scholarly journals What a Stranded Whale With Scoliosis Can Teach us About Human Idiopathic Scoliosis

Author(s):  
Steven de Reuver ◽  
Lonneke IJsseldijk ◽  
Jelle Homans ◽  
Dorien Willems ◽  
Stefanie Veraa ◽  
...  

Abstract Scoliosis is a deformation of the spine that may have several known causes, but humans are the only mammal known to develop scoliosis without any obvious underlying cause. This is called ‘idiopathic’ and is the most common type. Recent observations showed that human scoliosis, regardless of its cause, has a relatively uniform three-dimensional anatomy. We hypothesize that scoliosis is a universal compensatory mechanism of the spine, independent of cause and/or species. We had the opportunity to study the rare occurrence of scoliosis in a whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) that stranded in July 2019 in the Netherlands. A multidisciplinary team of biologists, pathologists, veterinarians, taxidermists, radiologists and orthopaedic surgeons conducted necropsy and imaging analysis. (Dorso-)lateral blunt traumatic injury to two vertebrae caused an acute lateral deviation of the spine, which had initiated the development of compensatory curves in regions of the spine without anatomical abnormalities. Three-dimensional analysis of these compensatory curves showed strong resemblance with different types of human scoliosis, amongst which idiopathic. This suggests that any decompensation of spinal equilibrium can lead to a uniform response, regardless of underlying cause or species. The unique biomechanics of the upright human spine, with significantly decreased rotational stability, explains why only in humans this universal mechanism of scoliosis can occur without an obvious cause, and is thus still called ‘idiopathic’.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven de Reuver ◽  
Lonneke L. IJsseldijk ◽  
Jelle F. Homans ◽  
Dorien S. Willems ◽  
Stefanie Veraa ◽  
...  

AbstractScoliosis is a deformation of the spine that may have several known causes, but humans are the only mammal known to develop scoliosis without any obvious underlying cause. This is called ‘idiopathic’ scoliosis and is the most common type. Recent observations showed that human scoliosis, regardless of its cause, has a relatively uniform three-dimensional anatomy. We hypothesize that scoliosis is a universal compensatory mechanism of the spine, independent of cause and/or species. We had the opportunity to study the rare occurrence of scoliosis in a whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) that stranded in July 2019 in the Netherlands. A multidisciplinary team of biologists, pathologists, veterinarians, taxidermists, radiologists and orthopaedic surgeons conducted necropsy and imaging analysis. Blunt traumatic injury to two vertebrae caused an acute lateral deviation of the spine, which had initiated the development of compensatory curves in regions of the spine without anatomical abnormalities. Three-dimensional analysis of these compensatory curves showed strong resemblance with different types of human scoliosis, amongst which idiopathic. This suggests that any decompensation of spinal equilibrium can lead to a rather uniform response. The unique biomechanics of the upright human spine, with significantly decreased rotational stability, may explain why only in humans this mechanism can be induced relatively easily, without an obvious cause, and is therefore still called ‘idiopathic’.


Author(s):  
P.L. Moore

Previous freeze fracture results on the intact giant, amoeba Chaos carolinensis indicated the presence of a fibrillar arrangement of filaments within the cytoplasm. A complete interpretation of the three dimensional ultrastructure of these structures, and their possible role in amoeboid movement was not possible, since comparable results could not be obtained with conventional fixation of intact amoebae. Progress in interpreting the freeze fracture images of amoebae required a more thorough understanding of the different types of filaments present in amoebae, and of the ways in which they could be organized while remaining functional.The recent development of a calcium sensitive, demembranated, amoeboid model of Chaos carolinensis has made it possible to achieve a better understanding of such functional arrangements of amoeboid filaments. In these models the motility of demembranated cytoplasm can be controlled in vitro, and the chemical conditions necessary for contractility, and cytoplasmic streaming can be investigated. It is clear from these studies that “fibrils” exist in amoeboid models, and that they are capable of contracting along their length under conditions similar to those which cause contraction in vertebrate muscles.


2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 50402-1-50402-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ing-Jr Ding ◽  
Chong-Min Ruan

Abstract The acoustic-based automatic speech recognition (ASR) technique has been a matured technique and widely seen to be used in numerous applications. However, acoustic-based ASR will not maintain a standard performance for the disabled group with an abnormal face, that is atypical eye or mouth geometrical characteristics. For governing this problem, this article develops a three-dimensional (3D) sensor lip image based pronunciation recognition system where the 3D sensor is efficiently used to acquire the action variations of the lip shapes of the pronunciation action from a speaker. In this work, two different types of 3D lip features for pronunciation recognition are presented, 3D-(x, y, z) coordinate lip feature and 3D geometry lip feature parameters. For the 3D-(x, y, z) coordinate lip feature design, 18 location points, each of which has 3D-sized coordinates, around the outer and inner lips are properly defined. In the design of 3D geometry lip features, eight types of features considering the geometrical space characteristics of the inner lip are developed. In addition, feature fusion to combine both 3D-(x, y, z) coordinate and 3D geometry lip features is further considered. The presented 3D sensor lip image based feature evaluated the performance and effectiveness using the principal component analysis based classification calculation approach. Experimental results on pronunciation recognition of two different datasets, Mandarin syllables and Mandarin phrases, demonstrate the competitive performance of the presented 3D sensor lip image based pronunciation recognition system.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 741-757
Author(s):  
Kateryna Hazdiuk ◽  
◽  
Volodymyr Zhikharevich ◽  
Serhiy Ostapov ◽  
◽  
...  

This paper deals with the issue of model construction of the self-regeneration and self-replication processes using movable cellular automata (MCAs). The rules of cellular automaton (CA) interactions are found according to the concept of equilibrium neighborhood. The method is implemented by establishing these rules between different types of cellular automata (CAs). Several models for two- and three-dimensional cases are described, which depict both stable and unstable structures. As a result, computer models imitating such natural phenomena as self-replication and self-regeneration are obtained and graphically presented.


Author(s):  
Matthew J. Genge

Drawings, illustrations, and field sketches play an important role in Earth Science since they are used to record field observations, develop interpretations, and communicate results in reports and scientific publications. Drawing geology in the field furthermore facilitates observation and maximizes the value of fieldwork. Every geologist, whether a student, academic, professional, or amateur enthusiast, will benefit from the ability to draw geological features accurately. This book describes how and what to draw in geology. Essential drawing techniques, together with practical advice in creating high quality diagrams, are described the opening chapters. How to draw different types of geology, including faults, folds, metamorphic rocks, sedimentary rocks, igneous rocks, and fossils, are the subjects of separate chapters, and include descriptions of what are the important features to draw and describe. Different types of sketch, such as drawings of three-dimensional outcrops, landscapes, thin-sections, and hand-specimens of rocks, crystals, and minerals, are discussed. The methods used to create technical diagrams such as geological maps and cross-sections are also covered. Finally, modern techniques in the acquisition and recording of field data, including photogrammetry and aerial surveys, and digital methods of illustration, are the subject of the final chapter of the book. Throughout, worked examples of field sketches and illustrations are provided as well as descriptions of the common mistakes to be avoided.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1271 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Davydova ◽  
Peter J. Schoenmakers ◽  
Gabriel Vivó-Truyols

Frequenz ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mukesh Kumar Alaria ◽  
Sanjay Kumar Ghosh

Abstract In this paper, two types of coaxial coupler and waveguide coupler for different frequency helix traveling wave tubes (TWTs) are designed, fabricated and cold tested. The coaxial coupler includes of window ceramic and RF transformer section. At present multi-section impedance transformer design approach is used for wideband helix TWTs. In any helix TWT, impedance of the source is transformed to the characteristic impedance of helix. This is done by the quarter-wavelength (λ/4) impedance transformation approach. The simulated results of different types of couplers are carried out by HFSS and CST microwave studio software and compare with experimental results. Three-dimensional electromagnetic field simulators allowing the any geometry with port excitations it is possible to model the complex coaxial and waveguide type couplers with helix SWS assembly and predict its desired return loss performances.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohini Kharwade ◽  
Payal Badole ◽  
Nilesh Mahajan ◽  
Sachin More

: As compared to other nano polymers, dendrimers have novel three dimensional, synthetic hyperbranched, nano-polymeric structures. The characteristic of these supramolecular dendritic structures has a high degree of significant surface as well as core functionality in the transportation of drugs for targeted therapy, specifically in host-guest response, gene transfer therapy and imaging of biological systems. However, there are conflicting shreds of evidence regarding biological safety and dendrimers toxicity due to their positive charge at the surface. It includes cytotoxicity, hemolytic toxicity, haematological toxicity, immunogenicity and in vivo toxicity. Therefore to resolve these problems surface modification of the dendrimer group is one of the methods. From that point, this review involves different strategies which reduce the toxicity and improve the biocompatibility of different types of dendrimers. From that viewpoint, we broaden the structural and safe characteristics of the dendrimers in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields.


Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 4005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelats Lobo ◽  
Ginestra

The classic cell culture involves the use of support in two dimensions, such as a well plate or a Petri dish, that allows the culture of different types of cells. However, this technique does not mimic the natural microenvironment where the cells are exposed to. To solve that, three-dimensional bioprinting techniques were implemented, which involves the use of biopolymers and/or synthetic materials and cells. Because of a lack of information between data sources, the objective of this review paper is, to sum up, all the available information on the topic of bioprinting and to help researchers with the problematics with 3D bioprinters, such as the 3D-Bioplotter™. The 3D-Bioplotter™ has been used in the pre-clinical field since 2000 and could allow the printing of more than one material at the same time, and therefore to increase the complexity of the 3D structure manufactured. It is also very precise with maximum flexibility and a user-friendly and stable software that allows the optimization of the bioprinting process on the technological point of view. Different applications have resulted from the research on this field, mainly focused on regenerative medicine, but the lack of information and/or the possible misunderstandings between papers makes the reproducibility of the tests difficult. Nowadays, the 3D Bioprinting is evolving into another technology called 4D Bioprinting, which promises to be the next step in the bioprinting field and might promote great applications in the future.


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