A critical fractional equation with concave-convex power nonlinearities

none4sìIn this work we study a fractional critical problem with concave-convex nonlinearities. Our main results show the existence and multiplicity of solutions to this problem for different values of the real parameter appearing in the equation. The dependency on this parameter changes according to whether we consider the concave power case or the convex power case. These two cases will be treated separatelyopenBarrios B; Colorado E; Servadei R; Soria FBarrios, B; Colorado, E; Servadei, Raffaella; Soria, F

Dandy-Walker malformation: is the "tail sign" the key sign?

OBJECTIVE.To demonstrate the value of the "tail sign" in the assessment of Dandy-Walker Malformation (DWM). METHODS: A total of 31fetal MRI, performed before 24 weeks of gestation after second-line US examination between May 2013 and September 2014, were examined retrospectively. All MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5 Tesla magnet without maternal sedation. RESULTS: MRI diagnosed 15/31 cases of Dandy-Walker Malformation, 6/31 cases of vermian partial caudal agenesis, 2/31 of vermian hypoplasia, 4/31 of vermian malrotation, 2/31 of Walker-Warburg Syndrome, 1/31 of Blake pouch cyst, 1/31 of rhombencephalosynapsis. All data were compared with fetopsy results, Fetal MR after the 30th week or postnatal MRI; the follow up depended on the maternal decision to terminate or continue pregnancy. In our review study we found the presence of the "tail sign"; this sign was visible only in Dandy-Walker Malformation and Walker-Warburg Syndrome. CONCLUSION: The "tail sign" could be helpful in the difficult differential diagnosis between Dandy Walker, vermian malrotation, vermian hypoplasia and vermian partial agenesis

Development of UHTCMCs via water based ZrB2 powder slurry infiltration and polymer infiltration and pyrolysis

Cf/ZrB2-SiC ultra-high temperature composites were manufactured via aqueous slurry impregnation coupled with polymer infiltration and pyrolysis, using a allylhydrido polycarbosilane precursor. For the first time we used ultra-high modulus pitch-based carbon fibres for the PIP process, investigating three different architectures, 0/0°, 0/90°, and 2D. Microstructure, mechanical properties and oxidation resistance in air at 1650 °C were investigated. As expected, the mechanical properties showed the tendency to decrease with increase of the preforms complexity, due to the higher amount of flaws and residual stresses. For instance, the flexural strength was approaching 500 MPa for 0/0°, 370 MPa for 0/90° and 190 MPa for 2D. The materials showed an optimal resistance to oxidation at 1650 °C thanks to formation of a viscous borosilicate glass that guaranteed a self-healing functionality

Survival with disability. Whose life is it, anyway?

Editor—We read with interest the editorial by Dr Lönnqvist entitled “Medical Research and the Ethics of Medical Treatments: Disability-free Survival”.1 The editorial refers to our study, RESCUEicp, that interrogated the effect of secondary decompressive craniectomy in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with refractory intracranial hypertension.2 The editorial states ‘the conclusion to draw is instead that, despite reducing overall mortality, surgery is not associated with any true long-term benefits in this setting; it only increases the number of patients in a vegetative state or suffering serious disability, and should therefore not be used’. We have major concerns about this statement with reference to our study, and with the wider premise that underpins the editorial, and we will address each of these in turn.The RESCUEicp and RESCUE-ASDH projects were funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR; EME 09/800/16 and HTA 12/35/57 respectively)

Traumatic brain injury – global collaboration for a global challenge

Even though, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are facing a far greater traumatic brain injury (TBI) burden compared to high-income countries (HICs), agency funding and multi-centre research efforts have had a disproportionately greater focus on HICs.1 Initiatives, such as InTBIR,2 are advancing TBI care in HICs but the participation of LMICs has been very limited. Additionally, multicentre trials in TBI, with very few exceptions, have predominantly focused on HIC populations.NIHR Global Heath Researc

Predicting intracranial lesions by antiplatelet agents in subjects with mild head injury

International audienceBackground: The effect of pre-injury antiplatelet treatment in the risk of intracranial lesions in subjects after mild head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale 14-15) is uncertain. Methods: We aimed to determine the potential risk, considering its increasing use in guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention and aging of the trauma population in Europe. Patients: We analyzed the interaction of antiplatelet therapy with the prediction variables of main decision aids in 14,288 consecutive adolescent and adult subjects with mild head injury. Measurements: Any intracranial lesion at CT scan was selected as outcome measure in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Findings: Intracranial lesions were demonstrated in 880 cases (6.2%), with an unfavorable outcome at 6 months in 86 (0.6%). Antiplatelet drugs were recorded in 10% of the entire cohort (24.7% in the group over 65 years). They increased the risk of intracranial lesions at univaried analysis (odds ratio - OR, 2.6; 95% confidence interval - 95% CI 2.2¨C3.1), interacting with age at multivariate analysis (antiplatelet: OR, 2.7 (1.9¨C3.7); age ¡Ý 75 years, 1.4 (1.0¨C1.9)). The inclusion of these two variables to those included in previous decision aids for CT scanning (GCS, neurodeficit, post-traumatic seizures, suspected skull fracture, vomiting, loss of consciousness, coagulopathy) predicted intracranial lesions with a sensitivity of 99.7% (95% CI 98.9¨C99.8) and a specificity of 54.0% (95%CI 53.1¨C54.8), with a CT ordering-rate of 49.3% (undetermined events, 0.2:1000). Interpretation: Antiplatelet drugs need to be considered in future prediction models on mild head injury, considering their increasing use and progressive aging of the trauma populatio

Using Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) codes to classify Computed Tomography (CT) features in the Marshall System

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) is to code various types of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) based on their anatomical location and severity. The Marshall CT Classification is used to identify those subgroups of brain injured patients at higher risk of deterioration or mortality. The purpose of this study is to determine whether and how AIS coding can be translated to the Marshall Classification</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Initially, a Marshall Class was allocated to each AIS code through cross-tabulation. This was agreed upon through several discussion meetings with experts from both fields (clinicians and AIS coders). Furthermore, in order to make this translation possible, some necessary assumptions with regards to coding and classification of mass lesions and brain swelling were essential which were all approved and made explicit.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The proposed method involves two stages: firstly to determine all possible Marshall Classes which a given patient can attract based on allocated AIS codes; via cross-tabulation and secondly to assign one Marshall Class to each patient through an algorithm.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This method can be easily programmed in computer softwares and it would enable future important TBI research programs using trauma registry data.</p