Endoscopic Camera Control by Head Movements for Thoracic Surgery

In current video-assisted thoracic surgery, the endoscopic camera is operated by an assistant of the surgeon, which has several disadvantages. This paper describes a system which enables the surgeon to control the endoscopic camera without the help of an assistant. The system is controlled using head movements, so the surgeon can use his/her hands to oper- ate the instruments. The system is based on a flexible endoscope, which leaves more space for the surgeon to operate his/her instruments compared to a rigid endoscope. The endoscopic image is shown either on a monitor or by means of a head- mounted display. Several trial sessions were performed with an anatomical model. Results indicate that the developed concept may provide a solution to some of the problems currently encountered in video-assisted thoracic surgery. The use of a head-mounted display turned out to be a valuable addition since it ensures the image is always in front of the surgeon’s eyes

Technical-tactical training of hockey players at the stage of advanced specialization

The paper discusses the problem of technical and tactical training of young hockey players at the stage of advanced specialization. The relevance of the chosen topic associated with poor tactics, training of players in youth hockey. The author assumes that the increase of level of sports skill of the hockey players must follow the ways of solving the problem of technical and tactical preparation at the stage of advanced specializationВ работе рассмотрена проблема технико-тактической подготовки юных хоккеистов на этапе углублённой специализации. Актуальность выбранной темы связана со слаборазвитой тактикой подготовки хоккеистов в детско-юношеском хоккее. Автор предполагает, что повышение уровня спортивного мастерства хоккеистов должно идти по пути решения проблемы технико-тактической подготовки на этапе углубленной специализаци

Inference for binomial probability based on dependent Bernoulli random variables with applications to meta-analysis and group level studies

We study bias arising as a result of nonlinear transformations of random variables in random or mixed effects models and its effect on inference in group-level studies or in meta-analysis. The findings are illustrated on the example of overdispersed binomial distributions, where we demonstrate considerable biases arising from standard log-odds and arcsine transformations of the estimated probability inline image, both for single-group studies and in combining results from several groups or studies in meta-analysis. Our simulations confirm that these biases are linear in ρ, for small values of ρ, the intracluster correlation coefficient. These biases do not depend on the sample sizes or the number of studies K in a meta-analysis and result in abysmal coverage of the combined effect for large K. We also propose bias-correction for the arcsine transformation. Our simulations demonstrate that this bias-correction works well for small values of the intraclass correlation. The methods are applied to two examples of meta-analyses of prevalence

A substantial eastern disjunction of Douglas’ Knotweed (Polygonum douglasii Greene, Polygonaceae) in New Brunswick, Canada

We report an isolated population of the native annual Douglas’ Knotweed (Polygonum douglasii Greene) from a dry, south-facing outcrop of conglomerate and sandstone at Big Bluff, near Sussex Corner, New Brunswick, Canada, consisting of about 2500 plants in 2018 and 2022. This occurrence is disjunct by ~450 km from the eastern limit of the known range of Douglas’ Knotweed in southwestern Maine, USA. The nearest known occurrence in Canada is in southern Quebec, ~660 km from Big Bluff. Several lines of evidence indicate that the population in New Brunswick is native. New state records for Wisconsin and Alaska found in online data sources are also verified

Salmonella and Multidirectional Communication in the Gut

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhymurium (S. Typhimurium) is a bacterial pathogen which is a cause of over a million cases of gastrointestinal illness worldwide. The GI tract is a large and complex environment influenced by both the host and microbes which inhabit the host’s gut. In the gut S. Typhimurium employs various virulence factors such as SPI-1 and SPI-2 to attach to the epithelial cells and persist in the body. It also initiates host inflammatory responses by inducing production of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, S. Typhimurium uses unique metabolic pathways to compete for limited nutrients under inflammatory conditions and during the initial colonization stage. Some members of the resident microbiota can exacerbate S. Typhimurium-induced pathology by providing necessary substrates to the pathogen and by degrading host defense mechanisms. The dense and diverse gut microbiota utilizes a variety of signaling molecules for intra- and inter-species communication to coordinate its members. Resident microbiota can also communicate with the central and enteric nervous system through neural, endocrine, immune and humoral pathways. This brain-gut communication is involved in the regulation of host and microbiota and is greatly affected by stress. While S. Typhimurium regulates gene expression by self-produced quorum sensing molecules, such as AI-2 and AI-3, it also recognize signals produced by other microbes and the host in order to regulate its growth and virulence, and in some cases, antimicrobial resistance. In the healthy gut, resident microbiota provides colonization resistance, however inflammation shifts the balance between the pathogen and microbiota thus contributing to the S. Typhimurium blooms. In summary, S. Typhimurium employs multiple tactics to establish itself in the gut; however, the microbial composition, and existing inflammatory and neural-hormonal processes also play roles in the development of the S. Typhimurium infection. This dissertation discusses the multidirectional interactions of S. Typhimurium, host and microbiota