School screening for scoliosis: can surface topography replace examination with scoliometer?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Clinical examination with the use of scoliometer is a basic method for scoliosis detection in school screening programs. Surface topography (ST) enables three-dimensional back assessment, however it has not been adopted for the purpose of scoliosis screening yet. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of ST for scoliosis screening.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>996 girls aged 9 to 13 years were examined, with both scoliometer and surface topography. The Surface Trunk Rotation (STR) was introduced and defined as a parameter allowing comparison with scoliometer Angle of Trunk Rotation taken as reference.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Intra-observer error for STR parameter was 1.9°, inter-observer error was 0.8°. Sensitivity and specificity of ST were not satisfactory, the screening cut-off value of the surface topography parameter could not be established.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study did not reveal advantage of ST as a scoliosis screening method in comparison to clinical examination with the use of the scoliometer.</p

Causality in Models of Thermal Processes in Ship Engine Rooms with the Use of Bond Graph (BG) Method

With a single approach to modeling elements of different physical nature, the method of Bond Graph (BG) is particularly well suited for modeling energy systems consisting of mechanical, thermal, electrical and hydraulic elements that operate in the power system engine room. The paper refers to the earlier presented [2] new concept of thermal process modeling using the BG method. The authors own suggestions for determining causality in models of thermal processes created by the said concept were given. The analysis of causality makes it possible to demonstrate the model conflicts that prevent the placement of state equations which allows for the direct conduct of simulation experiments. Attention has been drawn to the link between the energy systems models of thermal processes with models of elements of different physical nature. Two examples of determining causality in models of complex energy systems of thermal elements have been presented. The firs relates to the electrical system associated with the process of heat exchange. The second is a model of the mechanical system associated with the thermodynamic process