STUDY OF GREATER SCIATIC NOTCH FOR DETERMINATION OF SEX OF HIP BONE BY METRIC METHOD

Background: The distinctive morphology of human skeleton and its clear sexual dimorphism make it of interests from anatomical, forensic, obstetrical, radiological and anthropological point of view. The hip bone is considered as an ideal bone for sex determination as it provides the highest accuracy levels. Many workers have studied various metric parameters for sexing of hip bone. Methods: The present study was done with an aim to find out the sex of hip bone using various parameters of greater sciatic notch. For this purpose, 100 dry hip bones were collected from the Department of Anatomy. Seven different parameters of the greater sciatic notch were used for the study: Maximum width, Maximum depth, Posterior segment, Index I, Index II, Total angle and Posterior angle. Results: All the parameters (especially posterior segment, posterior angle and index II) were found to be highly indicative of sex hip bone by t- test (p<0.005) except the depth. Conclusion: By the present study it was concluded that the width and depth of the greater sciatic notch were a less useful criteria for sexing purposes while the posterior angle was found to be the best parameter, which identified 75 % of left and 88 % of right male hip bones and 92 % of left and 100 % of right female bones. Length of the posterior segment and Index II also assigned sex to a high percentage of hip bones, specially to the female ones (95-97 %), these results suggests that the widening of the greater sciatic notch found in females has occurred mainly in its posterior part. Keywords: Hip, Bone, Index

Assessment of the functional state of the maxillofacial muscles and morphological parameters of the dental system in patients with sagittal occlusion abnormalities

The article analyzes the morphological parameters of the maxillofacial system and muscle tone indicators of the maxillofacial region in patients with a gnatic form of distal occlusion. Correlation analysis of morphological and functional indicators was performed. We examined 22 patients aged 18-25 years with a gnatic form of distal occlusion of the dentition. The examination included clinical examination, cephalometric analysis with the SimplyCeph program, anthropometric analysis of cast dental models, and the functional method of research-myotonometry. Analysis of the results demonstrates decrease in the angular and linear parameters that characterizes the longitudinal dimensions of the lower jaw and the vertical dimensions of the jaws, the total angle of the Bjork and the basal angle. When analyzing the correlation relationship, the relationship between morphological and functional parameters has been noted.

Morphometric parameters of clavicles among adult Black people in Tanzania

Morphological clavicular variation has been studied extensively by orthopaedic surgeons, anatomic and forensic experts to explain developmental, gender and age-related differences. The design of fixation devices for displaced clavicular fracture management depends largely on anatomic characteristics of clavicle. Eighty-one unpaired clavicles of unknown sex were studied, 42 clavicles were of right side and 39 clavicles of left side. All the clavicles were collected from adult cadavers which were dissected in Departments of Anatomy at Muhimbili and Herbert Kairuki Memorial Universities. The length of clavicle was measured by a vernier calliper; the middle point of this length was taken as the point where midclavicular circumference was measured with the help of a measuring thread and the angle of curvature of clavicle was measured by using protractors. The average lengths of the left and right clavicles were 15.23±1.12 cm and 15.43±1.01cm respectively. The average medial angle of curvature of left clavicle was 155.33° ± 4.39°and that of right clavicle was 153.40° ± 3.96°. The mean total angle of curvature of left clavicle was 293.54˚± 9.55°and the average total angle of curvature of right clavicle was 290.05±8.94°. The average midclavicular circumference of left clavicle was 3.88cm ± 0.33cm and that of right clavicle was 3.94cm±0.33cm. The right clavicle was longer than the left clavicle, the average medial angle of curvature of left clavicle was greater than medial angle of right clavicle, the average lateral angle of curvature of left clavicle was more than the average lateral angle of curvature of right clavicle and the mean of midclavicular circumference of right clavicle was greater than that of left clavicle. Keywords: Morphometric, clavicle, curvatures, circumference

Scalable Bi-Directional SMA-Based Rotational Actuator

In industrial applications, rotatory motions and torques are often needed. State-of-the-art actuators are based on either combustion engines, electro-motors, hydraulic, or pneumatic machines. The main disadvantages are the construction space, the high weight, and a large amount of needed peripheral devices. To overcome these limitations, compact and light-weight actuator systems can be built by using shape memory alloys (SMAs), which are known for their superior energy density. In this paper, the development of a scalable bi-directional rotational actuator based on SMA wires is presented. The scalability was based on a modular design, which allowed the actuator to be adapted to various application specifications by customizing the rotational angle and the output torque. On the mechanical side, each module enabled a small rotatory motion, which added up to the total angle of the actuator. The SMA wires were arranged in an agonist-antagonist configuration to provide active rotation in both directions. The presented prototype achieved a total rotation of 100°. The modularity of the mechanical concept is also reflected in the electronics, which is discussed in this paper as well. This consideration allows the electronics to be adapted to the mechanics with minimal changes. As a result, a prototype, including the presented mechanical and electronic design, is reported in this study.

Assistive Force Redirection of Crutch Gait Produced by the Kinetic Crutch Tip

This paper investigates how crutch tip designs affect the user’s gait. Five Kinetic Crutch Tips (KCT), each with different durometers (i.e., stiffnesses) along with one carbon fiber reinforced nylon 3D printed KCT and one Standard Rubber Tip were tested. The first experiment examined eight healthy subjects to determine the assistive horizontal force generated and crutch angle range. The second experiment eliminates the human factor and uses a weighted crutch in free fall to investigate transitional angles between forward and backward motions. It was found that the KCT had a larger transitional angle than the Standard Rubber Tip. This increases the assistive forward forces of the crutch due to the surface kinetic shape of KCTs; however, the total angle of different crutch tips remains the same when used by the subjects. The assistive forces were present for the longest amount of time for the highest durometer KCT.

Basic critical care echocardiography: How many studies equate to competence? A pilot study using high fidelity echocardiography simulation

Background Assessment of competence in basic critical care echocardiography is complex. Competence relies on not only imaging accuracy but also interpretation and appropriate management decisions. The experience to achieve these skills, real-time, is likely more than required for imaging accuracy alone. We aimed to assess the feasibility of using simulation to assess number of studies required to attain competence in basic critical care echocardiography. Methods This is a prospective pilot study recruiting trainees at various degrees of experience in basic critical care echocardiography using experts as reference standard. We used high fidelity simulation to assess speed and accuracy using total time taken, total position difference and total angle difference across the basic acoustic windows. Interpretation and clinical application skills were assessed using a clinical scenario. ‘Cut-off’ values for number of studies required for competence were estimated. Results Twenty-seven trainees and eight experts were included. The subcostal view was achieved quickest by trainees (median 23 s, IQR 19–37). Eighty-seven percent of trainees did not achieve accuracy across all views; 81% achieved accuracy with the parasternal long axis and the least accurate was the parasternal short axis (44% of trainees). Fewer studies were required to be considered competent with imaging acquisition compared with competence in correct interpretation and integration (15 vs. 40 vs. 50, respectively). Discussion The use of echocardiography simulation to determine competence in basic critical care echocardiography is feasible. Competence in image acquisition appears to be achieved with less experience than correct interpretation and correct management decisions. Further studies are required.

3D Micro-Radiography Imaging for Quick Assessment on Small Specimen

An imaging procedure for developing a 3D X-ray micro-radiography system has been developed. The idea arose due to the necessity of performing internal inspection and testing nondestructively on a small specimen. The image is generated from multiple x-ray radiograph that were acquire from multiple angle of view. Each radiograph was taken for every one degree. The total angle covers up to 360 degree so that a set of 360 image were collected for each specimen. Then, for those images were rendered to be a 3-D image. A set of image processing procedures were applied such as background subtraction and noise reduction. From the experiment, this manner is very useful for assessing a small specimen nondestructively prior to perform a tomography inspection.