Tangible digital master for product lifecycle management in augmented reality

We present a novel approach, called tangible digital master (TaDiMa), based on a flexible access to Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) database using a tangible/graphical user interface and augmented reality. We developed and tested a technical drawing template with automatically embedded markers for augmentation. We embedded the Mozilla FireFox engine into our annotation system for the integration of web 2.0 applications in the AR environment. We also extended the concept of web feed to PLM for notification of technical contents. We implemented a dynamic labelling management with view-driven filtering and placement. We also present a tangible management for layers visualization and users access by marked tokens. We validated the TaDiMa approach in a selection of possible scenarios for different PLM applications. The main benefit of the TaDiMa system is the easy and low-cost integration in the product lifecycle process.     

Simulation of Waveforms of a Ferrite Inductor with Saturation and Power Losses

We propose a model of an equivalent electrical circuit specifically designed for a ferrite indAuctor excited by a sinusoidal waveform. The purpose of this model is its use in a circuit simulator. We calculate the model parameters by means of Finite Elements in 2D which leads to significant computational advantages over the 3D model. We carry out the validation for a toroidal ferrite inductor by comparing the experimental results and computed ones. We consider the saturation and power losses in the core. In addition, we have tested the model for the case of square waveform in order to generalize the results. We find excellent agreement between the experimental data and the results obtained by numerical calculations.     

Motives That Bridge Diverse Activities of Older People

We report on the results of a pilot study to measure global motives that may help explain patterns of activities of older people. We hypothesize that there may be multiple motives, each of which helps explain participation in more than one activity. We describe the development of a set of conceptually based measures. We then report on the results of a pilot survey conducted in eastern Massachusetts that explored the relationship between the motives and a diverse set of activities. We identified seven distinct motives: seek challenge, avoid frustration, need income, seek mental stimulation, sociable, contentment, and altruism. We found that the motives help to explain overall activity level and participation in specific activities.     

Twist fields, the elliptic genus, and hidden symmetry

We combine infinite dimensional analysis (in particular a priori estimates and twist positivity) with classical geometric structures, supersymmetry, and noncommutative geometry. We establish the existence of a family of examples of two-dimensional, twist quantum fields. We evaluate the elliptic genus in these examples. We demonstrate a hidden SL(2,Z) symmetry of the elliptic genus, as suggested by Witten.     

Simulations of the pressure and temperature unfolding of an alpha-helical peptide

We study by molecular simulations the reversible folding/unfolding equilibrium as a function of density and temperature of a solvated alpha-helical peptide. We use an extension of the replica exchange molecular dynamics method that allows for density and temperature Monte Carlo exchange moves. We studied 360 thermodynamic states, covering a density range from 0.96 to 1.14 g.cm(-3) and a temperature range from 300 to 547.6 K. We simulated 10 ns per replica for a total simulation time of 3.6 micros. We characterize the structural, thermodynamic, and hydration changes as a function of temperature and pressure. We also calculate the compressibility and expansivity of unfolding. We find that pressure does not affect the helix-coil equilibrium significantly and that the volume change upon pressure unfolding is small and negative (-2.3 ml/mol). However, we find significant changes in the coordination of water molecules to the backbone carbonyls. This finding predicts that changes in the chemical shifts and IR spectra with pressure can be due to changes in coordination and not only changes in the helical content. A simulation of the IR spectrum shows that water coordination effects on frequency shifts are larger than changes due to elastic structural changes in the peptide.     

Aspergillus infection limited to renal allograft: case report and review of literature

We report a case of a 28-year-old recipient of a cadaveric renal transplant who developed Aspergillus infection in the allograft without having disseminated disease. We review the previously reported cases of isolated Aspergillus in kidney transplant recipients and discuss the possible route of transmission in our patient. We also discuss the alternate but successful treatment that our patient received.     

Giant T-wave inversion in patients with acute coronary insufficiency.

We have observed an electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern of deep T-wave or "giant T wave" inversion in patients with acute coronary insufficiency. We reviewed the ECGs of 936 patients admitted to our coronary care unit during a one-year period. We found the pattern of giant T-wave inversion was present in nine patients (1 percent). We examined the echocardiograms of all of these patients and we analyzed the coronary angiograms on the seven patients in whom it was performed. We found that giant T-wave inversion was usually found in patients with stenosis in the left coronary system. In addition, the majority of these patients also had echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. We conclude that the high frequency of a partially patent vessel in the left coronary system suggests that this ECG pattern may be useful in identifying patients who might benefit from coronary revascularization.     

Gigantic diverticulum of the colon. A complication of diverticulosis?]

We present a patient affected of diverticular disease of the colon, with diverticulosis and two giant diverticula of the sigma, both located at the mesenteric edge. We would like to stress the low incidence of reports about this entity in the medical literature, its uncommon location and the fact of a double lesion coinciding in a single patient. We discuss the most important nosocomial aspects and the different diagnoses. Finally, we support the idea of distinguishing three different entities that in the medical literature are usually unified as a single "giant diverticulum of the colon". We reaffirm ourselves on the importance of an early diagnosis and a correct indication for surgery.     

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of gastric emptying using a videofluoroscopic method

We studied the gastric emptying of 21 healthy volunteers using a standard contrasted diet composed of a lipid, carbohydrate, protein and barium sulfate solution homogenate. We did six one-minute videofluoroscopic recordings in a 12-minute interval for the first hour, and in a 30 minute interval until the complete emptying. We selected eight exams for the emptying quantification. We could observe and estimate subjectively the functional behavior and the gastric emptying. Digital representative images of each emptying time point we were able to quantify those observations and describe them as a mathematical function. We developed a macro procedure using the Media Cybernetics ImagePro-Plus software for this quantification. We conclude that: 1--The videofluoroscopic method provides better resolution than the other methods in the analysis of the gastric motility and emptying. 2--It is possible to computationally quantify the morphological differences observed with the sequential registration radiological methods, specially the videofluoroscopic method that generates 30 frames per second. 3--Our results generate a gastric emptying index, based on the area of a gastric projection in radiological images obtained in a standing position over a one-hour period (T1/2). 4--The quantitative analysis should not exclude the qualitative analysis.     

Near strongly resonant periodic orbits in a Hamiltonian system

We study an analytic Hamiltonian system near a strongly resonant periodic orbit. We introduce a modulus of local analytic classification. We provide asymptotic formulae for the exponentially small splitting of separatrices for bifurcating hyperbolic periodic orbits. These formulae confirm a conjecture formulated by V. I. Arnold in the early 1970s.     

Adrenergic shock--an overlooked clinical entity?

We report a case of recurrent shock induced by pheochromocytoma in a previously healthy, normotensive patient. We review pathophysiology and clinical features of shock and cardiomyopathy in patients with pheochromocytoma. We discuss diagnostic evaluation and therapy for pheochromocytoma-induced shock.     

The landscape of innovation in bacteria,battleships, and beyond

We draw lessons from microbial experimental evolution and naval warfare to improve the understanding of innovation in financial markets. Major financial innovations often arise without explicit societal planning because novel approaches can be favored by markets, in a manner strikingly parallel to natural selection. We utilize the concept of an adaptive landscape to characterize environments that increase the speed and magnitude of innovation. We apply this adaptive landscape framework to innovation in portfolio management. We create a general taxonomy for understanding and nurturing innovation.     

Hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis and tetany as a presentation of celiac disease in an adult

We describe the case of a 38-year-old man with an hypokalaemic rhabdomyolysis and tetany as a presentation of celiac disease. We discuss the several electrolytic disturbances found in this patient with chronic diarrhoea and malabsorption syndrome and also the treatment which conduced to complete clinical resolution. We conclude that celiac disease should be considered a cause of hypokalaemic rhabdomyolysis.     

Deconstructing the placebo effect and finding the meaning response

We provide a new perspective with which to understand what for a half century has been known as the "placebo effect." We argue that, as currently used, the concept includes much that has nothing to do with placebos, confusing the most interesting and important aspects of the phenomenon. We propose a new way to understand those aspects of medical care, plus a broad range of additional human experiences, by focusing on the idea of "meaning," to which people, when they are sick, often respond. We review several of the many areas in medicine in which meaning affects illness or healing and introduce the idea of the "meaning response." We suggest that use of this formulation, rather than the fixation on inert placebos, will probably lead to far greater insight into how treatment works and perhaps to real improvements in human well-being.     

Isolated tricuspid valve prolapsed: identification using two- and three-dimensional echocardiography and transoesophageal echocardiography

We present a case of isolated prolapse of the tricuspid anterior leaflet in an asymptomatic 34-year-old man who was referred to our hospital for a routine check up. We performed two-and three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). We found three-dimensional TEE a useful, non-invasive tool that can provide additional information to two-dimensional echocardiography in the assessment of tricuspid valve prolapse.     

Audiovisual documentation of oral consent: a new method of informed consent for illiterate populations

Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement of most research in human beings, but obtaining proof of consent in illiterate populations can prove problematic. We used audiovisual documentation of oral consent (video and audiotape recording and photography), a new method of informed consent designed for illiterate populations, in the Guarani Indians Project, a genetic study in the Paraguayan Guarani Indians. We obtained consent from 42 of about 100 potential participants. We believe that our procedure allowed more than half the potential participants to exercise their freedom of refusal. We propose to include this new method as a standard procedure for clinical research in illiterate populations as an alternative to written and signed consent.     

Binding of actinomycin D to DNA: evidence for a nonclassical high-affinity binding mode that does not require GpC sites

We have employed a combination of temperature-dependent UV absorption spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and batch calorimetry to characterize the binding of actinomycin D to a series of oligomeric DNA duplexes. We find the duplex [d(CGTCGACG)]2 to be unique in its ability to bind actinomycin D strongly despite the absence of a classic GpC site. We present evidence that this non-GpC-containing duplex binds two actinomycin D molecules in an apparently cooperative manner to form a complex that exhibits aberrant spectroscopic and calorimetric behavior. We propose that these observations are consistent with actinomycin D exhibiting a high-affinity, sequence-dependent DNA-binding mode distinct from its classic binding to isolated GpC sites.     

Relationships between weight, age and arterial pressure in the Mexican population]

Arterial hypertension (AH) constitutes a public health problem. Between 15 and 30% of the population in our country has it. Age and weight have been found as major risk factors for AH but there is little investigation in this regard. We studied families of the Mexican Republic, excluding people younger than 15 years, pregnant women, and any persons having any disease that could affects HA or being under medication. We gave them a questionnaire and took the arterial tension (AT). We calculated Quetelet Index (QI) for weight. We analysed 12259 subjects. The mean arterial tension was 120/77; 123/79 and 119/76 for men and women. We observed an association between age an AT when controlled by QI; and between AT and QI controlling by age. The regression lines had a positive skew different from zero. We propose that there is a relationship between QI an AT independent of age or AT.     

Granulomatous pulmonary zygomycosis in a patient without underlying illness. Computed tomographic appearances and treatment by pneumonectomy

Pulmonary zygomycosis rarely occurs in the absence of underlying disease. We report a patient with granulomatous pulmonary zygomycosis without underlying disease who presented with a pulmonary mass. We present the computed tomographic findings that we believe have not been described previously. We also report the successful treatment by pneumonectomy.     

Hyperinfection strongyloidiasis in a liver transplant recipient treated with parenteral ivermectin

Abstract: Severe strongyloidiasis, including hyperinfection and dissemination, is a recognized complication of solid organ transplantation. However, the development of strongyloidiasis in a liver transplant recipient has not been previously described. We present a case of severe strongyloidiasis occurring in a patient 4 months after liver transplantation and 1 month after receiving treatment for acute rejection. We assess the management challenges in this patient who remained symptomatic despite oral treatment with ivermectin and albendazole and eventual successful treatment with parenteral ivermectin. We review the published experience with alternative methods of ivermectin administration. We also investigate the possible source of infection, as the patient was not from an endemic area.