Lattice-Boltzmann simulations of the dynamics of liquid barrels

We study the relaxation towards equilibrium of a liquid barrel—a partially wetting droplet in a wedge geometry—using a diffuse-interface approach. We formulate a hydrodynamic model of the motion of the barrel in the framework of the Navier-Stokes and Cahn-Hilliard equations of motion. We present a lattice-Boltzmann method to integrate the diffuse-interface equations, where we introduce an algorithm to model the dynamic wetting of the liquid on smooth solid boundaries. We present simulation results of the over-damped dynamics of the liquid barrel. We find that the relaxation of the droplets is driven by capillary forces and damped by friction forces. We show that the friction is determined by the contribution of the bulk flow, the corner flow near the contact lines and the motion of the contact lines by comparing simulation results for the relaxation time of the barrel. Our results are in broad agreement with previous analytical predictions based on a sharp interface model

The Effects of Privatization on Firms and on Social Welfare: The Chilean Case

Chile led the Latin American pack in launching its far-reaching privatization program, but the question of whether the process has made firms more profitable remains. Also unclear is whether society as a whole is better off because of privatization. This paper looks at the performance of several industries to gauge the effects of privatization on Chilean firms and social welfare. The authors’ research, which is both broad and deep, yields some surprising findings. For example, contrary to commonly-held perceptions of bloated state-run bureaucracies, the authors find that the employment ranks of regulated entities actually swelled after their ownership switched to private hands. The paper evaluates a wide range of aspects of the privatization process, from highway tolls to private pension fund returns to school vouchers, and concludes with some concrete recommendations for future improvements.

Intracerebral haemorrhage in a dog with steroid-responsive meningitis arteritis

A one-year and six-month-old female neutered Boxer dog was presented with a four-day history of pyrexia, lethargy and neck pain. An intracerebral haemorrhage and a mediastinal mass were identified. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed severe neutrophilic pleocytosis, and steroid-responsive meningitis arteritis (SRMA) was suspected. A significant improvement was observed with immunosuppressive steroid therapy and subsequent imaging revealed a reduction in size of the intracerebral haemorrhage and disappearance of the mediastinal mass. SRMA is a systemic disease with potential involvement of multiple organs. Intracerebral haemorrhage can occur secondary to SRMA and can have a successful outcome

Successful medical management of an epidural abscess in a dog

A seven-month-old entire male dobermann presented with acute onset neck pain and left thoracic limb lameness. The dog had a similar episode eight weeks before presentation that responded to meloxicam. A cervical spinal epidural abscess secondary to Staphylococcus pseudintermedius bacteraemia was diagnosed following investigations, including MRI of the cervical vertebral column and blood cultures. Treatment with cephalexin, gabapentin and meloxicam was started. The dog was doing clinically well one month later. A control MRI and radiographs of the cervical vertebral column showed evidence of discospondylitis and resolution of the primary lesion, therefore the treatment course with cephalexin was continued. Three months after initial presentation the clinical signs had resolved, radiographs showed improvement of the discospondylitis and antibiotics were stopped. Seven months later the dog continued doing well with no relapse

Intra-parenchymal brainstem haemorrhage secondary to iatrogenic needle injury after a parenteral injection in a cat

Case summary A 6-month-old female domestic shorthair cat was presented with acute onset non-ambulatory right hemiparesis and horizontal nystagmus following an injection attempt in the neck, during which the cat did not cooperate. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a well-defined intra-axial lesion on the right side of the myelencephalon. The lesion was T2-weighted hypointense and T1-weighted hypointense to isointense to grey matter, non-contrast enhancing, with perilesional oedema and signal void on T2*-weighted images. A linear hyperintense lesion in the muscles of the right dorsolateral aspect of the neck on short tau inversion recovery images was also observed. These MRI findings were consistent with iatrogenic brainstem haemorrhage and a muscle needle tract. The cat made a good recovery with just mild residual neurological deficits 6 weeks after the injury. Relevance and novel information To our knowledge, this is the first report of an iatrogenic brainstem needle injury in a cat and the first report of a central nervous system iatrogenic trauma after a parenteral injection. Care should be taken with neck parenteral injections, especially in the cranial cervical area

La tecnologia en el gobierno: estudio explotario de portales de transacciones en México

Los gobiernos locales han utilizado las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TICs) en diversos campos tanto para la comunicación interna como externa hacia los ciudadanos; sin embargo poco se ha hecho en el uso en transacciones electrónicas, principalmente en lo que se refiere a impuestos y servicios prestados a la ciudadanía por medio de los portales de gobierno. En función de ello, el objetivo de este artículo es comprender cómo se están utilizando las nuevas tecnologías de información y comunicación en los procesos de gestión de finanzas públicas, particularmente en el caso de cobro de impuestos pero también hacia los servicios públicos. Para ello se realizó un análisis exploratorio que analizó los 32 sitios web estatales de México, aplicando un modelo de análisis diseñado para esta investigación. Los resultados demuestran que las TICs, son usadas principalmente para dar información mientras los portales electrónicos carecen de posibilidades para hacer transacciones orientadas al ciudadano, específicamente en la atención al pago de impuestos. Se concluye mediante la generación de aportes al área de finanzas en los portales electrónicos mexicanos como contribución para la mejora de los portales de transacciones en particular

Computer-assisted radiographic calculation of spinal curvature in brachycephalic "screw-Tailed" dog breeds with congenital thoracic vertebral malformations: reliability and clinical evaluation

The objectives of this study were: To investigate computer-assisted digital radiographic measurement of Cobb angles in dogs with congenital thoracic vertebral malformations, to determine its intra- and inter-observer reliability and its association with the presence of neurological deficits. Medical records were reviewed (2009–2013) to identify brachycephalic screw-tailed dog breeds with radiographic studies of the thoracic vertebral column and with at least one vertebral malformation present. Twenty-eight dogs were included in the study. The end vertebrae were defined as the cranial end plate of the vertebra cranial to the malformed vertebra and the caudal end plate of the vertebra caudal to the malformed vertebra. Three observers performed the measurements twice. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to calculate the intra- and inter-observer reliabilities. The intraclass correlation coefficient was excellent for all intra- and inter-observer measurements using this method. There was a significant difference in the kyphotic Cobb angle between dogs with and without associated neurological deficits. The majority of dogs with neurological deficits had a kyphotic Cobb angle higher than 35°. No significant difference in the scoliotic Cobb angle was observed. We concluded that the computer assisted digital radiographic measurement of the Cobb angle for kyphosis and scoliosis is a valid, reproducible and reliable method to quantify the degree of spinal curvature in brachycephalic screw-tailed dog breeds with congenital thoracic vertebral malformations

Factors affecting the prognosis following thoracolumbar spinal cord disease in the dog

Thoracolumbar spinal cord disease is common in dogs, with numerous processes affecting the T3 to L3 spinal cord segments. Being able to accurately predict the outcome is of critical importance for clinicians and owners, in order to inform the clinical decision making process. A large number of variables, including the signalment, findings of the clinical examination, the choice of diagnostic techniques and choice of therapy could potentially have an influence on the outcome. Although there are a large number of reports detailing the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the investigation of canine thoracolumbar spinal diseases, little is known about the historic trends in the choice of imaging technique for investigating thoracolumbar spinal cord diseases in dogs and whether this altered choice has affected prognosis. In Chapter III, I demonstrate that the choice of myelography or MRI as diagnostic imaging modality does not significantly affect either the grade or speed of recovery in dogs with thoracolumbar spinal cord diseases. I also describe that the historical trend has been for MRI to progressively replace other diagnostic imaging techniques for investigation of spinal cord diseases. The age and weight of the patient on presentation are two variables that are easy to obtain and could have an influence on the outcome of dogs with thoracolumbar spinal cord diseases. In chapter IV, I show that neither age nor weight of the patient at presentation affects the neurological recovery, and that there is no significant difference even when comparing extreme groups of age or weight. The neurological examination remains an indispensable tool to localise and grade lesions affecting the spinal cord and is essential for accurate planning and interpretation of diagnostic imaging techniques and formulating the prognosis. In Chapter V, I demonstrate that the presence of a cutaneous trunci reflex is useful in further localising the maximal level of spinal cord lesion within the T3 to L3 spinal cord segments to an accuracy of up to four vertebrae. In addition the cutaneous trunci reflex can be used to rapidly segregate dogs with an ambulatory paresis into less and more severely affected populations on the basis of clinical severity