potential association cannot be entirely discarded. Consequently, we hypothesize that morphological traits of the immature stages, especially from the eggs, convey evolutionary information regarding to this species.

Numerical study and performance analyses of the mini-channel with discrete double-inclined ribs

A 3-D numerical study is carried out to investigate the laminar flow and heat transfer performance of the rectangular mini-channel where the discrete double-inclined ribs are worked as the longitudinal vortex generators. The effects of the Reynolds number, the height of the ribs and the number of double-inclined ribs along the mainstream on the heat transfer and flow performance of the mini-channel are examined and analyzed from the field synergy perspective and the entropy generation. The results show that the heat transfer performance is enhanced effectively by the double-inclined ribs which cause the generation of the longitudinal vortexes in the mini-channel. The heat transfer performance increase with the increasing height or number of the double-inclined ribs, but the flow resistance will increase at the same time. In order to obtain the best overall performance of the mini-channel, the height of the ribs should be reduced with the increase of the Reynolds, and the overall performance would be improved with the increase of the ribs number in the mini-channel. The heat transfer performance has a direct relation to the field synergy characteristic of the mini-channel. The entropy generation rate dues to heat transfer irreversibility and fluid frictional irreversibility can be used for the evaluation of the heat transfer and the flow performance of the mini-channel well respectively, while the total entropy generation rate cannot be used as a criterion for the overall performance.

The severity of liver injury following blunt trauma does not correlate with the number of fractured ribs: an analysis of a national trauma registry database.

Rib fractures are a marker of severe injury, predicting a higher incidence of associated injuries. The purpose of this study was to assess whether an increasing number of rib fractures predicts the severity of liver injury in blunt trauma patients. We performed a retrospective cohort study involving blunt trauma patients with concomitant liver injuries and rib fractures who were registered in a national trauma registry. Of 57,130 patients with blunt torso injuries, 14,651 patients sustained rib fractures, and 2,899 patients suffered liver injuries. Concomitant liver injury occurred in 1,087 of the patients with rib fractures (7.4%), while 1,812 patients sustained liver injury without rib fractures (4.3%). The presence of six or more rib fractures predicted a higher incidence of liver injury. Among the patients with liver injury, those with concomitant rib fractures had a higher Injury Severity Score (ISS), but similar mortality rates. Among the patients with concomitant rib fractures and liver injury, there was no relationship between the number of fractured ribs and the severity of the liver injury. Although the presence of rib fractures was associated with an increased probability of liver injury in patients with blunt torso trauma, there is no relationship between the number of fractured ribs and the severity of liver injury.

Design Modifications to Improve the Antishock Performance of a Stamped Base for a 2.5-in HDD

This paper presents a modified design for a stamped base for a 2.5-in hard disk drive (HDD). A stamped base is a thinner thickness and lower stiffness than a die-casting base. To improve shock performance of the stamped base, the finite element (FE) model of the HDD is constructed. Then, the FE model was verified by modal analysis. Drop test was performed to confirm the shock simulation model. Parametric analysis was used to identify the key parameters for the shock performance which were the base thickness, rib shape, number of ribs, and reinforcement. The correlation between the relative displacement and natural frequency of the HDD was investigated for each parameter. The dominant parameter was identified and applied to the FE model of the stamped base. The modified stamped-base model was then evaluated under nonoperational shock conditions.

Effective Mechanical Behavior of Sandwich Beams under Uncoupled Bending and Torsion Loadings

Sandwich geometries, mainly panels and beams are widely used in several transportation industries, namely aerospace, aeronautic and automotive. Sandwich geometries are known for their advantages in structural applications: high specific stiffness, low weight, and possibility of design optimization prior to manufacturing. This study aims to know the influence of the number of reinforcements (ribs), and of the thickness on the mechanical behavior of sandwich panels subjected to bending and torsion loads separately. In this study, 3 geometries are compared: simple web-core beam, corrugated core, and honeycomb core. The last 2 are asymmetric, due to the use of odd number of ribs. The influence of the geometry on the results is discussed, by means of a parameter that establishes a relation between the stiffness behavior and the mass of the object. It is shown that the all relations are non-linear, despite the elastic nature of the analysis, by means of the application of loads with low intensity.

Temperature Effect on the Structural Design of a Mach 8 Vehicle

Hypersonic aircraft design is a pressing area of research. The motivation to create aircraft that can cross the globe in only a few hours is driving this forward but there are a number of challenges that need to be overcome. One of the principle challenges is the effect that temperature has on the structure. Temperature changes cause heating of the structure as well as changing the material properties of the affected structure. This has a compound effect in that the structures gets geometrically deformed, stiffness is reduced, and this will have an impact on the aerodynamic and structural performance of the vehicle. This article investigates the effect of two different structural concepts: a conventional rib-spar configuration and a pillow tank. A number of different structural options in terms of number of ribs / spars will be investigated. The structure will be optimised based on critical loading conditions. Results for various temperature distributions will be investigated, while looking at change on structural strength, in-flight static deformation and dynamic response. Keywords: Aeroelasticity, Hypersonics, Design.

Abnormalities of fetal rib number and associated fetal anomalies using three dimensional ultrasonography

AimTo determine incidence of abnormal number of fetal ribs and its association with other fetal anomalies using 3D ultrasonography. Materials and methodsA prospective study conducted on 188 singleton pregnant women searching for fetal anomalies including the incidence of abnormal number of fetal ribs and other anomalies. Static 3D volumes with volume contrast imaging using spine map were used. Rendered images were displayed and the ribs were counted. Results173 fetuses (92%) were having normal number of ribs. Fifteen fetuses (8%) were found to have abnormal number of ribs; ten fetuses (5.3%) had 11 ribs. On the other hand five fetuses (2.7%) had supernumerary 13 ribs. Eight fetuses (4.2%) were having abnormal number of ribs with no associated anomalies (isolated abnormal number). Seven fetuses (3.7%) in this study had associated anomalies. ConclusionAbnormal number of fetal ribs more to be an isolated finding (4.3%) but it may also be seen with other anomalies (3.7% in this study). 3DUS is useful for scanning the fetal ribs in the mid trimester of the pregnancy for early detection of associated genetic aberrations.

A new species of Ituglanis from the Rio Xingu Basin, Brazil, and the evolution of pelvic fin loss in trichomycterid catfishes (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae).

A new species of the trichomycterid catfish genus Ituglanis is described from the Rio Curuá, Rio Xingu basin, Rio Amazonas drainage, Brazil. Ituglanis apteryx, new species, is promptly distinguished from congeners, except some specimens of I. parahybae (Eigenmann), by the absence of pelvic fins, girdle, and muscles. The new species differs from I. parahybae in the pattern of the cephalic laterosensory system; the absence of a posterior cranial fontanel; the presence of an epural; and the number of branchiostegal rays, ribs, and vertebrae. Ituglanis apteryx is one among the several trichomycterids lacking pelvic fins. Analysis reveals that pelvic fin loss independently evolved several times during the trichomycterid radiation.

Prenatal exposure to nickel on pregnant Swiss albino mice and fetal development

The present study was undertaken to assess the embryotoxic effects due to exposure to nickel (Ni2+) as NiCl2·6H2O in Swiss albino mice. Nickel was administered orally (46, 92, or 185 mg Ni/kg body weight (b.wt.)) from zeroth to fifth day of gestation on the basis of LD50. Dams were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on day 18 of gestation and uteri examined. A significant decrease in maternal and fetal body weight was noted at doses of 92 and 185 mg Ni/kg b.wt. Developmental toxicity was evidenced by a dose-dependent significant reduction in the number of implant sites and live fetuses per dam, increase in the number of resorptions as well as post-implantation deaths. A significant decrease in placental weight was also evident at 185 mg Ni/kg b.wt. Exposure increased skeletal aberrations including absence/reduced ossification of nasal, frontal, parietal, intraparietal, supraoccipital bones of skull, reduced number of ribs, sternebrae and caudal vertebrae, absence/reduced ossified carpals, metacarpals, tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges. Data indicate that Ni elicits embryotoxic effects and poses a risk to the developing embryo when the mother is exposed to NiCl2 during the pre-implantation period.

Morphological variation of lactuca serriola l. achenes as a function of their geographic origin

Abstract The morphological characteristics of achenes of Lactuca serriola represented by 34 local populations from Slovenia and 12 local populations from Sweden were studied in relation to their eco-geographical conditions. In total, eight quantitative morphological characters were evaluated: length and width of achene body; index length/width of achene body; number of ribs on achene body; length of beak; length of pappus bristles; pappus area and discus diameter. NestedANOVAanalysis indicated significant differences in length and width of achene body, length of pappus bristles, and pappus area between Slovenian and Swedish populations. Achenes from Slovenia were longer, wider and possessed longer pappus bristles than achenes from Sweden. Among geographical factors, latitude had the greatest impact on the morphological characters evaluated. Significant differences in seven parameters were also found between populations within countries and between samples within populations. It is probable that this variation has a genetic basis with sufficient variation within populations to permit continued selection.

The Incidence of Pulmonary Contusion in Blunt Thoracic Trauma: Self-Experience Study

SESSION TITLE: Thoracic Surgery Posters

Prognostic Risk Factors for the Development of Scoliosis After Chest Wall Resection for Malignant Tumors in Children

Surgical resection of a malignant tumor of the chest wall in children may result in the development of progressive scoliosis. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with scoliosis following resection of a tumor of the chest wall and to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of the scoliosis. Forty children who underwent resection of a malignant tumor of the chest wall from 1984 to 2005 were included in a multicenter, retrospective cohort study. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 9.8 years (range, 0.2 to nineteen years). Resections were classified with the use of the following scheme: the number of resected ribs was noted in Roman numerals, and the level of the resection was identified by dividing the thorax into three sectors (A [anterior], B [lateral], and C [posterior]) in the horizontal plane. One to five ribs (mean, 2.3 ribs) were resected. Patients with scoliosis were compared with patients who did not have scoliosis through the use of univariate and multivariate analyses. The mean duration of follow-up was 8.5 years (range, three to twenty-three years). Patients who had a tumor resection during a rapid-growth period (patient age of less than six years or between twelve and fifteen years) had a 5.8 times higher risk of scoliosis. The resection of three or more ribs in the posterior sector (C) was the primary risk factor for scoliosis, with an odds ratio of 18.9. Seventeen (43%) of the children developed scoliosis, which was convex toward the resection side without vertebral rotation in all of them. The risk of scoliosis following the resection of a primary malignant tumor of the chest wall in children was shown to be higher when resection was performed during a rapid-growth period and when the resection involved three or more ribs in the posterior sector.

Increasing number of fractured ribs is not predictive of the severity of splenic injury following blunt trauma: An analysis of a National Trauma Registry database

BackgroundAssociation between rib fractures and incidence of abdominal solid organs injury is well described. However, the correlation between the number of fractured ribs and severity of splenic injury is not clear. The purpose of this study was to assess whether an increasing number of rib fractures predicts the severity of splenic injury in blunt trauma patients. Study designA retrospective cohort study involving blunt trauma patients with concomitant splenic injuries and rib fractures, between the years 1998 and 2012, registered in the Israeli National Trauma Registry. ResultsOf 321,618 patients with blunt mechanism of trauma, 57,130 had torso injuries, and of these 14,651 patients sustained rib fractures, and 3691 patients suffered from splenic injury. Concomitant splenic injury occurred in 1326 of the patients with rib fractures (9.1%), as compared to 2365 patients sustaining splenic injury without rib fractures (5.6%). The incidence of splenic injury among patients sustaining 5 or more rib fractures was significantly higher compared to patients suffering from 1 to 4 rib fractures. Among patients with splenic injury, the tendency to sustain associated rib fractures increased steadily with age. Patients with concomitant rib fractures had higher Injury Severity Score (ISS), but similar mortality rates, compared to patients with splenic injury without rib fractures. Among patients with concomitant rib fractures and splenic injury, there was no relation between the number of fractured ribs and the severity of splenic injury, neither as a whole group, nor after stratification according to the mechanism of injury. ConclusionsAlthough the presence of rib fractures increases the probability of splenic injury in blunt torso trauma, there is no relation between the number of fractured ribs and splenic injury severity.