Contact Points Research Articles

Thermal Properties of Athermal Granular Materials.

Dry granular materials consist of a vast ensemble of discrete solid particles interacting through complex frictional forces at the contact points. The particles are so large that these systems are believed to be completely athermal. Here, we arrest the dynamics of a flowing granular material in a steady-state-flow configuration, enabling an isolated examination of aging at the particle contacts without granular rearrangements. Our findings reveal that the evolution of interparticle forces within the arrested athermal granular network results in the spontaneous increase of the system's yield stress. This strengthening process is logarithmic in time with a rate that depends on the temperature. We demonstrate that the material's stress relaxation exhibits similar time- and temperature-dependent behavior, suggesting a shared origin for aging and stress relaxation in these systems governed by thermal molecular processes at the scale of the grain contacts.

A novel tool path planning method for 5-axis single-point diamond turning

5-Axis single-point diamond turning adds two linked axes based on 3-axis single-point diamond turning, which can smoothly and continuously process complex surfaces. Compared to 3-axis turning, tool path planning for 5-axis single-point diamond turning is a complex decision-making process, which is a novel problem in the existing studies and a difficulty in multi-axis turning. In this study, a novel path planning method for 5-axis single-point diamond turning is proposed. Firstly, the mapping relation from scallop height to the distribution of cutter contact (CC) points is established in the non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) parameter space, thereby the planning of CC points is quickly achieved under fewer constraints. Furthermore, the local interference and global interference generation mechanism of 5-axis single-point diamond turning are revealed by geometrical analysis, combining diamond tool parameters and tool shank parameters. By transforming the motion of the cutter axis posture in 3D space into swings in two planes, the posture accessibility diagram of the cutter axis is efficiently constructed. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the tool path planning method are verified by 5-axis single-point diamond turning experiment. And the contour accuracy is improved through the quadratic planning of the CC points (the contour accuracy after compensation is 3.2 μm compared to normal one 9.6 μm). This study extends the traditional 3-axis turning to 5-axis turning, providing a new perspective for the machining of complex surfaces.

Assessing knowledge of hypertension and diabetes mellitus among informal healthcare providers in urban slums in southeastern Nigeria

Informal healthcare providers (IHPs) often serve as the first point of contact for healthcare services for non-communicable diseases in urban slums and their ability to identify risk factors and symptoms of the diseases is crucial for early detection and management. This paper assesses level of knowledge of hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) among IHPs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight slums in Enugu and Onitsha cities in south-eastern Nigeria. Data was collected from 238 IHPs including patent medicine vendors, traditional birth attendants, traditional bonesetters, and herbalists. Knowledge scores were computed for each respondent. Adequate knowledge was set at ≥ 50% score and inadequate knowledge at < 50%. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors/independent variables associated with adequate knowledge among IHPs. Independent variables in the regression model were seven items that describe the profile of IHPs and can influence their access to information on non-communicable diseases. Knowledge of risk factors and symptoms of hypertension and DM among IHPs was low since only 21 (8.82%) and 19 (7.98%) of them had adequate knowledge of hypertension and DM, respectively. In regression analysis, IHPs who had received formal training in the past demonstrated significantly higher levels of knowledge, with odds of adequate knowledge in hypertension being 14.62 times greater for trained providers, and the odds of adequate knowledge of both non-communicable diseases being 21.34 times greater for trained providers. Training of IHPs is needed to address the critical knowledge deficit of risk factors and symptoms of hypertension and DM. This would contribute to better health outcomes and reduced disease burden in urban slums.

Somatoform Disorders in Primary Care-An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study on Experiences, Challenges and Coping Strategies of General Practitioners in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Somatoform symptoms are widely spread in outpatient care. For treating physicians, it can be challenging to establish a relationship that is conducive to compliance and to take stabilising action when dealing with affected patients. As primary care providers, GPs are usually the first point of contact for patients with somatoform disorders; they set the course for stabilisation and further care. To date, there is a lack of studies that focus on how GPs respond to such patients. In particular, strategies for establishing a stable doctor-patient relationship have hardly been explored. Consequently, this study investigated how GPs recognise the symptoms of somatoform disorders, what significance they attach to them and how they handle patients. The primary focus is on experienced patient properties, assumed causes of somatoform disorders, obstacles and complexities in consultation, care and stabilisation strategies, as well as diagnostic forms of support. A total of 2797 GPs in the German federal states of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg were surveyed anonymously by means of a written questionnaire between January and August 2023. A t-test was performed with independent samples to determine significant differences between two groups. In addition, 64 GPs were interviewed between March and April by means of qualitative semi-standardised interviews. The respondents make use of a wide range of communication and stabilisation strategies when treating somatoform physical complaints. The GPs combine the establishment of a tangential doctor-patient relationship with measures to consistently exclude physical causes and to enable the best possible assessment of patients, as well as to gently introduce them to the clinical picture of somatoform disorders. Most physicians are not familiar with current clinical guidelines. Cooperation with specialists and therapists is widely described as complicated. GPs have access to a wide range of communication and stabilisation strategies for the management of somatoform physical complaints. Yet, they experience interaction with this patient group as difficult in daily practice. GPs articulate a clear need for more external support. Apart from increasing therapeutic care capacities and interdisciplinary structures, it seems advisable to extend low-threshold therapy and support services.

Force Control of a Haptic Flexible-Link Antenna Based on a Lumped-Mass Model.

Haptic organs are common in nature and help animals to navigate environments where vision is not possible. Insects often use slender, lightweight, and flexible links as sensing antennae. These antennae have a muscle-endowed base that changes their orientation and an organ that senses the applied force and moment, enabling active sensing. Sensing antennae detect obstacles through contact during motion and even recognize objects. They can also push obstacles. In all these tasks, force control of the antenna is crucial. The objective of our research is to develop a haptic robotic system based on a sensing antenna, consisting of a very lightweight and slender flexible rod. In this context, the work presented here focuses on the force control of this device. To achieve this, (a) we develop a dynamic model of the antenna that moves under gravity and maintains point contact with an object, based on lumped-mass discretization of the rod; (b) we prove the robust stability property of the closed-loop system using the Routh stability criterion; and (c) based on this property, we design a robust force control system that performs efficiently regardless of the contact point with the object. We built a mechanical device replicating this sensing organ. It is a flexible link connected at one end to a 3D force-torque sensor, which is attached to a mechanical structure with two DC motors, providing azimuthal and elevation movements to the antenna. Our experiments in contact situations demonstrate the effectiveness of our control method.

Removal of acetaminophen from wastewater using a novel bimetallic La/Th metal-organic framework: Kinetics, thermodynamics, isotherms, and optimization through Box-Behnken design

Acetaminophen (ACT), a common drug pollutant, has been effectively removed from wastewater by a novel adsorbent called La/Th-MOF. This adsorbent is made of stacked nanorods of 2-methyl imidazole with lanthanum and thorium. La/Th-MOF, which is characterized by sophisticated techniques including SEM, XRD, and BET analysis, has a mesoporous assembly with a 1.23 nm pore size and a capacious surface area of 2226.93 m2/g, which facilitates effectual adsorption. The adsorption tests, which were impacted by factors such as pH levels, ACT concentration, and contact time, fit into a pseudo-second-order chemisorption kinetic model and with the Langmuir isotherm, suggesting homogenous monolayer adsorption. The material in question demonstrated a noteworthy maximum adsorption capability of 339.75 mg/g for ACT, indicating its probable as a feasible and economical adsorbent for the mitigation of pharmaceutical contamination in wastewater. Our results designate that pH levels have an important influence on the efficacy of ACT absorption by La/Th-MOF, with an acidic pH 5 environment being most favorable for maximal adsorption at a material dosage of 0.02 g. It was discovered that the adsorption procedure was endothermic. Using pseudo-second-order kinetic models and the Langmuir isotherm, which both fit the experimental data very well, to explain the adsorption kinetics. A chemisorption mechanism was found to be predominant throughout the process, as specified by the predicted adsorption energy of 22.62 kJ/mol. In addition, optimized the influencing parameters by using the Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM), which improved process efficiency. La/Th-MOF, has a remarkable half-life, as demonstrated by six rounds of adsorption and desorption without a discernible decline in performance. Research endeavors aimed at elucidating the interplay between La/Th-MOF and ACT hint to several plausible points of contact that could contribute to the adsorption procedure, such as hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, pore filling or electrostatic forces. This study, which is innovative in its use, reveals the exceptional efficacy of La/Th-MOF in wastewater purification using ACT extraction. An astounding 339.75 mg/g of optimal adsorption capability was attained at an acidic pH of 5. This highlights how the La/Th-MOF can be used in practice to treat pharmaceutical pollutants found in water sources.

Feasibility of a cinematic-virtual reality training program about opioid use disorder for osteopathic medical students: a single-arm pre-post study.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) has a considerable morbidity and mortality in the United States. Healthcare providers are key points of contact for those with OUD; however, some providers may hold stigma toward OUD. Stigma toward OUD can lead to lower quality of care and more negative health outcomes. Thus, new trainings designed to reduce stigma toward OUD while increasing empathy are critical. We created a web-based cinematic virtual reality (cine-VR) training program on OUD for osteopathic medical students. The aim of this pilot study was to assess changes in stigma toward OUD and empathy before and after the online cine-VR training program on OUD. We employed a single-arm, pre- and posttest pilot study to assess changes in stigma toward OUD and empathy. Osteopathic medical students from one large medical school in the Midwest with three campuses were invited to participate in the online cine-VR training. Participants completed two surveys before and after the cine-VR training. We performed paired t tests to examine changes in stigma toward OUD and empathy scores before and after the cine-VR OUD training program. A total of 48 participants completed the training. We observed a decrease in stigma toward OUD posttraining (t=4.402, p<0.001); this change had a Cohen's d of 0.64, indicating a medium effect. We also observed an increase in participants' empathy scores posttraining (t=-2.376, p=0.023), with a Cohen's d of 0.40 signifying a small effect. Findings from this pilot study suggest that the online cine-VR training may reduce stigma toward OUD while increasing empathy. Future research employing a randomized controlled trial design with a larger, more diverse sample and a proper attention control condition is needed to confirm the effectiveness of the online cine-VR training. If confirmed, this cine-VR training may be an accessible approach to educating osteopathic medical students about OUD.

A novel role of AURKA kinase in erythroblast enucleation.

Generation of mammalian red blood cells requires the expulsion of polarized nuclei late in terminal erythroid differentiation. However, the mechanisms by which spherical erythroblasts determine the direction of nuclear polarization and maintain asymmetry during nuclear expulsion are poorly understood. Given the analogy of erythroblast enucleation to asymmetric cell division and the key role of Aurora kinases in mitosis, we sought to investigate the function of Aurora kinases in erythroblast enucleation. We found that AURKA (Aurora kinase A) is abundantly expressed in orthochromatic erythroblasts. Intriguingly, high-resolution confocal microscopy analyses revealed that AURKA co-localized with the centrosome on the side of the nucleus opposite its membrane contact point during polarization and subsequently translocated to the anterior end of the protrusive nucleus upon nuclear exit. Mechanistically, AURKA regulated centrosome maturation and localization via interaction with i-tubulin to provide polarization orientation for the nucleus. Furthermore, we identified ECT2 (epithelial cell transforming 2), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, as a new interacting protein and ubiquitination substrate of AURKA. After forming the nuclear protrusion, AURKA translocated to the anterior end of the protrusive nucleus to directly degrade ECT2, which is partly dependent on kinase activity of AURKA. Moreover, knockdown of ECT2 rescued impaired enucleation caused by AURKA inhibition. Our findings have uncovered a previously unrecognized role of Aurora kinases in the establishment of nuclear polarization and eventual nuclear extrusion and provide new mechanistic insights into erythroblast enucleation.

Social support from the physiotherapist and the therapeutic relationship in physiotherapy: bridging theory to practice

ABSTRACT Background/Purpose Therapeutic relationship and social support are critical components in physiotherapy that shape patient outcomes. However, defining these constructs, discerning their similarities and differences, and measuring them pose challenges. This article aims to facilitate scientific and clinical advancement on social support and the therapeutic relationship in physiotherapy by (a) providing conceptual clarity, (b) discussing measurement tools, and (c) offering practical recommendations for the deliberate incorporation of these constructs in clinical practice. Methods This is a perspective paper drawing on examples from existing research. Key Results Assessing the nature and strength of social support and promoting naturally occurring social support networks are practical ways for physiotherapists to foster social support in physiotherapy clinical practice. Physiotherapists can offer direct support, facilitate the development of an individual’s social skills, and promote participation in group activities. To strengthen the therapeutic relationship, it is important to maintain good communication, foster connectedness with the patient, demonstrate professional skills, and adopt a reflective practice. Physiotherapists are encouraged to establish clear roles and responsibilities, prioritize individualized patient-centered care, and involve patients in shared decision-making, ensuring congruence in goals and expectations. Willingness to dedicate time and energy within and beyond direct patient-therapist interactions can foster connections. Moreover, using the body – which is the main point of contact with patients – and physical touch can help physiotherapists to connect with patients. Finally, physiotherapists must be prepared to address and mend any conflicts which can impact the relationship’s trajectory. Conclusion Social support and therapeutic relationships are complementary aspects of one’s health care, and it is crucial to purposefully account for both in physiotherapy practice to optimize person-centered care and rehabilitation outcomes.

Impact of Restricted Public Transport Since COVID-19 on Women in Rural India: A Qualitative Study

PurposeRailways are crucial as public transport in rural India in connecting the villages with cities. Since COVID-19, most of the trains in rural India have not stopped at small railway stations, which has impacted the mobility of the villagers. This study is conducted in Piprai, a village in North India, to explore the impact of non-halting trains since COVID-19 on young girls in rural India. Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a qualitative research design to explore the impact of non-halting trains since COVID-19 on young girls in rural India. Qualitative data was collected from three sources. Two physical participatory workshops were conducted in Piprai in March 2021 and October 2022 with 10 and 12 participants, respectively. A WhatsApp group was formed with six girls for continuous feedback and discussions. A social activist from the same area was the point of contact and was interviewed to understand the overall condition of women in the village. FindingsThe results provide valuable insights into how the lack of public transportation since COVID-19 has affected young girls in rural India. Women's mobility has been limited, which has led to a halt in higher studies, being unable to visit hospitals regularly and meeting relatives, especially parents in different cities. Furthermore, the above reasons have led to anxiety and mental disturbance. Originality/valueThis study is among the first to explore the impact of lack of transportation since COVID-19 on women in rural India. This is the first time any such study has been conducted in the remote area of Bundelkhand, UP, India.

Epithelial cells maintain memory of prior infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae through di-methylation of histone H3

Epithelial cells are the first point of contact for bacteria entering the respiratory tract. Streptococcus pneumoniae is an obligate human pathobiont of the nasal mucosa, carried asymptomatically but also the cause of severe pneumoniae. The role of the epithelium in maintaining homeostatic interactions or mounting an inflammatory response to invasive S. pneumoniae is currently poorly understood. However, studies have shown that chromatin modifications, at the histone level, induced by bacterial pathogens interfere with the host transcriptional program and promote infection. Here, we uncover a histone modification induced by S. pneumoniae infection maintained for at least 9 days upon clearance of bacteria with antibiotics. Di-methylation of histone H3 on lysine 4 (H3K4me2) is induced in an active manner by bacterial attachment to host cells. We show that infection establishes a unique epigenetic program affecting the transcriptional response of epithelial cells, rendering them more permissive upon secondary infection. Our results establish H3K4me2 as a unique modification induced by infection, distinct from H3K4me3 or me1, which localizes to enhancer regions genome-wide. Therefore, this study reveals evidence that bacterial infection leaves a memory in epithelial cells after bacterial clearance, in an epigenomic mark, thereby altering cellular responses to subsequent infections and promoting infection.

WITHDRAWN: Cadaveric Testing of a Novel Intraoperative Load Sensor for Soft-tissue balancing during Total Knee Replacements

AimThe aim of this research was to prove the functionality of a smart tibial sensor for use during total knee replacements to increase the clinical accuracy of a balanced knee. The accuracy of such device provides surgeons with an objective tool for load balancing in the knee, where currently the joint is balanced based on the surgeon’s ‘feel’ of a balanced knee. BackgroundLiterature surrounding the kinematics and tibiofemoral joint forces through the flexion arc coupled with qualitative feedback from an orthopaedic surgeon provided a basis for proving the functionality of the smart-sensor. MethodologyTwo full body cadavers underwent a cruciate-retaining total knee replacement using Zimmer’s Persona Knee System. Varying thicknesses adjusted the height of the tibial smart-sensor between 10mm-13mm in increments of 1mm. The contact points and loads were observed through the flexion arc (0°,45°, and 90°). ResultsThe results were between the literature surrounding both the compartmental forces and contact points throughout the range of motion. Moreover, qualitative feedback determined that the smart-sensor was robust and durable throughout its use in both cadavers demonstrating its potential as a reusable device. Minor adjustments to the graphical user interface would improve the ease of use for the surgical team. ConclusionThis sensor demonstrated the functionality of the smart-sensor through cadaveric testing in predicating both the load and location throughout a range of motion. Continued development of this sensor would provide surgeons with an accurate and robust tool for intraoperative joint balancing which could extend to all joints in the body for a more evidence based surgical procedure.

Dos Perspectivas Teóricas para Explicar la Gran Historia: Fred Spier &amp; Pedro Ortiz Cabanillas

The central hypothesis of this research is that there are currently two theoretical proposals within the Big Story: the better known proposal of Fred Spier (1952 - ) and the lesser known proposal of Pedro Ortiz Cabanillas (1933 – 2011) implicitly contained in his Sociobiological Informational Theory. We will proceed to present and synthesize the two theories of Big History made by Spier and Ortiz, comparing them and identifying points of contact and differences. Spier’s theoretical proposal presents the becoming of the universe in three moments: cosmological, biological and social. The epistemological basis being a qualitative theory of complexity. Ortiz’s proposal (based on a qualitative theory of information) presents the evolution of the universe in six levels of complexity. In parallel, we would have: level 0 (Spier’s cosmological moment); level one, two, three and four (Spier’s biological level); and level 5 (Spier’s social moment). There are occasional differences between the two approaches, but more are the articulations and points of contact. The hypothesis of this research is correct: Spier (explicitly) and Ortiz (implicitly) have explanatory theories of Big History. Even if Spier and Ortiz never had contact (neither personally nor academically), their theories are articulated in the same explanatory scheme and are epistemologically nourished simultaneously. Big History is strengthened by what is presented here

At-Risk Tackling Techniques and Effectiveness in English Premiership Rugby.

Head-down tackling has been associated with higher rates of head and neck injuries and less successful tackles compared with head-up tackling in American football. In rugby, head and neck injuries have been associated with tackling, with the tackler's head positioned in front of the ball carrier. To assess the success and risks of tackling techniques used in the English Rugby Premiership matches. Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Three reviewers analyzed 1000 consecutive solo defensive tackling attempts during the 2022 to 2023 season in 6 English Rugby Premiership matches. Slow-motion replays were used to analyze the success of the tackling attempt in terms of head angulation (head up vs head down), head position relative to the offensive player's waist at point of contact, and tackling method (inside shoulder, arm, head across the bow, and head-to-head). The chi-square test or Fisher exact test was used to analyze categorical data, and the 2-tailed Student t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze continuous data. The mean interrater reliabilities for analyzing the tackles were good across all groups (κ = 0.715). Head-up and head-down tackling occurred in 848 tackle attempts (84.8%) and 152 tackle attempts (15.2%), respectively. Head-up tackles were successful in 80.7% of the tackle attempts compared with 71.1% of the head-down tackle attempts (P = .0072). Tackles made at or above the waist were successful in 80.7% of the tackle attempts compared with 73.1% of tackles below the waist (P = .0193). The inside-shoulder technique had the highest successful tackle rate at 90.8%, compared with 44.2% with the arm technique (P < .0001) and 72.4% with the head-across-the-bow technique (P < .0001). The inside-shoulder technique resulted in head-up tackling in 84.8% of players compared with 59.8% with the head-across-the-bow technique (P < .0001) and 94.9% with arm tackling (P = .0001). There were 4 recorded injuries to the tackler: 2 neck injuries, 1 shoulder injury, and 1 wrist/hand injury. Head-up tackling, tackles made at or above the level of the offensive player's waist, and inside-shoulder tackling were found to be more efficient in producing successful tackles. The head-down, tackling below the waist, and head-across-the-bow techniques were associated with poor tackling and lower success rates.

To play or not to play, that is the question: an interview study with amateur football coaches on perceptions of pain during sports participation

Amateur football coaches play a key role in preventing, assessing and treating pain among their players, as they are often the first point of contact and may be the main...

Does an untreated peri‐implant dehiscence defect affect the progression of peri‐implantitis?: A preclinical in vivo experimental study

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the early impact of plaque accumulation in a buccal dehiscence defect on peri‐implant marginal bone resorption.Materials and MethodsIn six male Mongrel dogs, four dental implants were placed in the posterior maxilla on both sides (two implants per side). Based on the group allocation, each implant was randomly assigned to one of the following four groups to decide whether buccal dehiscence defect was prepared and whether silk ligation was applied at 8 weeks post‐implant placement for peri‐implantitis induction: UC (no defect without ligation); UD (defect without ligation); LC (no defect with ligation); and LD (defect with ligation) groups. Eight weeks after disease induction, the outcomes from radiographic and histologic analyses were statistically analyzed (p &lt; .05).ResultsBased on radiographs, the exposed area of implant threads was smallest in group UC (p &lt; .0083). Based on histology, both the distances from the implant platform to the first bone‐to‐implant contact point and to the bone crest were significantly longer in the LD group (p &lt; .0083). In the UD group, some spontaneous bone fill occurred from the base of the defect at 8 weeks after implant placement. The apical extension of inflammatory cell infiltrate was significantly more prominent in the LD and LC groups compared to the UC group (p &lt; .0083).ConclusionPlaque accumulated on the exposed implant surface had a negative impact on maintaining the peri‐implant marginal bone level, especially when there was a dehiscence defect around the implant.

Molecular basis and functional consequences of the interaction between the base excision repair DNA glycosylase NEIL1 and RPA

NEIL1 is a DNA glycosylase that recognizes and initiates base excision repair of oxidized bases. The ubiquitous ssDNA binding scaffolding protein, replication protein A (RPA), modulates NEIL1 activity in a manner that depends on DNA structure. Interaction between NEIL1 and RPA has been reported, but the molecular basis of this interaction has yet to be investigated. Using a combination of NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), we show that NEIL1 interacts with RPA through two contact points. An interaction with the RPA32C protein recruitment domain was mapped to a motif in the common interaction domain (CID) of NEIL1 and a dissociation constant (Kd) of 200 nM was measured. A substantially weaker secondary interaction with the tandem RPA70AB ssDNA binding domains was also mapped to the CID. Together these two contact points reveal NEIL1 has a high overall affinity (Kd ∼ 20 nM) for RPA. A homology model of the complex of RPA32C with the NEIL1 RPA binding motif in the CID was generated and used to design a set of mutations in NEIL1 to disrupt the interaction, which was confirmed by ITC. The mutant NEIL1 remains catalytically active against a thymine glycol lesion in duplex DNA in vitro. Testing the functional effect of disrupting the NEIL1-RPA interaction in vivo using a Fluorescence Multiplex-Host Cell Reactivation (FM-HCR) reporter assay revealed an unexpected role for NEIL1 in nucleotide excision repair. These findings are discussed in the context of the role of NEIL1 in replication-associated repair.

Assessment of occlusion changes during laboratory phase of relining: An in vitro study.

Assessment of occlusion changes during laboratory phase of relining is essential to evaluate the occlusal discrepancies that could get incorporated in the denture with the use of different relining materials. Since the long term stability and functional success of the denture is heavily influenced by occlusion, an In-vitro study to assess these changes after relining is warranted. The aim of the study is to evaluate the changes in occlusion during laboratory phase of relining procedure. This is an in vitro study with a total of 30 specimen. A total of 30 maxillary standardized dentures were fabricated after mounting on a semi adjustable articulator. These samples will be divided into three groups based on the relining material used (Autopolymerizing resin, Heat-cure resin, Tissue conditioner). The vertical dimension, Centric contact points and eccentric contact points were measured before and after relining. The variables were tested to see if they had a normal distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Parametric distribution was seen for ECP leading to further comparison using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Non-parametric distribution was found while testing the VD, CCP leading to adoption of Kruskal-wallis test for comparison of groups. Dunn Bonferroni test was done for VD since results were significant. The results of this in-vitro study showed statistically significant difference with respect to change in vertical dimension in all groups pre and post relining (P = 0.005). The centric contact points showed lesser variation in position when comparing the pre to the post relining phase with the use of autopolymerising resins, whereas heat cure resins and tissue conditioners showed statistically significant difference in the centric point contacts post relining. No statistically significant changes were seen in eccentric occlusion post relining in all groups. Tissue conditioners showed minimum mean changes in eccentric contacts. Within the limitations of this study, the use of autopolymerising resins depicted the most stable results with respect to occlusion, for relining of dentures.

A Driving Force: Relational Bodies in the Ethnographic Periphery

This paper examines how the act of driving a car shapes identity through relational moments of contact. So often in our social interactions individuals are recognized through the roles they inhabit or actions they repeatedly undertake, whether that be teacher, father, gardener, etc. These roles are not solidified identities, but are rather momentary performances that an individual must temporarily embody in accordance with the circumstances they find themselves in. For many people, driving is a mundane practice that enables ‘more important’ activities in their daily lives, and yet for the time that a person operates a motor vehicle they must make their embodiment of that role a top priority. Using auto-ethnography, I will be looking at how a person ‘becomes’ a driver when they are driving by locating themselves in relation with their surroundings and how those interactions may shape identity for the duration of time that a person is driving. I will be considering how the individual is an intermediary point of contact in a web of relations and how responses to those interactions can shape how that person shows up in the world by considering how a person recognizes and accommodates for their relations with the objects, environments, and people they come into contact with while operating a motor vehicle.

Retrospective evaluation of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction for hypertrophic turbinates in dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome.

The objective of this study was to retrospectively assess the effect of Radiofrequency Volumetric Tissue Reduction (RFVTR) on hypertrophic turbinates and clinical outcome in brachycephalic dogs when included in multi-level surgery (MLS). Clinical retrospective multicenter study. 132 client-owned brachycephalic dogs. 132 brachycephalic dogs with high-grade Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Ayndrome (BOAS) and hypertrophic turbinates were treated with RFVTR as part of MLS of the upper airways. Intranasal obstruction was evaluated by computer tomography (CT) and antero-/retrograde rhinoscopy before and 6 months after RFVTR. The clinical records, the CT images and the rhinoscopy videos were reviewed and clinical evolution was evaluated using a standardized questionnaire. The data was scored semi-quantitatively. In this study, 132 patients were included for a follow-up period of 120 weeks. RFVTR resulted in minor complications, including serous nasal discharge within the first postoperative week in all dogs, and intermittent nasal congestion between 3-8 weeks after treatment in 24.3% of the patients. Rhinoscopy and CT follow-ups were available for 33 patients. Six months after treatment intranasal airspace was increased (p = 0.002) and the presence and overall amount of mucosal contact points was reduced (p = 0.039). MLS with RFVTR led to a significant reduction in turbinate volume at the 6-month follow-up examination and significant clinical improvement over a long-term period of 120 weeks. This suggests the viability of RFVTR as a turbinate-preserving treatment for intranasal obstruction in dogs with BOAS. RFVTR is a minimally invasive turbinoplasty technique for intranasal obstruction in dogs with BOAS and can be included in MLS without increasing complication rates.