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To investigate the geometric morphological differences of the lacrimal punctum by analyzing its shape in relation to age and sex in a normal population. 960 high-magnification slit-lamp images were obtained from 320 puncta of normal asymptomatic Indian individuals across eight decades of life. Using advanced geometric morphometric techniques, including Elliptic Fourier Analysis and Principal Component Analysis, the intricate details of the lacrimal punctum's shape in a diverse population sample were categorized by age and sex. High-resolution images of the lacrimal punctum underwent standardization for scale and orientation, followed by precise landmark identification and coordinate data extraction. The geometric morphometry of the lacrimal punctum shows significant changes as one ages. However, the gender differences, in isolation, without consideration of age, remain subtle and are not pronounced. Interestingly, detailed Principal Component scores analysis revealed potential sex- and age-related variations specifically for the left and right lower puncta, which warrant further investigation. These changes could reflect unique aging changes in the proximal lacrimal drainage system. The study is a starting point for geometric morphometric analysis of the lacrimal punctum and provides valuable insights into the punctal changes in size, orientation, and overall morphology across different age groups and between sexes. These findings highlight the significance of considering individual age-wise anatomical variations to better understand the lacrimal punctum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anatomical and chemical properties of a lesser known species, Kawui wood, were investigated Two trees were examined based on IAWA, ASTM and SNI. A completely randomised design was used with radial direction of the trunk (sapwood and heartwood) as the factor, in three replications. It indicated the highest to lowest cell proportions are fibres, rays, vessels and parenchyma. The highest proportion of rays was in the sapwood, while the fibre was in the heartwood. However, the average fibre length in the sapwood was higher than the heartwood, while the lumen diameter showed the reverse. Holocellulose, α-cellulose, lignin, extractives, and ash content of the sapwood was higher than the heartwood. Based on its anatomical and chemical properties, Kawui wood can be included in grade II–IV, which is suitable for medium quality pulp and paper production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence based medicine should underpin the practice of all orthopaedic surgeons. Spinal pathology should be considered in the differential diagnosis for pain in every upper and lower limbs region and an understanding of spinal anatomy and physiology is vital in the management of the trauma patient. We present ten key articles, which have been selected for their impact within the field. They encompass trauma, degenerative, inflammatory, deformity and emergency spinal disorders. The articles range from level I randomized control trials to level V expert opinion. An understanding of their methodology and key findings should be part of the core knowledge encompassing spinal surgery and will, in particular, be of benefit for those preparing for final professional examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the relationship between the difficulty index and the discrimination index of one-best answer type multiple-choice questions (MCQ's) in an anatomy paper for the students of year I of an undergraduate medical program. We included in this study the MCQ paper from the two partial examination of academic year 2008/2009. There were 52 students who attended the 2 partial examination in year 2008/2009. This examination covered anatomy of cardiovascular and respiratory systems. There was a wide distribution of item difficulty indices in all the MCQ papers analyzed. Mean difficulty index was 50.84 ± 17.30 with range 21.4 - 85.7 and mean discrimination index was 0.40 ± 0.21 with range -0.07 - 0.71. On average, 13.3 % of the MCQ items in anatomy paper were "very easy" (difficulty index > 70), while 13.3 were „very difficult” (difficulty index < 30). About 75 % of these very easy/difficult items had "very poor" or even negative discrimination. Our finding indicate that 73.4 % of studied MCQ's have recommended difficulty index and 76.7 % of questions have good or excellent discrimination index. 26.6 % of analyzed questions are too easy or too difficult and 13.3 % of questions have poor discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To synthesize the terminology utilized in nerve-sparing surgical literature and propose standardized and nonconflicting terms to allow for consistent vocabulary. We performed a literature search on PubMed using the search terms "pelvis" and "nerve-sparing." Nongynecologic surgery and animal studies were excluded. A narrative review was performed, focusing on nerves, fasciae, ligaments, and retroperitoneal spaces. Terms from included papers were discussed by all authors, who are surgeons versed in nerve-sparing procedures and one anatomist, and recommendations were made regarding the most appropriate terms based on the frequency of occurrence in the literature and the possibility of overlapping names with other structures. 224 articles were identified, with 81 included in the full-text review. Overall, 48% of articles focused on cervical cancer and 26% on deeply infiltrating endometriosis. Findings were synthesized both narratively and visually. Inconsistencies in pelvic anatomical nomenclature were prevalent across publications. The structure with the most varied terminology was the rectal branch of the inferior hypogastric plexus with 14 names. A standardized terminology for pelvic autonomic nerve structures, fasciae, ligaments, and retroperitoneal spaces was proposed to avoid conflicting terms. Surgeons and anatomists should use consistent terminology to facilitate increased uptake of nerve-sparing techniques in gynecologic surgery through a better understanding of surgical technique description. We have proposed a standardized terminology believed to facilitate this goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tapinanthus bangwensis commonly known as mistletoe, is a hemi parasitic shrub of Loranthaceae, and the native range is West Tropical Africa to Chad; used in tradomedicine to remedy various ailments in Nigeria. Hence, the objective of this paper was to investigate the chemotaxonomic characteristics of Tapinanthus bangwensis (Engl. & K. Krause) Danser of Loranthaceae collected from University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods. Results of anatomy revealed 4 to 5 rows of collenchyma at hypodermis, parenchyma domiciled in the ground tissues, vascular sclerenchyma present especially in vascular system. In the phytochemistry, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenolics and flavonoids were present while terpenoids absent. These information would assist for further delimitation of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In traditional medicine, Commelina erecta L. has been used as antiviral, for the treatment of hemorrhages, skin rashes and sores, and for the treatment of infections. It is also used as a wild edible plant in salads, preserves or decorating the dishes. Hence, the objective of this paper was to investigate the morpho-anatomical and epidermal properties of Commelina erecta L of Commelinaceae using appropriate standard methods. Results revealed C. erecta as a Broadleaf and vivacious branching up to 20 to 55 cm in length as it trails and roots at nodes, having leaves which are elliptical, oval to lanceolate and sub sessile about 2.5 ± 0.5 cm long and 1.5 ± 0.5 cm wide; the leaf sheath is closed and united at base. The stomata are anomocytic, tetracytic and paracytic stomata with pentagonal to heptagonal epidermal cells and trichomes (piloses) including glandular trichomes which are amphistomatic. Anatomical sections showcased root pith, vascular bundles scattered and concentrated towards the ground tissues. These information would assist for further delimitation of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image Synthesis or generation is evolving at a high rate helping from diagnosis of diseases to traffic control. Deep Learning has touched a new height in which domains like Computer Vision have successfully developed Deep learning models for image generation. Recent improvements in deep learning enabled Generative Adversarial Networks or GANs to achieve a remarkable level of success in image synthesis. GANs help in generating significant and relevant outcomes from convoluted patterns as input. This piece of research aims at making a call towards conservation of tribal art culture through deploying neural models and computer vision techniques, in line with Warli tribal human synthetic stick figures of Asian tribes. This paper presents several methods for synthesizing human stick figures in Asian Tribal Art using modified GAN architecture. The modified GANs were quite different in terms of layers as well as the range and distribution of latent vector space. To provide input data for the training process, a customized data set was created based on spherical polar coordinates and the laws of coordinate geometry. The process of training the GAN architecture involves insertion of random vector points, and addition of neural layers, to generate outputs of higher and better resolution. The paper includes training of Generator and Discriminator following the concepts of Transfer learning and providing relevant affirmation to draw conclusions that the generated samples exhibit similarities and resemble the original input sample. Further work extends towards using of different color space data set images for generating outputs with better accuracy through the modified GAN models. The final generated output images along with other visualizations are also attached with this work to provide evidence for the fact that the output samples are analogous to the actual data. This piece of research tries to open a gate way of using artificial intelligence in terms of cultivating and protecting the traditional art cultures of various tribes across the globe. The proposed methodology performed quite well in terms of producing warli figures from given latent vector space, which is vindicated by the comparison of images at pixel level and image histograms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to improve the transparency of agent-based social simulation (ABSS) models and make it easier for various actors engaging with these models to make sense of them. It studies what ABSS is and juxtaposes its basic conceptual elements with insights from the agency/structure debate in social theory to propose a framework that captures the ‘conceptual anatomy’ of ABSS models in a simple and intuitive way. The five elements of the framework are: agency, social structure, environment, actions and interactions, and temporality. The paper also examines what is meant by the transparency or opacity of ABSS in the rapidly growing literature on the epistemology of computer simulations. It deconstructs the methodological criticism that ABSS models are black boxes by identifying multiple categories of transparency/opacity. It argues that neither opacity nor transparency is intrinsic to ABSS. Instead, they are dependent on research habitus - practices that are developed in a research field that are shaped by structure of the field and available resources. It discusses the ways in which thinking about the conceptual anatomy of ABSS can improve its transparency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central venous access is an important procedure to understand and perform not only in the emergency unit but also for prolonged reliable venous access. All clinicians must be familiar and confident with this procedure. This paper will focus on applied anatomy in respect of common anatomical sites for venous access, the indications, the contraindications, the technique and complications that may arise following the procedure. This article is part of a series on vascular access. We have previously written on the intra osseous procedure and an article on umbilical vein catheterisation will follow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With this paper we aim to make a brief description of the species Sus barbatus. S. barbatus is the scientific name for the bearded pig, also known as the Bornean bearded pig. It is a pig species native to Southeast Asia, specifically Borneo, Sumatra, and nearby smaller islands. Bearded pigs are known for their distinctive appearance, which includes a beard-like tuft of hair on their chin, as well as long, sharp tusks. They are omnivorous and primarily feed on roots, fruit, and small animals such as insects. Bearded pigs are social animals and live in groups of up to 20 individuals. They are typically active during the day and rest in the shade during the hottest part of the day. Despite being a common prey animal for many predators, they were considered in the past a species of "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to their widespread distribution and relatively stable population. Now the species is listed as "vulnerable". Conservation research on S. barbatus is important to ensure the long-term survival of this species and the ecosystems in which it lives. The anatomy and physiology of S. barbatus are adapted to their omnivorous diet and their habitat in Southeast Asia. The ecology of S. barbatus is shaped by their habitat, diet, social behavior, and interactions with other species in their ecosystem. The bearded pig has several unique features that set it apart from other swine species, including its facial hair, large size, omnivorous diet, complex social structure, and rainforest habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tiempos Modernos is the property of Tiempos Modernos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Tooth identification is important not only for anatomists and anthropologists but also for dental practitioners and dental students studying dental anatomy courses. This review paper provides an overview of the significance of tooth identification focusing on the morphological and developmental background. The process of tooth identification comprises five steps of distinction: (1) between deciduous and permanent teeth; (2) between tooth classes; (3) between maxillary and mandibular teeth; (4) within the same tooth class; and (5) between the left and right sides of a tooth. According to Mühlreiter's features, the mesial half is more developed than the distal half, and the curvature feature is associated with the configuration of the dental arch. Each step of tooth identification refers to effective traits and characteristics. The possibility that systemic conditions affect dental morphology should be considered. Tooth identification is occasionally difficult owing to individual variations (size and shape, supernumerary tubercles, root fusion) and sex-based differences. A tooth type error within the same class is the most frequent error in tooth identification, followed by a left or right side error. To understand tooth identification, it is necessary to have comprehensive knowledge of dental morphology. A broad education with regard to tooth evolution and comparative odontology, as well as a thorough understanding of the morphology and function of teeth, which play a crucial role in sustaining life as organs of mastication, is essential. [Display omitted] • Tooth identification is a necessary skill in anatomy and many other fields. • The process of tooth identification follows five steps of distinction. • According to Mühlreiter, the mesial half is more developed than the distal half. • The curvature feature is associated with the configuration of the dental arch. • Broad education as to tooth evolution and comparative odontology is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through an in-depth study of the literature, as well as some other sources of information, geographical distribution maps of the various taxa of the European freshwater planarian genus Crenobia (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida) are provided, which document their records and distributional ranges in a detail that was previously unavailable. The genus Crenobia ranges across Northern, Western, Southern, and Eastern Europe, including several islands in the Mediterranean region, but is absent from a major part of the Iberian Peninsula; it is distributed also in Turkey. The chromosome portrait of Crenobia is complex, as it exhibits chromosome numbers that are multiples of 7, such as 28, 35, 42, 56, and 63. Sexually reproducing populations are tetraploid or hexaploid, while asexually reproducing populations exhibit high chromosome numbers. All taxa of Crenobia are stenothermic, cold-loving species. Although historical biogeographic scenarios interpreting the taxonomic diversification of the genus as being the result of the vicissitudes of the Last Ice Age are still captivating, it may be the case that the genus already diversified 6-20 million years ago. The paper sketches in some detail the anatomy of the copulatory complex of the various taxa. Previously, it went unnoticed that in two of the taxa (Crenobia alpina and C. anophthalma) the two sperm ducts have different, asymmetrical trajectories. Further, it was largely undocumented that in several taxa the sperm ducts exhibit a pronounced recurvature, as well as a dorsal loop before entering the penis papilla. Neither did previous studies document that in C. montenigrina the mouth opening is not located at the most posterior end of the pharyngeal pocket, but has shifted anteriad for some distance. Polypharyngy is a stable, species-specific character, with C. montenigrina usually exhibiting 11-17 pharynges, while C. anophthalma has never more than three pharynges. Different views have been expressed on the taxonomic status of several geographic and anatomical forms of Crenobia. It is shown here that Crenobia comprises five, well-defined full species, viz., C. alpina , C. corsica , C. montenigrina , C. anophthalma , and C. bathycola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the popularization of information technology and network in schools and education management departments, the whole school management model based on campus network has become the mainstream of the development of education management information system. Relying on the theoretical basis of the information management system MS, the system application platform designed and developed for the teaching management of colleges and universities can assist the staff to efficiently process various kinds of information in the school and provide information services for the teachers and students of the whole school. Deep learning under steam education means that students, under the guidance of teachers, actively, joyfully and interactively participate in teaching activities around challenging, integrated and ideological topics, realize the understanding, connection and transfer of knowledge on the basis of original experience, and apply it to problem solving in real situations, so as to finally form a critical and creative high-level thinking ability. In view of the shortcomings of the traditional course push model algorithm, this paper combines the multi-layer neuron model algorithm with the personalized recommendation algorithm, and verifies the course data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a pressing need for simulated forms of medical, and in particular, anatomical learning. Current modalities of teaching are limited to either traditional 2-dimensional forms of learning, such as textbook, research papers and lectures, or more costly 3-dimensional modes including cadaveric dissection. Despite the overwhelmingly 3-dimensional nature of plastic surgery, virtual 3D models are limited. Here, we provide the first description of the development and utilisation of a virtual 3D flap model in medical education in the undergraduate curriculum. Methods and results: A 3D anterolateral (ALT) model was developed with close integration of specialists in simulation and visualisation, anatomists and clinicians, allowing 'virtual dissection' of the anatomy of the ALT flap. This was utilised in a B. Sc. Anatomy undergraduate course in 2017/18 and 2018/19. Student feedback noted an overwhelming preference for the 3D model (74%) as the first choice of educational methodology, versus lectures (26%), textbooks (0%) and research papers (0%) (p = 0.0035). Extraneous cognitive load may be reduced with 3D models, with students rating these as easier to learn from than textbook or research papers (p = 0.00014 and p < 0.00001, respectively). Notably, no statistically significant difference was found in the perceived ease of learning between 3D models and lectures. Conclusions: This study highlights a striking user preference for virtual 3D models as compared to for traditional teaching methods. Nonetheless, 3D models are likely to enhance rather than replace lectures, with this study suggesting that teaching by experts is likely to remain an essential part of medical education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on Oscar Wilde’s literary treatment of the history of Willie Hughes as both a model for modern fictionalised biographies and the heir of a specifically British tradition of life writing, which is tackled here from a double perspective. On the one hand, The Incomparable and Ingenious History of Mr. W.H. will be discussed in terms of its diegetic nature, expanding on its ties with Walter Pater’s Imaginary Portraits and experiments in fictional biography. On the other, Wilde’s text will be scrutinised from a non-fictional perspective that aims to throw light on its possible links with eighteenth- and, even more interestingly, seventeenth)century forms of human-life ‘dissection’ that had Samuel Johnson and Robert Burton among their forerunners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giovanni Alessandro Brambilla, personal surgeon of the Emperor Joseph II and Protosurgeon of Hapsburg Army, worked for several years on the drafting of an unfinished work dedicated to the Italians who made important contributions to the development of medicine and surgery. Among his papers preserved in the historical civic archive of Pavia there is an unpublished profile of Giovanni Battista Morgagni whom Brambilla met personally. The deep admiration shown in the text - here fully transcribed - by the imperial surgeon offers evidence of the consideration that Morgagni's work enjoyed among contemporary scholars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims to show that in the second half of the XIXth Century the European Romantic trend in literature became even in Italy part of the launch pad for the first "Fanta-clinic" and "Medical-thriller" novels. According to the lesson of the coeval French literature it also baptized a kind of modern poetry turned to épater le bourgeois through the transfiguration of Anatomy and later through the use of the scientific method in composing verses and novels. This paper aims to focalize some links between Literature and Medicine by concerning literary inspirations felt by many coeval writers about Paolo Gorini (1813- 1881) and Efisio Marini (1835-1900). The paper tries to demonstrate that the dark suggestions offered by the two scientists to some well known names of the Italian Literature (from Carlo Dossi to Matilde Serao) grew up strong in the Northern part of Italy as well as they did in the Southern part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose Although anatomy is a significant part of medical education, there is controversy surrounding the appropriate method of anatomy teaching. Although social media is used in medical teaching, it has not been clarified if social platforms could significantly influence anatomy education. The purpose of this narrative review was to investigate to what extent the existing literature supports that social media could play a significant role in anatomy education. Methods PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane database of systematic reviews, ERIC and CINAHL plus were searched for studies with a purpose to investigate the correlation between social media and anatomy education. The following data were received from each paper: authors, year, country, level of outcome according to Kirkpatrick hierarchy, type of study, purpose, material, methods, conclusion and findings that supported each conclusion. Results Nine papers were eligible for analysis. Four of them focused on YouTube, three on Facebook and two on Twitter. Most studies were non-comparative, all the papers evaluated participants' reactions and no study investigated if students' attitude or anatomy knowledge was influenced by social media. It was generally shown that social platforms could positively affect anatomy education. However, concerns about the educational value of YouTube videos were expressed. Conclusion The research so far about the use of social media in anatomy education is limited and lacks comparative studies. It was generally demonstrated that social platforms could positively affect anatomy education. However, further research is needed to investigate if social media could influence students' attitude or anatomy knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improvement of the human condition is the driver behind a vast amount of ongoing research and naturally employs the most up-to-date methods in its endeavours. It has contributed greatly to our understanding of the body and benefitted our healthcare systems in remarkable ways, but there is a problem. The mapping of anatomy to its physiological functions is essentially derived from the work of Vesalius and traditionally favoured mobility over stability, and as a consequence has allowed the entrenched and simplifying assumptions of the musculoskeletal duality to persist to the present day, despite advances in technology. The lever model of motion, for example, assumes that the body is an intrinsically unstable system that requires an external controller (e.g. neural) to provide the necessary 'catch-up' stability for transient muscular latencies, and it is likely that the vulnerabilities inherent within such a mechanism would severely compromise living tissues. The foundational biomechanical assumptions of steady-state forces and kinematics has meant that the disproportionate and potentially damaging consequences of transient peak loadings have been largely overlooked, and which added to the long healing times required for post-traumatic recovery, suggests that such a mechanism would lead to material fatigue and destructive tissue failure. The musculoskeletal duality, however, was not always so dominant but conceptually rivalled in the 17th and 18th centuries by Hooke's 'cells' and Malpighi's 'cellular tissues', both of which have been largely forgotten but now deserve a re-evaluation. The definition of the term 'cell' as a small compartment within a larger structure had quite different connotations then than it does today, but this compartmental aspect of connective tissue anatomy gradually faded and is now only recognized for its pathological significance. This paper examines musculoskeletal anatomy from both historical and more recent viewpoints and highlights the concept of the fascial system as a distinct and intrinsically stable functional entity. It is a perspective that enables every anatomical 'part' to be included within a 'cellular' framework that differs substantially from the mobility-driven machine model: a tensioned fibrous network encompassing a complex heterarchy of regionally specialized compartments under compression, each of which has its own physical and parenchyma-driven characteristics that contribute to the functional whole. In other words, an updated fascia-centric interpretation of architectural anatomy that maps muscles and bones in a substantially different way from traditional models, renders the term musculoskeletal obsolete and greatly expands the meaning of compartment syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common approach to define sonoanatomy is a reciprocal exchange of macroscopic and microscopic information in ultrasound imaging. High-resolution ultrasound has been long established and is crucial as an inexpensive and adaptable tool, not just in clinical settings but also while teaching anatomy. Early application of ultrasonography provides medical students with a couple of benefits: they acquire an improved understanding of anatomy and learn how to use it. A comprehensive literature review has been carried out, with relevant studies discovered in the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, BIOSIS Previews and Web of Science Core Collection. Gray literature was also considered in two different ways: (1) Regarding grey literature databases: National Gray Literature Collection. (2) For PhD theses and dissertations, the databases EThOS and Open Access Theses and Dissertations were screened for relevant studies by combining the keywords used in the search string. The reference lists of all relevant papers were scanned. Search process was performed on January 3rd, 2023. The search string was developed with the aid of and finally checked by a professional librarian. Only ultrasound studies on human cadavers were included, not animals or phantoms. If the studied subject was a joint, the article was included. Only B-Mode ultrasound was included, whereas Elastosonography, Doppler sonography and quantitative approaches including among others sound speed, backscatter attenuation were excluded. Intravascular, intraosseous, intraarticular, and three-dimensional or four-dimensional ultrasonography were also eliminated from the analysis. All appropriate information comprising articles, PhD theses, dissertations and chapters in textbooks were considered. There were solely English and German studies covered. There was no additional restriction on the publishing year. The included studies' general characteristics and ultrasound techniques were taken from them and examined. Using VOS viewer, a keyword analysis was also carried out. 142 of the 8899 results that were returned by the search satisfied the requirements. With a quarter of the included studies, the knee joint was the most extensively studied joint, followed by the elbow joint (10.6%) and the shoulder joint (9.2%). The methodological analysis includes 125 studies. Both the sample size and the ultrasonographer's qualifications were diverse. The probe position and the ultrasound method were precisely documented so that a reader could duplicate them in about three-quarters of the included studies (72.8%). The current study, in our perspective, is the first scoping review to screen ultrasound studies on human cadaver joints. A heterogeneous field was shown by the methodological investigation. We suggest using a uniform method for conducting and presenting ultrasound examinations in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent decades have seen cadaveric anatomy teaching decline and shift from traditionally team-taught practicals in large dissection laboratories to sole-taught classes in smaller laboratories. Such changes may alter teaching quality due to loss of peer teacher interactions in class. The current study aimed to compare experiences of team-taught versus sole-taught practicals in the same course across two campuses. This paper presents on the staff experiences. The study utilised educational design research methodology for an iterative approach to solving the problem of optimising cadaveric-based teaching. Classes at the metropolitan campus were team-taught (lead demonstrator, clinical demonstrator and near-peer demonstrator, n=18) and sole-taught at the regional, smaller campus (lead demonstrator only, n=5). Demonstrators completed an anonymous online survey that explored their teaching experiences and thematic analysis of survey data was conducted. Benefits of team-teaching were captured under the themes learn-observe-support, more time with students and catering for student differences. While most team-teaching staff reported no challenges, some noted the need for time to establish effective team dynamics. Sole-teaching staff reported the benefit of consistency in teaching but challenges in providing adequate support to all students. While sole-teaching facilitates consistency in teaching, team-teaching enables staff to develop teaching expertise and anatomical knowledge from interactions with a range of demonstrators during practicals. Team-teaching facilitates knowledge transfer between staff, and this holds important workforce implications for developing anatomy teachers of the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automatic assessment and evaluation of team performance during collaborative tasks is key to the research on learning analytics and computer-supported cooperative work. There is growing interest in the use of gaze-oriented cues for evaluating the collaboration and cooperativeness of teams. However, collecting gaze data using eye-trackers is not always feasible due to time and cost constraints. In this paper, we introduce an automated team assessment tool based on gaze points and joint visual attention (JVA) information drawn from computer vision solutions. We evaluated team collaborations in an undergraduate anatomy learning activity (N = 60, 30 teams) as a test user study. The results indicate that higher JVA was positively associated with student learning outcomes (r(30) = 0.50, p < 0.005). Moreover, teams who participated in two experimental groups and used interactive 3D anatomy models, had higher JVA (F(1,28) = 6.65, p < 0.05) and better knowledge retention (F(1,28) = 7.56, p < 0.05) than those in the control group. Also, no significant difference was observed based on JVA for different gender compositions of teams. The findings from this work have implications in learning sciences and collaborative computing by providing a novel joint attention-based measure to objectively evaluate team collaboration dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an automated classification of breast tissue using two machine learning techniques: Feedforward neural network using the backpropagation learning algorithm (BPNN) and radial basis function network (RBFN). The two neural network models are implored basically to identify the best model for breast tissue classification after an intense comparison of experimental results. An electrical impedance spectroscopy method was used for data acquisition while BPNN and RBFN were the models implored for the execution of the classification task. The approach implored in this paper is made out of the following steps; feature extraction, feature selection and classification steps. The features are obtained using the electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at the feature extraction stage. These extracted features are impedance at zero frequency (I0), the high frequency slope of phase angle, the phase angle at 500KHz, the area under spectrum, the maximum of spectrum, the normalized area, the impedance distance between spectral ends, the distance between the impedivity at I0 and the real part of the maximum frequency point and the length of the spectral curve. Information theoretic criterion is the strategy used in the proposed algorithm for feature selection and classification phase that was executed using the BPNN and RBFN. The performance measure of the two algorithms is the accuracy of the BPNN and RBFN models. The RBFN outperforms the BPNN in terms of accuracy in classifying breast tissues, minimum square error reached, and time to learn as demonstrated in the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Odonto Ciencia is the property of EDIPUCRS - Editora Universitaria da PUCRS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Context X-ray angiography is the most used tool by clinician to diagnose the majority of cardiovascular disease and deformations in coronary arteries like stenosis. In most applications involving angiograms interpretation, accurate segmentation is essential to extract the coronary artery tree and thus speed up the medical intervention. Materials and Methods In this paper, we propose a multiscale algorithm based on Graph cuts for vessel extraction. The proposed method introduces the direction information into an adapted energy functional combining the vesselness measure, the geodesic path and the edgeness measure. The direction information allows to guide the segmentation along arteries structures and promote the extraction of relevant vessels. In the multiscale analysis, we study two scales adaptation (local and global). In the local approach, the image is divided into regions and scales are selected within a range including the smallest and largest vessel diameters in each region, while the global approach computes these diameters considering the whole image. Experiments are conducted on three datasets DS1, DS2 and DS3, having different characteristics and the proposed method is compared with four other methods namely fuzzy c-means clustering (FC), hysteresis thresholding (HT), region growing (RG) and accurate quantitative coronary artery segmentation (AQCA). Results Comparing the two proposed scale adaptation, results show that they give similar precision values on DS1 and DS2 and the local adaptation improve the precision on DS3. Standard quantitative measures were used for algorithms evaluation including Dice Similarity measure (DSM), sensitivity and precision. The proposed method outperforms the four considered methods in terms of DSM and sensitivity. The precision values of the proposed method are slightly lower than the AQCA but it remains higher than the three other methods. Conclusion The proposed method in this paper allows to automatically segment coronary arteries in angiography images. A multiscale approach is adopted to introduce the direction information in a graph cuts based method in order to guide this method to better detect curvilinear structures. Quantitative evaluation of the method shows promising segmentation results compared to some segmentation methods from the state-of-the-art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) based strategy, which is applied to track the human gait trajectory for a lower limb rehabilitation exoskeleton. The desired human gait trajectory is derived from the Clinical Gait Analysis (CGA). In ADRC, the total external disturbance can be estimated by the extended state observer (ESO) and canceled by the designed control law. The observer bandwidth and the controller bandwidth are determined by the practical principles. We simulated the proposed methodology in MATLAB. The numerical simulation shows the tracking error comparison and the estimated errors of the extended state observer. Two experimental tests were carried out to prove the performance of the algorithm presented in this paper. The experiment results show that the proposed ADRC behaves a better performance than the regular proportional integral derivative (PID) controller. With the proposed ADRC, the rehabilitation system is capable of tracking the target gait more accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the implementation of clinical references in undergraduate medical education. For this purpose, images of typical diagnostic, intraoperative and clinical findings were integrated into two different teaching formats and adapted to the learning objectives of the Institute of Anatomy in Leipzig. Paper based questionnaires were used to evaluate the status quo (without clinical images) and the optimal time of implementation, as well as the benefit for the students of human medicine. Three test groups were drawn from two preclinical semesters (2014 and 2015). The first group in 2014 represents the control group, which did not have any image-supported clinical references but only defined learning objectives regarding the five exams in special anatomy. Primary implementation took place in the dissection course (second semester) as automatically running Power Point presentations while secondary implementation was during one of the five clinical seminars within the fourth semester. All groups were asked to evaluate the pros and cons through a self-developed paper-based questionnaire. The analysis was performed employing Microsoft Excel and SPSS. It has been demonstrated that most of the students welcome and appreciate the implementation of appropriate images as a valuable support in understanding clinical references. On the contrary, the dissection course did not seem to be the right time for this implementation. In keeping with previous studies, the important role of anatomy in medical education was outlined. A close collaboration between preclinical and clinical physicians concerning educational matters was presented. Considering these approaches, high-quality and sustainable education can be provided. Better patient care and education of young academics should be the motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Published reports on the vascular anatomy of the inferior turbinate (IT) are limited. Historical papers report the IT artery as a tributary off the posterior lateral nasal artery (PLNA), but this has not been our clinical experience. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the arterial blood supply to and the branching pattern within the IT. We discuss this is the context of IT surgery and relate it to postoperative bleeding complication rates. Methods: Endoscopic dissection was performed on 16 cadaver heads (24 sides) to determine the origin of the IT artery. Intraoperative surgical videos were analyzed in 50 patients to uncover the vascular branching pattern within the IT. A retrospective review of bleeding complications in patients undergoing IT reduction surgery was also conducted. Results: In 17 of 24 sides (70.8%), the IT artery arose either exclusively (54.2%) or partly (16.6%) off the descending palatine artery (DPA). As a branch off the DPA, the IT artery exited the pterygopalatine fossa through a foramen located 7.7 ± 3.0 mm from posterior edge of the IT, 8.4 ± 3.1 mm above the nasal floor and 1.6 ± 2.1 mm below the insertion of the IT bone onto the lateral nasal wall. The mean number of arteries cascading within the IT was 2.7 ± 0.5. Moreover, 112 patients underwent IT reduction surgery and 2 (1.8%) experienced postoperative epistaxis. Conclusion: The IT artery has major contributions from the DPA. Most commonly 3 arteries branch within the IT. Knowledge of this vascular anatomy may minimize bleeding associated with IT reduction surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction is traditionally invasive. Several investigators have developed animal models, including mouse models, to study the TMJ. However, there are no detailed descriptions of a mouse model to be followed for additional research. The goal of this project was to study minimally invasive TMJ regeneration using tissue engineering in mice. As part of the project, a detailed mouse model was developed, which is described in this article. Eight carcasses were used to study the anatomy of the TMJ of the mouse and 36 mice were used to describe the surgical approach and perioperative management. The study showed similarities and differences when compared to humans. One mouse died suddenly 10 days postoperatively, while 35 mice survived the operation. Keratitis and wound dehiscence were the most common complications. Investigators reviewing this paper should be able to use this mouse model to further study TMJ regeneration in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Histórica: Historia Moderna is the property of Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper examines systematic improvements that were made to an Animal Anatomy and Physiology course and the extent to which those improvements could be meaningfully associated with an increase in students' academic performance. The changes to the course were enacted with the hope that the curricular enhancements would pay dividends for student success in subsequent coursework within the discipline of animal science. The analysis was designed to uncover the extent to which the changes shared a pattern of association with students' performance in courses that require Animal A and P as a prerequisite. Specifically, we assessed students' ability to maintain or improve on their academic performance as measured by their grades in the prerequisite course and in subsequent courses. Examining the distribution of student grades in Animal A and P and subsequent coursework over several years, a chi-squared test of independence revealed a significant and substantive change in the proportion of students who were going on to maintain or exceed their academic performance, as rated by faculty who were not aware that the systematic changes had occurred. Specific course enhancements are discussed as being particularly promising for high-quality scientific courses with associated lab requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collection and meta-analysis of all relevant anatomical studies related to the pubic symphysis to provide a state of the art review of its musculotendinous and ligamentous attachments from 2010 to date. A systematic search of published literature databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Embase) was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines from January 2010 up until now. All papers investigating the anatomy of the musculotendinous attachments of the pubis and the pubic ligaments were eligible. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Appraisal for Cadaveric Studies (QUACS scale). A narrative analysis approach was adopted to synthesize the findings. After screening and review of 1313 papers, a total of six studies investigating the anatomy of the pubic ligaments and tendons were included. Of the six articles included in this systematic review, five articles performed a macroscopic anatomical dissection, three articles performed a microscopic (histological) study, and one article combined microscopic examination with an MRI imaging examination. The anatomy of the pubic symphysis was examined in 76 anatomical cadavers (60 embalmed, 16 fresh frozen). In total 44 male cadavers (58%), 28 female cadavers (37%) and four cadavers whose gender was not stated were dissected. The age-old accepted concept of the fusion of the rectus abdominis with the adductor longus via the aponeurotic plate is outdated. New anatomical concepts like the pyramidalis-anterior pubic ligament-adductor longus complex (PLAC), recto-gracilis tendon, fusion of adductor brevis with gracilis, etc. are recently introduced. The awareness of anatomy and morphology of the pubic ligaments plays a significant role in understanding the diagnosis and treatment of groin pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence-Based Anatomy (EBA) is the concept of applying evidence-based principles and research methods to the anatomical sciences. While narrative reviews are common in the anatomical sciences, true systematic reviews (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) are only beginning to grow in popularity. In order to enhance the quality of future EBA studies, and ensure the clinical reliability of their results, a uniform methodology is needed. In this paper, we present a step-by-step methodological guide for performing SRs and MAs of anatomical studies. We address the EBA-specific challenges in each step of the SR and MA process, and discuss methods and strategies to overcome these difficulties. Furthermore, we discuss in detail the statistical methods used in MA of anatomical data, including multi-categorical and single-categorical pooled prevalence estimates, as well as pooled means of one group. Lastly, we discuss the major limitations of EBA, including the lack of a proper quality assessment tool for anatomical studies. The methods described in this paper present a uniform road map for future EBA studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pterygomaxillary dysjunction with an osteotome is commonly used to mobilise the maxilla during Le Fort I osteotomy, despite the risk of serious complications. Different instruments and positions have been tried, including dysjunction through the tuberosity. Down fracture by digital pressure alone has also been advocated, but to our knowledge has not been widely adopted. We have therefore reviewed published papers to see if there is any clinical or anatomical evidence for the use of osteotomes to mobilise the maxilla vertically during a Le Fort I osteotomy for either pterygomaxillary dysjunction or dysjunction through the tuberosity. We found only one paper that analysed the anatomy of the pterygomaxillary fissure and described small bony bridges and syncondroses across the joint. We found no clinical or anatomical evidence for the use of osteotomes in pterygomaxillary separation or separation through the tuberosity. A large clinical trial on down fracture of the maxilla by digital pressure alone showed no serious complications, and we found no strong evidence to justify the use of osteotomes in pterygomaxillary dysjunction or dysjunction through the tuberosity. We have successfully used digital pressure alone in 138 consecutive Le Fort I osteotomies, and we encourage our colleagues to consider adopting this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the use of augmented reality (AR) to improve memory recall and learning experiences in human anatomy and physiology. In particular, the opportunity to assess new computer technologies to improve learning environments may allow for an improvement in self-efficacy and a reduction in test anxiety. Twenty-two undergraduates participated in one of two study groups, the Microsoft HoloLens group (HLNS) or the traditional projector-based Microsoft Power Point group (PPT). Each group completed a five-minute, three-subject anatomy identification and brain physiology memory test. After a three-minute time delay, participants completed a fill-in-the-blank anatomy identification test and brain physiology question test, followed by questionnaires for systems self-efficacy and test anxiety. Results indicated the PPT group significantly outperformed the HLNS group in the brain lobe identification portion of the exam and had reported higher mean test anxiety scores (though not high enough to be considered unhealthy levels). However, the HLNS group showed a significantly higher preference to the learning experience compared to the PPT group based on the systems self-efficacy questionnaire. This pilot study demonstrates an opportunity for the HLNS to use used in learning environments to improve the psychological aspects of studying and test taking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of InfoDesign: Revista Brasileira de Design da Informação is the property of Infodesign: Revista Brasileira de Design da Informacao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Highlights • Placental uptake of LC-PUFA are important to meet both foetal and placental demand. • Placental metabolism plays an important role in determining transfer of fatty acids to the foetus. • Metabolic targeting of specific fatty acids to different lipid pools may determine their availability as both nutrients and signalling molecules. • Fatty acids and their derivatives may mediate communication between the mother and placenta. Abstract The human foetus depends on placental transfer for the fatty acids required for its growth and development. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) may specifically influence neurodevelopment. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms of placental transfer of LC-PUFAs. The simple view of placental fatty acid transfer is that it occurs by diffusion down the maternal to foetal gradient, facilitated by membrane transporters. This view has been complicated by studies highlighting the role of placental metabolism in fatty acid transfer. Most fatty acids taken up by the placenta will be esterified and incorporated into lipid rather than diffusing directly across to the foetus. Furthermore, this esterification is likely to mean that placental intracellular "free" fatty acid concentrations are lower than in foetal plasma which would not be conducive to simple diffusion of fatty acids to the foetus. Placental structure poses additional questions, in particular how fatty acids cross the hydrophilic villous stroma separating the trophoblast from the endothelium and how they cross the endothelium itself. The understanding of placental fatty acid transfer needs to evolve to address these questions. The role of the placenta is not simply to mediate solute transfer; it is also a central endocrine organ of pregnancy. Placental-derived lipid mediators, such as prostaglandins, have well-established roles in parturition and, almost certainly, throughout gestation. Metabolic targeting of specific fatty acids to different lipid pools in the placenta may determine their availability as both nutrients and signalling molecules. Placental transfer will determine fatty acid availability within the foetus as well as influencing maternal levels. Fatty acids and their derivatives may also act as signals to the placenta indicating metabolic states in both mother and foetus. Placental uptake and metabolism of LC-PUFAs are important to meet both foetal and placental demands. This paper will review placental fatty acid transfer and metabolism and highlight issues which need to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Craniomandibular Disorders is the property of Quintessence Publishing Company Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Until recently, it was believed that all internal documentation regarding student affairs and body procurement of the Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie concerning the time before March 1944 – when the building was destroyed during an Allied air raid – was lost. A few years ago, however, we discovered stacks of old documents in the current anatomy building. These documents permitted a reconstruction (1) of the history of body procurement, student numbers and course management from 1914 to 1944, as well as (2) some aspects of the building's history in the time immediately after its destruction that have hitherto not been documented. In this paper (Part I), we will deal with the organizational history of the Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie from 1914 to 2013, placing special emphasis on the development of the student population and body procurement, as well as on the major changes that occurred in the gross anatomy labs of the last century. More than 30,000 students were trained in the Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie over the last 100 years, and more than 3000 bodies have been received. The number of incoming bodies has remained quite stable in all these years and is, on average, approximately 32 per year. The number of students entering the gross anatomy lab during that period, however, rose from less than 100 to more than 600. A companion paper (Part II) deals with the years of the Third Reich (1933–1945) in more detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Permanent atrial pacing usually involves lead placement in the right atrial appendage (RAA). Anatomical studies addressing features predisposing to complications are scanty. Objective To assess the morphology of RAA in the perspective of pacing, including the morphology of tenia sagittalis (TS) and the spatial relationship with the aorta. Methods The gross anatomy of the RAA has been analyzed in a consecutive series of 100 hearts following a case of iatrogenic perforation of the aorta by active fixation lead located in the RAA. Transmural RAA sections were taken from 40 hearts to assess the wall thickness at the level of pectinate muscles (PMs) and of inter-PMs spaces and the distance between adjacent PMs. Results The TS was present in 90% of cases (single trunk, 76%; double trunk, 13%; and triple trunk, 1%), demarcating the proximal antral RAA region (facing the adjacent aorta) from the distal saccular RAA region (facing the pulmonary infundibulum). The RAA free wall in the inter-PMs spaces is usually paper-thin and translucent. Histomorphometric analysis reveals that the RAA wall mean thickness was 1.38 ± 0.05 mm (range 0.64–4.25 mm) at the level of PMs and 0.39 ± 0.23 mm (range 0.09–1.05 mm) at the level of inter-PMs spaces. The mean distance between adjacent PMs was 0.88 ± 0.99 mm (range 0.04–4.12 mm). Conclusion In 90% of hearts, a well-defined TS separates the distal saccular from the proximal antral RAA, the latter being closely adjacent to the ascending aorta. The paper-thin wall between PMs is potentially at risk of perforation, and aortic injury could occur when active fixation leads are anchored in the antral RAA, as demonstrated in an iatrogenic fatal case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impacted canines occur in 1.7% of the population. These cases may be seen in general practice for further referral to an orthodontist or oral surgeon. Diagnosis often involves clinical examination, palpation and radiographic imaging to ascertain the location and association with anatomical structures. By using a clinical case, this paper aims to demonstrate one conservative way of managing the removal of impacted maxillary canines. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Canine impactions can cause resorption to adjacent teeth. They may require orthodontic traction to be brought into alignment but in some cases surgical removal is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capsule Endoscopy (CE) is a non-invasive clinical procedure that allows examination of the entire gastrointestinal tract including parts of small intestine beyond the scope of conventional endoscope. It requires computer-aided approach for the assessment of video frames to reduce diagnosis time. This paper presents a computer-assisted method based on a classifier fusion algorithm which combines two optimized Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers to automatically detect bleeding regions present in CE frames. The classifiers are based on RGB and HSV color spaces; the image regions are characterized on the basis of statistical features derived from the first-order histogram probability of respective color channels. A nested cross validation strategy has been adopted for the parameter tuning and feature selection to optimize the classifiers. The optimum feature sets for the best performance are evaluated after exhaustive analysis. The proposed fusion approach achieves an average accuracy of 95%, sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 95.3% for a dataset of 8872 CE frames, which is higher than that obtained from a single classifier. Comparison with the state-of-the-art algorithms exhibits that the proposed method yields superior performance for diverse dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The aim of our paper was to provide comprehensive data on the prevalence of absence of palmaris longus muscle (PLM) and its anatomical characteristics and conduct two separate meta-analyses comparing cadaveric and functional studies while identifying variation among different ethnic groups. An extensive search was conducted through the major electronic databases to identify eligible articles. Data extracted included prevalence of absence of PLM among subjects, ethnicity, laterality, side, and gender. Our main findings revealed that the absence of PLM is more frequently reported in functional studies. Moreover, functional tests likely overestimated the absence of PLM and recommend future studies to assess the validity of functional tests and use an imaging assessment prior to excluding the use of a palmaris longus tendon graft in patients in whom a function test identified the absence of PLM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the anatomy of anterior and posterior teeth is important as the main aims of restorative dentistry are to restore the form, function and often the aesthetics of damaged teeth. The appearance of individual anterior teeth is complex and variable. The three most important aesthetic determinants are widely considered to be tooth shape, surface texture and colour, which are further complicated by soft tissue and dento-facial factors. Learning how these interlinked anatomical features affect the aesthetic appearance of anterior teeth is difficult and presents challenges to teachers. Also, tooth anatomy teaching and clinical training in restorative dentistry may be separated by months or even years, making it difficult for students to apply previously learned anatomical principles to aesthetic restorative procedures. This is the second of two papers describing a series of step-by-step tooth drawing exercises which aim to simplify the teaching and learning of tooth anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of undergraduate anatomy learning has shifted online, or to a mixture of virtual and face-to-face teaching, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cadaveric shortages have also influenced the need for alternative methods of anatomical education. This study examines the current literature on the use of extended reality technologies (XR) such as Virtual reality (VR), Augmented reality (AR), and Mixed reality (MR) for anatomy teaching and explores its potential for implementation in medical education. A literature review was performed of PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, and Springer databases. Included studies were assessed for user satisfaction, perceived effectiveness, cost, acceptability and side effects. The database search identified 1687 papers, of which 45 papers were included in this review. Both AR and VR had high rates of satisfaction and acceptability as a supplementary teaching aid amongst undergraduate participants. AR was found to have higher effectiveness than VR. VR is more expensive than AR. Results and comparisons were limited due to short length of study. VR is a popular choice with undergraduates as an aid to supplement teaching, in spite of the associated cost and side effects such as nausea. AR has shown the most potential for independent study. Larger and long-term studies are required to determine true effectiveness, and consideration of the clinical relevance of these technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper we present a methodology to form an anatomical atlas based on the analysis of dense deformation fields recovered by the Morphons non-rigid registration algorithm. The methodology is based on measuring the bending energy required to register the whole database to a reference, and the atlas is the one image in the database which yields the smallest bending energy when taken as reference. The suitability of our atlas is demonstrated in the context of head and neck radiotherapy through its application to a database with thirty-one computed tomography (CT) images of the head and neck region. In head and neck radiotherapy, CT is the most frequently used modality for the segmentation of organs at risk and clinical target volumes. One challenge brought by the use of CT images is the presence of important artifacts caused by dental implants. The presence of such artifacts hinders the use of intensity averages, thus severely limiting the application of most atlas building techniques described in the literature in this context. The results presented in the paper show that our bending energy model faithfully represents the shape variability of patients in the head and neck region; they also show its good performance in segmentation of volumes of interest in radiotherapy. Moreover, when compared to other atlases of similar performance in automatic segmentation, our atlas presents the desirable feature of not being blurred after intensity averaging. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper presents an underpinning theory and modeling approach for determining the origins of the constant-phase behavior in the input impedance of the respiratory system. The theory and model structure are validated using (i) simulations of the intrinsic airway anatomy and (ii) measurements in 10 healthy subjects. By means of an electrical equivalent of the air flow dynamics from trachea to alveoli, a recurrent ladder network is developed and simulated with nominal morphological values available from the literature. The result of the simulated model using morphological data was similar to the measured impedance values in 23 healthy subjects in the 4–48Hz frequency range, suggesting that it is a suitable candidate model. In this paper, we propose to use an augmented ladder network model to identify the respiratory impedance from 10 healthy subjects in the 0.9–5.7Hz frequency range. The identification is done by means of upper airway tract (a series RLC circuit) in cascade with the recurrent ladder network described by their initial values (i.e. trachea) and corresponding recurrent ratios for resistance, inertance and compliance. The results show that (i) the identified values are close to the conditions imposed by the theory and (ii) the constant phase appearing at lower frequencies in the measured data from the volunteers is well captured by the proposed modeling approach. We conclude that next to viscoelastic and diffusion properties, the fractal geometry plays an important role in determining the phase-constancy in the input respiratory impedance. We also speculate that pathology affecting the morphology of the lungs will lead to variations in the identified model parameters, enabling thus a classification of model parameters with disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]