Simulated 3D Model of the Middle Ear for Theoretical and Practical Training for Students, Post-Graduate ENT Diseases Students and Beginning Otosurgeons

Post-graduate ENT diseases students and beginning otosurgeons go through a very important initial training period. The first steps in otosurgery are taken step by step. The transition from theoretical knowledge to temporal bone dissection courses is long and difficult. The lack of preliminary preparation vitiates and increases the cost of temporal bone dissection exercises.Simulated models bridge the gap between theory and practice and contribute to a more effective training.Aim: Developing a simulated 3D model of the mastoid process in real size and the part of the facial nerve passing through it; using a simulated 3D model of mastoid process for anatomical visualization of the hard to find and invisible structures of the middle ear and facial nerve and for nosological training.Material and methods:1. Cadaver temporal bone on which postauricular facial nerve decompression has been performed.2. Elaborating a silicone model based on a print taken from the operative cavity3. 3D printing of the models and colouring4. Putting electrical conductors and their connection to a tactile pointer and light indicatorsResults:The model:–– presents the hard to find and invisible microstructures of the middle ear and the part of the facial nerve passing through it–– allows work in two modes: anatomical and nosological–– contributes to more lasting preservation of knowledge, using the principle of active learning and training visual and tactile memory.Conclusion:The model is developed for tuition, precedes training models and can be improved. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Специализантите по УНГ болести и начинаещите отохирурзи преминават през много важен начален период на обучение. Първите стъпки в отохирургията се осъществяват step by step. Преходът от теоретични познания към курсовете по Temporal Bone Dissection е труден и продължителен. Липсата на предварителнаподготовка опорочава и оскъпява упражненията по дисекция на темпорална кост.Симулационните модели прехвърлят мост между теорията и практиката и допринасят за по-висока ефективност на обучението.Цел: Създаване на симулационен 3D модел в реални размери на processus mastoideus и частта на лицевия нерв, преминаваща през него; използване на симулационен 3D модел на processus mastoideus за анатомично онагледяване на трудно откриваемите и невидими структури на средното ухо и лицевия нерв и за нозологично обучение.Материал и методи:1. трупна темпорална кост, върху която е извършена Postauricular Facial Nerve decompression2. изработване на силиконов модел по взет отпечатък от оперативната кухина3. 3Д принтинг на моделите и оцветяване4. полагане на електрически проводници и свързването им към тактилна показалка и светлинни индикаториРезултати:Моделът:–– представя трудно откриваемите и невидими микроструктури на средното ухо и частта на лицевия нерв, преминаваща през него–– позволява работа в два режима: анатомичен и нозологичен–– допринася за по-трайно запазване на знанията, използвайки принципа на активното обучение и тренирането на зрителната и тактилната паметЗаключение:Моделът е създаден за обучение, предхожда моделите за тренинг и може да бъде усъвършенстван

Superconductivity and superconducting order parameter phase fluctuations in a weakly doped antiferromagnet

The superconducting properties of a recently proposed phenomenological model for a weakly doped antiferromagnet are analyzed, taking into account fluctuations of the phase of the order parameter. In this model, we assume that the doped charge carriers can't move out of the antiferromagnetic sublattice they were introduced. This case corresponds to the free carrier spectra with the maximum at ${\bf k}=(\pm \pi /2 ,\pm \pi /2)$, as it was observed in ARPES experiments in some of the cuprates in the insulating state [1]. The doping dependence of the superconducting gap and the temperature-carrier density phase diagram of the model are studied in the case of the $d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$ pairing symmetry and different values of the effective coupling. A possible relevance of the results to the experiments on high-temperature superconductors is discussed.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figure

Secondary peak on asymmetric magnetization loop of type-II superconductors

Asymmetric magnetization loops with a second peak effect were parameterized by the extended critical state model. The magnetic field distribution in a sample is considered. Expression is suggested for a peak of the critical current density and corresponding depression on field dependence of the depth of surface layer with equilibrium magnetization. These functions determine the width and the asymmetry of a magnetization loop. Asymmetry of the secondary peak height on magnetization branches for increasing and decreasing field is reproduced on the computed magnetization curves.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, Equation 6 is modified to be f=0 at B=

Our experience in the surgical treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder, leading to decreased quality of life, increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, increased frequency of automobile accidents. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the first line of treatment for OSA. Many patients are unwilling or incapable to tolerate the treatment and therefore turn to surgical options to alleviate symptoms and sequela of the disease.Аim: To present our experience in the surgical treatment of OSA.Materials and Methods: 50 patients (48 male / 2 female) underwent surgical treatment for OSA in our clinic for a period of 10 years. Subjective complaints were evaluated by interview of the patient and partner pre- and postoperatively, with key factors studied being snoring level (visual analogue 1–10) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Objective data were Body Mass Index (BMI), nasal endoscopy, pre and postoperative polysomnographic data, rhinomanometry, Mallampati score, diagnostic imaging of the nose and sinuses.Results: The mean BMI of the patients was 29.8± 3.4. 21 patients had nasal obstruction for which they underwent surgical treatment. 5 patients had micro or retrognathia. 37 Pateints had a Mallampati score of 3 and 13 of 4. All 50 patients underwent Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and 6 patients also had Radiofrequency tongue base reduction. There were no serious complications. Subjective improvement in the severity of the symptoms was obtained in 88% (44) of patients. Objective success was obtained in 56% (28) of the patients.Conclusions: Surgical treatment of OSA leads to a significant subjective improvement in the severity of symptoms and acceptable objective results. For maximal results a multidisciplinary approach is required for the complex treatment of OSA

Estimation of errors in text and data processing

The company Adiss Lab Lts. obtained 1 000 000 medical reports that are either in free form text, or in XML format. One of the main goals of their development is to integrate an algorithm for information extraction (IE) in their platform. The verification of the algorithm’s output for a report is done by a medical doctor (MD) for a certain fee. Validating the correctness of all data would be overwhelming and very expensive. Hence, the problem, as presented by the company, is to provide a method (algorithm) which determines the minimum amount of reports that will validate the correctness of the IE algorithm and a procedure for selecting these reports. In order to solve the problem we have considered an algorithm-centric approach uses active learning and semi-supervised learning

The application of ultrasound examination in the treatment of Acute Sinusitis. Comparing X-ray to ultrasound of paranasal sinuses

Background: Acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) is one of the most common diseases encountered in the out-patient setting. X-ray of the paranasal sinuses is the gold standard in the diagnosis of ARS with its accessibility and accuracy. Ultrasound examination of the paranasal sinuses is a noninvasive diagnostic method which is an acceptable alternative in the follow-up of the treatment.Aim: To present the application of portable sinuson in the out-patient setting on patients with ARS and its effectiveness.Materials and Methods: 22 patients (12m/10f) underwent X-ray of the paranasal sinuses, which resulted in ARS. The results of the X-rays were compared with the ultrasound examination of the paranasal sinuses with a portable sinuson (SINUSULTRA ULTRAMAX). The examination was repeated on the 1-st and 2-nd week and 2 months after the treatment for ARS.Results: From the 22 patients – 10 were with unilateral maxillary sinusitis, 7 with bilateral sinusitis and 5 with pansinusitis. 5 (22%) false positives were registered from the ultrasound examination on the initial check-up, 3 (13%) false negatives were registered on the follow-ups on the 1-st and the 2-nd week, 2 (9%) false negatives were registered 2 months after the treatment for ARS.Conclusion: Ultrasound examination of the paranasal sinuses is a noninvasive, painless, fast and with an adequate degree of accuracy. It is a good alternative for children and pregnant women. Ultrasound examination can be applied in the follow-up of ARS

Rare earth elements materials production from apatite ores

The paper deals with the study of processing apatite ores with nitric acid and extraction of the rare earth elements. The rare earth elements can be successfully separated and recovered by extraction from the nitrate- phosphate solution, being an tributyl phosphate as extraction agent. The developed scheme of the processing apatite concentrate provides obtaining rare earth concentrates with high qualitative characteristics

Balancing Specificity and Promiscuity in Enzyme Evolution: Multidimensional Activity Transitions in the Alkaline Phosphatase Superfamily

Highly proficient, promiscuous enzymes can be springboards for functional evolution, able to avoid loss of function during adaptation by their capacity to promote multiple reactions. We employ systematic comparative study of structure, sequence and substrate specificity to track the evolution of specificity and reactivity between promiscuous members of clades of the alkaline phosphatase (AP) superfamily. Construction of a phylogenetic tree of protein sequences maps out the likely transition zone between arylsulfatases (ASs) and phosphonate monoester hydrolases (PMHs). Kinetic analysis shows that all enzymes characterized have four chemically distinct phospho- and sulfoesterase activities, with rate accelerations ranging from 1011-1017-fold for their primary and 109-1012-fold for their promiscuous reactions, suggesting that catalytic promiscuity is widespread in the AP-superfamily. This functional characterization and crystallography reveal a novel class of ASs that is so similar in sequence to known PMHs that it had not been recognized as having diverged in function. Based on analysis of snapshots of catalytic promiscuity ‘in transition’ we develop possible models that would allow functional evolution and determine scenarios for trade-off between multiple activities. For the new ASs we observe largely invariant substrate specificity that would facilitate the transition from ASs to PMHs via trade-off-free molecular exaptation, i.e. evolution without initial loss of primary activity and specificity toward the original substrate. This ability to bypass low activity generalists provides a molecular solution to avoid adaptive conflict.BBSR