Portable Tongue-Supported Human Computer Interaction System Design and Implementation

Tongue supported human-computer interaction (TSHCI) systems can help critically ill patients interact with both computers and people. These systems can be particularly useful for patients suffering injuries above C7 on their spinal vertebrae. Despite recent successes in their application, several limitations restrict performance of existing TSHCI systems and discourage their use in real life situations. This paper proposes a low-cost, less-intrusive, portable and easy to use design for implementing a TSHCI system. Two applications of the proposed system are reported. Design considerations and performance of the proposed system are also presented

Rituximab induced pulmonary edema managed with extracorporeal life support

Though rare, rituximab has been reported to induce severe pulmonary edema. We describe the first report of ECLS utilization for this indication. A 31-year-old female with severe thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura developed florid pulmonary edema after rituximab infusion. Despite advanced ventilatory settings, she developed severe respiratory acidosis and remained hypoxemic with a significant vasopressor requirement. Since her pulmonary insult was likely transient, ECLS was considered. Due to combined cardiorespiratory failure, she received support with peripheral venoarterial ECLS. During her ECLS course, she received daily plasmapheresis and high dose steroids. Her pulmonary function recovered and she was decannulated after 8 days. She was discharged after 23 days without residual sequelae

Treatment of tibial diaphyseal fractures with closed flexible intramedullary ender nails: 39 fractures followed for a period of two to seven years

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of flexible intramedullary Ender nails for the treatment of tibial diaphyseal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients treated with the Ender Nail for both open and closed tibial shaft fractures. Between January 1989 and December 1994, 43 fractures were treated with these nails. The configuration of each fracture was determined using the Orthopedic Trauma Association classification and the extent of soft tissue damage was assessed using the Gustilo and Anderson\u27s classification. Four patients were excluded from the study due to inadequate follow-up. There were 27 closed and 12 open fractures. RESULTS: The average time to union in 34 out of 39 fractures was 17 weeks. Delayed union and malunion occurred in two patients each and superficial wound infection in 1 patient. Nonunion occurred in 5 fractures that were all located in the distal 1/3 of the tibial diaphysis. We attribute this high rate of non-union to a poor rotational control on the distal fragment by these nails. CONCLUSIONS: The Ender nails provide effective fixation for the OTA stable class of tibial fractures, where they produce good axial and rotational stability by virtue of their three-point fixation. Rotational and angular stability should be improved by a supplementary cast immobilization for fractures with unstable configuration and those located in the distal third of the diaphysis

Two Loop Low Temperature Corrections to Electron Self Energy

We recalculate the two loop corrections in the background heat bath using real time formalism. The procedure of the integrations of loop momenta with dependence on finite temperature before the momenta without it, has been followed. We determine the mass and wavefunction renormalization constants in the low temperature limit of QED, for the first time with this preferred order of integrations. The correction to electron mass and spinors in this limit is important in the early universe at the time of primordial nucleosynthesis as well as in astrophysics.Comment: 8 pages and 1 figure to appear in Chinese Physics

(In)finiteness of Spherically Symmetric Static Perfect Fluids

This work is concerned with the finiteness problem for static, spherically symmetric perfect fluids in both Newtonian Gravity and General Relativity. We derive criteria on the barotropic equation of state guaranteeing that the corresponding perfect fluid solutions possess finite/infinite extent. In the Newtonian case, for the large class of monotonic equations of state, and in General Relativity we improve earlier results

Is BIM Adoption Advantageous for Construction Industry of Pakistan?

Lack of Information technology applications on construction projects lead to complex flow of data during project life cycle. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has gained attention in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, envisage the use of virtual n-dimensional (n-D) models to identify potential conflicts in design, construction or operational of any facility. A questionnaire has been designed to investigate perceptions regarding BIM advantages. Around 102 valid responses received from diversified stakeholders. Results showed very low BIM adoption with low level of ‘Buzz’. BIM is a faster and more effective method for designing and construction management, it improves quality of the design and construction and reduces rework during construction; which came out as the top thee advantages according to the perception of AEC professionals of Pakistan.BIM has least impact on reduction of cost, time and human resources. This research is a bench mark study to understand adoption and advantageous of BIM in Pakistan Construction Industry

Prevalencija i patološke promjene uzrokovane trakavicom Raillietina cesticillus u domaće kokoši (Gallus gallus domesticus) u himalajskom području Kašmira s umjerenim podnebljem – kratko priopćenje

Research was undertaken into Raillietina cesticillus infection in scavenging indigenous chicken in the Kashmir valley from January 2005 to December 2006. A total of 478 birds of different age groups and both sexes were randomly selected from 10 villages and screened through clinical, parasitological and pathoanatomical examinations. The study indicated that 23.22% (111/478) of the chicken were infected with R. cesticillus either singly or in association with other parasites - Amoebotaenia sphenoides, Raillietina tetragona and Choanotaenia infundibulum. Annual occurrence of the infection was found to be 24.03% (56/233) and 22.44% (55/245). There was a marked seasonal difference in load and mean intensity of infection. A histologically variable degree of degenerative changes was observed with more severe changes in heavy infestation. The inflammatory reaction was characterized by predominant infiltration of heterophils and lymphocytes.U radu je prikazana prevalencija trakavice Raillietina cesticillus u domaće kokoši na području Kašmirske doline u razdoblju od siječnja 2005. do prosinca 2006. Ukupno je pretraženo 478 kokoši različite dobi i spola. Kokoši su nasumično sakupljene na području 10 sela. Za svaku je kokoš zabilježen klinički, parazitološki i patoanatomski nalaz. Istraživanjem je dokazano da je 23,22% (111/478) kokoši bilo invadirano istom trakavicom. U nekih životinja osim ove trakavice dokazane su i druge trakavice poput Amoebotaenia sphenoides, Raillietina tetragona i Choanotaenia infundibulum. Godišnja učestalost trakavice R. cesticilus iznosila je 24,03% (56/233) i 22,44% (55/245). Dokazana je i razlika u sezonskoj učestalosti i to u odnosu na broj trakavica i prosječan intenzitet invazije. Izraženije patohistološke promjene dokazane su u ptica s većom invazijom. Upalni se infiltrat pretežito sastojao od neutrofila i limfocita