3D visualization processes for recreating and studying organismal form.

The study of biological form is a vital goal of evolutionary biology and functional morphology. We review an emerging set of methods that allow scientists to create and study accurate 3D models of living organisms and animate those models for biomechanical and fluid dynamic analyses. The methods for creating such models include 3D photogrammetry, laser and CT scanning, and 3D software. New multi-camera devices can be used to create accurate 3D models of living animals in the wild and captivity. New websites and virtual reality/augmented reality devices now enable the visualization and sharing of these data. We provide examples of these approaches for animals ranging from large whales to lizards and show applications for several areas: Natural history collections; body condition/scaling, bioinspired robotics, computational fluids dynamics (CFD), machine learning, and education. We provide two datasets to demonstrate the efficacy of CFD and machine learning approaches and conclude with a prospectus.

"I don't do it for myself, I do it for them": A grounded theory study of South Asians' experiences of making lifestyle change after myocardial infarction.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore South Asians' experience of choosing and prioritising lifestyle changes during their recovery from first myocardial infarction. BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease continues to be a leading cause of premature death globally. South Asians' suffer increased risk of coronary heart disease and have poorer outcomes following myocardial infarction compared to other ethnic groups. Lifestyle modification slows atherosclerosis, and models of behaviour change have been proposed to support such changes. However, little is known about the experiences of South Asians' when attempting to modify their lifestyle. DESIGN: Constructivist grounded theory design, using longitudinal, face-to-face, semistructured in-depth interviews. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research checklist were used to report the study. METHOD: A series of in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of South Asian patients were conducted at 3 and 16 weeks following hospital discharge. Transcripts were analysed line by line with focused and theoretical coding using the constant comparative method and memo writing. Data collection and analysis occurred simultaneously. RESULTS: Three categories characterised the findings. First, patronage of the family, referring to the role that family played in supporting recovery. Conflict often existed between the needs of the family and the individual with the family needs taking priority resulting in lifestyle modifications being abandoned. Second, conforming to beliefs, which explain how religious and health beliefs influenced decisions. Third, affinity towards one's group which refers to the conflictual nature afforded by social norms. The need for "harmony" was identified as the substantive theory. Decisions about choosing and prioritising lifestyle changes were based on what helped participants to maintain harmony in their life rather than meeting individual health needs. CONCLUSION: South Asians' choose and prioritise lifestyle changes after first myocardial infarction against a backdrop of competing religious, cultural and family beliefs. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This paper illustrates that South Asians attempt to balance their individual needs with their family goals, cultural priorities and their religious beliefs when attempting to adopt a healthy lifestyle post myocardial infarction. We propose a model of shared priority setting as a means of promoting behaviour change with South Asians.

Death from atlanto-occipital dislocation in a boy due to personal water craft collision.

Injuries associated with use of personal water craft (PWC) typically include fractures, lacerations, or head injuries. Deaths are rare. We recently encountered an unusual case of a collision between two PWCs in which a 9-year-old boy was struck on the left side, causing the vehicle to rock and him to twist upward and to the right. There was rapid extension, flexion, and rotation of his head. At postmortem examination, it was established that the boy died from atlanto-occipital dislocation and brainstem transection. The risk of atlanto-occipital dislocation is high in children under 10. The tectoral ligament which stabilizes the upper cervical spine can be torn or ruptured by hyperextension-flexion injury. Some atlanto-occipital dislocations in children can be stabilized and recovery is possible, but in this case of complete ligament rupture and brainstem transection, death was immediate.

Technology evaluation of a USA-Mexico health information system for epidemiological surveillance of Mexican migrant workers / Evaluación tecnológica de un sistema de información de salud mexicanoestadounidense para la vigilancia epidemiológica de los trabajadores itinerantes mexicanos

From 1994 through 1996, federal, state, and nongovernmental organizations in Mexico and in the United States of America developed and piloted a Binational Health Information System for Epidemiological Surveillance of Mexican migrant workers. The system allowed data exchange for epidemiological surveillance between the state of Guanajuato in Mexico and the Commonwealth (state) of Pennsylvania in the United States, for case detection, prevention, and treatment, through shared contact investigation and case management of communicable diseases. The target population consisted of migrant workers traveling between Guanajuato and Pennsylvania to work mainly in the mushroom industry, and their sexual partners in their Mexican communities of origin. Computerized migrant health information modules were set up in Guanajuato and in Pennsylvania. Patient information and epidemiological surveillance data were encrypted and communicated electronically between the modules, using the WONDER communications system of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Evaluation of the Guanajuato-Pennsylvania Binational Health Information System showed that major barriers to binational epidemiological surveillance and control are: a)lack of communication binationally; b) interrupted medical care due to migration; c) inconsistent diagnosis and treatment criteria between the two countries; d) lack of referral clinical records from one country to the other; and e) deficient legal regulations concerning binational clinical data transfer. To our knowledge, this is the first project that has successfully demonstrated the technological feasibility of a binational disease control system linking a state in the interior of one country with a state in the interior of another country, rather than just states in the border region. The project also advanced the understanding of health service organizational issues that facilitate or hinder communication, outreach, disease prevention, and organization of health care services for migrant workers in both Mexico and the United States. Despite the unprecedented success and potential bilateral benefits demonstrated by this project, serious structural and organizational deficits in the public health systems of both countries muest be addressed before epidemiological seurveillance can be achieved binationally

De 1994 a 1996, algunas organizaciones federales, estatales y no gubernamentales en México y los Estados Unidos de América han creado y puesto en marcha un Sistema de Información de Salud Binacional para la Vigilancia Epidemiológica de trabajadores itinerantes mexicanos. El sistema permitió el intercambio de información epidemiológica entre el estado de Guanajuato en México y el estado de Pensilvania en los Estados Unidos, en lo referente a la detección, prevención y tratamiento de casos, mediante la investigación de contactos en común y el manejo de personas con enfermedades transmisibles. La población destinataria se compuso de trabajadores itinerantes que viajaban entre Guanajuato y Pensilvania para trabajar principalmente en la industria de los hongos, y de sus compañeras sexuales en las comunidades mexicanas de donde provenían. Se montaron módulos de información sanitaria computadorizados para los itinerantes en Guanajuato y Pensilvania. Los datos sobre los pacientes y la vigilancia epidemiológica se codificaban y enviaban por la vía electrónica de un módulo a otro mediante el sistema de comunicaciones WONDER, perteneciente a los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades de los Estados Unidos. La evaluación del Sistema de Información de Salud Binacional entre Guanajuato y Pensilvania reveló que las barreras que más obstaculizan la vigilancia y el control epidemiológicos en el ámbito binacional son las siguientes: a) la falta de comunicación entre los dos países; b) la interrupción de la atención médica con motivo de la migración; c) la poca concordancia entre los criterios de diagnóstico y tratamiento de ambos países; d) la falta de expedientes clínicos para remitir al paciente de un país a otro, y e) la deficiencia de los reglamentos legales en torno a la transferencia de información clínica en el nivel binacional. Este es, a nuestro parecer, el primer proyecto en demostrar la factibilidad tecnológica de un sistema binacional para el control de enfermedades que conecte un estado dentro de un país con otro en un país diferente, y no simplemente dos estados en la zona limítrofe. El proyecto también ha permitido conocer más a fondo algunos aspectos de la organización de los servicios de salud que facilitan u obstaculizan la comunicación, las actividades de promoción social, la prevención de enfermedades y la organización de los servicios de salud para trabajadores itinerantes, tanto en México como en los Estados Unidos. Pese al éxito inaudito de este proyecto y a los beneficios bilaterales que ha mostrado poder aportar, hay deficiencias graves en la estructura y organización de los sistemas de salud pública de ambos países que deben ser examinadas antes de que se logre una vigilancia epidemiológica de carácter binacional.