UMBRA: Kokemukset digitaalista mediaa ja perinteistä esitystä yh- distävästä tanssiteoksesta

Lopputyöni Umbra on tanssia ja mediailmaisua yhdistävä esitys. Teoksessa on pyritty tarkastelemaan tapoja, joilla digitaalinen media voisi toimia elimillisenä osana näyttämöllä tapahtuvan esityksen kerrontaa ja näyttämökuvaa. Olen itse toiminut esityksen konseptin kehittäjänä, käsikirjoittajana, animaattorina ja tuottajana. Umbraa esitettiin Mediakeskus Lumen Studionäyttämöllä 15.-23.4.2005. Elävät esiintyjät kohtaavat Umbrassa projisointien ja digitaalitekniikan keinoin toteutetun virtuaalisen maailman. Esityksessä on kolmenlaisia esiintyjiä: kaksi tanssijaa, yksi kauko-ohjattava robotti ja kaksi virtuaa- lista hahmoa. Myös lavastus on osittain virtuaalista. Umbra käsittelee ihmisen ja teknologian välistä suhdetta. Esitys on saanut innoituksensa vanhoista kek- sinnöistä sekä taikalyhtyjen ja varhaisen elokuvan estetiikasta. Se on tuntemattomaan aikaan sijoittuva tarina merkillisestä keksijästä ja hänen suuresta unelmastaan, ikiliikkujan rakentamisesta. Umbran kollaasimainen tyyli syntyy käsin piirretyistä ja tietokoneella käsitellyistä silhuettimaisista animaa- tioista, kuluneesta ja patinoituneesta puvustuksesta ja lavastuksesta, sekä futuristisesti välkkyvästä mutta lian peittämästä pienestä robotista. Umbrasta on haluttu tehdä esitys, jossa tanssi, robotti ja projisoinnit kytkeytyvät toisiinsa, eikä tarinaa voisi kertoa ilman niiden yhteisvaikutusta ja kosketuspin- taa. Virtuaaliset hahmot osallistuvat tarinankerrontaan ja ovat siten esityksen maailmassa todellisia. Ne ovat fyysisten hahmojen, keksijän ja robotin alter egoja ja paljastavat näistä uusia puolia. Projisoinneissa keskeistä on ollut virtuaalisen ja reaalisen maailman kytkeminen (näennäiseen) vuorovaikutukseen, joka on saatu aikaan koreografian ja mediaelementtien tarkalla ajoituksella ja kompositiolla. Tässä suhteessa ne muistuttavat vanhanaikaisia teatteri-illuusioita. Myös niiden käyttötarkoitus on perin- teisellä tavalla illusorinen. Lopputyön kirjallisessa osuudessa olen tarkastellut myös, miten Umbrassa käytetyt visuaaliset tekniikat ovat toimineet näyttämöllisen illuusion muodostuksessa

The biomechanical analysis of three plating fixation systems for periprosthetic femoral fracture near the tip of a total hip arthroplasty

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A variety of techniques are available for fixation of femoral shaft fractures following total hip arthroplasty. The optimal surgical repair method still remains a point of controversy in the literature. However, few studies have quantified the performance of such repair constructs. This study biomechanically examined 3 different screw-plate and cable-plate systems for fixation of periprosthetic femoral fractures near the tip of a total hip arthroplasty.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twelve pairs of human cadaveric femurs were utilized. Each left femur was prepared for the cemented insertion of the femoral component of a total hip implant. Femoral fractures were created in the femurs and subsequently repaired with Construct A (Zimmer Cable Ready System), Construct B (AO Cable-Plate System), or Construct C (Dall-Miles Cable Grip System). Right femora served as matched intact controls. Axial, torsional, and four-point bending tests were performed to obtain stiffness values.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All repair systems showed 3.08 to 5.33 times greater axial stiffness over intact control specimens. Four-point normalized bending (0.69 to 0.85) and normalized torsional (0.55 to 0.69) stiffnesses were lower than intact controls for most comparisons. Screw-plates provided either greater or equal stiffness compared to cable-plates in almost all cases. There were no statistical differences between plating systems A, B, or C when compared to each other (p > 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Screw-plate systems provide more optimal mechanical stability than cable-plate systems for periprosthetic femur fractures near the tip of a total hip arthroplasty.</p

Excretion calculation of horses in Finland

The official excretion calculations provide the Finnish national annual amounts of dry matter, organic matter and nutrients excreted by different livestock in faeces and urine. Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is responsible for the national excretion calculations in Finland, and the results are used e.g. in estimating emissions during manure management and use into air (greenhouse gases, ammonia) and waters [phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), potassium (K)], in estimating the quantity and composition of manure produced in Finland and in setting the targets to improve its utilization (nutrient balances, circular economy). The amounts of nutrients excreted are calculated as the difference between nutrient intake in feed and the nutrients retained in the animals and their products, i.e. as "nutrient input – nutrient uptake = nutrient excretion" The components included in the calculations are N, P, K, dry matter and organic matter. The excretion calculations of horses are conducted separately for different animal categories based on the horse’s size and activity. The critical factor of nutrient excretion calculations is to accurately estimate the amounts and nutrient concentrations of feeds consumed by the animals. This was obtained by calculating the energy requirement of the animals based on their maintenance requirements and level of activity. The diet composition was based on field data and expert assessments. The highest uncertainty is in estimating the intake of nutrients. The detailed steps of the calculations are described in the report. Based on the results with year 2023 as an example, the annual N, P and K excretion of one adult horse working on moderate intensity activity level were 46.3, 8.0 and 47.7 kg, respectively. For ponies and small horses working on the corresponding activity level, the annual N, P and K excretions were 30.2; 5.1 and 30.4 kg, and for small ponies 20.2; 3.3 and 19.5 kg, respectively

SLC-0111, an inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase IX, attenuates hepatoblastoma cell viability and migration

BackgroundIn response to hypoxia, tumor cells undergo transcriptional reprogramming including upregulation of carbonic anhydrase (CA) IX, a metalloenzyme that maintains acid-base balance. CAIX overexpression has been shown to correlate with poor prognosis in various cancers, but the role of this CA isoform in hepatoblastoma (HB) has not been examined. MethodsWe surveyed the expression of CAIX in HB specimens and assessed the impact of SLC-0111, a CAIX inhibitor, on cultured HB cells in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. ResultsCAIX immunoreactivity was detected in 15 out of 21 archival pathology HB specimens. The CAIX-positive cells clustered in the middle of viable tumor tissue or next to necrotic areas. Tissue expression of CAIX mRNA was associated with metastasis and poor clinical outcome of HB. Hypoxia induced a striking upregulation of CAIX mRNA and protein in three HB cell models: the immortalized human HB cell line HUH6 and patient xenograft-derived lines HB-295 and HB-303. Administration of SLC-0111 abrogated the hypoxia-induced upregulation of CAIX and decreased HB cell viability, both in monolayer and spheroid cultures. In addition, SLC-0111 reduced HB cell motility in a wound healing assay. Transcriptomic changes triggered by SLC-0111 administration differed under normoxic vs. hypoxic conditions, although SLC-0111 elicited upregulation of several tumor suppressor genes under both conditions. ConclusionHypoxia induces CAIX expression in HB cells, and the CAIX inhibitor SLC-0111 has in vitro activity against these malignant cells.Peer reviewe

Biology of childhood hepatoblastoma and the search for novel treatments

Our research laboratory has a longstanding interest in developmental disorders and embryonic tumors, and recent efforts have focused on the pathogenesis of pediatric liver tumors. This review focuses on hepatoblastoma (HB), the most common pediatric liver malignancy. Despite advances in treatment, patients with metastatic HB have a poor prognosis, and survivors often have permanent side effects attributable to chemotherapy. In an effort to improve survival and lessen long-term complications of HB, we have searched for novel molecular vulnerabilities using a combination of patient derived cell lines, metabolomics, and RNA sequencing of human samples at diagnosis and follow-up. These studies have shed light on pathogenesis and identified putative targets for future therapies in children with advanced HB.Peer reviewe

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo