How violent video games communicate violence: A literature review and content analysis of moral disengagement factors

Mechanisms of moral disengagement in violent video game play have recently received considerable attention among communication scholars. To date, however, no study has analyzed the prevalence of moral disengagement factors in violent video games. To fill this research gap, the present approach includes both a systematic literature review and a content analysis of moral disengagement cues embedded in the narratives and actual game play of 17 top-ranked first-person shooters (PC). Findings suggest that moral disengagement factors are frequently embedded in first-person shooters, but their prevalence varies considerably. Most violent video games include justifications of the portrayed violence, a distorted portrayal of consequences, and dehumanization of opponents. Implications of the findings for research on violent games are discussed

Numerical analysis of AZ61 magnesium alloy extrusion process by modified equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) method

The paper presents the results of numerical modelling of AZ61 magnesium alloy hot deformation using modified ECAE method. The temperature-velocity conditions were analysed using FEM. The extrusion process was realised using the die with modified angular channel containing horizontal contracting zone in the material exit direction. The channels were arranged at right angle relatively to each other. The main aim of the numerical research was to determine the most favourable parameters of the extrusion that allow obtaining the products with good mechanical properties. The final product is a round rod that could be used as a material charge to further plastic deformation process

Future of the nerve fibres imaging: tractography application and development directions

Tractography is a tool available in a growing number of centres, to enable planning of neurosurgical interventions. This method has some drawbacks and due to its increasing availability is causing a growing controversy over the possibility of an anatomical mapping of the nerve fibres. This article aims at summarising the application of the diffusion magnetic resonance in contemporary neurosurgery method, showing the usefulness and merits of its performance before surgical procedures, limitation of its application and recommendations for its improvement and more effective use for diagnostic purposes

Digital-image analysis of the left common carotid artery in human foetuses

The rate of growth of the left common carotid artery during gestation has not been sufficiently evaluated. The present study was performed on 128 spontaneously aborted human foetuses aged 15&#8211;34 weeks to compile normative data for the dimensions of the left common carotid artery at varying gestational ages. Using anatomical dissection, digital image analysis (system of Leica Q Win Pro 16) and statistical analysis (ANOVA, regression analysis), a range of measurements (length, original external diameter and volume) for the left common carotid artery during gestation was examined. No significant gender differences were found (p > 0.05). The growth curves of the best fit for the plot of each morphometric parameter against gestational age were generated. The lengths ranged from 14.82 &#177; 2.22 to 42.84 &#177; 4.32 mm, according to the linear model y = -9.6918 + 1.5963 x &#177; 3.1706 (r = 0.95; p < 0.001). The original external diameter increased from 0.72 &#177; 0.18 to 3.28 &#177; 0.40 mm, according to the linear function y = &#8211;1.5228 + 0.1428 x &#177; 0.2749 (r = 0.95; p < 0.001). The left common carotid artery-to-aortic root diameter ratio increased from 0.356 &#177; 0.062 to 0.480 &#177; 0.101. The left common carotid artery-to-aortic arch diameter ratio increased from 0.447 &#177; 0.079 to 0.535 &#177; &#177; 0.113. The volume ranged from 6.73 &#177; 4.06 to 369.30 &#177; 107.42 mm3 in accordance with the quadratic function y = 344.8 &#8211; 41.001 x + 1.254 x2 &#177; &#177; 46.955 (R2 = 0.87). The parameters examined have clinical application in the early recognition of arterial abnormalities, especially aortic coarctation

The pancreaticoduodenal arteries in human foetal development

Knowledge of the course of the pancreaticoduodenal arteries is of great importance in pancreatic surgery. Lack of care in the preparation of these vessels may lead to ischaemia or necrosis of the duodenum, the first loop of the jejunum, the head of the pancreas and even the liver, bile ducts and transverse colon. In such events, the surgeon would need to diagnose the course of the vessels and their anastomoses intraoperatively. Anatomical dissection in this special area diminishes the risk of early complications in the form of bleeding and late complications in the form of narrowing of the anastomoses, fistulas, necrosis and intestinal ileus after surgical resection or drainage. The aim of the present study was to determine the variability of the pancreaticoduodenal arteries in human foetuses. The material examined consisted of 60 human foetuses of both sexes (33 male, 27 female) from spontaneous abortion or stillbirth and ranging in age from the 16th to 38th week of prenatal life. White latex solution to of volume between 15 ml and 30 ml was injected into the thoracic aorta. The results of this were that a typical pancreatic supply from the coeliac trunk and superior mesenteric artery was observed in all cases. The coeliac trunk, splenic artery and gastroduodenal artery also appeared invariably. However, variability was observed in further generations of branches. The gastroduodenal artery with its branches, the anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal arteries, was constantly present. Irrespective of the sex of the foetus, in 10% of cases a large vessel was observed which ran horizontally on the anterior surface of the pancreas from head to tail and which originated in the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery. We termed this vessel the "anterior pancreatic artery". In all cases there were anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal arcades, but in two cases (3.3%) a double anterior pancreaticoduodenal arcade was observed

The retroperitoneal anastomoses of the gonadal veins in human foetuses

In the retroperitoneal space the gonadal veins form a collateral circulation that has a great clinical impact on sclerotherapy or surgical ligation of varicoceles. The aim of this study was to examine the communications of the gonadal veins (according to classification, frequency of appearance, gender and syntopic differences) in human foetuses of both sexes (71 males and 59 females) aged 4&#8211;6 months of intrauterine life. On the right side the most frequently were found the gonadal-periureteral anastomosis (23%) and the gonadal-perirenal anastomosis (22%). A gonadal-lumbar anastomosis on the right side appeared in 7% of cases. On the left side the most frequent (37%) was the gonadalperirenal anastomosis, more frequently occurring as an ovarian-perirenal anastomosis (48%) than as a testicular-perirenal anastomosis (29%). Gonadal-periureteral anastomoses were found in a quarter of cases. Gonadal-lumbar anastomoses were observed in 7% of individuals. On the left side the gonadal-mesenteric inferior anastomosis was specifically observed (21%) as an ovarian-mesenteric inferior anastomosis (24%) and a testicular-mesenteric inferior anastomosis (19%). The cross-communications between the right and left gonadal veins (7%) were more frequently as the bilateral testicular (9.7%) than as the bilateral ovarian one (3%). In female foetuses gonadal-perirenal anastomoses occurred with statistically greater frequency than gonadal-periureteral anastomoses (p &#8804; 0.05). The frequency of cross-communications of the gonadal veins was three times greater in male foetuses (p &#8804; 0.01). Statistical analysis revealed a significantly greater frequency of left-sided anastomoses: the gonadal-perirenal in both sexes (p &#8804; 0.05), the gonadal-periureteral in males (P &#8804; 0.05) and the gonadalmesenteric inferior in both sexes (p &#8804; 0.01)

The variability and morphometry of the brachiocephalic trunk in human foetuses

In prenatal and pediatric cardiovascular surgery knowledge of the various arrangements of the aortic arch and its branches as well as the normative data are essential. The variability and morphometric features of the brachiocephalic trunk in 131 human foetuses (65 male, 66 female) ranging from 15 to 34 weeks of gestation were studied by means of anatomical, digital and statistical methods. In all the foetuses examined the left aortic arches were found to have three different arrangements. In 74.05% of cases the usual pattern of the aortic arch with its three main branches were observed. A common origin of the brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid artery occurred in 20.61% of individuals. In 5.34% of cases the left vertebral artery was an additional vessel and arose from the aortic arch between the left common carotid and subclavian arteries. No significant gender differences were found with respect to the brachiocephalic trunk (p &#8805; 0.05). The developmental increase in length (r1 = 0.78) and diameter (r2 = 0.83) correlated with a linear function but the increase in volume in relation to age corresponded to a quadratic function (r3 = 0.73). Our results show the largest increases in the brachiocephalic trunk according to the following parameters: the length - between the 4th and 5th, and 7th and 8th months, diameter - between the 8th and 9th months and volume - between the 4th and 5th, and 7th and 9th months of gestation (p &#8804; 0.01). The present study constructs a normal range for the morphometric features of the foetal brachiocephalic trunk

Morphometry of the pancreas in human foetuses

With the use of conventional anatomical dissection, radiography, digital and statistical analysis, morphometry and skeletopy of the pancreas was carried out in 60 human foetuses of both sexes (28 female, 32 male) between the 17th and 40th week of intrauterine life. The material was fixed in a 10% formalin solution. The age of the foetuses was determined by crown-rump (CR) lenght measurement on the basis of the Iffy et al. tables. Photographic documentation was made and then digitally processed in the Computer Image Digital Analysis System. The following parameters were taken into account: the length and width of 3 parts of the pancreas, namely the head, corpus and tail. Additionally, radiograms were made to obtain a projection of the gland on the vertebral column. Development of the pancreas was correlated with the age of the foetuses calculated on the basis of crown-rump (CR) lenght measurements. The correlation coefficient with CR was 0.998 for the pancreas length, 0.709 for the width of the head, 0.703 for the width of the corpus and 0.712 for the width of tail. Gender dimorphism was not found (p > 0.05) with regard to the morphometry of the pancreas. In the material under examination the pancreas did not change its position in relation to the vertebral column. The head projected on the vertebral column in the range Th12&#8211;L2 (most frequently L1&#8211;L2), the corpus on Th12&#8211;L2 and the tail on Th11

Sheldon-Hall syndrome

Sheldon-Hall syndrome (SHS) is a rare multiple congenital contracture syndrome characterized by contractures of the distal joints of the limbs, triangular face, downslanting palpebral fissures, small mouth, and high arched palate. Epidemiological data for the prevalence of SHS are not available, but less than 100 cases have been reported in the literature. Other common clinical features of SHS include prominent nasolabial folds, high arched palate, attached earlobes, mild cervical webbing, short stature, severe camptodactyly, ulnar deviation, and vertical talus and/or talipes equinovarus. Typically, the contractures are most severe at birth and non-progressive. SHS is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern but about half the cases are sporadic. Mutations in either MYH3, TNNI2, or TNNT3 have been found in about 50% of cases. These genes encode proteins of the contractile apparatus of fast twitch skeletal muscle fibers. The diagnosis of SHS is based on clinical criteria. Mutation analysis is useful to distinguish SHS from arthrogryposis syndromes with similar features (e.g. distal arthrogryposis 1 and Freeman-Sheldon syndrome). Prenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography is feasible at 18–24 weeks of gestation. If the family history is positive and the mutation is known in the family, prenatal molecular genetic diagnosis is possible. There is no specific therapy for SHS. However, patients benefit from early intervention with occupational and physical therapy, serial casting, and/or surgery. Life expectancy and cognitive abilities are normal

The utility of oesophageal pH monitoring in diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease-related chronic cough

Wstęp: Przewlekły kaszel jest częstą dolegliwością, która może pogarszać jakość życia chorych oraz wywoływać liczne powikłania. J edną z częstych jego przyczyn jest choroba refluksowa przełyku (GERD). Do metod diagnostycznych stosowanych w celu potwierdzenia diagnozy kaszlu związanego z GERD należy pH-metria przełyku. Celem badania była ocena przydatności pH-metrii przełyku oraz określenie, który z parametrów mierzonych w czasie jej wykonywania jest najczulszy w diagnostyce kaszlu związanego z GERD.Materiał i metody: U 204 chorych z przewlekłym kaszlem wykonano 24-godzinną pH-metrię przełyku. Kobiety stanowiły 65% pacjentów, a mediana wieku wyniosła 59 lat. Epizod kwaśnego refluksu rozpoznawano, gdy nagły spadek pH poniżej 4 trwał co najmniej 12 sekund. Rozpoznanie GERD opierało się na całkowitym czasie pH poniżej 4, czasie pH poniżej 4 w pozycji stojącej lub leżącej oraz wskaźniku DeMeester. Kaszel związany z GERD diagnozowano, jeżeli epizody kaszlu odnotowane przez pacjentów pojawiały się nie później niż 2 minuty po epizodzie refluksu. Z wiązek pomiędzy epizodem refluksu i wystąpieniem kaszlu oceniono za pomocą następujących parametrów: symptom index (SI ≥ 50%) lub symptom association probability (SAP ≥ 95%).Wyniki: Na podstawie wyników pH-metrii przełyku u 135 chorych (135/204, 66%) wysunięto podejrzenie GERD. U większości z nich (117/135, 87%) diagnozę postawiono na podstawie wskaźnika DeMeester. Wśród pacjentów z GERD 61 osób (61/135, 45%) spełniło kryteria kaszlu związanego z GERD, co stanowiło 30% wszystkich pacjentów. U 36 pacjentów (36/61, 59%) kaszel związany z GERD zdiagnozowano na podstawie parametru SAP, u 12 chorych (20%) na podstawie parametru SI, natomiast u 13 (21%) na podstawie obu parametrów. Współczynnik korelacji Spearmana dla SAP ≥ 95% i SI ≥ 50% wyniósł 0,46 (p &lt; 0,05).Wnioski: Na podstawie wyników pH-metrii GERD został zdiagnozowany 2-krotnie częściej niż kaszel związany z GERD. Parametr SAP jest bardziej czuły niż SI w diagnozowaniu kaszlu związanego z GERD. Introduction: Chronic cough is a common medical complaint, which may deteriorate patients’ quality of life and cause many complications. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the frequent reasons for chronic cough. Oesophageal pH monitoring is one of the diagnostic methods performed to confirm diagnosis of GERD-related cough. The aim of the study was to analyse the utility of oesophageal pH monitoring in diagnosing GERD-related cough and to identify the most sensitive pH monitoring parameters for diagnosing GERD-related cough.Material and methods: 24-hour oesophageal pH monitoring was performed in 204 patients suffering from chronic cough. The group consisted of 65% females and the median age was 59 years. An acid reflux episode was defined as a rapid drop in pH to a value below 4 for at least 12 seconds. The diagnosis of GERD was based on total fraction time of pH &lt; 4, upright or supine fraction time of pH &lt; 4, or DeMeester score. The diagnosis of GERD-related cough was made if cough episodes, marked by the patients, appeared within 2 minutes after the reflux. The association between reflux episode and appearance of cough was analysed using two parameters: symptom index (SI ≥ 50%) and/or symptom association probability (SAP ≥ 95%).Results: Based on results of pH monitoring, 135 patients (135/204, 66%) were diagnosed with GERD. Among them, 117 patients (117/135, 87%) were diagnosed based on DeMeester score. Among patients with GERD, 61 patients met the criteria of GERD-related cough (61/135, 45%), i.e. 30% of the group as a whole. Thirty-six patients (36/61, 59%) were diagnosed based on SAP, 12 patients (20%) based on SI, and 13 (21%) based on both parameters. Spearman rank correlation coefficient for SAP ≥ 95% and SI ≥ 50% was 0.46 (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: Based on pH monitoring results, GERD was diagnosed twice as often as GERD-related cough. SAP index is more sensitive than SI for the diagnosis of GERD-related cough