A novel method of cadaveric data acquisition from a dissection of the male lower limb using the Perceptron ScanWorks® V5 scanner

Introduction: Under the current pressures of an expanding medical curriculum, the time allocated to anatomical training in medical education has been greatly reduced, resulting in an increasing number of doctors qualifying from medical school with an inadequate, and arguably unsafe level of anatomical understanding. Given the limited time now available for cadaveric dissection in medical training, future rectification of these deficits is becoming heavily dependent on supplementation from virtual anatomical training tools. In light of this, many attempts have been made to acquire cadaveric data for the creation of realistic virtual specimens. Until now however, the educational value of these training tools has been heavily scrutinised, with many sharing the view that they are over simplified and anatomically inaccurate. The main problems associated with the usability of pre-existing datasets arise primarily as a result of the methodology used to acquire their cadaveric data. Projects in this field have previously approached the task of cadaveric data acquisition by creating comprehensive libraries of anatomical cross-sections, from which three-dimensional processing can be technically difficult and not always successful for the reconstruction of fine or complex anatomical structures. Aim: The aim of this study therefore was to approach cadaveric data acquisition, for the purpose of creating a digital cadaveric specimen, in an unconventional manner, by obtaining three-dimensional data directly from cadaveric tissues with a Perceptron ScanWorksV5 non-contact laser scanner. Methods: To do this, a carefully planned dissection of the lower limb was performed on a 68 year old male cadaver, and laser scanning of all clinically relevant structures was undertaken at sequential stages throughout. In addition to this, colour and texture information was collected from the cadaveric tissues by high-resolution digital photography. Results: A comprehensive three-dimensional dataset was acquired from all clinically relevant anatomy of the lower limb as a result of the methodology used in this study. Data was obtained at extremely high point to point resolutions, with a measurement accuracy of 24μm, 2σ. Discussion: By obtaining cadaveric data in this way, the problems associated with the three-dimensional processing of conventional cross-sectional data, such as image segmentation, are largely overcome and fine anatomical details can be accurately documented with high precision. This data can be processed further to create an accurate and realistic virtual reconstruction of the lower limb for both three-dimensional anatomical training and surgical rehearsal in the future. Conclusion: Whilst the value of cross-sectional datasets in their own right should not be disputed, the methodology used for cadaveric data acquisition in this study has proved a very successful in collecting three-dimensional data directly form the specimen, and could be used to acquire detailed datasets for the reconstruction of other complex body regions for virtual anatomical training in the future

A Numerical Modeling Study of the Gulf of Mexico Under Present and Past Environmental Conditions.

The Gulf of Mexico is an ideal location for paleoceanographic study using a three-dimensional ocean circulation model because of the availability of data to verify the model for the present. A description of the Gulf of Mexico circulation during the last glacial maximum is beneficial in interpreting the distribution of glacial fauna and adds to the understanding of global climate change because the Gulf of Mexico is an important link in the circulation of the Atlantic Ocean. The Florida Current originates in the Gulf of Mexico and contributes warm, salty water to the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream influences the climate of the North Atlantic and is a factor in the production of North Atlantic Deep Water, thus contributing to the global thermohaline circulation. The Modular Ocean Model is used with fine horizontal grid resolution to be truly eddy-resolving and with a high number of vertical levels to resolve the bottom topography. A unique method of forcing the inflow through the Yucatan Channel is developed that results in a realistic annual cycle in the volume transport and baroclinic shear of the Loop Current. Seasonally varying wind forcing and surface relaxation toward observed temperature and salinity fields are implemented. The present-day seasonal simulations were able to realistically reproduce many of the observed features of the general circulation as well as the formation, migration, and decay of Loop Current rings. The model deep circulation is dominated by large cyclones that are associated with the upper layer Loop Current rings. The model grid was then configured to represent the lowstand in sea level at 18,000 years before present and the model was forced with glacial estimates of wind stress and surface temperature. The response of the model to different inflow conditions through the Yucatan Channel was tested. Volume transport of the Florida Current during the last glacial maximum that is lower than present is supported by glacial estimates of the volume transport of the North Atlantic gyre and by the results of a global ocean circulation model for the last glacial maximum

A study of programs designed to stimulate students\u27 independent reading

The purpose of this study was to determine what types of programs designed to stimulate students\u27 independent reading were being utilized or had been utilized in the past five years in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This descriptive study examined how such programs were selected, implemented, and evaluated plus business involvement and incentives.;The sample consisted of 102 or 77% of the 132 school divisions whose superintendents had an original and confidential survey completed and returned.;of the 367 programs, Pizza Hut\u27s accounted for 87% and SSR for 78%. A literature search or a professional journal influenced the selection of 34%. Businesses were involved in 43%. Some type of curriculum document was utilized in 50%. There were 489 incentives used. Informal evaluation was done for 86%. Only 34 programs were discontinued chiefly because of administration or teacher discontent. Programs continued mainly because they encouraged reading or children liked them

A Novel Method of Anatomical Data Acquisition Using the Perceptron ScanWorks V5 Scanner

A drastic reduction in the time available for cadaveric dissection and anatomy teaching in medical and surgical education has increased the requirement to supplement learning with the use of virtual gross anatomy training tools. In light of this, a number of known studies have approached the task of sourcing anatomical data from cadaveric material for end us in creating 3D reconstructions of the human body by producing vast image libraries of anatomical cross sections. However, the processing involved in the conversion of cross sectional images to reconstructions in 3D elicits a number of problems in creating an accurate and adequately detailed end product, suitable for educational. In this paperwe have employed a unique approach in a pilot study acquire anatomical data for end-use in 3D anatomical reconstruction by using topographical 3D laser scanning and high-resolution digital photography of all clinically relevant structures from the lower limb of a male cadaveric specimen. As a result a comprehensive high-resolution dataset, comprising 3D laser scanned data and corresponding colour photography was obtained from all clinically relevant gross anatomical structures associated with the male lower limb. This unique dataset allows a very unique and novel way to capture anatomical data and saves on the laborious processing of image segmentation common to conventional image acquisition used clinically, like CT and MRI scans. From this, it provides a dataset which can then be used across a number of commercial products dependent on the end-users requirements for development of computer training packages in medical and surgical rehearsal

A Novel Method of Anatomical Data Acquisition Using the Perceptron ScanWorks V5 Scanner

A drastic reduction in the time available for cadaveric dissection and anatomy teaching in medical and surgical education has increased the requirement to supplement learning with the use of virtual gross anatomy training tools. In light of this, a number of known studies have approached the task of sourcing anatomical data from cadaveric material for end us in creating 3D reconstructions of the human body by producing vast image libraries of anatomical cross sections. However, the processing involved in the conversion of cross sectional images to reconstructions in 3D elicits a number of problems in creating an accurate and adequately detailed end product, suitable for educational. In this paperwe have employed a unique approach in a pilot study acquire anatomical data for end-use in 3D anatomical reconstruction by using topographical 3D laser scanning and high-resolution digital photography of all clinically relevant structures from the lower limb of a male cadaveric specimen. As a result a comprehensive high-resolution dataset, comprising 3D laser scanned data and corresponding colour photography was obtained from all clinically relevant gross anatomical structures associated with the male lower limb. This unique dataset allows a very unique and novel way to capture anatomical data and saves on the laborious processing of image segmentation common to conventional image acquisition used clinically, like CT and MRI scans. From this, it provides a dataset which can then be used across a number of commercial products dependent on the end-users requirements for development of computer training packages in medical and surgical rehearsal

Language in a dependent society : Belize, Central America

In Belize the medium of instruction in schools is English, despite the fact that the pupils do not speak English as their first language. Some Spanish-speakers would like to see Spanish used as a medium of instruction in schools too. Other Spanish- speakers think this would lessen their chances in national and international socioeconomic and political circumstances where English is the dominant language. The evaluation of language use in schools is just one aspect of a multitude of attitudes Belizeans have about language in their lives. These language attitudes are an expression of Belizean responses to the socioeconomic dynamic in Belizean society. Their attitudes are determined by sociocultural, socioeconomic and political allegiances. There is some conflict between those whose stake is in the status quo in Belize, whereby it is economically dependent on its historic links with the United States, the Commonwealth, the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community, and those Spanish speakers, who have prospered from the production of sugar-cane and come to vie with the Creoles for socioeconomic predominance, who feel that their interests would be better served by developing economic and cultural links with Latin American countries. This more or less overt tension in Belizean society means that there is no recognition of an emergent Belizean identity which brings together Creole and Hispanic cultural manifestations and has Belizean Creole as its linguistic expression. The strengths of the languages involved lie in the economic base and potential of the respective speakers. Whatever the outcome of these forces Belizeans would benefit from positively acknowledging the linguistic diversity in their nation and fostering their achievements in two or more languages, as this linguistic flexibility could be one of their main resources in responding to the developments in their geopolitical and economic situation

Early modern Oxford bindings in twenty-first century markup

Purpose – The Bodleian Binders Book contains nearly 150 pages of seventeenth century library records, revealing information about the binders used by the library and the thousands of bindings they produced. The purpose of this paper is to explore a pilot project to survey and record bindings information contained in the Binders Book. Design/methodology/approach – A sample size of seven pages (91 works, 65 identifiable bindings) to develop a methodology for surveying and recording bindings listed in the manuscript. To create a successful product that would be useful to bindings researchers, it addressed questions of bindings terminology and the role of the library in the knowledge creation process within the context that text encoding is changing the landscape of library functions. Text encoding formats were examined, and a basic TEI (Text Encoding Initiative) transcription was produced. This facilitates tagging of names and titles and the display of transcriptions with text images. Findings – Encoding was found not only to make the manuscript content more accessible, but to allow for the construction of new knowledge: characteristic Oxford binding traits were revealed and bindings were matched to binders. Plans for added functionality were formed. Originality/value – This research presents a “big picture” analysis of Oxford bindings as a result of text encoding and the foundation for qualitative and statistical analysis. It exemplifies the benefits of interdisciplinary methods – in this case from Digital Humanities – to enhance access to and interpretation of specialist materials and the library's provenance record

Heritability analyses of musculoskeletal conditions and exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in thoroughbred racehorses

Musculoskeletal conditions and exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage are commonly diagnosed in Thoroughbred racehorses worldwide, and have serious consequences for racehorse welfare and the racing economy. Despite increasing interest in the study of genetic susceptibility to disease from the veterinary research community as a whole over past decades, the Thoroughbred has been largely ignored as a study group. The availability of software capable of complex genetic analyses using large, unbalanced pedigrees has made the study of genetic susceptibility to disease a realistic prospect for veterinary researchers. This study aimed to complete preliminary analyses of the genetics of a number of important musculoskeletal conditions, and of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage, in two different Thoroughbred populations. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify important environmental risk factors for each condition in each population, and heritability analyses were conducted. Genetic correlations between disease conditions were also investigated. Fracture, tendon injury, suspensory ligament injury, osteoarthritis and EIPH/epistaxis were found to be heritable traits in the Hong Kong population. Distal limb fracture, SDFT injury and epistaxis were also found to be heritable in the UK Thoroughbred population. Most heritability estimates were small or moderate in magnitude. Selective breeding strategies that identify those animals with low genetic risk could play a part in future efforts to reduce the incidence of these conditions, in conjunction with favourable environmental manipulations based on research evidence. Due to low heritability, most of the conditions studied here would reduce in incidence slowly if selective breeding were implemented, thus strategic environmental manipulations would be warranted alongside such longer-term efforts to provide effective incidence reductions. A number of conditions were found to be positively genetically correlated, suggesting that risk reduction through breeding could reduce the risk of multiple diseases concurrently. For example, fracture and osteoarthritis were found to be positively genetically correlated (0.85 – 0.89) in the Hong Kong racehorse population. However, using the Hong Kong Thoroughbred population dataset, EIPH/epistaxis and tendon injury were negatively genetically correlated, which suggests that reduction in genetic risk of one of these may lead to increased genetic risk of the other. iii Measures of the durability and performance of racehorses were investigated to assess whether they were heritable traits in the UK and Hong Kong racehorse populations, and to assess their relationship to the disease conditions studied. Selection based on more holistic measures of horse health and longevity such as ‘career length’ could be a more attractive prospect for stakeholders, as this could forego the need to select for many different traits individually. Career length, number of starts over the career, and the level of earnings were all heritable traits in both populations. These holistic traits were found to have variable relationships with the disease conditions studied in each population. These analyses are the first to assess the genetic contribution to risk for many important diseases in the Thoroughbred. They provide a starting point from which further investigations into the applicability of genetic manipulations could yield realistic and achievable tools for racing stakeholders to use to ‘improve’ the breed in future

Actions of Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Sheep

Mechanical and thermal stimuli were used to determine threshold responses in normal experimental sheep which were familiar with both test procedures. The average control response threshold to noxious thermal and mechanical stimulation was 54.