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Casehardening (σi) is an internal stress-related phenomenon that develops in kiln-dried wood materials, causing shape distortion. This study focuses on the impact of drying schedule and wood parameters (e.g., density, moisture) on σi. Results indicated that the wood's final moisture content level has the highest impact when it is above 15%. However, the wood moisture gradient is the most influential factor when wood's moisture content is below 15%. Drying schedule aggressiveness and post-drying treatments also affect σi; an aggressive drying schedule followed by conditioning remarkably reduces σi occurrence.

Purpose: Rib fractures are the most common skeletal thoracic injuries resulting from blunt chest trauma. Half of the rib fractures are not detected upon a precise physical evaluation and radiographs. Recently ultrasonography (USG) has been investigated to detect rib fractures. But based on literature the usefulness of USG varies widely. This study was conducted to investigate the role of USG in the detection of possible rib fractures in comparison with radiography. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, consecutive patients with minor blunt chest trauma and suspected rib fractures presenting in Imam Reza Hospital located in Mashhad-Iran, between April 2013 and October 2013 were assessed by USG and radiography. The radiography was performed in a posteroanterior (PA) chest projection and oblique rib view centered over the area of trauma. The time duration spent in taking USG and radiography were recorded. The prevalence and location of fractures revealed by USG and radiography were compared. Results: Sixty-one suspected patients were assessed. The male to female ratio was 2.4:1 (43 men and 18 women) with a mean ± SD age of (44.3 ± 19.7) years. There were totally 59 rib fractures in 38 (62.3%) patients based on radiography and USG, while 23 (37.7%) patients had no diagnostic evidence of rib lesions. USG revealed 58 rib fractures in 33 (54.1%) of 61 suspected patients and radiographs revealed 32 rib fractures in 20 (32.8%) of 61 patients. A total of 58 (98.3%) rib fractures were detected by USG, whereas oblique rib view and PA chest radiography showed 27 (45.8%) and 24 (40.7%) rib fractures, respectively. The average duration of USG was (12 ± 3) min (range 7–17 min), whereas the duration of radiography was (27 ± 6) min (range 15–37 min). The kappa coefficient showed a low level of agreement between both USG and PA chest radiography (kappa coefficient = 0.28), and between USG and oblique rib view (kappa coefficient = 0.32). Conclusion: USG discloses more fractures than radiography in most patients presenting with suspected rib fractures. Moreover USG requires significantly less time than radiography.

Bone involvement in hydatid disease is rare, and when it does occur, the most common sites of involvement are the spine and pelvis. A case of bone hydatid disease involving the sacrum is reported here.

Purpose: The purpose of this analysis is to assess the effect of antiepileptics (AEDs) on seizure prevention and short and long term functional outcomes in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage., Method: The meta-analysis was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was performed of the PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases. Search terms included "Anticonvulsants", "Intracerebral Hemorrhage", and related subject headings. Articles were screened and included if they were full-text and in English. Articles that did not perform multivariate regression were not included. Overall effect size was evaluated with forest plots and publication bias was assessed with the Begg's and Egger's tests., Results: A total of 3912 articles were identified during the initial review. After screening, 54 articles remained for full review and 6 articles were included in the final analysis. No significant association between the use of AEDs after ICH and functional outcome (OR 1.53 [95%CI: 0.81-2.88] P = 0.18, I 2  = 81.7%). Only one study evaluated the effect AEDs had in preventing post-ICH seizures., Conclusions: The use of prophylactic AEDs was not associated with improved short and long outcomes after acute ICH. This analysis supports the 2015 AHA/ASA recommendation against prophylactic AEDs (class III; level of evidence b)., (Copyright © 2019 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)