Motion Index Research Articles

Cortico-Striatal Oscillations Are Correlated to Motor Activity Levels in Both Physiological and Parkinsonian Conditions.

Oscillatory neural activity in the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamocortical (CBGTC) loop is associated with the motor state of a subject, but also with the availability of modulatory neurotransmitters. For example, increased low-frequency oscillations in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are related to decreased levels of dopamine and have been proposed as biomarkers to adapt and optimize therapeutic interventions, such as deep brain stimulation. Using neural oscillations as biomarkers require differentiating between changes in oscillatory patterns associated with parkinsonism vs. those related to a subject’s motor state. To address this point, we studied the correlation between neural oscillatory activity in the motor cortex and striatum and varying degrees of motor activity under normal and parkinsonian conditions. Using rats with bilateral or unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions as PD models, we correlated the motion index (MI)—a measure based on the physical acceleration of the head of rats—to the local field potential (LFP) oscillatory power in the 1–80 Hz range. In motor cortices and striata, we observed a robust correlation between the motion index and the oscillatory power in two main broad frequency ranges: a low-frequency range [5.0–26.5 Hz] was negatively correlated to motor activity, whereas a high-frequency range [35.0–79.9 Hz] was positively correlated. We observed these correlations in both normal and parkinsonian conditions. In addition to these general changes in broad-band power, we observed a more restricted narrow-band oscillation [25–40 Hz] in dopamine-denervated hemispheres. This oscillation, which seems to be selective to the parkinsonian state, showed a linear frequency dependence on the concurrent motor activity level. We conclude that, independently of the parkinsonian condition, changes in broad-band oscillatory activities of cortico-basal ganglia networks (including changes in the relative power of low- and high-frequency bands) are closely correlated to ongoing motions, most likely reflecting he operations of these neural circuits to control motor activity. Hence, biomarkers based on neural oscillations should focus on specific features, such as narrow frequency bands, to allow differentiation between parkinsonian states and physiological movement-dependent circuit modulation.

Comparison of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Sac and Neck Wall Motion with 4D Ultrasound Imaging

The rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is associated with high mortality despite surgical developments. The determination of aneurysm diameter allows for follow up of aneurysm growth but fails in precisely predicting aneurysm rupture. In this study, time resolved three dimensional ultrasound (4D ultrasound) based wall motion indices (WMIs) are investigated to see if they are capable of distinguishing between uneven affected regions of the aneurysm wall. In a prospective study, 56 patients with an AAA were examined using 4D ultrasound. Local longitudinal, circumferential, and shear strains were computed using custom methods. The deformation of the neck and sac of each aneurysm was characterised by statistical indices of the obtained distributions of local wall strains (WMIs): mean and peak strain, heterogeneity index, and local strain ratio. The locations of regions with highest local peak strain were determined. Compared with the aneurysm neck, the sac is characterised by low mean strain, but highly heterogeneous deformation, described by high local strain ratio and heterogeneity index. Differences were highly significant (p<.001) for all strain components. The regions with the highest circumferential peak strain were found more often in the posterior part of the aneurysm neck (p<.050) and sac (p<.001) regions, compared with other wall regions. No statistically significant correlation was found between the WMIs and maximum AAA diameter, except for longitudinal mean strain, which decreased with the increasing diameter (rho=-.42, p<.010). Characterisation of wall kinematics by 4D ultrasound based WMIs provides a new and independent criterion for the distinction of diseased tissue in the AAA sac and the less affected neck region. This is a promising step towards the establishment of new biomarkers to differentiate between the mechanical instability of the AAA and rupture risk.

Use of a Tri-Axial Accelerometer Can Reliably Detect Play Behaviour in Newborn Calves.

Simple SummaryTraditionally, health and production measures have been used to assess farm animal welfare, but these do not encompass all aspects of welfare. In recent years, the concept of “positive animal welfare” has been gaining momentum, in line with the notion that a good animal life prevents negative experiences and also promotes positive experiences. Play behaviour is considered to be a good indicator of positive animal welfare. Accelerometers (movement sensors) worn by animals can be used to monitor activity as a proxy for different behaviours in a much less time-consuming manner than traditional behavioural observations. In this study, we assessed whether a commercially available leg-mounted accelerometer could reliably identify play behaviour in newborn dairy calves. Our results showed that accelerometer technology can be used to identify the amount of play behaviour exhibited by newborn calves in the first 48 h of life, and we discuss its potential for use in the assessment of the welfare of newborn calves in the future.Traditionally, the welfare assessment of farm animals has focused on health and production outcomes. Positive welfare is, however, not merely the absence of negative welfare and is an important part of a life worth living. Play behaviour is widely considered to be an indicator of positive emotions because it is a “luxury” behaviour. Direct visual observation is considered the most accurate method of behavioural analysis, but it is time consuming and laborious. There is increasing interest in the use of remote monitoring technology to quantify behaviour. We compared the data output (“motion index” (MI)) from a commercially available tri-axial accelerometer fitted to newborn dairy calves to video footage of the same calves, with a focus on play behaviour. The motion index values over 48 h were positively correlated with both the duration of play behaviour and the number of play bouts. The motion index threshold in each sample interval with the optimal sensitivity and specificity for the identification of play behaviour was MI ≥ 2.5 at a 1 min resolution (sensitivity (Se) = 98.0%; specificity (Sp) = 92.9%) and MI ≥ 24.5 at a 15 min resolution (Se = 98.0%; Sp = 89.9%), but these values consistently overestimated the overall proportion of sample intervals in which play was observed. The MI that best reflected the results obtained from visual one-zero sampling was MI ≥ 23 for 1 min intervals and MI ≥ 62 for 15 min intervals—this may therefore be the basis of a more conservative approach to the identification of play behaviour from accelerometer-generated data. Our results indicate that accelerometer-generated data can usefully indicate the amount of play behaviour shown by newborn calves for up to 48 h, providing an efficient method for identifying this important parameter in future work.

Scranton Type V Osteochondral Defects of Talus: Does one-stage Arthroscopic Debridement, Microfracture and Plasma Rich in Growth Factor cause the Healing of Cyst and Cessation of Progression to Osteoarthritis?Scranton Type V Osteochondral Defects of Talus: Does one-stage Arthroscopic Debridement, Microfracture and Plasma Rich in Growth Factor cause the Healing of Cyst and Cessation of Progression to Osteoarthritis?

Introduction:The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopic debridement, microfracture and plasma rich in growth factor (PRGF) injection in the management of type V (Scranton) osteochondral lesions of talus and its role in healing the subchondral cyst and cessation of progression of ankle osteoarthritis.Material and Methods:This is a prospective case series conducted on patients who were diagnosed with type V osteochondral lesions of talus. All the cases were treated with arthroscopic debridement, microfracture, and PRGF injections. The patients were evaluated for the healing of subchondral cysts and progression of osteoarthritis with radiography (plain radiographs and computerised tomography Scan). Also, the patients’ outcome was evaluated with Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale, Ankle Range of Motion, Foot and Ankle Disability Index, Foot and Ankle Outcome Instrument and a Satisfaction Questionnaire.Results:Five male patients underwent arthroscopic debridement, microfracture and PRGF injection for type V osteochondral lesion of talus. The mean age of patients was 27.4 years (19-47 years). All the patients gave history of minor twisting injury. Subchondral cyst healing was achieved in all patients by six months post-surgery. However, four out of five patients had developed early osteoarthritic changes of the ankle by their last follow-up [mean follow-up 29 months (ranged 15-36 months)]. Despite arthritic changes, all the patients reported ‘Good’ to ‘Excellent’ results on satisfaction questionnaire and Foot and Ankle Disability Index and could perform their day to day activities including sports.Conclusion:Arthroscopic debridement, microfracture, and PRGF causes healing of the subchondral cyst but does not cause cessation of progression to osteoarthritis of ankle in type V osteochondral defects of talus. However, despite progress to osteoarthritis, patient satisfaction post-procedure is good to excellent at short-term follow-up.

Comparison of the clinical and radiological outcomes between an isolated tibial component revision and total revision knee arthroplasty in aseptic loosening of an isolated tibial component

BackgroundAn isolated tibial component revision could be a treatment option for isolated tibial side loosening; however, few studies have proved its efficacy. This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes between isolated (tibial component) and total (femoral and tibial component) revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MethodsBetween January 2008 and February 2017, 31 patients underwent revision TKA for isolated tibial side loosening; 14 underwent an isolated tibial component revision (isolated group) and 17 underwent total (both femoral and tibial components) revision surgery (total group). The postoperative range of motion (ROM), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index, Knee Society knee score (KSKS), Knee Society function score (KSFS), and mechanical axis (MA) were compared between the two groups. The intraoperative tourniquet time and amount of blood drainage were also compared. ResultsThe mean follow-up durations in the isolated and total groups were 40.7 and 56.1 months, respectively. Both groups had similar postoperative ROM, WOMAC index, KSKS, KSFS, and MA; however, significantly shorter tourniquet time (105.2 vs. 154.6 min, P < 0.001) and less blood drainage (417.2 vs. 968.1 ml, P < 0.001) were noted in the isolated group than in the total group. ConclusionIsolated tibial component revision TKA for tibial component loosening showed comparable clinical and radiological outcomes to those of total revision TKA. The advantages of the isolated tibial component revision surgery were short operation time and small blood loss. Study designLevel III, Retrospective comparative study.

TODAY's SMART CITY TRENDS IN THE WORLD

Digitalization today is a modern trend focused on streamlining processes and improving efficiency. The introduction of information and communication technologies has affected not only enterprises, but complex socio-economic systems as cities, and this predetermined the development of smart cities. Today, IBM, McKinsey or Price Waterhouse are considered the brain centers for the development of this concept, while Siemens, BMW, Mercedes Benz, IBM, Phillips, General Electric, etc., discovered the “smart” city as a future-oriented concept, and chose only that a niche in which they can offer their products and services. The development of smart cities is also influenced by intergovernmental organizations and their specialized departments, as well as research centers, institutes and laboratories. There are more than 100 cities in the world that claim the title of “smart city”. At the same time, their current ratings reflect the implementation of modern information and communication technologies in the life of a person with the aim of improving the quality of his life in the development of the urban environment. The IESE Cities in Motion Index, Global Power City Index, The Global Cities Index, The Global Cities Outlook, Juniper Research, EasyPark Smart City Index ratings provide sufficient and comprehensive indicators to give this title. The developed standards ISO 37120 and ISO 37122 determine the main indicators for smart cities, while the criteria that determine the achievement of city smartness are conditionally formed today, which allows to clarify the semantic loads implemented in this definition, namely, to prioritize technologies for people and society, improving quality of life, and highlight differences with other similar definitions.

Photobiomodulation in Sciatic Nerve Crush Injuries in Rodents: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Perspectives for Clinical Treatment.

Objective : The aim of the study was to perform a literature review to analyze the effect of photobiomodulation in experimental studies on peripheral nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve crush injury in rodents. Methods: A bibliographic search was performed in the electronic databases, including MEDLINE (PubMed), SCOPUS, and SciELO, from 2008 to 2018. Results: A total of 1912 articles were identified in the search, and only 19 fulfilled all the inclusion criteria. Along with the parameters most found in the manuscripts, the most used wavelengths were 660 nm and 830 nm, power of 30 and 40 mW, and energy density of 4 and 10 J/cm2 . For total energy throughout the intervention period, the lowest energy found with positive effects was 0.70 J, and the highest 1.141 J. Seventeen studies reported positive effects on nerve regeneration. The variables selected to analyze the effect were: Sciatic Functional Index (SFI), Static Sciatic Index (SSI), morphometric, morphological, histological, zymographic, electrophysiological, resistance mechanics and range of motion (ROM). The variety of parameters used in the studies demonstrated that there is yet no pre-determined protocol for treating peripheral nerve regeneration. Only two studies by different authors used the same power, energy density, beam area, and power density. Conclusion: It was concluded that the therapeutic window of the photobiomodulation presents a high variability of parameters with the wavelength (632.8 to 940 nm), power (5 to 170 mW) and energy density (3 to 280 J /cm2 ), promoting nerve regeneration through the expression of cytokines and growth factors that aid in modulating the inflammatory process, improving morphological aspects, restoring the functionality to the animals in a brief period.

CLT for quadratic variation of Gaussian processes and its application to the estimation of the Orey index

We give a two-dimensional central limit theorem (CLT) for the second-order quadratic variation of the centered Gaussian processes on [0,T]. Though the approach we use is well known in the literature, the conditions under which the CLT holds are usually based on differentiability of the corresponding covariance function. In our case, we replace differentiability conditions by the convergence of the scaled sums of the second-order moments. To illustrate the usefulness and easiness of use of the approach, we apply the obtained CLT to proving the asymptotic normality of the estimator of the Orey index of a subfractional Brownian motion.

Análise dos efeitos imediatos entre a Manipulação Quiroprática e TENS em indivíduos com cervicalgia: ensaio clínico randomizado

Objetivo: Analisar os efeitos imediatos da estimulação transcutânea de nervos (TENS) e manipulação quiroprática associados ou não a indivíduos com cervicalgia crônica. Métodos: 40 voluntários foram randomizados em quatro grupos que receberam uma única intervenção: G1: manipulação quiroprática; G2: Controle; G3: TENS e G4: TENS + manipulação quiroprática. As variáveis analisadas foram: Escala Visual Analógica, amplitude de movimento (ADM), e Índice de Incapacidade Pescoço (NDI). Resultados: Houve uma redução significativa da dor no G1 em comparação ao G2 (p &lt;0,0001). Nos movimentos de flexão e inclinação lateral direita, houve um aumento significativo (p &lt;0,05) nos grupos 1 e 4 em relação aos grupos 2 e 3. Nos itens do NDI: levantamento de peso, dor de cabeça, qualidade de sono e lazer, grupos 1 e 4 apresentaram melhora significativa em relação ao G2. Conclusão: O tratamento quiroprático com e sem TENS foi eficaz no aumento dos itens de ADM e NDI. A combinação de terapias não resultou em ganhos no manejo da cervicalgia comparados aos tratamentos unimodais.Número principal de identificação: RBR-6c65dw - Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC).

The comparison of revalcularization outcomes in acute coronary syndrom following primary coronary angioplasty

Purpose. To compare clinical and morphofunctional outcomes of revascularization in patients after primary coronary angioplasty with different degree of coronary arteries damage and type of myocardial infarction.&#x0D; Material and methods. The research involved 258 patients after myocardial infarction who underwent coronary balloon angioplasty with stenting infarct-related artery. By electrocardiographic and angiographic picture all patients were divided into 4 groups: Q-wave myocardial infarction and without Q-wave myocardial infarction with single-vessel and multivessel disease.&#x0D; Results. The study found that the patients with non Q-wave myocardial infarction and single-vessel disease had no adverse clinical outcomes during a year. The wall motion index and the ejection fraction almost recovered completely (wall motion index varied from 1.18 0.02 to 1.05 0.02 and ejection fraction from 57.4 0.5% to 63.3 0.6%; р 0.001). All the patients with Q-wave myocardial infarction revealed similar clinical outcomes and morphofunctional characteristics. The group of patients with non Q-wave and multivessel disease had the highest rate of adverse clinical outcomes with progressing left-ventricular disfunction according to echocardiography (wall motion index varied from 1.15 0.01 to 1.19 0.04 and ejection fraction from 53.9 0.5% to 55.1 0.6%; р 0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion. The degree of coronary arteries damage in the patients with Q myocardial infarction did not influence postinfarction remodeling and long-term cardiac outcomes. The patients with non-Q myocardial infarction and single-vessel disease had fewer signs of postinfarction remodeling and complications in postinfarction period. The worst prognosis was revealed by patients with similar forms of myocardial infarction and multivessel disease.

High-resolution wide-field OCT angiography with a self-navigation method to correct microsaccades and blinks.

In this study, we demonstrate a novel self-navigated motion correction method that suppresses eye motion and blinking artifacts on wide-field optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA) without requiring any hardware modification. Highly efficient GPU-based, real-time OCTA image acquisition and processing software was developed to detect eye motion artifacts. The algorithm includes an instantaneous motion index that evaluates the strength of motion artifact on en face OCTA images. Areas with suprathreshold motion and eye blinking artifacts are automatically rescanned in real-time. Both healthy eyes and eyes with diabetic retinopathy were imaged, and the self-navigated motion correction performance was demonstrated.

Sensor-guided technology helps to reproduce medial pivot kinematics in total knee arthroplasty.

Two cohorts of 50 patients each were preoperatively matched to receive the same TKA, having a J-curve femoral design with an adapted "medially congruent" polyethylene insert; the second cohort (group B) underwent the intraoperative sensor-check. Intraoperative sensor data were recorded as tibiofemoral load at 10°, 45°, and 90°. We considered stable knees those with a pressure <50 lbs on the medial compartment, <35 lbs on the lateral, and a mediolateral inter-compartmental difference <15 lbs. Clinical outcomes were evaluated according to the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Knee Society Score (KSS). All patients (group A: no sensor; group B: sensor) were available at 2-year minimum follow-up (FU; min. 24 months, max. 34 months); no preoperative statistical differences existed between groups in the average range of motion (ROM), OKS, KSS, and body mass index. There were no statistical differences at final FU between groups in the average OKS (group A: 41.1; group B: 41.5), in the average KSS (group A: 165.7; group B: 166.3), or in final ROM (group A: 123°; group B: 124°). One patient in each group required a manipulation under anesthesia. In the sensor group, an accessory soft tissue release/bone recut was necessary after sensor testing with trial components in 24% to obtain the desired loads; in the same group, the level of constraint in the final components was increased to posterior-stabilized in 12% because of an inter-compartmental difference >40 lbs. Surgical time was 8 min longer in the sensor group. The use of this sensing technology did not improve the clinical outcome but supported multiple intraoperative decisions aimed to better reproduce the medial pivot kinematic of the normal knee.

Admission blood glucose and echocardiography to predict major adverse cardiac events in acute coronary syndrome: a review

A life-threatening presentation of coronary artery disease is acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after acute coronary syndrome include life threatening arrhythmias, cardiac failure, cardiogenic shock, recurrent ischemia and sudden death. Patients with severe and moderate LV dysfunction are more likely to have triple vessel disease. Regional wall motion abnormality assessed by regional wall motion index using 2D-echocardiography correlates with infarct size which in turn predicts the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The cause for cardiogenic shock is left ventricular pump failure due to extensive damage to the myocardium and infarct related mechanical complications. In patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome, 5% develop ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation especially after 48 hours after hospital admission. Hyperglycemia causes stronger sympathetic activation in patients with severe illness and hence increased glucose levels. Insulin resistance not only causes hyperglycemia but can also lead to reduced energy production in the heart and lower tolerance to hypoperfusion and acts as an indicator of systemic and organ specific metabolic dysregulation and also stress hyperglycemia is implicated in the activation of pathological processes that causes cellular and tissue injury like increasing free radical formation and oxidative stress, inducing prothrombotic stress and worsening endothelial function. Hence higher levels of admission time blood glucose, hypoglycaemia during hospital stay, persistent hyperglycemia are considered as poor prognostic markers in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

The influence of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction cells on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

BackgroundAdipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells are a mixed cell population that includes cells with multilineage potential, similar to bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Our purpose is to investigate the influence of SVF cells in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and the short-term treatment effects.MethodsFifty-seven patients were enrolled and treated with intra-articular injection of 2.5 × 107 SVF cells into the knee joint between September 2017 and March 2018. All patients were followed up for 12 months or longer. Mean age at treatment and follow-up period were 69.4 ± 6.9 years and 13.7 ± 2.0 months, respectively. The mean preoperative hip-knee-ankle angle was 6.7 ± 3.6°. SVF cells were prepared using the Celution®800/CRS system from the patients’ abdominal or breech subcutaneous fat. The mean SVF cell viability was 90.6 ± 2.7%. Clinical evaluations were performed for range of motion, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Score (KOOS). Imaging evaluations, which included the hip-knee-ankle angle assessed via radiography, and T2 mapping value using a 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging unit were also assessed. Both clinical and imaging evaluations were performed preoperatively, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, and compared among all timepoints (p < 0.05).ResultsKnee extension angle at 6 and 12 months postoperatively was significantly better than the preoperative angle. Total WOMAC, VAS, and KOOS scores at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively were significantly better than preoperative scores. There was no significant difference in hip-knee-ankle angle among the five time periods. T2 mapping values of lateral femur and tibia were significantly higher 12 months postoperatively than preoperatively.ConclusionsThe short-term clinical effects of intra-articular SVF cell injection on knee OA were excellent. Intra-articular SVF cell injection is a novel and innovative approach for treating patients with knee OA.

Effectiveness of Rhythmic Chopping &amp; Lifting Pattern on Shoulder Range of Motion and Upper Extremity Functional Index in Post:Mastectomy Patients

Objective: T o determine the effect of Rhythmic chopping &amp; lifting pattern on shoulder range of motion in Post-mastectomy patients. Method: A total 40 subjects were taken according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each subject was assessed by using Shoulder goniometry and UEFI questionnaire. Result: A statistical analysis showed that Rhythmic chopping and lifting PNF exercises showed significant improvement in the outcome variables concluding that it improves shoulder ROM and functional activities. Conclusion: Analysis of all the data obtained through the outcome measures (UEFI Questionnaire and shoulder ROM) shows that Rhythmic chopping and lifting PNF exercises showed significant improvement in the outcome variables concluding that it improves shoulder ROM and functional activities.

Effects of oscillatory mobilization as compared to sustained stretch mobilization in the management of cervical radiculopathy: A randomized controlled trial.

Cervical radiculopathy is a relatively common musculoskeletal disorder resulting in a significant social and occupational impact. Manual therapy is thought to provide relief in cervical radiculopathy; however, evidence is lacking regarding the comparison of different manual therapy concepts. To determine the effects of Maitland's oscillatory mobilization as compared to Kaltenborn's sustained stretch mobilization in the management of cervical radiculopathy. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Fauji Foundation Hospital comprising of 46 patients randomized into oscillatory and sustained stretch mobilization groups. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and cervical range of motion (ROM) were used as outcome variables. No significant differences were observed at base line between the two groups (P> 0.05) except for ROM in extension and left side bending (P< 0.05). In terms of pre and post treatment comparison, P value of less than 0.05 was observed for both groups, indicating both treatments to be effective in isolation. However, post treatment comparison between both groups showed oscillatory mobilization to be superior to sustained stretch mobilization (P< 0.05) in the management of cervical radiculopathy except for the outcomes of pain and side bending. Both oscillatory and sustained stretch mobilization techniques are found to be effective in the management of cervical radiculopathy in terms of pain, range and disability. However, oscillatory mobilization is found to be superior in terms of functional ability and range of motion.

Effects of Eplerenone on Blood Pressure and Echocardiographic and Serum Biochemical Variables in Five Healthy Dogs: A Pilot Study.

Eplerenone (EP), an aldosterone antagonist, is reported to produce renal and cardiac protective effects in noncanine species. However, there are no detailed reports available on cardiovascular effects of EP in dogs. This study aimed to determine effect of EP on echocardiographic parameters, blood pressures, and biochemical variables in healthy dogs. Five healthy Beagle dogs were randomly divided and repeatedly used in each of 3 dose groups, receiving 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg BW EP orally q24 h for 4 wks. Serum biochemical test, blood pressure, and Doppler echocardiography measurements were performed before EP administration and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after EP administration. Treatment with EP reduced mean blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner and significantly (but in a dose-independent manner) decreased left atrium/aorta ratio, early diastolic transmitral flow, early diastolic transmitral flow/late diastolic transmitral flow, peak velocity of early diastolic transmitral flow/peak velocity of early diastolic mitral annular motion, left ventricle and right ventricle Tei indices, stroke volume, cardiac output, and mid systole myocardial velocity gradient 1 to 4 weeks after administration. Deceleration time of early diastolic transmitral flow significantly increased after EP administration. No significant changes were observed in serum biochemical variables. The results indicated that EP might reduce preload, thereby decreasing left atrial size. In addition, reduction of left ventricular stiffness may have theoretically taken place but this could not be tested using the present study design. It is suggested that EP administration within the dose range used in this study is safe for administration to healthy dogs. Further studies are needed to explore both safety and efficacy, as well as to seek a recommended dose range of EP treatment in client-owned dogs with heart disease.

Local Limit Theorem for Randomly Deforming Billiards

We study limit theorems in the context of random perturbations of dispersing billiards in finite and infinite measure. In the context of a planar periodic Lorentz gas with finite horizon, we consider random perturbations in the form of movements and deformations of scatterers. We prove a Central Limit Theorem for the cell index of planar motion, as well as a mixing Local Limit Theorem for the cell index with piecewise H\"older continuous observables. In the context of the infinite measure random system, we prove limit theorems regarding visits to new obstacles and self-intersections, as well as decorrelation estimates. The main tool we use is the adaptation of anisotropic Banach spaces to the random setting.

The functioning of smart city in the context of global city rankings

Purpose: This paper raises theoretical issues related to the functioning of cities that are determined as smart in order to find a better operational definition for further research. Design/methodology/approach: In search of the essence of the term, the paper refers to variety of definitions of smart city, and also to the theoretical models in operation enabling the measurement and comparison of indicators among urban areas in the different world locations. The analysis was performed on three rankings: Cities in Motion Index, Mercer Quality of Living, Arcadis The Sustainable Index. Findings: The conclusions indicate that the Smart City concept is connected with sustainable development more than to the quality of life. The city rankings concerning the highest life quality is completely different from the hierarchy of smart cities. Originality/value: The paper extends the definition of smart city and it may be valuable for researchers who develop the concept of smart city in their research.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF OXFORD PHASE 3 UNICOMPARTMENTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY.

ABSTRACTObjective: To determine the factors that affect the functional outcome of Oxford Phase 3 unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).Methods: We assessed a total of 52 UKA knees of 49 patients with a minimum follow-up of 2 years (24-72 months). We recorded the results for Range of motion (ROM) and body mass index (BMI) and the presence o patello-femoral arthrosis (PFA). In the radiological evaluation, we measured the posterior tibial slope (PTS), the tibial plateau angle (TPA) and the femorotibial angle, in addition to an assement using the Oxford radiological criteria. Patients were grouped by age, follow-up time, BMI, radiological criteria, PFA presence, occurance of complications and revision surgery. The clinical and functional results of these groups were compared statistically.Results: A total of 40 women and 9 men participated in the study, with an average age of 60 years, and a mean BMI of 34.6. No significant differences were found among the age and PFA groups. Postop VAS scores were high and knee evaluation scores were significantly lower in the morbidly obese group and in the groups with postop TPA <85º and >90º. The revision ratio was 11.5%.Conclusion: Postop TPA, PTS and morbid obesity are the most significant factors that can lead to revision surgery. Level of Evidence IV, Case series.