A Macro Lens-Based Optical System Design for Phototherapeutic Instrumentation.

Light emitting diode (LED) and ultrasound have been powerful treatment stimuli for tumor cell growth due to non-radiation effects. This research is the first preliminary study of tumor cell suppression using a macro-lens-supported 460-nm LED combined with high-frequency ultrasound. The cell density, when exposed to the LED combined with ultrasound, was gradually reduced after 30 min of induction for up to three consecutive days when 48-W DC, 20-cycle, and 50 Vp-p sinusoidal pulses were applied to the LEDs through a designed macro lens and to the ultrasound transducer, respectively. Using a developed macro lens, the non-directional light beam emitted from the LED could be localized to a certain spot, likewise with ultrasound, to avoid additional undesirable thermal effects on the small sized tumor cells. In the experimental results, compared to LED-only induction (14.49 ± 2.73%) and ultrasound-only induction (13.27 ± 2.33%), LED combined with ultrasound induction exhibited the lowest cell density (6.25 ± 1.25%). Therefore, our measurement data demonstrated that a macro-lens-supported 460-nm LED combined with an ultrasound transducer could possibly suppress early stage tumor cells effectively.

A proposed methodology for conducting a remote rigid gas permeable contact lens consultation.

PURPOSE: COVID-19 spread to numerous countries, overwhelming healthcare systems and economies worldwide. COVID-19 restrictions have prevented patients from attending consultations in person and led to the further development of telemedicine to provide health care. The situation also applies to contact lens (CL) practitioners and their patients; telemedicine enables practitioners to provide patients with regular and continuing care. This study aimed to investigate available tools to enable continuing care for rigid gas permeable (RGP) CL wearers who are unable to attend face-to-face consultations. METHODS: The study consists of three components. Firstly, an approach to enable the assessment of a patient's CL fitting and cornea remotely. Secondly, to find an affordable and reliable method to obtain a patient's visual acuity (VA), and thirdly, to develop a questionnaire to provide practitioners with information to deliver optimal patient care. RESULTS: The use of a macro lens, smartphone, and auxiliary materials enables high-quality images of the anterior eye and RGP CL to be obtained. Two free and validated smartphone applications (apps) for VA measurements were identified which are available on Android and iOS systems. Two questionnaires were also developed to enable practitioners to obtain additional patient information to facilitate optimal patient care. CONCLUSION: This study has developed the components of a remote CL consultation to enable patients who cannot attend scheduled appointments to receive care and advice to ensure the safety of their RGP CL wear. The tools involved in this study are low-cost, affordable, and an adjunct, not a substitute, for face-to-face consultations.

Underwater DVI: Simple fingerprint technique for positive identification.

An underwater disaster can be declared when a maritime accident occurred or when an aircraft is plunged into water area, be it ocean, sea or river. Nevertheless, handling of human remains in an underwater recovery operation is often a difficult and demanding task as working conditions may be challenging with poor to no visibility, location of remains at considerable depths and associated hazards from surrounding water. A case of the recent helicopter crash, into a famous river in Sarawak, domiciled by huge crocodiles, is discussed in this paper. Search and recovery team as well as the combat divers from the Special Elite Troop Commando, known as VAT 69, were deployed to the scene to perform the underwater recovery to search for all the victims on board involving five Malaysians with a pilot of Philippines nationality. This paper highlights the limitations and challenges faced during the underwater search and recovery. All the bodies recovered were in moderate decomposition stage with crushed injuries and mutilated face and body. A simple and conventional fingerprint technique were used to record the fingerprint. The prints impressions were later photographed using a smartphone and transferred back to the RMP headquarters in Kuala Lumpur for fingerprint match by using WhatsApp Messenger, a phone application. All the first five victims were identified within an average of 10min. The last victim recovered was the pilot. For foreign nationals, the Immigration Department of Malaysia will record the prints of both index fingers only. The lifting of the fingerprint of the last victim was the most challenging in which only one index finger left that can be used for comparison. A few techniques were attempted using the black printer's ink, glass and tape techniques for the last victim. Subsequently, images of the prints impression were taken using the same smartphone with additional macro lens attached to it to enhance the resolution. The images were transferred to the RMP headquarters through WhatsApp Messenger. The prints were confirmed to be the pilot 20min later.

The effects of camera lenses and dental specialties on the perception of smile esthetics.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether different camera lenses and dental specialties can affect the perception of smile esthetics. METHODS: In the first phase of this study, 40 female smile photographs (taken from dental students) were evaluated by six orthodontists, three specialists in restorative dentistry, and three prosthodontists to select the most beautiful smiles. The 20 students with the best smile ranks were again photographed in standard conditions, but this time with two different lenses: Regular and then macro lenses. Each referee evaluated the beauty of the smiles on a visual analog scale. The referees were blinded of the type of lenses, and the images were all coded. The data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests (alpha = 0.05, alpha = 0.0167). RESULTS: The lenses led to similar scores of beauty perception (Mann-Whitney P = 0.8). There was no difference between subjective beauty perception of specialties (Kruskal-Wallis P = 0.6). Two-way ANOVA indicated no significant role for lenses (P = 0.1750), specialties (P = 0.7677), or their interaction (P = 0.7852). CONCLUSION: The photographs taken by a regular lens and then digitally magnified can be as appealing as close-up photographs taken by a macro lens. Experts in different specialties (orthodontics, prosthodontics, and restorative dentistry) showed similar subjective judgments of smile beauty.