Vascular 3D Printing with a Novel Biological Tissue Mimicking Resin for Patient-Specific Procedure Simulations in Interventional Radiology: a Feasibility Study

Three-dimensional (3D) printing of vascular structures is of special interest for procedure simulations in Interventional Radiology, but remains due to the complexity of the vascular system and the lack of biological tissue mimicking 3D printing materials a technical challenge. In this study, the technical feasibility, accuracy, and usability of a recently introduced silicone-like resin were evaluated for endovascular procedure simulations and technically compared to a commonly used standard clear resin. Fifty-four vascular models based on twenty-seven consecutive embolization cases were fabricated from preinterventional CT scans and each model was checked for printing success and accuracy by CT-scanning and digital comparison to its original CT data. Median deltas (Δ) of luminal diameters were 0.35 mm for clear and 0.32 mm for flexible resin (216 measurements in total) with no significant differences (p > 0.05). Printing success was 85.2% for standard clear and 81.5% for the novel flexible resin. In conclusion, vascular 3D printing with silicone-like flexible resin was technically feasible and highly accurate. This is the first and largest consecutive case series of 3D-printed embolizations with a novel biological tissue mimicking material and is a promising next step in patient-specific procedure simulations in Interventional Radiology.

LEGAL AND TELEOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE PROTECTIVE FUNCTION OF PROCEDURAL NORMS OF SOCIAL INSURANCE

Determining the protective function of the norms of the pre-trial procedure in cases of pension and retirement benefits based on the aim and scope of the norms is not only possible but also necessary for a wider understanding of social insurance. The legal and teleological context plays the role of a determinant of the aim of a legal norm desired by the legislator and allows for the indication of exemplary institutions which, established by the legislator, perform a protective function. When norms are being examined through the prism of the psychological theory of law they show that social security law is a psychological phenomenon and should be subjected to a multidimensional study that will reveal the intended aim of the legislator. The protective function is also performed by a specific procedure model with the precisely defined boundaries of the function. From the sociological perspective, an undesirable goal is also important, unintended by the legislator, which is caused by the norms fulfilling the protective function, and which is visible from the conducted analysis.

COVID-19 Health Management and Business Continuity

Considering the world faces an unprecedented challenge with economies everywhere affected by the COVID-19 pandemic there was an extreme need for coming together to combat the COVID-19 pandemic bringing governments, organizations from across industries and individuals together to manage this global outbreak. From the early stages of pandemic escalation, SOCAR AQS realized that only diversified measures would minimize risks, fulfil the duty of care responsibilities and promote workforce resilience. The establishment of the COVID-19 crisis management team ensured the continuous application of a proactive risk-based approach aligned with governmental regulations on the ground of the most up to date local and international information including the industry best practices. Access to the offices for all relevant staff and visitors was minimized, and the specific procedure for work from home was developed. A combination of preventive measures at all worksites and transportation facilities is held through regular effective disinfection, health checks, continuous access to the required personal protection and hygiene facilities, maintaining social distancing, and careful tracing close contacts for all suspected cases. Health promotion to all staff is conducted through various communication means. Two-stage pre-mobilization COVID-19 screening was implemented through a comprehensive health questionnaire prior to commuting at the entrance of quarantine facilities. There was a week of individual isolation in the designated controlled quarantine facilities with optimal detectability of the virus by the fifth day followed by highly-specific PCR testing before entering operational worksites enables early revealing of an infection prior to its manifestation in the human body. Specific post-illness medical assessment is a key for individual healthy return to work is carried out. Considering vaccines as a critical new tool in the battle against COVID-19, vaccination of all offshore personnel is implemented. As an outcome, the entire process provided a prudent way to ensure the continuation of uninterrupted operations resulted in zero COVID-19 detection at the quarantine worksites by follow-up of suspected cases during first eight months of the pandemic fight in Azerbaijan. In conclusion, the abovementioned statement provides the guidelines for the workforce working on worksites or in offices, and clear expectations of the measures to be taken to ensure COVID-19 health management and smooth business continuity are maintained.

Least Risk Bomb Location Explosives Identification, Detection and Mitigation

This paper investigates the still evolving strategic trajectories and the context adopted for the procedures for inducting a Least Risk Bomb Location (LRBL) that began with discretionary participation by various aircraft manufacturers approximately in the year 1972, where the use of a specific procedure has been designed to decrease the effects of an explosion significantly in the aircraft’s passenger cabins of large commercial airplanes. Additionally, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has provided the information on the location of the LRBL and guidance to various operators (National/International)on the procedures to use when a suspected threat item is found on-board an airplane. The designation of LRBL for aero planes is intended to be used solely for the transport of cargo, where an aero plane must include a designated location where a bomb or other explosive device could be designated to protect integrity of the structure and flight-critical systems from damage in the case of detonation occurs.

A-190 An Examination of the Equivalence of the in-Person and Remote Administration of the Feifer Assessment of Reading Screening Form

Objective As psychologists rely more on technology while navigating the digital world, we must adapt existing assessment tools. In response to this need, a process was designed for conducting remote administration of the Feifer Assessment of Reading Screening Form (FAR Screening Form; Feifer, 2015), which was designed to identify children “at risk” for developmental dyslexia. Our current study evaluates the equivalence between remote, online administration and in-person administration of the FAR Screening Form. Method This is a paired case control study in which 70 participants were administered the FAR Screening Form in an online, remote format, following a specific procedure to retain the validity of scores. These individuals were matched based on age, sex, education, and race with participants from the standardization sample of the FAR Screening Form. Results Independent-samples t-tests were conducted, and determined no significant effect of administration format for scores on the Phonemic Awareness (PA) and Semantic Concepts (SC) subtests, as well as the overall FAR Screening Index. Rapid Automatic Naming (RAN), a speeded subtest, showed a significant effect for administration format. Due to this effect, a new FAR Remote Screening Index (SRI) was created that includes only the PA and SC subtests. The SRI has demonstrated reliability and validity consistent with the FAR Screening Index. Conclusions The present study suggests that remote and in-person administrations of the PA and SC subtests of the FAR Screening Form are generally equivalent. During remote administration, it’s not recommended to use the RAN subtest; the SRI should be used to derive the screening index score.

Evaluation of Risk of Building Damage due to Deep Excavations via Numerical Modelling

In the densely populated urban environment, ground movements induced by deep excavations inevitably present a risk of damage to adjacent buildings and structures. An important and necessary aspect to justify the engineering design is to evaluate the degree of risk of such damage. This paper presents a specific procedure to evaluate the engineering design by assessing the risk level of building damage based on the deformation profiles along the ground surface which are calculated via numerical modelling and verified by empirical methods. This procedure is afterwards applied to justify the engineering design of the extension line construction of a metro project between PK0 + 344.00 and PK0 + 407.00 with the cut-and-cover excavation method. The results demonstrate that the damage risk levels of all the buildings adjacent to the excavations are within category level 0 indicating that the relevant design is acceptable while considering the risk of building damage induced by deep excavations.

Proceedings before the Office and Procedural Rules

This chapter discusses the Basic Regulation and the Proceedings Regulation that contain a diversity of provisions on procedures, which relate to application procedures, objection procedures, or appeal procedures. It describes the Community plant variety rights system that opens the possibility for breeders to apply for Community plant variety rights. It also explains the specific procedure of framework of the Community system, which complies with fundamental principles on legitimate expectations and the right to a fair hearing. This chapter deals with the ancillary procedures relating to variety denominations, the objection procedure, and the procedure on access to documents. It highlights specific procedures to be followed concerning the application for a compulsory licence and requests for nullity and cancellation.

Case report of worsening of preexisting pericardial effusion after ASD device closure: is it calamitous?

Background Secundum-type atrial septal defects (ASD) constitute 8% to 10% of congenital heart defect. Secundum ASDs can be closed either percutaneously or surgically. However, ASD device closure has proven to be technically safe and feasible; it is not free of complications. These complications include device embolization/malposition which have been reported in 3.5% of cases, arrhythmia, and pericardial effusion in 2.6% and 0.5–1.5% respectively, device thrombus, residual shunting, and impingement of the device on the adjacent structures. Case presentation We introduce three patients with secundum ASD who had preexisting pericardial effusion, device closure was performed for them, and after the procedure, the effusion size progressed significantly. We used multimodality imaging to diagnose the cause of pericardial effusion (PE). Cardiac erosion was diagnosed in one of the patients that managed surgically. We did not found any specific procedure-related cause for worsening the pericardial effusion in the other two patients. Conclusion Several reasons include procedure-related complication and other systemic causes should be considered in patients who develop pericardial effusion after trans catheter closure of ASDs.

Avascular Necrosis of the Talus After Subchondroplasty

Background: Subchondroplasty (SCP) is a relatively new procedure, developed in 2007 for the treatment of bone marrow lesions (BMLs), that has shown promising results in the knee through several different case series. The foot and ankle literature, however, is sparse, with only a few documented case reports or case series. At our institution, we have identified several patients with complications after this specific procedure. As a result, we report our case series of patients who developed talar avascular necrosis (AVN) after undergoing SCP. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent SCP for a talar BML at our facility or who were referred to our facility after undergoing SCP at an outside institution. Patients were included if they developed radiographic evidence of talar AVN after the procedure. Patient demographics, comorbidities, concomitant intraoperative procedures, complications, and subsequent interventions were reviewed. Results: Seven patients were identified as having radiographic evidence of talar AVN after SCP. Average time interval was 23 months postoperative from index procedure to radiographic confirmation of AVN. Two of the index procedures were performed at our institution, whereas 5 of the index procedures were performed at outside institutions and referred for further management. Three patients had documented risk factors for AVN before the SCP procedure. All 7 patients were symptomatic from the AVN. Conclusion: We identified 7 patients who went on to develop talar AVN after having undergone SCP. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

RELATION BETWEEN OBESITY AND THYROID STATUS IN GERIATRIC INDIVIDUALS OF AHMEDABAD CITY

Background: Hypothyroidism is a significant possibility factor for cardiovascular diseases. And autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is the prominent reason of hypothyroidism. Recent studies exhibited that even AIT patients with euthyroidism still had an increased number of premature atherosclerotic lesions. However, the specific procedure is not yet established. This study aimed to investigate the relation of thyroid status and obesity risk factors in geriatric individuals. Methods: The present study was carried out at a tertiary care centre in Ahmedabad. A total of 1000 geriatric individuals (aged more than 60 years) were included, which were randomly selected from the O.P.D. and indoor patients. Results: The geriatric patients were found to have significantly lower FT3 and FT4 levels with higher TSH and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (Anti TPO) levels. Obesity was found to have a positive correlation with TSH and Anti TPO levels. Regression analysis also demonstrated that the Anti TPO level was one of the influencing factors for Obesity and Cholesterol. Conclusion: The Anti TPO level is positively associated with Obesity.