Foveation-based reduced resolution driving scheme for immersive virtual reality displays.

This paper introduces a foveation-based driving scheme that can extend line times for high-resolution and wide viewing angle displays in virtual reality applications. In the proposed one, a panel receives the substantially reduced vertical resolution image with consideration of human visual system based on the distance from the foveation point, which also leads to the dramatic data bandwidth reduction. Then, the foveated-rendering image of the full resolution is recovered in the panel by means of multi-output driving shift registers that can apply the same gate pulses to multiple lines. These multiple lines are simultaneously charged with one same line data and multiple resolutions can be presented automatically on a high resolution display. It is verified that effective numbers of lines are reduced to 30.3% and 21.0% for 4,800 × 4,800 and 9,600 × 9,600 resolutions, respectively. Consequently, line times can be extended to 330.0% and 476.2%. In addition, the subjective evaluation has ensured that the foveation-based driving scheme is applicable to high resolution and wide viewing angle displays without any perceivable degradation of image qualities.

Lateral meniscus allograft transplantation: an arthroscopically-assisted single-incision technique using all-inside sutures with a suture hook.

We present an arthroscopically-assisted single-incision technique using all-inside sutures with a suture hook in the lateral meniscus allograft transplantation. Although this technique is technically demanding, it provides vertically oriented and secure sutures with good tissue approximation without the accessory skin incision.

The efficacy and safety of leucine-enriched essential amino acids in knee osteoarthritis patients: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Supplementation with leucine-enriched essential amino acids (LEAAs) has shown efficacy in the recovery of muscle injury and activation of muscle synthesis. Muscle function in knee osteoarthritis is a crucial factor for managing pain and preserving ambulatory function. However, the efficacy and safety of LEAAs supplementation in patients with knee osteoarthritis have not been evaluated. METHODS: In this prospective analysis, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of supplementation with 12 g of LEAAs daily for 8 weeks in knee-symptomatic osteoarthritis patients. For assessing the efficacy, clinical pain, calf circumference, and disability were assessed using questionnaires (visual analog scale, Knee Society Score, and 36-item short form survey [SF-36]), laboratory analyses (total protein and albumin), and radiologic study (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DEXA]) for muscle and bone density. To evaluate safety, generalized or localized protein allergic reactions, complete blood count, liver and kidney function, and serum glucose were measured. RESULTS: Sixty-five participants, categorized into the experimental (n = 32) and control (n = 33) groups, were included in this 8-week trial from March 2022 to July 2022. A significantly higher efficacy was observed in the experimental group than in the control group, as indicated by muscle density in the DEXA scan (P = .001) and SF-36 (P < .001). The safety evaluation revealed no related generalized or local protein allergy. Hematological findings, serum glucose, and kidney and liver toxicity were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with leucine-enriched proteins is safe and efficacious in the improvement of muscle density and quality of life.

Impact of the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic and Related Vaccination in an Orthopedic Clinic in the United Arab Emirates: An Observational Study.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has influenced hospital visiting patterns. Although vaccination has decreased infection rates and disease severity, hospital visiting patterns and associated treatment changes related to orthopedics remain unexplored in the Middle East. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination on individual departments dealing with musculoskeletal disorders in the United Arab Emirates. Relationships between publicly available national data on the number of COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction tests and confirmed and recovered cases during May 2020-July 2021 and hospital data on the number of outpatients, inpatients, operations, and physiotherapy consultations were analyzed. In January 2021, the relationship between vaccination rate and orthopedic unit utilization was evaluated after vaccination campaign initiation. Multifactorial analysis revealed that an increased number of COVID-19-related deaths correlated with a decreased number of joint operations. Negative linear relationships were observed among confirmed and death cases with inpatient treatment and joint operation as well as recovered cases with inpatient treatment. Recovered cases with inpatient treatment and joint operation showed a positive linear relationship. Inpatient spine treatment showed a positive relationship with vaccination rates. The COVID-19 pandemic influenced orthopedic treatment in the Middle East, and vaccination campaigns facilitated inpatient spine treatment.