scholarly journals Image Segmentation and Analysis of Flexion-Extension Radiographs of Cervical Spines

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eniko T. Enikov ◽  
Rein Anton
Keyword(s):  
Image Segmentation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Unexpected Finding ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Local Curvature ◽  
Contour Lines ◽  
Computerized Image Processing ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Precise Interpretation

We present a new analysis tool for cervical flexion-extension radiographs based on machine vision and computerized image processing. The method is based on semiautomatic image segmentation leading to detection of common landmarks such as the spinolaminar (SL) line or contour lines of the implanted anterior cervical plates. The technique allows for visualization of the local curvature of these landmarks during flexion-extension experiments. In addition to changes in the curvature of the SL line, it has been found that the cervical plates also deform during flexion-extension examination. While extension radiographs reveal larger curvature changes in the SL line, flexion radiographs on the other hand tend to generate larger curvature changes in the implanted cervical plates. Furthermore, while some lordosis is always present in the cervical plates by design, it actually decreases during extension and increases during flexion. Possible causes of this unexpected finding are also discussed. The described analysis may lead to a more precise interpretation of flexion-extension radiographs, allowing diagnosis of spinal instability and/or pseudoarthrosis in already seemingly fused spines.

Branchial cleft and pouch anomalies

1992 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. Ford ◽  
A. Balakrishnan ◽  
J. N. G. Evans ◽  
C. M. Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Infection ◽  
Theoretical Description ◽  
The Other ◽  
Unexpected Finding ◽  
Neck Swelling ◽  
Complete Excision ◽  
Delay In Diagnosis ◽  
Branchial Cleft Anomalies ◽  
Branchial Cleft ◽  
Sick Children

AbstractWe present a retrospective study of 106 patients with branchial cleft and pouch anomalies who presented to the Hospital for Sick Children between 1948 and 1990. The relevant embryology of the branchial apparatus is summarized and a theoretical description of individual anomalies given.Second branchial cleft sinuses were the most common anomalies, and the majority were managed simply, with adequate excision and a low recurrence rate. Five cases of first branchial cleft anomalies are presented, emphasizing the delay in diagnosis, the need for complete excision to prevent recurrence, and for a parotidectomy incision to protect the facial nerve from damage. The two third branchial pouch anomalies presented with a cystic neck swelling, one with recurrent infection and discharge, and the other with stridor. In both, the diagnosis was made at operation. The single fourth branchial pouch cyst was an unexpected finding in a patient with stridor.

scholarly journals Influence of visual feedback, hand dominance and sex on individuated finger movements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Maria Johansson ◽  
Helena Grip ◽  
Louise Rönnqvist ◽  
Jonas Selling ◽  
Carl-Johan Boraxbekk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ring Finger ◽  
The Other ◽  
Female Group ◽  
Movement Trajectory ◽  
Dominant Hand ◽  
Finger Movements ◽  
Consistent Finding ◽  
Visual Monitoring ◽  
Vision Condition ◽  
Flexion Extension

AbstractThe ability to perform individual finger movements, highly important in daily activities, involves visual monitoring and proprioception. We investigated the influence of vision on the spatial and temporal control of independent finger movements, for the dominant and non-dominant hand and in relation to sex. Twenty-six healthy middle-aged to old adults (M age = 61 years; range 46–79 years; females n = 13) participated. Participants performed cyclic flexion–extension movements at the metacarpophalangeal joint of one finger at a time while keeping the other fingers as still as possible. Movements were recorded using 3D optoelectronic motion technique (120 Hz). The movement trajectory distance; speed peaks (movement smoothness); Individuation Index (II; the degree a finger can move in isolation from the other fingers) and Stationarity Index (SI; how still a finger remains while the other fingers move) were extracted. The main findings were: (1) vision only improved the II and SI marginally; (2) longer trajectories were evident in the no-vision condition for the fingers of the dominant hand in the female group; (3) longer trajectories were specifically evident for the middle and ring fingers within the female group; (4) females had marginally higher II and SI compared with males; and (5) females had fewer speed peaks than males, particularly for the ring finger. Our results suggest that visual monitoring of finger movements marginally improves performance of our non-manipulative finger movement task. A consistent finding was that females showed greater independent finger control compared with males.

scholarly journals A New Evaluation Method for Lumbar Spinal Instability: Passive Lumbar Extension Test

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (12) ◽  
pp. 1661-1667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuichi Kasai ◽  
Koichiro Morishita ◽  
Eiji Kawakita ◽  
Tetsushi Kondo ◽  
Atsumasa Uchida
Keyword(s):  
Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Lumbar Extension ◽  
Lumbar Spinal ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Abstract Background and PurposeAlthough many studies have described clinical examination measures for the diagnosis of lumbar spinal instability, few of them have investigated the sensitivity and specificity of the measures that were used. The authors devised a passive lumbar extension (PLE) test for assessing lumbar spinal instability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio of this test. Subjects and Methods. The PLE test as well as the instability catch sign, painful catch sign, and apprehension sign tests were done for 122 subjects with lumbar degenerative diseases. The subjects were divided into 2 groups—instability positive and instability negative—on the basis of findings on flexion-extension films of the lumbar spine. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and positive likelihood ratio of each test were investigated. Results. The sensitivity and specificity of the PLE test were 84.2% and 90.4%, respectively. These values were higher than those of other signs. The positive likelihood ratio of the PLE test was 8.84 (95% confidence interval=4.51–17.33). Discussion and Conclusion. The PLE test is an effective method for examining patients for lumbar spinal instability and can be performed easily in an outpatient clinic.

Religion and Crime

Criminology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Joon Jang
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Empirical Test ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
The Other ◽  
Unexpected Finding ◽  
Reciprocal Relationships ◽  
Moral Communities ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Review Systematic ◽  
Social Capital Perspective

Scholarly discussion and empirical study of the religion-crime relationship goes back to the beginning of criminological thought, though at times such discussion and study has been limited in content and crude in approach. Nonetheless, religion has rarely been incorporated into major theories of crime and criminological research. However, scientific studies of the influence of religion on crime and drug use have been increasingly conducted, particularly since the publication of Hirschi and Stark’s landmark study “Hellfire and Delinquency” (Hirschi and Stark 1969, cited under the “Hellfire” Study and Controversy), which reported no relationship between adolescent religiosity and delinquency. This rather unexpected finding drew two opposite reactions in the form of empirical research. One line of research suggested that Hirschi and Stark failed to find a significant religiosity-delinquency relationship because they analyzed the type of delinquency and data that was less likely to have a significant relationship detected. The other offered a theory explaining how the null finding confirms the spuriousness (i.e., nonexistence) of the religiosity-delinquency relationship and an empirical test of the theory. However, according to reviews of existing research—whether based on a method of traditional literature review, systematic review, or meta-analysis—a majority of studies tend to confirm significant negative associations between religion and crime and drug use. The negative associations have been found in research conducted at both micro and macro levels. To explain the micro-level relationship, researchers have mostly applied control theories or learning and socialization theories (or both), though other theoretical perspectives have been employed as well, such as general strain theory, a social capital perspective, and developmental/life-course perspectives. In testing these theories, researchers have examined bidirectional or reciprocal relationships between religion and crime rather than assuming that the religion-crime relationship is unidirectional. Macro-level research on religion and crime, on the other hand, has been conducted to test Stark’s “moral communities” thesis and other contextual effects of religion. In addition, some researchers have raised and addressed methodological issues in research on religion and crime, such as selection bias and appropriate statistical and modeling approaches to properly estimate the religion-crime relationship. Although negative associations between religion and crime tend to have been empirically established by previous studies, the “criminology of religion” as a subfield is still in its infancy.

scholarly journals Treatment of Advanced Kienbock's Disease (Lichtman Stage IIIB with Carpal Collapse) by a Shortening Osteotomy of the Radius: 21 Cases

2019 ◽  
Vol 08 (04) ◽  
pp. 264-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Botelheiro ◽  
Silvia Silverio ◽  
Ana Luísa Neto
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Stage Iiib ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Carpal Collapse ◽  
Kienböck’S Disease ◽  
Kienböck's Disease ◽  
The Past ◽  
Shortening Osteotomy ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Kienbock’S Disease

Purpose To review the results of shortening osteotomies of the radius in our stage IIIB Kienbock's disease patients. Materials and Methods In the past 30 years, we treated 52 cases of Kienbock's disease by a shortening osteotomy of the radius, of which 21 already had carpal collapse. All patient charts and X-rays were reviewed, but only the cases already with carpal collapse (stage IIIB) are presented here. Results All patients improved after surgery. Pain, on a scale of 0 to 3, generally 2 or 3 before surgery (median: 2.3), was normally 1 or 0 afterward (median: 0.9); median flexion–extension of the wrist improved from 77 to 99 degrees; and grip strength of the other hand improved from 26 to 76%. The last clinical and radiological review was performed 1 to 23 years after surgery (median: 8 years). Conclusion Advanced Kienbock’s disease with carpal collapse is not a contraindication for carpal-sparing surgery radial shortening osteotomy.

scholarly journals Comparison of the efficacy of three cervical collars in restricting cervical range of motion: A randomized study

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Guk Kim ◽  
Sung Hwan Bang ◽  
Gu Hyun Kang ◽  
Yong Soo Jang ◽  
Wonhee Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Cervical Spine Injury ◽  
Axial Rotation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Spine Injury ◽  
Cervical Range Of Motion ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Cervical Immobilization ◽  
The Difference

Background: The cervical collar has been used as a common device for the initial stabilization of the cervical spine. Although many cervical collars are commercially available, there is no consensus on which offers the greatest protection, with studies showing considerable variations in their ability to restrict cervical range of motion. The use of the XCollar (Emegear, Carpinteria, CA) has been known to decrease the risk of spinal cord injury by minimizing potential cervical spinal distraction. We compared XCollar with two other cervical collars commonly used for adult patients with cervical spine injury to evaluate the difference in effectiveness between the three cervical collars to restrict cervical range of motion. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the difference between the three cervical collars in their ability to restrict cervical range of motion. Method: A total of 30 healthy university students aged 21–25 years participated in this study. Participants with any cervical disease and symptoms were excluded. Three cervical collars were tested: Philadelphia® Collar, Stifneck® Select™ Collar, and XCollar. A digital camera and an image-analysis technique were used to evaluate cervical range of motion during flexion, extension, bilateral bending and bilateral axial rotation. Cervical range of motion was evaluated in both the unbraced and braced condition. Results: XCollar permitted less than a mean of 10° of movement during flexion, extension, bilateral bending and bilateral axial rotation. This was less than the movement permitted by the other two cervical collars. Conclusion: XCollar presented superior cervical immobilization compared to the other two commonly used cervical collars in this study. Thus, when cervical collar is considered for an adult patient with cervical spine injury, XCollar might be one of the considerate options as a cervical immobilization device.

Biomechanical comparison of anterior and posterior stabilization methods in atlantoaxial instability

2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Min Kim ◽  
T. Jesse Lim ◽  
Josemaria Paterno ◽  
Tae-Jin Hwang ◽  
Kun-Woo Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Atlantoaxial Instability ◽  
Fixation Method ◽  
Posterior Fixation ◽  
Lateral Bending ◽  
Biomechanical Stability ◽  
Transarticular Screw ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors compared the biomechanical stability of two anterior fixation procedures—anterior C1–2 Harms plate/screw (AHPS) fixation and the anterior C1–2 transarticular screw (ATS) fixation; and two posterior fixation procedures—the posterior C-1 lateral mass combined with C-2 pedicle screw/rod (PLM/APSR) fixation and the posterior C1–2 transarticular screw (PTS) fixation after destabilization. Methods. Sixteen human cervical spine specimens (Oc—C3) were tested in three-dimensional flexion—extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending motions after destabilization by using an atlantoaxial C1–2 instability model. In each loading mode, moments were applied to a maximum of 1.5 Nm, and the range of motion (ROM), neutral zone (NZ), and elastic zone (EZ) were determined and values compared using the intact spine, the destabilized spine, and the postfixation spine. The AHPS method produced inferior biomechanical results in flexion—extension and lateral bending modes compared with the intact spine. The lateral bending NZ and ROM for this method differed significantly from the other three fixation techniques (p < 0.05), although statistically significant differences were not obtained for all other values of ROM and NZ for the other three procedures. The remaining three methods restored biomechanical stability and improved it over that of the intact spine. Conclusions. The PLM/APSR fixation method was found to have the highest biomechanical stiffness followed by PTS, ATS, and AHPS fixation. The PLM/APSR fixation and AATS methods can be considered good procedures for stabilizing the atlantoaxial joints, although specific fixation methods are determined by the proper clinical and radiological characteristics in each patient.

Cervical laminectomy without fusion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

1999 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Christensson ◽  
Hans Säveland ◽  
Stefan Zygmunt ◽  
Kjell Jonsson ◽  
Urban Rydholm
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Decompressive Laminectomy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fusion Procedure ◽  
Cervical Laminectomy ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors performed a prospective study to determine whether cervical laminectomy without simultaneous fusion results in spinal instability. Methods. Because of clinical and radiographic signs of cord compression, 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (including one with Bechterew's disease) and severe involvement of the cervical spine underwent decompressive laminectomy without fusion performed on one or more levels. Preoperative flexion—extension radiographs demonstrated dislocation but no signs of instability at the level of cord compression. Clinical and radiological reexamination were performed twice at a median of 15 months (6–24 months) and 43 months (28–72 months) postoperatively. One patient developed severe vertical translocation 28 months after undergoing a C-1 laminectomy, which led to sudden tetraplegia. She required reoperation in which posterior fusion was performed. No signs of additional instability at the operated levels were found in the remaining 14 patients. In three patients increased but stable dislocation was demonstrated. The results of clinical examination were favorable in most patients, with improvement of neurological symptoms and less pain. Conclusions. The authors conclude that decompressive laminectomy in which the facet joints are preserved can be performed in the rheumatoid arthritis-affected cervical spine in selected patients in whom signs of cord compression are demonstrated, but in whom radiographic and preoperative signs of instability are not. Performing a simultaneous fusion procedure does not always appear necessary. Vertical translocation must be detected early, and if present, a C-1 laminectomy should be followed by occipitocervical fusion.

Further proposals about higher zoological nomenclature, and a lesson of humility: the solution to a recent controversy about the authorship and date of the nomen Amphibia had already been published one century ago

Bionomina ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Alain Dubois
Keyword(s):  
Original Work ◽  
The Other ◽  
Simple Solution ◽  
Zoological Nomenclature ◽  
Unexpected Finding ◽  
The Past ◽  
Higher Taxa ◽  
Biological Literature

The absence in the Code of Rules for the nomenclature of zoological taxa above the rank superfamily is an impediment to universal and unambiguous communication about the higher taxonomy of animals. Pending the possible fixing of the Code in this respect, it appears justified to develop a set of simple ‘guidelines’ which could be adopted consensually by the taxonomists who wish so. They could include: (1) the convention that the ‘same name’ given to different higher taxa results in the existence (and therefore availability) of different homonymous nomina, having different authors and dates; (2) the convention that a nomen of higher taxon first introduced clearly as a scientific, not vernacular, name but in a non-Latin form, and that was latinised subsequently in the literature, should be credited to the author of the original work; (3) the need to ‘protect’ the best known and most often used higher zoological nomina (sozonyms and sozodiaphonyms), with the dominant meanings and spellings that they have had for decades or centuries in the biological literature, irrespective of being or not the first ones to have been proposed for the taxa at stake or among homonyms; (4) the implementation of the Principles of Homonymy and of Priority among all the other nomina of higher taxa. These proposals are illustrated by examples in amphibian higher nomenclature, concerning the well-known nomina Amphibia and Batrachia, which have been the matter of recent controversies. An unexpected finding is reported here: that a similar debate on this same question developed in the years 1889–1910, mostly in the journal Science, and was closed by a clear and simple solution, which has fallen into complete oblivion since then. This suggests that our databases are incomplete and that we should be more humble in our debates than we often are, as we are still missing important pieces of information on the past literature.

A New Method for Calculating the Volume of Debris Flow Using GIS and RS Technology

2014 ◽  
Vol 511-512 ◽  
pp. 253-258
Author(s):  
Wen Ju Du ◽  
Bing Xie ◽  
Hui Xi Xu
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
The Other ◽  
Mountain Area ◽  
Aerial Photos ◽  
Contour Lines ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Gis And Rs ◽  
The Difference ◽  
New Formula

In this paper, two digital elevation models of debris flow in Yingxiu mountain area are generated; one is from contour lines with manual interpretation before earthquake and the other is from high resolution aerial photos using MapMatrix software. By analyzing three random points which are not in the same edge, a new formula for calculating the volume from these three points to their projection on the datum plane is derived. Then, the volumes of the two DEMs before and after earthquake can be calculated, and the volume of the total debris flow is the difference of those two.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document